Poorwill, at Last

Went to Briones on Sunday to test out my new copy of the Sibley Guide to Trees. Was somewhat disappointed in the guide, esp. when compared to Biedelman and Kozloff, but had a grand time of it nonetheless, with some nice scenery and myriopods to pass the time. Oh, and did I mention the Common Poorwill? Saw another, but this time I knew what I was looking at, so I approached with caution and ended up within 6 ft of the thing! Got some find pics out of it too. The other highlight was hearing many Western Screech Owls calling in the woods. ID'd the call with iBird, no less!

Posted on October 28, 2009 04:07 AM by kueda kueda

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

Observer

kueda

Date

October 25, 2009 08:10 PM PDT

Description

Last time I saw one of these I thought it was a piece of trash and approached quite brazenly, spooking it before I got a chance to snap some evidence. This time I saw it from a distance, snapped on the 300 mm, and approached with caution. Approached, approached, and approached until, unbelievably, I was within 6 ft or so! I don't know if my light was blinding or if it was overconfident in its camo, but it just sat there. Check out those whiskers!

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Desert Centipede (Scolopendra polymorpha)

Observer

kueda

Date

October 25, 2009 07:49 PM PDT

Description

At least 10 cm long, observed in mixed grassland / oak savanna near Lafayette, CA.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Curve-faced Windscorpions (Family Ammotrechidae)

Observer

kueda

Date

October 25, 2009 08:01 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)

Observer

kueda

Date

October 25, 2009 07:00 PM PDT

Description

Heard many of these calling in the western portion of the park, mostly along the Spengleman Trail. Very distinctive call. Hopefully I will remember it! Hopefully one day I will lay eyes on one.

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