Thanks to the prompt reporting by the UCSB lads (thanks!), I was able to change my trip to Scorpion from Tuesday to today. I thought I'd lost my chance at seeing a Wood Thrush in the county after dipping twice on the first county record in Santa Maria in 2005. I just had to go for this one.
Six county birders headed out this morning (Judy, Steve, Linda, David, Sue, and me). The pressure was relieved right away when we met Marky who said the bird remained and she'd seen it that morning, and soon Steve picked up the bird for all to see. Over the course of the day we had more good views of this terrific bird.
There was a lot more to see: Dickcissel, 3 or 4 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Black-and-White Warbler, a few Tennessee Warblers, Virginia's Warbler, Clay-colored Sparrow, and 2 Yellow-breasted Chats. Several people saw the Gray Catbird found by John yesterday. Another birder saw a Magnolia Warbler. I'm sure I'm missing something. Not a bad day at all.
