Birding in Neighborhoods - North

By Nancy Leunn

Birding in Neighborhoods North (BIN North) outings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. We meet in the parking area of the month’s destination. To be added to (or removed from) the monthly outing reminders email Denise Marion or Nancy Leunn.

May 14: On another cool gray morning, eleven birders met at the Pacific Rim Institute to look for birds and wildflowers. Hearing from one of the staff that Barn Owls are nesting in the 1910 pole barn, we walked in the direction of the forest. Along the way we spotted a soaring Bald Eagle and a Violet Green Swallow perched on a nest box. We didn’t see the owls, but we heard numerous birds in the trees and undergrowth including a Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and Red Crossbill.

Leaving the woods, we walked toward the prairie remnant where native plants are thriving. The Golden Paintbrush was in bloom and a few Camas lilies were still flowering. Numerous bright yellow flowers were blooming. We identified Foothill Desert-parsley. 

Birds on the prairie included American Goldfinches, Savannah Sparrows and Barn Swallows. A highlight was watching a male American Kestrel hovering, then diving down to grab a rodent. Some of the group saw it fly to a perch and start eating its prey.

At the transition between forest and prairie, we heard California Quail, a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a Spotted Towhee. A Red-tailed Hawk flew over the trees. 

Walking toward Morris Road, we heard a Mourning Dove and identified Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, a Turkey Vulture and a Cinnabar Moth (hey, it had wings!),

We identified 28 species. Returning to the parking lot, we agreed it had been an enjoyable day.