October 2006

Audubon Members Come Out to Hollister Ranch
for an HR Conservancy Sponsored Event
by Wendie Kruthers

On May 27th, 25 members of the Santa Barbara Audubon came out to “bird” at Hollister Ranch. Jack Sanford coordinated the trip and Guy Tingos was the fearless leader and bird expert. Spring and winter are especially great times to bird. In addition to our regular resident birds, additional birds pass through on their migratory trips while others just come to stay for a few weeks or months. On this day, 48 different species of birds were sighted.

Well-seasoned birders can identify many more birds by hearing their songs than by actually seeing them. A perfect example is the very common scrub jay (usually misidentified as a blue jay). They have a very distinctive squawk.

The day started on Parcel 70 at Ranch Real, and proceeded along Bulito Road by the HROA office, through the orchard, past the Hollister House and on up Bulito Road. Birding in the early morning and late afternoon is usually best. It also helps if it’s not too windy. That day was very windy. By the time we reached Alegria Beach to check out the shore and sea birds, it was challenging to stand up (only a slight exaggeration)! Before we knew it, five hours had flown by.

Hollister Ranch is a great place to bird! A pair of binoculars, a good bird book and patience is all that is required. No matter where you are, if you take the time to look around you, there are birds everywhere. Following is a list of the birds we saw. See how many you can identify. Look them up in your bird book and get familiar with them.

It’s fun and educational for all ages.  

1. Blackbird, Brewer’s                                    25. Phoebe, Black                                 
2. Blackbird, Red-winged                                26. Pigeon Guillemot
3. Bluebird, Western                                      27. Quail, California
4. Bushtit                                                     28. Robin, American
5. Common Yellowthroat                                 29. Song Sparrow
6. Coot, American                                          30. Sparrow, Savannah
7. Cormorant                                                 31. Starling, European
8. Crow, American                                          32. Swallow, Cliff
9. Dove, Mourning                                         33. Swallow, Northern Rough-winged
10. Finch, Purple                                             34. Swallow, Violet-green
11. Flicker, Northern                                         35. Thrasher, California
12. Flycatcher, Pacific-slope                               36. Towhee, California
13. Goldfinch, Lesser                                        37. Towhee, Spotted
14. Grebe, Western                                           38. Vireo, Huttons’s
15. Grosbeak, Black-headed                               39. Vireo, Warbling
16. Gull, Western                                             40. Vulture , Turkey
17. Hawk, Red-tailed                                         41. Warbler, Orange-crowned
18. House Wren                                               42.Warbler, Wilson ’s
19. Hummingbird, Anna’s                                  43. Warbler, Yellow
20. Jay, Western Scrub                                      44. Woodpecker, Acorn
21. Kestrel, American                                        45. Woodpecker, Nuttall’s
22. Oriole, Bullock’s                                          46. Wood-Peewee, Western
23. Oriole, Hooded                                                           47. Wren, Bewicks Pelican, Brown
24. Pelican, Brown                                             48. Wrentit