Natural History Wanderings

We started the day at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs to meet up with the Borrego Birders at 8 am. There were about eight of us; a mix of local and visitors. However, the leader never showed. So we all went over to the morning Hawkwatch on Di Giorgio Rd. near Henderson Canyon Road. There were a couple of local birding veterans there at Hawkwatch and Hal Cohen, who does the Hawkwatch blog substituted and was an excellent leader. He helped us find and identify birds and shared information about Swainson’s Hawks and other bird behaviors.

We saw a number Swainson’s as well as Red-tail Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Turkey Vulture. Counting was difficult. The birds were coming and going as more rain was approaching. The highlight of the morning was watching two Ravens mob, attack and take down a Red-shouldered Hawk. I believe the Hawk survived the attack OK as he was seen up a short while later. Other birds seen included Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Anna’s Hummingbird, American Kestrel, and Mourning Dove. It started to rain and only the serious Hawk counters continued.

Next we started driving towards the south end of the park. We took S-3 to 79 to S-2. Our destination was ultimately Smuggler’s Canyon/Bisnaga Wash where we have seen good flowers in the past. It rained during much of the drive there. We stopped at several roadside spots that looked flowery, had lots of cactus and Box Canyon along the way. There were less flowers in this part of the park. The landscapes, cactus and blooms still made the drive very enjoyable. Few people were out.

The most abundant plants were Brittlebrush and Chuparosa. Also found in bloom were Wild Heliotrope, Ocotillo, Barrel Cactus, Poppy, Mustard, California Suncup, Salvia, Creosote, Desert Chicory, Fremont Pincushion, Bigelow’s Monkeyflower, Chia, Indigo Bush, Whispering Bells, Parry’s False Prairie-clover, Yucca, Fiddleneck, Wishbone Plant, Desert Lavendar and Desert Star. Also seen were Costa’s Hummingbird (a new bird for me), Raven, Roadrunner (one of my favorites), and Northern Mockingbird.

Bisnaga Wash did not have the big blooms of the past but it did stop raining. It did have lots of Cactus including many Barrel Cactus in flower. Also flowering were Chuparosa, Creosote, and Ocotillo. Cholla were plentiful and Beavertail Cactus were in bud. As most everywhere else Ravens were present.

Didn’t see signs of the Sphinx Moth Caterpillar in this part of the park. It did rain on most of the way back to Borrego Springs. Good for the wildflowers and glad I wasn’t camping.