Date: 4/30/26 2:16 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] East Pinery Road April 30
I walked part of East Pinery Road this morning. Unfortunately, it was quite windy so bird activity in general was low. I struck out on most of the expected Montane species. However, Mountain Quail were calling in several places. Birds of note included at least 3 calling Olive-sided Flycatchers and a genuine abundance of Lazuli Buntings, most of them singing. I think post-fire conditions must be ideal for them this year as I've never found so many at this location. I suspect there will be several nests in this area.
Wildflowers included Bush Lupine just coming into bloom and some nice Ceanothus with long creamy inflorescens. (C. integerimus?) On the way up, the blooming Bush Monkey Flower and Purple Sage along the road were also especially nice.
After bailing out of East Pinery, I took the road down to Cachuma Camp. As usual, bird activity at this spot was low and from year to year, I have yet to figure out why. The riparian habitat seems to be ideal for many species, but they don't seem to flourish there. Best birds were a single Steller's Jay and a calling Western Wood-Pewee.
I found the best flowers of the day along the roadside of upper Happy Canyon Road where to vegetation is brushy. There was lots of Annual Clarkia in bloom and a variety of other species I did not see elsewhere, like Western Wallflower and a gorgeous patch of blue Larkspur.
Florence Sanchez
