Ruby Rd, Walker Canyon, Peña Blanca Lake & Canyon

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A pleasant morning of birding and photography in the Peña Blanca area.

Ruby Rd, Calabasas Campground Overlook:

A couple of BOTTERI’S SPARROW were singing in the mesquite grassland, along with a BLACK-THROATED SPARROW.

Walker Canyon:

We tallied 34 species in 40 minutes, including GRAY HAWK, INCA DOVE, GREATER ROADRUNNER, COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD, DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, RUFOUS-WINGED and LARK SPARROWS, a smart male WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, LAZULI BUNTING, and HOODED ORIOLE.

Ruby Rd, east of Peña Blanca Lake:

A GRAY HAWK was at the roadside in a regular location.

Peña Blanca Canyon:

The canyon was fairly quiet, and we only heard an ELEGANT TROGON without getting a visual, but we also found BLACK VULTURE, three GRAY HAWKS, GREATER ROADRUNNER, HAMMOND’S, DUSKY-CAPPED and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW, SUMMER TANAGER, and LAZULI BUNTING.

Peña Blanca Lake:

An hour at the lake produced CINNAMON TEAL, NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, ZONE-TAILED HAWK, COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD, and DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER.

Ruby Rd, east of Calabasas Campground:

We saw a GRAY HAWK again in the transitional mesquite habitat. They are obviously nesting near here.