It's looking like waterfowl have been moving out of the area. Not much at Brite Lake. At least one Common Merganser is still there (I was last there March 20 and saw 3). Otherwise, mostly coots and Ruddy Ducks, several Pied-billed Grebes, Mallards, Gadwall.
Lake Jean had far less ducks than last week. Bufflehead are still present in relatively large numbers. Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddys, Canvasback and Cinnamon Teal also seen, but in smaller numbers. The highlight of Lake Jean was numerous Eared Grebe beginning to come into breeding plumage, getting some rich red color in their body and the sweep-back fan on the side of their head more prominent.
We glanced at the Tehachapi sewer ponds from the freeway - the 2 eastern ponds are dry and there didn't appear to be anything on the west pond, so didn't bother to stop.
Sawyer Lake in Golden Hills was the best with the usual Canada Geese and good numbers of Mallard, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Canvasback, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeons, Ruddys and coots. No Tricolored Blackbirds spotted this time.
The golf course lake in Stallion Springs had a huge flock of American Wigeons waddling onto the grass to graze like coots. Then a golf cart would come whizzing by and flush them into panicked flight back to the water. Then they'd start all over, struggling up the steep bank single-file onto the grass.
Another highlight at Stallion Springs was a Lincoln's Sparrow skulking along the dense brush along the lake. Nice sighting - listed as rare in Winter.
We've been seeing an overlap of Winter and Spring birds for a couple weeks. April and May should be a great time to get out and enjoy the exciting show of migration! And don't forget to tell us what you see!
Richard
