Dec.8
Late this morning I checked out the large stand of pines along Ortega Ridge Rd.
behind Summerland. I parked along Greenwell where it intercepts Ortega Ridge
Road. A Montecito Trails Foundation (MTF) trail runs south from Ortega Ridge Rd.
parallel Ortega Ranch Rd. (a private driveway), meandering directly into the
middle of this pine stand. From here I had 1-2 MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE along with
many Red-breased Nuthatch (5+). This same trail continues and eventually splits
to follow either side of the deep draw here. These trails eventually run into
neighborhoods in Summerland. Nice habitat throughout and lots of conifer.

The BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued along Carpinteria Creek upstream from
Carpinteria Ave. as viewed from the bike path here. One Wilson's Warbler was
also here. The business park across the fence from the bike path had one female
type BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER in the blooming eucs bordering the parking lot
(east corner). 

The GRAY HAWK was seen hunting from several perches along Santa Clause Ln.
between 3-4:45pm. The majority of the time the hawk hunted the strip dividing
the highway from Santa Clause Ln. Some folks from Santa Cruz reported seeing the
hawk take a vole() from the ice plant.

Eric Culbertson

Carpinteria