Bell View Trail East – Lazuli Bunting and a late Merlin April 13 in Rancho Santa Margarita

Today while canvassing the Bell View trail East and hiking a total distance of approximately 4 miles, I was able to relocate the Lazuli Bunting originally seen on 3/25/17 in the same location.  The GPS coordinates are:  33.64221,-117.55877 and the time frame was 4pm.  At another location on the Bell View Trail was an unexpected Merlin this appears to be a female based on the rear backside plumage.  The GPS coordinates were: 33°39’28” N 117°33’31” W

In addition there were 3 Cactus Wrens off the Robinson Ranch Road entrance just past the first turn on the right and an abundance of wild flowers

Male Lazuli Bunting – Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
A Merlin – eBird shows rare for this time of year (just past the cutoff). Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
Indian Paintbrush – Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
Deer Weed – Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017
Photo taken on the Bell View Trail (NE) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA on April 13, 2017

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