California Birding

It makes sense that a state right next to Arizona would have similar birds.  But what stands out from a couple days birding in southern California is that such a wide variety of birds can be found in such a small geographic area.  And the birds we generally see in the Copper State at higher elevations are found in lower elevations in the Golden State.

I birded mostly in the Wood Ranch area of Simi Valley, a bedroom community 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.  This location afforded easy access to the Lang Ranch Open Space  - part of the greater Conejo Open Space Conservation Area - and a network of parks and trails that link up with the greater Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.  You could theoretically hike to the Pacific Ocean, approximately fifteen miles to the south.  But I stayed close to the trailhead, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding Simi Hills and Santa Susanna Mountains.

The terrain was mostly grassland - its greenery from the winter rains quickly drying - interspersed with rocky outcrops.  Seasonal creeks provide sustenance for dense groves of oaks and even some sycamores in tight valleys and ravines.  The peaks rarely exceeded 1500' -  low compared to the 3000' peaks in the nearby Santa Monica Range.  Many wildflowers were in full bloom - I was even able to get a shot of a California poppy, the state flower.  Many bird species populated the trees, bushes and grasses, including scrub-jays, wrentits, towhees and hummingbirds.  Red-tailed hawks, ravens and turkey vultures flew overhead.  And the walks through the neighborhoods leading to the trailhead were just as exciting, affording me some firsts - a  Bewick's wren and a flock of cedar waxwings.

I was impressed by some contrasts in this state and my home state. In Arizona, we need to escape  the lower deserts to see scrub-jays, bluebirds and titmice, visiting cooler places like Prescott and Payson at almost 5,000' instead.  Their junipers, pinons, scrub oaks and even ponderosa pines provide an ideal environment for these birds.  It was interesting to contrast how the more moderate coastal California climate recalculates the equations between elevation, habitat and bird populations.

An interesting note: It wasn't long ago that all southwestern area scrub-jays, all titmice and all towhees were considered one species in their respective families.  The experts decided recently that geographically-separated populations were distinct enough to classify them as two separate species in their families.  As a result,  Arizona has Woodhouse's scrub-jays, canyon towhees and juniper titmice, while California has California scrub-jays, California towhees and oak titmice. They're separated by deserts they don't inhabit.  I also saw a Nuttall's woodpecker, a cousin of the very similar ladder-backed woodpecker.   I'm happy to have finally made the acquaintance with the West Coast cousins of my home state birds.

Remember also that California is arid, despite the long coastline.  Simi Valley summer temperatures often reach 100 degrees F.  So I wasn't surprised when I saw desert birds like roadrunners, hooded orioles and various flycatchers.  But again, I was impressed that a short one-mile walk gave me a chance to see species that would have taken me a much longer trek in Arizona.

In the end, I was thrilled to identify almost thirty species of birds in my short visit to Simi Valley. But as noted, California has a vast shoreline, populated by dozens of shorebird varieties.  Adding to my initial tally is an adventure and a story for a future date!

Rocky outcrops and trails above Simi Valley with the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.  The Pacific Ocean lies beyond that.

Undulations in the terrain create gullies that could provide the environment for forested habitat, ideal for many birds.

Much of the grasses were drying, but wildflowers were still managing to bloom.

A ravine or valley with denser growth of shrubs and possibly oaks. Beyond is the community of Wood Ranch in Simi Valley with it's heavily irrigated oases, habitat for many more birds.

Rugged and stratified terrain above the trailhead.  A seasonal creek runs behind and below the massive outcrop of rock in the foreground.

California scrub-jay. I may have caught him blinking.  

Allen's hummingbird, male.  My first encounter with this species!  His cousin, the rufous hummingbird, is more common in my home state.  This specimen is blinking too.  While I didn't get his eye's catchlight, I was more pleased to get his luminescent gorget.

Allen's hummingbird sipping nectar.

Song sparrow.

Male hooded oriole. I saw several, both in neighborhoods and at the trailhead. 

Bewick's wren in the neighborhood's lush landscaping.

Western bluebird.

Neighborhood flock of cedar waxwings.

Pair of cedar waxwings, in zoomed and cropped photo.  This was my favorite encounter.  I'll have to wait until next time for a better quality close-up. 

Wildflowers along the trail.

Field of wildflowers, maybe black-eyed-Susans. 

California poppy, the state flower.

Unique wildflower encounter.

A quick trip to Santa Monica gave me a tiny taste of shore birding with this shot of a ring-billed gull.  I look forward to the full course on a future outing!