Date: 8/15/26 9:44 pm From: dianeleubanks via groups.io <dianeleubanks...> Subject: Re: [inlandcountybirds] Lost camera is now found
Wendy you are the best!!!!
> On Aug 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Jim Rowoth via groups.io <jimrowoth...> wrote:
>
> Thanks to Wendy Miller of El Centro for finding my camera. I’ll get it back in the mail in the next few days.
>
> Inland Empire birders are the greatest!
>
> Jim Rowoth
> Stockton
> <jimrowoth...>
>
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Date: 8/15/26 9:51 am From: Jim Rowoth via groups.io <jimrowoth...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Lost camera
I was visiting the Alamo River Wetlands off Shank Rd this afternoon, and I suspect left my camera there. This is the last place I can recall seeing it. I probably placed it on top of my car, and in the 105 degree heat, failed to notice as I drove off. So, if anyone comes across a Canon PowerShot SX70 there, it's mine. If nothing else, I'd at least like to get the card and the battery back. Please contact me at jimrowothATgmail.com.
Jim Rowoth
Stockton
(visiting in Oceanside till Monday)
Date: 8/13/26 10:11 pm From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: August 13, 2026
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* August 13, 2026
* CASE26.08.13
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
Today's RBA is dedicated to the memory of Guy McCaskie, considered by many to be the godfather of California birding. He found many rare birds featured in this RBA during his lifetime, especially in Imperial County and at the Salton Sea. May he rest in peace.
Birds mentioned:
*FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK*
Sanderling
*WOOD STORK*
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
A SANDERLING was seen at Greenspot Reservoir on Jul 25 (Gavin Aquila).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
The *WOOD STORK* was seen on private property in the Prado Basin July 20-30 (Jenna Carpenter).
IMPERIAL COUNTY
The *FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK* continued at the Alamo River Wetlands through Aug 10 (Zakariya Bouzid).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Chris Dean, <chrisdeanbirder...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
Date: 8/12/26 9:08 am From: Bill Deppe via groups.io <bdeppe...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Black-bellied Plover at Mojave Narrows
All. . . .there's been a Black-bellied Plover on the lawn at Mojave Narrows Regional Park yesterday and this morning. While not a real rare bird, it's a good County bird that has been in a very convenient location for someone wanting to see one. No evaporation or sewer ponds to contend with! When entering the park, you would drive towards the silos and then turn left along a long parking area. Going forward, look for it just passed the fence in the grass. It's been associating with some Killdeer and was seen at several locations not far from the fence. It was present this morning at 7:30 am.
Date: 8/6/26 4:22 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] California Bird Atlas summary for Riverside County through early August 2026
First, thank you to everyone who has participated in the California Bird Atlas and contributed observations to Riverside County. Now that the breeding season is winding down for most species, I am providing a brief summary of atlas progress for Riverside County. If you are not yet a part of the atlas and want to join, please visit https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home. If you are already participating and want to know where in Riverside County you can make an impact, please explore the Riverside County atlas page or contact me directly.
Tom <Bensonthomasabenson...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Blocks with data                         280/734 (38%)Blocks with confirmed species  192/734 (26%)Species coded              203Species confirmed           139Number of atlasers                     419Effort hours                                 1924
With 139 species confirmed, Riverside is the eighth-most speciose county in the state with respect to the atlas.
BLOCKS
Blocks with highest number of confirmed species [Atlas block (# species confirmed) - notable hotspots]Riverside East NW (53) - UC Riverside and Black Widow RanchRiverside East NE (39) - Box Springs Mountains, Hidden Springs Trail, Black Widow RanchRiverside East CE (29) - Sycamore Canyon, Box Springs Mountains, Rankin’s yardRiverside East CW (27) - Andulka Park, Canyon CrestVail Lake NW (27) - Vail LakeCorona North CW (26) - Prado Wetlands, Santa Ana RiverEl Casco SW (26) - San Jacinto Wildlife AreaLake Elsinore SW (26) - Lake Elsinore
While these atlas blocks are off to a good start, only about ½ to ¼ of the species potentially breeding in these blocks have been documented. During the remaining four years of the atlas, these blocks will benefit from both general atlasing and focused efforts targeting “missing†species, probably away from well-worked hotspots.Â
Of the remaining 732 atlas blocks in the county, 26 blocks have 10-25 species confirmed, 158 blocks have 1-9 species confirmed, and 542 blocks have no species confirmed. Most of the atlasing in the county has been conducted on the coastal slope or in the San Jacinto Mountains, with more limited efforts in the deserts in the Coachella Valley and the north end of the Salton Sea, at Desert Center, and along the Colorado River. The vast majority of the desert and large portions of the mountains and the southeastern corner of the coastal slope remain unsurveyed. Clearly, much atlasing work still needs to be done throughout the county. While many areas of the county are remote or difficult to access, many are accessible via paved roads within an hour drive of population centers in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties. These include all the blocks on the coastal slope, and many of the blocks in the mountains, Coachella Valley, and the vicinity of Joshua Tree National Park, all of which would benefit from additional atlas effort. For those of you who live in Riverside County, consider atlasing at home, in your neighborhood, or at a local park to help confirm additional species in undercovered blocks.
SPECIES
Top 10 [Species (# blocks confirmed)]House Finch (59)Common Raven (42)Bushtit (35)Red-tailed Hawk (33)House Sparrow (33)California Towhee (31)Black Phoebe (29)European Starling (29)Cliff Swallow (28)Lesser Goldfinch (28)
The following species were not confirmed during the first year of the atlas, although some late breeders might still be confirmed before the end of the year. While many of the species on these lists are very localized, secretive, nocturnal, or difficult to access, some are uncommon to common breeders that are widespread in appropriate habitat. [Note that my knowledge of the breeding birds of Riverside County is limited, so the following lists represent my best educated guess. Feedback regarding additions or subtractions welcome.]
Unconfirmed species [Definite or probable breeders]Graylag GooseSwan GooseEgyptian GooseMountain QuailInca DoveCommon Ground DoveYellow-billed CuckooLesser NighthawkCommon PoorwillRidgway’s RailVirginia RailNeotropic CormorantLeast BitternWhite-tailed KiteGolden EagleSpotted OwlLong-eared OwlWestern Screech-OwlNorthern Saw-whet OwlWilliamson’s SapsuckerGila WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerPrairie FalconOlive-sided FlycatcherGray FlycatcherDusky FlycatcherCassin’s VireoPinyon JayClark’s NutcrackerRuby-crowned KingletRed-breasted NuthatchTownsend’s SolitaireHermit ThrushPin-tailed WhydahPurple FinchCassin’s FinchRed CrossbillPine SiskinGrasshopper SparrowScott’s OrioleMacGillivray’s WarblerWilson’s WarblerSummer TanagerWestern TanagerLazuli Bunting
Unconfirmed Species [Possible - historical, occasional, or potential breeders]Blue-winged TealBlack SwiftCalliope HummingbirdSoraWilson’s SnipeWestern Cattle EgretTurkey VultureCommon Black HawkZone-tailed HawkBelted KingfisherFlammulated OwlWillow FlycatcherGray VireoPlumbeous VireoBronzed Cowbird
Date: 8/6/26 4:21 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] California Bird Atlas summary for San Bernardino County through early August 2026
First, thank you to everyone who has participated in the California Bird Atlas and contributed observations to San Bernardino County. Now that the breeding season is winding down for most species, I am providing a brief summary of atlas progress for San Bernardino County. If you are not yet a part of the atlas and want to join, please visit https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home. If you are already participating and want to know where in San Bernardino County you can make an impact, please explore the San Bernardino County atlas page or contact me directly.
Tom <Bensonthomasabenson...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Blocks with data             430/1995 (22%)Blocks with confirmed species  226/1995 (11%)Species coded              216Species confirmed           159Number of atlasers           368Effort hours                                3065
With 160 species confirmed, San Bernardino is the third-most speciose county in the state with respect to the atlas, trailing only Los Angeles (178) and San Diego (174) counties. If all the species that breed in the county were documented, it would have 210+ species confirmed, potentially ranking it as the top county in the state.
BLOCKS
Blocks with highest number of confirmed species [Atlas block (# species confirmed) - notable hotspots]Prado Dam CE (53) - Prado Regional Park and Chino Creek WetlandsSan Bernardino North CW (44) - CSU San BernardinoBig Bear Lake NW (43) - Bluff Lake, Metcalf Meadow, Metcalf BayMorongo Valley CW (35) - Big Morongo Canyon Preserve & Covington ParkPrado Dam NW (34) - Lake Los Serranos, Hickory Creek Park et al., Morningside ParkVictorville SE (33) - Mojave Narrows Regional ParkDevore SE (32) - Glen Helen Regional Park
While these atlas blocks are off to a good start, only about ½ to â…“ of the species potentially breeding in these blocks have been documented. During the remaining four years of the atlas, these blocks will benefit from both general atlasing and, especially, focused efforts targeting “missing†species, probably away from well-worked hotspots.Â
Of the remaining 1988 atlas blocks in the county, 7 blocks have 20-29 species confirmed, 30 blocks have 10-19 species confirmed, 182 blocks have 1-9 species confirmed, and 1769 blocks have no species confirmed. Most of the atlasing in the county has been conducted on the coastal slope or in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, with more limited efforts in the deserts in the upper Mojave River valley, along the I-15 corridor, in the eastern Mojave Desert, in Joshua Tree National Park, and along the Colorado River. The vast majority of the desert remains unsurveyed. Clearly, much atlasing work still needs to be done throughout the county. While many areas of the county are remote or difficult to access, many are accessible via paved roads within an hour drive of population centers in Orange and Los Angeles counties. These include all the blocks on the coastal slope, and many of the blocks in the mountains, upper Mojave River valley, and the vicinity of Joshua Tree National Park, all of which would benefit from additional atlas effort. For those of you who live in San Bernardino County, consider atlasing at home, in your neighborhood, or at a local park to help confirm additional species in undercovered blocks.
SPECIESTop 10 [Species (# blocks confirmed)]Common Raven (77)House Finch (58)Western Bluebird (43)House Sparrow (40)Black Phoebe (36)Mallard (29)European Starling (27)Red-tailed Hawk (26)Bushtit (26)Lesser Goldfinch (25)
The following species were not confirmed during the first year of the atlas, although some late breeders might still be confirmed before the end of the year. While many of the species on these lists are very localized, secretive, nocturnal, or difficult to access, some are uncommon to common breeders that are widespread in appropriate habitat.
Unconfirmed species [Definite or probable breeders]Muscovy DuckCinnamon TealChukarInca DoveCommon Ground DoveCommon NighthawkCommon PoorwillBlack SwiftCalliope HummingbirdVirginia RailRidgway’s RailLeast BitternGolden EagleZone-tailed HawkWestern Screech-OwlNorthern Saw-whet OwlNorthern Pygmy-OwlFlammulated OwlGila WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerGilded FlickerPeregrine FalconPrairie FalconRed-crowned AmazonLilac-crowned AmazonGray FlycatcherGray VireoPlumbeous VireoPinyon JayClark’s NutcrackerJuniper TitmousePurple MartinWrentitSwinhoe’s White-eyeRuby-crowned KingletGolden-crowned KingletCanyon WrenCrissal ThrasherMountain BluebirdTownsend’s SolitaireHermit ThrushScaly-breasted MuniaPin-tailed WhydahAmerican PipitPine SiskinGrasshopper SparrowBrewer’s SparrowVesper SparrowTricolored BlackbirdBronzed CowbirdVirginia’s WarblerHermit Warbler Hepatic Tanager
Unconfirmed Species [Possible - historical, occasional, or potential breeders]Blue-winged TealYellow-billed CuckooBroad-tailed HummingbirdSoraSnowy PloverGreat EgretAmerican BitternTurkey VultureOspreySwainson’s HawkBelted KingfisherMitred ParakeetRed-masked ParakeetWillow FlycatcherRed-whiskered BulbulWhite-crowned SparrowNashville WarblerIndigo Bunting
Date: 8/4/26 3:11 pm From: David Rankin via groups.io <davidtrankin...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Summer NAB reports for Riverside
Hi All,
Please send me any reports that you've like included in the Riverside County North American Birds summer report. Having checked eBird reports I have just 5 notable species this summer (Common Black Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Stilt Sandpiper, Northern Parula and Rose-breasted Grosbeak), so if you have anything you'd like me to add, please email me before Aug 12th.
David Rankin
Date: 8/1/26 11:26 am From: asekoonce via groups.io <sandy_koonce...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] NAB reports for summer 2026, SBE County
Dear San Bernardino County birders,
The summer season for North American Birds (1 June 2026 - 31 July 2026) is now over. I will shortly submit a list of significant San Bernardino County sightings to Kimball Garrett, the regional editor for the Southern Pacific Coast report. I'd appreciate any reports of unusual species, arrival and departure dates for common and unusual species, notable numbers, and absences. In particular, I am interested in any breeding records that seem at all unusual: species breeding in new locations or in unusual numbers, or any absence of breeding species from prior known locations, as well as any unusually late spring or early fall migrants.
Please also include a careful description or other documentation for rare species. In particular, any species that is on the CBRC review list must include such documentation.
I know that many of you have put your lists on eBird, but I do ask that you forward me any of your noteworthy sightings from among them. Please e-mail or post your sightings to me by 10 August.
Thanks for your assistance!
Sandy
Sandy Koonce
Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus
University of Redlands, Redlands, CA 92373
Date: 7/30/26 7:37 am From: Thomas Benson via groups.io <tbenson...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Southeastern CA RBA: July 30, 2026
RBA
* California
* Southeastern
* July 30, 2026
* CASE26.07.30
This is the Southeastern CA weekly RBA summary. We cover Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. California Bird Records Committee review species are denoted by asterisks. To report a bird POST TO INLANDCOUNTYBIRDS (https://groups.io/g/inlandcountybirds). If there is some reason that you cannot post there, please e-mail or call/text Tom Benson at <tbenson...> or (909) 648-0899.
Today's RBA is dedicated to the memory of Guy McCaskie, considered by many to be the godfather of California birding. He found many rare birds featured in this RBA during his lifetime, especially in Imperial County and at the Salton Sea. May he rest in peace.
Birds mentioned:
*FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK*
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was seen at Prado Regional Park on Jul 25 (David Pearson).
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
No reports.
IMPERIAL COUNTY
The *FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK* continued at the Alamo River Wetlands through Jul 29 (Samantha Serfontein).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Birds included in this weekly summary are those that are considered casual or of less than annual occurrence in San Bernardino, Riverside, or Imperial Counties, or in some cases regionally within these areas. If you do find or see something of interest, whether it be a geographical or seasonal rarity, evidence of local range expansion, or a novel breeding record, I'd recommend sharing that information with the CBRC, North American Birds subregional editors, or regional listservs as appropriate. Information for contacting these entities is available below.
Please submit your documentation of all California Bird Records Committee review species (denoted by asterisks) to CBRC Secretary Tom Benson at <secretary...> or via the CBRC website: https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html
CBRC review species and birds of local or seasonal rarity should be reported to the North American Birds (https://www.aba.org/north-american-birds/) county coordinators. They are:
IMPERIAL COUNTY: Chris Dean, <chrisdeanbirder...>
INYO COUNTY: Chris and Rosie Howard, <chris93514...>
KERN COUNTY: Kelli Heindel-Levinson, <kkheindel...>
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: David Rankin, <david.rankin...>
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Alexander E. Koonce, <sandy_koonce...>
************
Other dying birding listservs that occasionally include reports of birds in southern California are:
A schedule of San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society field trips is available on the SBVAS website at https://www.sbvas.net/field-trips
************
Bird status and distribution references that every southeastern California birder should own:
Birds of southern California: status and distribution (1981), by Kimball L. Garrett and Jon L. Dunn
Birds of the Salton Sea: status, biogeography, and ecology (2003), by Michael A. Patten, Guy McCaskie, and Philip Unitt (update: https://archive.westernfieldornithologists.org/archive/V56/56(2)-p126-p142.pdf)
Birds of the Lower Colorado River Valley (1991), by Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Robert D. Ohmart, William C. Hunter, and Bertin W. Anderson
