Today's Santa Cruz Bird Club trip to Panoche Valley was embraced by 38 enthusiastic birders, and it did not disappoint. Our first stop of the day at Red Rock seemed fairly routine, with no birds of prey, but scope views of singing CALIFORNIA THRASHERS, and heard-only WRENTITS. A couple people spotted a CHIPPING SPARROW, but better views were desired. Shortly afterwards, a pair of cooperative PHAINOPEPLA were spotted, providing a few birders with their first lifers of the day. Two BALD EAGLES lost their status for "birds of the day" when an AMERICAN BADGER was spotted nearby, and prematurely declared "the guaranteed best bird of the day". Good sightings continued, including a skulking RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW in the expected spot, and a bit later, a dark-morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK, offering some potential bird of the day competition. Early morning requests for a PRAIRIE FALCON sighting were granted when the Ferrugie chased one off of a nearby power pole. LARK SPARROWS were spotted along the way shortly before we stopped for lunch at the Panoche Inn. At the Inn and surrounding area, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, a GOLDEN EAGLE, and another PRAIRIE FALCON were spotted. After lunch, we had our first MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS of the day, and light morph FERRUGINOUS HAWKS seemed to start appearing everywhere. One field alone held SIX "Ferrugies" along with a couple NORTHERN HARRIERS and more PRAIRIE FALCONS. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were being spotted, and a couple cars had looks at a GREATER ROADRUNNER. We spotted another endangered mammal with several NELSON'S ANTELOPE SQUIRRELS, but efforts to find Mountain Plovers were in vain. However, scanning for the plovers led to seeing a KIT FOX duo soaking up the afternoon sun, and entering into the 'bird of the day" candidacy. HORNED LARKS and a MERLIN were an added bonus.
Photos of the dark (rufous)-morph Ferrugie and the Badger can be seen here https://pbase.com/ternvomitthief/recent_photos, along with some photos taken last week of other birds we saw today.
Thanks to everyone who joined in, helped find birds and mammals, and contributed to a fun and productive day in the field. I'm looking forward to our next trip already.
