Date: 3/31/26 9:12 pm From: henry detwiler via groups.io <henry_detwiler...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Pichacho State Recreation Area - 31 Mar 2026
Greetings Birders,
Suzanne and I enjoyed a couple of hours this morning at Picacho State Recreation Area (SRA), on this last day of March. We spotted or heard almost fifty species, comprising many of our local breeding birds, a good mix of migrants, and a few remaining wintering species.
Our biggest surprise was a Black Rail making its Ki-Ki-Derr call at Stewart Lake. It started up after I did my whistled imitation of a Sora whinny. (The imitation also elicited responses from 2 Soras.) According to Justyn, this is the first eBird record of Black Rail at Pichacho SRA. Hopefully it is one of a breeding pair. Other fine birds from this morning included a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a Dusky Flycatcher, a Hermit Thrush, a flock of 5 Bullock's Orioles, and five species of warblers. Gambel's Quail, Gila Woodpeckers, Verdins, and Phainopeplas were everywhere.
If you visit, expect a fairly rough, hour-long drive from Yuma, AZ. Since this is a state park, the fee is $10 for day-use ($9 for seniors). And if you record your sightings in eBird and are not already part of the California Bird Atlas project, we encourage you to join! Visit https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home for more information.
eBird report from 31 Mar 2026 at Picacho SRA:https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S315252713
Good Birding!Henry D. <Detwilerhenry_detwiler...>, AZ
Finding Birds in Southwest Arizonahttps://www.southwestbirders.com/swb_SWAZ_Book.htmFinding Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, Californiahttps://www.southwestbirders.com/swb_Imperial_County_Book.htm
