Observers: Peter Beck
Email: Peter_Beck@fws.gov
Verification:
Remote Name: 164.159.59.2
Date: 06/23/2008
Time: 07:05 PM -0400
June 13: Didn't know the Bell's vireo was there - I'm not a regular to your list - just happened to stop by chance on Inyo Highway 168 where it crosses the Owen's River. Heard it immediately when I stepped out of my truck at about 4:00 pm. He sang irregularly for the next 1/2 hour, but I didn't get any views. June 14: stopped by again on the way through the next morning (approximately 7:40-8:40 am), heard the male singing again, this time more regularly. I saw him occasionally as he moved through the trees foraging. Regarding the "breeding" status, good news and bad news. The good news is that the male definitely found a girlfriend and had a nest; the bad news is that brown-headed cowbirds found the nest: when I stopped on the morning of June 14, the male repeatedly returned to feed a fledgling cowbird that was begging pretty vigorously. Lots of adult cowbirds in the vicinity. Are there any other reports of Bell's vireos within the Owen's valley within the last several years (since 2000)? Any definite or probable breeding records would be good to have.