I hiked some of the Baron Ranch trails this morning--they are definitely open and in reasonably good condition. This is the first time I have hiked the rerouted Arroyo Quemada Trail, which now goes along the west side of the creek at the edge of the chaparral. I give it mixed reviews. I then hiked a portion of the loop trail, which follows the older trail along the creek and provided more shade and better birding. I didn't have time to do the whole loop today.
Highlights were finding at least 9 singing male Lazuli Buntings along the entire reach of the trial, including one singing from the field next to the parking area. Also several Warbling Vireos along the creek for the first mile of the trail--one appearing to be establishing territory. Several singing Black-headed Grosbeaks on the lower part of the trail and also a singing SWAINSON'S THRUSH. I found Wilson's and Yellow Warblers along the entire length of my hike, but they really became more numerous on the Loop trail. Both species were singing. I had two Townsend's Warblers along the creek on the Arroyo Quemada Trail and another well up the Loop trail with a male Black-throated Gray Warbler. Other species of note include a flock of 30 Cedar Waxwings, both Hooded and Bullock's Orioles, singing Purple Finches, and a lot of House Wrens. The only Empidonax Flycatchers I found were Pacific Slope. In past years, I have found Willow Flycatchers here in May but none today. I had 2-3 Ash-throated Flycatchers in the chaparral.
The big surprise on the very last part of my return hike was hearing a Yellow-breasted Chat sound off from the creek, followed a few minutes later by another one going through its full repertoire up on the hillside to the west.
The canyon is still recovering from the fire but things are coming back. In terms of flowers, the stars of the day were the Canyon Sunflowers blooming everywhere along both sides of the badly burned creek along the Loop Trail.
Florence Sanchez