Observers: Sacha Heath - PRBO
Email: sheath@prbo.org
Remote Name: 209.221.221.197
Date: 07/01/03
Time: 12:05:41 PM
Too windy to do a point count, but we finally confirmed breeding Blue Grosbeaks at Marble Creek, Mono County! We have observed singing males since 1999. Yesterday, I followed a female around, who was furiously chipping in the same area for about 10 minutes. I then heard begging fledglings from deep within a willow / rose clump. I stayed for awhile to try to see the little guy(s), but the female was distressing at that point, so I left them to their eating and frolicking. Due to water diversions and extensive riparian vegetation clearing along this creek, the Blue Grosbeaks have little habitat left ... but they appeared to have managed in the remaining lower reaches!