Field Trip Report: Tule Springs/Floyd Lamb (09/24/09)

Submitted by: Rita Schlageter

Tule Springs at Floyd Lamb City Park
Sept. 24, 2009

On September 24, 2009, 10 people joined me for some bird watching and while everyone was getting organized, a Peregrine Falcon came speeding through the first section of trees chasing a pigeon.  That got everyone’s attention and so we started the morning.

Flyovers that could not be found again were Lewis’ Woodpecker, Williamson Sapsucker and an Osprey.  There was a smattering of warblers, sparrows, and hummingbirds.  No waterfowl and a few raptors.   Good views of Red-naped Sapsuckers and a Ladder-backed Woodpecker in the group picnic area.  All in all, we had 51 species for the morning and it was, a good morning.

Field Trip Report: Mt. Charleston (06/04/09)

Field Trip – Mt. Charleston
June 4, 2009

What a day!!!  After all 20 of us gathered for a day of birding, Je Anne and I divided the group and headed for the mountains.  As the day progressed, the wind came up and the temperature went down.  It was like winter even though we were finding summer birds; Grace’s Warbler, Black-chinned and Black-throated Sparrows, Cassin’s Finch, a Rufous, Anna’s and many Broad-tailed Hummingbirds.  There was also a group of 10 Band-tailed Pigeons.  In addition to the birds seen, we saw some white-tailed deer and a golden-mantled squirrel.  Je Anne’s group also saw a gray fox and ground squirrels in addition to the deer.

Our combined species total of birds as 43.  In spite of the cold weather, we had a good time.  A very special thanks to Je Anne Branca for helping me out, again.

Rita Schlageter
Trip Leader

Red-Tailed HawkMt. Chickadee
American KestrelWhite-breasted Nuthatch
Band-tailed Pigeons (10)Western Bluebird
Mourning DovePygmy Nuthatch
White-throated SwiftTownsend’s Solitaire
Anna’s HummingbirdAmerican Robin
Rufous Hummingbird (1F)Virginia’s Warbler (mostly heard)
Hairy WoodpeckerYellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)
Red-shafted FlickerGrace’s Tanager
Western Wood-peweeGreen-tailed Towhee
Dusky FlycatcherSpotted Towhee
Black PhoebeChipping Sparrows (and a nest)
Cassin’s KingbirdBlack-chinned Sparrow
Loggerhead ShrikeGray-headed Junco
Warbling VireoBlack-headed Grosbeak
Stellar’s JayBrown-headed Cowbirds
Western Scrub-jayCassin’s Finch
Common RavenPine Siskin
Violet-green SwallowLesser Goldfinch
..House Sparrow

Field Trip Report: Tule Springs/Floyd Lamb (04/09/09)

Tule Springs at Floyd Lamb City Park
April 9, 2009

Carl Lundblad described this city park as ‘that horrible, wonderful place’, and it truly is. This field trip, however, was one of those ‘wonderful’ ones. There were 30 people, and with JeAnne Branca’s help, we split into two groups and around the park, we went. My group started by watching the activity of displaying Phainopepla. Then, onto the horse corrals, for the Common Grackle, Yellow-headed Black-birds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, and lots of common birds.

Definitely, the highlight of the day for both groups was the Painted Redstart, and we spent lots of time watching it. At the end of the morning, when the notes were tallied and both lists combined, we had a total of 52 species for the morning.

The weather was co-operative and it was a beautiful day. My guess is that everyone who came to watch the birds was glad to be there. Thanks to all who joined me and especially thanks to JeAnne for helping.

Rita Schlageter
Field Trip Leader

(birds seen on field trip)

Pied-billed GrebeN. Rough-winged Swallow
Double-crested CormorantVerdin
Black-crowned Night-heron - 5Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Turkey VultureRuby-crowned Kinglet
Gr. White-fronted Goose - 1Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - pair
Ross’s Goose - 1N. Mockingbird
Canada Geese – with 9 youngEuro Starling
MallardAmerica Pipit
Cinnamon TealPhainopepla
N. ShovelerOrange-crowned Warbler
Ruddy DucksLucy’s Warbler - at least 3 singing
OspreyYellow-rumped Warbler - Audubon
Cooper’s Hawk - 2 & nestPainted Redstart
Gambel’s QuailLincoln’s Sparrow
American CootsWhite-crowned Sparrow
Rock PigeonsYellow-headed Blackbirds - 4
Eurasian Collared-DovesRusty Blackbird - 1 F ???
Mourning DovesBrewer’s Blackbirds
Black-chinned HummingbirdCommon Grackle - 1
Anna’s HummingbirdGreat-tailed Grackle
Costa’s HummingbirdBrown-headed Cowbirds
Dusky FlycatcherBullock’s Oriole
Black PhoebeHouse Finch
Say’s PhoebeLesser Goldfinch
Western Kingbird - 2American Goldfinch - 25++
..House Sparrow

Field Trip Report: Tule Springs/Floyd Lamb (11/14/07)

Floyd Lamb City Park – Tule Springs
November 14, 2007
Rita Schlageter – Field Trip Leader

Another Tule Springs field trip in the books. Twelve great people joined me for the morning to search for (and find) birds and to enjoy the lovely weather.

At the first pond we all enjoyed the adult plumed Black-crowned Night-heron that came to stand about 10 feet from. Then there was the Red-breasted Sapsucker which let us study him. Other notable species were 3 Inca Dove, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 Brown Creeper, a lovely Cassin’s Kingbird and 3 American Goldfinch. Thanks to all, we finished the morning with a species count of 45.