November’s bird walk welcomed 10 hikers on an unusually late and quiet morning at Schulle Canyon Natural Area. A soundless Hermit Thrush was spotted and tracked down by many eager eyes which uncovered a second individual. These thrush are often found scraping through leaf litter and perching on low hanging branches of the understory. Their colors resemble the year-round wrens but are larger in size, have a speckled breast and noticeable eye ring.
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| Three Hermit Thrushes are sighted in the woods. -LJ |
The birds were quiet for the majority of the hike but a spurt of activity towards the end produced our winter warblers, the Yellow-rumped and the Orange-crowned Warblers. Also singing was a shy Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Hunting season is upon us and the sounds of rifles were heard in the distance throughout the hike. One large buck and 4 small doe were seen finding sanctuary in the natural area. — Stephen Ramirez
Schulle Canyon Natural Area
12 species total
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2
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Inca Dove
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10
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White-winged Dove
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1
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Eastern Phoebe
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1
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Blue Jay
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2
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Carolina Chickadee
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6
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Carolina Wren
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2
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet
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3
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Hermit Thrush
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2
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Orange-crowned Warbler
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3
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Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
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3
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Northern Cardinal
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2
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House Sparrow
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