Date: 9/21/25 3:12 pm From: Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Antelope Valley migrants, Northern Waterthrush at St. Andrews Abbey
Birders,
There has been some discussion, especially out of San Diego, about the generally lackluster volume of passerine migrants in the coastal lowlands so far this fall. I gather this is also the experience for those birding normally productive migrant traps on L. A. County's coastal slope.
Being "over the hill" I must say that passerine migration in the Antelope Valley has generally been quite good, as evidenced by recent coverage at places like Piute Ponds and Sorensen Park. I hesitate to say much more without actually comparing year-to-year numbers, but my impression is certainly that this part of the county has been productive this fall, relative to past years and to this year's conditions on the coastal slope..
There was good passerine migrant diversity and numbers this morning at Saint Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo. A highlight was a Northern Waterthrush along Pallet Creek west of the parking lot and apple orchard, along with eight (possibly nine) other warbler species. Also of note was a White-headed Woodpecker in Coulter pines in the pine grove south of the housing areas. My eBird checklist for the morning is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S274775310
