Yesterday the Goleta Coast Audubon Society had the pleasure of birding Las Cruzitas Ranch in Santa Ynez. Cruz Philips skillfully led us through the pastures and canyons of her ranch where we saw a great assortment of birds. We began at the feeders near the ranch house and encountered many yellow-billed magpies, sparrows, bluebirds, and an American goldfinch among the lessers. Out in the pasture with some very sweet older horses we spotted lark sparrows, western meadowlark, a loggerhead shrike, and a ferruginous hawk soaring overhead. We then piled in a few cars and drove to explore the northern canyon areas of the ranch. We were able to find a few rufous-crowned sparrows, an incredibly cooperative roadrunner, two golden eagles, and a mature bald eagle. It was such a gorgeous day to be out in the winter sun and see the landscape thriving from this seasons rain. Lake Cachuma is tremendously full, the hills are green, and there are some early wildflowers around. It really is amazing to experience how the habitat changes through the seasons and as we navigate drought conditions. A big thank you to Cruz Philips for letting us come visit your beautiful birdy ranch, I know plenty of people saw life birds and everybody had a great time!
Check out the eBird Trip Report here:
https://ebird.org/tripreport/104681
As well as a very happy coyote I saw on the drive in, as it carried off an entire deer leg.
https://flic.kr/p/2oede2p
Happy Birding,
Sophie Cameron
UCSB