October started with Trump and many in Washington sick with the Corona Virus. There was a highly contentious installation of a new Supreme Court justice. Political campaigns heated up with harsh rhetoric meant to inflame passions. I am glad we are wrapping up this election season. At this point I document these things here not so much for comment, but to look back on in time to remember when things happened. We had major fires in Orange County and smoke filled skies locally. I have trouble keeping the days straight. I don't think it is a sign of mental decline with age, but a sign of the times. Despite all the crazy backdrop, it actually turned out to be a rather pleasant month. I have been physically distancing but socially connecting with new and old friends and family.

A personal highlight was that I finally broke down and purchased my first set of 'adult' binoculars. I had been birding with a pair of Pentax Papillio's. These were good for close-up viewing for my butterfly surveys, as well as casual birding. But with my butterfly surveys on hold due to Covid restrictions, and my increase in local birding, I decided it was time to make the leap. I am thrilled with my Nikon Monarch HG 8x30's. Still compact for when I am carrying my big camera, but incredible detail. I realize I have been birding blind all this time.

Fall migration continued strong after the spectacular start in the end of September. Sparrows are back for the winter and a few waterfowl are coming back, with more to come. Notable rarities that showed up were Great-crested Flycatcher, Broad-winged Hawk, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Some other 'special' birds arrived that may stick around for the winter include a Little Blue Heron, Green-tailed Towhee, Tropical Kingbird, Palm Warbler, and a Tricolored Heron. Although Yellow-rumped warblers are very common and abundant in winter, I saw a leucistic one. Some of the melanin pigments that produce blacks and browns are missing and the bird looks odd.

While the 'rare' birds get a lot of attention, I also like to watch the common birds for their beauty and behaviors. Just like people on social media, they are eating, primping, dancing, and playing.  Predator/prey relationships are always interesting and I try to photograph birds eating. A Downy Woodpecker found a Bordered Mantis egg case (ootheca) and really went to town on it, pecking at it and pulling out the tasty babies. I have a small video to go with it too. A Snowy Egret was picking off mosquitofish. It seemed to be dancing on the water. This feeding behavior is more typical of Reddish Egrets. A common behavior of birds is preening. I enjoy watching them as they display their feathers in the process. A Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, and an Egyptian Goose were cooperative for the camera. A Western Gull seemed to amuse itself repeatedly dropping and catching a stick in flight. Do birds play?

Our monthly bird survey of the Los Cerritos wetlands was foggy and uneventful.

And what would October be without a black cat and spiders. I continued to survey my yard at night in hopes of finding Brown Widows with prey for the Natural History Museum project. 

Wishing you all safe and happy adventures. 

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Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local Stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_oct_2020

Wetlands Survey:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/hellman_oct-2020