Birding Hike Leads to New Sightings

Fourteen ardent birders followed Stephen Ramirez around the trails at the Ringtail Ridge natural area early Saturday morning January 6th. They were rewarded with more than the usual sightings of cardinals, mockingbirds, and sparrows.

Sunrise at Ringtail Ridge

Stephen Ramirez (center) meets new birders

The sunrise outing netted robins, cedar waxwings and both American and lesser goldfinches. The cedar waxwings were observed eating sugarberries and ashe juniper berries. And they had a feast. Some chinaberries were also eaten in the process.

The one and half-hour hike covered only a portion of the 40 acre natural area that was showing green in early January.  Recent rains in November and December benefited the greenspace, although more than a few trees were drought stressed. The hackberry trees were affected the most but will now provide cover and shelter for the birds and small animals.  Woodpeckers were heard but not sighted.

Free birding hikes occur on the first Saturday of the month and are led by Stephen Ramirez. Schulle Canyon, February 4th is the site of the next birding hike. Check dates and get more information at Stephen's website: http://birdsiview.org/

- Lance Jones, Stewardship Committee