January 2, 2012. – Today, our first outing in 2012, in and around Borrego Springs, was spectacular. Highlights included the White-breasted Nuthatch, Barn Owl, Snowy Egret, and Vermillion Flycatchers, both male and female. Others seen were Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Ring-Necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Common Ground-Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Western Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brewer's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.
The next Borrego Birders outing is scheduled for Monday, February 6, departing from Christmas Circle at 8:00 a.m. If weather conditions are good, we will travel to Ramona Grasslands for a hawk outing. We will not return until 1 p.m. We will all share in the cost of gas for the drivers. I figure $5 per person shared with the drivers will cover gas. Again, we will car pool. Highlights in the past were Golden and Bald Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks and Burrowing Owls. If rainy, windy or cold conditions prevail, we will not make the trip. -- Hal Cohen.