This morning I headed out to SJWA in hopes of seeing the Gyrfalcon again (I didn't). As always, I stopped to see some Ferruginous Hawks and other raptors on the way in. Inside SJWA, I picked up two Restoration Year birds: Marsh Wren (192) and Common Moorhen (193). It was also nice to see Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Horned Lark, Red-shouldered Hawk (eating a coot), Mountain Bluebirds, and Northern Shovelers among other birds.
On the way out, I was fortunate to pick up a Prairie Falcon (194), making it a Five Falcon month at SJWA for me (Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Gyrfalcon).
To top things off, while driving on the road to exit SJWA, I managed to see a Burrowing Owl! This was my second Burrowing Owl ever outside of the Salton Sea area, and my first in Riverside County. I am surprised the Owl hadn't been seen/reported earlier in the week, given that several hundred birders have been driving this road to chase after the Gyrfalcon.
Posted below is a picture of a Burrowing Owl. This isn't the same owl I saw, but I thought I would use Matt Grube's photo to enhance the aesthetic experience of the blog. Like all owls, these owls blend in pretty well.
The SJWA has been the place to see raptors so far this year. However, I came up short again on the Rough-legged Hawk or Short-eared Owl. There is also a wintering Swamp Sparrow I hope to see at some point.
[Note: I think bird #191 was an American Black Duck, marked off by Ben yesterday].
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