Making the drive to Nana’s in Eastvale from Ventura, without running off the road at some point, can be a mission near impossible. The problem stems in the last leg of the journey once the vehicle has exited off of the 71 and heads east towards the Prado Preserve. Who’s to blame for the distraction? The birds!

Prado Preserve is home to a menagerie of spectacular avian species, especially during the wet season. As the sun shared its last few rays with the Inland Empire on a January evening, I passed by the preserve and noticed a flock of birds feeding in a newly formed pond due to the rains. In the excitement of this new find, I realized my lane was ending, immediately. Oops.

The new bird sighting required gathering the ornithological expert in the family. Destination: Nana’s house as quickly and safely as possible.

“GET IN NANA!” and off we went for a birding experience like no other, yet. Hundreds of rare White Faced Ibises gathered to feed at the Prado Preserve in a flooded field along with a breeding pair of Northern Shovelers and several other species. This is just one of many places in the great IE to see birds that are extraordinary.

Even the local parks hold secret treasures that await a keen eye. My four year old son spotted a bird under the brush and pointed it out in excitement equal to my own. A Killdeer, sitting on her nest of four perfectly camouflaged eggs.

I could not decide what was more exciting, my son’s incredible eye for the intricacies of nature and his impeccable talents in the field of ornithology or the sighting of this incredible little treasure, her nest, in the middle of a suburban park. Killdeer will feign injury to draw potential invaders away from their nest—and she did exactly that.

Don’t want to go “off the beaten path”? Invite the birds into your own backyard. Strategically placed seed feeder, suet or bark butter is sure to attract a winged beauty or two. Once the feeders are set, get a good field guide and binoculars to help you begin a lifelong, rewarding journey of becoming an ornithological expert.

About the Author: Andrea Lloyd is a senior at Cal State Channel Islands majoring in biology. She has two children with whom she enjoys exploring the world around them in their spare time. Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have a hobby you would like to share for the ‘Hobbie Corner’.