Birding in the Blazing Desert

It has been over a year and a half since I went birding at Zzyzx and other desert hotspots looking for migrants. As always, the drive getting there is half the fun.

Roy's, the vacant motel landmark, is still selling overpriced gas and Route 66 rootbeer. It's definitely a welcome sight since the next gas station is a LONG way!

This year, I stopped by Amboy Crater. Imagine getting out of your air conditioned car in 108 degree heat to look at a lava field and volcanic crater! When it is cooler, it would be pretty fascinating to go on the trail that leads to the top of this crater. That adventure had to wait for cooler weather.

Outside of Joshua Tree is a small town called Twentynine Palms. Impressive mural paintings and other outdoor art bring color to the desert town. Way more fun than looking at traditional billboards!

When I arrived in Baker, the tallest thermometer confirmed why I couldn't hike in the lava fields!

 So why would anyone go birding in the desert? I wondered the same thought when I first signed up for a birding weekend at Zzyzx. Most migrating birds look for places to rest and refuel on their journey. There aren't too many inviting places to land in the desert so when there is a water source and a green patch, word spreads in the avian world.

The Spotted Sandpiper and Green Heron are just a couple of the shorebirds that we discovered seeking refuge in the desert oasis on their migratory journey.

People are a lot like birds. When we find a place we like, we tend to go back again and again. Hopefully, next time I return, it will be cooler.

It's All in the Details - Look Alike Butterflies and 1 Gorgeous Bird

Checkered White

 Just like birding, you have to look at the details to identify look alike butterflies. The challenge with them all is that most of them, birds and butterflies, usually are on the move so studying details isn't always possible. The challenge begins...

I begin with this neat looking insect. At first glance, it looks like a bumblebee but acts like a White-lined Sphinx Moth. It's name is appropriate - Bumblebee Sphinx Moth.

Pale Swallowtail

Western Tiger Swallowtail

 Huge butterflies like the Swallowtails are easy to see but these two look quite similar. The first is the Pale Swallowtail and the brighter yellow one is the Western Tiger Swallowtail. The Pale Swallowtail is more commonly seen in the mountains and wilderness areas where native ceonothus or coffee berry plants are abundant for munching caterpillars. I see them on my mountain hikes. The beautiful Tiger Swallowtail is a common sight in the suburban areas with nearby water sources.

Recently, I chased down this butterfly in a meadow near Lake Hemet. When the wings are folded up, it looks like a Monarch butterfly.

When it briefly opened its wings, I discovered it was a Queen butterfly, uncommon in our mountains. Both the Monarch and Queen caterpillars eat milkweed leaves which makes them unpalatable to birds.

Our butterfly bush is living up to its name. Another recent visitor was the Coronis Fritillary.

American Lady

Painted Lady

Not all ladies are alike as we all know! These two look pretty much the same but again, it's all in the details. The American Lady has a white spot in the forewing and 2 eye spots in the hindwing; whereas, the Painted Lady has no white spot but has 5 eye spots in the hind wings...

Just when you think you are learning your butterflies, the ladies show up.....

Now for the gorgeous bird! A couple of weeks ago, we were at the San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge in Orange County (near the coast). This bright orange bird showed up. Wow! What a sight! Thankfully, we were also at the Sea and Sage Audubon house so we could inquire about this bird. Turns out, it is an Orange Bishop, native to Africa.  A community of these birds established themselves in this part of the country about 20 years ago. It was a first sighting for us!

Blackburnian Warbler in Idyllwild in Fall Plumage

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Blackburnian Warbler in Spring Plumage - Photo by: Giff Beaton

 Surprises do occur. A year ago, this East coast Blackburnian Warbler showed up at our home in the mountains. I thought it was a look alike Townsend's Warbler but there are slight differences. Again, details matter. Turns out, this was the first recorded Blackburnian Warbler in the San Jacinto Mts. Wow!

Happy Labor Day!

If you can't get the details, relax. Enjoy the moment with the winged visitors!

Click on photos to enlarge. 

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.