For the birds
Tulare County Audubon Society leads bird walk on Big Sycamore Trail
Eyes were in the sky as Tulare County Audubon Society members gathered at the Big Sycamore Trail near Success Dam for a bird walk Saturday morning.
A group of ten journeyed along the one mile trail to listen and watch for different birds. Over 140 different species have been spotted at the bird watching hot spot.
Joan Parker and Linda Wentz, two members of the Tulare County Audubon Society, led the walk along the trail and pointed out over 30 different bird species during the walk.
“We want to get people involved with getting out and it’s not always birds, we try to learn about plants and trees,” Wentz stated. “We want to educate people that it’s really great just to get outdoors and get some exercise.”
Before the walk began, Wentz passed out binoculars to those who did not come with any and readied her own scope for better viewing.
The walk began with the spotting of a rock wren, and the group exchanged excited exclamations.
Along the walk, Wentz shared her knowledge by pointing out various trees and plant life and explaining what types of
birds may live in them.
Park Ranger Sylvia Guerrero was present during the walk and shared some of her experiences on the trail with the group. She recalled the memory of a bobcat crossing under the bridge she was standing on and taught about different lizard species that live among the trees.
A member of the group came prepared with a bird species book that was often being looked through. The book was much help with identifying birds that looked very similar.
As the walk continued, an osprey was spotted on a platform by the dam. The platform was on top of a power pole and the group was informed that it had been built by Southern California Edison.
A turkey vulture sat perched on a pole, while a group of bushtits flew from tree to tree.
Parker kept her phone out and ready to play bird calls. She also logged the spotted species into a database linked with Cornell University called E-bird.
“This trail is part of a phenology study we’re doing, so somebody is walking it every week looking for eight specific species of birds. We are trying to track when they arrive, if they’re migrants and when they’re nesting,” explained Parker as the group looked at a couple of territorial hummingbirds.
Warnings were given out at the start of the walk as to what to watch out for. Wentz explained that birds were not the only animals living in the trees and that it may be a possibility for the group to cross paths with a rattlesnake or bobcat. Towards the end of the trail, a bobcat was heard but not seen.
Once the trail ended, the group gathered for a summary of the days sightings. Parker and Wentz took some time to explain the Audubon Society and the future events they will be having.
“The Audubon is one of those organizations that has a single focus and we don’t get distracted from that single focus — conserving birds,” informed Parker.
“And conserving their habitats,” added Wentz.
“Every year, except for the hot summer months, we do monthly field trips and programs,” said Parker. “We move our field trips around the county and sometimes we go out of the county, not only so people can see other parts of the county when they come along with us, but also so we can monitor what is at a particular site.”
The walks are free to the public. More information about future Tulare County Audubon Society field trips and meetings can be found on their website at www.tularecountyaudubon.wixsite.com.