Date: 10/17/25 9:21 pm From: Bill Deppe via groups.io <bdeppe...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
Being a High Desert birder, I didn't have the opportunity to bird with Gene often . . . except for 1998. After reading Kenn Kaufman's *Kingbird Highway,* I decided to see how many species of birds I could find in San Bernardino--a Big Year. I quietly started on my own, but on the third Thursday of January, I received an evening call. It was Gene. After greeting me, he asked me how my Big Year was going. I don't know if he knew how surprised I was to get his call, but I told him I had found about 120 species during the first three weeks of January. He replied that he was keeping track as well and had already found about 135 birds or so. We talked about where we found this and that and finally decided to keep in touch The following Thursday evening, I called Gene and we again shared where we stood with our year lists. To fast forward, we ended talking every Thursday night for the rest of the year.
I can't overstate how special and impactful that year was for me. I really didn't know the County very well back then, but Gene generously shared where and when to find birds in the County. We birded together quite a few times, particularly in the remote areas of the County's eastern deserts. Of course we shared a few breakfasts together at Denny's. Like so many other birders in the County, I am indebted to him for sharing his passion for birding. He spent a lifetime teaching us all about birds (with some climate change concern mixed in). He was our mentor and good friend to us all and has left some some big shoes to fill.
As for that 1998, Big Year, Gene found 318 species which was a County record at the time. My 311 species didn't match his total, but I felt like I was a winner having had such a special year with him.
Date: 10/17/25 7:21 pm From: Anthony Metcalf via groups.io <ametcalf...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Waterfowl Hunting begins tomorrow at the San Jacinto WildlyArea
Hi all,
Waterfowl hunting begins tomorrow at the SJWA. Hunt days are Saturdays and Wednesdays. The season runs until early February. During hunt days the SJWA main areas are closed.
Date: 10/17/25 3:11 pm From: James Pike via groups.io <jimpike444...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] solitary sandpiper
On Thursday, a late Solitary Sandpiper was photographed at the Baker sewage pond. For those thinking of birding the east Mojave, note that all sides of the big pond have vegetative blockades, with access to the central trail limited to only the most determined (which doesn't currently include me). In addition, the gate to Zzyzx is locked due to the government shutdown. Further afield, the tree-trimmers in Shoshone finally got around to the salt cedars in the RV park/campground, rendering all of them unworthy of pishing in my view. I passed on visiting there this trip.
Date: 10/17/25 11:11 am From: Anthony Metcalf via groups.io <ametcalf...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
Hi all,
Yes, indeed! Gene Cardiff had a significant and positive impact on birding
and the community—both as the center of gravity of Inland Southern
California birding and activism, and as a mentor to many of us. Personally,
Gene “saved my life” in a literal and professional way. Literally,
approximately 45 years ago, as a naïve naturalist, I ended up thigh deep
and sinking in the muddy silt of the Mystic Lake bed. Gene gathered dried
mud and vegetation and with his extended tripod as a life-line slowly
guided me in extricating myself and “swimming” over to him. Thanks
Gene!! Professionally,
it was Gene’s kindness, generosity and expertise that gave me the
opportunity to join the birding community, and ignite in myself a passion
for birding, ecology, evolution, and environmental activism. And, I know I
am not alone here. Thanks, Gene! Yes, Gene made an impact. He led a life
worth living and enjoyed every moment of it—especially in the field. He
reached 1000’s of students through the Field Ornithology classes he
developed at University of California, Riverside Extension Program and
leading San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society Field Trips. He helped many
of us become birders and environmental activists through his work as the
Curator of Biology at the San Bernardino Valley County Museum, and as an
early and continuing member of the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society
where he spent well over half a century as Board Member, past President and
Field Trip Committee Chair. It was Gene that came up with the motto for the
fighting Meadowlarks, the avatar of the San Bernardino Valley Audubon
Society. That motto—“Sue the Bastards”. I know that Gene’s family is aware
of how loved and respected Gene is. Many of us shared birding adventures
with Gene, Joann, Steve and Kathy. And Steve and Kathy carry on that legacy
in their own ways today. And so will we. “Let’s go, we’re burning
daylight”. Thanks, Gene!
On Thu, Oct 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM Brad Singer via groups.io <bcsinger=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> It is with deep regret to announce the passing of Gene Cardiff,
> essentially the father of birding in the Inland Empire, last night at the
> age of 96. Gene was not only San Bernardino County Museum bird curator,
> but teacher, mentor, conservationist, and friend to so many people
> throughout southern California. There are so many stories to be told about
> Gene, some from over 50 years ago, that I will leave this thread open to
> whomever may want to express their appreciation of his wonderful life.
> Brad Singer
>
>
>
--
Anthony Metcalf
Department of Biology
California State University, San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
(909) 537-7501
FAX: (909) 537-7038
Date: 10/16/25 5:29 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
Like many aspiring biologists/birders/ornithologists, I met Gene when I took his Field Study of Birds course through UC Riverside Extension in fall 1998. I took those courses for several years, then continued tagging along as a guest. Gene took his students all over southern California in those classes, imparting his wisdom not only of birds, but of almost all living things, as well as the history of each of these areas that he had been visiting for half a century. I also became a member of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, where Gene was the field trip chair and the heart of the organization. Gene led numerous trips for SBVAS, travelling even further afield to locations such as Morro Bay and the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley. His enthusiasm for birding these locations was infectious, and his eagerness to show others these locations was obvious. I can't recount the number of times Gene lingered at a location trying to find some rarity or specialty bird for me or someone else who desperately wanted to see it. But as Ryan W. mentioned, there was always another bird to see or place to visit, and eventually he'd exclaim "we're burning daylight", signaling it was time to move on.
In my zealous pursuit of birding, Gene and I eventually became friends (though I always considered him my mentor). He would invite me along to chase rare birds, took me on some of his local collecting trips, and even showed me the ropes of collecting birds and preparing study skins. If I got a call from Gene, there was a good chance he had found some good bird that he wanted to let me know about. He had already retired, but as Curator Emeritus at the San Bernardino County Museum, he was still always thrilled to show me (and everyone else) the collections that he had built (and continued to build) throughout his life. It seems that almost every time we would be discussing some rare or interesting bird sighting from days of yore, he would eventually respond with "I can show it to you!". And then (if we were at the museum), we would walk down to the basement and he would show us the specimen.
Brad's characterization of Gene as a legend is not an exaggeration. He has been birding and adding to the knowledge of natural history of California, especially San Bernardino County, for nearly nine decades. He discovered numerous first state and county records, and published articles on range expansions and other significant findings. He has been a board member of SBVAS for decades, serving as president and field trip chair. He participated in or coordinated multiple Christmas Bird Counts every year. He conducted a breeding bird survey at Morongo for 30+ years, the longest continuous such effort in San Bernardino County, perhaps in southern California. He taught hundreds of students through his UCR Extension courses, and hundreds or even thousands more on the field trips he led for SBVAS. His life's work, the bird and natural history collections at the San Bernardino County Museum, will be a resource for researchers far into the future. Gene's legacy is not only these collections and his contributions to our knowledge of birds in southern California, but also all those he inspired to appreciate birds, nature, natural history, and the places he shared with us.
Tom BensonRedlands, CA
On Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 11:38:22 AM PDT, Brad Singer via groups.io <bcsinger...> wrote:
It is with deep regret to announce the passing of Gene Cardiff, essentially the father of birding in the Inland Empire, last night at the age of 96. Gene was not only San Bernardino County Museum bird curator, but teacher, mentor, conservationist, and friend to so many people throughout southern California. There are so many stories to be told about Gene, some from over 50 years ago, that I will leave this thread open to whomever may want to express their appreciation of his wonderful life.Brad Singer
Date: 10/16/25 3:52 pm From: Gary McLarty via groups.io <hugomclag1...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
So sorry to hear this. Gene is truly a legend!
Gary McLarty
On Thu, Oct 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM Brad Singer via groups.io <bcsinger=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> It is with deep regret to announce the passing of Gene Cardiff,
> essentially the father of birding in the Inland Empire, last night at the
> age of 96. Gene was not only San Bernardino County Museum bird curator,
> but teacher, mentor, conservationist, and friend to so many people
> throughout southern California. There are so many stories to be told about
> Gene, some from over 50 years ago, that I will leave this thread open to
> whomever may want to express their appreciation of his wonderful life.
> Brad Singer
>
>
>
>
Date: 10/16/25 3:20 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
As a staunch Orange County birder, I did not know Gene remotely as well as I’m sure many people in the Inland Empire did. However, I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t be here in the capacity that I’m in now if it hadn’t been for Gene Cardiff, and I’m very saddened to hear of his passing. About 15 years ago I didn’t know crap about birds and decided to enroll in what was then the Field Ornithology Certificate program at UC Riverside, for which Gene and Dori Myers were together my first instructors and my first introduction to birding. Meeting down in the collections of the San Bernardino County Museum and getting to see all the skins was a great way to observe the nuances of different birds up close and personal before venturing out into the field to try to find them on the fly. Across Gene’s three courses in the certificate program, he took us all over southern California to see birds in all different habitats, frequently telling us young birders how we were “burning daylight” dragging behind later in the day while he was constantly pushing forward to the next bird with the energy and enthusiasm of somebody, well, younger than us apparently. I even did some scouting for him for one of his Orange County trips later after I had already "graduated" from the program. Had it not been for Gene’s fabulous seasonal “Field Study of Birds” courses, I may not have picked up birding as strongly as I did. Thank you, Gene, for being my introduction to birding. The birding world lost a giant last night.
--
Ryan Winkleman
Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County
Date: 10/16/25 12:18 pm From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: October 16, 2025
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* October 16, 2025
* CASE25.10.16
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
Today's RBA is dedicated to the memory of Gene Cardiff, who found many rare birds in southeastern California in his lifetime, but especially in San Bernardino County. May he rest in peace.
A BROWN THRASHER continued at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve through Oct 12 (Dan Ward).
A HOODED WARBLER was seen at Granite Mountains Research Station on Oct 10 (Tim Miller).
A BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was seen at Glen Helen Regional Park on Oct 12 (Ruslan Balagansky).
A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER continued at Fort Irwin through Oct 15 (Matt Gould).
A SCARLET TANAGER was seen at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on Oct 15 (Kate Peterlein).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
A GRAY CATBIRD continued on private property in Moreno Valley through Oct 11 (David Rankin).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
Up to three SABINE'S GULLS and two PARASITIC JAEGERS continued near the west end of Young Road through Oct 15 (Deanna McLaughlin).
A BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY was seen near the west end of Young Road on Oct 15 (Deanna McLaughlin).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Guy McCaskie, <guymcc...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
Date: 10/16/25 11:38 am From: Brad Singer via groups.io <bcsinger...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
It is with deep regret to announce the passing of Gene Cardiff, essentially the father of birding in the Inland Empire, last night at the age of 96. Gene was not only San Bernardino County Museum bird curator, but teacher, mentor, conservationist, and friend to so many people throughout southern California. There are so many stories to be told about Gene, some from over 50 years ago, that I will leave this thread open to whomever may want to express their appreciation of his wonderful life. Brad Singer
Date: 10/15/25 1:15 pm From: Matt Grube via groups.io <mattgrube...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Morongo - Tanager Slam
I have received word from Dan Baumann at Big Morongo that a SCARLET TANAGER has joined the continuing HEPATIC TANAGER (and the Westerns and Summer) by the feeders.
Other birds of note include a Black-and-white Warbler in the Cottonwoods behind the baseball fields and a Townsend's Solitaire.
Date: 10/10/25 7:53 am From: Guy McCaskie via groups.io <guymcc...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Salton Sea - 8 October 2025
I spent Wednesday 8 October 2025 (6:30 AM to 3:15 PM) with Therese R.
Clawson looking for birds at a few select locations in the Imperial Valley
and along part of the south shore of the Salton Sea. We started the day near
the west end of Young Road (large numbers of water birds), then looked at
the north end of Lack Road and Obsidian Butte. From there we drove to the
Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge HQ (closed), then looking at Morton Bay.
From Morton Bay we drove southwest to Unit 1 of the Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge (very few birds). After looking at Unit 1 of the Salton Sea
National Wildlife Refuge, we headed southeastward through Westmorland into
Brawley. In Brawley we only looked at Riverview Cemetery. We then drove
south to near the southeast corner of El Centro, stopping at the flooded
area adjacent to Neckel Road on the way. After spending time near the
southeast corner of El Centro, we drove west to San Diego, stopping at Rio
Bend and Fig Lagoon before leaving the Imperial Valley.
Clear with little to no wind, and with temperatures ranging from 65 to 95
degrees.
Species seen and/or heard - Blue-winged Teal (2). Cinnamon Teal (6),
Northern Shoveler (5000), Gadwall (2), American Wigeon (10), Mallard (15),
Redhead (25), Ring-necked Duck (2 - two on Fig Lagoon), Ruddy Duck (5),
Gambel's Quail (15), Pied-billed Grebe (6), Eared Grebe (20), Western Grebe
(10), Clark's Grebe (1), Rock Pigeon (25), Eurasian Collared-Dove (30), Inca
Dove (15), Common Ground-Dove (15), Mourning Dove (25), Anna's Hummingbird
(6), Costa's Hummingbird (1), Sandhill Crane (10 - ten together near the
intersection of Dogwood and Keystone Roads), Common Gallinule (1), American
Coot (250), Black-necked Stilt (500), American Avocet (250), Black-bellied
Plover (15), Killdeer (5), Long-billed Curlew (350), Stilt Sandpiper (5),
Dunlin (2), Least Sandpiper (500), Western Sandpiper (750), Long-billed
Dowitcher (250), Spotted Sandpiper (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (5), Willet (15),
Greater Yellowlegs (35), Red-necked Phalarope (10), Parasitic Jaeger (2 - a
dark-bellied and a white-bellied juvenile harassing terns near the west end
of Young Road), Black Tern (750), Common Tern (1 - one in flight showing a
dark carpel bar), Forster's Tern (350), Sabine's Gull (8 - eight juveniles
together on the water near the west end of Young Road ties the largest
"flock" known at the Salton Sea - up to eight near Oasis, Riverside County
5-13 October 1991). Laughing Gull (5), Ring-billed Gull (300), California
Gull (250), American Herring Gull (10), White-faced Ibis (1500),
Double-crested Cormorant (15), Neotropic Cormorant (20), American White
Pelican (250), Brown Pelican (15), Snowy Egret (20), Black-crowned Night
Heron (2), Green Heron (1), Great Egret (15), Western Cattle Egret (500),
Great Blue Heron (5), Turkey Vulture (5), Northern Harrier (3), Red-tailed
Hawk (2), Belted Kingfisher (3), Gila Woodpecker (2), American Kestrel (15),
Western Kingbird (3 - three getting late individuals near Obsidian Butte),
Black Phoebe (5), Say's Phoebe (2), Vermilion Flycatcher (2), Loggerhead
Shrike (1), Verdin (5), Tree Swallow (1000), Barn Swallow (10). Black-tailed
Gnatcatcher (1), Marsh Wren (1), Northern Mockingbird (5), European Starling
(50), House Sparrow (10), House Finch (10), Lesser Goldfinch (2), Chipping
Sparrow (5), White-crowned Sparrow (10), Savannah Sparrow (10), Song Sparrow
(2), Abert's Towhee (5), Western Meadowlark (5), Red-winged Blackbird (500),
Brown-headed Cowbird (5), Brewer's Blackbird (5), Great-tailed Grackle (50),
Orange-crowned Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) and Common
Yellowthroat (1) - 93 species.
Date: 10/9/25 6:28 pm From: Matt Grube via groups.io <mattgrube...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Morongo update
An afternoon visit to Big Morongo today produced the continuing Brown Thrasher by the feeders. It appears that the Varied Thrush was not seen by anyone today.
A Tennessee Warbler was briefly at the tall palm behind/over the feeding area, and late in the afternoon a Hepatic Tanager made a visit at the feeders.
Date: 10/9/25 7:19 am From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: October 9, 2025
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* October 9, 2025
* CASE25.10.09
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
Birds mentioned:
Parasitic Jaeger
Sabine's Gull
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Varied Thrush
Fox Sparrow
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
A BROWN THRASHER and a VARIED THRUSH were seen at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve on Oct 8 (Katherine Steele).
A (continuing?) BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was reported at Fort Irwin on Oct 5 (Brian Sandstrom).
A PALM WARBLER was seen at Fort Irwin on Oct 6 (Matt Gould).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
A WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY was reported off Arlington Mine Road pretty much in the middle of nowhere on Oct 6 (Lonnie Rodriguez).
A GRAY CATBIRD was seen on private property in Moreno Valley on Oct 7 (David Rankin).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
Two SABINE'S GULLS were seen at Rio Bend Golf Course on Oct 3 (Bridget Spencer).
Up to six SABINE'S GULLS were seen at the west end of Young Road through Oct 7 (Samuel Bressler).
A PARASITIC JAEGER and a FOX SPARROW seen at the west end of Young Road on Oct 7 (Samuel Bressler).
A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley on Oct 3 (Steve Cardiff).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Guy McCaskie, <guymcc...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
Date: 10/8/25 5:07 pm From: asekoonce via groups.io <sandy_koonce...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Morongo Brown Thrasher and Varied Thrush
Today at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve a BROWN THRASHER and a VARIED THRUSH have both been seen, starting early in the morning and continuing until at least midafternoon. The thrasher was by the feeders at the Nature Center; it came in once for about 3-4 minutes during the hour and a half or so that I was there. The thrush was seen in the morning on the Marsh Trail, but this afternoon was by the waterfall bird bath near the feeders for about ten minutes.
Date: 10/3/25 4:22 pm From: Rod Jimenez via groups.io <rodjimenez...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Airport Fire Closure
To the best of my knowledge, the Airport Fire closure remains in effect until October 4, 2025. Presumably, that means that hotspots like the San Juan Loop Trail, Ortega Falls, the Blue Jay Campground and other campgrounds will be accessible again on Sunday, October 5th. Perhaps due to the government shutdown, I’m unable to find information on the Forest Service website to confirm the date.
Date: 10/2/25 7:52 am From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: October 2, 2025
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* October 2, 2025
* CASE25.10.02
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
Birds mentioned:
Parasitic Jaeger
Sabine's Gull
Broad-winged Hawk
*COMMON BLACK HAWK*
Purple Martin
Lark Bunting
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen at Barstow Community College on Sep 27 (Matt Grube).
A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen at the Baker sewage ponds on Sep 30 (Johnny Bovee).
A LARK BUNTING was seen at Erwin Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains on Sep 27 (Sally Veach).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
A *COMON BLACK HAWK* continued at Palo Verde Ecological Reserve through Sep 27 (Bob Packard).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
A PARASITIC JAEGER (possibly continuing) was seen at the west end of Young Road on Sep 29 (Samuel Bressler).
Up to two SABINE'S GULLS were seen at the west end of Young Road Sep 29-30 (Samuel Bressler).
A PURPLE MARTIN was seen at the west end of Young Road on Sep 30 (Samuel Bressler).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Guy McCaskie, <guymcc...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
Date: 9/25/25 7:25 am From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: September 25, 2025
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* September 25, 2025
* CASE25.09.25
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
A SANDERLING was seen at the Tees and Trees ponds in Barstow on Sep 20 (Matt Grube).
A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was reported at Fort Irwin on Sep 23 (Elijah Clark).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
A SABINE'S GULL was seen at Lake Elsinore on Sep 18 (Steven Lima).
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area on Sep 24 (Jon Knowlton).
A VIRGINIA'S WARBLER was seen at Lake Skinner on Sep 20 (Luca Cinus).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
A PARASITIC JAEGER was seen at the west end of Young Road on Sep 19 and another was seen on Sep 21 (Bobby Figarotta, Wendy Miller).
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Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Guy McCaskie, <guymcc...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
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Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
Date: 9/24/25 11:20 pm From: David Rankin via groups.io <davidtrankin...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Yellow-crowned Night Heron at San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Just serving as the messenger, a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron was photographed Sep 24th at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. Described as “at the base of the trees in the middle of pond at the far end of the tour road”. Presumably this is referring to the B ponds.
David RankinMoreno Valley
Date: 9/18/25 9:06 am From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: September 18, 2025
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* September 18, 2025
* CASE25.09.18
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was seen at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Sep 13-15 (Tom Benson).
An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen at Mojave Narrows Regional Park Sep 16-17 (Bill Deppe).
An EASTERN KINGBIRD was seen at the Barstow sewage ponds Sep 12-14 (Dessi Sieburth).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Four SABINE'S GULLS were seen at Mystic Lake on Sep 17 (Bob Packard).
A *COMMON BLACK HAWK* continued at Palo Verde Ecological Reserve through Sep 12 (Bob Packard).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
A SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was seen at the west end of Young Road on Sep 16 (Samuel Bressler).
Three SABINE'S GULLS were seen at the west end of Young Road on Sep 15 and a fourth was seen several mules away on Sep 16 (Samuel Bressler).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Guy McCaskie, <guymcc...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
