Here's another fun round-up of bird seen at the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary in Orange County, courtesy Ornithologist Holly Garrod:

This week, while enjoying a nice morning at the cabin, I had a Red-shouldered Hawk visit the bird bath and perch less than 50 feet from me! He took a drink, we stared each other down for 30 seconds and then he was gone. While Red-shouldered Hawks can be seen flying around the ranch, it was incredible seeing one so close. Other raptors that have been active around the ranch include 3 different species of owl. Be sure to listen for the harsh screech of Barn Owls, the gentle hoots of Great Horned Owls and the trill like hoots of Western Screech Owls after dusk.

This weeks bird of the week is.....

Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana). No wonder they're the bringer of happiness, these blue gems always brighten my day. They're easily distinguished by their blue color and reddish breast. The females tend to have a more brown wash and will always have an eye ring where the males will not. These birds hang out year round on Starr Ranch and in the summer will nest in cavities or bird houses. I've seen them around the ranch perched pretty high up in the Eucalyptus trees making their 'kew' calls. Look at the photo above for an idea of an older female bluebird (photo taken by me during last weeks MoSI banding effort).

Here are the birds seen and heard on Starr Ranch this week:

1. Turkey Vulture

2. Cooper's Hawk

3. Red-shouldered Hawk

4. Red-tailed Hawk

5. Northern Harrier

6. Band-tailed Pigeon

7. Mourning Dove

8. Great Horned Owl

9. Barn Owl

10. Western Screech Owl

11. Anna's Hummingbird

12. Acorn Woodpecker

13. Red-breasted Sapsucker

14. Nuttall's Woodpecker

15. Northern Flicker

16. American Kestrel

17. Black Phoebe

18. Say's Phoebe

19. Cassin's Kingbird

20. Hutton's Vireo

21. Western Scrub Jay

22. Common Raven

23. American Crow

24. Oak Titmouse

25. House Wren

26. Bewick's Wren

27. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

28. Cactus Wren

29. Wrentit

30. Hermit Thrush

31. Western Bluebird

32. American Robin

33. California Thrasher

34. Northern Mockingbird

35. European Starling

36. Phainopepla

37. Cedar Waxwing

38. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's subspecies)

39. Common Yellowthroat

40. Spotted Towhee

41. California Towhee

42. Golden-crowned Sparrow

43. White-crowned Sparrow

44. Fox sparrow

45. Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon subspecies)

46. Scott's Oriole

47. Purple Finch

48. House Finch

49. Lesser Goldfinch

50. Pine Siskin