Pocket Gopher, most likely Botta's - Thomomys bottae. (C.Bragg 4/7/12)

A shame we didn’t have more people out for this trip – the weather was perfect and the warblers were moving through.   We started the day with a UFO (Unidentified Furry Object) that we suppose was a vole.  [Later examination makes me think it is a pocket gopher. – Ed.]   Down in the many many oak trees we found many many Acorn Woodpeckers, more Nuttall’s Woodpeckers heard than seen, and a few flickers.  

Acorn Woodpeckers were everywhere. (C.Bragg 4/7/12)

Walker Ranch is well-known among local birders as one of the few places where you can find Western Scrub-Jay and Steller’s Jays in the same trees.   The chaparral-loving ‘scrubbies’ are usually found at lower altitudes than the Steller’s, which are more commonly found in conifers.  Upstream in the early morning, Mountain Quail come down to drink, and can often be heard calling.

Warblers abounded (see list below).

The Nashville Warbler was probably the most notable; although most people saw only one or two, the other Chuck saw a larger group when he wandered off through the picnic area.   There were at least a dozen or so Black-throated Gray Warblers, and one of them was incautious enough to be photographed.   [Check out the difficult-to-see yellow loral spot! – Ed]

Black-throated Gray Warbler dressed in his breeding best. (C.Bragg 4/7/12)

House Wren loudly singing. (C.Bragg 4/7/12)

House Wrens did most of the singing and seemed to be everywhere.   All in all we didn’t walk very far because there were birds everywhere!
[Chuck Bragg]

 
To give you an idea of the racket these small (4.75″) birds can make, here’s a link to a YouTube video of a House Wren in his house, and singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8wjCGQhhRI

Read more about Pocket Gophers – beloved by gardeners everywhere – at:
http://acwm.lacounty.gov/scripts/gophers.htm