Date: 7/14/25 11:39 am From: Luke Tiller via groups.io <luke.tiller...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pasadena Audubon Society Fall Pelagic - September 28th
Hi all,
After initially being only open to members the PAS Fall pelagic is now open
to booking for non-members. Details of the trip below.
Luke Tiller, Altadena
Sunday, September 28, from 7 am to 4 pm
Location: Dana Point (24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629)
Price: $135 per person
After another successful trip last year we’re excited to announce our dates
for 2025’s dedicated pelagic! We will depart from Dana Point in Orange
County on the Ocean Institute Explorer. This nine-hour trip will help us
connect with species that are harder to see from just your average whale
watch and chartering the boat will allow us to focus specifically on the
birds. Trip report from 2023 here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/158393 and
2024 here https://ebird.org/tripreport/369158
We will be providing expert pelagic tour leaders for this trip to help pick
out interesting species. Birds that might be encountered include a variety
of shearwaters, jaegers, phalaropes, alcids, gulls, and terns. One of our
main targets will be the rafts of storm-petrels that gather offshore in
September which may include both Black, Ashy, and Least. Uncommon and rare
species seen on prior trips have included: Nazca Booby, Red-billed
Tropicbird and Craveri’s Murrelet, with potential for many others.
Please note that all ticket sales are final, except in the event of trip
cancellation. We will, however, allow transfers and do our best to assist
those who need it.
By traveling on their boat, this trip also helps support the non-profit
Ocean Institute, whose work focuses on marine science, environmental
education, and maritime history.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for July 12, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER continued at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park through July 10.
Two WHITE-WINGED DOVES were at the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach on July 6.
One BLACK SWIFT was seen along Cobal Canyon Motorway above Claremont on July 6. Late afternoon is the time to look for them.
A SCRIPPSS MURRELET was unusual so close to shore at the Ballona Creek mouth on July 6.
A LAYSAN ALBATROSS was observed offshore south of San Pedro on July 6.
From one to a few CALIFORNIA CONDORS continued to be seen along Ridge Route Road through July 8. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through July 12. It often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course, but may be seen anywhere in the general area.
Several PURPLE MARTINS continued at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through July 10.
Another PURPLE MARTIN was seen from Ridge Route Road north of Castaic on July 8.
AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through July 10. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
-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: 7/6/25 10:56 am From: Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Scripps’s Murrelet, MDR, 7/6/25
Perhaps old news, but there is a Scripps's Murrelet in the harbor entrance at Marina Del Rey, about 2/3 of the way out between the two northern jetties.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for July 5, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER continued at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park through July 4.
Small and varying numbers of CALIFORNIA CONDORS (up to five) continued to be seen along Ridge Route Road through July 4. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through July 4. It often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course, but may be seen anywhere in the general area.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 29 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Up to five PURPLE MARTINS continued at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through July 3 and two more were off the Angeles Crest Highway along Barley Flats Road on July 3.
AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through July 4. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
-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
Have you ever wondered why flickers, with their striking colors, look so
different across regions? Or what happens when Eastern Yellow-shafted and
Western Red-shafted flickers meet? Join us as Dr. Aguillon shares her
research on these fascinating “Flicker intergrades” and what they reveal
about genetic diversity and adaptation in bird populations. Using
cutting-edge genomic sequencing, Dr. Aguillon will guide us through the
story of flicker coloration and the exciting science behind it.
This is a unique opportunity to dive deep into bird genetics and explore
what makes these vibrant woodpeckers so distinct. Whether you’re a birder,
scientist, or just curious, this talk will bring the beauty of flickers—and
the science of coloration—into a whole new light!
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/>!
Looking for a past webinar? Don’t forget that a list of all of our
previously recorded webinars <https://www.labirders.org/webinars.html> is
available on our website – which might come in handy if you want to study
up before a field trip, or if you're looking to build your birding skills
from home! Just scroll all the way down, past our upcoming and most recent
online programs and you'll find a list of webinars sorted by category.
These recordings are all viewable via our YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbAhQTFVaeowMCl-sD2e0g> page.
Upcoming Programs
7/6 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field trip)
- FULL
7/11 Birds and Books with Rebecca Marschall (field trip) - FULL
7/26 Mt. Pinos with Spencer Seale (field trip)
8/3 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field trip)
Date: 6/29/25 9:16 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bridge Fire closure lifted; birds in the mountains and offshore
Hi all,
The Angeles National Forest made an abrupt U-turn and terminated the Bridge Fire closure order that was supposed to last until May 2026, and opened up everything as of June 20, 2025: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/angeles/alerts/bridge-fire-area-closure-terminated. That means everything in the Bridge Fire closure area is now open: parts of the high country such as Blue Ridge and the old Baldy trail, Glendora Mountain Road, the Bridge to Nowhere etc. Many of the access roads are still closed (Angeles Crest Highway, Glendora Mountain Road etc) but the forest is technically open.
Today I went on a hike in Cattle Canyon, which starts just below Heaton Flat where the Bridge Fire originated. The devastation due to the fire is extreme in the area, with all the hillsides burned down completely to the ground. I was amazed that they hastened to open up this part of the forest, but of all the things the government is doing that don't make any sense, I will not complain about having access to public lands. Patches of riparian vegetation have survived in the canyon, and I found a few breeding birds. Fire-followers like Lazuli Buntings and Lawrence's Goldfinches were well-represented, but also most of the usual breeding birds. I also found a couple of American Dippers 3 miles up the canyon -- I've been meaning to go look for them in this canyon for a few years, and I was glad to find them there, even after the fire damage to the canyon. eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S255471669
Part of the reason I got a late start on a hot day was because some of us went on a pelagic trip yesterday to faraway San Clemente basin (southeast of San Clemente island), and it was a tiring and somewhat rough ride back. There were relatively few birds until we got south of the island, but we found the usual suspects once we got there. Good numbers of Pink-footed Shearwaters offshore, about a dozen Cook's Petrels, a few Craveri's Murrelets, two Black-footed Albatrosses, and a small number of Ashy and Leach's Storm-Petrels to go with the more numerous Black Storm-Petrels. Trip report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/389897
Date: 6/29/25 8:23 pm From: Jon Fisher via groups.io <JonF60...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Los Angeles RBA- June 29 2025
- RBA
* California
* Los Angeles RBA
* June 29, 2025
* CALA2506.29
-Birds mentioned
Inca Dove
Franklins Gull
Brown Pelican
California Condor
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
Burrowing Owl
Purple Martin
American Dipper
Graces Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
California Bird Records Committee (report rarities as appropriate on the rare bird report form): http://www.californiabirds.org/
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for June 29, 2025.
An INCA DOVE was in Lake Los Angeles along Sweetaire Ave. west of 169th Street East on June 28.
A FRANKLINS GULL was at Malibu Lagoon on June 26.
A BROWN PELICAN continued at Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley through June 27.
Up to seven CALIFORNIA CONDORS continued to be seen along the Ridge Route Road through June 27. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through June 28. It most often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 26 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Two PURPLE MARTINS were at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through June 24 and two more were along the Angeles Crest Highway at the mile marker 42 pullout on June 22.
Another PURPLE MARTIN was at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh on June 21.
Up to four AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through June 26. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
A GRACES WARBLER continued along the entrance road to Horse Flats Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains through June 22. Google Maps 34.3487, -118.0093
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in Lakewood on June 23.
An INDIGO BUNTING was along the Chaney Trail Corridor above Altadena on June 25. Google Maps 34.2074, -118.1507
-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: 6/24/25 9:25 am From: Nancy Salem via groups.io <nansalem...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pigeon Guillemot in Belmont Shore
Hello,
A juvenile Pigeon Guillemot was swimming fairly close to shore in Belmont Shore. According to Sibley’s Guide, juveniles are usually seen starting in August. So I was hesitant at first, nevertheless surprised!
Initially seen closer to Rosie’s Dog Beach, then drifted east. Rough coordinates:
Date: 6/22/25 10:47 am From: Al Borodayko via groups.io <adboro...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swallow-tailed Kite Continues 22 Jun 2025
The swallow-tailed Kite continues this morning, Sunday, at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park. It was in one of the Palm Trees next to the northernmost viewing/fishing platform. It preened for a while, then lifted off, circled and drifted south toward the refinery. It was probably about 8:00 - 9:00AM. Others were there to see it as well.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for June 21, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER was at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City through June 17.
A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was observed briefly at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh on June 21.
Up to three BLACK SWIFTS were above Claremont Wilderness Park from June 15-18.
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through June 21. It most often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 18 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Two PURPLE MARTINS were at Chilao Campground from June 15-20 near the meadow.
Up to three AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through June 19.
A GRACES WARBLER was along the entrance road to Horse Flats Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains on June 21.
An INDIGO BUNTING was on San Clemente Island (no public access) on June 16.
Santa Catalina Island had a CAPE MAY WARLER, an ORCHARD ORIOLE and a TENNESSEE WARBLER on June 14 in the Thompson Reservoir area and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and a NORTHERN PARULA in Avalon the same day.
-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: 6/19/25 9:42 am From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Claremont "vagrant", Black Swifts
Ahoy, 1. I had a singing uncooperative (is there any other kind?) Fox Sparrow in suburban Claremont at the intersection of Bucknell and Doane this morning. That is one of the few birds that other people have had at Wheeler Park that I have never had up until this morning. Becky Turley had one here vaguely 10 years ago and it's been bothering me ever since. 2. Whenever I walk Duke around 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning, I do not see Swinhoe's White-eyes in the park but I am reliably seeing them when I take him for a walk at 8:00 a.m. they are consistently in a small eucalyptus tree with extensive filamentous red flowers on the immediate west edge of the Vista Elementary School parking lot. (I am sure that everybody who regularly walks their neighborhood or some local park has observed that you consistently get a different set of birds at 6:00 a.m. versus 7:00 a.m. versus 9:00 a.m.) The Allen's Hummingbirds are consistently very aggressive towards the Swinhoe's White-eyes. 3. There will be a Black Swift walk organized by Pomona Valley Audubon Society on Sunday, July 13th. It is held this late on purpose to make sure the weather is horrible and miserable and hot. Info available online. Bring bug spray. Seriously, do not leave home without bug spray. I'm going to do another scouting trip somewhere in the next 4 days. If you want to attend this trip, plan on being there for hours and standing around with no bathroom. It is a steep walk up a dirt road in the heat. https://pomonavalleyaudubon.org/field-trips/ Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 " ... there's a relationship between attention span and morality. I think that, if you shorten people's attention span a great deal, you are left with only the attraction of power."--Marcel Ophuls 1978
Date: 6/18/25 5:30 pm From: Luke Tiller via groups.io <luke.tiller...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tonight's Pasadena Audubon Meeting - Everything you always wanted to know about eBird with John Garrett
Luke Tiller - President, Pasadena Audubon Society.
Everything you always wanted to know about eBird with John Garrett
Every year, birders around the world submit millions of observations to
eBird, helping to create one of the largest biodiversity datasets ever
assembled. In this talk, John Garrett shares how that information is being
used to advance science and conservation—and just as importantly, how
birders can use eBird to sharpen their skills, find birds more effectively,
and contribute to something bigger in the process. We’ll also look at how
data quality is maintained behind the scenes and why your checklist really
does matter.
John Garrett is a Project Coordinator at eBird. His role is focused on
scaling our data quality process as eBird continues to grow; this involves
coordinating eBird’s team of 2000+ reviewers as well as steering and
testing new developments on web and mobile. While he now lives in Ithaca,
NY, he is from Pasadena and occasionally helps review eBird records for Los
Angeles County.
Date: 6/18/25 2:23 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [LACoBirds] SBVAS pelagic trip: Saturday, August 30
San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a 10-hour pelagic trip to the nearshore waters between Dana Point and Catalina Island on Saturday, August 30, 2025. We will be departing from Dana Point aboard the R/V Sea Explorer at 7:00 AM and returning at 5:00 PM. This extended trip should allow us time to reach and spend some time at the north end of Thirty Mile Bank or the Catalina Escarpment after travelling through Orange County waters. We have a reasonable probability of seeing the following sought-after pelagic species on this trip: Black, Leach’s, Least, and Ashy Storm-Petrels, Long-tailed Jaeger, Craveri's Murrelet, Sabine’s Gull, and Arctic Tern. Additionally, it is a good time of year to find rarer species such as Black-footed Albatross, Red-billed Tropicbird, South Polar Skua, Townsend's Storm-Petrel, and any number of boobies. The cost for the trip is $150 per person. To reserve a space on the trip, email me (see below) with your name and phone number, the number of spaces you want to reserve, and the names of those in your party.
The Sea Explorer is a 65-foot research vessel with plenty of standing room, bench seating on both the upper and lower decks, and an interior salon with limited seating. There is no galley on board, so you should bring your own lunch for this 10-hour excursion. Weather at sea is often cool relative to the mainland, and can be unpredictable. It is recommended that you dress in layers including a light rain jacket for potential sea spray (or even rain). A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential. Bring your binoculars and cameras, but leave your spotting scopes at home. There are a number of over-the-counter preventative seasickness treatments available; consult with your doctor if you think you will need them. They are most effective when taken before you get on the boat; do not wait until you are sick. If you have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Tom Benson: thomasabenson AT aol.com.
Date: 6/16/25 4:11 pm From: Scott Marnoy via groups.io <gopherus2...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swallow-tailed Kite Wing Mark
We were fortunate enough to see the Swallow-tailed Kite at Ken Molloy Harbor Regional Park today. All of my photos show a lucency in the right wing at the base of the 1st primary. It is probably from a projectile. It may be a useful identifying feature if the bird is seen in the future.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S251160244
Scott Marnoy
Claremont, CAScott Marnoy
Field Trip Chair
Pomona Valley Audubon
951.217.8251
<gopherus2...>
Date: 6/15/25 10:05 pm From: condor262001 via groups.io <condor262001...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Video of Continuing Swallow-tailed Kite
While many have seen this rarity I presume others may travel some distance for a good look.
While it is seen in various locations in the morning (often on the N end of lake (opposite Kaiser) perched). It does seem to disappear between ~12 and ~2-3. It is presumably on the east side of the lake, perhaps over the golf course or resting in a tree. I was there today between 12 to 1 and walked over to the golf course area across the dam at the south end. There are a few places where one view into the course areas. No luck.
However the bird seems to reappear after 3, for about an hour, hunting along and over the trees on the eastern shore with often a brief visit (presumabaly to provide great views to birders) on the west side fishing decks opposite Kaiser, off Vermont.
I posted at the link below a 2+ minute video, from Friday June 13, of it hunting along the east shore of the lake at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, taken from the west shore.
Date: 6/15/25 3:32 pm From: Vargas, Norman via groups.io <normvargas2011...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Continuing Swallow-tailed Kite - 6/15/25
Currently flying low over the lake on the east side.
Norm Vargas
San Gabriel
On Sun, Jun 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM Vargas, Norman via groups.io
<normvargas2011...> wrote:
> Seen now at the north side of the lake, soaring above the tree line. We
> are viewing from the Ranger station lookout platform
>
> Norm Vargas
> San Gabriel
>
> On Sun, Jun 15, 2025 at 8:44 AM Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> The kite appeared for about one minute flying over the Ken Malloy Ranger
>> Station at approximately 0834. I looked down to send a message and it was
>> gone again when I looked back up. Other birders thought it went off in the
>> direction of the refinery.
>>
>> Happy Father's Day to fellow dad birders!
>>
>> --
>> Ryan Winkleman
>> Rancho Santa Margarita
>> Orange County
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 6/15/25 2:48 pm From: Vargas, Norman via groups.io <normvargas2011...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Continuing Swallow-tailed Kite - 6/15/25
Seen now at the north side of the lake, soaring above the tree line. We are
viewing from the Ranger station lookout platform
Norm Vargas
San Gabriel
On Sun, Jun 15, 2025 at 8:44 AM Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> The kite appeared for about one minute flying over the Ken Malloy Ranger
> Station at approximately 0834. I looked down to send a message and it was
> gone again when I looked back up. Other birders thought it went off in the
> direction of the refinery.
>
> Happy Father's Day to fellow dad birders!
>
> --
> Ryan Winkleman
> Rancho Santa Margarita
> Orange County
>
>
>
Date: 6/15/25 8:44 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Continuing Swallow-tailed Kite - 6/15/25
The kite appeared for about one minute flying over the Ken Malloy Ranger Station at approximately 0834. I looked down to send a message and it was gone again when I looked back up. Other birders thought it went off in the direction of the refinery.
Happy Father's Day to fellow dad birders!
--
Ryan Winkleman
Rancho Santa Margarita
Orange County
Date: 6/14/25 12:06 pm From: Jon Fisher via groups.io <JonF60...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Los Angeles RBA- June 14 2025
- RBA
* California
* Los Angeles RBA
* June 14, 2025
* CALA2506.14
-Birds mentioned
Hooded Merganser
Pacific Loon
Least Tern
Brown Pelican
California Condor
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
Broad-winged Hawk
Whimbrel
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Verdin
American Redstart
Chestnut-sided Warbler
California Bird Records Committee (report rarities as appropriate on the rare bird report form): http://www.californiabirds.org/
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for June 14, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER was at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City from June 10-14.
The long-staying PACIFIC LOON at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas continued through June 10. Additionally, two PACIFIC LOONS were at Quail Lake on June 11.
A BROWN PELICAN continued at Lake Balboa in Van Nuys through June 10.
Up to five CALIFORNIA CONDORS were near the Old Ridge Route and Templin Highway north of Santa Clarita through June 10.
A BALD EAGLE was at the Ballona Wetlands on June 6.
A continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City through June 14. It prefers the north end of the lake and golf course.
A BROAD-WINGED HAWK and a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER were on San Clemente Island (no public access) on June 10.
Two WHIMBRELS were at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB on June 8, with one remaining through June 12. A letter of permission is required for access.
A VERDIN continued in Santa Clarita (San Francisquito Creek Trail) through June 11.
An AMERICAN REDSTART and a LEAST TERN were at the Piute Ponds on June 13.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was at a residence in Rancho Palos Verdes on June 10.
-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
