STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Birds of the Whitewater Preserve: White-Crowned Sparrow
As fall settles in, bird enthusiasts at Whitewater Preserve are treated to the arrival of one of Southern California’s wintering favorites: the Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow. In his latest "Field Notes" entry, ornithologist Stephen Myers dives into the fascinating life cycle of this striking bird, from its breeding grounds in the Alaskan tundra to its winter visits to our shrubby habitats.
Desert Bird Spotlight: Summer Tanager
Summer Tanagers nest in only a handful of areas in California, including along the Colorado River, at Morongo Valley, the Kern River area, the Mojave River near Victorville, and of course, Whitewater Canyon. Mature riparian woodland or forest is their prime nesting habitat, including areas dominated by cottonwoods and willows.