Date of sighting: 3/14/10

It’s still pretty quiet overall in the South Tufa area, but I was surprised to see as many birds as I did since it’s still pretty snowy there. A flock of 10 or so Meadowlarks, a Say’s Phoebe, four Canada Geese, and a Northern Harrier.

This post was submitted by Erika.

Date of sighting: February 13, 2010

First Red-winged Blackbird I’ve heard singing in 2010. This one was perched on top of a big weedy elm singing above town.  He’s predicting winter is finished.

This post was submitted by Bartshe.

Date of sighting: January 30, 2010

Northern Shrike spotted hunting Juncos up Lundy Canyon at about 7100′. Good views through a scope of the bird perched on top of a tall Jeffrey pine. Thin eye stripe that remained below the top of the eye, and white above top of bill in front. This bird continually dove at the Juncos for roughly 30 minutes periodically finding new perches up high and within the Mill Creek riparian thicket.

This post was submitted by Bartshe.

Date of sighting: 1/28/09

Skiing in the morning sun above the fog just above Lee Vining, I saw a small bird flitting around in a Pinyon Pine. I caught a glimpse of yellow on a chickadee-sized bird. There were two birds in the tree. After a couple of minutes, it came into full view with its golden crown, posed for several seconds, and flew away.

This post was submitted by Greg Reis.

Date of sighting: January 9, 2010

Booming up above Burger’s Retreat.  Earliest I’ve ever heard one in the Eastern Sierra.  It must be trying to bust some clouds for snow.

This post was submitted by Bartshe.

Date of sighting: 12/7/2009

The Varied Thrush is hunkered down in the Jeffrey Pine behind the Committee office today – all fluffed up and very handsome in the snow!

This post was submitted by Erika.

Date of sighting: December 5

E. King spotted a Varied Thrush in Lee Vining, behind MLC/alley.  I caught a glimpse of it before P.McFarland sped down the alley in his VW and scattered the birds.

This post was submitted by Bartshe.

Date of sighting: December 3

Along the Tioga Pass Road at about 7500 feet near the weather station, about a 10 minute walk past the gate.

This post was submitted by Bartshe.

Date of sighting: 11/24/09

Along the west shore just north of Tioga Lodge a Bald Eagle was splashing around in the hypersaline and alkaline fishless water. It took off holding a fish! Was it just clumsy (dropping and retrieving the fish) or was it adding salt to its meal?

This post was submitted by Greg and Erika.

Date of sighting: 10/12/09

Vermillion Flycatcher at DeChambeau. Thanks to Justin and Leigh for calling to let us know.

This post was submitted by Greg, Information Specialist.