Upper Bidwell Park - December 12,1998 - Three hardy birders took a short hike through beautiful Upper Bidwell Park on this brisk clear morning. We started at Horseshoe Lake, where (as usual) most of the waterfowl appeared highly domesticated. From the parking area, we did see many White-crowned and a few Golden-crowned sparrows. As we headed up the hill towards the North Rim Trail, one of the first birds spotted was a Say's Phoebe, an auspicious beginning. We spotted a perched raptor that we first mis-identified as a possible Swainson's Hawk; a later view helped us to correct the identification of a Northern Harrier (of which we saw several). Moving around the hillside turned up the expected species, including Oak Titmouse and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet. Heading up the trail turned up good numbers of birds, including a Bewick's Wren, Western Bluebirds, Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers, and an attractive Red-Breasted Sapsucker.

Eventually we cut down the side of the canyon and walked back down the road a bit to catch the Yahi Trail. On the way, se encountered Lesser and American Goldfinches and a Downy Woodpecker. The Yahi Trail was fairly quiet (we were getting into the doldrums by this time) but did turn up California Quail and Phainopepla. While walking back to the cars we hear the quite "chup" of a Hermit Thrush, and managed to get some good looks at it as well.

Trip list: White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, California Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Say's Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, American Crow, Phainopepla, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, European Starling, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Oak Titmouse, House Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, California Towhee, Western Meadowlark, Killdeer, Bushtit (38 species). Skip Augur