Hi,

The Cassin's Sparrow was still present this morning (Monday, June 11,
2001). It
was heard and seen throughout a 5:55am-6:35am visit by Bob Barnes, Terri
Gallion, Joe Hart, Lois Hart, and John Schmidt.

The bird "skylarked" seven times in 40 minutes and sang c. 60 times at
intervals of 10 seconds to three minutes with every 20-30 seconds being the
norm

Bob

Bob Barnes, Audubon-California
Friends of the Kern River Preserve
P.O. Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283
FedEx/UPS: 18747 Hwy. 178, Weldon, CA 93283
Email: krpfriends@...
Phone: (760) 378-3044
FAX:    (760) 378-4013
Web Site: http://frontpage.lightspeed.net/KRP

Hi,

The Cassin's Sparrow was still present this morning (Monday, June 11,
2001). It
was heard and seen throughout a 5:55am-6:35am visit by Bob Barnes, Terri
Gallion, Joe Hart, Lois Hart, and John Schmidt.

The bird "skylarked" seven times in 40 minutes and sang c. 60 times at
intervals of 10 seconds to three minutes with every 20-30 seconds being the
norm

Bob

Bob Barnes, Audubon-California
Friends of the Kern River Preserve
P.O. Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283
FedEx/UPS: 18747 Hwy. 178, Weldon, CA 93283
Email: krpfriends@...
Phone: (760) 378-3044
FAX:    (760) 378-4013
Web Site: http://frontpage.lightspeed.net/KRP

Hello, Birders.  The CASSIN'S SPARROW at the Kern River Preserve
provides at least the third report this spring.  Keep your ears open
for this unique song.
        Also reported at the Preserve were two singing, male INDIGO
BUNTINGS.  Thanks to Bob Barnes for these reports.
        From the Cerro Coso College campus in Ridgecrest come reports
of a NORTHERN PARULA and continuing RED CROSSBILLS.  Thanks to Susan
Steele for this report.

Today in Ridgcrest at Cerro Coso Community College there was a Northern
Parula.  The Red Crossbills also continue to be seen.

Eurasian collared Doves were confirmed in Ridgecrest today.  They have been
noted since mid May and observed carrying nesting material, but
identification to species wasn't made until today.  They are located on West
Argus, just past Sierra Vista on the power lines.

Susan
Inyokern

Hi:

I found a singing, skylarking Cassin's Sparrow (first Kern County record) on
private property adjacent to the Kern River Preserve this morning.
Confirmed by
multiple observers.

This is an escort bird due to the fact it is on private property. I do not
have
official permission as yet. I am gauging interest. Let me know if you are
interested in this bird. E-mail your name and phone number. I will try to
accommodate you. But, visits may be limited or denied.

Let me know,

Bob Barnes


Bob Barnes, Audubon-California
Friends of the Kern River Preserve
P.O. Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283
FedEx/UPS: 18747 Hwy. 178, Weldon, CA 93283
Email: krpfriends@...
Phone: (760) 378-3044
FAX:    (760) 378-4013
Web Site: http://frontpage.lightspeed.net/KRP

The LA RBA report was in error, regarding the date and the cited
reporter.  The YELLOW-THROATED VIREO  was at Butterbredt on the 3rd
(already reported) and was seen by Lori Conrad.  Sorry, folks.
Michael McQuerrey

Hello, Birders!  I will be birding Butterbredt Spring Monday and
Wednesday, 6/11 & 6/13.  I would be available Thursday through Sunday
6/14-6/17 for further birding.  Anyone who would like help getting up
there, I'll gladly meet you at the entrance to Jawbone Canyon off
Highway 14 at about 5 a.m. to show you the way.  Contact me at
Macbirder@....  I'd love the company.
Michael McQuerrey

From the Los Angeles RBA, Bud Whittison reports and AMERICAN REDSTART
at Galileo Hill on Wednesday, June 6.  On the 7th, he reported a
singing YELLOW-THROATED VIREO  from Butterbredt Spring.

Today at the cemetery in Ridgecrest there was a Common Nighthawk perched in
the large elm to the left of the entrance (the rose garden area).  Susan

The red crossbills continue at Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest.
Joyce Seibold saw the male feeding a juvenile today.  Susan

Hi,

The east end of the Kern River Preserve has been very birdy and
enjoyable this late May and early June. This area is not open to the
general public because access crosses private land and does not lead
to any buildings used by the public...just provides us with access to
this remore part of the Preserve. If you would like to have me take
you there, orient you, and discuss possible future access for you, let
me know. Before 9am any day is best for me as I bird before going to
my office for "work."

THE BIRDS: A one-day Northern Parula (May 25) and a two-day Dickcissel
(June 1-2) were found here. A singing male Indigo Bunting has set up a
territory here. A pair of Brown-crested Flycatchers is nesting in the
easiest birding location I have ever found here to view this species.
Lazuli Buntings are abundant and Blue Grosbeaks common.
Yellow-breasted Chats and Summer Tanagers have territories here. The
first Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the year (June 1) was heard here. It is
just a very nice place to bird.

My motivation here is clear. The area is underbirded. By having a few
of you go out there once or twice a year, or more, we will learn a lot
more about this area of the Kern River Preserve. Prior notice will be
required after your orientation visit with me.

Thanks,

Bob Barnes

Hi:

After talking with Mary Whitfield I have the following information on
EIGHT known Brown-crested Flycatcher territories found this nesting
season through Thursday, May 31, 2001:

East to West Territories...

Territory #1*: Cane Brake Ecological Reserve near and east of
footbridge over Cane Brake Creek...Dan Cooper

Territory #2*: Kern River Preserve 0.7 mile east of Fay Ranch Road and
north of the South Fork Kern River. This is a previously unknown
territory...Geoff Keller

Territory #3*: Kern River Preserve c. 0.4 mile west of Headquarters on
the edge of the main forest on the south side of the South Fork Kern
River...Bob Barnes

Territory #4: Kern River Preserve c. 200 yd/m east of the Sierra Way
Bridge on the edge of forest on the north side of the South Fork Kern
River...John Fitch

Territory #5: Kern River Preserve in the vicinity of the west end of
Prince's Pond west of Sierra Way and on the south side of the South
Fork Kern River...Mary Whitfield

Territory #6: South Fork Wildlife Area on the north side of the South
Fork Kern River...Mary Whitfield

Territory #7: South Fork Wildlife Area on the south side of the South
Fork Kern River in the vicinity of the "Fish & Game" pond...Mary
Whitfield

Territory #8: South Fork Wildlife Area on the south side of the South
Fork Kern River to the west of territory #7...Mary Whitfield

Territory #1 and #s 3-8 are territories also known from prior years.

Territory #2 is a territory newly discovered this year.

*Geoff Keller recorded Brown-crested Flycatchers at all three of these
sites (#s 1-3). These were the most easily accessible to sound
recording equipment.

There may be one or more territories in the South Fork Wildlife Area
as yet undetected in 2001. This area is very wide and virtually
impenetrable. Of course, the six mile length of South Fork Kern River
riparian forest running through the lower portion of the Cane Brake
Ecological Reserve, the Smith Ranch, and the Onyx Ranch are not
available for surveying.

Based on all of the above, it seems reasonable to state that there are
likely 10-15 pairs of Brown-crested Flycatchers along the entire
length of the riparian forest along the lower 14 miles of the South
Fork Kern River. This number is considerably up from the 3-7, then 5-8
pair estimates previously published in recent years.

Primary Observers: Bob Barnes, Dan Cooper, John Fitch, Geoff Keller,
Mary Whitfield

Hi,

Yellow-billed Cuckoos appear to be arriving along the South Fork Kern
River in numbers very early this nesting season. Since 1981, I have
never seen so many apparent individuals be detected so early. Cuckoos
have been found in eight distinct areas since the first report on June
1st. Many years the first reports of Cuckoos don't come until after
June 10th...often after June 20th. Numbers of individuals the last few
years have not arrived until the end of June! What a contrast 2001 is
providing! See the Kern River Preserve bird sightings web page "Summer
2001" for details after respective dates of sightings.

Bob Barnes

Bob Barnes reports from the Kern River Preserve, the continuing
presence of the "loudly singing" NORTHERN WATERTHUSH along the trail
to Migrant Corner.  He also reported a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.
Michael McQuerrey

Bob Barnes, who is webmaster of the Kern River Preserve websight, has
reported a dramatic increase in nesting by the BROWN-CRESTED
FLYCATCHER, at the preserve.  See the KRP sight for details.  Also at
the Preserve:  SUMMER TANAGERS and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS.
Michael McQuerrey

Susan Steele reported a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at a private
residence in Inyokern on 6/5.
Michael McQuerrey

Bob Barnes reports a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH along the trail to "Migrant
Corner,"  this morning (6/5)at the Kern River Preserve.
Thanks for the report, Bob.
Michael McQuerrey

Bob Barnes reports singing male INDIGO BUNTINGS from the Kern River
Preserve and from Fay Ranch Road, near where it crosses the Kern
River.  SUMMER TANAGERS are being seen daily near the Preserve
headquarters.
Michael McQuerrey

From the Southern California Birdbox comes a report of the
following:  YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, (2)NORTHERN PARULAS, and a
MAGNOLIA WARBLER  on June 3 at Butterbredt Spring.
Michael McQuerrey

Hello, birders.  The BLUE-HEADED VIREO was NOT seen by Tom Wurster.
It was reported by Steve Sosensky.
Michael McQuerrey

There was a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at a private residence in Inyokern
on June 5.

Susan Steele
steele@...

The reports this weekend indicate a windy pattern which made birding
difficult in east Kern County.  It just may have assisted some birds on
their northward trek, as well.
         Bob and Susan Steele report a singing male CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER on the
campus of Cerro Coso College, near the exit from the college at the stop
sign on College Heights Blvd.  Near the same location, a pair of RED
CROSSBILLS has successfully nested and fledged at least one young (6/3).
         The male DICKCISSEL was seen and heard singing on the Kern River
preserve by Murrelet Halterman (6/2).  A male MAGNOLIA WARBLER at
Butterbredt Spring and a female AMERICAN REDSTART at Galileo Hill were
reported by Joan Humphrey.  Rumor has it John and Deb Wilson had a male
AMERICAN REDSTART at Galileo, as well.
         Steve Sosensky reported a BLUE-HEADED VIREO at the Galileo Hill
golf
course, as well as an AMERICAN BITTERN.  Kelli Levinson reported an
AMERICAN REDSTART, from there as well.
Thanks to all who reported this weekend.  You're awesome folks!

Michael McQuerrey
Macbirder@...

Birders,
    This morning there was a female American Redstart at Cerro Coso
Community College in Ridgecrest.  It was seen in the group of Cottonwood
trees near the corner of the college exit road (near the crosswalk
stop-sign on College Heights Blvd.).

Joyce Seibold
Ridgecrest, Ca.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi All,

There is a singing male Chestnut-sided Warbler at Cero Coso Community
College in Ridgecrest.  It was observed singing in the Cottonwood trees near
the corner of the college exit road (near the stop-sign on College Heights
Blvd.).  There is also a pair of Red Crossbills that have successfully
fledged one (at least) juvenile and are actively feeding it.

Bob and Susan Steele
Inyokern, CA
steele@...

California Birders,

     For years the Southeastern California Rare Bird Alert (RBA) has covered
Imperial, Inyo, Southeastern Kern, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.  In
recent times, the proliferation of listservs, websites, etc. has drastically
reduced the number of direct reports to the RBA, and increased the amount of
work that I must do as compiler to round up the birds being seen in any given
week.  Places where reports have been appearing include:

Calbird
Eastern Sierra Birds
Kern River Preserve Website
Los Angeles RBA (sometimes has reports from southeastern counties)
Mojave Desert Bird Club Good Bird Alert
SDBIRDS (San Diego...sometimes has Imperial County reports)
Southern California Birdbox

     This is not a complete list of places that SE CA bird reports appear, it's
just a list of places that I've checked recently.

     I have continued to do this so that our reports would be as complete as
possible, and so that knowledge of birds that were only being reported on the
web would be accessible to people who only get reports from our phone RBA.  With
the addition of yet another local SE CA listserv this week, and with increasing
demands on my time at home and at work, I have decided to stop scouring the
state for reports.

     From now on, for the most part, only reports that are e-mailed directly to
me (bewickwren@...), or phoned to the rare bird alert at (909)
793-5599 will be included on the RBA.

     PLEASE do not read this letter as an attack on other sources of
information.  They all serve a good purpose.  I simply ask that you CC or phone
a copy of your SE CA report to us if you are e-mailing or posting it to a
website, other RBA, or the Birdbox.  If you have some reason that you don't want
to report to the SE CA RBA, that is your business, of course.  You don't need to
tell me what your reason is.  No one is obligated to report.  I would appreciate
it though, and so would the birders who get information from our RBA.  Those of
you who have been or will be making direct reports to us, THANK YOU!

John Green
Riverside, CA
Compiler SE CA RBA

--- In kerncobirding@y..., Thomas Wurster <wurster@e...> wrote:
> Galileo was windy by 9:30, making birding very difficult. Apparently
> most of the birds reported earlier in the week had departed, or were
> just unfindable given the wind.  An American Bittern and one
American
> Redstart (Kelly Levinson) continued.

At Galileo, Jim Abernathy and I saw and heard a singing Blue-headed
Vireo in the golf course area, which disappeared around 8:15 AM and
was not refound.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
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mobile@...

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
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mobile@...

Butterbredt Spring was cool and calm, but there was very little
movement. A Magnolia Warbler and male Rose-breasted Grosbeak were the
highlights for the early AM birders.

Galileo was windy by 9:30, making birding very difficult.  Apparently
most of the birds reported earlier in the week had departed, or were
just unfindable given the wind.  An American Bittern and one American
Redstart (Kelly Levinson) continued.

Tom Wurster

This is a test. Apparently, some folks cannot join our group and
receive a "no group found" error message. I'm just trying to see if
this post goes through.

Mike