Mokka mit Schlag

I slept in this morning, and consequently almost drove over to the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary for the monthly Sea & Sage Audubon Walk, but fortunately I decided there was still a good chance to pick up a BGBY species or two if I walked. Last month I drove over and consequently missed Sora and Rock Pigeon. However this time I did walk and consequently I can now count #440 Baird’s Sandpiper for my life, California, Orange County, and BGBY lists.

I have a list of target birds I’m looking for in the local area, but this wasn’t on it. It’s fun to still find completely surprising life birds within walking distance of my apartment. Baird’s are far from unknonw out here, but this was apparently the first one at SJWS in the last two years.
Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been going out to Irvine Regional Park every Thursday evening for the last month+, since it’s one of the few “reliable” places to find Lesser Nighthawks, a Southern California specialty. Of course, reliable inn this instance seems to mean somewhat more likely than having a red-necked Stint turn up on your doorstep. Two weeks ago I even found two Phainopeplas (previously #438) but still no nighthawks, even though they were reported to be breeding in this location.

Read the rest of this entry »

Diabolical Ironclad Beetle, Nosoderma diabolicum
William R. Mason Regional Park, Orange County, California, USA; July 21, 2008

Indian House Cricket, Gryllodes supplicans
Irvine, CA, 2008-07-26

This is an invasive species that’s spreading in Southern California. I found this one on my garage exterior Saturday night.

Ring-legged Earwig, Euborellia annulipes
Harvard Ave, Irvine, CA, 2008-07-21

Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis, female
San Joaquin Wildlife refuge, 2008-07-04