Date: 3/22/23 3:16 pm From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swainson's hawks moving west toward LA County: March 22
Hi Everyone,
Steve Ritt reports 145 Swainson's hawks in two flocks moving west past
Whitewater in the San Gorgonio Pass this afternoon (about 14:45). Not
sure if they'll make it to LA County today given all the rain along
the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, but you never know.
Another possibility is that the birds could land somewhere, wait out
the rain, and resume flying on Thursday morning.
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena, CA
Perhaps of local interest is a cooperative Lewis's Woodpecker along the top of the Sawpit Wash trail near the closed entrance to the canyon park at Canyon Blvd. Approximate GPS: 34.166624,-117.993827. This stretch of the trail is closed Mon-Fri for some debris removal at the debris basin.
Also of interest today were my FOS Warbling Vireo and an unusually low Steller's Jay. Only two Swainson's Hawks this morning, both headed west.
Date: 3/19/23 9:11 am From: Jon Fisher <JonF60...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Cape May Warbler, Veterans Memorial Park, Sylmar
We just had a Cape May Warbler at Veterans Memorial Park in Sylmar northwest of the restrooms in eucalyptus trees at the southwest side of the Frisbee Golf Course.
The same area where the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has usually been seen.
Date: 3/19/23 8:49 am From: Susan Steele via groups.io <steele7...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bean goose
For the few souls who haven’t yet seen the bean goose, it continues. It was visible from the Ave D overpass to the NE in the grass and brush where it has been reported recently.
Hi Tom,
Those are classic red crossbill type 2 songs. That could indicate that
the birds are going to nest. Note that there were also brief type 2
flight calls and toop calls mixed in with the songs.
Regards,
Lance
Hi Kimball, I just got home from Crystalaire, after looking for Inca
Dove (yes) in Lake Los Angeles, on the way home from the Lancaster
Water Treatment Plant/Piute Pond field trip. I stopped at Crystalaire
tonight exactly because I wanted to get Scott's Oriole. I did not see
her male bird that hangs out at her house (the neighbors are probably
wondering who this creepy guy is who parks in front of her house
randomly) so I walked around the neighborhood counting Robins (at
least 46) and Townsend's Solitaires (I think there were three, but I
only put one into eBird). While I was searching in vain for the
Scott's Oriole I heard a weird bird singing in somebody else's front
yard so I started recording it and it turned out to be a Red Crossbill
singing this long, strange song:
[1]https://ebird.org/checklist/S131248304 [2] I am only used to
hearing Red Crossbills give their stereotypical loud, twonote "Tick!
Tick!...Tick Tick Tick!" calls, with maybe a little bit of a vaguely
House Finchish sounds noise thrown in. Before I arrived at the
Lancaster Sewage Ponds my day started at Pearblossom Park, where the
Red Crossbills there were much more cooperative than the ones at
Apollo Park which have been reported as being on a nest.
Interestingly, neither Pearblossom Park nor Crystalaire had Verdin
today, and I'm assuming that had to do with the cold weather.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be
both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel
Kahneman
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 2:22 PM Kimball Garrett wrote:
Birders,
[Sorry, no Swainson's Hawks to report out here yet today...]
A singing Scott's Oriole in our Juniper Hills neighborhood today was
the first for the year. However, this arrival date is a bit later than
average. For the past five springs here, arrivals have been: 2019 --
22 March 2020 -- 14 March 2021 -- 6 March 2022 -- 2 March 2023 -- 18
March [mean arrival, about 12 March] I'm sure Ruth Gravance in
Crystalaire also has good data on arrival dates, but her situation is
complicated by regular wintering of at least one male in her
neighborhood. No Scott's have wintered in our Juniper Hills
neighborhood.
Coincidentally, the first Hooded Oriole in our neighborhood also
arrived today.
Kimball
Kimball Garrett Juniper Hills, CA
Significant numbers of Swainson's hawks have moved through Los
Angeles County in the last couple of days. It seems likely that many
of the hawks seen in Claremont shortly before sunset on March 16 by
Cathy McFadden, Paul Clarke, Mike San Miguel, and Tom Miko were seen
on the next morning over northwestern Glendora by Mike Peralez. After
that... many were apparently not seen again. Numerous observers to the
west in Monrovia did not see any large groups, nor did I in northern
Altadena. However, after checking eBird last night I saw records of
120+ from Eaton Canyon around 10:25 am by Molly Hill and Yonghee Lee
and another report of about 80 birds north of Hahamongna Park at about
11 am, so somehow a large number of birds eluded numerous observers to
the east. However, that still leaves more than 400 reported by Mike
Peralez that were not seen by others.
On March 18, flocks of up to 50 were seen over Monrovia in the
morning and some were seen flying north over the mountains, so that
appears to explain where some of the birds are going, apparently on
days with relatively clear skies and updrafts. Marc Better also
reported 80 hawks over the LA Zoo, which is the first large group
reported in the Griffith Park area this year. Large groups have been
seen in that area in previous years.
Also, in a previous email I stated that there hadn't been reports of
significant groups south of I-10. It turns out that David Hurst
reported 20 at Legg Lake on March 16, but I hadn't seen that in eBird
yet. So far that's the only such report in the last several years as
far as I know.
Hal Cohen reports that more than 200 Swainson's hawks lifted off from
Borrego Springs this morning (March 18), so they could be over Los
Angeles County tomorrow, and that another ~100 arrived around sunset.
So hundreds of birds could still move through in the next couple of
days, weather permitting. The weather forecast for Sunday indicates
clouds all day with a chance of rain in the afternoon, and if the
clouds are low, then the birds should move below them where they could
be easier to see.
Here's the updated list of all reports of at least 10 hawks from Los
Angeles County in 2023:
2023 Jan 6 45 Bonelli Park Keith Condon & Kimberly Dilbeck
2023 Feb 26 30 Hahamongna Park Darren Dowell
2023 Feb 28 75 Midwick Dr, Altadena Luke Tiller
2023 Mar 3 10 Hastings Ranch, Pasadena John Rodgers
2023 Mar 3 50 California Botanic Garden K. Dillbeck, P. Thorne, M.
Ruiz
2023 Mar 4 64 Fort Tejon State Park Daniel Irons (Kern County)
2023 Mar 8 141 Gorman Post Road Daniel Irons & Richard Crossley.
12:35-15:50.
2023 Mar 11 12 Grand Ave. Park, Monrovia Andrew & Vernon Howe
2023 Mar 11 53 Glendora, Sierra Madre ave Michael Peralez. Two groups
& stragglers
2023 Mar 11 40 Claremont Wilderness Park Tom Miko
2023 Mar 11 85 San Dimas Canyon Park Steven Kurniawidjaja: 80 in one
flock + stragglers
2023 Mar 11 250 Monrovia Myrtle & Greystone Holly and David Coates.
Groups of 75, 150, & stragglers
2023 Mar 11 14 Claremont Colleges Michael Peralez. Late afternoon.
2023 Mar 12 39 Midwick Dr, Altadena Luke Tiller. Five hour count.
2023 Mar 12 11 Hahamongna Ellen Fiol Late afternoon.
2023 Mar 13 11 Gorman Post Road Daniel Irons and Richard Crossley.
9:30 am
2023 Mar 13 88 Gorman Post Road Daniel Irons and Richard Crossley. 4
pm
2023 Mar 16 112 Tournament Park, Pasadena Jack Wickel 12:10. Flocks
of 83, 24, & stragglers
2023 Mar 16 15 Vina Vieja Park, Pasadena Joshua Mitchell. 12:39
2023 Mar 16 87 Claremont Village Tom Miko. 14:45 Seen from Wheeler
Park.
2023 Mar 16 100 Midwick Dr, Altadena Luke Tiller & Catherine
Hamilton. about 4 pm. Flocks of 42 & 58.
2023 Mar 16 13 Millard Canyon Chef Ito late afternoon.
2023 Mar 16 200 Claremont:Indian Hill/Foothill Cathy McFadden & Paul
Clarke. 6 pm.
2023 Mar 16 510 Claremont Village Mike San Miguel; also Tom Miko and
Cathy McFadden. 6:04-6:23 pm.
Mike's birds were different from the 200 seen by Cathy & Paul
slightly farther north.
2023 Mar 17 575 Glendora, Sierra Madre Ave Mike Peralez; 5 flocks
over 30 minutes starting at 8:55 am. 9 more at 10 am.
2023 Mar 17 17 Glendora, Indian Springs Dr Patrick Gavit. 9:25
2023 Mar 17 135 Eaton Canyon Molly Hill. 10:25 Seen flying NW over
ridges. Long stream over 30+ minutes
2023 Mar 17dozens?Eaton Canyon Yonghee Lee 10:20 am. Probably the
same seen by Molly Hill.
2023 Mar 17 80 Hahamonnga Jeffrey Fenwick. 11 am. Seen to the N over
Millard Canyon.
2023 Mar 17 16 Midwick Dr., Altadena Luke Tiller Late afternoon
2023 Mar 17 25+ Pasadena, 9th Circuit Court Carl Matthies, ~17:55.
2023 Mar 18 20 Monrovia, N. Garfield Place Naresh Satyan 9:53
2023 Mar 18 10 Victory Park, Pasadena Yonghee Lee. 10:15
2023 Mar 18 45 Sawpit Wash, Monrovia Naresh Satyan 10:10. ~25 seen
going N over mountains.
2023 Mar 18 80 LA Zoo, Griffith Park Marc Better 10:45
2023 Mar 18 50 Monrovia, Scenic & Myrtle Ron Cyger 11:12
If you add all of these birds, then the total is more than 2500, but
it seems very likely that there were at least several hundred hawks
seen by multiple observers in different locations, so the actual total
was smaller. Regardless, it's probably safe to conclude that that
betweenn 1500-2000 individual Swainson's hawks have been tallied over
Los Angeles County so far in 2023.
Everyone,
Here are my Scott's Oriole stats for Crystalaire. The first two are
probably not significant, because I wasn't birding consistently then. For
the last three years one male has returned very early and stayed.
2012 - 5 April
2016 - 12 April
2017 - 6 Mar
2018 - 26 Mar
2019 - 18 Mar
2020 - 19 Mar
2021 - 1 Jan
2021 - 23 Nov
2022 - 22 Nov
No Hooded or Bullock's yet this year.
Ruth
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023 at 2:22 PM Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...>
wrote:
> Birders,
>
> [Sorry, no Swainson's Hawks to report out here yet today...]
>
> A singing Scott's Oriole in our Juniper Hills neighborhood today was the
> first for the year. However, this arrival date is a bit later than
> average. For the past five springs here, arrivals have been:
> 2019 -- 22 March
> 2020 -- 14 March
> 2021 -- 6 March
> 2022 -- 2 March
> 2023 -- 18 March
> [mean arrival, about 12 March]
>
> I'm sure Ruth Gravance in Crystalaire also has good data on arrival dates,
> but her situation is complicated by regular wintering of at least one male
> in her neighborhood. No Scott's have wintered in our Juniper Hills
> neighborhood.
>
> Coincidentally, the first Hooded Oriole in our neighborhood also
> arrived today.
>
> Kimball
>
> Kimball Garrett
> Juniper Hills, CA
>
>
>
Hi, Today, after the tour of the sewage plant and the Piute Ponds (the bus only parked at the northwest corner of the Piute Ponds so it was disappointing from a birding point of view--although the Roadrunner and two Dunlins were nice) I had a long conversation with the management level employees who came in from LA, along with Alfonso, who works there at the Lancaster plant. What they said was that currently birders can visit but for right now while they have some kind of construction project going on (I don't have specifics) they strongly prefer that we visit on the weekends, and they want us to call their LA office phone number ahead of time: (562) 699-7411 extension 6502 They also said that they would prefer to keep the process for obtaining access informal (maybe they are avoiding taking this topic too high up the food chain?). We did explain to them that normally they would not have such large numbers of birders coming in groups, and that post-Bean Goose it would go back to random individuals showing up once in a while, before or after they look to see what's at the Piute Ponds. My guess is that after several months when they realize that only a small number of people would drop by individually once in awhile, that this isn't a big deal or a problem for them.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Hi Kimball, I just got home from Crystalaire, after looking for Inca Dove (yes) in Lake Los Angeles, on the way home from the Lancaster Water Treatment Plant/Piute Pond field trip. I stopped at Crystalaire tonight exactly because I wanted to get Scott's Oriole. I did not see her male bird that hangs out at her house (the neighbors are probably wondering who this creepy guy is who parks in front of her house randomly) so I walked around the neighborhood counting Robins (at least 46) and Townsend's Solitaires (I think there were three, but I only put one into eBird). While I was searching in vain for the Scott's Oriole I heard a weird bird singing in somebody else's front yard so I started recording it and it turned out to be a Red Crossbill singing this long, strange song: https://ebird.org/checklist/S131248304 I am only used to hearing Red Crossbills give their stereotypical loud, twonote "Tick! Tick!...Tick Tick Tick!" calls, with maybe a little bit of a vaguely House Finchish sounds noise thrown in. Before I arrived at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds my day started at Pearblossom Park, where the Red Crossbills there were much more cooperative than the ones at Apollo Park which have been reported as being on a nest. Interestingly, neither Pearblossom Park nor Crystalaire had Verdin today, and I'm assuming that had to do with the cold weather.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 2:22 PM Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...> wrote:
> Birders, > > [Sorry, no Swainson's Hawks to report out here yet today...] > > A singing Scott's Oriole in our Juniper Hills neighborhood today was the > first for the year. However, this arrival date is a bit later than > average. For the past five springs here, arrivals have been: > 2019 -- 22 March > 2020 -- 14 March > 2021 -- 6 March > 2022 -- 2 March > 2023 -- 18 March > [mean arrival, about 12 March] > > I'm sure Ruth Gravance in Crystalaire also has good data on arrival dates, > but her situation is complicated by regular wintering of at least one male > in her neighborhood. No Scott's have wintered in our Juniper Hills > neighborhood. > > Coincidentally, the first Hooded Oriole in our neighborhood also > arrived today. > > Kimball > > Kimball Garrett > Juniper Hills, CA > >
Date: 3/18/23 4:36 pm From: <thebrit1...> via groups.io <thebrit1...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Golden Triangle and surroundings.
It is clear that spring is here the last couple of weeks, though there was 22 inches of snow in the yard one day and 7 on another. I was at the excellent Puerto Vallarta Birding Festival at the time. Daniel Irons was out every day - many of the reports are his records. We have had as many as 70 Cassin's Finches and 60 junco's including 2 Gray-headed and 2 Slate-colored plus 1-2 cismontanus types. Up to 15 Pinyon Jays are still regular between Frazier Park and Lake Of The Woods. Daniel had a California x Spotted Towhee hybrid at Tejon State Park and the Varied Thrush was still there till a few days ago. There are 17 Chestnut-collared Longspurs and 2 Lapland Buntings on private land near in the West Antelope Valley (Neenach). Also up to 13 Sagebrush Sparrows presumably wintered though I could not find them today. They are in a dry stony desert area with sparse small sage bushes: Bell's Sparrows seem to prefer sandy areas with larger bushes. The Sagebrush's were loosely associated with Sage Thrashers - there have been up to 30 of these and I had about 14 this morning. A number of birds are moving out such as Ferruginous Hawks, though a few first-years remain. Swallows are coming through in good numbers, and other migrants such as Rufus Hummingbird and Orange-crowned Warbler are starting to show up. We had 140 Swainson's Hawks on the 11th plus 140 on the 13th with 600 TV's; unfortunately we were not there on the 12th which was probably a big flight. Multiple flocks of White Pelicans have been crossing above the large Tejon Quarry and coming out over Castac Lake - this is probably the largest flight line for Raptors too. Still learning!We will be posting all migrating birds on www.trektellen.com. Trektellen is the site that nearly all the worlds major migration points post on. I strongly suggest you take a peek if you are interested in migration.
For those interested in migration in the Golden Triangle and surrounding, look for westerly winds; stronger the better. Anything easterly is death up here. It has been a quiet couple of days because of this!
Richard Crossley
[Sorry, no Swainson's Hawks to report out here yet today...]
A singing Scott's Oriole in our Juniper Hills neighborhood today was the first for the year. However, this arrival date is a bit later than average. For the past five springs here, arrivals have been: 2019 -- 22 March 2020 -- 14 March 2021 -- 6 March 2022 -- 2 March 2023 -- 18 March [mean arrival, about 12 March]
I'm sure Ruth Gravance in Crystalaire also has good data on arrival dates, but her situation is complicated by regular wintering of at least one male in her neighborhood. No Scott's have wintered in our Juniper Hills neighborhood.
Coincidentally, the first Hooded Oriole in our neighborhood also arrived today.
We had 9 Swainson's Hawks over San Dimas Canyon at about 9:30 am. They were moving north along the ridge on the west side of the canyon, heading into the San Gabriels.
Cheers, Cathy McFadden & Paul Clarke
-- Dr. Catherine S. McFadden Vivian and D. Kenneth Baker Professor Department of Biology Harvey Mudd College 1250 N. Dartmouth Ave. Claremont, CA 91711 USA
I led a field trip this morning to Bette Davis Picnic Area, on the L.A. River at the Glendale/Burbank border. At about 11:00 we had one Swainson's, orbiting in a tiny kettle with two Common Ravens. A few minutes prior, we had a kettle of 13 Turkey Vultures, but it contained no Swainson's.
Date: 3/18/23 11:19 am From: Ron Cyger <ron...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Hawks
Just had another 50 heading wnw.
Ron Cyger Monrovia
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 9:53 AM Ron Cyger via groups.io <ron= <cyger.org...> wrote:
> I just had about 75 Swainson's Hawks over Monrovia heading wnw with about > 15 Turkey Vultures mixed in. > > Happy migration! > > Ron Cyger > Monrovia > >
Date: 3/18/23 10:47 am From: Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's hawk thread Saturday Mar 18
The first few dozen birds I had today in the Arcadia/Monrovia area went west along the foothills, like the birds Ron saw. The most recent 25-30 birds have been kettling very high and going north-northeast towards the mountains. Clear skies, no wind, and therefore difficult viewing conditions today.
Naresh Satyan Pasadena, CA
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 10:41 AM <fantic5978...> wrote:
> Not sure it was Naresh's hawks but just walked to Victory Park and saw at > least 10 kettling NE of the park, rather distant, say over Hastings Ranch > area? Then flew fairly low, not sure west along the ridge. At 10:15am > > Yonghee Lee > Pasadena > >
Date: 3/18/23 10:41 am From: <fantic5978...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's hawk thread Saturday Mar 18
Not sure it was Naresh's hawks but just walked to Victory Park and saw at least 10 kettling NE of the park, rather distant, say over Hastings Ranch area? Then flew fairly low, not sure west along the ridge. At 10:15am
Date: 3/18/23 10:31 am From: Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's hawk thread Saturday Mar 18
They are still coming through in small numbers over Monrovia, but pretty high. I also want to take the opportunity to plug the Sawpit Wash trail as a great place to look at raptors flying along the foothills.
Naresh Satyan Pasadena, CA
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 10:18 AM Mike Peralez <msperalez...> wrote:
> I've been outside on watch here in North Glendora/east Azusa for over 2 > hours. We have had ZERO Swainson's hawks against the foothills here or > immediately south. > > I think these hawks have a cruel streak against birders... > > About 40 turkey vultures have come through, however. > > Mike Peralez > Glendora, CA > > > > On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 9:53 AM Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> > wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> About 20 birds with an equal number of turkey vultures kettling about 1 >> mile east of Santa Anita Ave in Arcadia, about 1 mile north of Foothill >> Blvd. >> >> Naresh >> >> -- >> Naresh Satyan >> Pasadena, CA >> >> >
Date: 3/18/23 10:18 am From: msperalez <msperalez...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's hawk thread Saturday Mar 18
I've been outside on watch here in North Glendora/east Azusa for over 2 hours. We have had ZERO Swainson's hawks against the foothills here or immediately south.
I think these hawks have a cruel streak against birders...
About 40 turkey vultures have come through, however.
Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
On Sat, Mar 18, 2023, 9:53 AM Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> wrote:
> Hi all, > > About 20 birds with an equal number of turkey vultures kettling about 1 > mile east of Santa Anita Ave in Arcadia, about 1 mile north of Foothill > Blvd. > > Naresh > > -- > Naresh Satyan > Pasadena, CA > >
Date: 3/18/23 7:49 am From: msperalez <msperalez...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
For those interested...
Here are pictures that I took yesterday of the Swainson's Hawks. It was
difficult to take good pictures in a wide view to fully illustrate the
number of hawks flying over north Glendora. These photos did not translate
well to eBird.
Hopefully, more Swainson's hawks will swing by in the next few days...
Mike Peralez
Glendora, CA
On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 10:49 PM Yonghee lee <fantic...> wrote:
> Molly Hill corroborates my observation, she actually saw more SWHAs,
> wonder where exactly she saw it. But as she said, hawks were distant.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S131145122 >
>
>
Date: 3/18/23 7:41 am From: Stan Walens <stan.walens...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tundra Bean-goose present, 3/18
Easily visible in grass with the white-fronted goose, from Ave D, about 100 yards west from the entrance to the water treatment plant. No Canada geese.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for March 17, 2023.
A TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continued at the Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant in the Antelope Valley through March 17. The bird has most recently been in the open space immediately southwest of the reclamation plant ponds and west of the entrance gate (along the north side of Ave. D).
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE continued in Duarte through March 12. It has been seen near these Google Earth coordinates 34.1536, -117.9276.
A continuing SANDHILL CRANE has been in the San Gabriel River channel adjacent to the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera through March 13.
A first cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued at MacArthur Park through March 16.
Two ANCIENT MURRELETS were offshore south of San Pedro on March 11.
A MANX SHEARWATER was offshore from the Palos Verdes Peninsula on March 11.
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON continued at the Ballona Lagoon through March 17.
Three CALIFORNIA CONDORS were south of Lebec on March 12 and one was by Gorman Post Road on March 13.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK continued around Kiwanis Park at Grand Ave. in Monrovia through March 17.
The THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD at Griffith Park continued through March 12 by the golf course clubhouse.
A HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued at the Bette Davis Picnic Area in Glendale through March 13. This bird has been east of the restrooms.
Another HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued at Tournament Park near Cal Tech in Pasadena through March 15 along the east fence line and another continued at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library in Los Angeles though March 16.
A PACIFIC WREN continued at La Mirada Community Park through March 12. The bird has been at the west edge of the northern part of the park in the vegetation near the blue and yellow water slide.
Seventeen CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS were in the west Antelope Valley on March 15.
A DARK-EYED “PINK-SIDED” JUNCO continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas (Sailboat cove area) through March 12.
Up to three SWAMP SPARROWS continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through March 17 around the small north shore pond. A HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued in this area through March 11. This spot adjacent to the large square parking lot near the northeast corner of the lake. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued just northwest of here in the oaks through March 15.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued along the pathway at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trial south of Monte Verde Park in Lakewood through March 16.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on March 16 on the north side by Picnic Area #1.
The SCOTT’S ORIOLE at Crystalaire in Llano continued through March 14.
A NASHVILLE WARBLER was at Wheeler Park in Claremont on March 11.
A PALM WARBLER continued along the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach through March 17. It has been below the Willow Street crossing near 19th Street.
A SUMMER TANAGER was at Ed Vincent Park in Inglewood on March 11. Another SUMMER TANAGER continued by the Whittier Narrows Nature Center in South El Monte through March 11.
-end transcript
Jon L Fisher
Glendale, CA
<JonF60...>
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
For all events, field trips and announcements, please see our website at http://www.laaudubon.org
Date: 3/17/23 5:15 pm From: Yonghee lee <fantic...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
if one were at Henninger Flats from say 10am today, one would've seen those kettles fly above, would've afforded nice view, either flying west or north. They kettled just a bit west of the Flats. Saw at least 2 kettles, say about 75 birds, Vultures and Hawks mixed flock. I was at the south parking lot for an hour from 10:20am
Date: 3/17/23 3:38 pm From: Stan Walens <stan.walens...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tule Bean-Goose
For those of us getting into our Conestoga wagons and making the arduous journey to far-away Lancaster on Saturday, any reports about the goose, positive or negative, today, Friday, would be appreciated.
TIA,
Stan Walens, San Diego
All,
Migration counting at Bear Divide started on Thursday morning and the
totals are visible in eBird. Nobody saw Swainson's hawk there this
morning or yesterday morning. Note that those counts often end by 11
am, so if the big pulse of hawks seen in Altadena at 4 pm passed
through Bear Divide yesterday, there weren't any birders there to
observe them (I checked eBird: there weren't any reports in late
afternoon).
I received a couple of private emails from observers in Monrovia that
dedicated watches there this morning did not turn up any Swainson's
hawks, so apparently the lack of large flocks over Altadena was not a
fluke. It really looks like the birds either moved over the mountains
between Glendora and Monrovia, far enough south that observers in
Monrovia, Eaton Canyon, and Altadena were not able to see them, or
perhaps to high elevations where they would be very difficult to spot.
Part of our interest in extending a picket line to the north was to
understand the extent to which the hawks move through the San Gabriel
Mountains. On March 27, 2018 David Coates reported a flock of about
100 above the Chilao campgrounds. This year, most of the roads are
still closed due to snow and rockslides so we weren't able to place
any observers up there. Perhaps next year.
Weather could also play a role: today conditions have been very
different from yesterday, when there was a low overcast for most of
the day over the foothills. Swainson's hawks often fly below the
clouds and that can make them easier to see. On a day like today,
there weren't any low clouds in the morning so perhaps the birds were
flying higher.
On the general topic of weather, Luke and Kimball gently reminded me
to ask everyone who reports Swainson's hawks to note weather
conditions in their eBird lists: wind direction, speed if you can
(say, using the Beaufort Scale or mph), temperature, rain/drizzle,
percentage of cloud cover, and if clouds are present, the elevation of
the cloud bottoms. Yesterday, for example the clouds above Altadena
were down to about 3000-3200 feet around 4 pm, which I calibrated
against areas I could see where I've been hiking.
Thank you, and keep looking up!
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
-----------------------------------------From: "Mike Peralez"
To: "Lance Benner"
Cc: "LACoBirds"
Sent: Friday March 17 2023 1:56:33PM
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
Y. Lee saw hawks moving heading north from Easton canyon area....??
This morning's Glendora hawks all moved W or WNW. None appeared to go
north up the San Gabriel Canyon.
Perhaps Bear Divide might prove interesting.
Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
On Fri, Mar 17, 2023, 11:42 AM Lance Benner wrote:
All,
I've been watching quite a bit from northern Altadena in the hope of
seeing some of the hundreds of Swainson's hawks that Mike Peralez
reported earlier this morning over Glendora. I've seen only three!
Where did they go?
Perhaps they went over the mountains? Or farther south along 210 in
Pasadena, and beyond where I could see them?
Regards,
Lance
Lance Benner Altadena
----------------------------------------- From: <fantic5978...>
To: <LACoBirds...>
Cc:
Sent: Friday March 17 2023 11:04:22AM
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
Again just now repeat. Riding over the ridge. Maybe Midwick etc. will
provide better view
One time many years ago (25?) I was up in the San Gabriels with Ron Cyger and Ed Stonick and a bunch of other people from Pasadena and we had a flock of I think 53 Swainson's Hawks flying over the San Gabriels and headng north. In other words, instead of going around the mountains they were going straight up over them. I remember that it was March, and there was a lot of snow on the ground and I was marveling at all of the Violet green Swallows up there in the pines with snow and wondering what they were going to eat.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Mar 17, 2023, 1:56 PM msperalez <msperalez...> wrote:
> Y. Lee saw hawks moving heading north from Easton canyon area....?? > > This morning's Glendora hawks all moved W or WNW. None appeared to go > north up the San Gabriel Canyon. > > Perhaps Bear Divide might prove interesting. > > Mike Peralez > Glendora, CA > > On Fri, Mar 17, 2023, 11:42 AM Lance Benner <lbenner...> wrote: > >> All, >> >> I've been watching quite a bit from northern Altadena in the hope of >> seeing some of the hundreds of Swainson's hawks that Mike Peralez reported >> earlier this morning over Glendora. I've seen only three! >> >> Where did they go? >> >> Perhaps they went over the mountains? Or farther south along 210 in >> Pasadena, and beyond where I could see them? >> >> Regards, >> >> Lance >> >> Lance Benner >> Altadena >> >> ----------------------------------------- >> From: <fantic5978...> >> To: <LACoBirds...> >> Cc: >> Sent: Friday March 17 2023 11:04:22AM >> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6 >> >> Again just now repeat. Riding over the ridge. Maybe Midwick etc. will >> provide better view >> >> Yonghee Lee >> Pasadena >> > >
Y. Lee saw hawks moving heading north from Easton canyon area....??
This morning's Glendora hawks all moved W or WNW. None appeared to go north up the San Gabriel Canyon.
Perhaps Bear Divide might prove interesting.
Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
On Fri, Mar 17, 2023, 11:42 AM Lance Benner <lbenner...> wrote:
> All, > > I've been watching quite a bit from northern Altadena in the hope of > seeing some of the hundreds of Swainson's hawks that Mike Peralez reported > earlier this morning over Glendora. I've seen only three! > > Where did they go? > > Perhaps they went over the mountains? Or farther south along 210 in > Pasadena, and beyond where I could see them? > > Regards, > > Lance > > Lance Benner > Altadena > > ----------------------------------------- > From: <fantic5978...> > To: <LACoBirds...> > Cc: > Sent: Friday March 17 2023 11:04:22AM > Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6 > > Again just now repeat. Riding over the ridge. Maybe Midwick etc. will > provide better view > > Yonghee Lee > Pasadena > >
The Alcidae is a diverse family of seabirds that can be found throughout
cooler pelagic waters of the northern hemisphere and includes the murres,
guillemots, auklets, murrelets, and puffins.
Southern California hosts a variety of species including several local
breeders and others that disperse here seasonally from regions to the north
and south. In total, more than half of the world’s 25 alcid species have
been documented off Southern California. While a few species can be seen
regularly from land, intrepid birders wanting to experience these birds
must join pelagic trips to have a chance to find most of the species that
occupy these waters.
Identification can be challenging because some species are similar in
appearance, and many avoid boats by diving or flying away quickly. Getting
good looks at these small birds in a big ocean is often not easy and
requires an extreme amount of patience. Due to their seasonality and the
rareness of some, it will take more than a few trips offshore to find the
majority of our local species.
Join Dave as he navigates us the identification challenges of the Alcid
family.
Become a LAB Member! Though our webinars will always remain free and
available to all, members of Los Angeles Birders have access to live
webinars via Zoom, invitations to special LAB-only field trips, priority
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Upcoming Programs
4/1/23 Valyermo and Juniper Hills Transect with Kimball Garrett (field
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4/2/23 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (members-only field
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4/9/23 Tejon Ranch (Los Angeles County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field
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4/16/23 Tejon Ranch (Kern County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field trip,
member priority sign up soon)
Good birding,
Rebecca Marschall for Los Angeles Birders
<info...>
From what I've seen they were practically riding the ridge, and 2 kettles over Henniger Flats flew west along the mountain or north.
So gave up and eating lunch now at Mcdonald's 😆
Date: 3/17/23 11:42 am From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
All,
I've been watching quite a bit from northern Altadena in the hope of
seeing some of the hundreds of Swainson's hawks that Mike Peralez
reported earlier this morning over Glendora. I've seen only three!
Where did they go?
Perhaps they went over the mountains? Or farther south along 210 in
Pasadena, and beyond where I could see them?
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
-----------------------------------------From: <fantic5978...>
To: <LACoBirds...>
Cc:
Sent: Friday March 17 2023 11:04:22AM
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Group 6
Again just now repeat. Riding over the ridge. Maybe Midwick etc. will
provide better view
Date: 3/17/23 9:34 am From: msperalez <msperalez...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Fifth Group of Swainson's
At some point I have to get to work... !
But, a fifth kettle reformed over the house with ~70 birds here. Interestingly, they are almost all dark phase. Most came from due east. 4-5 flew in from the southeast separately to join this group. They were also all dark phase. All hawks in all of these emails are heading due west
Date: 3/17/23 9:20 am From: msperalez <msperalez...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swainson's second group
A much larger group of Swainson's streamed low over my house. At least 200 birds and they continue to stream over from the SE as opposed to the east as the first group
Date: 3/17/23 9:10 am From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Swainson's on the move
Mike,
Thank you very much for the report!
I just saw a kettle of about 30 turkey vultures in Altadena in the
general area of Lake Ave and Altadena Drive but no Swainson's hawks
yet.
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
-----------------------------------------From: "msperalez"
To: "LACoBirds"
Cc:
Sent: Friday March 17 2023 9:02:51AM
Subject: [LACoBirds] Swainson's on the move
A beautiful kettle over Glendora Ridge now, 9:01 am. They are now
breaking formation and streaming west.
Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
Date: 3/16/23 9:51 pm From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swainson's Hawk Migration: A banner day on March 16!
Greetings Everyone,
Swainson's hawk migration in Los Angeles County today appeared to
start rather slowly, at least over Altadena and northern Pasadena
where conditions were gloomy with low clouds, fog, light drizzle, and
very little wind until around mid day when things began to open up.
Then things got more interesting.
The first report of Swainson's hawks we heard about were reported by
Tom Benson to our east in Redlands (in San Bernardino County), who saw
about 130 around noon. At 14:45 Tom Miko reported 87 in Claremont;
some of those could have been birds seen earlier by Tom Benson to the
east. At about 4 pm Luke Tiller reported groups of 42 and 58 in
Altadena on the east side of Eaton Canyon near Midwick Dr.
Then the floodgates really opened: at about 6 pm Cathy McFadden and
Paul Clarke reported about 200 hawks at Claremont Village. Mike San
Miguel reported about 500 starting at about the same time, so it seems
likely that he saw some of the birds seen by Cathy and Paul plus about
300 more. Mike posted a photos and a spectacular video on his eBird
list at:
It turns out that there were even more! This morning Joshua Mitchell
found 10 Swainson's hawks in Monrovia at 9:14 am and then another
group of 15 at Vina Vieja Park at 12:39. Starting at 12:10, Jack
Wickel counted 112 farther south in Pasadena at Tournament Park (next
to Caltech)in groups of 83, 24, plus a few stragglers. Jack also
posted some fascinating images on his eBird list:
We also received a second-hand report of about 50 Swainson's hawks at
the California Botanic Garden in Claremont this morning but I don't
have any additional details.
2023 Mar 16 112 Tournament Park, Pasadena Jack Wickel 12:10. Flocks
of 83, 24, & stragglers
2023 Mar 16 15 Vina Vieja Park, Pasadena Joshua Mitchell. 12:39
2023 Mar 16 87 Claremont Village Tom Miko. 14:45 Seen from Wheeler
Park.
2023 Mar 16 100 Midwick Dr, Altadena Luke Tiller. About 4 pm. Flocks
of 42 & 58.
2023 Mar 16 200 Claremont:Indian Hill/Foothill Cathy McFadden & Paul
Clarke. 6 pm.
2023 Mar 16 510 Claremont Village Mike San Miguel; also Tom Miko and
Cathy McFadden. 6:04-6:23 pm.
Some of Mike's were probably in the same group seen by Cathy & Paul
nearby.
These are the largest numbers of Swainson's hawks documented in Los
Angeles county this year.
Clearly substantial numbers of Swainson's hawks were on the move in
Los Angeles County on March 16: Apparently more than 700 birds in
multiple kettles. It's interesting that all of these birds were seen
north of I-10, which follows the pattern dating back to at least 2017,
the earliest year in eBird that I've checked in detail.
It's also intriguing that Steven Lima reported 10 at Glen Helen Park
at about 1 pm. How many move through the Cajon Pass? This would be a
good area to check.
Given that about 500 were seen at Claremont Village shortly before
sunset, it seems likely that those birds roosted near that general
area, and as a result, there could be large numbers lifting off on
Friday morning and moving west. Observers west of Claremont and along
the foothills have the potential to see hundreds on Friday morning, so
please keep watching! Please report your sightings on the county
listserve, and as always, please report them in eBird.
So far no Swainson's over Glendora to the north or south of my location.. 6:19 pm Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
On Thu, Mar 16, 2023, 6:07 PM Cathy McFadden <mcfadden...> wrote:
> A flock of (conservatively) 200 Swainson's Hawks just kettled over > Claremont (Indian Hill & Foothill Blvd) and have begun heading west. 6 pm. > > (Our parrot spotted them through the skylight in our kitchen, and alerted > us to their presence!) > > Good birding! > > Cathy McFadden & Paul Clarke > Claremont > >
... flying from east to west, visible from Wheeler Park but the flock is actually somewhere over The Village.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/16/23 1:02 pm From: catbird117 via groups.io <catbird117...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Baltimore Oriole, San Dimas
Just before 10:20 this morning I had a Male Baltimore Oriole at Picnic Area #1 at F. G. Bonelli Park in San Dimas. This is the picnic area just before the exit of the north shore. It was in Eucalyptus to the east and west of the picnic area. Also continuing were three Swamp Sparrows and a Neotropic Cormorant on the north side. I also had 2 fly over Swainson's Hawks.
Keith CondonDiamond Bar
Tom Benson reports approximately 130 Swainson's Hawks were moving west from Redlands about 45 minutes ago (1215 pm). They should be hitting LA County soon if they haven't already.
Just passing along the message.
Naresh Satyan Pasadena, CA
On Thu, Mar 16, 2023, 3:45 PM Lance Benner <lbenner...> wrote:
> Hi Everyone, > > So far there have been only a couple reports of small numbers of > Swainson's hawks today. Chris Dean has seen a few at the Piute Ponds and > Steve Ritt has reported small numbers moving through the San Gorgonio Pass > near Banning. Steve also reported more than 100 Swainson's hawks moving > west through the pass yesterday around mid day. > > Conditions over Altadena and Pasadena have been less than optimal for > hawks today: low clouds, intermittent drizzle, and not much wind. While > watching occasionally from northern Altadena this morning I didn't see > anything moving west or soaring. There were two red-tailed hawks, two > red-shouldered hawks, and a merlin in my neighborhood that spend a lot of > time perched. > > As I write this (at about 12:25 pm), the clouds over JPL are lifting > somewhat and I'm starting to see small numbers of turkey vultures kettling, > so it appears that conditions are improving. > > Regards, > > Lance > > >
Hi Everyone,
So far there have been only a couple reports of small numbers of
Swainson's hawks today. Chris Dean has seen a few at the Piute Ponds
and Steve Ritt has reported small numbers moving through the San
Gorgonio Pass near Banning. Steve also reported more than 100
Swainson's hawks moving west through the pass yesterday around mid
day.
Conditions over Altadena and Pasadena have been less than optimal for
hawks today: low clouds, intermittent drizzle, and not much wind.
While watching occasionally from northern Altadena this morning I
didn't see anything moving west or soaring. There were two red-tailed
hawks, two red-shouldered hawks, and a merlin in my neighborhood that
spend a lot of time perched.
As I write this (at about 12:25 pm), the clouds over JPL are lifting
somewhat and I'm starting to see small numbers of turkey vultures
kettling, so it appears that conditions are improving.
Regards,
Lance
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
On Wed, Mar 15, 2023, 3:36 PM Cynthia Case <case.cynthiak...> wrote:
> Thanks, Tom, for the update. If you do go on the sewage tour and by some
> chance get a glimpse of the injured and now assumed grounded Tundra Bean
> Goose, or even if you’re outside the fence and have eyes on the goose,
> please call Los Angeles County Animal Control with the precise location of
> the bird. This must be done while you have eyes on the bird. The number:
> 1-310-523-9566. Please let the nice people at the sewage plant know you
> have called so they’ll allow Animal Control on the premises.
> Thanks,
> Cynthia Case
> Tustin
> “For us there us only the trying. The rest is not our business.†—T.S.
> Eliot
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 15, 2023, at 3:01 PM, <tgmiko...> wrote:
>
> 
> Hi
> Apparently the link I provided for the names of the ponds takes you to
> another page on the same website (I deliberately tested it before
> hitting"Send" Yaaaargh.). Please find that website and find the correct
> page. It's only a little more difficult than solving Rubik's Cube.
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont, LA County
> 909.241.3300
> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
> very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>
> On Wed, Mar 15, 2023, 2:36 PM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> I'm sending this email out as a blast because I'm getting the same
>> questions over and over again from multiple people:
>> 1. The tour of the Lancaster Water treatment plant also known as the
>> Lancaster Sewage Ponds, combined with a bus drive for the short distance
>> across the road into Edwards Air Force Base to the Piute Ponds is scheduled
>> for this coming Saturday morning, March 18th at 0900 a.m.
>> 2. The hyperlink, below (at the very end of this email, below my email
>> signature) is for signing up, which if you want to go on this tour because
>> you really want to see the Tundra Bean Goose, you should have done so by
>> now, but today is your last chance to sign up, probably during business
>> hours.
>> 3. This is a hyperlink to study a map of the Piute Ponds. It's for
>> informational purposes so that you understand what others are talking about
>> when they refer to Walden Pond, Thoreau Pond, Emily Dickinson Pond, Robert
>> Frost Pond, etc:
>>
>> https://www.piuteponds.org/PDFs/Piute-Ponds-Complex-Through-the-Years-1928-to-2000.pdf >>
>> 4. As of today, Wednesday March 15th, the combined tour of both
>> facilities is still scheduled to occur despite the rain that has happened
>> this week. That is what was stated to me this morning by the public
>> relations person who confirmed that there will be a bus going from one
>> facility to the other.
>> 5. Yes, it is possible--if not probable--that the Tundra Bean Goose will
>> park himself out in the open at the west end of the Lancaster Sewage
>> Treatment Plant where you can see him from outside the fence and count him
>> for your California list. However, if the bird is still there on Saturday
>> and still alive it would be much nicer to see him from a lot closer i.e
>> inside the fence on the tour.
>> 6. Please remember that this is not a bird watching tour, so please
>> actually listen to the parts where they explain the science of water
>> treatment. I'm saying this because if they're nice enough to let us in then
>> I don't want to abuse their hospitality. They are aware that a bunch of
>> bird watchers are signing up for this tour because they want to see the
>> goose, but we're also trying to restore long-term access for birders to the
>> Lancaster Sewage Ponds, which has not existed for the past several years.
>> 7. Once the tour is on Edwards Air Force Base property, Please be aware
>> that you are on a military base, and even though you are far away from any
>> military activities the rules still apply. Mainly I'm thinking that those
>> who do not have an annual pass probably need to ask permission before we
>> walk away from the group.
>>
>> Thomas Geza Miko
>> Claremont, LA County
>> 909.241.3300
>>
>>
>> https://www.lacsd.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6419/638122381730500000 >>
>>
>
>
Hi Apparently the link I provided for the names of the ponds takes you to another page on the same website (I deliberately tested it before hitting"Send" Yaaaargh.). Please find that website and find the correct page. It's only a little more difficult than solving Rubik's Cube.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Wed, Mar 15, 2023, 2:36 PM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko= <gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi, > I'm sending this email out as a blast because I'm getting the same > questions over and over again from multiple people: > 1. The tour of the Lancaster Water treatment plant also known as the > Lancaster Sewage Ponds, combined with a bus drive for the short distance > across the road into Edwards Air Force Base to the Piute Ponds is scheduled > for this coming Saturday morning, March 18th at 0900 a.m. > 2. The hyperlink, below (at the very end of this email, below my email > signature) is for signing up, which if you want to go on this tour because > you really want to see the Tundra Bean Goose, you should have done so by > now, but today is your last chance to sign up, probably during business > hours. > 3. This is a hyperlink to study a map of the Piute Ponds. It's for > informational purposes so that you understand what others are talking about > when they refer to Walden Pond, Thoreau Pond, Emily Dickinson Pond, Robert > Frost Pond, etc: > > https://www.piuteponds.org/PDFs/Piute-Ponds-Complex-Through-the-Years-1928-to-2000.pdf > > 4. As of today, Wednesday March 15th, the combined tour of both facilities > is still scheduled to occur despite the rain that has happened this week. > That is what was stated to me this morning by the public relations person > who confirmed that there will be a bus going from one facility to the other. > 5. Yes, it is possible--if not probable--that the Tundra Bean Goose will > park himself out in the open at the west end of the Lancaster Sewage > Treatment Plant where you can see him from outside the fence and count him > for your California list. However, if the bird is still there on Saturday > and still alive it would be much nicer to see him from a lot closer i.e > inside the fence on the tour. > 6. Please remember that this is not a bird watching tour, so please > actually listen to the parts where they explain the science of water > treatment. I'm saying this because if they're nice enough to let us in then > I don't want to abuse their hospitality. They are aware that a bunch of > bird watchers are signing up for this tour because they want to see the > goose, but we're also trying to restore long-term access for birders to the > Lancaster Sewage Ponds, which has not existed for the past several years. > 7. Once the tour is on Edwards Air Force Base property, Please be aware > that you are on a military base, and even though you are far away from any > military activities the rules still apply. Mainly I'm thinking that those > who do not have an annual pass probably need to ask permission before we > walk away from the group. > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > > > https://www.lacsd.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6419/638122381730500000 > >
Hi, I'm sending this email out as a blast because I'm getting the same questions over and over again from multiple people: 1. The tour of the Lancaster Water treatment plant also known as the Lancaster Sewage Ponds, combined with a bus drive for the short distance across the road into Edwards Air Force Base to the Piute Ponds is scheduled for this coming Saturday morning, March 18th at 0900 a.m. 2. The hyperlink, below (at the very end of this email, below my email signature) is for signing up, which if you want to go on this tour because you really want to see the Tundra Bean Goose, you should have done so by now, but today is your last chance to sign up, probably during business hours. 3. This is a hyperlink to study a map of the Piute Ponds. It's for informational purposes so that you understand what others are talking about when they refer to Walden Pond, Thoreau Pond, Emily Dickinson Pond, Robert Frost Pond, etc: https://www.piuteponds.org/PDFs/Piute-Ponds-Complex-Through-the-Years-1928-to-2000.pdf
4. As of today, Wednesday March 15th, the combined tour of both facilities is still scheduled to occur despite the rain that has happened this week. That is what was stated to me this morning by the public relations person who confirmed that there will be a bus going from one facility to the other. 5. Yes, it is possible--if not probable--that the Tundra Bean Goose will park himself out in the open at the west end of the Lancaster Sewage Treatment Plant where you can see him from outside the fence and count him for your California list. However, if the bird is still there on Saturday and still alive it would be much nicer to see him from a lot closer i.e inside the fence on the tour. 6. Please remember that this is not a bird watching tour, so please actually listen to the parts where they explain the science of water treatment. I'm saying this because if they're nice enough to let us in then I don't want to abuse their hospitality. They are aware that a bunch of bird watchers are signing up for this tour because they want to see the goose, but we're also trying to restore long-term access for birders to the Lancaster Sewage Ponds, which has not existed for the past several years. 7. Once the tour is on Edwards Air Force Base property, Please be aware that you are on a military base, and even though you are far away from any military activities the rules still apply. Mainly I'm thinking that those who do not have an annual pass probably need to ask permission before we walk away from the group.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
Following up on recent emails on the Los Angeles County listserve, I
wanted to provide a summary of recent developments with Swainson's
hawk migration in Los Angeles County this year and to discuss plans to
set up a "picket line" to monitor movements by this species.
There was a pronounced burst of Swainson's hawk reports on the LA
County listserve and in eBird on Saturday, March 11, with reports of
dozens to more than 100 birds moving east to west between Claremont
and Monrovia on the southern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains. There
have also been earlier reports and a few since Saturday
Here's a summary of counts of at least 10 Swainson's hawks in LA
County so far in 2023:
N Date Location Observers
45 Jan 06 Bonelli Park K. Condon, K. Dillbeck
30 Feb 26 Hahamongna Park D. Dowell
75 Feb 28 Midwick Dr, Altadena L. Tiller
10 Mar 03 Hastings Ranch, Pasadena J. Rodgers
50 Mar 03 California Botanic Garden K. Dillbeck, P. Thorne, M. Ruiz
141 Mar 08 Gorman Post Road D. Irons, R. Crossley
12 Mar 11 Grand Ave. Park, Monrovia A. Howe, V. Howe
53 Mar 11 Glendora, Sierra Madre Ave M. Peralez
40 Mar 11 Claremont Wilderness Park T. Miko
85 Mar 11 San Dimas Canyon Park S. Kurniawidjaja
250 Mar 11 Monrovia Myrtle & Greystone H. Coates, D. Coates
14 Mar 11 Claremont Colleges M. Peralez
39 Mar 12 Midwick Dr, Altadena L. Tiller
88 Mar 13 Gorman Post Road D. Irons, R. Crossley
Some of these counts lasted more than one hour and are totals of
multiple flocks.
How do these numbers compare with results from previous years? I
checked eBird and tabulated high counts in LA County in the spring
dating back to 2018. Here's a list of reports of at least 50 birds
from 2018-2022:
Count Date Time Location
100 24-Feb-18 17:14 Pitzer College, Claremont
100 3-Mar-18 7:40 Peck Rd. Water Conservation Park
080 5-Mar-21 8:45 Horsethief Canyon Park, San Dimas
100 8-Mar-22 dusk North end of Barranca, Glendora
250 11-Mar-18 9:14 Hahamongna Park, Pasadena
200 11-Mar-18 16:00 Los Feliz/Atwater Village
145 11-Mar-18 16:00 Scholl Canyon, Pasadena
075 11-Mar-18 17:00 Myrtle/Greystone, Monrovia
050 12-Mar-22 8:36 California Botanic Garden, Claremont
400 13-Mar-21 9:30 East Loma Alta Dr., Altadena
100 13-Mar-21 12:12 Bygrove St., Covina
103 13-Mar-22 18:00 Gorman
125 14-Mar-21 7:47 Bernard Field Station, Claremont
051 14-Mar-22 18:07 Palm and Live Oak, Glendora
200 15-Mar-20 6:36 Hahamongna
516 15-Mar-20 10:00 Vina Vieja Park, Pasadena
150 15-Mar-21 12:30 East Loma Alta Dr., Altadena
150 15-Mar-21 15:05 Horsethief Canyon Park, San Dimas
375 15-Mar-21 17:10 Altadena
075 15-Mar-21 17:56 Bowring Dr., Altadena
053 15-Mar-22 8:27 North Glendora
075 17-Mar-20 10:42 Highland Place, Monrovia
070 20-Mar-21 13:01 Claremont Wilderness Park
141 20-Mar-21 13:45 Juniper Hills
367 20-Mar-22 11:00-16:00 Gorman
055 23-Mar-19 9:00 Hansen Dam
070 23-Mar-19 9:12 Altadena
100 27-Mar-18 9:00 Chilao, San Gabriel Mountains
221 29-Mar-22 pm Gorman
050 1-Apr-22 8:35 Haskell St., La Canada-Flintridge
134 5-Apr-22 am Bear Divide
076 6-Apr-22 am Santa Clarita
120 8-Apr-19 9:05 Piute Ponds
Note again that some counts span multiple hours and represent more
than one flock.
To get a better understanding of what the birds are doing as they
traverse Los Angeles County, we are asking for help with organizing a
picket line along the San Gabriel Mountain foothills from Claremont to
Santa Clarita on:
Thursday, March 16.
Observers elsewhere in the county such as the Antelope Valley, the
north slope of the Castaic Highlands (say, along Pine Canyon Road,
Lake Hughes, Lake Elizabeth, the Leona Valley, and the Poppy
Preserve), and anywhere across the county are also welcome. We'd be
glad to hear reports east of Los Angeles County as well.
We plan to communicate sightings of significant numbers of hawks on
the county listeserve, eBird, and more rapidly with each other using
texting and phone calls. If you'd like to help communicate rapidly
about big groups by phone and text, please email me off-list. My email
address is:
<lbenner...>
Thursday also coincides with the first day of migration counting at
Bear Divide, through which decent numbers of hawks passed in the
spring of last year. Richard Crossley and Daniel Irons have also been
counting regularly from Gorman Post Road near Quail Lake, so it may be
possible to cover a significant fraction of the east-west line across
the county.
Although Thursday is a workday for many of us, we hope that there
will still be numerous observers available to scan the skies for at
least part of the day.
We had hoped to establish a north-south picket line into the
mountains this year, but many of the roads in the San Gabriel
Mountains are still closed, and communcations there would be
difficult, so we decided to change plans.
In the bigger picture, the migration underway in February-March is by
hawks that are moving into the Central Valley. Later in April and May,
most birds passing through our area will head into the Great Basin,
eastern Washington, and the Snake River Plain of Idaho.
To get a sense for the annual movements of Swainson's hawk, there's a
time-lapse animation at weekly intervals available on eBird using data
reported from 2007-2021. Check it out at:
Large numbers of Swainson's hawks have been moving through Borrego
Springs southeast of us in the last week so prospects are good for
continued movement by some (or most) of those birds across Los Angeles
County.
Date: 3/13/23 2:54 pm From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Watch for more Swainson's Hawks!
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday, using eBird, Hal Cohen reported nearly 900 Swainson's hawks
lifting off from Borrego Springs in San Diego County near Anza-Borrego
State Park. Today he reported another 123. Many of these birds could
be moving over Los Angeles County today and tomorrow on their way up
into the Central Valley, so keep looking up!
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
I will try to find out if this weekend's combined Lancaster Sewage Ponds-- Piute Ponds tour will be closed because of this, or not.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Mon, Mar 13, 2023, 10:56 AM Ed Stonick <edstonick...> wrote:
> Greetings, > > Currently being seen from Ave. C overpass over Highway 14 but at a great > distance. Associating with a few Canadas and one GWF goose. > > Plant is closed because they had storm damage. > > To reach the overpass, exit at Ave. D drive east to Sierra Highway then > north to Ave. C. > > > Ed Stonick > > Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone > > >
Date: 3/13/23 10:56 am From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose
Greetings,Currently being seen from Ave. C overpass over Highway 14 but at a great distance. Associating with a few Canadas and one GWF goose.Plant is closed because they had storm damage.To reach the overpass, exit at Ave. D drive east to Sierra Highway then north to Ave. C.Ed StonickSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Park on the eastbound downslope of the overpass and view from the north side - better viewing because you're higher. The lovely seems to like to hunker behind bushes and seemed to keep at least some distance from the Canadians.
Date: 3/13/23 7:48 am From: Luke Tiller <luke.tiller...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Hawk migration yesterday
Hi All,
Getting to enjoy some raptor migration in LA is always a treat and I had bits and pieces of raptor migration throughout the afternoon here in Altadena yesterday. In total I probably only had about 190 migrant raptors, but I did tally eleven different species over my house during the day with at least nine migrating. Highlights included 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Peregrines and an Osprey (pretty rare up here).
From observing movements here over the years it appears to me that migrant raptors are almost always on a foothill line (taking advantage of updrafts?) though they can drift as far south as Orange Grove. They often head northwest or even almost directly north from Eaton Canyon as often as they drift west. West of here I think they are often migrating north of the 210 and maybe north of much of the residential areas to the west too. If you want to look for birds on days where movement is occurring I recommend being at, or east of, Eaton Canyon. The overflow parking area at Eaton Canyon appears to often make a decent view point - with views to the north and south.
The appearance of these birds seems somewhat random and is probably influenced by weather well to our south. Yesterday winds were southerly all afternoon after being from the north in the AM. First thing I was at Bear Divide and a few Turkey Vultures and Swainson’s were moving through there too but not much else.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/12/23 12:25 pm From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Minor flight of Swainson's Hawks over Altadena, Sunday, 12:20 pm
All,
Numerous things are moving west over northern Altadena at mid-day
today, Sunday. So there there have been 4 Swainson's hawks in the last
15 minutes, several red-tailed hawks, 8 turkey vultures, and some
distant swallows. There are dozens of ravens soaring in the area
again.
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
Date: 3/12/23 11:31 am From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Continuing tundra bean goose
Continuing at 11:30am at same gps. Often hidden by divets in the ground so patience and scope helpful.
Andy Birch
> On Mar 12, 2023, at 9:27 AM, Jmn1992 via groups.io <Jmn1992...> wrote:
>
>  Hi everyone,
>
> The tundra bean goose is continuing with 4 Canada geese inside the Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant’s grassy area. You can see the bird off of Avenue D at gps (34.7771793, -118.1684162)
>
> Jonathan Nakai
> Rancho Palos Verdes
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/12/23 9:27 am From: Jmn1992 via groups.io <Jmn1992...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Continuing tundra bean goose
Hi everyone,
The tundra bean goose is continuing with 4 Canada geese inside the Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant’s grassy area.  You can see the bird off of Avenue D at gps (34.7771793, -118.1684162)
Jonathan NakaiRancho Palos Verdes
Tom, those Swainson's that flew over my house and the north Glendora foothills were ~75% dark phase, ~25% light phase. The light must have been a little better in Glendora. I left the California Botanical Gardens in Claremont a little more than an hour ago. There was a very low flying kettle of 14 Swainson's over Foothill Blvd in Claremont. 3 or 4 of those were light phase, the rest, of course, were dark phase. Those hawks, interestingly, streamed off to the southwest.
As far as I could tell (and please let me emphasize that light conditions were pretty bad) all or almost all of the Swainson's Hawks were dark morph birds. Usually I get a mix of light and intermediate and dark birds but I think there was one other time when I had all dark birds like today.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 1:58 PM Mike Peralez <msperalez...> wrote:
> Swainson's and TUVUs continue to stream over north Glendora, westbound. > Probably seeing Tom's birds. 1330 -1400 hours. I've noticed that most of > the hawks have stayed just below the cloud deck but some disappear into the > clouds > > At least 53 have flown over... > > Mike Peralez > Glendora, Ca > > On Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 1:46 PM <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote: > >> 3/11/2033 >> 1340 hours >> Non stop stream of Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures over Claremont >> Hills Wilderness Park >> >> Thomas Geza Miko >> Claremont, LA County >> 909.241.3300 >> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both >> very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman >> >> >
Date: 3/11/23 4:11 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Palos Verdes escarpment, 3/11/23
Hi Ed, I think I've posted this link before but if you are interested in doing your own impromptu small boat "mini" pelagics, this is the site we have used to find boats and captains: https://www.getmyboat.com/ Past few years, we have done trips out of Marina del Rey and San Pedro on small boats from that site and we haven't had a bad captain yet. BUT these boats only hold 5 people max, usually have NO toilet and no seats. You pay a deposit up front, so you need to organize your party of 4 or 5 people ahead of booking. AND they are a lot more expensive than an organized pelagic eg the small boats start at around $160/hr. Tell the captain in advance what you are wanting to do and they are usually very happy to do a birding trip and it makes a nice change for them from the chaotic, drunken, social media influencer trips they are usually booked for.
When there's a good trip, results will often get posted to the listserv. There are many, many trips that don't have results worth posting. You don't hear about the majority of the trips without special birds, so don't be tricked in to thinking it's dynamite every time. You have to be OK doinga majority of trips that are more than double the price of an organized pelagic and with no special birds to show for it.
Of course, LA Birders continues to run organized, member-only pelagics with professional leaders and has another 2.5hr trip tomorrow. These trips have more eyes, more toilets and are about 1/3 of the cost of a small boat trip:https://www.losangelesbirders.org/
Best, Andy BirchLos Feliz
On Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 02:24:22 PM PST, Ed Stonick <edstonick...> wrote:
#yiv5956855283 filtered {}#yiv5956855283 filtered {}#yiv5956855283 p.yiv5956855283MsoNormal, #yiv5956855283 li.yiv5956855283MsoNormal, #yiv5956855283 div.yiv5956855283MsoNormal {margin:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;}#yiv5956855283 a:link, #yiv5956855283 span.yiv5956855283MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv5956855283 .yiv5956855283MsoChpDefault {}#yiv5956855283 filtered {}#yiv5956855283 div.yiv5956855283WordSection1 {}
Any chance of others taking this trips?
Â
Ed
Â
Ed Stonick
Pasadena, CA
Â
Sent from Mail for Windows
Â
From: Naresh Satyan
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2023 12:41 PM
To: <LACoBirds...>
Subject: [LACoBirds] Palos Verdes escarpment, 3/11/23
Â
Hi all,
Â
Loren Wright, Chris Dean and I headed out on Danny's small Parker boat out of San Pedro to check out the Palos Verdes escarpment this morning. The storm swell had mostly subsided with approx 3-4 ft swells and light winds. But there was heavy fog for the most part, which meant that we were always in a bubble with visibility ranging from 20 ft to no more than several hundred ft. We went out from Angels gate to the mouth of Redondo canyon and back, going out approximately along the 1500' line and back on the top of the shelf, with a couple of excursions going a couple miles offshore from the escarpment when we found some current breaks.
Â
In spite of the suboptimal viewing conditions, the birding was excellent:
Â
- The alcid show was spectacular. We tallied 15 Cassin's Auklets and an impressive 165 Rhinoceros Auklets. One of the Rhinos was standing on a piece of driftwood, which I've never seen before. We also had a pair of Scripps's Murrelets and close looks at another pair of ANCIENT MURRELETS along a current break south of Point Vicente.
Â
-Jaegers included a couple of adult Parasitic Jaegers (one of which traded an anchovy with a Heermann's Gull a couple of times) and an adult Pomarine Jaeger.
Â
- A BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE flew over the boat less than a half mile south of Cabrillo Beach. It may be a good time to check Cabrillo Beach for this species with the ongoing storms. There were a few hundred Bonaparte's Gulls, with the largest concentrations along a current break. Also present were a small number of Western, California and Heermann's Gulls.
Â
- We had a couple of Royal Terns and my first-of-spring Elegant Terns.
Â
- We only had 4 individual shearwaters all day, but one of them was a cooperative MANX SHEARWATER that flew a couple of circles near the boat along another current break.
Â
- There was a single Red Phalarope on the entire trip.
Â
Another group is heading out on the boat this afternoon, and maybe they will add a Tufted Puffin or two to the day's list.
Date: 3/11/23 3:50 pm From: Marcus England via groups.io <marcuscengland...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Large flock Swainson's Hawks Claremont
I’m not doing a watch, but was in my yard in Mt. Washington for a few minutes doing a chore for my wife just now and at least one Swainson’s Hawk cruised by high. I did not see others, but my view in that direction is obscured by trees.
Regards,
Marcus
Marcus C. England
Principal
England|Ecology, LLC
Mt. Washington, Los Angeles, California
mcengland.com <http://mcengland.com/> (213) 304-1826
> On Mar 11, 2023, at 3:20 PM, Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> wrote:
>
> To add some negative data - a raptor watch on a hillside on south side of Griffith Park (1:45pm-3:15pm) produced 0 Swainson's and vultures (and swallows).
>
> Andy Birch
> Los Feliz
>
> On Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 01:58:51 PM PST, msperalez <msperalez...> wrote:
>
>
> Swainson's and TUVUs continue to stream over north Glendora, westbound. Probably seeing Tom's birds. 1330 -1400 hours. I've noticed that most of the hawks have stayed just below the cloud deck but some disappear into the clouds
>
> At least 53 have flown over...
>
> Mike Peralez
> Glendora, Ca
>
> On Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 1:46 PM <tgmiko...> <mailto:<tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> <mailto:<tgmiko...>> wrote:
> 3/11/2033
> 1340 hours
> Non stop stream of Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures over Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont, LA County
> 909.241.3300
> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>
Date: 3/11/23 3:20 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Large flock Swainson's Hawks Claremont
To add some negative data - a raptor watch on a hillside on south side of Griffith Park (1:45pm-3:15pm) produced 0 Swainson's and vultures (and swallows).
Andy BirchLos Feliz
On Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 01:58:51 PM PST, msperalez <msperalez...> wrote:
Swainson's and TUVUs continue to stream over north Glendora, westbound. Probably seeing Tom's birds. 1330 -1400 hours. I've noticed that most of the hawks have stayed just below the cloud deck but some disappear into the cloudsÂ
At least 53 have flown over...
Mike PeralezGlendora, Ca
On Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 1:46 PM <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
3/11/20331340 hoursNon stop stream of Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures over Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
From: Naresh Satyan Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2023 12:41 PM To: <LACoBirds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Palos Verdes escarpment, 3/11/23
Hi all,
Loren Wright, Chris Dean and I headed out on Danny's small Parker boat out of San Pedro to check out the Palos Verdes escarpment this morning. The storm swell had mostly subsided with approx 3-4 ft swells and light winds. But there was heavy fog for the most part, which meant that we were always in a bubble with visibility ranging from 20 ft to no more than several hundred ft. We went out from Angels gate to the mouth of Redondo canyon and back, going out approximately along the 1500' line and back on the top of the shelf, with a couple of excursions going a couple miles offshore from the escarpment when we found some current breaks.
In spite of the suboptimal viewing conditions, the birding was excellent:
- The alcid show was spectacular. We tallied 15 Cassin's Auklets and an impressive 165 Rhinoceros Auklets. One of the Rhinos was standing on a piece of driftwood, which I've never seen before. We also had a pair of Scripps's Murrelets and close looks at another pair of ANCIENT MURRELETS along a current break south of Point Vicente.
-Jaegers included a couple of adult Parasitic Jaegers (one of which traded an anchovy with a Heermann's Gull a couple of times) and an adult Pomarine Jaeger.
- A BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE flew over the boat less than a half mile south of Cabrillo Beach. It may be a good time to check Cabrillo Beach for this species with the ongoing storms. There were a few hundred Bonaparte's Gulls, with the largest concentrations along a current break. Also present were a small number of Western, California and Heermann's Gulls.
- We had a couple of Royal Terns and my first-of-spring Elegant Terns.
- We only had 4 individual shearwaters all day, but one of them was a cooperative MANX SHEARWATER that flew a couple of circles near the boat along another current break.
- There was a single Red Phalarope on the entire trip.
Another group is heading out on the boat this afternoon, and maybe they will add a Tufted Puffin or two to the day's list.
Swainson's and TUVUs continue to stream over north Glendora, westbound. Probably seeing Tom's birds. 1330 -1400 hours. I've noticed that most of the hawks have stayed just below the cloud deck but some disappear into the clouds
At least 53 have flown over...
Mike Peralez Glendora, Ca
On Sat, Mar 11, 2023, 1:46 PM <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
> 3/11/2033 > 1340 hours > Non stop stream of Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures over Claremont > Hills Wilderness Park > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both > very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman > >
3/11/2033 1340 hours Non stop stream of Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures over Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/11/23 1:42 pm From: msperalez <msperalez...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swanson's Hawks on the Move
At 1:30 pm about 40 Swainson's hawks streamed over north Glendora just underneath the cloud deck. There quite a few (20 +) turkey vultures with them. They were westbound. There may have been more SWHAs out there as my impression was that I caught the end of a big group.
Loren Wright, Chris Dean and I headed out on Danny's small Parker boat out of San Pedro to check out the Palos Verdes escarpment this morning. The storm swell had mostly subsided with approx 3-4 ft swells and light winds. But there was heavy fog for the most part, which meant that we were always in a bubble with visibility ranging from 20 ft to no more than several hundred ft. We went out from Angels gate to the mouth of Redondo canyon and back, going out approximately along the 1500' line and back on the top of the shelf, with a couple of excursions going a couple miles offshore from the escarpment when we found some current breaks.
In spite of the suboptimal viewing conditions, the birding was excellent:
- The alcid show was spectacular. We tallied 15 Cassin's Auklets and an impressive 165 Rhinoceros Auklets. One of the Rhinos was standing on a piece of driftwood, which I've never seen before. We also had a pair of Scripps's Murrelets and close looks at another pair of ANCIENT MURRELETS along a current break south of Point Vicente.
-Jaegers included a couple of adult Parasitic Jaegers (one of which traded an anchovy with a Heermann's Gull a couple of times) and an adult Pomarine Jaeger.
- A BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE flew over the boat less than a half mile south of Cabrillo Beach. It may be a good time to check Cabrillo Beach for this species with the ongoing storms. There were a few hundred Bonaparte's Gulls, with the largest concentrations along a current break. Also present were a small number of Western, California and Heermann's Gulls.
- We had a couple of Royal Terns and my first-of-spring Elegant Terns.
- We only had 4 individual shearwaters all day, but one of them was a cooperative MANX SHEARWATER that flew a couple of circles near the boat along another current break.
- There was a single Red Phalarope on the entire trip.
Another group is heading out on the boat this afternoon, and maybe they will add a Tufted Puffin or two to the day's list.
My backyard was just invaded by a hoard of White-crowned sparrows. I would say 75-100 and it's a small yard! Lived in Monrovia 33 years and have never seen the like. They frantically foraged for about 30(?) minutes and POOF!
Date: 3/11/23 6:55 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Long-term (future) Lancaster sewage ponds access, and a field trip
Ron Cyger and others have done a lot of good work, also. Thanks, Paul! Tom
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
On Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 1:06 PM Paul Fox <foxzpuffin1...> wrote:
> We all owe a hearty Thank You and Well Done to Thomas. Not just for this > either! > > Paul > > On Mar 10, 2023, at 12:57 PM, <tgmiko...> wrote: > > Hi, > 1. There will be a combined field trip to both the Lancaster Water > Treatment Plant (referred to by birders as the Lancaster Sewage Ponds) and > the Piute Ponds inside of Edwards Air Force Base (restricted access) *next* > weekend. They are using buses to take tour participants from one location > to the other. As soon as I receive the link for signing up, I will email it > out. [I think the tour that was supposed to happen tomorrow was at the > Palmdale facility not the Lancaster facility] > > 2. I have been working with a County employee who is not stationed in > Lancaster on the possibility of restoring access to the Lancaster sewage > ponds to occasional visits by birders (after the Bean Goose flies home to > Siberia, and we want to get Sabine's Gull or Baird's Sandpiper on our LA > County year list). He will need to discuss this with his higher ups. This > negotiation may take a while, so even if it does happen, there maybe a time > gap between the goose leaving and when a limited number of us are able to > resume access to occasional visits. > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both > very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman > > > >
Date: 3/11/23 6:54 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] (Sign up for field trip) Fwd: Visit to Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Geza Miko <gmiko...>
Date: Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 9:39 PM
Subject: Fwd: Visit to Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant
To: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...>
Begin forwarded message:
*Date:* March 10, 2023 at 1:30:12 PM PST
*To:* Geza Miko <gmiko...>, Thomas Miko <thomas_miko...>
>
*Cc:* <Geza.Miko...>
*Subject:* *RE: Visit to Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant*

Hi Tom,
It was nice talking to you earlier. And, per your request, below is the
link for our upcoming Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant tour on March 18,
2023, at 9 AM.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for March 10, 2023.
A TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE was seen at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required for access) on March 6 and continued both there and at the Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant in the Antelope Valley through March 8. Access at the latter location is possible on weekdays (barring rain), but visitors must obtain permission at the office. The bird has sometimes been visible from bordering streets. It was not seen on March 10 despite attempts.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was off Pt. Dume in Malibu from March 2-5.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE continued in Duarte through March 8. It has most recently been seen at and near these Google Earth coordinates 34.1536, -117.9276.
A continuing SANDHILL CRANE has been in the San Gabriel River channel adjacent to the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera through March 9.
A TUFTED PUFFIN was offshore above Redondo Canyon west of the Palos Verdes Peninsula on March 4.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS included one at MacArthur Park through March 3, three below the spillway at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia through March 2 and one at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on March 6.
A BROWN BOOBY was offshore about 3 miles southwest of San Pedro on March 4.
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was at the Ballona Lagoon and Ballona Creek mouth jetties through March 9.
ZONE-TAILED HAWKS were in South Pasadena on March 2 and in Altadena the same day. Others were at the LA County Arboretum on March 3 and in Monrovia through March 6.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Sylmar through March 3 near the southwest corner by the restrooms.
A NORTHERN “YELLOW-SHAFTED” FLICKER was at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh on March 4.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued along the Los Angeles River below the Willow Street crossing through March 7.
A THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD continued in and near the Los Angeles Zoo through March 5. It was last seen by the clubhouse at the Wilson Harding Golf Course in Griffith Park.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER and a HAMMOND’S FLYCATHER continued at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail between Monte Verde Park and Del Amo through March 4. A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued along the pathway south of Monte Verde Park through March 7.
Another HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued at the Bette Davis Picnic Area in Glendale through March 9 in the area north and east of the restrooms and one was in Area 2 of El Dorado Park in Long Beach on March 9.
A PACIFIC WREN continued at La Mirada Community Park through March 7. The bird has been at the west edge of the northern part of the park in the vegetation near the blue and yellow water slide.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at Long Beach Recreation Park on March 9.
A DARK-EYED “PINK-SIDED” JUNCO continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas (Sailboat cove area) through March 6.
A DARK-EYED “GRAY-HEADED” JUNCO continued at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena through March 3 in the oaks north of the sports field in the frisbee golf course area.
Up to four SWAMP SPARROWS continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through March 9 around the small north shore pond. This is adjacent to the large square parking lot near the northeast corner of the lake. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued just northwest of here in the oaks through March 5 and a SUMMER TANAGER did so through March 9.
A SCOTT’S ORIOLE continued at Crystalaire in the east Antelope Valley through March 9.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued at the extreme north end of the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera through March 9. It has been in the trees in the picnic area.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER and a PAINTED REDSTART continued south of Birdcage Park in Long Beach through March 7 and 8 respectively. Closest address is 3946 Hackett Ave. in Long Beach.
The CAPE MAY WARBLER at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester was seen through March 9. Park by the chapel. The bird is being seen at these Google Earth coordinates 33.9687, -118.4167
A PALM WARBLER continued along the Los Angeles River by 19th Street (below Willow) in Long Beach through March 7.
SUMMER TANAGERS were at El Retiro Park in Redondo Beach on March 5 and by Taper Hall on the USC campus on from March 2-7.
-end transcript
Jon L Fisher
Glendale, CA
<JonF60...>
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Natal dispersal, the movement from natal to breeding territory, is a
crucial life-history event but despite its importance, it is underlooked
owing to difficulties in monitoring movements of wild animals. Using
long-term data and newly developed tracking devices, Dr. Young Ha Suh
studied variation in natal dispersal in a color-banded population of
Florida Scrub-Jays, a cooperatively breeding species in which the offspring
delay dispersal and remain as helpers on the natal territory. Both social
and environmental factors affect dispersal timing and distance, especially
when there is strong competition for breeding opportunities. Florida
Scrub-Jays also prospect for future breeding opportunities through an
information-gathering movement which has costs but can increase their
chances of dispersal. High-accuracy tracking tags revealed how frequent and
far helpers prospect and provide a new opportunity to study this elusive
behavior. Overall, various social and environmental elements seem to affect
the costs and benefits of dispersal and explain why we see variation in
dispersal patterns for this species.
Join us for a presentation to further our understanding of an essential and
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Become a LAB Member! Though our webinars will always remain free and
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webinars via Zoom, invitations to special LAB-only field trips, priority
sign-up on LAB field trips & events, and discounts on paid LAB programs. To
learn more about membership, please see our website
<https://www.labirders.org/>!
Upcoming Programs
3/21/23 The Status, Distribution, and Identification of Alcids in Southern
California with David Pereksta (webinar)
4/1/23 Valyermo and Juniper Hills Transect with Kimball Garrett (field
trip, FULL)
4/2/23 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (members-only field
trip, signup in late March)
4/9/23 Tejon Ranch (Los Angeles County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field
trip, member priority sign up open next week)
4/16/23 Tejon Ranch (Kern County) with Frank & Susan Gilliland (field trip,
member priority sign up in 2 weeks)
Good birding,
Rebecca Marschall for Los Angeles Birders
<info...>
Date: 3/10/23 6:01 pm From: Dave Weeshoff <weeshoff...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] no Bean Goose today (3/10)
In response to Andrew's concern about the welfare of the Bean Goose, I've copied information from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Geese are by far the most reported wild birds which succumb to HPAI. Vultures are a distant second, with the notion they are infected by foraging on infected birds.
- Before transporting potentially sick wild birds to wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary clinics or other animal facilities, contact the facility for guidance and to determine if the bird should be collected.
- If recreating outdoors in areas with large concentrations of waterfowl and other waterbirds, wash clothing and disinfect footwear and equipment before traveling to other areas or interacting with domestic birds.
- Where it can be done so safely, consider disposing of dead birds to help reduce exposure to new birds and minimize scavenging by birds and mammals that also may be susceptible to infection.
Dave WeeshoffLaCrescenta
On Friday, March 10, 2023 at 04:10:01 PM PST, howe395 via groups.io <howe395...> wrote:
This afternoon (3/10), my father Vernon Howe and I looked for the Tundra Bean Goose. No geese of any flavor were visible at Piute Ponds, although there are many places difficult to scope. We were not allowed access to the Lancaster Sewage Ponds but found the eleven Canada Geese the bird has been running with in their customary field visible from the shoulder of Highway 14. Although the Bean Goose certainly could have present but hunkered down, we looked from several different vantage points and the eleven Canada Geese walked about fifty yards over the course of about ten minutes. It certainly appeared as if the bird was not there.
Given that the bird’s right wing droop while standing and walking apparently progressed between Monday and Wednesday (to the point of almost dragging it on the ground), and that even though being seen yesterday morning with its eleven friends did not accompany them in their flight to the sewer ponds, I fear the worst. Of course, it could be hiding in either the Piute or sewer pond complexes, or perhaps it simply decided to move on, but those who anytime soon bird especially the southern edge of Big Piute may want to be on the lookout for a specimen.
Best,
Andrew HoweRiverside, <CAhowe395...>
Forgive me for the late posting, but I briefly saw the bean goose this morning shortly after 9AM. The bird was just north of Ave C on the east end of Duckbill Lake. I watched it fly north-east towards the lake bed and did not see it again. I left Piute Ponds around 10:30A. I saw no other geese.
Michael Van Norman Santa Clarita, CA
On 3/10/23 4:09 PM, howe395 via groups.io wrote: > This afternoon (3/10), my father Vernon Howe and I looked for the > Tundra Bean Goose. No geese of any flavor were visible at Piute Ponds, > although there are many places difficult to scope. We were not allowed > access to the Lancaster Sewage Ponds but found the eleven Canada Geese > the bird has been running with in their customary field visible from > the shoulder of Highway 14. Although the Bean Goose certainly could > have present but hunkered down, we looked from several different > vantage points and the eleven Canada Geese walked about fifty yards > over the course of about ten minutes. It certainly appeared as if the > bird was not there. > Given that the bird’s right wing droop while standing and walking > apparently progressed between Monday and Wednesday(to the point of > almost dragging it on the ground), and that even though being seen > yesterday morning with its eleven friends did not accompany them in > their flight to the sewer ponds, I fear the worst. Of course, it could > be hiding in either the Piute or sewer pond complexes, or perhaps it > simply decided to move on, but those who anytime soon bird especially > the southern edge of Big Piute may want to be on the lookout for a > specimen. > Best, > Andrew Howe > Riverside, CA > <howe395...> >
Date: 3/10/23 4:10 pm From: howe395 via groups.io <howe395...> Subject: [LACoBirds] no Bean Goose today (3/10)
This afternoon (3/10), my father Vernon Howe and I looked for the Tundra Bean Goose. No geese of any flavor were visible at Piute Ponds, although there are many places difficult to scope. We were not allowed access to the Lancaster Sewage Ponds but found the eleven Canada Geese the bird has been running with in their customary field visible from the shoulder of Highway 14. Although the Bean Goose certainly could have present but hunkered down, we looked from several different vantage points and the eleven Canada Geese walked about fifty yards over the course of about ten minutes. It certainly appeared as if the bird was not there.
Given that the bird’s right wing droop while standing and walking apparently progressed between Monday and Wednesday (to the point of almost dragging it on the ground), and that even though being seen yesterday morning with its eleven friends did not accompany them in their flight to the sewer ponds, I fear the worst. Of course, it could be hiding in either the Piute or sewer pond complexes, or perhaps it simply decided to move on, but those who anytime soon bird especially the southern edge of Big Piute may want to be on the lookout for a specimen.
Best,
Andrew HoweRiverside, <CAhowe395...>
Date: 3/10/23 2:32 pm From: condor262001 via groups.io <condor262001...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Long-term (future) Lancaster sewage ponds access, and a field trip
All,
Just to let everyone know the Bean-Goose was not seen at either Piute, the Lancaster  Water Treatment Plant, or Apollo Park Thursday afternoon. Curtis did locate, at Piute, the 11 Canada Geese that it was associating with earlier and and we were able to re-locate  that flock at the plant (from outside the fence), after the flock flew from Piute. But there was no Bean Goose with that flock. Hence, it may have stayed at Piute hiding in the reeds based on Naresh's earlier sighting. As far as I can tell it was not seen after about 2 PM.
Jim HechtHermosa Beach CA
On Friday, March 10, 2023, 12:59:20 PM PST, <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
Hi,1. There will be a combined field trip to both the Lancaster Water Treatment Plant (referred to by birders as the Lancaster Sewage Ponds) and the Piute Ponds inside of Edwards Air Force Base (restricted access) *next* weekend. They are using buses to take tour participants from one location to the other. As soon as I receive the link for signing up, I will email it out. [I think the tour that was supposed to happen tomorrow was at the Palmdale facility not the Lancaster facility]
2. I have been working with a County employee who is not stationed in Lancaster on the possibility of restoring access to the Lancaster sewage ponds to occasional visits by birders (after the Bean Goose flies home to Siberia, and we want to get Sabine's Gull or Baird's Sandpiper on our LA County year list). He will need to discuss this with his higher ups. This negotiation may take a while, so even if it does happen, there maybe a time gap between the goose leaving and when a limited number of us are able to resume access to occasional visits.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/10/23 1:06 pm From: Paul Fox via groups.io <foxzpuffin1...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Long-term (future) Lancaster sewage ponds access, and a field trip
We all owe a hearty Thank You and Well Done to Thomas. Not just for this either!
Paul
> On Mar 10, 2023, at 12:57 PM, <tgmiko...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 1. There will be a combined field trip to both the Lancaster Water Treatment Plant (referred to by birders as the Lancaster Sewage Ponds) and the Piute Ponds inside of Edwards Air Force Base (restricted access) *next* weekend. They are using buses to take tour participants from one location to the other. As soon as I receive the link for signing up, I will email it out. [I think the tour that was supposed to happen tomorrow was at the Palmdale facility not the Lancaster facility]
>
> 2. I have been working with a County employee who is not stationed in Lancaster on the possibility of restoring access to the Lancaster sewage ponds to occasional visits by birders (after the Bean Goose flies home to Siberia, and we want to get Sabine's Gull or Baird's Sandpiper on our LA County year list). He will need to discuss this with his higher ups. This negotiation may take a while, so even if it does happen, there maybe a time gap between the goose leaving and when a limited number of us are able to resume access to occasional visits.
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont, LA County
> 909.241.3300
> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>
Date: 3/10/23 12:59 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Long-term (future) Lancaster sewage ponds access, and a field trip
Hi, 1. There will be a combined field trip to both the Lancaster Water Treatment Plant (referred to by birders as the Lancaster Sewage Ponds) and the Piute Ponds inside of Edwards Air Force Base (restricted access) *next* weekend. They are using buses to take tour participants from one location to the other. As soon as I receive the link for signing up, I will email it out. [I think the tour that was supposed to happen tomorrow was at the Palmdale facility not the Lancaster facility]
2. I have been working with a County employee who is not stationed in Lancaster on the possibility of restoring access to the Lancaster sewage ponds to occasional visits by birders (after the Bean Goose flies home to Siberia, and we want to get Sabine's Gull or Baird's Sandpiper on our LA County year list). He will need to discuss this with his higher ups. This negotiation may take a while, so even if it does happen, there maybe a time gap between the goose leaving and when a limited number of us are able to resume access to occasional visits.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/10/23 9:43 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose and Access to Lancaster Sanitation District Ponds
I went onto their Facebook page this morning to thank them for allowing access to see the goose, and saw a recent Facebook posting of theirs in which they announced a tour of the facility on Saturday March 11th. Now, obviously with this rain that tour was very likely get canceled or rescheduled, but it looks like it's worth paying attention to their Facebook page to see when they would reschedule it. This was a general tour for the public, not specifically for birders but sounds like a good opportunity. They also have tours like this of other facilities that are usually closed to the public.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
On Tue, Mar 7, 2023, 3:03 PM Ron Cyger <ron...> wrote:
> I spoke with the sanitation district management and they would love to > give access to birders through this Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. > > Entrance is on Ave. D, just east of the 14. Use the intercom at the > entrance gate and then you will have to sign in at the visitor's center. > > If you post the goose, the sanitation district would love a tag! > > Instagram: @sandistricts > > Facebook: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts > > Twitter: @SanDistricts > > > Good birding, > > > Ron Cyger > > Monrovia > > www.LABirders.org > > > >
Today, ~9:30-noon Sepulveda basin (Lake Balboa & Wildlife area pond, San Fernando Valley: Dozens of swallows, all Tree with nothing obviously different. Chuck Almdale North Hills, CA.
Date: 3/9/23 12:09 pm From: Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose at Piute now
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> Date: Thu, Mar 9, 2023, 12:05 PM Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose at Piute now To: Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...>
At noon, the bird is still in south Big Piute, but not visible from Ave C any more. Thankfully, three prescribed burns have made it possibly to scope the bird from north Ducks Unlimited. Very far out.
Naresh Satyan Pasadena, CA
On Thu, Mar 9, 2023, 9:23 AM Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...> wrote:
> With 10 Canada's south side of Big Piute > > Kimball Garrett > Juniper Hills CA > > >
Date: 3/9/23 9:06 am From: Ron Cyger <ron...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Access to Lancaster Sewage Ponds for Tundra Bean-Goose
The sewage ponds staff has asked me to spread the word that they can't give access to the ponds tomorrow, March 10, if it rains because the ponds get really muddy and dangerous.
Also, they will not allow access to the ponds on weekends because of limited staffing.
Date: 3/9/23 8:13 am From: Trish G <trishrg62...> Subject: [LACoBirds] No Bean goose yet
At the water reclamation ponds there's no sign of any geese here for the most part, but a small flock apparently flew towards Apollo park about an hour ago so if anybody is in that area please check. or else maybe piute ponds? if anybody sees a bean gooseplease post
Hi Kimball,
Tonight in Claremont was majority Cliff Swallows, a decent minority of
Violet green, with just barely a few swallows of the other species.
Tom
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023, 8:02 PM Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...> wrote:
> Re: Swallow movements....
>
> I find it interesting that many observers have noted large numbers of
> swallows moving through the region the past couple of days (certainly not
> unexpected in early March) but there is clearly variation in the species
> mix. I get the impression that Cliff Swallows have been the dominant
> species over the coastal basins, and most reports from the Lancaster area
> in the Antelope Valley indicate that Tree Swallows were the most abundant
> species, followed by Cliff Swallow. Today in Juniper Hills (1000' above
> the floor of the Antelope Valley, on the north slope of the San Gabriel
> Mtns.) there was a constant trickle of swallows (about 80 total), but
> except for a single Cliff Swallow, they were ALL Violet-green Swallows. I
> suspect that Violet-greens, being woodland and montane breeders, may take a
> slightly different route in spring migration, sticking closer to the
> mountains and being relatively less common over the flat desert areas.
> Just curious if anybody else has noted such a pattern.
>
> Kimball Garrett
> Juniper Hills, CA
>
> On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 4:58 PM <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> I am walking from the Claremont Metrolink Station to my house and there
>> is a steady, non-stop stream of swallows flying westbound. Last night the
>> same thing happened when I stood outside searching the skies in vain for
>> Swainson's Hawks. As the sun was going down the swallows were flying lower
>> and lower over my house. I had about 120 last night (multiple species).
>>
>> Thomas Geza Miko
>> Claremont, LA County
>> 909.241.3300
>> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
>> very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>>
>>
>>
I find it interesting that many observers have noted large numbers of
swallows moving through the region the past couple of days (certainly not
unexpected in early March) but there is clearly variation in the species
mix. I get the impression that Cliff Swallows have been the dominant
species over the coastal basins, and most reports from the Lancaster area
in the Antelope Valley indicate that Tree Swallows were the most abundant
species, followed by Cliff Swallow. Today in Juniper Hills (1000' above
the floor of the Antelope Valley, on the north slope of the San Gabriel
Mtns.) there was a constant trickle of swallows (about 80 total), but
except for a single Cliff Swallow, they were ALL Violet-green Swallows. I
suspect that Violet-greens, being woodland and montane breeders, may take a
slightly different route in spring migration, sticking closer to the
mountains and being relatively less common over the flat desert areas.
Just curious if anybody else has noted such a pattern.
Kimball Garrett
Juniper Hills, CA
On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 4:58 PM <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
> Hi,
> I am walking from the Claremont Metrolink Station to my house and there is
> a steady, non-stop stream of swallows flying westbound. Last night the same
> thing happened when I stood outside searching the skies in vain for
> Swainson's Hawks. As the sun was going down the swallows were flying lower
> and lower over my house. I had about 120 last night (multiple species).
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont, LA County
> 909.241.3300
> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
> very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>
>
>
Hi, I am walking from the Claremont Metrolink Station to my house and there is a steady, non-stop stream of swallows flying westbound. Last night the same thing happened when I stood outside searching the skies in vain for Swainson's Hawks. As the sun was going down the swallows were flying lower and lower over my house. I had about 120 last night (multiple species).
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 3/8/23 11:13 am From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Watch for Swainson's Hawks!
Hi Everyone,
Yesterday morning, March 7, multiple observers reported 200 Swainson's
hawks lifting off from Borrego Springs in San Diego County. Those
birds might move through Los Angeles County today so please be on the
watch for them!
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena, CA
As John Luther mentioned, the Tundra Bean-Goose continues (as of 8:30am) with a small group of Canada Geese along Rte. 14 within the fence of the water reclamation plant, visible from 34.7830603, -118.1704276. I first had the bird at 6:30am when it flew out of the water reclamation plant over Ave. C with six Canada Geese.
In addition to the goose, there is an impressive swallow movement happening in the Antelope Valley today. Over the two hours I was there, I saw ~4000 swallows of five species, with Tree and Cliff being the most abundant. A few hundred swallows were roosting at Piute early this morning.
As I headed south, I also noted ~120 Turkey Vultures headed west between Ave. G and and Ave. K.
Date: 3/7/23 8:37 pm From: Ron Cyger <ron...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose and Access to Lancaster Sanitation District Ponds
As to scope, it all depends on where the goose is tomorrow. If you have
it, bring it...
Ron Cyger
Monrovia
On Tue, Mar 7, 2023 at 4:58 PM Ed Stonick <edstonick...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
>
> Tom Miko and I went up there and were allowed to enter. There were three
> others there when we arrived, including Chris Dean, and three others
> arrived when we were leaving, including John Dunn . A scope was not
> necessary. The bird was about 200 yards north of the buildings and parking
> area.
>
>
>
> We first tried scoping the bird from the shoulder of the 14 freeway just
> north of the Avenue D exit. We might’ve eventually seen it from there, but
> it’s not a very safe place to be.
>
>
>
> The personnel there were helpful and pleasant, and it looks like they will
> welcome other birders per Ron Cyger’s email.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed
>
>
>
> Ed Stonick
>
> Pasadena, CA
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows
>
>
>
> *From: *Joshua Mitchell <joshua.anthony.mitchell...>
> *Sent: *Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:49 PM
> *To: *<LACoBirds...>
> *Subject: *Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose and Access to Lancaster Sanitation
> District Ponds
>
>
>
> For those of you who've seen the goose in this location, would a scope be
> necessary to view it? Thanks.
>
> Joshua Mitchell
> East Hollywood
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/7/23 4:58 pm From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose and Access to Lancaster Sanitation District Ponds
Hi,
Tom Miko and I went up there and were allowed to enter. There were three others there when we arrived, including Chris Dean, and three others arrived when we were leaving, including John Dunn . A scope was not necessary. The bird was about 200 yards north of the buildings and parking area.
We first tried scoping the bird from the shoulder of the 14 freeway just north of the Avenue D exit. We might’ve eventually seen it from there, but it’s not a very safe place to be.
The personnel there were helpful and pleasant, and it looks like they will welcome other birders per Ron Cyger’s email.
Regards,
Ed
Ed Stonick
Pasadena, CA
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Joshua Mitchell Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:49 PM To: <LACoBirds...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose and Access to Lancaster Sanitation District Ponds
For those of you who've seen the goose in this location, would a scope be necessary to view it? Thanks.
Date: 3/6/23 7:42 pm From: Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose; Piute; 3/6/23
Note that Rosamond Lake is 100% off limits, as the Air Force considers it a run-way. (For those who already have access to Piute, that means you, too. Please don't try to drive out there.)
However, it may be possible (or not, due to flooding) to walk to the shoreline of Rosamond Lake from the north shore of San Miguel Lagoon. There's no real path, but with some stout boots and tough pants, it's doable.
Late this morning, there were a couple hundred white geese out there. Too far to identify, but a good spot for another grass-eater to take refuge.
Jon Feenstra
Altadena
________________________________
From: Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...>
Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 5:58 PM
To: <balbhl...> <balbhl...>
Cc: Chris Dean <chrisdeanbirder...>; LACoBirds <LACoBirds...>; Feenstra, Jonathan <feenstra...>
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose; Piute; 3/6/23
Regarding the species of bean-goose involved.... Limited existing data suggest that Tundra Bean-Goose is the more likely species to be found in California -- five accepted records, vs. none for Taiga (although at least one of the two records accepted only to the level of Tundra/Taiga was suspected to pertain to a Taiga). As for this particular individual, which I was able to see at a distance this afternoon, my impression was that it was rather short-necked and stout-billed, so more likely Tundra based on structure. However, this is a very complex and difficult ID issue (complicated by considerable variation in both "species") and only a battery of very good photos (from which bill structure, "grinning patch" shape, head-to-bill ratio, etc,. can be measured) will allow a reasonably confident assignment to species.
As for refinding this bird, my guess is that it will return to Piute Ponds or, perhaps more likely, between there and the sw. shore of Rosamond Lake where most of the local geese spend much of their time. Those with permits to visit Piute would do well to check there and, road conditions permitting, to check the flooded areas out toward Rosamond Lake. At some point most mornings, some or most of the geese fly west from Rosamond/Piute to the west, likely ending up at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds. Therefore, somebody with lots of time on their hands could also station themselves along Sierra Hwy at Ave C and watch for geese flying into the sewage pond area. And of course the sewage ponds would be worth checking if access for birders can be arranged, but that is by no means guaranteed.
Kimball Garrett
Juniper Hills, CA
On Mon, Mar 6, 2023 at 4:06 PM Braxton Landsman via groups.io<http://groups.io> <balbhl...><mailto:<icloud.com...>> wrote:
Out of curiosity, does anyone have any ideas as to the exact species of this bird?
Regarding the species of bean-goose involved.... Limited existing data
suggest that Tundra Bean-Goose is the more likely species to be found in
California -- five accepted records, vs. none for Taiga (although at least
one of the two records accepted only to the level of Tundra/Taiga was
suspected to pertain to a Taiga). As for this particular individual, which
I was able to see at a distance this afternoon, my impression was that it
was rather short-necked and stout-billed, so more likely Tundra based on
structure. However, this is a very complex and difficult ID issue
(complicated by considerable variation in both "species") and only a
battery of very good photos (from which bill structure, "grinning patch"
shape, head-to-bill ratio, etc,. can be measured) will allow a reasonably
confident assignment to species.
As for refinding this bird, my guess is that it will return to Piute Ponds
or, perhaps more likely, between there and the sw. shore of Rosamond Lake
where most of the local geese spend much of their time. Those with permits
to visit Piute would do well to check there and, road conditions
permitting, to check the flooded areas out toward Rosamond Lake. At some
point most mornings, some or most of the geese fly west from Rosamond/Piute
to the west, likely ending up at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds. Therefore,
somebody with lots of time on their hands could also station themselves
along Sierra Hwy at Ave C and watch for geese flying into the sewage pond
area. And of course the sewage ponds would be worth checking if access for
birders can be arranged, but that is by no means guaranteed.
Kimball Garrett
Juniper Hills, CA
On Mon, Mar 6, 2023 at 4:06 PM Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl=
<icloud.com...> wrote:
> Out of curiosity, does anyone have any ideas as to the exact species of
> this bird?
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/6/23 5:45 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose; Piute; 3/6/23
Will any of the "lucky few" be sharing their photos or written descriptions on ebird or otherwise. I'm sure there are a number of people who would like to see what this bird looks like, and whether it can be identified. Tom Benson Redlands, CA -------- Original message --------From: Chris Dean <chrisdeanbirder...> Date: 3/6/23 4:03 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <feenstra...> Cc: <LACoBirds...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose; Piute; 3/6/23 Hi,Today, I went on a wild goose chase and lucked out. I received permission to access Lancaster’s Water Reclamation Plant and found the Bean-Goose sleeping with other geese in the southwest corner of the southwest pond. Birders are not permitted at the location without permission. A few birders who were in the area on the lookout for the goose received permission as well. This is unusual, and I wouldn’t expect this will occur in the future. Curtis Marantz is reaching out to see if we can schedule a time for birders to visit. As soon as we hear, I will email this listserv (there may not be much notice and there may be a limit to the number of visitors). It is possible that the goose might roost overnight at or near Piute (another hotspot requiring permission). Incredible bird - thank you Jon Feenstra!Happy birding,Chris DeanSilver LakeOn Mar 6, 2023, at 9:38 AM, Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> wrote:
Birders:
I just had a Bean Goose fly by me at Piute Ponds, Duckbill. It came from the southwest corner of the pond, picked up high, and flew straight away going west south west. I lost sight of it in the distance, but perhaps it ended up at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds (totally inaccessible) or ideally Apollo Park. I managed some photos that may (or may not) aid in a more refined identification.
Cold and windy out here. Piute Ponds is on Edwards AFB and is accessible by written permission only.
Date: 3/6/23 9:38 am From: Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bean Goose; Piute; 3/6/23
Birders:
I just had a Bean Goose fly by me at Piute Ponds, Duckbill. It came from the southwest corner of the pond, picked up high, and flew straight away going west south west. I lost sight of it in the distance, but perhaps it ended up at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds (totally inaccessible) or ideally Apollo Park. I managed some photos that may (or may not) aid in a more refined identification.
Cold and windy out here.
Piute Ponds is on Edwards AFB and is accessible by written permission only.
Date: 3/4/23 6:52 pm From: Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tufted Puffin, Brown Booby at Redondo Canyon
Birders,
I was out on the RV Yellowfin out of San Pedro today with a couple of Cal. State Northridge classes, cruising the Palos Verdes Escarpment to Redondo Canyon. The escarpment was almost totally birdless (and no cetaceans all day), but there was a lot of feeding activity of gulls (mainly Western and Bonaparte's), Cassin's Auklets, Brandt's Cormorants, and Brown Pelicans in Redondo Canyon nw. of the nw. tip of Palos Verdes Peninsula. Joining the feeding frenzy was an adult Brown Booby (presumably a female - no pale areas noted on the head). Besides some 65-70 Cassin's Auklets, alcids included 4+ Rhinoceros Auklets and 3 Scripps's Murrelets. And at 33 46.716'N, -118 30.252'W was an adult Tufted Puffin; it appeared to be in non-breeding plumage, as whitish tufts on the head were not very noticeable, but it had a large bright orange bill visible at a great distance and was entirely blackish below, down through the belly and undertail coverts. It was seen at a distance on the water, where it dove a couple of times, and was fully capable of flight and in fact flew off (toward the peninsula) and was not refound. Little else of note besides some Red Phalaropes off Pt. Fermin and just a handful of Black-vented Shearwaters.
All,
Three Swainson's hawks went over northern Altadena at 10:17 and may
have bene the same birds reported by Mike earlier in Glendora. Modest
numbers of turkey vultures and the first-of-spring northern
rough-winged swallow.
Winds in Altadena right now are blowing from the east and could be
quite good for migration today.
Regards,
Lance
Lance BennerAltadena
-----------------------------------------From: "msperalez"
To: "LACoBirds"
Cc:
Sent: Saturday March 4 2023 9:20:15AM
Subject: [LACoBirds] Swanson's Hawks
There were 3 westbound SWHA with a larger group of TUVUs a few
minutes ago here in north Glendora All birds were kettled over Azusa
Peak before streaming.
Not sure if they were staying westbound or not as the appeared to
curve north with the vultures into San Gabriel Canyon.
As for the SWHAs: two light phases, one dark phase.
Mike Peralez Glendora, CA
There were 3 westbound SWHA with a larger group of TUVUs a few minutes ago here in north Glendora All birds were kettled over Azusa Peak before streaming.
Not sure if they were staying westbound or not as the appeared to curve north with the vultures into San Gabriel Canyon.
As for the SWHAs: two light phases, one dark phase.
Date: 3/4/23 12:28 am From: Merryl Edelstein Long Beach via groups.io <merryledel...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Madrona Marsh Common Goldeneye
This afternoon I had a male Common Goldeneye at Madrona Marsh. It is shown as "first seen" in eBird. It was first seen about here  (33.828497, -118.344163) and then flew due south, low. So could still be lurking around. There have been small groups of mixed swallows around Long Beach and the South Bay in the past few days.
The site has a lot of water so should be good for a while. Tomorrow's hours are 10-5.
Merryl EdelsteinLong Beach
I'm sure there will be many "first of spring" Hooded Oriole reports posted here over the next week or two, but I was a bit surprised to see an adult male at Piute Ponds this morning -- seemingly a bit early for the cold northern deserts. Otherwise, the standard birds at Piute, with lots of ducks still present. Ponds are very full, and there is a lot of shallow water over the desert areas outside the main ponds. [Side note: the flood basin on the east side of Hwy 14 north of Ave H is also very full.] The recent prescribed burn at Piute has opened up the dense marshes south of Ave C east of Parking 1, areas that are now flooded. Sadly, the thin dead "raptor tree" about 100 m south of Parking 1 is now gone. eBird list is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S130080319
Date: 3/2/23 9:11 pm From: Lu Plauzoles via groups.io <plauzoles...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins
Updating Santa Monica and WLA Robins. Still have flocks of 50-75 in residential neighborhoods NW parts of Santa Monica and app 200 in areas such as Mandeville Canyon.
In Santa Monica, magnolia berries are now absent and the target foods are eugenia berries and juniper fruit, which has to be shared with Cedar Waxwing flocks of equivalent numbers.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
On Thu, Mar 2, 2023, 6:58 PM Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra= <alumni.caltech.edu...> wrote:
> > Birders: > > There was a breeding-plumaged Red-necked Grebe with a couple dozen Western > and Clark's Grebes off of Pt Dume around noon today. I was on a boat, but > close to shore, and this bird should be scope-able from the beach near off > the west side of the point. > > Other things on the water between Pt Dume and Marina Del Rey included > nearly a hundred each Casssin's and Rhinoceros Auklets, a few Scripps's > Murrelets, and a handful of Red Phalaropes. > > Jon Feenstra > Altadena > >
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for March 2, 2023.
A continuing SANDHILL CRANE was at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera through February 27. Access is at the east end of Mines Ave. This bird has also been seen about a mile away at the west end of Mines at the Rio Hondo Spreading Basins.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS have been reported at Topanga Lagoon through February 28 and at Malibu Lagoon through February 25.
Four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS continued below the dam outlet at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia through February 26.
Several YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued at Alamitos Bay near Maurice Kent Park through February 26. Another five were at Ballona Lagoon in Marina Del Rey through February 26.
Two SHORT-EARED OWLS were on San Clemente Island on February 26 and 28.
The wintering DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER continued near the southeast corner of Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley through February 25. This bird has usually been seen at the south end of the riparian strip bordering the west side of the golf course.
A BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER continued near the South Coast Botanic Garden through February 26. It was near the north end of Palos Verdes Drive North.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued at Golden Shore Marine Reserve in Long Beach through February 27.
A THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD at the Los Angeles Zoo continued through February 28 by the Addax exhibit.
The wintering WESTERN KINGBIRD at Madrona Marsh in Torrance continued through February 28.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER continued at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail between Monte Verde Park and Del Amo through February 27.
HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHERS continued at Tournament Park in Pasadena (on the Cal Tech campus) through February 23 and at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood through March 1.
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYATCHERS were in Chavez Ravine in Elysian Park on February 25 and at La Mirada Creek Park on February 28.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued at Lake Lindero in Agoura Hills through February 26 about on hundred feet north of the dam.
A BELL’S VIREO was at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino (south end of the Desert Garden) on February 26.
A PACIFIC WREN was at La Mirada Community Park from February 23-28. The bird has been at the west edge of the northern part of the park in the vegetation near the blue and yellow water slide.
Three LAPLAND LONGSPURS continued in the east Antelope Valley through February 26 near Ave. F and 70th Street East.
A DARK-EYED “GRAY-HEADED” JUNCO was in Juniper Hills from February 25-26.
Another DARK-EYED “GRAY-HEADED” JUNCO continued at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena through February 26 in the oaks north of the sports field in the frisbee golf course area.
A DARK-EYED “PINK-SIDED” JUNCO continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas (Sailboat cove area) through March 1.
Two SWAMP SPARROWS continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through March 1 around the small north shore pond. This is adjacent to the large square parking lot near the northeast corner of the lake. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued just northwest of here in the oaks.
Another SWAMP SPARROW continued at Quail Lake southeast of Gorman through February 25. This bird has been in the reeds at the southwest corner of the lake bordering Highway 138.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood through February 26.
A SCOTT’S ORIOLE continued at Crystalaire in the east Antelope Valley through March 1.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER and a PAINTED REDSTART continued south of Birdcage Park in Long Beach through March 1. Closest address is 3946 Hackett Ave. in Long Beach.
The PALM WARBLER along the Los Angeles River below Willow Street in Long Beach was seen through February 26. It has been visible from the east side river berm near 91st Street.
A SUMMER TANAGER was on the USC Campus on March 2 by Taper Hall.
-end transcript
Jon L Fisher
Glendale, CA
<JonF60...>
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
For all events, field trips and announcements, please see our website at http://www.laaudubon.org
Date: 3/2/23 6:58 pm From: Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> Subject: [LACoBirds] RN Grebe; Pt Dume; 3/2/23
Birders:
There was a breeding-plumaged Red-necked Grebe with a couple dozen Western and Clark's Grebes off of Pt Dume around noon today. I was on a boat, but close to shore, and this bird should be scope-able from the beach near off the west side of the point.
Other things on the water between Pt Dume and Marina Del Rey included nearly a hundred each Casssin's and Rhinoceros Auklets, a few Scripps's Murrelets, and a handful of Red Phalaropes.
Date: 3/2/23 11:23 am From: Kimball Garrett <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Soliciting Winter season reports for Los Angeles County
Birders,
The Winter Season (December through February) for *North American Birds* reports has ended, and I would appreciate receiving information from the active birding community in Los Angeles County about notable sightings during the period..
I am able to glean most of my information from eBird, but I am especially interested in hearing about the following: (1) Sightings of note from those of you who do not enter your records into eBIrd, even if you might have posted such information on this listserv or through various social media outlets (2) Summaries of notable events, unusual numbers (or scarcities), etc. that are not always obvious or easily searched in eBird. (3) Interesting geographical records from common species (which saves me time poring over eBird maps looking for outliers for dozens or hundreds of species).
So what happens to these reports?
As most of you know, I write four seasonal reports a year for Los Angeles County and rely on eBird and additional information from you to populate these reports. These reports (and those from the other Southern California counties as well as San Clemente Island) are then used to produce the quarterly reports for* North American Birds* that Guy McCaskie and I write. These reports are available here: https://www.aba.org/nab-reports/
The journal *North American Birds *was abandoned by the National Audubon Society many years ago but then taken over by the American Birding Association. The ABA continues to publish *North American Birds* twice annually (available to ABA members), but since 2016 the Regional reports have only been available on-line. Though lacking the regional reports, *North American Birds* still includes interesting articles and galleries of rarity photos and is certainly worth subscribing to. Unfortunately, through all of these transitions, many reporting regions in North America have ceased submitting reports, and many other regions are years behind. Guy and I are proud to say that the Southern California regional reports are up-to-date (we expect the Fall 2022 report to be posted on-line soon), although there is still a 2016-2018 gap that is being addressed. Sadly, it appears that no Northern California reports have been posted since Summer 2016.
I am working on getting the Los Angeles County reports, which I have written since 1979, on-line, either through the Natural History Museum's Ornithology website or another outlet. [I'd like to thank Chris Dean for carefully reviewing drafts of my L. A. County reports before they are finalized.] The other southern California county sub-regional editors (you see their names when Guy McCaskie solicits seasonal reports four times a year) maintain archives of their reports in various ways. Ultimately it would be nice to have all of these available on-line.
Good birding, and remember that reports for the Spring season (March through May) will be due in early June.
Date: 3/1/23 3:13 pm From: Luke Tiller <luke.tiller...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins
Hi Tom,
There was a group of 250 at Vina Vieja yesterday and groups of 100 plus
near my house and at Vina today. At the weekend there were American
Robins all over desert locations in both Imperial and San Diego counties
while I led an overnight tour for the San Diego Birding Festival to the
Salton Sea and Anza Borrego.
Luke Tiller, Altadena
On Wed, Mar 1, 2023 at 3:02 PM Tom Cassaro <tcassaro...> wrote:
> I'm circling back on the American Robin discussion as there is an
> interesting article from Mendocino County on the topic, see below. Alvaro
> Jaramillo is quoted in the article.
> Robins are still here in South Pasadena, although the largest groups I've
> seen in the last week have been in the 10-20 range. The weather has made
> it difficult to get good, consistent views so there could be larger numbers
> still present.
>
>
> https://mendovoice.com/2023/03/countys-robin-population-burst-is-more-than-a-sign-of-spring/ >
> Tom Cassaro
> South Pasaena
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM Larry Schmahl via groups.io <larschmahl=
> <aol.com...> wrote:
>
>> Fellow birders,
>>
>> Regarding the influx of American Robins in LA County....
>> Sycamore Canyon in Whittier has had hundreds of American Robins for the
>> past month. Most of them are in the mouth of the canyon.
>> Birders have been putting 300 birds on their ebird checklists but the
>> numbers could easily be higher.
>> Because there are multiple groups, some very large, moving about, it's
>> difficult to be sure if one is seeing old groups or new groups.
>> There are large, swirling flocks in the morning with other huge flocks
>> coming over the ridges from Whittier to the south and Rose Hills to the
>> north.
>> The odd thing is, they are not descending on Toyon for the berries. There
>> doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for them to be in the canyon.
>> The spectacle seems to end about 9:30 or so.
>> The gate to the canyon usually opens at 9 but it sometimes is opened
>> earlier. The ranger has gates to open at a couple of different locations.
>> He can't be everywhere at 9 so some get opened early.
>>
>> Larry Schmahl
>> Whittier
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Richard Barth <busyday...>
>> To: 'David Ellsworth' <davidells...>
>> Cc: 'LACoBirds' <LACoBirds...>
>> Sent: Fri, Feb 17, 2023 4:31 pm
>> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins through
>> Cabrillo Beach area
>>
>> Birders,
>>
>> Following up on David Ellsworth's report of 400 American Robins...Jeff
>> Boyd, Juan Limon and I had a flock of 40 fly over us at the L.A.River in
>> Long Beach this morning heading west, a little before 8 AM.
>>
>> Richard Barth
>>
>> -----------------------------------------
>> From: "David Ellsworth"
>> To: "LACoBirds"
>> Cc:
>> Sent: Friday February 17 2023 9:16:32AM
>> Subject: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins through
>> Cabrillo Beach area
>>
>> About 400 American Robins came flying roughly
>> southward toward the Cabrillo Beach area at
>> 7:52am today (Feb 17). Their flight pattern was
>> very different from other large flocks of birds
>> I've seen; they were all bouncing around in
>> different directions. Unfortunately, my camera
>> was not ready (it was on a tripod with
>> teleconverters attached), as this would have made
>> quite a spectacle to get on video. I thought they
>> had simply passed through, but they must have
>> taken a rest hidden in the trees as they
>> exploded back out at 8:09am and flew back to
>> north. Had I prepared for this, I could've got it
>> on video at that point, but I had gone back to
>> eating my breakfast and left the camera on its tripod.
>>
>> (The only time I've seen Robins in my local patch
>> is when they're passing through. I conjecture
>> they don't spend any significant amount of time
>> actually stopping over and foraging here because
>> when they do, they get chased away by
>> Mockingbird(s). I once saw this happen at Angels
>> Gate Park with 1 Robin and 1 Mockingbird who
>> repeatedly divebombed the robin until it left.)
>>
>> Did anybody else get a look at this migration?
>>
>> I'd once before seen a large American Robin
>> migration, on 10 Jan 2016 at South Coast Botanic
>> Garden. During the bicycle ride over to there I
>> was seeing small flocks of them continue to
>> stream by, and once arriving, I estimated there
>> to be 160 spread out at the park itself. What I
>> saw today dwarfed that not only in that I saw all
>> 400 or so at the same time, but the number itself was quite a bit larger.
>>
>> David Ellsworth
>> San Pedro, CA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 3/1/23 3:02 pm From: Tom Cassaro <tcassaro...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins
I'm circling back on the American Robin discussion as there is an
interesting article from Mendocino County on the topic, see below. Alvaro
Jaramillo is quoted in the article.
Robins are still here in South Pasadena, although the largest groups I've
seen in the last week have been in the 10-20 range. The weather has made
it difficult to get good, consistent views so there could be larger numbers
still present.
On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM Larry Schmahl via groups.io <larschmahl=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> Fellow birders,
>
> Regarding the influx of American Robins in LA County....
> Sycamore Canyon in Whittier has had hundreds of American Robins for the
> past month. Most of them are in the mouth of the canyon.
> Birders have been putting 300 birds on their ebird checklists but the
> numbers could easily be higher.
> Because there are multiple groups, some very large, moving about, it's
> difficult to be sure if one is seeing old groups or new groups.
> There are large, swirling flocks in the morning with other huge flocks
> coming over the ridges from Whittier to the south and Rose Hills to the
> north.
> The odd thing is, they are not descending on Toyon for the berries. There
> doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for them to be in the canyon.
> The spectacle seems to end about 9:30 or so.
> The gate to the canyon usually opens at 9 but it sometimes is opened
> earlier. The ranger has gates to open at a couple of different locations.
> He can't be everywhere at 9 so some get opened early.
>
> Larry Schmahl
> Whittier
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Barth <busyday...>
> To: 'David Ellsworth' <davidells...>
> Cc: 'LACoBirds' <LACoBirds...>
> Sent: Fri, Feb 17, 2023 4:31 pm
> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins through
> Cabrillo Beach area
>
> Birders,
>
> Following up on David Ellsworth's report of 400 American Robins...Jeff
> Boyd, Juan Limon and I had a flock of 40 fly over us at the L.A.River in
> Long Beach this morning heading west, a little before 8 AM.
>
> Richard Barth
>
> -----------------------------------------
> From: "David Ellsworth"
> To: "LACoBirds"
> Cc:
> Sent: Friday February 17 2023 9:16:32AM
> Subject: [LACoBirds] Massive migration of American Robins through Cabrillo
> Beach area
>
> About 400 American Robins came flying roughly
> southward toward the Cabrillo Beach area at
> 7:52am today (Feb 17). Their flight pattern was
> very different from other large flocks of birds
> I've seen; they were all bouncing around in
> different directions. Unfortunately, my camera
> was not ready (it was on a tripod with
> teleconverters attached), as this would have made
> quite a spectacle to get on video. I thought they
> had simply passed through, but they must have
> taken a rest hidden in the trees as they
> exploded back out at 8:09am and flew back to
> north. Had I prepared for this, I could've got it
> on video at that point, but I had gone back to
> eating my breakfast and left the camera on its tripod.
>
> (The only time I've seen Robins in my local patch
> is when they're passing through. I conjecture
> they don't spend any significant amount of time
> actually stopping over and foraging here because
> when they do, they get chased away by
> Mockingbird(s). I once saw this happen at Angels
> Gate Park with 1 Robin and 1 Mockingbird who
> repeatedly divebombed the robin until it left.)
>
> Did anybody else get a look at this migration?
>
> I'd once before seen a large American Robin
> migration, on 10 Jan 2016 at South Coast Botanic
> Garden. During the bicycle ride over to there I
> was seeing small flocks of them continue to
> stream by, and once arriving, I estimated there
> to be 160 spread out at the park itself. What I
> saw today dwarfed that not only in that I saw all
> 400 or so at the same time, but the number itself was quite a bit larger.
>
> David Ellsworth
> San Pedro, CA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 3/1/23 12:13 pm From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
Greetings!I was up at Eaton Canyon this morning from about 9:20 until 10:50 a.m. There was a slow and steady movement of TVs, but most were very distant above the snow- covered foothills. Saw 64 total. There may have been a small group of 4-5 Swainson's among them, but the birds were too far to be sure.Ed Stonick Pasadena, CASent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Luke Tiller <luke.tiller...> Date: 3/1/23 11:31 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <luke.tiller...> Cc: Ed Stonick <edstonick...>, <tgmiko...>, LACoBirds <LACoBirds...>, David Moody <dsmoods...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures Hi All,Today (11:30am) I’m just seeing a few TVs drifting along a line at about Orange Grove at almost treetop level. Turkey Vultures are pretty adept at moving in less than ideal winds like this. No sign of higher birds so far which would suggest good migratory conditions to our south (and birds in the pipeline). Luke Tiller, Altadena. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 28, 2023, at 5:54 PM, Luke_._,_._,_
As noted by Tom Miko and Luke Tiller on the LA County listserve,
there was a significant push of turkey vultures and Swainson's hawks
along the San Gabriel Mountain foothills on February 28. I was also
counting from northern Altadena shortly before and after Luke and
tallied 90 vultures from 10:20-11:00, 130 from 11:40-11:50, and
another 20 at NASA-JPL at 12:25. Several other ebird reports from Feb.
28 tallied dozens of vultures; there were also reports of good numbers
from Feb. 26 and 27. If you look in eBird, you can see that turkey
vulture migration in LA County has two annual peaks corresponding to
spring and fall migration. The spring peak occurs from late February
into about the second week of March. The fall peak occurs from early
to mid October. In 2022, about 3400 turkey vultures were reported in
eBird in the first two weeks of March and about 2500 were reported in
the first two weeks of October.
Luke's report of 70+ Swainson's hawks is a reminder that migration by
this species is picking up. Last year Los Angeles Birders organized an
informal survey to monitor the numbers and investigate the migration
routes through the county by this species. We hope to make this an
annual event, so this year we're doing it again, and encourage
everyone to report Swainson's hawks in eBird whenever you find them.
In 2022 most of them were reported from Claremont to Pasadena to
Tujunga and Bear Divide (i.e., along the south flank of the San
Gabriel Mountains), but the extent to which they pass through the
Antelope Valley and San Gabriel Mountains wasn't covered thoroughly.
In 2023 we plan to check that in more detail by establishing a
north-south "picket line" from the San Gabriel Valley into the San
Gabriel Mountains and extending into the Antelope Valley on one or two
days.
The peak in Swainson's hawk migration in Los Angeles County usually
occurs in the middle of March +- one week, so we hope to set up the
picket line in about two weeks. However, this is partly dependent on
road conditions: currently many of the roads in the San Gabriel
Mountains are closed due to snow, so we need be flexible with our
plans. Tentatively, and conditions permitting, we hope to try the
picket line during the week of March 12-17. Stay tuned for more
details about this as our plans solidify.
We also hope to get as many reports as possible on the weekends of
March 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19 from across the county. If you see large
groups of Swainson's hawks, please report them on the LA County
listserve and on eBird as soon as possible. For folks who like to use
WhatsApp, please note that that many other birders _don't_ use it, so
if there are report on WhatsApp please cross post them to the county
listserve.
Our plans are still coming together with this so we'll post more
about this on the county listserve and on the Los Angeles Birders
website soon.
Date: 2/28/23 5:54 pm From: Luke Tiller <luke.tiller...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
Hi Ed et al,
There was already a large movement across the foothills in the greater
Pasadena area on a line from about Washington to Altadena Drive today. In
about half an hour mid-morning I had three Bald Eagles, 440 Turkey Vultures
and 75 Swainson's. I had to do some work after that, but smaller numbers
continued to drift past until early afternoon. Birds might move again
tomorrow once the rain clears but probably depends on what's now south of
us. One minor factor that seems to help with good flights here is when the
clouds sit over the mountains like they did today and block birds cutting
up the canyons, which I've seen them do before.
Luke Tiller, Altadena
On Tue, Feb 28, 2023 at 5:35 PM Ed Stonick <edstonick...> wrote:
> Greetings!
>
>
>
> Forecast here in Pasadena is for strong winds (north northwest 15 to 20
> mph, gusting to 35). Should we expect lots of hawk/vulture movements across
> the foothills?
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed
>
>
>
> Ed Stonick
>
> Pasadena, CA
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows
>
>
>
> *From: *<tgmiko...>
> *Sent: *Tuesday, February 28, 2023 10:56 AM
> *To: *LACoBirds <lacobirds...>
> *Cc: *David Moody <dsmoods...>
> *Subject: *[LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
>
>
>
> Hi
>
> I am standing in the parking lot between the college and the California
> botanic garden formerly rancho Santa Ana botanic garden in Claremont and I
> can't get back into the car because there is a Non-Stop stream of turkey
> vultures flying from the east, towards the west. Every time I want to get
> back in the car more of them are showing up. It's amazing
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont, LA County
> 909.241.3300
> "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
> very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/28/23 5:35 pm From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
Greetings!
Forecast here in Pasadena is for strong winds (north northwest 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 35). Should we expect lots of hawk/vulture movements across the foothills?
Regards,
Ed
Ed Stonick
Pasadena, CA
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: <tgmiko...> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 10:56 AM To: LACoBirds Cc: David Moody Subject: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
Hi
I am standing in the parking lot between the college and the California botanic garden formerly rancho Santa Ana botanic garden in Claremont and I can't get back into the car because there is a Non-Stop stream of turkey vultures flying from the east, towards the west. Every time I want to get back in the car more of them are showing up. It's amazing
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 2/28/23 10:56 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Big flock of turkey vultures
Hi I am standing in the parking lot between the college and the California botanic garden formerly rancho Santa Ana botanic garden in Claremont and I can't get back into the car because there is a Non-Stop stream of turkey vultures flying from the east, towards the west. Every time I want to get back in the car more of them are showing up. It's amazing
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 2/28/23 9:39 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] American Oystercatcher at Topanga State Beach
This explains why I didn't see it: I arrived Sunday at high tide (so don't go at high tide)
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Tue, Feb 28, 2023, 9:29 AM Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton...> wrote:
> The American Oystercatcher, reported two days or so ago, by the Scheels, > is present this morning, feeding in the rocky area west of the lagoon. > > There are plenty of free parking spots along Pacific Coast Highway, west > of the creek crossing. Area is best approached from the large vacant lot, > west of the lagoon, not from the beach pay parking lot. > > It is low tide now, and the rocks are visible. > > Dick Norton > Topanga, CA > >
Date: 2/28/23 9:30 am From: Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton...> Subject: [LACoBirds] American Oystercatcher at Topanga State Beach
The American Oystercatcher, reported two days or so ago, by the Scheels, is present this morning, feeding in the rocky area west of the lagoon.
There are plenty of free parking spots along Pacific Coast Highway, west of the creek crossing. Area is best approached from the large vacant lot, west of the lagoon, not from the beach pay parking lot.
Date: 2/26/23 9:48 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
Nathan's article has a part 1, where he has recordings of the calls of Winter and Pacific Wren, and says that while at first glance the spectrogram of both recordings looks the same, the loudest part of the Pacific Wren spectrogram (where the vertical black line is thickest) is in the 6 to 7 kHz range, while the spectrogram for the call of the Winter Wren is thicker at half that frequency (meaning that the bird is louder in that lower frequency range). The spectrogram of the recordings that I obtained yesterday appear to me to match Nathan's spectrogram of Pacific Wren: http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/774 vs https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 2:59 PM Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson= <aol.com...> wrote:
> Tom Miko's third recording of the wren at La Mirada Community Park > includes a song (https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/539043461) that, when > compared to the sonograms on Nathan Pieplow's blog from 2009 ( > http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/826) is a very good match for Winter > Wren. So nice find Jonathan and good job Tom on recording the song. > > Tom Benson > Secretary, California Bird Records Committee > > > -----Original Message----- > From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> > To: LACoBirds <lacobirds...> > Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 2:41 pm > Subject: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131 > By the way, I don't know if it's the weather, or what, but everybody's GPS > results are inaccurate today. > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > "I'm on the fence! My bank account is unfortunately in another > neighborhood."--CuppaJoe > > >
Date: 2/26/23 9:48 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Error on my EBird wren report
Oh wow! David E, you just saved me a bunch of work on the laptop. Thanks for doing this! Now I wonder if when I heard the bird singing I was actually hearing the app in my own pocket and didn't know it. Now I know to watch out for this in the future.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "I'm on the fence! My bank account is unfortunately in another neighborhood."--CuppaJoe
On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 2:07 PM David Ellsworth <davidells...> wrote:
> I used my flux capacitor, and the last 7.994 seconds of the 3rd recording > in your checklist <https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131> is indeed a > perfect match with "song (eastern) #2_NY" in the Sibley app: > > https://kingbird.myphotos.cc/WIWR-Miko.png > https://kingbird.myphotos.cc/WIWR-Sibley.png > > Flip between these two images. Great Scott! It's a perfect match. > > David Ellsworth > San Pedro, CA > > At 2023-02-25 10:30, <tgmiko...> wrote: > > Hi Folks, > Yesterday when I was listening to my recordings I was pleasantly surprised > that I got a recording of the "Winzer Wren" singing. Well apparently what > may have happened (strong possibility) is that I accidentally turned on my > phone while live recording the bird and picked up the recording off the app > of a Winter Wren singing, instead of the actual bird singing. The bird did > sing while I was there but I may have accidentally recorded my own phone > (until Amazon finally delivers the flux capacitors for my DeLorean I'm > never going to find out). The other two recordings of the bird calling are > definitely live recordings of only the bird and nothing coming off my > phone. I checked on this topic last night with a couple of people who put > the work into helping me figure this out. Worst comes to worst I may go > back tomorrow or Monday and try to get more recordings of the bird with my > shotgun microphone and make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen > again. I've never actually done this before. I have upon occasion picked up > a recording off my phone knowing that I was playing it and then edited that > out but I've never accidentally recorded my phone not knowing that that's > what was on my recording. > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both > very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman > > >
Date: 2/25/23 3:21 pm From: JonathanRowley <jonathan.james...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Error on my EBird wren report
It's almost certainly a Pacific Wren. Additional recordings would be good just in case.
Jonathan Rowley Tustin, Ca
On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 3:19 PM Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl= <icloud.com...> wrote:
> Hi all, > I am sort of confused about the Wren at La Mirada Park right now. Is the > bird a Winter, Pacific, or do we not know? The reason I ask(besides > curiosity) is that I may want to chase the bird tomorrow. > > Thank you!! > > -- > Braxton Landsman(BAL Land on EBird) > Ladera Ranch, California > > > > > >
Date: 2/25/23 3:19 pm From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Error on my EBird wren report
Hi all,
I am sort of confused about the Wren at La Mirada Park right now. Is the bird a Winter, Pacific, or do we not know? The reason I ask(besides curiosity) is that I may want to chase the bird tomorrow.
Thank you!!
--
Braxton Landsman(BAL Land on EBird)
Ladera Ranch, California
Date: 2/25/23 2:07 pm From: David Ellsworth <davidells...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Error on my EBird wren report
I used my flux capacitor, and the last 7.994 seconds of the 3rd recording in your checklist is indeed a perfect match with "song (eastern) #2_NY" in the Sibley app:
Flip between these two images. Great Scott! It's a perfect match.
David Ellsworth San Pedro, CA
At 2023-02-25 10:30, <tgmiko...> wrote:
Hi Folks, Yesterday when I was listening to my recordings I was pleasantly surprised that I got a recording of the "Winzer Wren" singing. Well apparently what may have happened (strong possibility) is that I accidentally turned on my phone while live recording the bird and picked up the recording off the app of a Winter Wren singing, instead of the actual bird singing. The bird did sing while I was there but I may have accidentally recorded my own phone (until Amazon finally delivers the flux capacitors for my DeLorean I'm never going to find out). The other two recordings of the bird calling are definitely live recordings of only the bird and nothing coming off my phone. I checked on this topic last night with a couple of people who put the work into helping me figure this out. Worst comes to worst I may go back tomorrow or Monday and try to get more recordings of the bird with my shotgun microphone and make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again. I've never actually done this before. I have upon occasion picked up a recording off my phone knowing that I was playing it and then edited that out but I've never accidentally recorded my phone not knowing that that's what was on my recording.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 2/25/23 10:52 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Error on my EBird wren report
Hi Folks, Yesterday when I was listening to my recordings I was pleasantly surprised that I got a recording of the "Winzer Wren" singing. Well apparently what may have happened (strong possibility) is that I accidentally turned on my phone while live recording the bird and picked up the recording off the app of a Winter Wren singing, instead of the actual bird singing. The bird did sing while I was there but I may have accidentally recorded my own phone (until Amazon finally delivers the flux capacitors for my DeLorean I'm never going to find out). The other two recordings of the bird calling are definitely live recordings of only the bird and nothing coming off my phone. I checked on this topic last night with a couple of people who put the work into helping me figure this out. Worst comes to worst I may go back tomorrow or Monday and try to get more recordings of the bird with my shotgun microphone and make sure that the same mistake doesn't happen again. I've never actually done this before. I have upon occasion picked up a recording off my phone knowing that I was playing it and then edited that out but I've never accidentally recorded my phone not knowing that that's what was on my recording.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 2/24/23 9:11 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] photo of the La Mirada Wren
To my surprise I actually got one photo of the wren. All of my other photos are beautiful, in-focus pictures of branches and pine needles. I think I see diamonds sprinkled on its back (which would make it a Winter Wren), which I could not see in real life. It just looked homogeneously all dark brown. I will attempt to remove the useless first 30 seconds from the 3rd audio recording. https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131 Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, Los Angeles County, California 909.241.3300
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for February 24, 2023.
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER continued at the Ballona Creek mouth in Palay del Rey through February 18.
Four LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were again below the dam outlet at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia from February 18-20.
Another LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was along the Los Angeles River at Downey Road on February 20.
Six CALIFORNIA CONDORS were along Gorman Post Road near Gorman on February 21.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK continued in Monrovia through February 19.
Several YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued at and around the Ballona Creek mouth through February 23. Another half dozen YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued at Alamitos Bay through February 20.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at the frisbee golf course in the southwest corner of Veteran’s Park in Sylmar through February 20.
A NORTHERN “YELLOW-SHAFTED” FLICKER” continued at a residence in Pasadena through February 20.
The wintering DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER continued near the southeast corner of Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley through February 23. It has been at the south end of the riparian strip bordering the west side of the golf course.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued along the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach below the Willow Street crossing through February 19.
Another TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued at Golden Shore Marine Reserve in Long Beach through February 18.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD continued at Madrona Marsh in Torrance through February 23.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER continued at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail between Monte Verde Park and Del Amo through February 21.
The HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued at Bonelli Regional Park through February 23 by the small north shore pond near the northeast corner of the reservior.
Another HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued at the Bette Davis Picnic Area in Glendale through February 22 and one was at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood through February 21.
A PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER was at Tournament Park (Cal Tech campus) in Pasadena on February 18.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued at Castaic Lagoon through February 21 between parking lot 11 and 13.
A CASSIN’S VIREO continued at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood through February 18 as did a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE through February 22 and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER through February 20.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was at Malibu Creek State Park along the Grassland Trail on February 21.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the Westwood Recreation Center on February 21.
A DARK-EYED “PINK-SIDED” JUNCO continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas in the Sailboat Cove area through February 22.
A HARRIS’S SPARROW continued at a residence in Beverly Hills through February 22.
Several SWAMP SPARROWS continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through February 23 at the north shore in the vicinity of the small pond. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER also continued in the oaks by the playground area through February 23 and a SUMMER TANAGER was nearby through February 20.
A SCOTT’S ORIOLE continued at Crystalaire in the east Antelope Valley through February 18.
A NASHVILLE WARBLER was at Col. Leon H. Washington Park in Los Angeles through February 20.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER and a PAINTED REDSTART continued at Birdcage Park in Long Beach through February 23.
The CAPE MAY WARBLER at Loyola Marymount University continued through February 21. Parking is free on weekends, park by the church. Google Earth coordinates 33.9687, -118.4167.
The PALM WARBLER along the Los Angeles River below Willow Street in Long Beach was seen through February 21.
A SUMMER TANAGER was at North Hollywood Park in February 17. Another was in Cerritos on February 21.
-end transcript
Jon L Fisher
Glendale, CA
<JonF60...>
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
For all events, field trips and announcements, please see our website at http://www.laaudubon.org
Date: 2/24/23 4:07 pm From: Merryl Edelstein Long Beach via groups.io <merryledel...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
I read your checklist description and the coordinates from Braxton/Nancy don't match that. My solution has been to start a stationary eBird list and then the pin is better, then double check it on the aerial photo when I get home.Â
Merryl EdelsteinLong Beach
On Friday, February 24, 2023 at 03:57:46 PM PST, <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> wrote:
Thanks! I don't know if it's my phone or the weather but GPS was just not working well for me today. I may be repeating something I said earlier but what I did was I looked at the satellite view to make sure I give correct GPS coordinates for where I actually was standing when I saw the bird.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 3:10 PM Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> wrote:
Tom, Nancy’s coordinates from earlier seem accurate to me. I have put them in google maps and Apple Maps, and this is the pin it takes me to both times:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c25RS9tkGuJB2tPjx8Drfk6Q Here are those coordinates. I entered everything that is listed in the coordinates into the maps.
33°54′27″ N  118°0′32″ W
Braxton Landsman Ladera Ranch, CA.Â
--
Braxton Landsman(BAL Land on EBird)
Ladera Ranch, California
Date: 2/24/23 3:58 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
Coooool!
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 2:59 PM Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson= <aol.com...> wrote:
> Tom Miko's third recording of the wren at La Mirada Community Park > includes a song (https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/539043461) that, when > compared to the sonograms on Nathan Pieplow's blog from 2009 ( > http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/826) is a very good match for Winter > Wren. So nice find Jonathan and good job Tom on recording the song. > > Tom Benson > Secretary, California Bird Records Committee > > > -----Original Message----- > From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> > To: LACoBirds <lacobirds...> > Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 2:41 pm > Subject: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren > > https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131 > By the way, I don't know if it's the weather, or what, but everybody's GPS > results are inaccurate today. > > Thomas Geza Miko > Claremont, LA County > 909.241.3300 > "I'm on the fence! My bank account is unfortunately in another > neighborhood."--CuppaJoe > >
Date: 2/24/23 3:57 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
Thanks! I don't know if it's my phone or the weather but GPS was just not
working well for me today. I may be repeating something I said earlier but
what I did was I looked at the satellite view to make sure I give correct
GPS coordinates for where I actually was standing when I saw the bird.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 3:10 PM Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl=
<icloud.com...> wrote:
> Tom,
> Nancy’s coordinates from earlier seem accurate to me. I have put them in
> google maps and Apple Maps, and this is the pin it takes me to both times:
>
> https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c25RS9tkGuJB2tPjx8Drfk6Q >
> Here are those coordinates. I entered everything that is listed in the
> coordinates into the maps.
>
> 33°54′27″ N 118°0′32″ W
>
> Braxton Landsman
> Ladera Ranch, CA.
>
>
> --
> Braxton Landsman(BAL Land on EBird)
> Ladera Ranch, California
>
>
Date: 2/24/23 3:10 pm From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
Tom,
Nancy’s coordinates from earlier seem accurate to me. I have put them in google maps and Apple Maps, and this is the pin it takes me to both times:
Date: 2/24/23 2:59 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
Tom Miko's third recording of the wren at La Mirada Community Park includes a song (https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/539043461) that, when compared to the sonograms on Nathan Pieplow's blog from 2009 (http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/826) is a very good match for Winter Wren. So nice find Jonathan and good job Tom on recording the song.
Tom BensonSecretary, California Bird Records Committee
-----Original Message-----
From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...>
To: LACoBirds <lacobirds...>
Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 2:41 pm
Subject: [LACoBirds] audio of the La Mirada wren
https://ebird.org/checklist/S129533131Â By the way, I don't know if it's the weather, or what, but everybody's GPS results are inaccurate today.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"I'm on the fence! My bank account is unfortunately in another neighborhood."--CuppaJoe
33.907022,-118.008672 I am at the top of the steep Hill that Jonathan described earlier this week. If you find the water park called splash, look for a very large plastic yellow and blue water slide. Directly underneath that water slide there is a hillside that is inside the park, proper, with extensive plantings of some kind of non-native plant that has small yellow flowers. This is quite an extensive planting of a couple of acres but walk uphill to the top of this hill where it meets the fence for the water park. I had good looks at the bird. Overall the bird seems very dark brown, but the throat seems contrastingly very pale. I looked and could not see diamonds sprinkled on its back, which I would expect for winter wren. I have obtained audio, but failed to obtain photographs because I had the wrong sitting on my camera and now the bird is mad at me and hiding. I'm going to walk around in the rain and look for the Pine Warbler for a while and then come back and see if I can get photos to supplement the audio. Tom I left my reading glasses in the car so I hope that what is on this email actually makes sense and doesn't look like drunk typing Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 "With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
Date: 2/24/23 9:55 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] WREN at La Mirada park
I am here at that park with a shotgun microphone with a "dead cat"
jonathwind muffler on it but the various directions of where this Wren is
supposed to be our confusing. If somebody could please drop GPS coordinates
into an email that the regular Google maps types of GPS coordinates I would
super duper appreciate it.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"With a sufficiently large sample size a correlation can at once be both
very significant and too small worth discussing."--Daniel Kahneman
On Fri, Feb 24, 2023, 8:55 AM Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> Birders,
>
> I would encourage anyone who goes to look for this wren to try to obtain
> good recordings of its calls, preferably calls given naturally and not in
> response to playback. And if you do, please upload them to eBird or submit
> your documentation (presuming it is a Winter Wren) to the CBRC:
> https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html.
>
> Tom Benson
> Secretary, California Bird Records Committee
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nancy Salem <vintage330...>
> To: <lacobirds...> <lacobirds...>
> Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 7:21 am
> Subject: [LACoBirds] WREN at La Mirada park
>
> Good Morning,
>
> The Winter Wren continues this am in acacia (yellow flowers) bordering the
> water park. please see coordinates:
>
> 33°54′27″ N 118°0′32″ W
>
> Nancy Salem
> Long Beach
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/24/23 8:55 am From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] WREN at La Mirada park
Birders,
I would encourage anyone who goes to look for this wren to try to obtain good recordings of its calls, preferably calls given naturally and not in response to playback. And if you do, please upload them to eBird or submit your documentation (presuming it is a Winter Wren) to the CBRC:Â https://www.californiabirds.org/report_sighting.html.
Tom BensonSecretary, California Bird Records Committee
-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Salem <vintage330...>
To: <lacobirds...> <lacobirds...>
Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 7:21 am
Subject: [LACoBirds] WREN at La Mirada park
Good Morning,
The Winter Wren continues this am in acacia (yellow flowers) bordering the water park. please see coordinates:
Date: 2/23/23 12:49 pm From: JonathanRowley <jonathan.james...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Wren @ La Mirada Park
I just had a Winter/Pacific Wren at La Mirada Park. It was along the fence of splash in the dense bushes. It was right at the top of that Hill. I have a recording but I don't have time to analyze it at the moment as I have a meeting I am rushing to. It did respond very aggressively when I played a Winter Wren call in the field.
Date: 2/23/23 11:13 am From: Ron Cyger <ron...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Birding 101 Beginning March 2nd
Birding 101 is being offered beginning March 2, 2023 for live, online classes and two in-person field trips. This class is perfect for beginning birders looking to get a foothold in this birding thing, or spouses/parents looking to enjoy birding with their loved one!
