End of the World – New Year’s Birds

January 6, 2022

First things first. The remains of a 1959 Cadillac were found this morning among the detritus just south of the main Santa Gertrudis Automotive museum. Nearby lay the remans of a 1964 Pontiac Bonneville which was not photographable. When new, the Cadillac cost about as much as a cheap house, now it’s a pile of rust. Entropy. These two autos were placed a bit of a distance from their poor relations – Chevys, Fords, and a Nash.

This first winter Chestnut-sided Warbler has been seen for about two months along Santa Gertrudis Lane. It disappeared about a week ago, and magically reappeared this morning about 1/4 mile south of where it had been previously easily found. It was in a large mixed feeding flock.

Several days before this bird was found, an unknown birder reported four rusty blackbirds at Columbus Park along with the Scarlet Tanager, just a short flight from Sweetwater Preserve. I was skeptical. But here it is, at least one bird.

This female Green Kingfisher has been seen often from Tubac to Santa Gertrudis. I stumbled onto her on January 2, 2022 at Clark Crossing.

Here is a male Green Kingfisher seen at Clark Crossing on January 4, 2022. Pretty much the exact same spot as the female above.