Mokka mit Schlag

I took another spin around San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge yesterday after work. I only had an hour before dark, but I still managed to add 4 species to my BGBY list including these White Pelicans:

These are the first pelicans I’ve seen this year. I’ve spent a couple of weeks in Santa Clara County this year, and they’re usually pretty easy to find up there this time of year, but for some reason they just didn’t seem to be around this year. Anyway, these were closer to home.
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I’ve decided to do a big year this year. More specifically I’ve decided to do a Big Green Big Year, in which one attempts to see as many birds as one can without the use of motorized conveyances. You can use a bicycle if you like, but I figure I have a better shot in the walking category, especially since my bicycle is still in pieces in my garage. I’m located more or less between a major regional park, an Audubon wildlife refuge, and a large university with a lot of green space. If I wanted to make a long hike of it, I could even reach the shore once or twice.

I’m starting a month late, since I didn’t move out here till February but I’m still doing pretty well. Limiting myself just to what I’ve seen and heard on foot from this location so far I have 63 species:

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Sara Orangetip, Anthocharis sara
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, 2008-03-02

I think this is my first new butterfly since I moved to California.

Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange County, California, 2008-03-02

Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange County, California, 2008-03-02

These things make the Green Anoles I grew up with look like Disney characters.

A Wood Duck, of course. On a trip with the Sea & Sage Audubon Society this morning at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, we found this pair apparently scouting out possible nesting sites:

They were being mobbed by Acorn Woodpeckers, but didn’t seem to mind too much. About half a dozen European Starlings were also present and scouting some of the same holes. I hope they lose the competition for the space.
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