Santa Barbara County Birds — January and February 2007

Birds from January 13 through March 10, 2007 slideshow: Northern Shoveler, Canada Goose, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Black Skimmer, and Willet at Goleta Slough, Devereux Slough, and East Beach.

Tree Swallow at Lake Cachuma — Tree Swallow *Tachycineta bicolor* — Lake Cachuma, February 24, 2007 slideshow.

Naturalized parrot in Altadena — Part of a flock of naturalized parrots in Altadena, near Pasadena — February 2007.

Parrot in the Pasadena area — Part of a flock of naturalized parrots in Altadena, near Pasadena — February 2007.

Pasadena and nearby communities support several groups of naturalized parrots. Theories about their origin include birds released when Simpson's Nursery burned in 1959, escaped pets, and birds moving north from Mexico as urban planting created suitable habitat. The highly social birds are present throughout the year and are especially noticeable during winter. Read more about Pasadena.

Canada Geese at Devereux Slough — Canada Geese *Branta canadensis* — February 3, 2007. Geese have visited Devereux Slough for years; the flock is much larger in winter and leaves each morning before returning in the evening.

Northern Flicker at Yankee Farm — January 28, 2007 slideshow, with photographs of Yankee Farm, Jill's domestic birds, and American Goldfinches at a hanging feeder.

Oak woodland at Sedgwick Reserve — Birds of our oak woodlands at Sedgwick Reserve — January 20, 2007 slideshow. Leader: Fred Emerson.

Santa Barbara recorded 224 species in the 2006 Christmas Bird Count, by Joan E. Lentz.

Prairie Falcon at Lake Cachuma — January 13, 2007. View the Eagle Count Day slideshow.

American White Pelicans at Devereux Slough — January 11, 2007.