Comments for It's a bird thing...

Comment on Lots of Unusual Sightings on the Sandia Christmas Bird Count by Rebecca Gracey

Rebecca Gracey — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:44:00 +0000

It was a fun day, and you captured it accurately.

Comment on Birding New Mexico’s Villanueva State Park by George Lawrence

George Lawrence — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:45:10 +0000

Judy,
I would like to use your photo of the Pecos River in Villanueva in an exhibit panel which will be part of a new Pecos Watershed Education Center in Santa Rosa. Would you contact me please regarding permission to use the photo.
Thanks,
George Lawrence

Comment on Rosy-finches at New Mexico’s Sandia Crest by Rene MacDonald

Rene MacDonald — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:54:54 +0000

I just moved to Gallup New Mexico. Some small birds were already living in the back yard, so to encourage them to stay I bought a bird feeder and some throw-around bird seed. They are scarfing up the food on a daily basis. I have never counted more than 18 or so, and one of them has quite a bit of red on it. Does anyone know what species they are? Is there some especially good food that I can buy for them?

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by Kerri

Kerri — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:23:49 +0000

Your description of the diverse variety of birds that flock today to the LA river, has provided a glimpse into the LA river of yesteryear! I envy those who lived to see our city at the hight of its beauty and bounty. I can picture a wide meandering river with banks of silt and sod, where flocks of Heron, Avocents, and Coots gather upon the rippling waters surface waiting to catch a passing fish.

Today we are left with the wasted remnants of something wild that have been concretized to maintain order. We have fogotten about our link with the natural and have left our animal neighbors with no home, no shelter, and no food (well very little anyway.)

How did we become so cold to ruin such a rich landscape? I don’t think its too late for new generations (my generation) to undo the doings of our relatives who ignored our natural landscape and all that it provides for.

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by Joe Birds

Joe Birds — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:07:27 +0000

When I’m in a place like on the first pic my first thought would be fishing while relaxing (if it’s legal)… But the plastic seems a little bit annoying.

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by judysjottings

judysjottings — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:15:12 +0000

I read what you wrote about the L.A. River. I think it is a good image to keep in mind. Hopefully, we won’t come to that in New Mexico.

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by jfleck at inkstain » Birding the LA River

jfleck at inkstain » Birding the LA River — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:24:50 +0000

[...] horse in a piece I wrote earlier this week. But Albuquerque birdwriter Judy Liddell points out that the concrete is not all there is to the old water course: As it flows through central Los Angeles, it reverts to the concrete arroyo. However, as it [...]

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by John Fleck

John Fleck — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:13:55 +0000

This is lovely! I used the LA River’s concrete as a bit of a stalking horse in a piece for the newspaper last week. Nice to know it has this side as well.

Comment on Birding along the Los Angeles River by southfielddrive

southfielddrive — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:51:43 +0000

This is a nice write-up. Always good to hear about places like this. The world is full of them and only a few of the locals know about them.

Comment on Migrating Birds at Las Vegas NWR by Lee Lockie

Lee Lockie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:23:36 +0000

RE LA Questions

Hi Judy….Please excuse my delay in responding. I hope the following information is helpful to you.

Red headed sapsucker

In the past, we had good luck on Route 38, the road to Big Bear. We have seen these birds at a creek as you turn off Rt 38 at the Fire Station. I know this is far for you to drive perhaps, so you could also try the Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel mountains just north of Los Angeles. The Switzer campground is very good for birding and you may find the sapsucker there. I suggest calling the local Audubon to verify whether access has been affected by the recent fire in the area.

Birding in Palos Verdes

1. Forrestal.Attached is a map and description of the Forrestal Preserve in this area.

2. Surfbirds. According to my friend in PV, a good bet for surfbirds is White Point. This is a small park located at the end of Western Avenue, right on the ocean. (You can park on the road to avoid parking fees and it is a short hike down to the rocks.)

Lawrence’s Goldfinch
I called the local Audubon office in West Hollywood (a great source of information on local sightings) and they explained, as you probably know, that the Lawrence’s Goldfinch moves from place to place all the time and so they did not have good recommendations for where to find them.

I hope this arrives in time to help you accomplish the birding part of your trip to LA.

Best wishes, Lee Lockie