Nightly Kino walks Oct 16 2013

Kino and I did our nightly routine again, and the Lesser Nighthawk graced us with its presence again.   The insects were not as numerous around the lights though, so we will have to appreciate its nightly flights while we can.  Last night the flight pattern was reminiscent of a ladle being dipped repeatedly into a bowl of soup as it scooped up insects crowded about the artificial light.  Tonight the pattern was more of a wide circular arc.   

On the previous two nights I also heard a strange owl's screech which made me think "Barn Owl," yet could not rule out a juvenile Great Horned Owl.   I scanned the skies intently both nights for a ghostly white figure.   

This morning I discovered a scorpion in our shower.  Much as I disagree with animal relocation I took the exception, and, after trapping it in one of Mrs. S's Chai cans, relocated it, to our back yard.  

Tonight on my bike commute home I birded the woodland road, then the field and pond just before dark.   To give an idea of the birds here this time of year here is the list.  

The woodland Road (15 min)

1 Verdin

4 House Finch

3 Gila Woodpecker

1 Red-tailed Hawk

5 Vermilion Flycatchers

60 Mourning Doves

1 Yellow-Rumped Warbler

5 Turkey Vultures

2 Lesser Goldfinch

1 Abert's Towhee

1 American Kestrel

1 Eurasian Collared Dove

Field and Lake  (25 min)

1 Phainopepla

7 Gambel's Quail

6 House Finch

2 Lesser Goldfinch

2 Red-tailed Hawks

1 Pyrrhuloxia or Northern Cardinal female

5 Brewer's Sparrow

2 Lincoln's Sparrow

2 Green-tailed Towhee

5 White-crowned Sparrow-Gambeli (Gambel's race)

2 White-crowned Sparrow-Orianthi  (Mountain race)

2 Mourning Doves

1 Gila Woodpecker

1 House Wren

2 Northern Shoveler 

68 Mallard Duck

1 Mexican Mallard Duck 

22 American Wigeon

1 Great Blue Heron

3 possible Green-winged Teal (teal-like with apparent tail stripe but not distinct)-too dark outside.

Thank you for appreciating our wintering neighborhood wildlife!