Date: 8/27/25 8:56 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Another birding location lost
Hugh is Correct. This is one of the spots that was identified in unincorporated SB County to meet the state's mandate as a potential housing location. It has been in its current non-accessible state for several months. A real loss.
Florence Sanchez
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 01:10:25 PM PDT, Hugh Ranson via groups.io <zonetail1...> wrote:
It appears we might have lost another birding location in Santa Barbara. This morning I visited Lane Farm, west of the shopping center at Turnpike and Hollister. Over the years birders have been allowed to bird the farmland which, in the fall and winter, has had an attractive combination of crops, grasses, and stubble. The farm has been great for an assortment of sparrows and buntings, grosbeaks, doves, meadowlarks, pipits, etc. It's been a reliable spot for Bobolinks, Blue Grosbeaks, and Lazuli Buntings, and has had a couple each of Dickcissel and Painting Bunting over the years.
Today when I arrived the gate was padlocked, and there was a "No Trespassing" sign. A peek through the fence revealed no crops--mostly bare earth and a few weeds. Perhaps the property is being prepared for housing--I seem to remember reading that this area was being eyed some years ago.
I went with Plan B and walked Atascadero Creek from Patterson to Ward Memorial. I saw no migrants and very few resident birds.
Hugh RansonSB
