Female Phainopepla

   
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Martinez Lake & Imperial Dam
Nov 23, 2002, 60-80 degrees, 8:00-4:00PM
- narrated by Henry Detwiler

A trip with Dave and Al & Helga to scout out some likely spots for the upcoming Christmas Bird Count.
74 species
Click on thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.


Cooper's Hawk

 Following some fine nut loaf at Al & Helga's we set out for Martinez Lake & the Colorado River.  It was a beautiful morning--brisk & sunny.  A sandbar on the river at Fisher's Landing held the first surprise of the day--5 California Gulls!  We also spotted this Cooper's Hawk, on the prowl for a morning meal.
  

On Martinez Lake we had American White Pelican, four grebe species, several Redheads, and two Ospreys.  Loggerhead Shrikes, like this one, were a common site during the course of the day.  At the Fisher's Landing sewage treatment ponds we found our next unexpected birds--two Dunlin, three Black-necked Stilts, and a host of Least Sandpipers.


Loggerhead Shrike

Driving along the road to Imperial NWR, we had one of those comical birding moments.  I spotted a woodpecker and we stopped for a better look.  I called out Gila Woodpecker.  Dave called out Ladder-backed.  I examined it more closely, and said I really thought it was a Gila.  He examined it and held fast--Ladder-backed.  Of course, we were looking at two different birds!  Al & Helga just laughed.  :-)

  
  


Peregrine Falcon
    

 From the observation tower at Imperial NWR we watched Snow and Canada Geese, and searched unsuccessfully for one of the refuge Bald Eagles.  On the way out Dave spotted this cooperative Peregrine Falcon. 

At Imperial Dam we picked up our Vermilion Flycatchers and some juncos.  More pelicans were at the lakes and on the Colorado River in this area--it was a good day for them. 
    


  American White Pelican
   

    

Bonaparte's Gulls - Senator Wash


Dave, Al, Henry & Helga

Senator Wash provided our final surprise for the day.  Among the typical Ring-billed Gulls were two tiny Bonaparte's Gulls.  Unfortunately, any wintering mergansers & loons were hidden from sight.  A drive up to the north shore of the lake provided us with four burros and nice scenery, but no additional birds.  Our next scouting trip will be on the 14th of December, the weekend before our CBC.


Martinez Lake & Imperial Dam, 23 Nov 2002
 
# Species Qty
1 Western Grebe 12
2 Pied-Billed Grebe 9
3 Eared Grebe 9
4 Clark's Grebe 2
5 White Pelican 12
6 Double-crested Cormorant 22
7 Great Blue Heron 4
8 Great Egret 8
9 Snowy Egret 6
10 Redhead 8
11 Ring-Necked Duck 6
12 Common Goldeneye 1
13 Ruddy Duck 9
14 Gadwall 1
15 Northern Shoveler 20
16 Mallard 6
17 Lesser Scaup 50
18 Green-Winged Teal 1
19 Bufflehead 10
20 American Wigeon 12
21 Snow Goose 6
22 Canada Goose 22
23 Canvasback 2
24 American Coot 600
25 Virginia Rail 8
26 Black-necked Stilt 3
27 Killdeer 6
28 Spotted Sandpiper 8
29 California Gull 5
30 Bonaparte's Gull 2
31 Ring-Billed Gull 24
32 Caspian Tern 1
33 Cooper's Hawk 1
34 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
35 Northern Harrier 6
36 Osprey 5
37 Red-tailed Hawk 4
 
# Species Qty
38 Peregrine Falcon 1
39 American Kestrel 3
40 Gambel's Quail 4
41 Rock Dove 2
42 Common Ground Dove 6
43 Mourning Dove 120
44 Greater Roadrunner 1
45 Belted Kingfisher 4
46 Northern Flicker 2
47 Gila Woodpecker 3
48 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
49 Vermilion Flycatcher 2
50 Black Phoebe 6
51 Say's Phoebe 2
52 Tree Swallow 16
53 Barn Swallow 6
54 Verdin 4
55 Marsh Wren 1
56 Rock Wren 2
57 Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher 6
58 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet 7
59 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
60 Loggerhead Shrike 11
61 Northern Mockingbird 4
62 Phainopepla 16
63 European Starling 22
64 Common Yellowthroat 1
65 Orange-crowned Warbler 1
66 Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
67 Great-tailed Grackle 14
68 Red-Winged Blackbird 34
69 House Sparrow 1
70 House Finch 12
71 Dark-eyed Junco 8
72 White-crowned Sparrow 6
73 Sage Sparrow 2
74 Song Sparrow 1

Photos © Henry D. Detwiler