Don't ask me when, but John went out to Santa Cruz Island earlier in the year to get the Island Scrub Jay. The boat he signed up for went to Scorpion Bay, so that is where he went. Trouble is, from there, you have to hike in a few miles or so to get to where you MIGHT see the jay. John hiked and didn't see a jay feather, let alone a whole bird. We figured out what he should have done, after the fact. Not the best way to do a big year.
Tuesday, October 16th, he tried again. This time, the Island Packers boat stopped at Scorpion Bay, went on to Prisoner's Cove, tied up there a couple of hours, putted back to Scorpion Bay, then back to Ventura. And this time, John signed up for debarking at Prisoner's Cove.
The weather was gorgeous. Within a few minutes of landing, John spotted some Island Scrub Jays. 663 He parked at a picnic table and spent the rest of the two hours taking pictures.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Showing posts with label Santa Cruz Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santa Cruz Island. Show all posts
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
What's up, dock?
Island foxes up, island jays down.
To fill a few days, John decided to go to Santa Cruz Island. Because it was short notice, he could only land at Scorpion Anchorage. His books said jays were everywhere. A naturalist at that dock said there used to be jays right there. Turns out the recovery program for foxes has been so successful that jays are better seen in the interior, more easily accessible from Prisoner's Harbor. He was at the wrong dock.
When doing a big year, relying on books alone doesn't work well. John knows he should be finding local contacts that have up to date status of birds, but that is hard for him to do. At least, he can go back to Santa Cruz during slack time in the fall.
John started out this trip exploring Mt. Pinos. Lots of juncos, not the birds he was hoping for. Looking for the LeConte's Thrasher, again, he did find a Sage Sparrow near Maricopa. On the way home, he stopped by Malibu and found about 50 Snowy Plovers. I need to learn how to share his photos.
In a few days he will start on a longer road trip, hitting Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. He needs to get reservations for the Dry Tortugas so I know when to join him in Florida. Then we will comb the Gulf Coast for migrants back towards Texas. There is going to be a bit of car juggling to be done.
The trip to Attu is right when he would love to be several other places, but choices must be made. There is only one spring per year.
To fill a few days, John decided to go to Santa Cruz Island. Because it was short notice, he could only land at Scorpion Anchorage. His books said jays were everywhere. A naturalist at that dock said there used to be jays right there. Turns out the recovery program for foxes has been so successful that jays are better seen in the interior, more easily accessible from Prisoner's Harbor. He was at the wrong dock.
When doing a big year, relying on books alone doesn't work well. John knows he should be finding local contacts that have up to date status of birds, but that is hard for him to do. At least, he can go back to Santa Cruz during slack time in the fall.
John started out this trip exploring Mt. Pinos. Lots of juncos, not the birds he was hoping for. Looking for the LeConte's Thrasher, again, he did find a Sage Sparrow near Maricopa. On the way home, he stopped by Malibu and found about 50 Snowy Plovers. I need to learn how to share his photos.
In a few days he will start on a longer road trip, hitting Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. He needs to get reservations for the Dry Tortugas so I know when to join him in Florida. Then we will comb the Gulf Coast for migrants back towards Texas. There is going to be a bit of car juggling to be done.
The trip to Attu is right when he would love to be several other places, but choices must be made. There is only one spring per year.
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