Upper Park (April 13) - Spring was not in full swing but some tropical Migrants had arrived. Three Altacalers enjoyed a pleasant spring day with lots of wildflowers and nice looks at birds. We started the trip with Western Kingbirds that were back in force. For the first hour and a half we saw resident and winter species. Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Bewick's wren Spotted and Cal Towhee Golden and White-crowned Sparrow white breasted Nuthatches were also in evidence. As we walked on the Yahi trail two birds flew in front of us and landed. A pair of female Black-Headed Grosbeaks were here, our second Tropical migrant. Barn, Tree and Violet Green swallows then appeared. I heard a tick and checked and found a male Bullock's Oriole. It came out in the open saw everyone got a soul satisfying look Red-tail Hawks Nashville Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler and Lark Sparrow were other good finds.

Tule Lake (April 26-28) - Jon Hirbert, Phil Johnson and Richard Redmond had a great weekend birding in the North Cold California. Friday night as we were drive in to Lava Beds we saw shine eyes on the roadside - 4 Common Poorwills. Saturday morning we woke up to Great Horned Owl and booming Sage Grouse. We got and headed for Tule Lake. We stopped several time to see birds crossing the road. We saw the first of many House Finches as well as Brewer's Blackbirds. Another stop netted Juniper Titmouse. Another stop added the songs and viewing of Rock Wrens and Canyon Wrens and Yellow-rumped Warblers. A buzzy Sparrow song got our attention, we pished it in and had a Black-throated Sparrow. The First lake stop gave us Western and Clark's Grebes, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, Forster's Terns and White Pelican. The weekend gave us 114 Birds I will only touch the highlights here. Bonapart's Gull, Dunlin, Willit, Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Swainson's Hawk, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, Sage Thrasher, Brewers Sparrow and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

Richard Redmond