Date: 9/14/26 3:40 pm From: Florence Sanchez via groups.io <sanchezucsb11...> Subject: [sbcobirding] La Cumbre Peak and East Camino Cielo
I was also one of the birders at La Cumbre Peak this morning, enjoying the amazing spectacle as flock after flock of Clark's Nutcrackers flew by, starting at about 10 minutes to 8:00. Paul has challenged us to try to determine where they are coming from and where they might be going, but that still remains a mystery.
They did not to be coming from montane areas such as Mt. Pinos or the Pine Mountain complex in Ventura County; instead the route was pretty much from the east between the inner ranges and the coastal mountains. All were definitely flying west, most on the eastern side of the Peak and sometimes coming by from quite low in the valley below.
As to where they might be going, the only clue I had was later as I drove west on East Camino Cielo Road. At the signed trailhead for the Snider Trail, I picked up one bird just crossing East Camino Cielo Road. It met another bird flying on the inland side and both continued flying lower and across the valley below.
I saw no Pinyon Jays, though I checked every possible Jay or similar bird all the way down to San Marcos Pass Road.
Montane birding at the Peak was slow to get started, but eventually we had at least 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, a couple of Western Tanagers, one White-breasted Nuthatch, and the expected chaparral birds. I left at 8:35; others may have additional species to add.
Florence Sanchez
