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Ash Canyon - June 17 & 23, 2026

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 It isn't uncommon to see male and female Gambel's Quails with a brood of eight or more chicks.  The chicks scurry everywhere but always seem to know exactly where to find Mom and Pop.  It's very entertaining to watch their family activities.  On this day, I was surprised to spot a single male with two large chicks, so I did a little research.  I learned that the female will often abandon the family, leaving the male to finish raising the chicks while she finds another mate and starts another family.  I'm guessing that's what happened in this case, and most of the chicks have "left home".  Pop is still dutifully looking after the two remaining chicks until they decide to go out on their own. Gambel's Quail (M) with chicks. Bush Tit Carpenter Bee Phainopepla (F) Black-chinned (F) Flame Skimmer Ladder-backed Woodpecker (F) Brown-headed Cowbird (F) House Finch (M) Bewick's Wren Curve-billed Thrasher Bullock's Oriole (F) Bullock's Oriole (M) Br...
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Ash Canyon - June 12 & 17, 2026

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  Mourning Dove Black-headed Grosbeak (M) White-breasted Nuthatch (M) Bewick's Wren Bridled Titmouse Brown-headed Cowbird (M) Blue Grosbeak (M) Lucy's Warbler (F) Rock Squirrel Gila Woodpecker (M) Acorn Woodpecker (M) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) Blue Grosbeak (M) White-winged Dove Lesser Goldfinch (M) Brown-headed Cowbird (F) House Finches (M & F) Indian Blanket Curve-billed Thrasher
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Ash Canyon - June 8, 2026

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 Disease has been rampant among the House Finches this year, one of the reasons for keeping feeders down.  Birds willing to feed on the ground have been well fed, including the House Finches.  This practice reduces the spread of the pox, but doesn't attract as many birds, as some of them refuse to feed on the ground.  Look for the female House Finch with a rather large growth on her bill. Blue Grosbeak (M) Brown-headed Cowbird (M) Bronzed Cowbird (M) Gould's Turkey White-winged Dove Black-headed Grosbeak (M) Black-headed Grosbeak (F Flame Skimmer Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M) House Finch (F) House Finch (M) Bullock's Oriole (M) Bullock's Oriole (F) Bewick's Wren Bridled Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch (M) Anna's (M) Curve-billed Thrasher  
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