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Last month's Bird of the Month was the Lesser Goldfinch, which is the most common bird at Four Seasons. This month we feature the rarest bird at Four Seasons, the Gray Catbird. The only evidence for this bird's visit is this photograph, taken by Gayl Swinehart in October 2016. Gray Catbirds breed in the eastern and central U.S. as far west as central Texas, northeastern Utah, and eastern Oregon and Washington. They winter from the southeastern U.S. Gulf Coast to eastern Mexico and Central America. The bird pictured here (one of two observed by Gayl) was most likely a Washington or Oregon breeder that veered more westerly than it should have on its southward fall migration to Latin America. "Vagrant" Gray Catbirds show up in California annually and are "reportable" on California rare bird alerts. If reported, the Swineharts' Gray Catbird would have drawn birders from throughout southern California. The Gray Catbird is named for its cat-like call, and because of its well-developed syrinx, it is able to make two sounds at the same time. Like many members of the Mimidae family (mockingbirds and thrashers), the Gray Catbird mimics the songs of other birds and also mimics the sounds of frogs and even mechanical sounds. Catbirds prefer a dense vegetative substrate, including scrublands, woodland edges, overgrown farmland and abandoned orchards. About half of the Gray Catbird's diet is fruit and berries and the other half is worms, beetles, ants, moths, and other insects. Part of the excitement of birding is that you never know what to expect and the next bird in your binoculars could be the next big rarity. Even here at Four Seasons! ~ Steve Edelman Birding CLUB Bird of the Month FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2018 65 Gray Catbird -- Four Seasons' Rarest Bird Photo by Gayl Swinehart, Birding Club Member We welcome beginning and experienced birders to start or hone bird identification skills. Our main activity is a monthly bird walk along Four Seasons' beautiful nature trails, which follow native riparian woodlands. We also take field trips to local birding hot spots, discuss backyard bird feeding, and share information on unusual species and behaviors. On Nov. 19 we joined the L.A. Audubon Society for a field trip to the San Jacinto Wildlife Area near Lake Perris. We saw many ducks and other water birds and lots of raptors (hawks), including about a half dozen Golden Eagles soaring overhead. Our Dec. 2 bird walk was our first during winter and the 20 species identified in about an hour set a new record. (This added two birds to the FS bird list, which now numbers 65.) A highlight was a flock of about 15 Cedar Waxwings (pictured), which is a beautiful flycatcher that summers in northern and mountain streamside habitats and winters throughout the U.S. in distinctively tight flocks. During our next bird walk we'll see if higher numbers are maintained through the winter, which is the best season for birding SoCal lowlands. We meet on the first Saturday of the month at 8 am in the Lodge RCN Lobby, to talk about birding. Then, we go on our bird walk directly from the Lodge (good exercise!). Bring your binoculars or just come to a meeting and ask about birding gear. For more information and to receive club communications, email Steve Edelman at steve.h.edelman@gmail.com. ~ Steve Edelman Cedar Waxwing Photo by Phillip Hardy

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