| OHCC LIVING | JUNE 2019 | 13
Birdwatchers
There will be no meetings and no scheduled walks in June
and July. Migrating birds have left and the weather is not always
conducive to walks. Impromptu walks may be called and, as
usual, good shoes, hats, sunscreen, and water are essential.
Our overnight trip on April 7 - 9 was a big hit! 14 of us traveled
a short two hours to The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Yucca
Valley. Our weather was in the high 70s to the mid-80s with
gentle breezes. Our first stop was at Covington Park adjacent to
the Preserve where we were immediately treated to a fabulous
view of a Great Horned Owl mother and her two adorable fuzzy
juveniles high up in a huge nest. After that, we walked on and
found birding to be very successful here. The preserve has many
nice walking trails. We saw and heard species not seen in our
San Diego area. A few I will mention are the brilliantly colored
Vermillion flycatchers, hybrids of Ladder-backed woodpeckers,
Cactus wrens, Bell's Vireos, Hooded Orioles, Warblers, and
Towhees.
The next day we were treated to a Gambel quail, a Pinion Jay,
a Phainopepla, and a California thrasher along with hundreds of
blooming Joshua trees and beautiful blooming wild flowers at
Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
Both nights we enjoyed dinner in Yucca Valley at great local
restaurants, Las Palmas and Little Italy. Everyone agreed the
food and service was top-notch!
On our way home the next day a few of us stopped at Coachella
Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis. It is watered by a break
in the San Andreas Fault on which it sits. Huge old palms provide
habitats for wildlife. It is truly an amazing otherworldly site.
Remember to pick up your free senior parking pass at one of
the county's parks.
