Neighbors Newspaper February 2010

PAGE 10 NEIGHBORS NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 2010
near San Juan Capistrano. These
Sometimes sitting quietly in one spot
areas are particularly productive and
is very productive. Birds become wary
are easy to access.
as you approach but will resume their
Common year-round species
normal activity after a short period if
here are Red-shouldered Hawk (near
you are quietly.
riparian corridors) Red-tailed Hawk,
2) Make slow movements. Birds
American Kestrel, California Quail,
are very observant and will bolt at
Anna’s Hummingbird, Scrub Jay,
sudden movements
Wrentit, Spotted and California To-
3) Try “spishing”. Spishing is mak-
Hidden Treasures
whee, and Lesser Goldfinch. Winter
ing a sound like Shhhh! with a sp in
brings Say’s Phoebe, Western Blue-
front. I know it sound crazy and you
By Richard Cronberg
bird, Lark Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow,
might feel a little foolish at first but it
and others.
works. I think the birds think of it as
As I travel the roads here in
way to the Oregon border and be-
Some mammals that inhabit the
a call resembling the call of a Red-
Southern California and look at the
yond. And it is home to some of the
chaparral are bats, raccoons, wea-
tailed Hawk. Regardless the birds do
brush-covered hills I wonder if most
most interesting and unique species
sels, skunks, foxes, coyotes, moun-
react to this sound. You can be in a
people ever stop to think about what
of birds that are rarely seen.
tain lion, bobcat, ground squirrel, cot-
seemingly birdless area and as soon
wildlife lives in this seemingly non-de-
I love birding in the chaparral
tontail rabbit, and Mule Deer. Although
as you begin spishing birds begin to
script landscape? For me this habitat
areas since there are few people in
your chances of seeing any of these
“pop” up everywhere. Expert birders
is one of the most interesting of all.
these areas and the birds are more
mammals are minimal they are there.
everywhere use this method to bring
This world that no one sees is full of
than willing to show themselves for
But to see birds try these tips:
birds into view.
life and home to an unbelievable com-
viewing or photography. You just have
1) Go slowly and be observant.
4) The best time to bird is early
munity of living creatures.
to know where to go and what to do.
This habitat we all see every day
So let’s go!
is actually called chaparral. Chaparral
Some of my favorite places to see
is made up of tough, mostly impen-
Birder’s Quiz: You are birding the chap-
chaparral birds in our area are Santa
etrable plants composing of chamise,
Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve on
arral and see a bird that is very unusual
sage, scub oak, manzanita, and cean-
Clinton Keith Rd. and the area along
looking. It is about the size of a wood-
othus species. It covers thousands of
the Ortega Highway from Lake El- pecker but is all brown and has a very
acres of hills and mountains all the
sinore to Caspers’ Wilderness Park
long de-curved bill. What is it?
Nature and Scenery Photography
Richard Cronberg
• Spectacular display photos which are matted signed,
ready for framing
• Full line of Wildlife and Nature greeting cards,
5 x7 size, blank inside with envelopes
• All original photos by awarding-winning,
local photographer Richard Cronberg
• Fast service, most major credit cards accepted (PayPal)
visit the website:
www.cronbergphotograph.com
or call 951-226-8548
for more information
morning although birding can be very
productive anytime during the winter.
OVER 1150 HOMES SOLD SINCE 1990
Birds are most active in the morning
before the heat begins.
So there you have it. Just for fun
To Buy or Sell Your Home Call
try birding the chaparral. If you haven’t
seen these wonderful birds that I call
VICKI PUTERBAUGH
“Hidden Treasures” you have really
missed part of California’s heritage.
CRS, GRI, DRE# 01070769
Remember if you have questions
about birding or would like more in-
formation on our photography classes
951 453-9735
currently being conducted at Santa
Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
please contact me through my web-
951 676-5736 x 293 site at www.cronbergphography.com.

Birder’s Tip: With all this rain we
have been experiencing there is
going to be a great wildflower sea-
son. So if your partner isn’t a birder
the wildflowers will surely be entic-
ing enough to get them out there.
“Just Results”

Birder’s Quiz Answer: You have
found a California Thrasher
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