04_17 to 22_2012 Birding in J-Tree and Morongo, CA

We had some excellent birding times on this trip. This blog shows some of the nice photos that Dave took of some of the birds. In total, we saw 66 distinct species. Pretty fun!When I do bird blogs, people usually ask that I identify what I've posted. So, here it goes!

First bird is a Hermit Thrush. Simple looking bird, eh? Really quite a beauty with one of the prettiest songs ever (though the Wood Thrush found more east really wins this competition).  Saw this quiet little guy in Morongo and he walked across the path in front of us.

Second bird pictured was a super big treat! While sitting in Covington Park, I noticed a big nest. After a while, a Red-Tailed Hawk flew in. Lo and behold a little head popped up...and then a second! The older baby spent a lot of time toddling around in the nest looking like he was going to fall out at any second!  Had I not seen the parent, no way I could have ID'd this cute little guy.

The third photo is another photo of our little Red-Tailed. At one point, he noticed Dave and from there on, he gave Dave the "I'm looking at you" stink eye. What a cute little bird!

Next up is a pretty Western Bluebird. Covington Park was full of them! They were not shy while bugging all around us. We can never get enough of these pretty birds.

Covington Park, Morongo and Joshua Tree were full on Hooded Orioles. Always a treat to see them.  Saw no nests, but I wonder if that is beginning now. We did see other nests - Hawks, Robins, mystery birds, but no Oriole nests.

The area we were had two types of Woodpeckers that were abundant - Ladder Back and Nuttall's.  We saw both. Check out this awesome photo of a Ladder Back coming in for a landing! Dave caught him as he was about to make contact with his feet. Wings are already retracted. Cool!

Not surprisingly, there were a lot of the silly as mischievous Western Scrub Jays all around. We watched one juvenile harassing a mama Mourning Dove on her nest. He was rather pesky, but she never budged.  

Lots of California Thrashers at Morongo too. Not much to say about them except that they are cool little birds. As they run on the ground they remind me of mini-road runners.

Morongo was LOADED with Bewick's Wrens. Even saw many newly fledged birds.This one, with his distinct eyebrow came out for a nice song and show.

Fun pose of a Bewick's Wren.

Yeah, they are everywhere, but still beautiful: House Finch. And such a pretty song. The ones we saw in the Desert with so vibrant! Hardy little guys.

What would a trip to the desert be without a visit from a Cactus Wren. Here is one sitting in some vegetation at the house in J-Tree.

Also everywhere - and funny - are the Gambel's Quail. Love their little feather dress. While most were just picking around on the ground, we did get to see some on bushes or rocks singing their hearts out.

Here is one singing!

And finally, a Western Kingbird. I have to think of Kenn Kaufman when I see this beautiful and rascally bird.

Our total bird tally was:
Mourning Dove
American Crow
Western Scrub Jay
House Sparrow
House Finch
Cactus Wren
Cassin's Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Bewick's Wren
Prairie Falcon
Gabmbel's Quail
Scott's Oriole
Ladderback Woodpecker
Rock Wren
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Black Tailed Gnatcatcher
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
California Towhee
Black Phoebe
Western Bluebird
Turkey Vulture
Pigeon
Plumbeous Vireo
Lark Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Breasted Chat
Red Winged Black Bird
Common Yellow Throat
Brown Headed Cowbird
House Wren
California Thrasher
Pipit
Coopers Hawk
Verdin
Costa Hummingbird
Spotted Towhee
Oak Titmouse
Nashville Warbler
Phainopepla
Says Phoebe
Northern Mockingbird
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Starling
White Throated Swift
Violet Purple Swallow
Road Runner
Black Throated Sparrow
Bushtit
Hermit Thrush
Hooded Oriole
Western Tanager
Kestrel
Vermillion Flycatcher
Red Tailed Hawk
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Wilson's Warbler
American Robin
Summer Tanager
Bullocks Oriole
Black Headed Grosbeak
Barn Owl
Chipping Sparrow
Peafowl
Savannah Sparrow

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