Date: 9/14/26 2:05 pm From: kathannelynch1 via groups.io <kathannelynch1...> Subject: [slocobirding] Lopez Lake 302 Western and Clark's Grebes, 7 occupied nests, no young yet (08/20/26)
I am posting this slocobirding note about Lopez Lake's Western and Clark's Grebes. I just posted a slocobirding note about these grebe species for Santa Margarita Lake. These two lakes and Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara County are where these grebes are most numerous for breeding.
My 08/20/26 summary follows:
Lopez Lake is underbirded, mostly due to its distant location from most birders. However, there are three dedicated birders who post eBird lists there using the "Lopez Lake" hotspot. I learned the ropes from Jeri Edwards, and an still learning the lake. Several additional eBird locations are also used for the northeastern Wittenberg Arm of Lopez Lake which is where these grebes are present. Below is one of my recent eBird reports:
Three hundred two (302) adult Western Grebes and Clark's Grebes were counted at Lopez Lake by me on a half-mile long survey walk on 08/20/26. This is a high count of grebes for the lske. All the grebes were in the Wittenberg Arm which is on the far northeastern corner of the lake and accessed by foot on the French Camp Road trail. There were no fledglings. It is rare to have fledglings here, but this year looks hopeful because there were 7 occupied nests (6 Clark's and 1 Western). The lake was 81.6% full. Two different eBird lists were needed to cover the two CA Bird Atlas Blocks.
Of the 55 grebes identified to species, 90% were Clark's. The large group of 240 grebes were within about 1,000 feet (0.2 miles) of each other in a quiet cove on the Wittenberg Arm. They were too far from French Camp Road to identify to species (need to use a high-powered zoom lens, approach by boat, or hike the Duna Vista Trail. (Note: Bears have been sighted daily for the past six-plus weeks on FC Road, at the shoreline, and on the DV Trail.)
