Date: 10/4/24 10:55 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Los Angeles river in Maywood
Hi all,
Gull season has arrived to the gulling capital of the world that is the Los Angeles river in Maywood. This evening (10/4), Mark Wilson and I had three Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the small gull flocks between Slauson and Atlantic. The birds were of different ages (we think 1, 2 and >3 years old), and it was interesting to see all of them in molt. One of the birds likely summered in the area, another one was found by Mark a couple of days ago, and I think the adult is new to the river this season.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for October 4, 2024.
An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was along the Los Angeles River between the Slauson and Imperial crossings on September 28.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER continued in the Ballona area through September 30. It has been seen on the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge. It is usually mixed in with the flock of Black-bellied Plovers.
Another PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER was at the West San Pedro Channel (offshore) on September 29 along with two other Golden-Plovers of undetermined species.
A SABINE’S GULL was at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required for access) on September 27.
FRANKLIN’S GULLS were at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on October 1 and at the Piute Ponds on October 2.
A 3rd cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was along the Los Angeles River between the Atlantic Blvd. and Florence Ave. crossings on October 2.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach through October 4.
The BROAD-WINGED HAWK on San Clemente Island continued through September 26. Also on the island was a GRAY VIREO on September 24 and a PALM WARBLER on October 2. There is no public access to the island.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach on October 1.
A GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER was at the Piute Ponds on October 2.
TROPICAL KINGBIRDS were along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach on October 3 and at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera on October 4.
A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was at the Amargosa Creek Flood Basin at Avenue G and Highway 14 in the Antelope Valley on October 2.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was at the Toyon Landfill in Griffith Park on October 1. Public access only on weekends.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES were at Wheeler Park in Claremont through October 1, in Temple City and in Rolling Hills on October 3 and at Malibu Bluffs Park on October 4.
A BOBOLINK continued at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale through September 29 in the weedy area by the dam outflow and another was at Malibu Bluffs Park on October 2.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE continued at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach through September 29 along the fence line east of Begg Pool. A TENNESSEE WARBLER was present on September 29 and an AMERICAN REDSTART continued through September 29.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS were at the Silver Lake Reservoir through September 30 and Madrona Marsh in Torrance through October 3.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER continued at the Village Green Condominiums in Los Angeles through September 28.
AMERICAN REDSTARTS were at El Dorado Park in Long Beach on September 27, at the Piute Ponds on September 27 and at Switzer’s Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains on September 30.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and an INDIGO BUNTING were in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island on September 27. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was there on September 28.
A PAINTED BUNTING was along the Los Angeles River in Long Beach by the end of Hill Street on October 3.
-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: 10/4/24 1:44 pm From: Lance Benner via groups.io <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Big Santa Anita Canyon is Open
All, Big Santa Anita Canyon reopened this week for the first time since the Bobcat fire four years ago. I went up to Chantry Flats after work last night and walked around a bit. There wasn't much fire damage around the picnic area and slopes with chaparral are clearly recovering. I didn't have time to hike down to the bottom of the canyon so I don't know about conditions there. There is still plenty of water in the canyon following storms from the last two winters: it was louder than usual from the edge of the parking lot. Posters on the bulletin boards indicate that most of the trails have reopened but some haven't: -Hermit Falls-Mt. Zion Trail between Hoegee's Campground and Spruce Grove Campground-Gabrielino Trail between Spruce Grove Campground and Newcomb's Pass-The trail from Sturtevant Camp to Echo Point at the top of Mt. Wilson. The main trail up to Sturtevant Falls is open. It was already dusk when I got there and only a few diurnal birds were still active (acorn woodpeckers, California towhees, and scrub jays), but shortly after 7 pm the picnic area was full of sounds from multiple western screech owls, great horned owls, and common poorwills. One poorwill flushed off the pavement about 100 meters south of the parking lot as I left. Regards, Lance Lance BennerPasadena, CA _._,_._,_
Using over 20 years of data on the reintroduced flocks of California
Condors in California, conservation biologists have unveiled a
comprehensive strategy to promote the recovery of this iconic bird. The
California Condor is one of a growing number of species considered
conservation reliant, meaning they need active (and costly) management
efforts to stave off extinction in the wild.
Dr. Myra Finkelstein will describe the main findings from the team’s latest
research, published in the journal Biological Conservation, in which Condor
biologists and managers collaborated to predict Condor population futures
under different management strategies. The team’s simulation models
highlighted a bright spot for the largest bird in North America. Unlike
many conservation-reliant species that will need human help indefinitely,
California Condors can transition to self-sustainability with the
successful implementation of just one action, the societal switch to
non-lead ammunition
Specifically, Dr. Finkelstein will discuss how to i) maximize Condor
captive breeding resources, ii) offset the mortality of adult Condors and
iii) buffer the threat of catastrophic events (e.g., wildfire, disease).
Overall, the team’s recent research underscores the indispensable role of
captive-bred releases in growing the wild Condor population in California.
Freeing these Condors from being forever conservation reliant, however,
will require an additional release — from the weight of lead-related
mortality. Join Dr. Finkelstein as she discusses the preservation of this
iconic species.
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.
Quiz yourself! Did you know that LAB’s website features monthly quizzes to
test your bird identification skills? You can find the current quiz, and
all past quizzes on our website <https://labirders.org/quizzes.html>. Thank
you to LAB-Students members for putting in the time to devise these for us!
Upcoming Programs
10/8 Soaring into the Future: Innovative Strategies for California Condor
Conservation with Myra Finkelstein (webinar)
Date: 9/28/24 11:42 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Thick-billed Fox Sparrows moving in the Santa Monica mountains
Hi all,
This evening (Sep 28), I walked a short loop in the Nicholas Flats area in the western Santa Monica mountains. Along about 2 miles of trail that I hiked before sunset, I tallied 14 Fox Sparrows, and they were all Thick-billed types. Almost all the birds were calling, and many were singing soft songs, particularly towards sunset.
These were my first Fox Sparrows away from the breeding grounds this season. I understand this is the group that migrates the earliest, so it is perhaps not so surprising to have them here towards the end of September, but I thought the density of Fox Sparrows along the trail was impressive. I hope it is a sign that this winter will bring lots of sparrows into the chaparral.
It was reasonably birdy overall, even if I did not find any raptors, which I was hoping to see on the hike.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for September 27, 2024.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER continued in the Ballona area through September 22. It has been seen on the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge. It is usually mixed in with the flock of Black-bellied Plovers.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach through September 26.
A WESTERN CATTLE EGRET was at Madrona Marsh in Torrance on September 25.
A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on September 21.
An EASTERN KINGBIRD was at the Scholl Canyon Ball Fields in the San Rafael Hills on September 25.
A LEAST FLYCATCHER was on Santa Catalina Island on September 22 as was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.
The “Black-backed” WHITE WAGTAIL continued along the Los Angeles River just above the Rosecrans Ave. in Paramount through September 23. This bird spends much of its time in the structure of the pipe bridge just upstream from Rosecrans, returning to the riverbed to forage periodically. Access is from Ralph Dills Park (if access gates are open) or from Rosecrans via Orange Ave.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were at Madrona Marsh in Torrance on September 21 and at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City on September 25.
BOBOLINKS were along the south shore of the main lake at Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace on September 21, along the San Gabriel River adjacent Dunlap Crossing in Pico Rivera from September 22-24 (two birds) and by the spillway at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale on September 26 (two birds).
On San Clemente Island (no public access), a LARK BUNTING was seen from September 22-24, an OVENBIRD was found on September 22, a DICKCISSEL was seen on September 22, along with a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER on September 23 and a TENNESSEE WARBLER on September 24.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach on September 26 along the fence line east of Begg Pool.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS were at Silver Lake Reservoir on September 22 and at the Bette Davis Picnic Area in Glendale on September 25.
TENNESSEE WARBLERS was at the Village Green Condominiums in Los Angeles from September 21-22, at the south end of the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood on September 21 and at Wheeler Park in Claremont on September 24
An AMERICAN REDSTART was in Rancho Palos Verdes on September 25.
A NORTHERN PARULA was in Atwater Village on September 27 near the north end of the Los Feliz Golf Course.
The TROPICAL PARULA continued near the Switzer Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains through September 27. It has been in the area near the first stream crossing (not the bridge) about one quarter mile downstream from the parking area. Google Maps 34.2646, -118.1508.
A BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER was at Topanga State Park by the Trippet Ranch entrance on September 21.
A PALM WARBLER was at Sunnyside Cemetery in Signal Hill on September 21.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in La Crescenta on September 21.
A male INDIGO BUNTING was along the San Gabriel River just below the Whittier Blvd. crossing in Pico Rivera on September 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: 9/27/24 4:36 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: [LACoBirds] NORTHERN PARULA, Atwater Village
At lunchtime today, there was a NORTHERN PARULA in sycamores at the north end of Los Feliz Golf Course. Parking at LF Golf Course off LF Blvd and walk north along the bike path and bird was visible from here:34.12618° N, 118.27072° WA couple of WOOD DUCKS also remain in the river just north of here.
Best, Andy BirchLos Feliz
Date: 9/25/24 9:46 am From: Nancy Salem via groups.io <vintage330...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Clay-colored Sparrow —Harbor Park
Hello,
There’s a Clay-colored Sparrow around the “bird bath” at Harbor Park. Coordinates:
33°47′6″ N 118°17′46″ W
Searched for, and could not locate, a Broad-winged Hawk. When reported by John Sterling, it was at the willow thickets area. That was a few years ago around this time. It was predicted that Broad-winged Hawk would migrate through the park this year (see Andy Birch’s post on Discord).
Date: 9/23/24 11:44 am From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] LA River Fall shorebird survey 2024: Day 3 results
Hi all,
Our third and final day of the annual shorebird survey of the LA river this fall was on Saturday September 21. The results are here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/276491
The coverage on September 21 was the same as August 31. It was an overcast morning, with cool temperatures and calm winds. The water level in the river remained fairly high. We found increased numbers of shorebirds as we progressed further into fall migration. Three Pectoral Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper were found. The Stilt Sandpipers on the lower river appeared after Day 2 and left before Day 3.
The season's results are tabulated at the bottom of this email.
It may also be interesting to compare with last year's summary -- see my post on the listserv here: https://groups.io/g/LACoBirds/message/3871. The most striking thing for me is that we fared even poorer with Western Sandpiper numbers this year than last year. Otherwise, the numbers are more or less the same, with more Least Sandpipers found along the river yesterday than last year.
Since the observers report everything along the river, and not just shorebirds, it may reveal other points of interest as well. Saturday was clearly a very good day to observe swallow and swift migration along the river under cloudy skies. And while technically not a shorebird, Dick Barth added the long-continuing White Wagtail in Paramount to the survey's results.
Thanks again to the birders who participated: Jeff Boyd, Jon Fisher, Sarah Ngo, Lance Benner, Dick Barth, Mark Wilson, Mark and Janet Scheel, and Andy Birch. We hope to do this again next fall.
Regards, Naresh
Date 11-Aug-24 31-Aug-24 21-Sep-24 Conditions Warm 70 to 82 F, clear skies, no wind. The tide was a flat low tide at the river mouth. Marine layer over the lower river, clearing. No wind. Mid-60s F warming to mid-70s F Overcast over the entire river, calm, mid-60s to low 70s F. High tide at river mouth Comments Water levels in the river were fairly high throughout the survey area, with strong flow in the central channel. Continuing high water levels. Increasing shorebird numbers with the arrival of juveniles Continuing high water levels. Increasing numbers and diversity of shorebirds
Date: 9/21/24 9:01 am From: rebecca.fenning via groups.io <rebecca.fenning...> Subject: [LACoBirds] LA Birders Webinar, 9/24: Passerine Evolutionary History & Biogeography
Dear Birders,
You are invited to the next LA Birders webinar:
Evolutionary History and Biogeography of the Passerine Family
Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of birds with another
webinar by Diego Blanco, this time focusing on the Evolutionary History and
Biogeography of the Passerine Family! Diego will explore how songbirds have
spread across the globe and how they’ve changed over time. Think of it like
a bird family tree, where we’ll uncover who’s related to who and where they
all came from.
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.
Quiz yourself! Did you know that LAB’s website features monthly quizzes to
test your bird identification skills? You can find the current quiz, and
all past quizzes on our website <https://labirders.org/quizzes.html>. Thank
you to LAB-Students members for putting in the time to devise these for us!
Upcoming Programs
9/24 Evolutionary History and Biogeography of the Passerine Family with
Diego Blanco (webinar)
9/28 Long Beach Migration with Merryl Edelstein, Christine Jacobs, Kim
Moore, and Becky Turley (field trip) FULL
9/28 Moore Lab Phylogenetics Tour (member-only field trip)
9/29 5-hour Redondo Canyon Pelagic with Jon Feenstra (field trip) FULL
10/1 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field
trip, sign-up coming soon)
10/8 Soaring into the Future: Innovative Strategies for California Condor
Conservation with Myra Finkelstein (webinar)
10/12 Catalina Island field trip with Laura Vandezande (field trip, sign-up
coming soon)
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for September 20, 2024.
A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was in Glendora on September 14.
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was on San Clemente Island (no public access) on September 18 and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK was there on September 19.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER continued in the Ballona area through September 18. It has been seen on the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and also along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge. It is usually mixed in with the flock of Black-bellied Plovers.
At least two STILT SANDPIPERS continued along the Los Angeles River just above Willow Street through September 14.
A FRANKLIN’S GULL was at Zuma Lagoon on September 13.
The LITTLE BLUE HERON at the Jack Dunster Marine Reserve in Long Beach was present through September 15. Google Earth coordinates are 33.7624, -118.1195.
Another LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach through September 18.
PURPLE MARTINS were at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB on September 15 and along the Los Angeles River in Glendale by the 134 Freeway on September 19.
The “Black-backed” WHITE WAGTAIL continued along the Los Angeles River just above the Rosecrans Ave. in Paramount through September 18. This bird spends much of its time in the structure of the pipe bridge just upstream from Rosecrans, returning to the riverbed to forage periodically. Access is from Ralph Dills Park (if access gates are open) or from Rosecrans via Orange Ave.
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was along Woodley Creek in the Sepulveda Basin from September 15-17, adjacent the north end of the model airplane complex.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES were at Leo Carillo State Park on September 13 and at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required for entry) on September 14.
A BOBOLINK was along the Los Angeles River in Glendale just below the 134 Freeway crossing from September 18-19.
A WORM-EATING WARBLER was near the center of Madrona Marsh in Torrance on September 19.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was at Lacy Park in San Marino on September 18.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER was at Creek Park in La Mirada on September 13 south of Imperial Highway.
A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was at a residence in Long Beach from September 14-16.
An AMERICAN REDSTART was in Santa Monica on September 14.
The TROPICAL PARULA continued near the Switzer Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains through September 17. It has been by the first stream crossing (not the bridge) about one quarter mile downstream from the parking area. Google Maps 34.2646, -118.1508. It sings occasionally but can be difficult to locate.
A CANADA WARBLER was at St. Andrew’s Abbey near Valyermo on September 20.
SUMMER TANAGERS were at Kenneth Hahn SRA in Baldwin Hills on September 14, at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood on September 15 and at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica on September 15.
INDIGO BUNTINGS included one to two in the Lower Arroyo Seco in Pasadena from September 14-16 and two along the San Gabriel River in South El Monte between Peck Road and the Whittier Narrows Dam on September 14.
-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: 9/20/24 4:58 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Canada Warbler, St. Andrews Abbey in Valyermo
Hi all,
To add to the migration report at St Andrews Abbey, I stopped by for about
45 minutes this late afternoon at the parking lot. I did not find a Canada
warbler -- in addition to my general incompetence, I have also been too
easily distracted by other migrants below the clouds: a little over 400
Turkey Vultures have passed me going east along the foothills, and there
have been several species of swifts and swallows.
Naresh
--
Naresh Satyan
Pasadena, CA
On Fri, Sep 20, 2024, 10:45 AM Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Around 10:00-10:15 this morning I watched a Canada Warbler in the big
> cottonwood tree at the north end of the parking lot (right after you enter
> the Abbey grounds) at St. Andrews Abbey. A moderately bright bird but with
> fairly faint gray breast streaks. It kept to itself, foraging among the
> cottonwood leaves, and managed to stay hidden in the dense foliage for
> prolonged periods.
>
> The passage of this weak storm front seems to have unleashed a lot of
> migrants here. Lots of White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows, a Plumbeous
> VIreo (in the cottonwood/eucalyptus grove at far SW end of Abbey grounds),
> groups of Vaux's Swifts and Violet-green Swallows, etc. I'll have the eBird
> list done soon.
>
> Recall that the Abbey grounds are not a recreation area. Be quiet and
> respectful when birding the grounds.
>
> Kimball Garrett
> Juniper Hills
>
>
Date: 9/20/24 10:45 am From: Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Canada Warbler, St. Andrews Abbey in Valyermo
Around 10:00-10:15 this morning I watched a Canada Warbler in the big cottonwood tree at the north end of the parking lot (right after you enter the Abbey grounds) at St. Andrews Abbey. A moderately bright bird but with fairly faint gray breast streaks. It kept to itself, foraging among the cottonwood leaves, and managed to stay hidden in the dense foliage for prolonged periods.
The passage of this weak storm front seems to have unleashed a lot of migrants here. Lots of White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows, a Plumbeous VIreo (in the cottonwood/eucalyptus grove at far SW end of Abbey grounds), groups of Vaux's Swifts and Violet-green Swallows, etc. I'll have the eBird list done soon.
Recall that the Abbey grounds are not a recreation area. Be quiet and respectful when birding the grounds.
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont, LA County
909.241.3300
"Just because something uses up my attention doesn’t mean I’m actually
paying attention to it. A recent story in The Atlantic examined how we’ve
abandoned meals for snacks. I see the same trend in my culture consumption:
I’m noshing on bits of content all the time, but seldom sitting down for a
full meal."--Melissa Kirsch
Date: 9/18/24 9:00 pm From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: [LACoBirds] BOBOLINK, LA River, Glendale
This evening, there was a BOBOLINK in the vegetation in the river immediately south of the 134 freeway. Park at Ferraro Soccer Fields, enter the bike path at the open gate and then turn right along the bike path. It favored vegetation here:34.15157208459543, -118.27874097477648at one point it flew to the bushes here:34.150642947654646, -118.27959269532455but it then returned back to that same patch in the river. Habitat looks decent here so hopefully it may linger.
Best, Andy Birch
Los Feliz
Date: 9/16/24 6:52 am From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pink-footed Shearwaters in the San Pedro channel
Hi all,
Just a quick note that there were massive flocks of Pink-footed Shearwaters in the western San Pedro channel near the 270 Bank yesterday 9/15/24. We estimated at least 900 birds feeding with various marine mammals in the area, or sitting on the water after feeding. I personally have not seen such big numbers in our local waters (or anywhere else for that matter). We tallied over 1000 birds in the channel from the 270 Bank to the west to about Lasuen sea mount to the south.
We tried to look through every one of them to find something different, but it was hard work and we didn't really find anything else. Mark Wilson spotted a chocolate brown bird with a pale bill, but just as we got our cameras up, a fin whale surfaced in the middle of the flock and scattered hundreds of birds... perfect timing.
Some other pelagic species in the channel included some Craveri's Murrelets, all three jaeger species and a Brown Booby. Winds prevented us from going west of Catalina island. The forecast shows a Gale warning in the area today, which may be an interesting time to go seawatching if that's your thing?
Date: 9/15/24 10:51 am From: Scott Marnoy via groups.io <gopherus2...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Golden Eagles
There were three Golden Eagles perched and calling intermittently from the branches of a pine overlooking the former golf course in Claremont and best seen from the California Botanic Gardens. Two eagles were first reported by Patty Nueva Espana on 9.11.2024 at this location. The birds are perched in the same tree where a Golden Eagle wintered for several months last winter.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S194760238
eBird Checklist - 11 Sep 2024 - California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana BG) - 13 species
ebird.org
See photos here:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S195251543
eBird Checklist - 15 Sep 2024 - California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana BG) - 22 species
ebird.org
Scott Marnoy
Field Trip Chair
Pomona Valley Audubon
951.217.8251
<gopherus2...>
Date: 9/14/24 8:32 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Elizabeth Lake 9/14: Turkey Vultures and other migrants
Hi all,
I spent the afternoon birding around the shore of Elizabeth Lake today. It was fairly birdy and I tallied close to 50 species. The lake hosted hundreds of waterfowl, and there was some limited marshy shorebird habitat along the edges. Large sunflower fields and reeds at the southwest corner held many blackbirds and sparrows.
I counted a little over 100 Turkey Vultures migrating in pulses. Interestingly they were all headed west-northwest -- they seemed to be traveling rather than looking to roost for the day, and I wonder if it was some response to the large plume of smoke from the Bridge Fire to the east. It was smoky over the lake as well, and my eyes were beginning to get irritated after a couple of hours, but it looked significantly worse to the east. There were good numbers of Soras and Wilson's Snipes in the shallow areas. Some first-of-fall migrants for me included a couple of Vesper Sparrows and a Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow. I heard what sounded like a waterthrush on the north shore, but wasn't able to track it down.
Date: 9/14/24 2:36 pm From: Richard Barth via groups.io <busyday...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pectoral @ LAR Florence Ave
Birders,
The expected number of Pectoral Sandpipers has been down a bit on the
lower L.A.River so far this season, and I know folks are looking for
them. This morning a juvenile was about 300 yards north of the
Florence Ave bridge. Most convenient parking is at the dead-end of
Live Oak St on the west side of the river (then walk north past
Florence Ave). Yesterday a Pec was still north of Willow St, seen as
far north as Spring St.
Let's start supporting lacobirds again.
eBird photos from today: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S195124738 Richard BarthWest Hollywood
Date: 9/14/24 12:32 pm From: Ann and Eric via groups.io <motmots...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Female Lazuli and White-winged Dove in Baldwin Hills
Hi Birders Yesterday we had a White-winged Dove and a female Lazuli Bunting in our backyard birdbath. The bunting was back this morning but haven't seen the Dove again. Fun mix of birds right now!!Good Birding,Eric and Ann BrooksBaldwin HillsLos Angeles, CASent from my Galaxy
Date: 9/14/24 8:44 am From: Ann and Eric via groups.io <motmots...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Summer Tanager at Kenneth Hahn Park
Forgot to mention, it's an adult male Summer Tanager!!Sent from my Galaxy -------- Original message --------From: "Ann and Eric via groups.io" <motmots...> Date: 9/14/24 8:38 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <LACoBirds...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Summer Tanager at Kenneth Hahn Park Birders,Eric first saw the bird with a friend yesterday morning, and it stayed overnight! It Is getting mealworms from our feeder in the turn circle near the Japanese Garden. We put a black tape around the trunk of the tree, and have added jelly and suet feeders. First left after the entry kiosk, at the end of the road. $7 weekend entry fee ($5 seniors). First sighting at the park so far as we can tell!!Ann and Eric BrooksLos Angeles CA
Date: 9/14/24 8:38 am From: Ann and Eric via groups.io <motmots...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Summer Tanager at Kenneth Hahn Park
Birders,Eric first saw the bird with a friend yesterday morning, and it stayed overnight! It Is getting mealworms from our feeder in the turn circle near the Japanese Garden. We put a black tape around the trunk of the tree, and have added jelly and suet feeders. First left after the entry kiosk, at the end of the road. $7 weekend entry fee ($5 seniors). First sighting at the park so far as we can tell!!Ann and Eric BrooksLos Angeles CASent from my Galaxy
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for September13, 2024.
A HOODED MERGANSER was at the Dominguez Gap Wetlands along the Los Angeles River below Del Amo on September 8.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was at the Ballona Salt Pan (south side of Ballona Creek, upstream from Pacific Ave.) on September 7.
A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was at St. Andrews Abbey near Valyermo on September 9.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER continued in the Ballona area through September 11. It has been seen on the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and also along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge. It is frequently in with the flock of Black-bellied Plovers. Up to three RED KNOTS were present through September 10.
Three to four STILT SANDPIPERS continued along the Los Angeles River just above Willow Street through September 12.
The LITTLE BLUE HERON at the Jack Dunster Marine Reserve in Long Beach was present through September 9. Google Earth coordinates are 33.7624, -118.1195.
Another LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach on September 8.
The WESTERN CATTLE EGRET continued in the Ballona Wetlands area through September 6.
An early MERLIN was at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale on September 8.
An EASTERN KINGBIRD was at a residence in Beverly Glen on September 10.
A PURPLE MARTIN was at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on September 6, two more were at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City on September 8 and two were at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia on September 12.
The “Black-backed” WHITE WAGTAIL continued along the Los Angeles River just above the Rosecrans Ave. in Paramount through September 11. This bird spends much of its time in the structure of the pipe bridge just upstream from Rosecrans, returning to the riverbed to forage periodically. Access is from Ralph Dills Park (if access gates are open) or from Rosecrans via Orange Ave.
A Dark-lored WHITE-WHITE CROWNED SPARROW was at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach on September 8.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE was at the northeast corner of Earvin Magic Johnson Park in Willowbrook on September 9.
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was in the Lower Arroyo Seco in Pasadena on September 6 between the Colorado Street bridge and the 134 Freeway.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on September 7.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER was at La Mirada Creek Park on September 13
An AMERICAN REDSTART was at Los Liones Canyon Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on September 6.
The TROPICAL PARULA continued near the Switzer Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains through September 11. It has been by the first stream crossing (not the bridge) about one quarter mile downstream from the parking area. Google Maps 34.2646, -118.1508. It sings occasionally but can be difficult to locate.
A PAINTED BUNTING was along the Los Angeles River north of Hill Street in Long Beach on September 8. Nearby at the Willow Street crossing, a LARK BUNTING was found on September 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
Date: 9/11/24 4:19 pm From: Chuck & Lillian via groups.io <misclists...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
To all LA Birders: I sent Zac a link to our SMBAS bird-finding pages, which has 50+ sites all over LA County, and gave him permission to use the info however he sees fit. https://smbasblog.com/los-angeles-county-birding-spots/ Before anyone spends hours pulling together info, you might check our seven pages of locations so you don't wind up merely reinventing the wheel. Then you can spend time on information for sites I didn't cover.
Anyone can use/copy/link to/whatever this info.
Chuck Almdale SMBAS Blog Editor
At 12:11 PM 9/11/2024, Grigory Heaton wrote: >Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent >resource once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all >agree it can be difficult to figure location access out when >visiting or getting started. I threw together a start for Playa Del >Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and Imperial spots when I get the chance. > >I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing >pages Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the >feedback option is good but I would be concerned about me making a >location page and potentially "locking out" someone more experienced >with that location. > >(forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message) > >Grigory Heaton >Pasadena, CA > > >---------- >From: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac >Denning <zdenning1...> >Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM >To: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> >Subject: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com > >Dear LA County Birders, > >I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is >a free not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, >with a goal of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. >I want to advocate for each of you to share your knowledge on local >birding spots by entering just one favorite location on >BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as the author for that >BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others who >contribute pics) will be proudly displayed! > >I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing >a need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails >to use, and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California >hotspots so far - though many more are needed! LA county, >particularly, is largely a gaping hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There >are so many incredible birding places in LA County, just waiting to be added! > >Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How >about Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa >del Rey, Pt Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting >to be entered. It also doesn't have to be an internationally known >birding spot - it can be as simple as your neighborhood park. >Anywhere you like to bird is perfect. > >While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for >granted, I ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in >the year who were having trouble finding their California target >species based just off of eBird. I was able to direct them to the >exact spot for one of their targets - but this drove home the need >for better hotspot info that everyone can access. I travel >frequently for work, and find myself in other states feeling >similarly lost without a source of local intel. > >BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but >it's the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a >birding place is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding >place, and contribute your local knowledge to the larger birding >community. See screenshots below. TIA. > >Happy birding, > >Zac Denning >Albany, CA > >image.png > >image.png > >image.png > > > >image.png > > >image.png > > >
Date: 9/11/24 3:05 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Hi Grigory,
Thank you so much for contributing to BirdingPlaces.com. I look forward to
reviewing and publishing your Playa Del Rey entry and any others you
contribute!
Thanks also for the thoughtful feedback. While BirdingPlaces only allows
one author per birding place, anyone can comment or send us changes on a
hotspot with the Feedback feature (the little comment bubble icon in the
blue bar that floats on the left side of the site), and we'll incorporate
changes and edits as needed. As a volunteer editor, anyone can also email
me directly and I'll be happy to make changes.
To try to be brief, there are pros and cons to wikipedia-style community
management (less engagement from users if no one is responsible for a
particular site, possibilities of conflicts between users,
trolling/spamming, etc) - and this was what has worked so far. But I will
pass these comments along to the site admins. BirdingPlaces is a small
not-for-profit organization managing a rapidly growing network of thousands
of birding places worldwide - and I'm just a volunteer region editor. That
said, this feedback is really helpful, and the site admins are always
introducing new features and improvements, many of them based on user
requests.
Happy birding,
Zac Denning
On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 12:11 PM Grigory Heaton <g.heaton...>
wrote:
> Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent resource
> once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all agree it can be
> difficult to figure location access out when visiting or getting started. I
> threw together a start for Playa Del Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and
> Imperial spots when I get the chance.
>
> I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing pages
> Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the feedback option
> is good but I would be concerned about me making a location page and
> potentially "locking out" someone more experienced with that location.
>
> (forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message)
>
> Grigory Heaton
> Pasadena, CA
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac
> Denning <zdenning1...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM
> *To:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...>
> *Subject:* [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots -
> BirdingPlaces.com
>
> Dear LA County Birders,
>
> I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a free
> not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a goal
> of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to advocate
> for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by entering
> just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as
> the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others
> who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
>
> I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a
> need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use,
> and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far
> - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping
> hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in
> LA County, just waiting to be added!
>
> Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How about
> Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del Rey, Pt
> Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be entered. It
> also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot - it can be
> as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is perfect.
>
> While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I
> ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were
> having trouble finding their California target species based just off of
> eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets
> - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can
> access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states
> feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.
>
> BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's
> the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place
> is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute
> your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots
> below. TIA.
>
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany, CA
>
> [image: image.png]
> [image: image.png]
> [image: image.png]
>
>
> [image: image.png]
>
> [image: image.png]
>
>
>
Date: 9/11/24 2:57 pm From: Linus Blomqvist via groups.io <linus.blomqvist...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
I think what Tom referred to when he said that birdinghotspots.org is more
developed in the US is that there are about 45,000 hotspots with a
description in the US and about 23,000 with photos. birdinghotspots.org was
launched in California later than some other states, but already has almost
5,000 hotspots with content and 1,600 with photos. birdinghotspots.org also
offers the wiki-style editing option that Grigory mentioned, where anyone
can offer edits, plus the convenient tie-in with eBird hotspots.
Linus
______________
*Linus Blomqvist*
*Goleta, CA*
On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 2:39 PM Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Thanks Tom for the feedback.
>
> BirdingHotspots.com is another good option. However, but note that maybe
> 90-95% of the hotspots on BirdingHotspots.com are auto-generated
> 'zombie hotspots' from ebird. While this makes the map look complete, if
> you click on many of the hotspots, the vast majority don't offer any useful
> info. Every hotspot on BirdingPlaces.com is birder created and rich with
> detail, including trail maps with best viewing locations for certain birds,
> photos, detailed descriptions. Those features are why I started using
> BirdingPlaces as just an average user/birder. But I encourage everyone to
> explore both tools and use what they like best.
>
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany, CA
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 12:23 PM Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson=
> <aol.com...> wrote:
>
>> Before anyone invests a lot of time inputting information into birding
>> locations on birdingplaces.com, I'd recommend also looking at
>> birdinghotspots.com, which is already more developed than the former
>> website (at least in California and the US), serves the same basic
>> functions, and is directly correlated with eBird hotspots. You can view LA
>> County hotspots here: Birding in Los Angeles County - Birding Hotspots
>> <https://birdinghotspots.org/region/US-CA-037>. As with birdingplaces.com,
>> this website relies on volunteers to submit information and photos for each
>> of the sites.
>>
>> Tom Benson
>> Redlands, CA
>>
>>
>> On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 12:11:43 PM PDT, Grigory Heaton <
>> <g.heaton...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent resource
>> once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all agree it can be
>> difficult to figure location access out when visiting or getting started. I
>> threw together a start for Playa Del Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and
>> Imperial spots when I get the chance.
>>
>> I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing pages
>> Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the feedback option
>> is good but I would be concerned about me making a location page and
>> potentially "locking out" someone more experienced with that location.
>>
>> (forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message)
>>
>> Grigory Heaton
>> Pasadena, CA
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac
>> Denning <zdenning1...>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM
>> *To:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...>
>> *Subject:* [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots -
>> BirdingPlaces.com
>>
>> Dear LA County Birders,
>>
>> I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a
>> free not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a
>> goal of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to
>> advocate for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by
>> entering just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will
>> appear as the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos
>> (alongside others who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
>>
>> I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a
>> need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use,
>> and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far
>> - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping
>> hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in
>> LA County, just waiting to be added!
>>
>> Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How
>> about Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del
>> Rey, Pt Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be
>> entered. It also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot -
>> it can be as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is
>> perfect.
>>
>> While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I
>> ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were
>> having trouble finding their California target species based just off of
>> eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets
>> - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can
>> access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states
>> feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.
>>
>> BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's
>> the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place
>> is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute
>> your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots
>> below. TIA.
>>
>> Happy birding,
>>
>> Zac Denning
>> Albany, CA
>>
>> [image: image.png]
>> [image: image.png]
>> [image: image.png]
>>
>>
>> [image: image.png]
>>
>> [image: image.png]
>>
>>
>
>
Date: 9/11/24 2:39 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Thanks Tom for the feedback.
BirdingHotspots.com is another good option. However, but note that maybe
90-95% of the hotspots on BirdingHotspots.com are auto-generated
'zombie hotspots' from ebird. While this makes the map look complete, if
you click on many of the hotspots, the vast majority don't offer any useful
info. Every hotspot on BirdingPlaces.com is birder created and rich with
detail, including trail maps with best viewing locations for certain birds,
photos, detailed descriptions. Those features are why I started using
BirdingPlaces as just an average user/birder. But I encourage everyone to
explore both tools and use what they like best.
Happy birding,
Zac Denning
Albany, CA
On Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 12:23 PM Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> Before anyone invests a lot of time inputting information into birding
> locations on birdingplaces.com, I'd recommend also looking at
> birdinghotspots.com, which is already more developed than the former
> website (at least in California and the US), serves the same basic
> functions, and is directly correlated with eBird hotspots. You can view LA
> County hotspots here: Birding in Los Angeles County - Birding Hotspots
> <https://birdinghotspots.org/region/US-CA-037>. As with birdingplaces.com,
> this website relies on volunteers to submit information and photos for each
> of the sites.
>
> Tom Benson
> Redlands, CA
>
>
> On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 12:11:43 PM PDT, Grigory Heaton <
> <g.heaton...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent resource
> once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all agree it can be
> difficult to figure location access out when visiting or getting started. I
> threw together a start for Playa Del Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and
> Imperial spots when I get the chance.
>
> I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing pages
> Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the feedback option
> is good but I would be concerned about me making a location page and
> potentially "locking out" someone more experienced with that location.
>
> (forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message)
>
> Grigory Heaton
> Pasadena, CA
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac
> Denning <zdenning1...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM
> *To:* <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...>
> *Subject:* [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots -
> BirdingPlaces.com
>
> Dear LA County Birders,
>
> I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a free
> not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a goal
> of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to advocate
> for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by entering
> just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as
> the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others
> who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
>
> I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a
> need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use,
> and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far
> - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping
> hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in
> LA County, just waiting to be added!
>
> Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How about
> Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del Rey, Pt
> Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be entered. It
> also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot - it can be
> as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is perfect.
>
> While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I
> ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were
> having trouble finding their California target species based just off of
> eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets
> - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can
> access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states
> feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.
>
> BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's
> the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place
> is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute
> your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots
> below. TIA.
>
> Happy birding,
>
> Zac Denning
> Albany, CA
>
> [image: image.png]
> [image: image.png]
> [image: image.png]
>
>
> [image: image.png]
>
> [image: image.png]
>
>
>
>
Date: 9/11/24 2:04 pm From: Al Borodayko via groups.io <adboro...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
The ABA (American Birding Association) has a series of field guides that cover most of the US including southern California (A Birders Guide to Southern California). Invest in the book and support the ABA if you don't already have one.
Date: 9/11/24 12:23 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Before anyone invests a lot of time inputting information into birding locations on birdingplaces.com, I'd recommend also looking at birdinghotspots.com, which is already more developed than the former website (at least in California and the US), serves the same basic functions, and is directly correlated with eBird hotspots. You can view LA County hotspots here:Â Birding in Los Angeles County - Birding Hotspots. As with birdingplaces.com, this website relies on volunteers to submit information and photos for each of the sites.
Tom BensonRedlands, CAÂ
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 12:11:43 PM PDT, Grigory Heaton <g.heaton...> wrote:
Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent resource once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all agree it can be difficult to figure location access out when visiting or getting started. I threw together a start for Playa Del Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and Imperial spots when I get the chance.
I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing pages Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the feedback option is good but I would be concerned about me making a location page and potentially "locking out" someone more experienced with that location.
(forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message)
Grigory HeatonPasadena, CA
From: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac Denning <zdenning1...>
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM
To: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...>
Subject: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com Dear LA County Birders,
I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a free not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a goal of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to advocate for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by entering just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use, and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in LA County, just waiting to be added!
Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How about Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del Rey, Pt Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be entered. It also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot - it can be as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is perfect.Â
While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were having trouble finding their California target species based just off of eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.Â
BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots below. TIA.
Happy birding,
Zac DenningAlbany, CA
Date: 9/11/24 12:11 pm From: Grigory Heaton via groups.io <g.heaton...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Thanks for sharing Zac! This looks like it could be an excellent resource once more of the area is filled in - I think we can all agree it can be difficult to figure location access out when visiting or getting started. I threw together a start for Playa Del Rey, and I'll add in some more LA and Imperial spots when I get the chance.
I'm surprised there doesn't seem to be an option to edit existing pages Wikipedia style, though, unless I'm just missing it - the feedback option is good but I would be concerned about me making a location page and potentially "locking out" someone more experienced with that location.
(forgot to reply all - sorry for the double message)
Grigory Heaton
Pasadena, CA
________________________________
From: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...> on behalf of Zac Denning <zdenning1...>
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 9:19 PM
To: <LACoBirds...> <LACoBirds...>
Subject: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Dear LA County Birders,
I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a free not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a goal of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to advocate for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by entering just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use, and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in LA County, just waiting to be added!
Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How about Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del Rey, Pt Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be entered. It also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot - it can be as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is perfect.
While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were having trouble finding their California target species based just off of eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.
BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots below. TIA.
Date: 9/10/24 9:22 pm From: Zac Denning via groups.io <zdenning1...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Share Your LA County Birding Spots - BirdingPlaces.com
Dear LA County Birders,
I'm the California volunteer editor for Birdingplaces.com, which is a free not-for-profit platform for sharing info on birding hotspots, with a goal of making birding more open and accessible for everyone. I want to advocate for each of you to share your knowledge on local birding spots by entering just one favorite location on BirdingPlaces.com. Your name will appear as the author for that BirdingPlaces spot - and your photos (alongside others who contribute pics) will be proudly displayed!
I started entering California birding places last year, after seeing a need beyond eBird to find info on parking, bathrooms, what trails to use, and where to find certain birds. I've entered 12 California hotspots so far - though many more are needed! LA county, particularly, is largely a gaping hole on BirdingPlaces.com! There are so many incredible birding places in LA County, just waiting to be added!
Huntington Central Park anyone? Who wants to post Malibu Lagoon? How about Sepulveda Basin? Madrona Marsh, Puddingstone Reservoir, Playa del Rey, Pt Dume, Hansen Dam, Legg Lake ... all of these are waiting to be entered. It also doesn't have to be an internationally known birding spot - it can be as simple as your neighborhood park. Anywhere you like to bird is perfect.
While most of us tend to take knowledge of our local spots for granted, I ran into a pair of visiting New Jersey birders earlier in the year who were having trouble finding their California target species based just off of eBird. I was able to direct them to the exact spot for one of their targets - but this drove home the need for better hotspot info that everyone can access. I travel frequently for work, and find myself in other states feeling similarly lost without a source of local intel.
BirdingPlaces is one of several hotspot platforms (both great), but it's the one that I've found to be most user friendly. Entering a birding place is easy. I urge everyone to enter just one birding place, and contribute your local knowledge to the larger birding community. See screenshots below. TIA.
Date: 9/10/24 6:03 pm From: Lance Benner via groups.io <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bridge Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains
All, The Bridge Fire has grown explosively today and as of 6 pm on Sep. 10 has burned more than 34,000 acres. It expanded a considerable distance to the north and is burning along Blue Ridge at the top of the Mountain High Ski areas, near Blue Ridge Campground, and Grassy Hollow. It burned over some areas along Glendora Ridge Road popular with birders (for example, Cow Canyon Saddle and Sunset Peak) and is also approaching Baldy Village. It's not far from Big Pines, Jackson Lake, and Table Mountain. Wrightwood and Baldy Village are under evacuation orders. Very, very scary! --Lance Lance BennerAltadena, CA _._,_._,_
Date: 9/8/24 5:14 pm From: Richard Barth via groups.io <busyday...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pectoral, Solitary and Sabine's at LAR Slauson
Birders:
Early this morning at the L.A.River there was a Solitary Sandpiper
along the east wall of the river about 150 yards north of the Slauson
Ave bridge. A Pectoral was near the west wall in mud and around
patches of ludwigia below the second homeless hut along the path. A
Sabine's Gull, found by Mark Wilson yesterday, was frequenting the
central flow channel, floating along picking insects from the surface.
Date: 9/8/24 10:28 am From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] LA river Painted Bunting notes
Hi all,
Jeff Boyd found a Painted Bunting in the weeds along the LA river, just north of Hill St, earlier this morning. It was a generally dull bird, but with a very bright dark green back. It called fairly regularly, both a metallic buzz and emphatic pit calls. At 10:15 am, the bird came out of the vegetation, perched in the open for a few seconds, and then took off, flying east well into the neighborhood. Hope it returns, perhaps when it gets cooler.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for September 7, 2024.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was at Golden Shore Marine Reserve in Long Beach on September 1. Another was along Ballona Creek at Lincoln Blvd. on September 4.
A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was near Switzer’s Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains on August 31.
The PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER continued in the Ballona area through September 3. It has been seen on the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and also along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Ave. bridge. It is frequently in with the flock of Black-bellied Plovers. Up to three RED KNOTS have been present through September 7.
Four STILT SANDPIPERS were along the Los Angeles River just above Willow Street on September 1, with at least one continuing through September 4.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were along the Los Angeles River at Willow Street in Long Beach through September 2 and along Ballona Creek between Centinela and Inglewood through September 1.
A COMMON TERN was at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB (letter of permission required for entry) through September 1. Two more were off Pt. Vicente on September 4.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at the Jack Dunster Marine Reserve in Long Beach through September 3. Google Earth coordinates are 33.7624, -118.1195.
A REDDISH EGRET was seen from Pt. Vicente on September 4.
The WESTERN CATTLE EGRET continued in the Ballona Wetlands area through September 4, most recently at the freshwater marsh.
The “Black-backed” WHITE WAGTAIL continued along the Los Angeles River just above the Rosecrans Ave. in Paramount through September 2. This bird spends much of its time in the structure of the pipe bridge just upstream from Rosecrans, returning to the riverbed to forage periodically. Access is from Ralph Dills Park (if access gates are open) or from Rosecrans via Orange Ave.
A ”LARGE-BILLED” SAVANNAH SPARROW was at the Cabrillo Beach Fishing Pier in San Pedro from September 1-2.
A VIRGINIA’S WARBLER was in Signal Hill at the North Side Trails on September 2.
A NORTHERN PARULA was along the inflow channel and the northeast corner of the reservoir at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas on September 2. A PURPLE MARTIN was by the lake from September 2-4.
The TROPICAL PARULA continued near the Switzer Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains through September 5. It has been by the first stream crossing (not the bridge) about one quarter mile downstream from the parking area. Google Maps 34.2646, -118.1508. It sings occasionally but can be difficult to locate. Some distance downstream on September 3 was a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Google Maps 34.2625, -118.1533.
An ORCHARD ORIOLE was by the southeast corner of Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach on September 5.
-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: 9/6/24 3:01 pm From: rebecca.fenning via groups.io <rebecca.fenning...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Open seats on LA Birders September 29 Pelagic
Hello birders,
There are currently 16 open seats on the September 29 LA Birders pelagic trip out of King Harbor in Redondo Beach. LAB members had priority registration for this trip, and now we would like to open it to any and all interested birders, so please spread the word:
This is a 5-hour trip, giving us the opportunity to explore more areas and find more birds. We depart in the early morning from King Harbor in Redondo Beach and we will return around noon.
We will explore the areas around Redondo Canyon, an underwater canyon that tends to have upwellings of food that attract birds. We will be on the lookout for shearwaters, gulls, terns, alcids, phalaropes, jaegers, and storm-petrels.
The trip will cost $100 per person, which includes a gratuity for the boat crew, and it is limited to 44 participants.
Please note that we will be on a 65-foot boat on the open ocean, and that there is a bit of a walk from the parking area to the boat. Participants will receive more information about the meeting location after registration.
