Perfect weather of bright sunshine with the temperature reaching the mid- to upper 70s enhanced this Birdwatchers impromptu field trip to the Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido. Our group first checked out a pond near the park’s entrance and found lots of American Wigeons and a few Mallards. A male Belted Kingfisher constantly flew back and forth around the pond, landing in a tree and immediately taking off for a brief touch down in another tree and another and another – all the while sounding off with his loud rattling call. None of us could recall ever seeing such an entertainingly hyperactive kingfisher!

We then walked through the cemetary’s beautiful grounds, landscaped with big live oaks, pines and other trees. Avian highlights included a Great Horned Owl nestled into the foliage of a tall date palm, numerous Lesser and Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Acorn Woodpeckers, Western Scrub-Jays, and several Asian Collared-Doves cooing , and a Western Meadowlark perched on a fence post – showing off its bright yellow throat.

Some of us then enjoyed lunch at J&M’s Restaurant in Escondido.