Have been out in the field but by the end of the day have ended up with no time to post reports.
Monday May 15th I birded Barka Slough. It was pretty overcast and misty but fortunately, there was a ceiling. i've birded here with fog on the ground and it's totally frustrating. At least I could see the birds I was hearing on Monday, even if color contrast wasn't the best. Anyway, it was the usual abundance of Lazuli Buntings (8 male, 1 female), Black-headed Grosbeak (too many to count), Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Yellow-breasted Chats (6, with one out in the open singing). Also present were Yellow Warblers, Wilson's Warblers, singing Swainson's Thrushes, both House and Bewick's Wrens, both House and Purple Finches, and both Lesser and America Goldfinches, the latter singing and displaying. I also found 3 male Blue Grosbeaks and 1 female. This was a pair interacting just outside the base boundary--I suspect a nest might be in the works there.
I was surprised at the amount of water down in the pond. It's a bit hard to see well from the road and I didn't have my scope, but I picked up Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Ducks, Coots, Great Egret, and Green Heron in the vicinity. Conspicuously absent from the morning's birding were any Warbling Vireos or Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Swallows were few (and hard to identify against the gray skies.)
May 16, I birded a short section of the Santa Ynez River near Buellton. Peter had warned me that the winter rains made a real mess of the paths and he wasn't kidding! The path from the bridge down stream isn't bad to start, but it gradually gets more washed out and then you have to start negotiating piles of brush and driftwood. Old trail markers are gone and I felt like I was feeling me way downstream at the end. But there was plenty of Bird activity here, the stars being Warbling Vireos and Black-headed Grosbeaks. I also had a Chat pop up right in front of me and I heard at least 4 Yellow Warblers and also 1 Lazuli Bunting. I counted at least 12 active Cliff Swallow nests under the Santa Rosa Road bridge.
Today I hiked along Quiota Creek on Refugio Road (Santa Ynez Valley). The fog was burning off and conditions were good for both walking and birding. The road is marked closed at 300 Refugio Road, but there is no problem with driving past the sign and parking at the usual pullout past the last visible ranch property on the hill. From there, I walked to the base of the REALLY closed road up the mountains and encountered almost no cars and just a few other walkers. Highlights here were 3 Bullock's Orioles, 5 Yellow Warblers, several Warbling Vireos, Ash-throated Flycatchers, lots of Violet-Green Swallows, at least 4 Lazuli Buntings, and surprisingly, only 1 Black-headed Grosbeak.
It has certainly been a good spring for the Buntings! As for flowers, I noted that pink Clarkia ("Farewell to spring") has burst into bloom at several places along San Marcos Pass Road and the north-facing roadcut of US 1010 between Los Alamos and Highway 154. Plenty of white Lupine along with the Clarkia and the Orange Bush Monkeyflower is in full bloom all along the Pass.
Florence Sanchez

*** Species Summary:

- American Crow (1 report)
- Indigo Bunting (2 reports)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summarysid=SN35915
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.

eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) (1)
- Reported May 15, 2023 12:32 by Raphal Nussbaumer
- Santa Cruz Island--Upper Scorpion Canyon, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0408661 ,-119.5741024&ll=34.0408661,-119.5741024
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137913085
- Comments: "Heard and seen. Smaller and smaller bill. Call less coarse"

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 14, 2023 09:37 by Vivek Patel
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137910529
- Media: 1 Photo
- Comments: "Photos to follow"

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 13, 2023 15:30 by Vivek Patel
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137910511
- Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Recording to follow. Singing persistently in chaparral. Small deep blue bunting, distinguished from Blue Grosbeak by absence of rusty wing bars and by relatively small bill."

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*** Species Summary:

- Broad-winged Hawk (1 report)
- Indigo Bunting (4 reports)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summarysid=SN35915
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.

eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported May 14, 2023 08:49 by David Compton
- Cielo Vista trail, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.513611 ,-119.799086&ll=34.513611,-119.799086
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137696621
- Comments: "Adult dark morph flying through the pass, moving northward from Painted Cave. Dark, compact buteo with visible dark border to wing (Dark primary and secondary tips), dark and white barred tail, with particularly prominent white bar across center or just toward tip. The body appeared dark below, but I could not see the underwing. Clearly smaller than Red-tailed or Swainsons and obviously more compact than the latter. Flew in typical buteo style, wings fairly flat when soaring, and slower wing beat when in direct flight compared to Coopers Hawk. Bird was in silhouette when soaring and showed only dorsal side as it flew past and disappeared behind ridge."

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 14, 2023 09:37 by Alan Brelsford
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137741922
- Comments: "Photos to follow"

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 14, 2023 09:37 by Soumyadeep Chatterjee
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137804947
- Comments: "Photos to follow"

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 14, 2023 09:37 by laetitia nowers
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137844235
- Comments: "Photos to follow"

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 13, 2023 15:30 by Alan Brelsford
- Unnamed Road, Ventura, California, US (34.004, -119.747), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.0039632 ,-119.7467823&ll=34.0039632,-119.7467823
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137741827
- Comments: "Recording to follow. Singing persistently in chaparral. Small deep blue bunting, distinguished from Blue Grosbeak by absence of rusty wing bars and by relatively small bill."

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eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

*** Species Summary:

- Lewis's Woodpecker (1 report)
- Indigo Bunting (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summarysid=SN35915
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.

eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) (2)
- Reported May 13, 2023 09:37 by therese jackson
- Alisal Rd., Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.5499899 ,-120.1391083&ll=34.5499899,-120.1391083
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137465512
- Comments: "roosting. flycatching."

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported May 13, 2023 13:54 by Alan Brelsford
- Santa Cruz Island--UC Research Station, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=33.9970666 ,-119.7254848&ll=33.9970666,-119.7254848
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137551316
- Comments: "Recording to follow. Singing persistently in chaparral. Small deep blue bunting, distinguished from Blue Grosbeak by absence of rusty wing bars and by relatively small bill."

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eBird Alerts provide recent reports of regionally or seasonally rare species (Rarities Alerts) or species you have not yet observed (Needs Alerts) in your region of interest; both Accepted and Unreviewed observations are included. Some reports may be from private property or inaccessible to the general public. It is the responsibility of every eBirder to be aware of and respectful of access restrictions. For more information, see our Terms of Use: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/terms-of-use/

So as I reported earlier, I hiked Baron Ranch this morning, covering the Arroyo Quemada Trail and a good portion of the loop trail. Due to a somewhat confusing sign on the loop trail, I eventually turned back and retraced my steps down rather than completing the full circle, but I figure I hiked closed to 8 miles round trip. I good birding along the entire route, though things did quiet down on the last part of my way out in the afternoon.
The big highlight was the Bell's Vireo reported earlier. At that same point where I was trying to chase down the Vireo for a photo, There was a Costa's Hummingbird, Swainson's Thrush, and a Chat calling from below in the creek. It was that kind of a day. There were fewer Wilson's Warbler on the upper portion of the creek than I found on Tuesday, but otherwise, bird activity was just as high or higher. Especially interesting was the high number of Black Headed Grosbeaks and Lazuli Buntings I found on a half-mile stretch at the top of the loop, which was mainly grassland and burned oaks: six of each on this part alone.
Here are some selected birds and totals: Costa's HB-2, both male Black-chinned HB-1 male Ash-throated Flycatcher-4 Olive-sided Flycatcher-2 Western Wood Pewee-1 (in the upper burned section) Bell's Vireo -1 Warbling Vireo-9 Swainson's Thrush-2 Yellow-breasted Chat-3 (including 1 in the burn area) Yellow Warbler-5 Wilson's Warbler-6 Bullock's Oriiole -2 Hooded Oriole -3 Blue Grosbeak-2
Florence Sanchez

I hiked up the trial alongside San Antonio Creek this morning, from Kiwanis Meadows to the trailhead at San Marco Pass Road. High overcast but good visibility the whole way. Activity was slow pretty much throughout. In terms of migrants, I had zilch; in terms of summer residents, I had 3 Yellow Warblers, 2 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 1 pair of Hooded Orioles, and several Pacific-Slope Flycatchers. Resident birds like Orange-crowned Warblers and Bewick's Wrens were singing and active, and I saw Oak Titmice feeding fledglings.
The creek is still flowing strongly and I used sandals to navigate the two upper creek crossings. A portion of the creek and nearby trail above the dam were significantly affected by this winter's rains. I found no swallows nesting under the overpass at San Marcos Road, which seems odd. Overhead at that point, I had a Barn Swallow and a smaller bird with it that appeared to be a Vaux's Swift. This is not a trail for flowers, but the Fiesta Flower an dCanyon Sunflower stands are particularly nice.
Afterwards, I decided to check out Farren Road as this is the type of weather in which one can find a good swallow/swift flock above the slopes. When I arrived at the start of the road, I found Sue Cook, who was watching a swallow flock there. She told me that Merlin has just identified the calls of both Vaux's Swift and Grasshopper Sparrow at that spot. I decided to check the slopes above and drove on.
Just as I rounded the first bend of the road, a Roadrunner streaked across it in front of me. Then as soon as I reached the top of the hill opposite 500 Farren Road, I had a singing Lazuli Bunting in the mustard, an Ash-throated Flycatcher in the field, a pair of Lark Sparrows on the wire overhead, a Blue Grosbeak a little way further on the utility line that crosses the road, and a small Swallow flock. In that flock I got Violet-green, N. Rough-winged, and Cliff Swallows. I heard the chattering call of a Swift and after a little searching, found a Vaux's Swift high above the flock. Back down where I saw Sue, I checked the larger Swallow Flock and found Tree, Rough-winged, and Cliff Swallows along with 3 more Vaux's Swifts. Eventually the flock was joined by a soaring Peregrine Falcon. Never heard or saw a Grasshopper Sparrow, but all-in-all, this was a pretty cool half-hour's birding!
Florence Sanchez

Farren Road was well worth hiking this morning. Though birds were not abundant, the quality was very good.
My first find was a group of 2 Blue Grosbeaks and 5 male Laziuli Buntings all together and singing in a mustard patch on the west side of road, approx. opposite the first patch of Prickly pear on the opposite side after you pass 500 Farren Road. The two Grosbeaks eventually flew up to the utility wires, then back down before the whole group moved down the hillside to the west and out of sight.
There were not a lot of sparrows, but I found a couple of remaining White-crowns and at the viewpoint above the reservoir, I had a Savannah Sparrow foraging on the gravel with 2 Lark Sparrows. The eucalyptus trees at the end of the road had one pair each (male and female) of Bullock's and Hooded Orioles. There was also a pair of Robins in the trees, singing House Wrens, and a singing Yellow-rumped Warbler. I heard a Common Ground-Dove calling from the avocado orchard on the east side. The only other warblers around were a couple of Common Yellowthroats and a couple of singing Orange-Crowns.
We don't seem to have a big swallow flock hanging around the reservoir this year. The best I could find were two Violet-green Swallows working the field opposite the reservoir. There did not appear to be any waterfowl on the reservoir itself.
This is not really a road for flowers, but the shady bank along the oak grove section of road has quite a few Mariposa Lillies, and the field immediately west of the viewpoint has lots of lupine.
Florence Sanchez

Yesterday midday, stopped at Farren Rd.although it was completely shrouded in low heavy fog. Luckily it burned off fairly quickly. Founda male Blue Grosbeak on the wire above the first pullout at the top of the first big hill. Also heard Lazuli Bunting on the mustard-covered hill below.Ash-throated Flycatcher and White-throated Swifts nearerthe reservoir. Lark Sparrow weresinging and saw one carrying nesting material. Did not hearGrasshopper Sparrow in the usual flat/grassyarea above the first hill wheretheyve been in recent years, but that area seems to have been more heavily mowed this yearand may not provide as much good habitat
eBird Checklist - 16 Apr 2023 - Farren Road - 30 species
eBird Checklist - 16 Apr 2023 - Farren Road - 30 species By Libby Patten Submitted by Libby Patten.
Fun spring birding! Libby

--
Libby Patten
Santa Barbara

All:
Had my FOY Blue Grosbeak and Yellow Warbler at Barka Slough this morning. Not much happening at Triangle Pond except Pied Billed Grebes singing to each other. The Black Road Flooded Pasture had lots of sandpipers. I make the mistake of going to this location in the morning when everything is backlit. In the short time I was there I had Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, Whimbrels, Black Necked Stilts and American Avocets flying in and out. A Peregrine Falcon's comings and goings mixed things up continuously. If you are in the area in the afternoon, this might be a good spot to check on. It is now accessible, and you can park off the road by the gate.
North SBC - eBird Trip Report

John Deacon
iseekbirds@...

--
John Deacon
Orcutt

*** Species Summary:

- Red-naped Sapsucker (1 report)
- White-headed Woodpecker (1 report)
- Dusky-capped Flycatcher (1 report)
- Winter Wren (1 report)
- Nelson's Sparrow (1 report)
- Black-and-white Warbler (1 report)
- MacGillivray's Warbler (1 report)
- Indigo Bunting (1 report)

---------------------------------------------
Thank you for subscribing to the Santa Barbara County Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Santa Barbara County. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summarysid=SN35915
NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.

eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully

Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 05, 2022 07:45 by Lisa Walker-Roseman
- Miguelito County Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.593129 ,-120.4701734&ll=34.593129,-120.4701734
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123516826
- Media: 3 Photos
- Comments: "immature or female type drilling holes and drinking from the wells above the creek near the grapevines. Red nape, red forehead"

White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 05, 2022 08:15 by Lynn Scarlett
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.4303818 ,-119.8908561&ll=34.4303818,-119.8908561
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123523888
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "continuing--in pine tree at east entrance--see photo"

Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 03, 2022 16:15 by Ryanne Pritchard-Bee
- Hollister Ranch (restricted access), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.4712826 ,-120.3087902&ll=34.4712826,-120.3087902
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123498028
- Media: 3 Photos, 1 Audio
- Comments: "Small Myiarchus flycatcher. Bright yellow on the belly, grayish chest, bright white throat, rufous edges along the dorsal side of the primaries and secondaries. Bushy crest raising at times. No eye ring. Entirely dark bill. Vocalizing a plaintive cry. Note for recording - single calls heard at 8 and 25 sec in. Mark Holmgren and I tried to refind this bird on December 4, but did not succeed."

Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) (1) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 05, 2022 14:00 by Jeremy Cowan
- Arroyo Burro Creek, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.4242219 ,-119.7503543&ll=34.4242219,-119.7503543
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123518561
- Comments: "Continuing. South of the bridge, first detected by call on the slope above the path. Photos"

Nelson's Sparrow (Ammospiza nelsoni) (2) CONFIRMED
- Reported Dec 05, 2022 08:50 by Lisa Walker-Roseman
- Ocean Beach County Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.6909567 ,-120.6003785&ll=34.6909567,-120.6003785
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123514627
- Media: 4 Photos
- Comments: "Gray crown stripe bordered by darker head stripes, dark buffy face, gray nape, white-streaked back on chestnut with black markings. Beautiful birds!"

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) (2)
- Reported Dec 04, 2022 13:10 by Lukas Le Grice
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.4303818 ,-119.8908561&ll=34.4303818,-119.8908561
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123526470
- Media: 2 Photos
- Comments: "Heavily black and white streaked warbler foraging on the west side of the tipu lots near the Brown Creeper. Another individual seen in the tipus near the eucalyptus stand."

MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) (1)
- Reported Dec 04, 2022 13:10 by Lukas Le Grice
- 7402 - 7418 Hollister Ave (Tech Park), Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.4303818 ,-119.8908561&ll=34.4303818,-119.8908561
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123526470
- Comments: "Male seen in the stand of eucalyptus with a mixed flock of warblers. Overall green/yellow warbler with a dark gray head and throat. Broken white eye ring. Feeding quite low to ground, occasionally chipping."

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) (1)
- Reported Dec 05, 2022 08:45 by Rebecca Coulter
- Lake Los Carneros Park, Santa Barbara, California
- Map: http://maps.google.com/ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=34.44322 ,-119.84975&ll=34.44322,-119.84975
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123512636
- Media: 1 Audio
- Comments: "Not 100% certain about the ID. I first heard the sharp PIT call repeatedly, then finally saw a female-type warm brown bunting perched atop a small live oak next to La Patera Rd, near the east-west entrance path at the bottom of the dam. I watched it move around this area to various perches, pit-calling and also doing a typical buzzy bunting call. The bird was overall a warm brown color, slightly darker above with blurry brown streaks below, and the slightly raised crown seemed a tiny bit darker. The bill was typically bunting-type, triangular and larger than a House Finch bill, not as large as a grosbeak bill. It may have been two-toned (light and dark upper and lower), but I can't be sure about that. It twitched its tail quite a lot when calling. I got a truly terrible audio recording with only a couple of Pit calls and really loud traffic. In the recording it sounds a little like a Yellow-rumped Warbler, but the pit calls were indeed the bunting. I am leaning away from the more expected Lazuli Bunting, mainly because of the streaking on the breast and overall browner tones. And the bill was not large enough to be Blue Grosbeak."

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On Tuesday I went out to Scorpion Ranch on SCI. Very quiet. Best birds were a Thick-billed Fox Sparrow and a Hooded Oriole.
Elings Park-- there has been a young Blue Grosbeak since Monday, still present this evening, in fennel below the stone bench.
La Mesa Park-- a few birds yesterday afternoon in the wind, including a Hooded Oriole.
Carpinteria Creek-- today there were two young White-crowned Sparrows, and a reasonable number of Townsend's Warblers in the sycamores.
Bird Refuge-- number of peeps and phalaropes way down today.
Monroe School-- 2 Willow Flycatchers this evening.
Hugh Ranson Santa Barbara

Went out to the west side of Barka Slough this morning.

Birds:

Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Wilson's Warblers
Yellow Warblers
Common Yellowthroats
Ash-throated Flycatchers
Blue Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Cliff Swallows (still nesting on the bridge above the creek)
Red-tailed Hawk
House Finches
California Scrub Jays
California Quail
Barn Swallows
Spotted Towhees
California Towhees
Wrentits
Bushtits
Chestnut-backed Chickadees

Went to Triangle Pond and there weren't any waterfowl at all, not even the Pied-billed Grebes I have seen and heard in there in recent months. I did hear a Hutton's Vireo there, however.

In the creek at the little bridge past the entrance to the combat shooting range, a *BEAVER* was foraging in the water. That blew me away as I have never seen a beaver around here. (Used to see them a lot in Northern Nevada)

Happy Birding!

Lisa
--
Lisa D Walker-Roseman,

Fort Bragg, CA (In Lompoc for the duration)

The water supply at Lake Cachuma is said to be at 41.7% of normal. This has allowed a lot of muddy shore habitat these last many months. Today I checked some of those habitats on the south shore: Jackrabbit Flat, Storke Flat, and DeVaul Bay. Jackrabbit Flat has a muddy bar offshore and there were the shorebirds. There may be no previous records in July for Marbled Godwit (1) and Western Sandpipers (10) at Cachuma. Least Sandpiper may have been detected in July. https://ebird.org/checklist/S115002600 An adult Bald Eagle was also at Jackrabbit. A Blue Grosbeak was still singing. Mark Holmgren San Marcos Pass

My morning at Barka Slough started at the other end off 135 because I drove over Harris Grade from Lompoc. At the bridge that starts the route on San Antonio Road East, was a huge flock of American Crows and they were mobbing a juvenile Peregrine Falcon.

There were a lot of swallow species hunting insects below the fog-line (Barn, Cliff, Tree, Violet-green, and possible Northern Rough-winged). I did not see any swifts.

Other birds were:

Yellow Warblers
Wilson's Warblers
Red-winged Blackbirds
Brewer's Blackbirds
Black-headed Grosbeaks
Blue Grosbeaks
Lazuli Buntings
Song Sparrows
House Finches
Red-tailed Hawks
Ash-throated Flycatchers
American Kestrel
Bewick's Wrens
Yellow-breasted Chats
California Scrub Jays
California Quail
Bushtits
Oak Titmouse
Chestnut-backed Chickadees
I am sure there were more, but I am distracted with plans for my mother's memorial service; she passed away on July 7th. If anyone on list who has met her would like to come to the memorial in Lompoc, please message me off-list and I will send you the information.

Good Birding!

Lisa

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Lisa D Walker-Roseman,

Fort Bragg, CA (In Lompoc for the duration)