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BIRD SURVEYS OF

ELIZABETH LAKE and LAKE HUGHES, Los Angeles County, CA 2011

Surveys

December 16, 2011 Grass Mt. CBC: Elizabeth Lake, Lake Hughes and L&U Shake Campground

November 18, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

November 3, 2011 Elizabeth Lake

October 20, 2011 Elizabeth Lake

September 14, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

May 13, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

April 22, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

April 15, 2011 Painted Turtle Camp and Munz Ranch Rd.

March 30, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

March 19, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes

March 5, 2011, Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake

March 2, 2011 Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake

Elizabeth Lake, Northern Los Angeles County, CA

Area map showing location of survey site: Elizabeth Lake and adjacent areas. © Compass Maps

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) northwest Elizabeth Lake, December 16, 2011

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) EL Feb 12, 2011 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) EL Feb 12, 2011

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) west Elizabeth Lake, December 16, 2011

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia heermanni ), Elizabeth Lake, December 15, 2009.

DECEMBER 16, 2011 Grass Mountain CBC Areas 5 & 6: Elizabeth Lake, Lake Hughes, Lower and Upper Shake Campground (65 Species)

Weather: Fair; 34F to 52F; 2-4 inches of snow above 4,000 ft. Winds ENE 2 -10 mph.

Time: 0730 - 1539 hrs.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I (0730 - 1215 hrs.); later joined by Jocelyn McFaul (1330-1539 hrs.).

Areas Covered: Area 6: We drove from Green Valley to the west end of the Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG), that included two small ponds on the fairway; I birded this area on foot (0740 - 0755 hrs.). Continuing west, we stopped at the end of Sand Rock Drive (SR) and walked the fence line and levee separating Elizabeth Lake into west and east halves. The survey area included riparian, fresh water marsh, shoreline, open water, adjacent suburban gardens and ruderal vacant lots. Auto traffic was fairly heavy; a few people (one with a dog) were walking through the area (0755-0925 hrs.). We then drove to the northwest corner of Elizabeth Lake (WEL), surveying on foot, similar habitat in addition to a large field of rabbitbrush bordering hillside chaparral in the southwest corner and a secluded pond bordering the northwest corner of the lake (0943-1030 hrs.). We then drove to the east end of Lake Hughes (LH), walking the streets adjacent to the Rock Inn (e.g. Trail N to Trail K). We also scanned Lake Hughes from the roadway (1035 -1050 hrs.).Driving west on Elizabeth Lake Rd., we entered Area 5. We surveyed on foot, the Lower Shake (LS) campground (elevation 3980 ft. with patches of snow on the trail and very little birdlife apparent). We continued driving west to the intersection of a USFS road (7N23) and proceeded slowly through mud and snow to the trail head of the Upper Shake Campground (elevation 4680 ft.). After lunch at the Rock Inn, we returned to this area and walked about 0.3 miles downhill on a closed road with up to 6 inches of snow in places, to the Upper Shake Campground (USC). This area is an ecotone of chaparral, riparian and lower montane oak-coniferous forest at the bottom of a canyon (elevation 4,400 ft.) The USC area produced six species that were added to our day-list (e.g. Band-tailed Pigeon, Cooper's Hawk, White-headed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Stellar's Jay and Wrentit: 1359-1539 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included two new species for the Grass Mountain CBC list, Hooded Merganser (20) and Eurasian Collared Dove (2). Other bird species found three or fewer times in twenty-five previous GMCBCs (1972-1998) included, Great Egret (1), White-tailed Kite (1), White-headed Woodpecker (1) and Great-tailed Grackle (6). An unconfirmed sighting was made of a flock of Lewis's Woodpecker (5) at USC. See the following website link for a historical summary of birds found on Grass Mountain CBC's:

http://avconline.avc.edu/cyorke/fieldnotes/GrassMtCBC.htm

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) edge of lake, WEL.

American Wigeon 80 (m,f) on fairway and in pond, ELG.

Mallard 160 (m,f) around shorelines and in shallows throughout, SR, WEL, LH.

Northern Shoveler 4 in small, isolated pond, WEL.

Green-winged Teal 5 (m,f) edge of lake at shoreline; flighty, WEL.

Canvasback 12 (m,f) southern edge of lake, SR (photo).

Canvasback (m, f) southeast Elizabeth Lake, LACO, CA December 16, 2011

Redhead 2 (f) in small, isolated pond, nw WEL.

Ring-necked Duck 6 (m,f) edge of lake, WEL; small pond, WEL.

Bufflehead 30 (m,f) edge of lake; diving, SR, WEL, LH.

Common Merganser 12 (m,f) a fairly tight flock, open water, SR.

Hooded Merganser 3 (m,f) small pond with AMWI, ELG; 15 (m,f) in small pond, WEL (photo); 2 (f) with BUFH, LH.

Hooded Merganser (m) northwest corner of Elizabeth Lake, LACO, CA December 16, 2011

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) resting, diving, edges of lakes, SR, WEL, LH.

California Quail 30 (m,f) brushy borders of yards, riparian, SR, WEL.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 edge and middle of lake, SR, WEL, LH.

Western Grebe 12 open water; calls, SR, WEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying, SR.

Great Blue Heron 4 edge of lake, SR, WEL.

Great Egret 1 small pond, WEL.

White-tailed Kite 1 on tree at old homestead; flew to utility line, sw WEL (photo).

White-tailed Kite southwest Elizabeth Lake, LACO, CA December 16, 2011

Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over marsh, SR.

Cooper's Hawk 1 circling above forest, USC.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad) fly, call, riparian, SR.

American Kestrel 1 on utility pole, WEL.

American Coot 300 edge of lake, shore, on golf course, ELG, SR, WEL, LH.

California Gull 4 (ad) resting, open water, SR.

Band-tailed Pigeon 4 flying over forest, USC.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 suburban gardens and utility wires; calls, SR.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 riparian, WEL.

Lewis Woodpecker 4? (CY), flying over forest. Seen briefly; wide, corvid-shaped wings, characteristic LEWO flight pattern, USC.

Acorn Woodpecker 4 LH (photo); 6 USC.

Acorn Woodpecker Lake Hughes, CA

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, fly; riparian, SR; 1 calls, WEL.

White-headed Woodpecker 1 flying over forest, USC.

Northern Red-shafted Flicker 1 calls, WEL; 2 call, fly, USC.

Black Phoebe 3 edge of lake, SR; 1 WEL.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 riparian, ELG.

Stellar's Jay 8 fly, call, in conifers and on ground, USC.

Western Scrub-jay 4 call, fly, riparian, SR; 5 fly, call, WEL; calls, chaparral, USC.

American Crow 10 fly, call, ELG, SR; 4 LH.

Common Raven 2 soaring above forest, USC.

Mountain Chickadee 2 in conifers, gardens, SR; 2 calls, LH; 4 calls, conifers, USC.

Oak Titmouse 2 call, riparian, SR; 2 calls, WEL; calls, USC.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls, LH; 2 calls, USC.

Brown Creeper 1(JM) in a large Black Oak, USC.

Bewick's Wren 1 calls, riparian edge, SR; 1 calls, edge of riparian, WEL.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 riparian, SR; 1 conifers and oaks, USC.

Western Bluebird 8 fly, call, suburbs, SR; 6 chaparral-oak woodland, USC.

Hermit Thrush 1 (JM) call; shady ravine, USC.

Northern Mockingbird 2 suburbs, song, calls, SR.

European Starling 20 calls, song, tall cottonwoods, ELG.

American Pipit 1 calls, shoreline, SR.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 3 calls, active in riparian, SR.

Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, riparian, WEL.

Spotted Towhee 2 calls, active in riparian, WEL; 2 chaparral, LS; USC.

California Towhee 4 edge of riparian, SR; 2 WEL.

Song Sparrow 2 roadside drainage, marsh, ELG; 8 marsh and riparian, SR; 2 WEL.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls, roadside ruderal, ELG.

White-crowned Sparrow 40 riparian, gardens, SR; 20 WEL; 4 LS.

Dark-eyed Junco (J.h. thurberi) 30 edge of riparian; gardens, vacant lots, SR; 10 riparian, WEL; 6 LH; 20 chaparral-roadside, USC.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 fly, call, suburbs, SR.

Brewer's Blackbird 5 fly, call, suburbs, SR.

Great-tailed Grackle 6 -8 marsh, east edge, SR.

Purple Finch 2 call, fly, riparian, SR.

House Finch 20 riparian, gardens, roadside ruderal, SR.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, call, SR.

House Sparrow 10 gardens, vacant lots, SR; 4 gardens, LH.

NOVEMBER 18, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (57 Species)

Weather: Fair, 43F to 55F; winds W 5 -10 mph.

Time: 0814-1153 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I surveyed the western edge of the golf course, including ruderal roadsides and riparian woods.

2) Sandrock Drive (SR): I walked the fence line along the southern border of the lake, surveying riparian, shoreline, open water, and adjacent suburbs. On a southern side-street, Chippewa, I spoke with residents Leo and Susan regarding problems with the owners of local dogs and cats, who fail to clean up their pet's excrement along public walkways and allow their cats to predate native species of small animals. 3) Northwest Elizabeth Lake (WEL). I parked in the USFS picnic areas (central and south-west) where I surveyed birds by walking along the shore. A rather large marsh grown to umbrella sedge at the sw corner of the lake, attracted several species of water bird, including a small, dark rail, possibly Black Rail (see notes below).. 4) Lake Hughes (LH). I made two brief stops along the north shore of Lake Hughes (Trail E and Trail K), to observe birds. I could not see the western edge of the lake from either of those two locations. Most of the waterbirds appeared to be staying close to the marsh and fringes of the lake. A possible Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker hybrid was found in the southern portion of Elizabeth Lake (see notes and photos below).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 54 (m,f) edge of lake, on shore,SR; WEL.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f), WEL.

Green-winged Teal 4 (f) flying w, over lake, SR.

Canvasback 9 (m,f) edge of lake, SR, WEL.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (f) edge of lake-marsh, WEL.

Bufflehead 60 (m,f) diving, edge of lake, SR, WEL.

Ruddy Duck 200 edge of lake, SR, WEL.

California Quail 30 suburbs, riparian and marsh, SR, WEL.

Common Loon 1 preening, n-central, SR.

Pied-billed Grebe 2, edge of lake, SR, WEL.

Horned Grebe 1 diving, s-central, SR.

Eared Grebe 8 diving, snapping insects from air over lake surface, SR, WEL.

Western Grebe 8 edge of lake, SR, WEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 on snags, LH.

Great Blue Heron 2 marsh and shore, SR, WEL.

Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over open fields, SR.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flying w from golf course, ELG.

American Kestrel 2 on utility poles, ELG, WEL.

Sora 1 calls (unseen) marsh, s, SR.

Black Rail 1? flushed from low-growing umbrella sedge at swc of Elizabeth Lake (WEL).Initially, I saw the bird rise to a few feet above the marsh, then fly a few yards to the s into similar habitat, not to be refound. Noted small size (e.g. much smaller than SORA) and overall dark coloration, without any apparent contrasting plumage. The bird was seen for only about 2-3 seconds, and from a distance of about 25 feet. There was insufficient time for a photo. Black Rail is a scarce winter transient and/or visitant in LACO, principally in coastal salt marsh.

American Coot 400 edges of the lake, throughout.

Killdeer 2 calls, levee separating the lake, SR.

Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from the sw corner of a large patch of umbrella sedge, WEL.

Wilson's Snipe west Elizabeth Lake, LACO, CA November 18, 2011

California Gull 4 (ad) resting on the lake, ne, SR.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 flew into ornamental tree in suburbs, SR.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls (unseen) riparian, SR.

Acorn Woodpecker 2 calls (unseen) LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, riparian; ELG, SR, WEL.

Ladder- backed Woodpecker ? (or LBWO x NUWO) 1 on utility pole, SR. Note relatively broad white facial stripes, buffy lores and sides (photos).

Ladder-backed Woodpecker? (female, possible hybrid; same bird in both photos) south Elizabeth Lake, LACO, CA Nov. 18, 2011

Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, riparian, SR; 1 calls, riparian shoreline, WEL (photo).

Downy Woodpecker (male) west Elizabeth Lake, LACO, Nov. 18, 2011

Northern Flicker (RS) 2 fly, call, ELG, SR.

Black Phoebe 3 fly, call, suburban gardens and riparian, ELG, SR, WEL.

Say's Phoebe 1 on low fence around baseball field, ELG.

Western Scrub-jay 1 fly, all ELG; 2 fly, call, SR.

American Crow 12 fly, call, SR, WEL.

Common Raven 2 a pair soaring together, WEL.

Mountain Chickadee 4 calls, active in cedars, suburbs, riparian, SR.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, riparian, SR.

White-breasted Nuthatch 2 calls, evergreens, LH.

Bewick's Wren 3 calls, active in gardens and brushy fields, SR.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5 calls, active in suburban gardens, riparian, SR, WEL.

American Robin 5 active in tall suburban trees, riparian, SR.

Western Bluebird 10 active on utility lines, tall trees, low fences, calls, SR.

European Starling 2 fly, calls, ELG.

American Pipit 1 fly, call, shoreline, SR.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 active in trees, on ground, fences and gardens, ELG, SR; 3 WEL; LH.

California Towhee 3 edge of riparian and gardens, SR.

Song Sparrow 5 in marsh and riparian edge, SR; 2 WEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 in gardens, ruderal fields, riparian, ELG, SR; 10 WEL.

Dark-eyed Junco (J.h. thurberi) 15 gardens, lawns and ruderal fields, SR.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 fly, call, marsh, riparian, SR.

Brewer's Blackbird 2 (m,f) fly, call, ELG; 4 on shore, fly, call, WEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 calls, active in marsh, sw SR.

House Finch 20 (m,f) fly, call, suburbs, riparian, ruderal fields, SR.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 fly, call, riparian, gardens, SR.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 3-5 ? calls, song (unseen) gardens, SR.

House Sparrow 10 calls, gardens and around suburbs, SR.

NOVEMBER 3, 2011 Elizabeth Lake (51 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 34F to 60F. no wind.

Time: 0820 -1015 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked along the western margin of the golf course, surveying fairways, tall cottonwoods, ruderal fields, vacant lots,and the adjacent riparian strip on the eastern border of Elizabeth Lake. Commute traffic was moderate in the suburbs (0820-0855 hrs.). 2) From the east end of Sandrock Drive (SD), I walked west along the fence line to the main dam (levee) dividing Elizabeth Lake into eastern and western sections. I surveyed suburban lawns, gardens, ruderal fields, cottonwood-willow riparian, tule marsh, shoreline and open water. A few fishermen were on the northern shore of the lake.

Otherwise the survey area was quiet this morning and conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. My time this morning did not allow for a survey of the northwestern portion of the lake. The water level continues to be relatively low with narrow, exposed shorelines, due to several consecutive months without significant rainfall.

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 3 (m,f) swimming near the marsh, sw SRD.

Mallard 12 (m,f) edge of lake, SRD.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (f) swimming near marsh, sw SRD.

Northern Pintail 1 (m) swimming near marsh, sw SRD.

Green-winged Teal 1 (f) swimming near marsh, sw SRD.

Canvasback 3 (1 f) near marsh, central, SRD.

Bufflehead 10 (m,f) diving, central, w, n, SRD

Ruddy Duck 300 (m,f) mostly resting around edges of the lake.

California Quail 10 brushy field, ELG; 12 suburban gardens and riparian, SRD.

Eared Grebe 5 diving near dam, SRD.

Western Grebe 1 open water, calls, e SRD.

Great Blue Heron 3 shore and marsh around lake, SRD.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) in sw marsh, SRD.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 fly, call, riparian ELG, e SRD.

Sora 1 calls, s-central marsh, SRD.

American Coot 50 on fairway near marsh, ELG; 400 around edges of lake, SRD.

Killdeer 2 fly, call, ELG.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, riparian, central-s SRD.

Northern Flicker 1 calls, suburbs, central SRD.

Black Phoebe 4 edge of marsh-riparian, calls, SRD.

Western Scrub-jay 3 calls, fly, suburbs, SRD.

American Crow 4 ELG; 6 SRD.

Mountain Chickadee 1 calls, active in cottonwoods and willows, central-s SRD.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, suburban conifers, SRD.

Bewick's Wren 1 brushy field, ELG; 2 edge of riparian, central SRD.

Marsh Wren 2 calls; active in tules, central and s, SRD.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 calls, active in riparian, central SRD.

Hermit Thrush 1 ? called once in dense, shady riparian, central-s SRD.

American Robin 1 fly, call, ELG; 20 active in marsh and riparian, central-s SRD.

Western Bluebird 10 (m,f) active in suburbs; on utility lines, calls, SRD.

Northern Mockingbird 2 calls and song, suburbs, SRD.

European Starling 6 feeding with BRBL on fairways, ELG.

American Pipit 4 active, fly, calls, on levee and shoreline, central SRD.

Cedar Waxwing 8 in tules at edge of lake, central-s SRD.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 15 (m,f) active, vocal, on lawns, in fields, in trees; suburbs and riparian, SRD.

California Towhee 1 active, calls; on ground in brushy fields, ELG; 2 calls, riparian edge, central-s SRD.

Lark Sparrow 3 brushy edges of ruderal fields; riparian, SRD.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, ruderal field, SRD.

Song Sparrow 2 calls, active in marsh-riparian, ELG; 4 song, calls, edge of marsh, central-s, SRD.

Lincoln's Sparrow 4 in ruderal, weedy ditch with thistle, ELG.

White-crowned Sparrow 60 (ad, imm) calls, song, ubiquitous in suburbs, brushy fields, riparian, marsh.

Dark-eyed Junco 2 foraging on ground in ruderal field, SRD.

Red-winged Blackbird 3 calls, song, ELG; 6 calls, song, marsh-riparian, central-s SRD.

Brewer's Blackbird 60 (m,f) on utility lines, on fairways, ELG; 10 shoreline and ruderal fields, SRD.

Great-tailed Grackle 2, call, fly, ELG; 6 call, fly, riparian-marsh central-s SRD.

House Finch 20 (m,f) riparian, ruderal fields and gardens, SRD.

Pine Siskin 1 landed in crown of cottonwood, central-s SRD.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, call riparian central-s SRD.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 8 (m,f) calls, active, suburbs, utility lines, sw SRD.

American Goldfinch 1 (m) landed in small tree in suburban garden, sw SRD.

House Sparrow 10 calls, suburban gardens, sw SRD.

OCTOBER 20, 2011 Elizabeth Lake (50 Species)

Weather: Fair; 44F to 70F, no wind.

Time: 0807 - 1015 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked along the west and southern perimeter of the golf course, surveying fairways, ponds and marsh, open woodland, ruderal fields and adjacent riparian habitat. A mower was working the northeastern greens; otherwise the area was vacant and quiet. 2) Sandrock Drive (SD)..I walked the southern edge of Lake Elizabeth, along the sidewalk and into the riparian-marsh edge of the lake, surveying gardens, ruderal fields,riparian, marsh, shoreline and open water. I did not have time to survey the north and northwestern sections of the lake this morning .A few fishermen were on the opposite (north and south) shores. A parade of several sheriff's cruisers arrived in the neighborhood during the survey. They were apparently investigating recent incidents of vandalism around the lake. Conditions were good for finding and identifying birds by their vocalizations. Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest included, Canvasback and White-tailed Kite, both first of the season (fos).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 20 (m,f) around the edges of the lake, SR.

Northern Pintail 1 (f) swimming near the southern edge of the lake, SR.

Canvasback 2 (m) resting and swimming near the southern edge of the lake, SR (photo).

Canvasback (male) south Elizabeth Lake, October 20, 2011

Ruddy Duck 150 (m,f) resting, swimming around the edges of the lake, SR.

California Quail 20 edge of gardens and ruderal fields, ELG, SR.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near the north shore, SR.

Eared Grebe 60 diving around the edges and middle of the lake, SR.

Western Grebe 8 pairs and singles, resting, swimming, edges of the lake, n SR.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 swimming in the center of the lake, SR.

Great Blue Heron 2 s and n edge of lake, SR.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) flying over marsh, s SR.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1(ad) on little league field; calls, ELG; 1 calls, SR.

White-tailed Kite 1 flushed from shore on south levee; flew north then west, SR (photo fos)

White-tailed Kite s Elizabeth Lake, Oct 20, 2011

Sora 2 calls (unseen) s marsh, SR.

American Coot 400 around edges of the lake.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 fly, call, central levee, SR.

California Gull 4 (ad) resting on lake, flying, east, SR.

Eurasian Collared Dove 13 together on utility line, ELG.

Mourning Dove 5 flying around suburbs, ELG, SR.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, riparian, ELG.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, ELG; 1 in cottonwoods, SR.

Northern Flicker 1 calls, ELG; 1 calls, suburbs, SR.

Black Phoebe 1 calls, riparian-marsh w SR.

Western Scrub-jay 2 SR.

American Crow 4 ELG; 3 SR.

Common Raven 1 flying over lake, SR.

Horned Lark 1 calls, SR.

Western Bluebird 1 flew up to utility wire; calls, SR.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, ELG.

Bewick's Wren 1 west edge of field, SR.

House Wren 2 calls, gardens, SR.

Marsh Wren 2 song, marsh, w, s SR.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 calls, conifer in yard, SR.

Northern Mockingbird 1 calls, song, utility pole, SR.

European Starling 20 foraging in fields, ELG.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 50 (m,f) ubiquitous, snatch-gleaning, flycatching, all levels, ELG, SR.

Spotted Towhee 1 calls, riparian, ELG.

California Towhee 2 brushy edge of cours, ELG; 3 calls, fence line, SR.

Lark Sparrow 6 in field, ELG.

Savannah Sparrow 2 calls, brushy fields at edge of course, ELG.

Song Sparrow 6 marsh-riparian, gardens, SR.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 brushy, ruderal field, ELG.

White-crowned Sparrow 25 fields, ruderal, garden; calls and song, ELG, SR.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m,f imm) fairway, ruderal fields with BRBL and EUST, ELG, SR.

Brewer's Blackbird 60 (m,f) foraging in ruderal fields, ELG.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (f)? seen briefly in poor light; yellow-rusty on neck and part of head; on roof with BRBL and RWBL in suburbs, ELG.

Great-tailed Grackle 1 fly, call, ELG; 3 calls, marsh, SR.

House Finch 20 (m,f) calls, song, ELG, SR.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, riparian, ELG.

House Sparrow 20 suburban gardens, SR.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (55 Species)

Weather: Fair; 58F to 74F; winds wnw 0-2 mph.

Time: 0700 - 1042 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked from the Little League field on a trail around the southeastern border of the course. No one else was present during my survey. Two small ponds (one nearly dry) were included; the northern one could be seen only partially (0700-0727 hrs.).2) Sandrock Drive, southeast Elizabeth Lake (SD). I walked the entire length of Sandrock Drive (about 0.5 mi), surveying the adjacent riparian (Populus fremontii, Salix sp., Baccharis sp.), fresh water marsh (Scirpus, Typha), open water (stagnant around the edges), ruderal fields and adjacent suburban gardens. A few people were present with dogs (mostly leashed). Several fishermen were on the north shore. Conditions were generally good for finding and identifying birds. Most of the species found today were in this area, including Mountain Chickadee and Brewer's Sparrow (0733-0907 hrs.). 3) Northwest Elizabeth Lake (NWEL). From the USFS parking area, I walked on west and south trails through a mature cottonwood-willow riparian strip bordering the shoreline and marsh. A small pond in the western section was also surveyed. Nearby chaparral was surveyed only visually, i.e. without actually entering that plant community. Several species were added to the day list here, including Green Heron and Virginia's Warbler (0925-1020 hrs). 4) Northwest Lake Hughes (LH): From the intersection of Elizabeth Lake Rd. and Bay Trail, I surveyed most of Lake Hughes with a binocular, including riparian and marsh margins. Only two species were added to the day-list here: Pied-billed Grebe and Acorn Woodpecker )1024-1042 hrs.).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 swimming near marsh, SR.

Mallard 20 on north shore, SR; 12 on north shore, NWEL; 30 on shore and swimming at west end, LH.

Northern Shoveler 3 (f) swimming near marsh, SR.

Cinnamon Teal 1, flying low over the course, ELG; 4 edge of lake, LH.

California Quail 8 SR; 10 NWEL.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 calls, LH.

Great Blue Heron 2 edge of lake, SR; 1 NWEL.

Green Heron 1 (ad) edge of small pond, NWEL.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (imm) south marsh, SR; 1 (imm) flying, LH.

Turkey Vulture 2 1 on utility pole; the other flying low over hillsides, NWEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 on utility pole, SR; 2 (ad, imm) fly, call, riparian edge of pond, NWEL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) flew onto utility pole, NWEL.

Sora 2 calls from marsh, nw and ne, SR.

American Coot 120 (ad, imm) ubiquitous; swimming, foraging on filamentous algae and aquatic plants, SR, NWEL, LH.

Killdeer 4 on shorelines, SR; calls, NWEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 8 a cohesive flock flushed to trees, west suburbs, SR.

Anna's Hummingbird 3 fly, calls, SR; 1 calls, NWEL; 1 calls, LH.

Belted KIngfisher 1 fly, call, small pond, NWEL; 1 fly, call, LH.

Acorn Woodpecker 2 on utility pole and in pines, LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 calls, ELG; SR. 1 NWEL.

Northern Flicker (RS) calls, SR; fly, call, NWEL.

Black Phoebe 4 ELG; lakeside marsh, riparian,SR.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 in leafless tree, NWEL.

Warbling Vireo 5 foraging, calls, cottonwoods, ELG; SR, NWEL.

Western Scrub-jay 2 ELG; 10 suburbs and riparian, SR; 2 NWEL; 2 LH.

American Crow 6 SR; 4 flying, NWEL; 4 LH.

Tree Swallow 3 flying low over lake, SR.

Mountain Chickadee 2 calling in pines, SR.

Oak Titmouse 4 riparian, SR; 2 NWEL.

Bushtit 8 riparian, calls, SR.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls, ELG; 1 calls, suburbs, SR.

Bewick's Wren 1 in marsh, ELG; 4 brushy edge of riparian, SR; 2 riparian, scold calls.

House Wren 1 calls, SR; 1 calls, LH.

Western Bluebird 4 fly, call, SR.

Wrentit 1 song, adjacent chaparral-riparian, NWEL.

Northern Mockingbird 1 active in suburban garden and trees, SR.

European Starling 10 (ELG); 4 SR.

Virginia's Warbler 1 foraging in cottonwoods near YEWA (photo).

Virginia's Warbler northwest Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA September 14, 2011

Yellow Warbler 2 foraging in cottonwoods, SR; 2 (m,f) foraging in cottonwoods near VIWA, NWEL.

Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, active in marsh, SR; 2 marsh-riparian, NWEL.

Wilson's Warbler 1 foraging in cottonwood; calls, SR; 1 foraging in low shrubs, riparian, NWEL, calls.

Spotted Towhee 3 active, vocal, in undergrowth, riparian, NWEL.

California Towhee 4 fence line and sidewalk, SR; calls, NWEL.

Brewer's Sparrow 2 on fence, SR (photo).

Brewer's Sparrow southeast Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA September 14, 2011

Song Sparrow 10 active in marsh-riparian, song, calls, SR; 4 calls, song, marsh-riparian, NWEL; 2 LH.

Western Tanager 1 (f) canopy of willow; sallying to adjacent canopy; calls.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 calls, dense riparian (willows) , SR.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 in marsh around pond; baseball field; 5 calls, flying, SR. 8 LH.

Brewer's Blackbird 25 foraging on baseball field; flying, suburbs, ELG, SR.

Great-tailed Grackle 3 fly, call; one on utility pole in molt.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) flying over riparian, SR.

House Finch 30 ubiquitous, riparian, ruderal fields, suburbs.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 in cottonwoods, gardens with sunflowers, SR; 2 call, fly, NWEL.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 26 two flocks - one foraging on lawn (photo), a few individuals flushed to an adjacent fence (photo); another flock (14) drinking at edge of pond, NWEL.

Lawrence's Goldfinch (2 photos) southeast Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA September 14, 2011

House Sparrow 15 suburban gardens, SR; 6 around buildings, LH.

MAY 13, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 56F to 73F; no wind.

Time: 0727-1005 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Ranch Club Road (RCR) next to the Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked around the Little League field bordering ELG and the adjacent riparian-ruderal areas adjacent to the suburbs (0727-0750 hrs.). 2) Sandrock Drive (SD): I walked from the west end of SD to about 100 m w of the intersection with RCR, including side-trips across the jetty and on short riparian trails to the edge of the lake. Habitats surveyed included mature riparian (Cottonwood, Willow), freshwater marsh (around the lake margins), open water, ruderal fields and suburbs bordering a north-facing chaparral slope. 3) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): From the USFS parking area at the west end of EL, I walked through the mature riparian border, south to the edge of a hillside of dense chaparral. A few fishermen were around the lake; one group in a small boat (0917-0945 hrs.). 4) Lake Hughes (LH): I walked around the neighborhood bordering Trail K, surveying yards, riparian, ruderal and the edge of a chaparral-oak woodland. I also made a brief stop along Elizabeth Lake Rd. opposite a clearing to scan LH using a 10x42 binocular (0948 - 1005 hrs.). Conditions were good throughout the area for identifying bird vocalizations.

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 6 (m,f) SD; 2 WEL.

Mallard 28 (m,f) ELG; SD; RCR; WEL; LH.

Ruddy Duck (m,f) 6 RCR.

California Quail 20 ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, SD; 1 on shore, WEL.

Green Heron 2 flying w from ELG; flushed from Cottonwoods, SD.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flying, SD.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 circling high above chaparral hills, WEL.

American Coot 18 snatching aerial insects above lake surface, ELG; SD; WEL; LH.

Killdeer 1 ELG

Spotted Sandpiper 2 on n shore, SD.

Mourning Dove 2 flushed from shore, SD.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 RCR; 2 SD; 2 LH.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, SD; 1 (m) WEL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, RCR; 2 calls, SD; 1 calls, WEL.

Northern Flicker 2 flushed from brushy trailside, WEL; calls.

Acorn Woodpecker 2 on utility pole, LH; calls.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sally-flycatching from crown of tall Cottonwood, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 edge of riparian SD; 1 on fence, LH.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls, open field, WEL.

Cassin's Kingbird 2? (nesting?) a very vocal pair flying from a lakeside Cottonwood into a tall tree in an adjacent yard; SD (needs confirmation).

Western Kingbird 1 in crown of tree in backyard, LH.

Western Scrub-jay 9 ubiquitous in riparian and ruderal areas.

American Crow 14 ubiquitous in ruderal areas.

Common Raven 1 perched on utility wire, WEL.

Tree Swallow 6 SD; WEL; 2 LH. in Cottonwoods and flying over lake.

Cliff Swallow 10 flying around homes and ruderal fields, SD.

Barn Swallow 2 flying over lake and ruderal fields, SD.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, RCR; 1 WEL; 1 LH.

Bushtit 2 calls, LH.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 foraging on large Cottonwood branch, LH.

House Wren 10 ubiquitous, riparian and margins of lake; song.

Marsh Wren 1 calls and song (brief) edge of marsh, SD.

Wrentit 1 singing at edge of riparian-chaparral, WEL.

Thrush sp. 1 flushed from shady riparian area, SD.

American Robin 2 foraging on newly mowed grass, RCR; song.

Western Bluebird 2 (m,f) sally-flycatching from mid-level Cottonwood, SD; 1 WEL.

European Starling 20 RCR; 10 WEL; 10 HL.

Yellow Warbler 2 singing and moving quickly through Cottonwood canopy, SD.

Wilson's Warbler 3 singing in Cottonwoods, SD; WEL.

Common Yellowthroat 1 singing in marsh, SD.

Spotted Towhee 2 calls and song, edge of riparian-chaparral, WEL.

California Towhee 1 fence and gardens, SD; 1 calls, WEL.

Song Sparrow 8 song, marsh-riparian, SD; 3 WEL.

Black-headed Grosbeak 3 (f) riparian, SD; 1 singing, LH.

Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m,f) RCR; 4 SD; 4 WEL; 2 LH.

Brewer's Blackbird 4 RCR; 2 SD.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 RCR; 1 SD; 1 LH; calls and song.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (f; imm m) RCR; 2 song, SD; 1 song, WEL.

House Finch 20 ubiquitous, riparian, ruderal, gardens; song.

House Sparrow 4 RCR; 8 SD; 2 LH.

APRIL 22, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (45 Species)

Weather: Fair; 57F, winds WNW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0620 - 0735 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) North side of Elizabeth Lake (NEL): I scanned the lake from the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd. and the USFS picnic area, using a scope and binocular.

2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked the trail from the west USFS parking area, through a mature riparian woodland and into an open field bordering hillside chaparral.

I surveyed the western portion of EL, fresh water marsh and shore, a small pond, riparian woodland, ruderal fields and adjacent chaparral (0620 - 0726 hrs.) 3) Lake Hughes (LH): I surveyed the entire lake using a binocular, adjacent suburbs, gardens, freshwater marsh and riparian habitat, from Trail K and along Elizabeth Lake Rd. (0710 - 0735 hrs). Both lakes and surrounding areas were largely quiet and undisturbed. Two fishermen (one in a paddle boat) were on EL.

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming near the marsh, WEL.

Mallard 8 (m,f) swimming near shore and mid-lake, NEL.

Bufflehead 2 (m,f) swimming near shore, WEL; 5 diving, open water, LH.

Ruddy Duck 4 near shore, NEL; 3 open water, LH.

California Quail 4 in brushy areas, WEL.

Pied billed Grebe 2 diving, LH.

Double-crested Cormorant 5 WEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, WEL; 1 calls, LH.

American Coot 30 swimming near marsh, NEL; WEL; LH.

Mourning Dove 2 WEL; 2 NEL; 4 LH.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, NEL; 1 calls, WEL; 1 calls, LH.

Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, LH.

Acorn Woodpecker 3 on utility pole, LH.

Northern Flicker 1 calls, WEL.

Western Kingbird 4 much vocalizing and chasing, NEL; 2 WEL.

American Crow 2 NEL; 4 LH.

Common Raven 2 utility lines and poles, NEL; 2 flying over, WEL.

Western Scub-jay 2 WEL; 2 LH.

Tree Swallow 8 flying low w over lake, NEL.

Oak Titmouse 1 song, NEL; 1 calls and song, WEL; 1 song, LH.

Bushtit 2 calls, WEL.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calling, LH.

Bewick's Wren 1 singing, WEL.

House Wren 2 singing, riparian, NEL; 3 singing, WEL; 1 singing, LH.

Marsh Wren 2 singing, WEL.

Wrentit 1 singing, chaparral, WEL.

European Starling 6 NEL; 3 WEL; 10 LH.

Yellow Warbler 1 singing, WEL.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 riparian, NEL; 4 WEL; 4 LH.

Common Yellowthroat 1 singing, NEL.

Spotted Towhee 2 singing, WEL.

California Towhee 1 calls, WEL.

Song Sparrow 2 singing, NEL; 2 singing, WEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 2 WEL.

Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 singing, LH.

Black -headed Grosbeak 2 (m,f) singing; f at feeder, LH.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 sing, calls, marsh, NEL; 12 singing, calls, WEL; 10 LH.

Brewer's Blackbird 5 roadside, LH.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 marsh, NEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 calls, song, WEL.

Bullock's Oriole 1 calls, song, NEL; 1 calls, song, WEL.

Pine Siskin 5 around yard with feeder, LH.

House Finch 2 NEL; 2 calls, song, WEL; 4 LH.

House Sparrow 10 LH.

APRIL 15, 2011 Painted Turtle Camp and Munz Ranch Rd. (38 Species)

Weather: Fair, 42F to 65F; no wind.

Observers: Allaire, Alice and I.

Areas Covered: 1) The Painted Turtle Children's Camp (PT). We surveyed about 10 acres of riparian woodland (e.g. Cottonwood) bordering freshwater ponds and open meadows. A well developed chaparral covers the adjacent north-facing slope. The post office and apartment buildings are on the north side of Elizabeth Lake Rd. opposite the main entrance to the Painted Turtle Camp. 2) Allaire and I surveyed her 10-acre ranch at thesoutheast corner of Munz Ranch Rd. and Lancaster Rd. (Avenue I), including pastures, a homestead with ornamental evergreen trees and an old barn (AKR). Our main objective was to photograph an active Barn Owl nest in the barn (see photos below).

Surveys were made using binoculars and two DSLR cameras.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 3 (m,f) swimming in pond, PT.

Northern Shoveler 3 (m,f) at west end of pond, PT.

Ruddy Duck 10 (alt. plmg.) west end of pond, PT.

California Quail 3 brushy border of pond, PT.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 on central pond, calls, PT.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying west over pond, PT.

Great Blue Heron 1 west edge of pond; reportedly nesting on the property, PT.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 ad circling above the chaparral, PT.

American Kestrel 1 (f) flying in riparian area, PT.

Merlin 1 (f - light phase) perched atop tall Cottonwood, PT.

American Coot 4 swimming near the cattails, west pond, PT.

Killdeer 2 in roadside weeds, PT.

Barn Owl 2 ad 3 nearly fledged chicks, in (chicks) or next to (adult) a large stick nest with food remains, located in the rafters on the north inside wall of the barn; many pellets on the floor; birds cooperative for flash photography (photos).

Mourning Dove 2 fly, call, PT.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 in middle to upper level of Cottonwoods; growling call; pair staying close, PT.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 call, flying into Cottonwoods, PT.

Acorn Woodpecker 1 flying into tall Cottonwood, PT.

Northern Flicker 1 calling from trees across the street, PT.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls, edge of meadow and chaparral, PT.

Black Phoebe 1 flying low over pond, marsh, west side, PT.

Western Scrub-jay 2 fly, call, edge of woods, PT.

Common Raven 2 flying over, PT.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calling in Cottonwoods, PT.

Oak Titmouse 1 calling in riparian woods, PT.

Marsh Wren 1 song, dense cattails, s side of pond, PT

House Wren 2 singing, riparian edge, PT.

American Robin 1 singing in tall Cottonwood, PT.

Western Bluebird 2 riparian woodland; calls, PT.

European Starling 10 fly, call, riparian woods, PT.

Common Yellowthroat 1 singing in marsh, PT.

Song Sparrow 1 singing at edge of marsh, PT.

Brewer's Blackbird 2 in canopy of Cottonwoods, PT.

Great-tailed Grackle 1 calls, marsh, PT.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 calls, song, marsh, PT.

Tricolored Blackbird 12 (m,f) foraging in pasture, flushed to fence line, AKR (photos).

Brown Headed Cowbird 2 calls, riparian, PT.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) in canopy of Cottonwoods, PT.

House Finch 6 riparian and edge of meadow, PT.

MARCH 30, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (60 Species)

Weather: Fair; 42F to 60 F; winds WSW 2 -5 mph.

Time: 0730 - 1002 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) South Elizabeth Lake on Sandrock Dr (SD). I walked along the fence line, surveying riparian, freshwater marsh, open water, gardens and ruderal vacant lots on Sandrock Drive. A few walkers, two with dogs, were present during my survey. Otherwise, conditions were good for finding birds and identifying their vocalizations. One fisherman was on the lake in a small, inflatable raft. A Long-tailed Weasel carrying a small rodent in its mouth, ran across a drainage ditch on Sandrock Drive and into a large patch of dead cattails. 2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL). I parked in the unpaved lot at the southwest corner of Elizabeth Lake, and walked southwest on a trail through a mature riparian woodland. I surveyed the shoreline, open water, riparian, ruderal fields and adjacent chaparral slopes. Five fishermen were on the sw shore of Elizabeth Lake. Conditions were good for finding birds (0855-0915 hrs). 3) Lake Hughes (LH). I surveyed the western portion of the lake along Elizabeth Lake Rd. , then drove about 0.1 mile east to Trail K , where I parked and walked the paved roads through a residential area with bird feeders, mature Cottonwood and adjacent Oak-Pine woodland. The lake was quiet and largely undisturbed by human activities (0925- 0950 hrs.). 4) My last stop this morning was at the Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG), where I stopped on the roadside to scan the adjacent fairways and ponds. Four species were added to the day-list here: American Wigeon, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Killdeer (0955- 1002 hrs.). Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included: Blue-winged Teal (1); Canvasback (2); Ring-necked Duck (6); Common Merganser (1); Osprey (1); Lesser Yellowlegs (1); Caspian Tern (1); Golden-crowned Sparrow (4); Bullock's Oriole (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) dabbling near shore, SEL.

American Wigeon 90 - continuing - in and around pond, ELG.

Mallard 8 (m,f) edge of lake, SEL; 4 WEL; 15 LH.

Blue-winged Teal 1 (m) edge of lake, SEL (photo).

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) in w pond; 3 (m,f) LH.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) resting at edge of marsh, SEL.

Ring-necked Duck 6 (m,f) swimming at s edge of lake, SEL.

Bufflehead 20 (m,f) open water, SEL; 6 w pond, WEL; 5 LH.

Common Merganser 1 (f) resting on s edge of lake, LH.

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) trans. alt. plmg. resting around edges of the lake, SEL; 40 w edge of lake, WEL; 4 s side of lake, LH.

California Quail 12 (m,f) running on roadway and through yards, SEL; 10 flushed from edge of riparian, WEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 30 resting and swimming at e end of lake, SEL.

Great Blue Heron s side of lake, SEL.

Osprey 1 (ad) circling over the lake; dipping on surface to catch a fish; flying to utility pole on north side, SEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 fly, call, riparian edge, SEL.

American Kestrel 1 (f) flying low over ruderal field, WEL.

American Coot 30 edge of lake, SEL; 20 edge of lake-marsh, WEL; 10 LH; 50 foraging on grass, ELG.

Killdeer 4 flooded grassy area, ELG.

Greater Yellowlegs 2 foraging in wet grass, ELG.

Lesser Yellowlegs 1 foraging in wet grass and muddy edge of flooded grass about 25 yards from GRYE, ELG.

California Gull 1 (ad) flying over e end of lake; then swimming in the middle of the lake, SEL.

Caspian Tern 1 (imm) circling the lake; diving and taking a 5 " fish, which was then dropped and abandoned from a height of about 15 feet above the lake.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 calls (two types: cooing and growls) suburban gardens and utility poles, SEL; 2 calls, LH.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, edge of riparian, SEL.

Acorn Woodpecker 5 tall trees and utility poles; vocalizing, LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 riparian, calls and drumming, SEL; 2 (m,f) calls, fly, riparian WEL; 1 calls, LH.

Downy Woodpecker 1 called briefly (distinctive high-pitched peeps) from riparian woods, SEL (unseen).

Hairy Woodpecker 2 chasing, calls, riparian, SEL; 1 fly, call, tall Cottonwood, LH.

Northern Flicker 1 calls, WEL.

Black Phoebe 2 pond and riparian edge, WEL.

Western Scrub-jay 4 suburbs and riparian edge, SEL; 4 riparian, WEL; 3 mixed woodland, LH.

Common Crow 5 fly, call, suburbs and riparian, SEL; 3 WEL; 4 LH; calls.

Common Raven 1 flying high, s over lake, SEL.

Tree Swallow 200 flying over lake and 100 ft. over riparian edges, SEL; WEL; calls; groups of three interacting in flight.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, riparian, SEL; 2 song, riparian WEL; 2 song, LH.

Bushtit 5 vocal and active in shrubs and riparian edge, SEL.

Wrentit 1 singing, chaparral slope, s WEL.

Bewick's Wren 1 singing, edge of riparian, SEL; 1 singing, riparian-brushy field edge, WEL.

House Wren 3 singing, riparian and marsh edge, SEL; 2 singing, edge of woods, WEL; 4 active in shrubs; singing, LH.

Marsh Wren 1 singing in marsh, n side of LH.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 active in budding Cottonwood and Willow, SEL.

American Robin 2 one singing atop a tall Cedar; another calling in adjacent suburban garden, LH.

European Starling 10 suburban gardens and utility lines, SEL; 6 WEL; 20 LH.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calling, riparian, SEL; 1 on cottonwood, calls; moving to suet feeder, LH.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 (m,f) active in canopy of Cottonwoods and Willow, SEL; 5 riparian, WEL; 8 LH.

Common Yellowthroat 2 singing in marsh, SEL; 1 singing at edge of marsh-riparian, WEL.

Song Sparrow 8 singing in marsh, SEL; 4 in brushy understory of riparian; one being chased by another, highly vocal individual, WEL.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 flushed from fence line shrubs, SEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 5 (ad, imm) edge of riparian and suburban garden, SEL; calls. 5 brushy margin of yard, LH; calls and song.

Golden-crowned Sparrow 4 (ad, imm) foraging in grassy roadside and shrubs (photo), LH.

Dark-eyed Junco 2 fly, call, fence line w end of Sandrock Dr., SEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 25 (m,f) song and calls, edge of riparian and marsh, SEL; 10 WEL; 12 LH.

Brewer's Blackbird 12 (m,f) vocal in gardens with tall trees and on ground in vacant lot, SEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 5 edge of marsh, sec of SEL.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) call, active in canopy of Cottonwood, SEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 calls, suburban gardens and trees, SEL.

House Finch 20 riparian and suburbs, SEL; 10 riparian WEL; 20 LH.

Pine Siskin 20 foraging, vocal, in canopy of budding Cottonwoods, SEL; 10 canopy of Cottonwoods, WEL; 4 at feeder, LH.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, song, canopy of budding Cottonwood, SEL. 2 calls, riparian edge of marsh, LH.

House Sparrow 10 suburban gardens, SEL; 4 LH.

MARCH 19, 2011 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (57 Species)

Weather: Overcast with intermittent light rain until 1030 hrs., then variable cloudiness; 39F; winds WSW 5 - 15 mph.

Time: 0856 - 1310 hrs.

Observers: Ethan Yorke and I.

Areas Covered: 1) South Elizabeth Lake along Sandrock Drive: I walked the fence line and down to the shore of south Elizabeth Lake, surveying riparian, freshwater marsh,

ruderal fields of mixed chaparral, residential gardens and vacant lots (SEL). A few fishermen were on the n-s jetty; several people were walking dogs along the fence line.

2) North Elizabeth Lake at the USFS picnic area on the north shore (NEL). I walked along the shoreline, surveying open water, riparian and adjacent mixed chaparral.

3) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL). I walked along the shore and through the adjacent riparian woodland, surveying open water, freshwater marsh, riparian-chaparral edge and adjacent ruderal-chaparral fields. 4) Lake Hughes (LH). I first surveyed the northwestern portion of the lake along Elizabeth Lake Rd., then the eastern section along trail K.

The groundskeeper, Jim, met me and showed me an active REHA nest in a Cottonwood on the southeast shore. 5) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). We stopped the car briefly along Elizabeth Lake Rd. to survey ponds on the golf course. All surveys today were made using a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera. Birds of distributional and/or seasonal interest found today were: Common Merganser (2 LH); Canvasback 1 (LH); Bald Eagle 1 - continuing - (SEL); Purple Martin (2 WEL).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) flew and landed in water, SEL; 1 LH.

American Wigeon 40 (m,f) around ponds, ELG.

Mallard 25 (m,f) SEL; WEL; one brown and white hybrid (NEL); 10 (m,f) LH.

Northern Shoveler 20 (m,f) dabbling, west LH.

Canvasback 1 (f) diving, mid-lake, LH.

Common Merganser 2 (m,f) north side of LH.

Bufflehead 2 NEL; 4 secluded pond, WEL.

Ruddy Duck 80 SEL, NEL; 30 WEL; 4 LH.

California Quail 4 (1 DOR) SEL; 20 southeast LH;

Loon sp. (possibly PALO based on relatively small head and thin bill) 1 diving, mid-lake, NEL.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 diving, w HL.

Western Grebe 2 pair swimming together in open water , e SEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 SEL; 2 WEL; 1 LH.

Great Blue Heron 1 s shore, SEL.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 flying over shoreline trees, SEL.

Turkey Vulture 2 flying low over riparian shore, NEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 flying, calls, SEL; 2 flying high, circling, calls, WEL; reportedly active nest, K trail, se HL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) soaring low over n hills, ELG.

Bald Eagle 1 - continuing - perched in tall cottonwood, SEL (photo); later seen flying over riparian, hills, n, NEL.

American Kestrel 1 flying over suburbs, SEL; 1 on utility line, ELG.

American Coot 30 edges of lake, SEL; 20 WEL; 20 LH.

Killdeer 1 fly, call, shore, NEL.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying over lake, SEL.

Mourning Dove 2 utility lines, SEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 pairs chasing, calls (incl. weezing 'cat calls', utility poles, suburban SEL.

Acorn Woodpecker 1 sally-flycatching in tall, leafless tree, trail K, LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 SEL (1 drumming on utility pole); 2 WEL, calls; 1 LH.

Northern Flicker 1 SEL; 2 calls, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 edge of pond, sally-flycatching, WEL; calls.

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, SEL; 2 calls, fly, WEL. 2 fly, call, LH.

American Crow 10 vacant lots and roadways, SEL; 10 LH.

Common Raven 2 fly, call, SEL; 2 pair perched close together on low branch, WEL.

Western Bluebird 4 on utility lines over vacant lot, SEL.

Purple Martin 3 1 leisurely circling about 75-100 ft above ground, riparian, WEL; later a pair circling below TRSW, high over sw shore.

Tree Swallow 300 (conserv. est.) most flying back and forth over lake surface, SEL; NEL; 50-60 high over riparian-chaparral, s WEL.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 amongst TRSW, flying low over lake, SEL.

Cliff Swallow 6 amongst TRSW low over lake; at least two with TRSW high over s shore.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 foraging in mature Cottonwood, se LH.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, riparian, SEL; 1 calls, riparian, WEL.

Bushtit 10 active in roadside-riparian Rabbitbrush, SEL.

House Wren 3 singing repeatedly, riparian edge, SEL; 2 singing, WEL; 1 singing, LH.

Marsh Wren 3 singing in n marsh, LH.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 suburban trees, calls, SEL; 2 riparian, calls, WEL; tall trees, LH.

European Starling 10 calls and song, gardens, riparian and roadside, SEL; 10 LH.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 riparian, foraging on catkins in Cottonwood, SEL; 4 WEL; 10 LH.

Spotted Towhee 1 calls, riparian, WEL.

California Towhee 1 calls, riparian edge, SEL; 1 calls, riparian, WEL.

Song Sparrow 5 calls and song, marsh, SEL; 2 song, riparian and adjacent fields, WEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 4 calls, riparian, SEL; 2 WEL; 4 LH.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f) calls and song, riparian and marsh, SEL; 6 WEL; 20, LH.

Brewer's Blackbird 6 shore, NEL; 4 LH.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 fly, call, SEL.

Purple Finch 1 singing from concealed perch in willow, WEL.

House Finch 10 (m,f) calls, song, suburbs, SEL; 6 backyard feeder, LH.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, tall Cottonwoods with catkins, WEL.

Pine Siskin 40 small flocks active in Cottonwoods with catkins, SEL; 20 WEL; 10 LH.

House Sparrow 10 gardens, SEL; 20 LH.

MARCH 5, 2011 Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake (56 Species)

Weather: Fair, 66F; winds ENE 2 mph.

Time: 1315-1556 hrs.

Observers: Ethan Yorke and I

Areas Covered: Continuing from Holiday Valley Lake, 1) West Lake Hughes (WLH) from Elizabeth Lake Road at Norblett. I surveyed the lake, marsh, riparian and suburban gardens using a 10x 42 binocular.

2) Trail K/N: I walked around the intersection, surveying birds in Cottonwoods and backyards; one yard with several active bird feeders. Spoke with the caretaker, Jim, an avid naturalist who mentioned that the Red Shouldered Hawks had not begun nesting yet this year. He also said there had been a regular winter bat roost in a nearby wooden shed. 3) The USFS parking area at the northwest end of Elizabeth Lake (ELW). We walked throught the adjacent riparian woodland, surveying marsh, open water, woodland and a small pond. 4) Sandrock Road (SEL): I parked at the west end of Sandrock Rd. and walked along the fenceline of south Elizabeth Lake,, including forays into the marsh and riparian patches, to near the intersection of Ranch Club Rd. and back. Several species were added to our day list: Eurasian Collared Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Bushtit, Tree Swallow and American Goldfinch. 5) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I scanned the fairways and ponds from Elizabeth Lake Rd., adding American Wigeon to our day-list.

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 in marsh, WEL.

American Wigeon 120 (m,f) foraging on short, wet grass next to ponds, ELG.

Mallard 25 (m,f) HL; 50 ELW; SEL.

Northern Shoveler 3 (m,f) HL.

Canvasback 8 (m,f) HL; 16 (m,f) diving synchronously, SEL.

Ring-necked Duck 4 (f) small pond, WEL.

Bufflehead 10 (m,f) HL; 20 SEL.

Common Merganser 10 (m,f) diving, SEL.

Ruddy Duck 20 HL; 100 (m,f) WEL; SEL.

California Quail 10 flushed in riparian, WEL.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 HL.

Eared Grebe 3 SEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 5 on snags, SEL.

Turkey Vulture 1 soaring over trees, WEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 perched in tall Cottonwood, K/N; calls.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) soaring over n hills.

American Kestrel 1 on utility pole, ELG.

Common Moorhen 1 (ad) swimming close to marsh, WLH.

American Coot 40 HL; 25 edges of lake, SEL; 150 ELG.

Killdeer 4 shore WEL; 2 SEL; 3 ELG.

California Gull 10 (ad) mid lake and flying over lake, WEL, SEL

Herring Gull 1 (ad) mid-lake, WEL.

Mourning Dove 2 HL; 2 WEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 in shaded riparian patch, SEL (photo).

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) call, fly, SEL.

Acorn Woodpecker 3 fly, call, K/N.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (m) flew into small ornamental cedar in yard; same tree where one was seen on Feb 21, 2011.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, LH; 1 (f0 foraging, calling, riparian, WEL; 1 calls, riparian, SEL.

Northern Flicker 1 calls, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 calls, fly, edge of riparian, SEL.

Western Scrub-jay 3 fly, call, K/N; 2 fly, call, WEL. 1 SEL.

American Crow 2 WLH; 4 K/N; 8 SEL.

Common Raven 2 on utility pole, WEL.

Tree Swallow 5 flying low over lake, SEL.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, WLH; 1 calls, K/N; 2 calls, SEL.

Bushtit 6 active in riparian, calls, SEL.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, SEL.

House Wren 1 song, WEL; 1 song, SEL.

Marsh Wren 1 song, WEL; 1 song, SEL.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 riparian, WEL.

Western Bluebird 2 (m,f) K/N; riparian; near stump with possible nest cavity, WEL.

European Starling 10 K/N; 5 WEL; 2 SEL.

Cedar Waxwing 10 feeding on mistletoe in Cottonwood, K/N (photo).

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 HL; 2 (m,f) K/N; 3 (1 myrtle call), WEL; 3 SEL.

California Towhee 1 calls, suburban yard, SEL.

Spotted Towhee 1 calls, WEL.

Song Sparrow 1 song, WLH; 3 WEL; 3 SEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 2 WLH; 4 K/N; 10 WEL; 18 SEL.

Dark-eyed Junco 3 riparian, SEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 singing, edge of lake, marsh, WLH; 8 song, WEL; 6 SEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 4 (m,f) on shore, WEL; in yards, SEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 calls, SEL.

House Finch 4 WLH; 10 K/N; 4 WEL; 6 SEL.

Pine Siskin 10 K/N in and around feeder; perched in nearby trees (photo); calls from crown of budding willows and cottonwoods..

American Goldfinch 2 (bsc. plmg.) feeding on catkins in willows, SEL.

House Sparrow 20 WLH; 6 K/N; 10 SEL.

MARCH 2, 2011 Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake (44 Species)

Weather: Overcast with increasing winds, WSW 10-15mph; 49F.

Time: 0839-1020 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Lake Hughes (LH): I stopped along Elizabeth Lake Rd. west of Trail K and walked along the roadway observing birds in the lake and surrounding riparian, pine woodland, gardens and hillside chaparral. Continuing to the intersection of Trail K and N, I stopped again to observe birds at a backyard feeder and surrounding habitats as noted above. 2) Northwest corner of Elizabeth Lake (ELW): I walked through a riparian woodland bordering a small pond and open fields bordering chaparral. Views of the western portion of the lake and shoreline were obtained here. Two people were fishing on the shore adjacent to the USFS parking area. 3) USFS parking area, north-central Elizabeth Lake (ELC): I surveyed chaparral slopes, ruderal picnic areas, riparian edge, shoreline and open water. Included in this survey area were the adjacent grassy hillsides and roadside fields along Elizabeth Lake Rd. 4) Sandrock Drive (SD): From the west end of the road, I walked down to the shore through a riparian woodland and freshwater marsh bordering the peninsula separating east and west sides of Elizabeth Lake. Increasing cloudiness and winds, combined with an upcoming 11AM class at AVC, restricted my visit to about 15 minutes in this area. 5) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I stopped along the Elizabeth Lake Rd on the north side of the golf course, where I scanned briefly from within the car for birds in and around several small ponds along the fairways (apparently the golf course continues to be closed). Four species were added to the day-list here: American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer. All surveys were made using a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 4 (m,f) pairs swimming close to shore, LH; 18 (including 1 domestic hybrid) ELW; 20 ELC. 10 ELG.

American Wigeon 90 (m,f) foraging amongst coots on lawns next to a pond, ELG.

Northern Shoveler 30 (m,f) dabbling in a small pond, ELG.

Ring-necked Duck 2 (f) in small pond, WEL; 1 (m) diving, ELG.

Bufflehead 6 (m,f) diving, LH

Canvasback 12 (m,f) some diving, edges of LH.

Common Merganser 10 (m,f) chasing, open water and edges of LH.

Ruddy Duck 2 (m,f) (1 alt. plmg. male) LH; 60 flocks resting near shore, ELW; ELC.

California Quail 2 calls, roadside garden, LH.

Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) marsh, SD.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying, ELW; 8 on snags in sec of lake, SD.

Turkey Vulture 2 flying low over n shore, ELC.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) soaring high above hills, ELC.

American Kestrel 2 utility pole; hovering over n hills, ELC.

American Coot 20 edge of LH; 30 edge of ELW; 150 in and around ponds, ELG.

Killdeer 1 swampy edge of pond, ELG.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 foraging in swampy area at edge of pond, ELG.

White-throated Swift 20 flying low and high over hillsides and edge of lake, ELC.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, LH.

Acorn Woodpecker 3 utility poles and trees in garden, east LH (Trail K/N).

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 in cedar at edge of yard; calls, SR.

Black Phoebe 1 calls, LH; 1 edge of marsh, SR.

Western Scrub-jay 2 riparian, gardens, LH; 2 riparian, ELW.

American Crow 2 gardens, LH; 10 suburbs, SD.

Common Raven 1 on utility pole, ELC.

Tree Swallow 80 flying low, back and forth over lake, ELW, ELC.

Violet-green Swallow 1 flying low over lake near TRSW.

Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over lake, SD.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, LH; 2 calls, ELW.

Marsh Wren 1 edge of marsh, calls, ELW.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 riparian, LH; 1 riparian, ELW.

Western Bluebird 1 (m) riparian edge, ELC.

Northern Mockingbird 1 in Cottonwood with mistletoe, ELC.

European Starling 30 riparian, LH. 6 suburbs, SD.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 (m) riparian, calls, ELW; 2 riparian, SD.

Spotted Towhee 1 riparian-chaparral, ELW.

Song Sparrow 4 (one relatively reddish-winged bird) edge of marsh-riparian; calls and song., WEL

White-crowned Sparrow 2 calls, riparian, ELW; 5 shoreline riparian, ELC.

Dark-eyed Junco 6 gardens, LH; 3 shore, ELC.

Red-winged Blackbird 18 calls, song, marsh, LH; 10 marsh-riparian, fly ELC; 8 SD.

Brewer's Blackbird 8 shoreline and riparian edge, ELC.

House Finch 10 around feeder, east LH.

Pine Siskin 8 at feeder and on ground in garden, east LH.

House Sparrow 4 backyards, LH; 6 around feeders, east LH.

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