Listing Through Life

calypte (hood or veil) anna (given in 1829 by French naturalist Rene Primivere Lesson, in honor of Anna, Duchess of Rivoli, wife of Prince Victor Massena)

Sunday, May 6, 2001 — 2:24 pm

San Diego, California — Point Loma — Cabrillo National Monument

The Bayside Trail is an incredible place to bird. On one side, a brush-covered slope slants up to the ridge with the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and the statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo breaking the horizon. On the other side, far below, is San Diego Bay with the city skyline, naval bases and ships and boats of all varieties. To the south, the Pacific Ocean and its cooling breezes.

There were people on the trail, but it was not at all crowded. I’d seen several hummingbirds earlier on the walk, but they moved too fast to identify. This one was a female. It hovered around yellow and tiny red flowers on the cliff wall above us.

I saw many others during the rest of this day and the next two. At times they were swiftly chasing each other low over the foliage. At other times, I spotted one sitting motionless on a exposed twig. The entire heads of the males were iridescent pink, but usually looked dark gray if the light wasn’t exactly right.

passerina (sparrowlike) amoena (delightful, dressy)

Sunday, May 6, 2001 — 1:59 pm

San Diego, California — Point Loma — Cabrillo National Monument

This was a lively few minutes. First I spotted my lifer Black-headed Grosbeak in a bush along the trail. As I was watching it, I saw my lifer California Thrasher run through the nearby scrub. Meanwhile, White-throated Swifts flew overhead. I hadn’t seen them since my trip to Arizona in 1984. The grosbeak flew to another bush up the slope, and moments later a smaller bird landed in the exact spot the grosbeak had just vacated. At first it was facing away from me, but after a minute it turned around, giving me great views of both sides. After a few more minutes, it flew off and disappeared. It was unmistakable, a Lazuli Bunting.

I saw another one the next day at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and a third on Tuesday at Mission Trail Regional Park.

toxostoma (from toxon, bow and stema, mouth) redivivum (rediscovered)

Sunday, May 6, 2001 — 1:59 pm

San Diego, California — Point Loma — Cabrillo National Monument

I was watching my lifer Black-headed Grosbeak on the brush-covered slope along the Bayside Trail below the lighthouse. About 20 feet from where the Grosbeak sat, I spotted another bird as it ran through the brush and hop up on a white pipe that ran along the ridge. I was expecting a California Thrasher and knew right away this was one.

It moved fast with its long, rounded tail sticking up in the air. I had time for one brief glimpse before it disappeared behind a bush. About half an hour later, I saw two more scuffling under the bushes about halfway down the trail. Then, when I got back to where I saw the first one, I got a longer look. It perched in the top of a bush and sang a very thrasher-like song.

It wasn’t until Tuesday at Mission Trails Regional Park that I got a good long look at its face. I was standing on the deck behind the visitor center. The thrasher was just below me, about 20 feet away. It scratched a depression in the sand amongst the brush, then laid down on its belly with its wings and tail spread. The several I’d seen earlier had all been very skittish, but this one was oblivious and seemed in euphoria as it stretched out in the dirt.

pheucticus (retiring) melanocephalus (black head)

Sunday, May 6, 2001 — 1:59 pm

San Diego, California — Point Loma — Cabrillo National Monument

I was at the park with three people from work. We decided to split up and meet later at the car. I walked down the Bayside Trail, which begins at the lighthouse and winds about 300 of the 400 feet from the top of the ridge to the water and ends at a fence around a naval base. The trail makes a sharp bend about 150 yards from the lighthouse. This area, like the entire slope was covered with scrub and flowers, with a few areas of small trees.

As I approached the bend, I saw a Black-headed Grosbeak fly to a perch on a bush along the trail. It perched there for about three minutes, then flew past me and landed in another bush up the slope behind me. I knew what it was right away, although the brightness of the sun caused a glare when it was on the first perch. When it flew up the slope, I was able to see it much better.

One amazing thing about this trip was how often and/or how well I saw my new birds. I got great looks at a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks on the Visitor Center Trail at Mission Trail Regional Park on Tuesday. They were in a tree on the slope above the San Diego River. The female looked similar to a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, but was more orange on the sides and breast.

pipilo (to chirp) crissalis

Sunday, May 6, 2001 — 1:32 pm

San Diego, California — Point Loma — Cabrillo National Monument

I flew to San Diego this morning with coworkers for a convention. We rented a car and drove to Point Loma to spend some time until we could check into our hotel. We parked and walked toward the visitor center on the ridge above San Diego Bay.

A California Towhee was hopping on the sidewalk that cut through the brushy area near the building. I got within three feet and watched as it hopped under a concrete bench.

Later, I walked down the Bayside Trail through the scrub on the slope above the bay. I saw many California Towhees on the trail itself and in the nearby brush. They often gave a sharp call.