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From: Matt Brady
Sighting_Date: 5/28/2005
Remote Name: 128.114.177.11
Date: 01 Jun 2005
Time: 15:24:49 -0400
A group of us birded around Oasis Ranch over the Memorial Day weekend. We were unable to locate any people there at all, so we exercised caution when birding around. Has anyone talked to the local landowner there? I've visited 4 or 5 times now, and have never been able to find him or her. Anyway, the highlights there are as follows: two male Vermillion Flycatchers were in the western Cottonwood grove, flycatching along the edge of the alfalfa field and performing display flights. I believe that one of these birds was present last summer, while the other one was a new arrival (or last years progeny!). Also present were a couple of Cassin's Kingbirds in the stock yard, next to the large pile of "stuff" covered by tarps and tires. Maybe they'll also breed here again this year. In the Cottonwood grove was a singing SY male American Redstart, lots of Brewer's Sparrows, a singing Blue Grosbeak and a small flock of Great-tailed Grackles. As at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, Collared-Doves are starting to take over. Last spring we found the first one, and now they're all over. Its odd how they're not at Deep Springs College yet, but it’s really only a matter of time. A pair of Swainson's Hawks is nesting near the Ranch house, while a pair of Red-tails, including a beautiful dark morph bird, is nesting at the stockyard. An immature Black-crowned Night Heron was a surprise at the entrance to the long drive to the houses. I think that covers all the birds of interest there. Good birding, Matt Brady Santa Cruz
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