Date: 11/10/26 9:35 pm From: Lance Benner via LACoBirds <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bird Atlas Results for Los Angeles County: Nov. 2026
Hi Everyone, Here's another update on progress for the Bird Atlas within Los Angeles County as of November 10, 2026.
Blocks in LA County: 434
Blocks with some data: 388 (89%) Statewide average: 54%
Blocks with zero data: 46
Species Coded: 276
Species Confirmed: 181 (Highest in the state)
eBird lists: 22430
Hours of effort: 18000 (Second highest in the state, after San Diego)
Contributors: 1040
Number of blocks with 50+ species CODED: 87
Number of blocks with 30+ species CONFIRMED: 37
Common species that are currently singing again (or never stopped):
Great Horned Owl
Bewick's Wren
Wrentit
California Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Notes on a few species:
Munias are nesting right now...and being parasitized by pin-tailed whydahs.
Great horned Owls are duetting again, which can be coded as C for courtship (probable)
If you hear only one great horned owl hooting, then it's an S (possible breeding). If you see an adult perched in a tree, then it's an H (adult in suitable habitat).
The same goes for American barn owls: you can add a breeding code just about everywhere you find them.
Great Horned Owl and American Barn Owl can be coded almost anywhere in the county that you find them.
Barn Owls have been significantly under reported--many observers aren't assigning breeding codes but H is nearly always appropriate. Only about 1/2 of them reported in the eBird atlas portal have been coded so far this year in Los Angeles County.
Fall is a good time to sweep up resident species. Many have been reported but not coded, so they don't count toward completing blocks.
We have zero coverage for 46 blocks in the county and very little coverage in dozens of others.
We still need help in A LOT of blocks in urban and suburban areas in Los Angeles County such as:
The San Fernando Valley, the Urban Core, parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, and in parts of the eastern San Gabriel Valley.
Here are some specific blocks that need attention and are easy to reach:
Baldwin Park CW: Only 10 species coded with breeding confirmed for 4.
Baldwin Park NE: Only 16 species coded with breeding confirmed for 7.
Newhall CE: Only 4 species coded with breeding confirmed for 2.
Oat Mountain SE: Only 6 species coded with breeding confirmed for 1.
South Gate CW: Only 3 species coded with breeding confirmed for 1.
Van Nuys NW: Only 9 species coded with breeding confirmed for 5.
Now that we're into November, most of the resident species should be coded as "H adult in suitable habitat" unless you hear them sing or observe some higher level of breeding activity. Some species, such as great horned owls, red-shouldered hawks, and Anna's hummingbirds could begin breeding as soon as December.
Thank you again for your help!
Regards,
Lance
Lance Benner
Pasadena
One of your friendly neighborhood bird atlas regional coordinators
