News and notes - Spring 2011

The Western Field Ornithologist meeting in Palm Desert was a big hit. The next meeting will be in Sierra Vista, Arizona August 17-21. Kurt will be coordinating field trips. www.westernfieldornithologists.org

 ABA book sales are now at buteobooks.com. It is a great place to order bird books of all kinds. 

Field Glasses Anyone? there is a super place in Irvine called Optics for Birders 

Betty Zeller would like us to let everyone know that the Big Morongo bird walks change from 8am to 7am starting in April

Don’t miss the Morongo Valley Spring Festival March, 26, Saturday, 9-3,  All kinds of nature activities and bird walks.  Call the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve for more information  760-363-7190

An American Dipper has been spotted in Tahquitz Canyon Kurt went out to see it and he says it is “The first one I have seen south of the Sierra!”

Inca Doves have been residing in Heather Hurley’s yard in Indio for the second year in a row.

If you liked the recently released Guide to Golf Course Wildlife, you are going to love the new S. Cal Coastal guide as well as the Guide to Wildlife at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. They are all available now at Barnes and Noble as well as various visitor’s centers in the area.

If you have used field guides, wildlife magazines or other bird related things to donate, call (760) 349-3515 and we will arrange pick up.

Check our blog for the latest birding updates.
http://www.dcbc.blogspot.com/

The Coachella Valley Preserve is home to the 2nd largest California Fan Palm oasis. Guided bird walks are ongoing through late Spring. Days vary, so call Mark Leggett at 760 699-5717 or CVP at 760 343-2733 for schedules and more. www.coachellavalleypreserve.org.

The San Diego Bird Festival March 3-6 features desert, mountain, seashore and pelagic adventures.
Info: 619-682-7200  or sandiegoaudubon.org

The Living Desert University has several classes that offer good birding this Spring:
  The Bird Walk at Smoke Tree Ranch offers a kaleidoscope of wildflowers a wonderful opportunity to observe many of our special desert bird species as they go about

their daily activities. Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. FEE$$

  The Big Morongo Canyon & Yucca Ridge Trek is a moderate 6 mile hike that promises numerous bird and reptile species as well as the native perennial wildflower shows. Tuesday, April 12, 2011 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. FEE$$ For Info and to sign up for either event call (760) 346-5694 

San Bernardino Valley Audubon is sponsoring a visit to the Mojave National Preserve in early spring with the goal of seeing the sought after specialty breeding birds of the area. These include Gilded Flicker, Juniper Titmouse, and Bendire's, Crissal, and Le Conte's Thrashers. Saturday-Sunday, April 2-3, 2011 call John Green (951) 686-2956

  Other Audubon Society trips include Whitewater
Canyon, Big Morongo and the Salton Sea.
Information is listed at SBVAS.org