I agree with you, Tom. I'm not trying to start a revolution on a probably
well-intended rehabilitation center. I'm more so urging them to push
USF&WS for its release. I've received several emails since sending out my
message on this channel with links to the article in question. So to
clarify: Debbie McGuire, the centers director, is directly quoted in the
article saying “We don’t know if it will ever be able to take up flight
again because of the type of bird it is”. This is clearly untrue as there
is photographic evidence of Bean-Goose flying at every location it's been
reported from. For all interested, here is the email I sent to WWCC:
________________________________________
Hello. First of all I want to thank you for all the great work you do, it
is much appreciated. The birding and naturalist community of SoCal do have
some worries and issues with the capturing of the Tundra Bean-Goose,
however. We are hoping you can urge the USF&WS and CDFW to rescind their
decision to transport Bean-Goose and call for its release back to Earvin
Magic Johnson Park.
I, like many others, have read the article pertaining to our famous goose
friend. The glaring issue to me is that Debbie McGuire is directly quoted
saying “We don’t know if it will ever be able to take up flight again
because of the type of bird it is”. Since this bird is a high-level rarity,
it has been well photographed and documented throughout its journey. The
bird was first found on 3/6/23, and had a droopy right wing right from the
start. Even so, it was frequently flying back-and-forth from Piute Ponds to
the Sewage Reclamation Plant. It then made the flight to Apollo Park
sometime mid-May. Its most impressive feat, however, is its 90+ mile flight
over the mountains from Apollo Park in Lancaster to Earvin Magic Johnson
Park in Compton, where it then completed a full molting cycle and regrew
all new feathers. There are photos and videos showing Bean-Goose flying
free at Earvin Magic Johnson Park, all of which I can provide you upon
request. As stated, this bird has been well photographed every step of the
way, and we have compiled a comprehensive library of flight shots with
dates if needed.
I hope the intent is truly on this bird's well-being and safety. If it is,
we believe releasing it back where it was found is in the bird's best
interest. Here is a petition from the birding community calling for its
release. If WWCC could forward this information to the liable government
agency, we believe that would go a long way in doing what is best for this
bird.
We want all the facts to be known and accepted before a decision is made,
and that article left many of us feeling unsettled and upset. The fallacy
that the bird cannot fly is blatant misinformation, and I hope that is not
considered in regards to the bird's future.
Sincerely on behalf of the Southern California birding community,
Omar Alui
On Wed, Nov 29, 2023 at 5:02 PM thomasabenson <thomasabenson...> wrote:
> Omar and LA County birders,
>
> Before you all rise up against rehab center, I'd like to clarify a few of
> the facts surrounding the bean-goose's capture. The Wetlands and Wildlife
> Care Center was asked by USF&WS and CDFW to capture the Tundra Bean Goose
> observed in Magic Johnson Park. After a thorough veterinary examination,
> they determined the goose had been shot in the right metacarpal area with a
> BB gun. Their vet is continuing to evaluate it to see what the next move
> is. It may be placed at a bird sanctuary located in Louisiana called the
> Pinola Aviary, chosen by the Feds and the State, unless the vet feel it can
> heal enough for a full recovery.
>
> Admittedly, the news I have is from last Friday so there may be additional
> updates not included above, but the decision to capture the goose was made
> by state and federal wildlife agencies that have the authority to do so,
> and the goose ultimate disposition is also under their discretion.
>
> Tom Benson
> Redlands, CA
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: omar alui <omar.alui11...>
> Date: 11/29/23 4:39 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: LACoBirding <LACoBirds...>
> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tundra Bean-Goose Status
>
> Hello birders,
>
> If anyone is not yet aware, the famous Tundra Bean-Goose of Los Angeles
> has been captured by a rehabilitation center, and they are planning to send
> it to Louisiana for reasons unknown. They claim it is unable to fly,
> although there is photo and video proof of Bean-Goose flying at all of its
> known locations (Piute, sewage treatment plant, Apollo, and Earvin Magic
> Johnson Park). Bean-Goose has also done a 90+ mile flight over the
> mountains from Apollo to EMJ Park. Capturing a fully healthy bird 8 months
> later is unsettling and frankly unnecessary. The stress of capture and
> transportation has been the end to many-a-birds' life. I urge all birders
> to sign the petition to release Bean-Goose back to EMJ, and I also
> encourage you to reach out to Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center to let
> them know of their mistake and that we do not agree with their decision.
> The link to the petition is:
>
> https://chng.it/7SNpVpy92z >
> And the rehabs email is:
>
> <wwccinfo...>
>
> Thanks all, I just want to see the right thing happen.
>
> Omar Alui
> Pasadena
>
>
Date: 11/29/23 5:02 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Tundra Bean-Goose Status
Omar and LA County birders,Before you all rise up against rehab center, I'd like to clarify a few of the facts surrounding the bean-goose's capture. The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center was asked by USF&WS and CDFW to capture the Tundra Bean Goose observed in Magic Johnson Park. After a thorough veterinary examination, they determined the goose had been shot in the right metacarpal area with a BB gun. Their vet is continuing to evaluate it to see what the next move is. It may be placed at a bird sanctuary located in Louisiana called the Pinola Aviary, chosen by the Feds and the State, unless the vet feel it can heal enough for a full recovery. Admittedly, the news I have is from last Friday so there may be additional updates not included above, but the decision to capture the goose was made by state and federal wildlife agencies that have the authority to do so, and the goose ultimate disposition is also under their discretion. Tom Benson Redlands, CA -------- Original message --------From: omar alui <omar.alui11...> Date: 11/29/23 4:39 PM (GMT-08:00) To: LACoBirding <LACoBirds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tundra Bean-Goose Status Hello birders,If anyone is not yet aware, the famous Tundra Bean-Goose of Los Angeles has been captured by a rehabilitation center, and they are planning to send it to Louisiana for reasons unknown. They claim it is unable to fly, although there is photo and video proof of Bean-Goose flying at all of its known locations (Piute, sewage treatment plant, Apollo, and Earvin Magic Johnson Park). Bean-Goose has also done a 90+ mile flight over the mountains from Apollo to EMJ Park. Capturing a fully healthy bird 8 months later is unsettling and frankly unnecessary. The stress of capture and transportation has been the end to many-a-birds' life. I urge all birders to sign the petition to release Bean-Goose back to EMJ, and I also encourage you to reach out to Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center to let them know of their mistake and that we do not agree with their decision. The link to the petition is:https://chng.it/7SNpVpy92zAnd the rehabs email is:<wwccinfo...> all, I just want to see the right thing happen.Omar AluiPasadena
If anyone is not yet aware, the famous Tundra Bean-Goose of Los Angeles has been captured by a rehabilitation center, and they are planning to send it to Louisiana for reasons unknown. They claim it is unable to fly, although there is photo and video proof of Bean-Goose flying at all of its known locations (Piute, sewage treatment plant, Apollo, and Earvin Magic Johnson Park). Bean-Goose has also done a 90+ mile flight over the mountains from Apollo to EMJ Park. Capturing a fully healthy bird 8 months later is unsettling and frankly unnecessary. The stress of capture and transportation has been the end to many-a-birds' life. I urge all birders to sign the petition to release Bean-Goose back to EMJ, and I also encourage you to reach out to Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center to let them know of their mistake and that we do not agree with their decision. The link to the petition is:
Date: 11/29/23 4:54 am From: Laura Vandezande via groups.io <lauraleaf23...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Catalina Island CBC December 17
Hello birding community!
If you are interested in joining the Catalina Christmas bird count, we would love to have you!
Groups will be birding in areas within Avalon as well as places in the interior and backside of the island. Teams will be leaving town around 6:30 AM, so you would need to be here the night before if you are interested in going to places beyond Avalon. if you take the first boat to Avalon from Long Beach on the Catalina express, (6 AM), you will arrive around 7:15 and will be with the team that is birding in Avalon.
Date: 11/28/23 12:36 pm From: Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton...> Subject: [LACoBirds] 2023 Malibu Christmas Bird Count
The 2023 Malibu Christmas Bird Count takes place on Sunday, December 17th. The 15-mile diameter count circle, centered in Malibu is broken into 45 sub-areas.
If you are interested in participating, please contact me. I will provide you with a map of a sub-area. You should at least be able to identify the common birds of the area to participate in the count.
We assign people to areas ahead of time, but you are welcome to ask to join up until early the morning of the count. We will meet as usual at 1 PM, outdoors at Malibu Bluffs Park, but participants are also welcome to simply email results to me.
If you live in Malibu, Topanga, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Agoura, or Westlake Village, and have feeders in your yard, or feeders or birds in your neighborhood that you can report on, please advise me.
If you or someone you know has a boat that would be willing to travel offshore from Topanga to Point Dume, and allow one or two experienced bird counters aboard, please also advise me.
Thank you.
Dick Norton Topanga, CA <richardjnorton...> <richardjnorton...>
Gulls. A group frequently met with a blend of fascination and caution.
Among them are some of the most coveted bird species on the planet. Others
are commonplace, living among us in our immediate surroundings.
Join us for an insightful talk that will cover topics ranging from
“confusing pairs”, feather tract terminology, an introduction to aging and
molt, and how these topics relate to gull identification. Amar will give an
overview of how size and structure, as well as plumage and bare parts go
hand-in-hand when resolving any ID.
Amar is a leading authority on North American gulls, and an enthusiastic
advocate for gull-watching, or “gulling”. He is the curator of the website
anythinglarus.com, and author of the upcoming book, The Gull Guide.
This webinar will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel
<https://tinyurl.com/2y6efp3f> and will also be recorded for later viewing.
Please use the YouTube link above (alternatively:
https://tinyurl.com/2y6efp3f) which will take you directly to LAB’s main
page, where the live webinar should be visible once it begins at 7pm.
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
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
12/3 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field trip)
12/12 Antelope Valley raptors in flight with Ted Keyel (webinar)
1/16/24 Swift identification with Dr. Jon Feenstra (webinar)
1/30/24 Bell’s and Sagebrush Sparrows with Chris McCreedy and Kimball
Garrett (webinar)
Date: 11/25/23 8:15 am From: <lathrotriccus...> Subject: [LACoBirds] LA CBC 12/31
Hi all,
The Los Angeles Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, 12/31. We have a lot of returning counters, but a lot of open areas.
We have three "meet up" locations, primarily for beginners: - Del Rey Lagoon, Playa del Rey (8 AM) - Kenneth Hahn Park, near Culver City (7:30 AM) - Echo Park Lake (8 AM)
...but experienced birders may be assigned their own routes and locations within the circle. The count circle extends from near LAX to Griffith Park, and may be found here:
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for November 24, 2023.
The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continued on the north side of the Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook through November 22.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER at the Ballona Creek mouth continued through November 19. This bird has been along the creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge and on the nearby Salt Pan.
A MOUNTAIN PLOVER continued at Dockweiler State Berach in El Segundo through November 18 by the north parking lot near Lifeguard tower 50.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was along the Los Angeles River between the Atlantic and Slauson crossings on November 20.
WESTERN CATTLE EGRETS included four at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required) on November 17, one at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera on November 24 and one on the north shore at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on November 20.
A SWAINSONS HAWK was at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on November 21.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was in north Glendora on November 21.
A SHORT-EARED OWL continued at the Ballona Wetlands near Playa del Rey through November 22. It has been seen in area A on the north side of Ballona Creek.
An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was along San Jose Creek in Whittier on November 19.
The TROPICAL KINGBIRDS continued along the lower Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach through November 24, at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach through November 18 and at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera (up to two birds) through November 24.
A THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD continued in Griffith Park through November 23. Google Maps coordinates for the most recent sighting are 34.14026, -118.2883
A DUSKY FLYCATCHER continued at the Piute Ponds through November 24 along Ave. C and a WESTERN FLYCATCHER was at Biola University in La Mirada on November 22.
EASTERN PHOEBES were at Lake Lindero in Agoura Hills (near the spillway) from November 17-24 and at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB on November 24.
CASSINS VIREOS were at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena (Berkshire Creek area) on November 19 and at Madrona Marsh in Torrance on November 19.
A YELLOW-GREEN VIREO was at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood from November 22-24 in the area just southwest of Monte Verde Park.
PACIFIC WRENS were at St. Andrews Abbey near Valyermo on November 17 and at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena (in the southwest area) from November 19-22.
A BROWN THRASHER was at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood through November 24. Google Maps 33.8395, -118.0960
A DARK-EYED PINK-SIDED JUNCO continued in the Sailboat Cove area a Bonelli Regional Park through November 17.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas (north shore) through November 24, at Castaic Lagoon on November 22, in Rolling Hills on November 23 and along the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood through November 24.
A SWAMP SPARROW continued at Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB with three present there on November 24 near the south end of Duckbill Lake. Also here on November 24 was a RED FOX SPARROW.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES were in the east Antelope Valley through November 22, south of Monte Verde Park (along the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail) in Lakewood on November 24 and at Topanga State Park on November 22.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS continued at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena through November 24, along the west border of the park and at Madrona Marsh in Torrance through November 19 and at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach through November 20 (east side of the amphitheater)
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena (southwest section) from November 19-23. A BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was in this area on November 22.
A PALM WARBLER continued along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street (south end of Avila Park) through November 24.
PAINTED REDSTARTS were at San Dimas Canyon Park (southern section) through November 21 and at Cheviot Hills Park (by the picnic tables at the top of the hill behind the pool) on November 23.
SUMMER TANAGERS were continuing along the northeast shore at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through November 24 and in Griffith Park in the Old Zoo area on November 24. Others were at the Village Green Condominiums in Los Angeles on November 19, at Barnsdall Park in Los Angeles on November 21, on Santa Cataline Island on November 19, at Andrews Park in Redondo Beach on November 24 and at South Hills Park in Glendora on November 22.
-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: 11/23/23 2:38 pm From: <lisafimiani...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Red-breasted Nuthatches Continue in Mar Vista
11/23/23
A pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to forage in Magnolia and
Jacaranda trees in the exact same spot and at the exact same time (8:30A) as
two days ago in Mar Vista. The street intersection is Matteson Avenue and
Bledsoe Avenue.
Date: 11/22/23 8:36 pm From: Naresh Satyan <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Birds in the South Hills Wilderness in Glendora
Hi all,
This afternoon, I took a walk through the South Hills wilderness area in Glendora, sandwiched between the noisy 210 freeway to the south and Route 66 to the north. I walked a meandering loop covering both the north- and south-facing slopes. Some birds of note were an adult male Summer Tanager at the entrance to the Alosta canyon trail on the east side; a Gray Flycatcher hunting with a Say's Phoebe at the edge of a clearing on the ridge; and most interesting to me was a Lesser Goldfinch feeding loud begging juvenile (with buffy wingbars) by Bonnie Cove on the south side. I suppose it is not a huge surprise to see dependent juveniles in late November, but it was the latest I had ever seen one. Sparrow diversity was disappointing. And while the north slopes were covered with toyon shrubs loaded with berries, there was a near-total absence of thrushes.
At last light I managed to spot a continuing Bay-breasted Warbler that was photographed earlier in the day at the park in Pasadena. The bird was just south of the park's main parking lot (labeled as Oak Grove Disc Golf Course on Google Maps). The bird itself was roughly here: 34.189670, -118.177367 in a tree on the east side of the main path and was loosely associating with a bunch of other passerines including a continuing "Solitary Vireo".
Recent days have also seen Black-and-White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Pacific Wren all in similar parts of the park. Please note that wildlife biologists at the park have apparently asked people to stay out of the habitat restoration site that the PAWR has been seen in.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for November 17, 2023.
The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continued on the north side of the Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook through November 16.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER at the Ballona Creek mouth continued through November 13. This bird has been along the creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge, on the nearby Salt Pan and on the creek mouth jetties.
Up to six MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued at the A&G Sod Fields in the Antelope Valley (50th Street East and Ave. N) through November 12.
Another MOUNTAIN PLOVER was at Dockweiler State Berach in El Segundo from November 11-16 by the north parking lot.
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was along the lower Los Angeles River at Willow Street on November 10.
A PACIFIC LOON was on the temporary pond at Ave. H and Highway 14 in the Antelope Valley from November 10-13.
A WESTERN CATTLE EGRET was at the Piute Ponds (letter of permission required) on Edwards AFV from November 11-13.
Seven YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continued at Ballona Lagoon in Marina Del Rey through November 14.
A SWAINSONS HAWK was at Quail Lake near Gorman on November 10.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK continued in Monrovia, often near Sawpit Wash and Grand Ave. Park through November 12.
A SHORT-EARED OWL continued at the Ballona Wetlands near Playa del Rey through November 16. Another SHORT-EARED OWL was in Griffith Park from November 11-12.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach on November 13 along the south fence line. Also present was a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER from November 13-16 and a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on November 13. A PACIFIC WREN was here on November 16.
Another YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was on Santa Catalina Island on November 12.
A late WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE was at Lincoln Park in the Lincoln Heights area on November 15.
A HAMMONDS FLYCATCHER was at Tournament Park in Pasadena (at Cal Tech) on November 10 and a late DUSKY FLYCATCHER continued at St Andrews Abbey near Valyermo through November 12.
The TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued along the lower Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach through November 14.
A THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD continued in Griffith Park through November 17. This bird moves around frequently. Google Maps coordinates for the most recent sighting are 34.14026, -118.2883
A BROWN THRASHER was at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood from November 16-17. Google Maps 33.8395, -118.0960
A VARIED THRUSH was near the northeast corner parking lot at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester on November 12.
A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was at Griffith Park from November 12-14 and a LARK BUNTING was there from November 11-14.
An EVENING GROSBEAK was at Lake Hughes on November 9.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was at Pt. Vicente on November 12.
A LARK BUNTING was at Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB on November 13.
A SWAMP SPARROW continued at Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB through November 13 near the south end of Duckbill Lake. Another SWAMP SPARROW was along the south side of Quail Lake on November 11.
A DARK-EYED GRAY-HEADED JUNCO was at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena (by the lower west side athletic field) on November 11.
A DARK-EYED PINK-SIDED JUNCO continued in the Sailboat Cove area a Bonelli Regional Park through November 13.
Two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on November 11 along the north shore below Group Picnic Area 2.
Another WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was in Rolling Hills on November 15.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued in the east Antelope Valley through November 11 and another was just south of Monte Verde Park (along the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail) in Lakewood on November 16.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was in Zuma Canyon on November 11.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS were at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena on November 11, continuing at Madrona Marsh in Torrance through November 12 and along the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood on November 16.
A LUCYS WARBLER was at La Mirada Community Regional Park on November 15.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was on the UCLA Campus on November 16 in the Sage Hill area. Google Maps 34.0751, -118.4535
A PALM WARBLER continued along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street (south end of Avila Park) through November 14.
Another PALM WARBLER was along the Los Angeles River in Elysian Valley on November 12. Google Earth coordinates are 34.0941, -118.2359
A PAINTED REDSTART was near the south corner at San Dimas Canyon Park on November 12.
SUMMER TANAGERS were by the northwest part of Area 3 at El Dorado Park in Long Beach on November 12, continuing along the northeast shore at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through November 16 and in Griffith Park in the Old Zoo area on November 15.
-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: 11/17/23 1:30 am From: Merryl Edelstein Long Beach via groups.io <merryledel...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Brown Thrasher West San Gabriel Parkway
For those who don't subscribe to rare bird alerts, a Brown Thrasher was seen sporadically on November 16 at the West San Gabriel Parkway in Lakewood.
33.8395204, -118.0960261
Date: 11/13/23 2:22 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
Hi Lisa, they were seen throughout the morning and both the bunting and longspur were seen again this am. They are being seen in the publicly accessible area (not the top field) by the picnic tables and water trough here: 34.1460264961451, -118.3017544926375 There is also a small dribble of water that runs along an adjacent concrete culvert there too which hosted the bunting and sparrows yesterday.
Nearby, the THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD was showing well at lunchtime today: 34.1407366516086, -118.28857784988591
Best, Andy BirchLos Feliz
On Monday, November 13, 2023 at 11:59:28 AM PST, lisafreeman via groups.io <lisafreeman...> wrote:
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All terrific birds!! Thanks for the update! What time did you see these?
Lisa Freeman
From: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> On Behalf Of Andrew Birch via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2023 11:02 AM
To: LACoBirds Groups.io <lacobirds...>
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
LARK BUNTING continues in same general vicinity, closely associating with the Lark Sparrow flock. At least 9 VESPER SPARROWS are here too. The SHORT-EARED OWL also showed well a few times. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR also flew over calling and a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD also seen too.
Best, Andy Birch
Los Feliz
On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 06:28:54 PM PST, Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> wrote:
This evening (at very last light), there was a LARK BUNTING among the sparrows here: 34.14559058528002, -118.30313714984327
Earlier, we had a SHORT-EARED OWL in the middle of the field but it quickly disappeared and didn't return whilst we were there. A couple of VESPER SPARROWS continue here too along with at least one sandy spizella that never settled in the open. Both CLAY-COLORED and BREWER'S SPARROWS have been in this sparrow flock over the past week.
Date: 11/13/23 11:59 am From: lisafreeman via groups.io <lisafreeman...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
All terrific birds!! Thanks for the update! What time did you see these?
Lisa Freeman
From: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> On Behalf Of Andrew Birch via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2023 11:02 AM
To: LACoBirds Groups.io <lacobirds...>
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
LARK BUNTING continues in same general vicinity, closely associating with the Lark Sparrow flock. At least 9 VESPER SPARROWS are here too. The SHORT-EARED OWL also showed well a few times. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR also flew over calling and a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD also seen too.
Best, Andy Birch
Los Feliz
On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 06:28:54 PM PST, Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> <mailto:<andyrbirch...> > wrote:
This evening (at very last light), there was a LARK BUNTING among the sparrows here: 34.14559058528002, -118.30313714984327
Earlier, we had a SHORT-EARED OWL in the middle of the field but it quickly disappeared and didn't return whilst we were there. A couple of VESPER SPARROWS continue here too along with at least one sandy spizella that never settled in the open. Both CLAY-COLORED and BREWER'S SPARROWS have been in this sparrow flock over the past week.
Date: 11/13/23 9:42 am From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Male ring necked pheasant
Hi Krista,
There are a few records for the area. They would all be escaped birds of some sort. A female was just sighted at the Arboretum a couple of days ago.
Ed Stonick
Pasadena, CA
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Krista Woods Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2023 7:52 PM To: <LACoBirds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Male ring necked pheasant
I was scrolling through the Nextdoor app and a member caught a male ring necked pheasant on video about five days ago! He was confused what is was and asking for the id. It was in a private property front yard at 1360- 1370 Hillcrest Ave Pasadena. I was shocked, but could confirm through the video and blurry image the ring neck and strong red on the face. What a find! Is this a rarity or a bird that got out of a local sanctuary?
Date: 11/13/23 8:37 am From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Male ring necked pheasant
Krista, I saw pheasant in friendship Park, below where you were in the 1990s. 1990s. I'm surprised that you had one 30 years later. I can't imagine that there is some secret population that stays well hidden, especially considering that there is also the occasional equally non-native red fox.
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
On Sun, Nov 12, 2023, 19:52 Krista Woods <Kristamwoods...> wrote:
> I was scrolling through the Nextdoor app and a member caught a male ring > necked pheasant on video about five days ago! He was confused what is was > and asking for the id. It was in a private property front yard at 1360- > 1370 Hillcrest Ave Pasadena. I was shocked, but could confirm through the > video and blurry image the ring neck and strong red on the face. What a > find! Is this a rarity or a bird that got out of a local sanctuary? > > -Krista Davidson > Pasadena, CA > >
Date: 11/13/23 8:24 am From: Marcus England via groups.io <marcuscengland...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Palm Warbler - LA River near Rio de Los Angeles State Park
Date: 11/12/23 7:52 pm From: Krista Woods <Kristamwoods...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Male ring necked pheasant
I was scrolling through the Nextdoor app and a member caught a male ring necked pheasant on video about five days ago! He was confused what is was and asking for the id. It was in a private property front yard at 1360- 1370 Hillcrest Ave Pasadena. I was shocked, but could confirm through the video and blurry image the ring neck and strong red on the face. What a find! Is this a rarity or a bird that got out of a local sanctuary?
I flushed a Grasshopper Sparrow in the weedy field at point Vicente. It is now perched on a distant fence at 33.746641,-118.409431. it's about the only bird I've seen here today.
Date: 11/12/23 11:01 am From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
LARK BUNTING continues in same general vicinity, closely associating with the Lark Sparrow flock. At least 9 VESPER SPARROWS are here too. The SHORT-EARED OWL also showed well a few times. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR also flew over calling and a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD also seen too.
Best, Andy BirchLos Feliz
On Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 06:28:54 PM PST, Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> wrote:
This evening (at very last light), there was a LARK BUNTING among the sparrows here: 34.14559058528002, -118.30313714984327Earlier, we had a SHORT-EARED OWL in the middle of the field but it quickly disappeared and didn't return whilst we were there. A couple of VESPER SPARROWS continue here too along with at least one sandy spizella that never settled in the open. Both CLAY-COLORED and BREWER'S SPARROWS have been in this sparrow flock over the past week.
Date: 11/12/23 7:57 am From: dotandruss via groups.io <dotandruss...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Varied Thrush at Loyola Marymount U
Not flagged in eBird, but of interest. Yesterday at 8:30 I saw a Varied Thrush from the parking lot, at bluff edge, in the far northeast corner of Loyola Marymount University in Westchester. It's where the Great-crested Flycatcher was. It was in a shrub/tree that was three plants intertwined: an oak, a red berried bush (cotoneaster?), and a vine with whitish lavender phlox-like flowers. After I got a quick glimpse, it flew down toward the riparian corridor.
Date: 11/11/23 6:28 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: [LACoBirds] LARK BUNTING, SHORT-EARED OWL Toyon landfill
This evening (at very last light), there was a LARK BUNTING among the sparrows here: 34.14559058528002, -118.30313714984327Earlier, we had a SHORT-EARED OWL in the middle of the field but it quickly disappeared and didn't return whilst we were there. A couple of VESPER SPARROWS continue here too along with at least one sandy spizella that never settled in the open. Both CLAY-COLORED and BREWER'S SPARROWS have been in this sparrow flock over the past week.
Date: 11/11/23 5:00 pm From: Chris Spurgeon <chris...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bird research grants available from Pasadena Audubon
Of interest to folks in the California birding communities...
Pasadena Audubon is pleased to announce that we're now accepting grant applications for 2024. As always, we're most interested in grant proposals that are relevant to Southern California or the Pacific Flyway. This time we're particularly interested in proposals utilizing Motus technologies or data. In addition we fund scholarships for Young Birders to attend conferences and birding camps.
The grants are open to students (both undergraduate and graduate) and other researchers who are relatively early in their careers. Grants up to $3,000 will be awarded. For full details, and to apply, visit www.pasadenaaudubon.org/grants ( https://www.pasadenaaudubon.org/grants ). The application deadline is January 15, 2024. For more information or questions, please contact <grants...> .
Please share this announcement to any interested parties.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for November 10, 2023.
The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continued on the north side of the Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook through November 10.
A SURF SCOTER was at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required) on November 7.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER at the Ballona Creek mouth continued through November 5. This bird has been along the creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge and also on the nearby Salt Pan.
Up to eight MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were at the A&G Sod Fields in the Antelope Valley (50th Street East and Ave. N) through November 9.
At least one ZONE-TAILED HAWK continued in Monrovia (vicinity of Sawpit Wash and Grand Ave. Park) through November 7.
A SHORT-EARED OWL was at the Ballona Wetlands on November 9.
A NORTHERN YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER was in the east Antelope Valley from November 4-8.
The TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued along the lower Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach through November 7.
A LARK BUNTING was in Area 3 of El Dorado Park in Long Beach on November 4 east of the Police Academy.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at the Toyon Landfill in Griffith Park (weekend access only) on November 5.
An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was at Switzer Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains on November 10 by the westernmost parking area and near the bridge.
A SWAMP SPARROW was near the southwest corner of the main lake at Hansen Dam on November 5 and another was at the Piute Ponds on November 7.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at a residence in Silver Lake on November 7.
Two GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES were along Piru Creek on November 5 and one was at Bonelli Regional Park on November 8 along Kikos Trail.
An ORCHARD ORIOLE was at Satellite Park in Cerritos on November 9 in the east central part of the park.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER was at the Rolling Hills Landfill Loop in Rolling Hills Estates on November 5.
A PALM WARBLER continued along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street (south end of Avila Park) through November 7. Another PALM WARBLER was on San Clemente Island on November 3.
A GRACES WARBLER was near the southwest corner of the UCLA Campus in Westwood on November 5 by the Sage Hill native habitat area.
A male SUMMER TANAGER continued at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through November 8 near the north shore old pier.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena on November 5 in the west side riparian section and in Griffith Park at the Mineral Wells Picnic Area on November 8.
-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: 11/9/23 10:15 pm From: Lance Benner <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Evening Grosbeak and Red Crossbill Irruptions
Hi Everyone,
I want to bring your attention to the fact that evning grosbeaks and red crossbills are irrupting into southern California right now and could turn up in more places where we don't usually encounter them. This has been documented with eBird reports but hasn't received very much attention on the county listserves.
In recent weeks, evening grosbeaks have been reported in the San Gabriel Mountains at Icehouse Canyon near Mt. Baldy Village twice and along the Mt. Islip Trail above Crystal Lake. It seems likely that more are present elsewhere in the San Gabriel Mountains; good places to check are along Blue Ridge, Table Mountain and Big Pines, around Grassy Hollow, Vincent Gap, and along the Angeles Crest Highway between Charlton Flat and Islip Saddle.
Recently groups of grosbeaks have also turned up on Mt. Pinos, at Metcalf Meadow and Bluff Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, near 29 Palms, and on Mt. Laguna in San Diego County. To the north of us, evening grosbeaks are appearing with increasing frequency around the Bay Area and are also moving farther south than usual in the Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley.
Five flight calls types of evening grosbeak are currently known and the only ones documented to date in California have been types 1 and 2. Most of the grosbeaks recorded in southern California this fall have been type 1s but there's also one record of a type 2 at Icehouse Canyon. If you find evening grosbeaks, please record them and upload the recordings to your eBird lists so we can figure out which type you found. Cell phone recordings have proved very effective because grosbeak calls can be quite loud.
Here are links to eBird lists with examples of type 1 calls:
The evening grosbeaks in the Laguna Mountains have been photographed but not yet recorded.
The red crossbill irruption is spreading relatively quickly. There have been reports around Bluff Lake and at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram for a few months, but now reports are popping up in more locations in southern California in the mountains and even away from the mountains. Around Labor Day there were two reports of type 4 red crossbills--one at Morongo and another at Pearblossom Park--that were the first for that flight call type in the southern part of the state. Subsequently reports of type 4s in the south have stopped but some have been reported to our north in San Mateo County. All the red crossbills documented with recordings in the mountains of southern California have been type 2s, but during previous irruptions type 2s and 3s have appeared on the coastal slope and in the desert. So far this fall there aren't yet any reports of type 3s.
The most notable crossbill event in the state recently has been discovery of Cassia crossbills (formerly known as red crossbill flight call type 9s) at Skylawn Cemetery on route 92 in San Mateo County. This appears to be the first California record for this species, which was split from red crossbill in 2017. Initially identified in the South Hills in southern Idaho, in 2021 they were also found in Colorado.
Could they turn up in southern California? We don't know, but there's an irruption underway, so if you find crossbills, please record them and upload the recordings to your eBird lists.
Cassia crossbills sound very similar to type 5 red crossbills, and cannot be distinguished visually, so the only way to document them is through recordings. To date, though there haven't been any type 5 red crossbills recorded in California south of Horseshoe Meadows in the central Sierra Nevada (due west of Lone Pine), so finding a type 5 crossbill in the southern part of the state would also be notable. Type 5 and Cassia crossbills are both adapted for lodgepole pines, but recently both have been present at Skylawn Cemetery, where lodgepole pine does not occur.
How should you obtain audio recordings? Most people have cell phones, and the majority of them include a recording app already installed when you buy the phone. iPhones come with the Voice Memos app and it works pretty well. Android phones have a similar app. The popular "Merlin" app for identifying bird sounds also records them, and in a recent test at Metcalf Meadow, it correctlyidentified evening grosbeaks that I found. It also correctly identified red crossbills that I recorded at Skylawn Cemetery. However, Merlin isn't very sensitive and the sounds need to be pretty loud to appear on the recordings. I regularly hear bird sounds easily that Merlin does not pick up. Merlin isn't always reliable with its species identifications either, and although it's getting better, just because Merlin indicated a certain species is not enough evidence to convince an eBird moderator that you actually found it. If I'm recording with my phone, I prefer Voice Record Pro, which is significantly more sensitive than Merlin. The new Song Meter Touch app is also more sensitive than Merlin and generates sonograms in real time that are more detailed than the ones in Merlin (Voice Record Pro does not produce sonograms). Dedicated sound recording equipment is even better but you can get valuable recordings with just a phone.
Here's a link to an eBird list from Skylawn Cemetery with recordings of Cassia crossbill and red crossbill types 2 and 5:
Bottom line: the current evening grosbeak and red crossbill irruptions are spreading and provide an important community science opportunity. You can contribute to our understanding of these intriguing species by reporting them in eBird and documenting what you find with recordings. Photos are important, but recordings are essential in order to determine the flight call types.
Finally, for more information about red crossbill flight call types, please see the recording of a presentation for Los Angeles Birders in November, 2022. It's available at:
Date: 11/8/23 9:55 pm From: <tgmiko...> <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Flock flying in the dark over Claremont
11082023 19:46 Hi, 5 minutes ago I stepped out into my driveway in the dark at around 7:35 p.m. to get something out of my car and I was puzzled by a very strange, quiet airplane that was flying over the neighborhood. I didn't have any binoculars anywhere nearby, but the airplane was not blinking with the appropriate lights on the left or right wing. As the "airplane" soared very close over Wheeler Park, it turned out that the silent airplane was a flock of approximately 10 very large brown birds that all started flapping their wings at the same time with shallow, stiff beats. Whatever these large birds were, they were silent. Seeing them only with my bare eyes I don't know if they were whimbrels or curlews (based on the mottled, brown appearance of the plumage) or if they were Canada geese that just looked Brown because of the Park lights. Probably know they could have even been pelicans (brown, not white, and statistically the least likely option for whatever they were). They were flying west, towards Bonelli Regional Park. Tom
Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300
Date: 11/6/23 10:00 am From: Doug via groups.io <birds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] ID bird by calls?
[Edited Message Follows]
[Reason: It's a Western screech-owl. Thanks, Dan.]
Edit: It's a Western screech-owl. Thanks, Dan.
Hi all!
it had a sound very like a mourning dove, but staccato, constant-pitch coos; 10-12 coos over about 2-3 seconds.
Three different "modes":
as above, starting at a high pitch then descending;
or, all the same, lower pitch;
or, all the same pitch, but longer-to-shorter coo lengths.
Pretty, exotic sound. Never heard it before.
It was in the middle of the night so I only heard it. In the Flintridge hills.
Date: 11/6/23 9:47 am From: Mark Hunter <funkshn...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] ID bird by calls?
Also last night (7:40), not far away (near the La Canada YMCA), I heard unusual calls, some of which were similar to your description,and some quite different. I knew that they were preliminary calls from Great Horned Owls and a hooting duet soon followed.
Just now, I briefly browsed around on xeno-canto.org, trying to find a recording that matched what I heard, but I was unsuccessful.
Date: 11/6/23 9:14 am From: Doug via groups.io <birds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] ID bird by calls?
Hi all!
it had a sound very like a mourning dove, but staccato, constant-pitch coos; 10-12 coos over about 2-3 seconds.
Three different "modes":
as above, starting at a high pitch then descending;
or, all the same, lower pitch;
or, all the same pitch, but longer-to-shorter coo lengths.
Pretty, exotic sound. Never heard it before.
It was in the middle of the night so I only heard it. In the Flintridge hills.
Hi Jeanette,
They are quite normal there and I have also seen them around the Korean
Friendship Bell.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when
there is nothing left to take away.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
On Sun, Nov 5, 2023, 06:06 Jeanette Repp <jzlrepp...> wrote:
> My teen and I were birding at White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro
> late afternoon yesterday. Saw lots expected species, i.e. White-crowned
> Sparrows, gnatcatchers, and FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers. but then flock of
> birds flew by the size ~flickers but with yellow chest/ bellies. Seemed too
> big and too yellow for kingbirds. One landed on the ground, but I
> couldn't find it. I suspect W. Meadowlark, but haven't seen then there
> before. Anyone have ideas? Migrating through?
>
> Jeanette Repp
> San Pedro, CA
>
> --
> Jeanette Repp
> San Pedro, CA
>
>
A bit of clarification regarding the status of Western Meadowlark at Whites
Point and the L. A. Basin and coast in general....
This species has suffered the same fate as many grassland and open country
bird species, meaning near-complete extirpation from the Los Angeles Basin
as a breeding bird. Just call up a map of sightings of meadowlarks in the
area in eBird and restrict the data to the month of June in the last ten
years (when breeding birds would surely be present) -- you'll find
virtually no reports in the area. So it is misleading to say that
meadowlarks are "fairly common residents" in the Whites Point area (or most
anywhere in the coastal slope of the county).
On the other hand, many populations of Western Meadowlarks are migratory
(or at least undergo marked, if somewhat irregular, seasonal movements).
Flocks routinely arrive in open grassy areas on the Palos Verdes Peninsula
and elsewhere in the region in the early fall and many of these birds spend
the winter. So Jeanette's 4 November sighting of a flock is absolutely
expected at this time of year.
I will not comment on the appropriateness of the modifier "Western," apart
from saying it's less inappropriate than calling this icterid a "lark."
Kimball
On Sun, Nov 5, 2023 at 11:20 AM Ed Stonick <edstonick...> wrote:
> Hi Jeanette,
>
>
>
> Western Meadowlarks are fairly common residents in many places in L. A.
> County, including White Point. They are usually seen on the ground.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed Stonick
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows
>
>
>
> *From: *Jeanette Repp <jzlrepp...>
> *Sent: *Sunday, November 5, 2023 6:06 AM
> *To: *<LACoBirds...>
> *Subject: *[LACoBirds] W. Meadowlarks
>
>
>
> My teen and I were birding at White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro
> late afternoon yesterday. Saw lots expected species, i.e. White-crowned
> Sparrows, gnatcatchers, and FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers. but then flock of
> birds flew by the size ~flickers but with yellow chest/ bellies. Seemed too
> big and too yellow for kingbirds. One landed on the ground, but I
> couldn't find it. I suspect W. Meadowlark, but haven't seen then there
> before. Anyone have ideas? Migrating through?
>
>
>
> Jeanette Repp
>
> San Pedro, CA
>
>
> --
> Jeanette Repp
> San Pedro, CA
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/5/23 11:57 am From: Chuck & Lillian via groups.io <misclists...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] W. Meadowlarks
Jeanette:
We get Western Meadowlarks at Malibu Lagoon
regularly, primarily on the sand islands and flat
areas with low plants, but also on the beach and
"dune areas." Popular months for them are Oct,
Sep, Nov, Dec & Feb, in that order, then
infrequent in all other months and none at all in
May & June. SMBAS does a monthly birdwalk there,
4th Sunday of the month, 8:30am.
Question to anyone: Is "Western" due for name
cancellation by the AOS? Lots of people find that
word too closely connected to colonization and
feel unsafe when they hear it. Same to a lesser
extent for "Northern", while some people consider
"Eastern" to be a derogatory word.
Chuck Almdale
North Hills, Ca.
At 06:06 AM 11/5/2023, Jeanette Repp wrote:
>My teen and I were birding at White Point Nature
>Preserve in San Pedro late afternoon
>yesterday. Saw lots expected species, i.e.
>White-crowned Sparrows, gnatcatchers, and FOS
>Yellow-rumped Warblers. but then flock of birds
>flew by the size ~flickers but with yellow
>chest/ bellies. Seemed too big and too yellow
>for kingbirds. One landed on the ground, but
>I couldn't find it. I suspect W. Meadowlark, but
>haven't seen then there before. Anyone have ideas? Migrating through?
>
> Jeanette Repp
> San Pedro, CA
Date: 11/5/23 11:20 am From: Ed Stonick <edstonick...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] W. Meadowlarks
Hi Jeanette,
Western Meadowlarks are fairly common residents in many places in L. A. County, including White Point. They are usually seen on the ground.
Regards,
Ed Stonick
Sent from Mail for Windows
From: Jeanette Repp Sent: Sunday, November 5, 2023 6:06 AM To: <LACoBirds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] W. Meadowlarks
My teen and I were birding at White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro late afternoon yesterday. Saw lots expected species, i.e. White-crowned Sparrows, gnatcatchers, and FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers. but then flock of birds flew by the size ~flickers but with yellow chest/ bellies. Seemed too big and too yellow for kingbirds. One landed on the ground, but I couldn't find it. I suspect W. Meadowlark, but haven't seen then there before. Anyone have ideas? Migrating through?
Date: 11/5/23 6:06 am From: Jeanette Repp <jzlrepp...> Subject: [LACoBirds] W. Meadowlarks
My teen and I were birding at White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro late afternoon yesterday. Saw lots expected species, i.e. White-crowned Sparrows, gnatcatchers, and FOS Yellow-rumped Warblers. but then flock of birds flew by the size ~flickers but with yellow chest/ bellies. Seemed too big and too yellow for kingbirds. One landed on the ground, but I couldn't find it. I suspect W. Meadowlark, but haven't seen then there before. Anyone have ideas? Migrating through?
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for November 3, 2023.
The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continued on the north side of the Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook through November 3.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City on November 2.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER at the Ballona Creek mouth continued through October 28. This bird has been along the creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge and on the nearby Salt Pan.
Ten MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were at the A&G Sod Fields in the Antelope Valley (50th Street East and Ave. N) on November 1.
Twenty-five CATTLE EGRETS were at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on October 31.
A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON continued at the Ballona Lagoon through October 28. Another was in Long Beach at Marketplace Marsh on November 3. Also present there was a SWAMP SPARROW.
At least one ZONE-TAILED HAWK continued in Monrovia (vicinity of Sawpit Wash and Grand Ave. Park) through November 3.
A NORTHERN YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER was at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library (limited public access hours) in Los Angeles on October 30.
A PRAIRIE MERLIN was in the Antelope Valley on November 1 at 100th Street East and Ave. F.
TROPICAL KINGBIRDS continued along the lower Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach through November 2, at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera through November 1 on the west side south of Mines Ave and at a residence in Long Beach on November 1.
A THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD returned to the Los Angeles Zoo at Griffith Park as of October 23. It has not yet been refound.
A late DUSKY FLYCATCHER was at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB from October 27-November 3.
An EVENING GROSBEAK was along Islip Ridge Trail on October 28.
A CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR was at the Toyon Landfill in Griffith Park (weekend access only) from October 28-29.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at Angels Gate Park in San Pedro on October 30.
The DARK-EYED PINK-SIDED JUNCO at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas continued through November 3 at Sailboat Cove.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was on San Clemente Island from November 1-3.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was at the Cabrillo Salt Marsh in San Pedro on October 26.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued at Madrona Marsh (along the middle road) in Torrance through November 2. Another was by the Nature Center in Placerita Canyon on October 29 and one was at the Village Green Condominiums in Los Angeles on October 29 (private property but birders are welcome, please be thoughtful of the residents). One was also at Creek Park in La Mirada through November 3 (south of Imperial Highway).
A CAPE MAY WARBLER that spent the last two winters at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester had returned as of October 28. Google Maps coordinates 33.9685, -118.4176
A PALM WARBLER continued along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street (south end of Avila Park) through November 3.
Another PALM WARBLER was at the Sepulveda Basin, north of the wildlife area and west of the amphitheater on October 27.
A male SUMMER TANAGER was at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas from November 1-3 near the north shore old pier.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in Chavez Ravine at Elysian Park on October 30.
-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: 11/3/23 9:12 pm From: David Ellsworth <davidells...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Green-tailed Towhee & Clay-colored Sparrow in San Pedro
On Oct 26 at 4:27pm in the Cabrillo Salt Marsh (Salinas de San Pedro), a
bird suddenly plopped onto the shallow water near the inlet. It turned
out to be a *Green-tailed Towhee*! It stayed there, soaking, for 22
seconds before flying up. (At the time, the other birds near it were a
Spotted Sandpiper and a Black Phoebe.) Since I was recording video of it
at the moment it flew, I lost track of it, and at the time, was not able
to spot where it landed. But when reviewing the footage later, I saw
that it actually had landed in plain view on the marsh's rocky shoreline
(although somewhat camouflaged between two rocks, at least to my
colorblind eyes), and stayed there for at least 80 seconds (but less
than 3 minutes). To make matters worse, although I focused correctly on
it initially for a brief time, for most of the video I was slightly out
of focus, and I didn't think to verify the focus, probably due to my
excitement at having the camera trained on a rarity (and the camera
being incapable of showing a digitally-zoomed view while recording). Oh
well.
Other unusual things going on there that day were about 260 Brown
Pelicans feeding just outside the salt marsh, and a visit by a
female/juvenal Great-tailed Grackle from 4:56pm to 5:14pm (several
flyovers while calling, and a couple landings on top of the light the
Osprey usually lands on, before flying off into the distance to the north).
I went back the next day and stayed for hours (from 9:40am to 1:50pm),
but there was no sign of the towhee.
On Oct 30 at 5:30pm, I spotted a *Clay-colored Sparrow* at Angels Gate
Park. At first it did not seem to be shy, but eventually it became aware
of me filming it. At a certain point it flew to the top of the nearby
bush and made some flight calls, before resuming foraging. But after 7
minutes of observation, it flew out of view. But in the same little area
were a Spotted Towhee, a California Towhee, and a bunch of White-crowned
Sparrows.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wngXWf2LFm0 Note that although most of this video is silent (edited to be so, due to
too much undesirable noise), I filtered it to include the sparrow's 8
flight calls from 2:36 to 3:22.
Both of these species were new additions to my 2 mile radius from home
list, bringing it to 232 species. (The previous closest GTTO and CCSP
were 2.73 miles and 8.68 miles, respectively.)
Sorry for the lateness of these reports.
I got a really bad allergy (a.k.a. hay fever) from the Oct 30 outing,
and it took me a few days to get over it. And then it took many hours to
process the video footage of the CCSP. But I visited Angels Gate Park
the last two days in a row in the morning, and found 6-7 *Red-breasted
Nuthatches* (3 in the Osgood/Farley area, and 3 in the Greg Smith
Conifer Grove). The area where the CCSP had been was occupied instead by
4 Ground Squirrels on both days.
Late this morning there were ten Mountain Plovers on the A&G Sod Farms, a semi-regular winter locality for this rapidly declining species. This appears to be the first report this fall/winter.
They were viewed from 40th Street East that runs along the west side of the sod farms, about 0.3 miles south of Ave N (aka R. Lee Ermey Ave). They were near the south end of the large west sod circle; a scope would be very helpful. This is approximately here: 34.62555 -118.05546
A large blackbird/starling flock on the west side of the sod fields, south of Ave N looking west from 50th Street East, included a number of Tricolored Blackbirds and one Yellow-headed Blackbird. A few more Tricoloreds and Yellow-headeds were at the dairy fields along Aves F and F-8 east of 90th Street East, along with a striking adult male *richardsoni *Merlin.
