Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place from February 15-18, 2013.  To join in all you need is a pair of binoculars and 15 minutes of your time.  Visit birdsource.org/gbbc or birdcount.org to view the online bird guide and download a regional checklist.  After you've done your counting you can upload your sightings to the website.  Thanks for participating!

Saturday, November 03, 2012

San Bernardino Valley Audubon to speak in Palm Springs February 12, 2013

The San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society and the Desert Cities Bird Club are linking up in the Coachella Valley on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.   Brad Singer will speak on the topic of "Birding Hotspots in the Inland Empire".  The program is free and open to the public and will be held at the Palm Springs Public Library from 6-7:30pm.
Hope to see you there!

Pelican Days at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area January 18-20, 2013

Exciting bird-related events are happening at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area at North Shore, January 18-20, 2013.   It is the first annual "Pelican Days".   Fun for the whole family.   Fee$$
For more information check www.seaanddesert.org

Monday, September 17, 2012

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Christmas Bird Count

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve will hold its annual Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 15, 2012 starting at 7:30am and continuing through the afternoon. Join a team of birders and help us out! To participate or for more information call Betty Zeller at 760-363-7190. Hope to see you there.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Recent Bird Sightings

There is a Tricolored Heron at Salt Creek today, North End of the Salton Sea (NESS). The Purple Martins (adults with young) continue to be seen in Garner Valley - along Highway 74 on the left just after the turnoff to Lake Hemet and just before the turnoff to Hurkey Creek Campground. As you drive along Hwy. 74, look for a tall, dead, snag with holes near the top. Park at the Lake Hemet Road (NOT the Lake Hemet store) turnoff and carefully walk up Hwy. 74 toward Hurkey Creek Campground less than one tenth of a mile. Western Bluebirds were seen flying over the Living Desert today. Evidence of Common Poorwill found in a Palm Desert and a Barstow backyard this week. They may be on the move.

Desert Cities Bird Club is on Facebook!

Desert Cities Bird Club is on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/DesertCitiesBirdClub

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Arizona Field Ornithologists Meeting

The Arizona Field Ornithologists will be holding their annual meeting in Lake Havasu City,Arizona, October 26-28, 2012. There will be interesting talks on Yellow-billed Cuckoos and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers and field trips on both sides of the Colorado River. For more information and to register go to www.azfo.org

Birding Opportunities this Fall in the Coachella Valley region

Get Out and Bird! Regularly Scheduled Area Birdwalks Big Morongo Canyon Preserve: bird & nature walks on Weds and Sats (7:00 a.m. Apr-Sept; 8:00 a.m. Oct – Mar) except none the first Sat of any month and no Sats at all in Sept. 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, CA. (760) 363-7190. www.bigmorongo.org Coachella Valley Preserve Most first three Thurs 7:45 a.m. Sept thru Apr. 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA. For schedule call (760) 343-2733 or check website. www.coachellavalleypreserve.org Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center has a birdwalk on the first Sat of each month (Oct.-May) from 8:00-10:00 a.m. 46500 Van Buren St., Indio, CA. (760) 347-2647. www.coachellavalleywildbirdcenter.org The Living Desert has members-only birdwalks on the second Thurs of each month. Oct - May. Meet at the admissions gate at 7:30 a.m. for early admission. 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA. (760) 346-5694 ext 82506. www.livingdesert.org Whitewater Preserve Every second and fourth Tues. 8:00 a.m. all year. 9160 Whitewater Canyon Rd, Whitewater, CA. www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_white water.html (760) 325-7222. Fall Bird Classes Gearing Up There are several classes in the offing aimed at area birders. All are taught by Kurt Leuschner of College of the Desert. The Birds of Joshua Tree National Park—Sept 21-23, Joshua Tree National Park. Contact the Desert Institute at (760) 367-5535 for details. Birds of the Mojave Desert—Natural History & Conservation. Oct 12-14, Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx. Contact UCR Extension at (800) 442-4990 for particulars. Birds of Anza-Borrego—Oct 26-28, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Call UCR Extension at (800) 442-4990 for more information.

The Fall newsletter is out!

The Fall (Sept-Dec 2012) issue of "I'd Rather Be Birding", the newsletter of the Desert Cities Bird Club, has been published. If you'd like to receive a copy and/or join the Desert Cities Bird Club leave your email address as a comment to this post. Happy Birding!

Sunnylands Birdwalks

Sunnylands (part of the Annenberg estate) in Rancho Mirage, CA is now open to the public. Check out their website at www.sunnylands.org Free birdwalks are usually led by Kurt Leuschner and the next three are scheduled for Oct. 12, Oct. 26, and Nov. 9, 2012. All fridays, starting at 9:15am and lasting about one hour. Hope to see you there!

Central Valley Birding Symposium this Fall

Central Valley Birding Symposium November 15-18, 2012 Stockton, California - Stockton Hilton www.cvbs.org There will be great workshops, speakers, field trips, and more at this annual event. If you are into birds and birding you should try to attend!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Purple Martins are back!

After many years/decades of absence, Purple Martins are being seen again in Garner Valley near the bridge at the turnoff to Lake Hemet. Look for a dead snag with a hole or two in the top. Nesting is suspected but has not been confirmed yet. We hope they will stay and continue to return every year like they used to.

Like us on facebook!

The Desert Cities Bird Club now has a facebook page. Check it out and be sure to like us!

Our next newsletter will be out soon!

The Desert Cities Bird Club's "I'd Rather Be Birding" newsletter has a new editor and a new look. We also will be producing three issues per year, starting September 1, 2012. Watch for it! And if you haven't signed up yet, join our mailing list so you can stay informed about all of the birding activities in and around the Coachella Valley.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Earth Day Birdathon Century Run 2012

On Friday, May 4, from 7am-4pm, the Friends of the Desert Mountains will be sponsoring a birding bus tour. The cost is $50 per person. A student price is also available. We'll be travelling by luxury coach to the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center, and the Salton Sea State Recreation Area in search of a minimum of 100 bird species. Your leader will be Kurt Leuschner. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Desert Mountains and bird conservation projects in the Coachella Valley. Come on out, have some fun, and support the birds! Snacks and water will be provided but bring your own lunch/drinks and plan for an exciting day of birding. To sign up call Tammy @ 760-568-9918.