#451 Rufous-crowned Sparrow on the San Juan Capistrano CBC

Saturday, December 20, I got to Starr Ranch bright and early at 6:30 AM for the San Juan Capistrano Christmas Bird Count. I was assigned to a team walking the Juanino Trail in Caspers Wilderness Park. The rain earlier in the week had played havoc with the plans for the count since multiple areas were no longer accessible. We car-pooled over from Starr Ranch, and I joined up with Candace and Steve, a couple of park rangers, at the Nature Center.

Stefan dropped the three of us off at the trail head and we hiked back approximately 3.4 miles. Overall the trail was quiet. Yellow-rumped Warblers were by far the most common species, but Turkey Vultures also put in a respectable showing with at least 15. We only picked up about 20 species, but several of them were singletons nobody else in our section of the count circle spotted: California Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, and Orange-crowned Warbler. I also found a Golden-crowned Sparrow at the Nature Center’s feeders. Technically it was outside my area, but the folks covering the nature center area had missed it, so we added it to their list.

My total list for the morning wasn’t so impressive but we did get some individual species no one lese in casper’s found including Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, and California Gnatcatcher:

• California Quail
• Turkey Vulture
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Mourning Dove
• White-throated Swift
• Acorn Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Western Scrub-Jay
• American Crow
• Common Raven
• Oak Titmouse
• Cactus Wren
• Bewick’s Wren
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• California Gnatcatcher
• Wrentit
• Northern Mockingbird
• Phainopepla
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s)
• Spotted Towhee
• California Towhee
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Golden-crowned Sparrow
• House Finch
• Lesser Goldfinch

After a picnic lunch at the nature center, most folks called it a day; but Stefan, Melissa, and I soldiered on. First we made a quick stop at a spot where Stefan thought we might find Rock Wren. The Rock Wren wasn’t around but we did get two Cactus Wrens and a Cassin’s Kingbird. Then we drove back to Starr Ranch over the dirt road that runs from near the old stables and historic windmill past Crow Canyon and into Starr Ranch. A lot of this area isn’t usually accessible to the public, but one of the nice things about Christmas Bird Counts is you can often get the opportunity to see some not-so-well-traveled places like this.

After crossing onto Starr Ranch, we walked into Crow Canyon a kilometer or so. Mostly more of the same species (Yellow-rumped Warblrs, Lesser Goldfinches, and Towhees) and a few raptors (Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, and Red-tailed Hawk). However Stefan found two Rufous-crowned Sparrows, our first of the day and my first ever. That’s life bird #451 for me. These are shy birds that hide up in the hills.

(Yes, there’s a Rufous-crowned Sparrow somewhere in that picture, but basically you’re going to have to take my word on this one.)

As we continued to drive into Starr Ranch we added some Acorn Woodpeckers and a White-breasted Nuthatch, which I have only seen once before in Orange County, also at Starr Ranch. We got back to the ranch parking lot about 3:00 and called it a day. I was tempted to try for the Common Poorwills, especially since I don’t know when or if I’ll get another chance to get back there, bu the hike out to their supposed location just sounded too brutal. Maybe another time. But Starr Ranch has some great birds that aren’t easy to find anywhere else in the county. Here’s the total list from Starr:

• Turkey Vulture
• Northern Harrier
• Red-tailed Hawk
• White-throated Swift
• Acorn Woodpecker
• Nuttall’s Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Black Phoebe
• Western Scrub-Jay
• American Crow
• Common Raven
• Oak Titmouse
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s)
• Spotted Towhee
• California Towhee
• Rufous-crowned Sparrow
• White-crowned Sparrow
• Golden-crowned Sparrow
• House Finch
• Lesser Goldfinch

Thinking back on this CBC, I don’t think I’ve spent enough time up in the mountains this year. I got one life and one county bird Saturday. I’ve missed several birds that should be up there somewhere. 2009 may be the year to put on the hiking boots and hit the trails.

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