I was doing one of my usual riverbed crawls this morning and looked up at the big pines on the golf course, what at first I thought would be House Finch were in fact Red Crossbills. Other nice finds a

I birded along Cachuma Creek above Cachuma Campground and there was a nice mix of migrants. I drove through the fog and stopped when I first hit sun. There was warm wind coming down Canyon and the col

Along Figueroa Mountain Road at head of Lisque Canyon (approximate location N 34.73797 W 120.06028) a Hammond's Flycatcher and nice mix of warblers including Black-throated Gray, Nashville, Yellow-rum

A nice male Costa's Hummingbird arrived in the yard this afternoon, hopefully more to follow. Was also surprised to see a Cassin's Finch still around. Costa's Hummingbird 3 | peterschneekloth | Flickr

With Guy Tingos at Sedgwick today a Lark Bunting put on a nice show. Reserve is restricted access. Link to photos: Lark Bunting Sedgwick 6 | peterschneekloth | Flickr Peter Schneekloth Buellton, CA

Amongst 61 species found in the river this morning was a nice mix of waterfowl including an unexpected Common Goldeneye along with Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, Bufflehead, Mallard,

With the heavy fog this morning a trip up the mountain made sense. On the way along Fig Mtn Rd near Midway School I had a perched Bald Eagle. I walked out Catway Rd to the head of Willow Springs Trail

At my feeders in Buellton two male Cassin's Finch visited persistently throughout the morning. They had first appeared Nov. 27 but males had not been seen since 12-27 so I was quite surprised to see t

On Wednesday during weekly survey at Sedgwick Reserve Guy Tingos and I had a tagged Bald Eagle. Best guess at the number on the tag is 59, research on line indicates the bird was fledged June 29, 2006

A short walk at Nojoqui yielded birds that look good for Gray-headed Junco and a Yellow-shafted Flicker. Looks here: Gray-headed Junco | peterschneekloth | Flickr Yellow-shafted 2 | peterschneekloth |

I'm assuming this is the same bird that appeared here briefly on December 5th but not seen since but a Clay-colored Sparrow was at my feeders today. I have not seen a Cassin's Finch here since last Sa

All - A quick summary of the Cachuma CBC held Wednesday 12/30. We had a great count with 40+ birders covering the lake, lowlands and higher elevations of Figueroa Mountain area. Our initial total of 1

Maybe only the most inveterate of feeder watchers will like this one but I managed a shot of all 3 Haemorhous finch under my feeder this morning. I have not had any Purple around but a nice male arriv

I hiked down Davey Brown trail this morning to look for some CBC targets. I had a single Varied Thrush and heard Mountain Quail at two locations. No luck on Pacific Wren, Brown Creeper or other winter

Ryanne Bee came by to stake out Cassin's Finch which unfortunately failed to appear. As a consolation while we waited a nice Clay-colored Sparrow dropped in. New yard bird!! Looks here: Clay-colored S

The Cassin's Finches have continued at my feeders, visits seem less frequent and seemingly without much pattern. I can now account for a total of 5 birds having seen 3 males at one time and two female

With Guy Tingos yesterday at Sedgwick Reserve (RESTRICTED ACCESS) a late season Black-chinned Sparrow apparently adhering to travel restrictions. It was a bit of an ID process but it's been well vette

The birds continue in my yard but today there were 3 males seen at one time and the female type still around. Three males together in photo here: Cassin's triplets | peterschneekloth | Flickr Peter Sc

Several had asked for updates on the Cassin's Finches, no sightings yet this morning but will keep a careful watch and update if they appear. They were infrequent yesterday but did make several visits

Consensus is first bird is indeed a Cassin's, looks like I have a second female or first year male type. I actually thought I had seen this bird at my bird bath a day or two ago but it was mixed in wi