I was so excited from birding the day before that it wasn’t enough. I got up early the next morning, Mothers day. I had to go somewhere close to home, because I had to go out to breakfast with my in-law to celebrate M-day. I picked Kit Carson Park because it is just a few miles from home and it is a hot spot for birding in North SD County.
Kit Carson Park is named after the famous Army scout and was figure in the Mexican-American war of 1846-48. The Battle of San Pasqual was fought nearby is where Kit Carson snuck past the enemy to get reinforcements 25 miles away in San Diego. 21 American lost their lives in the battle.
The park is nearly 300 acres, with 2/3rd being undeveloped. There are 3 ponds and many hiking trails.
I got there after some running around to get money from the bank and coffee from starbucks. I was able to reach my friend Tony and Jim on my Ham radio; they got a laugh out of my return trip home to get my wallet.
I arrived at the park around 7am, I entered the park from the north side and parked in the first handicapped spot. There were a few other people out enjoying their morning jog or walking the dog. I quickly notice a lot of brewers blackbirds feeding in the grass. I begin walk up the path along the road looking through my binos at the blackbirds when I heard footsteps behind meI step off the path and looked behind me to see the runner coming. To my surprise there was no one there. I was a little perplexed by the sound. I step onto the path again only to hear the sound again. So I looked up and spotted way up on a tall palm several Acorn Woodpeckers. Of course I didn’t know they were Acorns. I used a small note pad a jotted down some key field mark. Next I drove around to the back side of the park, park and hike a little into a low shrub area to see some small perching birds. They were grey and to quick to make out field marking. I saw 1 Anna’s hummingbird perched on top of a tree. Again ID by taking notes and searching the guide book back at the Jeep. Next I hiked around the pond. I spotted a pair greater-tailed grackle in flight. At the pond you first notice the ducks, mallards and coots mostly. Next I saw several red-winged blackbirds some in a courtship display. When walking away from the pond a got a quick look at a great blue heron as it was feeding on fish. My last bird of the day was a Hooded Oriole and his little lady perched in a tree as I was driving out.
It was a great first weekend of birding. By taking notes I’m forcing myself to build IDing skills in identifying field marking.
Kit Carson Park is named after the famous Army scout and was figure in the Mexican-American war of 1846-48. The Battle of San Pasqual was fought nearby is where Kit Carson snuck past the enemy to get reinforcements 25 miles away in San Diego. 21 American lost their lives in the battle.
The park is nearly 300 acres, with 2/3rd being undeveloped. There are 3 ponds and many hiking trails.
I got there after some running around to get money from the bank and coffee from starbucks. I was able to reach my friend Tony and Jim on my Ham radio; they got a laugh out of my return trip home to get my wallet.
I arrived at the park around 7am, I entered the park from the north side and parked in the first handicapped spot. There were a few other people out enjoying their morning jog or walking the dog. I quickly notice a lot of brewers blackbirds feeding in the grass. I begin walk up the path along the road looking through my binos at the blackbirds when I heard footsteps behind meI step off the path and looked behind me to see the runner coming. To my surprise there was no one there. I was a little perplexed by the sound. I step onto the path again only to hear the sound again. So I looked up and spotted way up on a tall palm several Acorn Woodpeckers. Of course I didn’t know they were Acorns. I used a small note pad a jotted down some key field mark. Next I drove around to the back side of the park, park and hike a little into a low shrub area to see some small perching birds. They were grey and to quick to make out field marking. I saw 1 Anna’s hummingbird perched on top of a tree. Again ID by taking notes and searching the guide book back at the Jeep. Next I hiked around the pond. I spotted a pair greater-tailed grackle in flight. At the pond you first notice the ducks, mallards and coots mostly. Next I saw several red-winged blackbirds some in a courtship display. When walking away from the pond a got a quick look at a great blue heron as it was feeding on fish. My last bird of the day was a Hooded Oriole and his little lady perched in a tree as I was driving out.
It was a great first weekend of birding. By taking notes I’m forcing myself to build IDing skills in identifying field marking.
