TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Home to a huge variety of feathered beauty, Kern County's fields, marshes, parks and other habitat hold hundreds of different species of birds. These avian friends can be seen by not only the professional birdwatcher, but the casual observer as well. All one needs to get started are a set of binoculars, pad and pen and a relatively new birding book. Even if it means viewing them from your own back yard, it's still fun!

There are more than 500 species of birds calling California home. Start a life list, and see how many you can find in your own birding adventures. Have you ever seen a long-billed La Cont Thrasher in our surrounding desert lands? How about one of the numerous boat-tail grackles hanging around our shopping centers, or a burrowing, barn, screech or great horned owl? Have you ever visited with a tiny marsh wren hip-hopping around you, paying little attention to you while he sits on your knee?

Are you aware that a drake pintail duck whistles instead of quacks, and that the females quack instead of whistle? Did you know a robin's eggs are blue and a dove's white? Where can one go to see a bald or golden eagle, a fish catching osprey or even a condor?

What's the difference between an accipiter, buteo, harrier or falcon? They're all hawks--accipiters glide quickly through trees and marshes pursuing their meals on short, stubby wings. Buteos are the big boys -- the red-tails and other wide-winged raptors. The harriers do what their name says, they harry their prey from above. The sharp-winged falcons dive at incredible speeds to catch their food, stunning with talons folded into fist-like hammers.

What color is a wild canary? Why, it's green and yellow, of course, and not particularly shy. What's that blackbird with the white eyes called? It could be either a Brewer's blackbird or a male grackle, depending on size. Believe it or not, with the exception of the California condor, I've seen all of these species in Bakersfield, flying around, wild as can be, and you can, too. Oh, and I've seen plenty of condors, only not in town, unless you count the ones at Rabobank.

Here's a good set of rules for bird watching:

1. Don't disturb other birders, or the birds, for that matter. Keep your distance.

2. Leave the nests alone.

3. Watch your step, first, before looking up. This is for your protection.

4. Assist others with your knowledge.

5. Report unusual or rare sightings.

6. Start a life list.

7. Ask a pro to assist you in your identifications.

8. Hunters, like me, are bird watchers, too, and we love them just as much as the next person, so don't interfere with our lawful endeavors.

American Welding Society Fun Shoot

Don't forget the American Welding Society's Fun shoot on Feb. 25.

The event benefits scholarships and Certified Welding Certifications. Raffles, shooting, food and fun highlight this function at 5-Dogs Shooting Range.

Contact Eric Ross at (661) 979-8879 or Roger Putnam at (661) 589-5200; or (661) 496-3777 for more info on this worthwhile and fun shoot.

It’s time to put February 24-26 on your calendars when the 35th Annual Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat R.V. and Outdoor Show returns to the Kern County fairgrounds for another stellar run of outdoor fun.

  This year’s theme, “It’s Back and Its Big” means exactly that as over 225 exhibitors will be on hand.  As usual, the kid’s trout pound will catch many a kid’s attention under the new 170-foot tent, with Berkley’s Pure Fishing Products sponsoring it for the first time.  A kid’s fishing derby will highlight the action at the pond for some great prizes.

Look for a lot of boat manufacturers to be on hand, as well as a car show, seminars by outdoor specialists and some really great outdoor vacations at incredible prices.

Kern Shooting Sports Activities

Kern Shooting Sports will be having their annual breakfast on Feb. 18 at Hodel’s restaurant.  Reservations are a must.  Anyone interested about learning about the club can contact George Stilwill at 661-319-2589 or Lela Martin at 661-831-0797.

The organization also holds highpower rifle matches at 5-Dogs on the fourth Saturday of each month.  Call Dave Martin @661-549-0532 for information on these fun shoots.

Kern Shooting Sports’ Family Day, also at 5-Dogs and on April 14th, will have several NRA instructors on hand to teach and share several shooting disciplines, including shotgun, handgun, and rimfire and highpower rifle.  Cost is only $20 per person for the general public, which includes lunch.

Those riflemen wanting to play with their M-1 Garands can look forward to an M-1 Garand Match on Saturday, may 19th at 5-Dogs.  Once again, contact George Stilwill.