Natural History Wanderings

Today was spent birding in Sierra Valley. Morning and noon time were mainly along Marble Hot Springs Road, Magdalena Ranch, and the Loyalton Sewage Ponds. Highlights included the best viewing I have ever had of American Bittern, watching Marsh Wren building and going into nests, great view of a baby Cliff Swallow, watching a Tree Swallow feed young and seeing a bird box with a young Barn Owl. I saw 38 different bird species and I am sure there were others seen by other group members. Here is my list: Sierra Valley Bird List 6/13/14

There was  a lot of Tansyleaf Suncup along Marble Hot Springs Road. At Magdalena Ranch flowers included Lupine, Yarrow, Flax and several unidentified composites.

In the afternoon we explored Smithneck Road. Highlights included seeing a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Red-tail Hawk and Lewis’s Woodpecker. See full bird list at: Smithneck Rd. Bird List 6/13/14. Flowers seen included Mule’s Ears, Dogbane and Rose. Also seen were Swallowtail and Lorquin’s Admiral butterflies.

Just before dinner at the San Francisco Field campus several of us hear Veery. This is a rare bird for California but has been heard a number of times recently at the the field campus.

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