Being with Birds: An Experiential Walk and Talk with Diego Blanco

1750 North Altadena Drive,Pasadena CA 91107

09 April, 2023

Description

Walking through Eaton Canyon in spring will take us through dense growth of laurel sumac, California sagebrush, and California buckwheat among many other chaparral shrubs like chamise and scale broom that grow in the foothill wash drained from the San Gabriel Mountains. The trail begins on the flat ground above the stream’s channel where we are likely to see California Quail and hear the rattling calls of Acorn Woodpeckers as they travel in family groups searching for acorns to store in the live oaks and sycamores lining the banks of the wash. Early spring marks the arrival of the bright colors of orioles and blooming monkeyflowers and penstemon - as the trail winds gradually uphill we will search for these species along with more secretive warblers, sparrows, flycatchers and wrens. When we eventually reach the narrow walls of Eaton Canyon we’ll stop to listen for the songs of Canyon Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows – two species well known for inhabiting the upper sections of the trail and being difficult to find elsewhere. Join us at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center to learn and practice bird identification as a starting point for recognizing the many relationships between species that make up our local ecosystems. Please wear closed-toed shoes, bring water and dress for weather. Diego Blanco is Administrative Assistant at Theodore Payne Foundation and studied environmental science at Cornell University where he worked in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He currently volunteers at the Moore Lab of Zoology at Occidental College and enjoys hiking and birding as often as he can. pictured: California Quail at Eaton Canyon, photo by Diego Blanco COVID Policy for Outdoor Classes: If you are feeling sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, we urge you to stay home, regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19 symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) pictured: CaliforniaThrasher at Eaton Canyon, photo by Diego Blanco pictured: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Eaton Canyon, photo by Diego Blanco