This post was written by Sandra Noll, Birding Intern in 2014, 2015, & 2016.
The month of June has flown and it’s time to unveil the top ten bird encounters; birds seen within a half-hour driving radius of the Mono Lake Committee headquarters. It was a great month enhanced by the seasonal hatching and fledging young and by sightings at the 14th annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua held June 19–21.
1. Northern Saw-whet Owl—a cavity nest with several owlets was discovered in the Obsidian Dome area during the Bird Chautauqua
2. Mountain Bluebirds—nesting behind the gas station at south entrance to June Lake Loop
3. Hairy Woodpecker—nesting at County Park
4. American Avocet—at Mono Lake’s shore
5. American Kestrel—nesting at County Park and DeChambeau Ranch
6. House Wren—most abundant and vocal
7. Lazuli Bunting—a special treat at County Park
8. Green-tailed Towhee—a vocal bright spot in the sagebrush steppe
9. Warblers—Yellow and MacGillivrays nesting at County Park
10. Osprey—nests with chicks on Mono Lake
11. A most exciting bonus bird: Peregrine Falcon. It was seen taking a small bird off the County Park boardwalk and retiring to a nearby tufa for a snack!
Most of these birds can be seen in the variety of habitats at County Park and we hope you’ll be able to join one of our weekly bird walks there! Co-sponsored by California State Parks (led by Ranger Dave Marquart) and the Mono Lake Committee (led by Birding Interns Erv Nichols and Sandra Noll) the free bird walks are offered every Friday and Sunday morning from 8:00–10:00am. Meet in the parking lot of County Park and remember to allow extra time for the road construction between Lee Vining and County Park.
