No Magpie
Friday, July 13, 2007: I started the day by birding near Marshall Pond, on the south side of the Klamath River. It was fairly birdy, although Wood Ducks were the only new species for California. A dull olive-colored chipmunk darted across the road as I drove out toward the mouth of the Klamath. It must have been a Shadow Chipmunk. Farther up the road, a couple of Brush Rabbits put in an appearance. At the overlook, a whale occasionally spouted, but I was unable to get it in the scope. By then, it was time to head back to the Requa Inn for breakfast.
After breakfast, I headed down US-101, then toward Mt. Shasta on SR-299. A detour along Titlow Mountain Road in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest produced a few species, including a surprise Blue Grosbeak and an Acorn Woodpecker. There was also a Fence Lizard at one an unofficial overlook. I drove though a lot of what looked like quail habitat, but didn't have any luck with them. I did have to dodge several Mule (Black-tailed) Deer on the way back to the main road.
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| Western Fence Lizard |
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Back on SR-299, I headed east. The road runs along (and above) the Trinity River, making the trip very scenic. My next stop was Tower House, which is part of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreational Area. It was hot and the birds were quiet. I did find a Western Gray Squirrel for the day. Then it was back on the road for Redding. When I got to Redding, I noticed a thermometer reading 102. Hot!! I headed a little south to look for magpies along Jelly's Ferry Road and around the Battle Creek Wildlife Area. At one point I heard some corvids, but they were only Scrub-Jays. A covey of California Quail was a nice surprise. Nice to have them on my California list. Other highlights included Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Mockingbird (sounds like Florida), Lesser Goldfinch, Western Bluebird, and Ash-throated Flycatchers. Yet with all of this, no magpies! Bad luck is not surprising on Friday the 13th!
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| Trinity River |
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It was time to head to the motel in Dunsmuir, so I gave up the magpie hunt and headed north. I noticed Steller's Jay at the motel when I checked in. Tonight, I should get a full 8 hours of sleep!
Dunsmuir Lodge, Dunsmuir, CA