BIRD SURVEYS of Riverside and San Bernardino County, CA
January 22, 2015 Lake Cahuilla/PGA West, La Quinta
December 28, 2010 Lake Cahuilla, La Quinta
November, 2009 La Quinta, Riverside County, CA
November 25, 2010 Lake Cahuilla, La Quinta
November 24, 2010 PGA West, La Quinta
October 14, 16, 2010 La Quinta
March 28, 2010 San Jacinto Mountains
December 20-23, 2009 La Quinta
November 26-29, 2009 La Quinta
April, 2009 La Quinta, Big Morongo and Joshua Tree National Park
January 22 2015 Lake Cahuilla/PGA West, La Quinta, Riverside County CA (40 Species)
Weather: Fair; 56F to 72F; no wind.
Time: 0822-1115 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire perimeter of Lake Cahuilla Park (LC). Habitats surveyed included open water, shoreline (LC water level about 10 terraced steps below the full mark), lawns and trimmed trees, an RV park with mature trees, ruderal roadways and saltbush-mesquite-tamarisk scrub along the eastern fenceline bordering the PGA West country club. Parts of the PGA West golf course, ponds, and a dense formation of saltbush-mesquite-tamarisk scrub, were visible from the fence line. A few fishermen and others were present around the RV park in the southeast corner. Gunfire echoes from an adjacent police firing range appeared to frighten birds away from the northern section of the lake. A few autos were moving around the lake stirring up clouds of dust; people were walking dogs (leashed) on the southern shore. A golf tournament was in progress at PGA West during my survey.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Tundra Swan (2), Crissal Thrasher (1) and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Tundra Swan 2 (ad.) ID: All white plumage; medium-large size; straight, black bill and lores; white feathering on forehead forming a U-shape with the mandible, rather than an acute angle (c.f. Trumpeter Swan); a relatively short, angled back neck at base of one individual (c.f. TRSW); curved neck posture of the other (pair bonding signal?). The pair was swimming together near the edge of a PGA West fairway, moving away as a group of golfers approached. No head-bobbing ,vocalizations or other diagnostic behavior was observed (photos A, B, C). First record for PGA West (see my previous survey notes 2009-10).
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) Note contrasting neck posture (A); U-shaped white feathering on forehead (C); indistinct eye inset with black lores (no yellow, B & C). PGA West, La Quinta, RICO CA 22 Jan 2015
(A)
(B) (C)
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
American Wigeon 4 (m) open water, LC.
Ring-necked Duck 1 (f) swimming with LESC, open water, LC.
Lesser Scaup 2 (m) swimming with RNDU, open water, LC.
Ruddy Duck 1 (f) resting, open water, LC.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 open water, LC; pond, PGA.
Western Grebe 1 open water, LC.
Double-crested Cormorant 60 in trees; swimming, open water, LC.
Great Blue Heron 9 in crown of large mesquite tree; possible rookery, PGA West; 4 on shore, LC.
Black-crowned Night Heron 8 (ad, imm) in same large mesquite tree below GBHE, PGA.
Osprey 1 flying low over the lake, LC.
American Kestrel 2 pair interacting atop a large mesquite tree, PGA.
American Coot 15 swimming in pond, PGA; 5 open water, LC.
Killdeer 2 shoreline, LC.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 on w shore, LC
Least Sandpiper 10 a cohesive flock on w shore, LC.
Ring-billed Gull 12 (ad, imm) flying around the lake; swimming in a loose flock near DCCO, LC.
California Gull 8 (ad, imm) flying around the lake; on shore; swimming, LC.
Herring Gull 1 (ad) flying low around the lake; landing on sw shore with other gulls, LC.
Mourning Dove 8 flushed from saltbush scrub, e, LC/PGA.
Costa's Hummingbird 1 (m) in mesquite tree, fence line, LC/PGA.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker calls (unseen) saltbush-mesquite scrub, LC/PGA.
Northern (RS) Flicker 1 (m) vocal; flying, parkland trees, s LC.
Black Phoebe 1 vocal; low sallies at edge of park and roadway, s LC.
Say's Phoebe 3 vocal; on fence and in trees at edge of scrub and open areas, LC/PGA.
Common Raven 2 vocal; flying around lake and parkland, LC.
Verdin 18 vocal, gregarious; in mesquite-saltbush scrub, LC/PGA; isolated palo verde trees, w.
Cactus Wren 1 on ground and in mesquite, LC/PGA.
Bewick's Wren 1 vocal (unseen) dense mesquite-saltbush scrub, LC/PGA.
Rock Wren 1 on rocky levee, s LC.
Northern Mockingbird 1 on fence, LC/PGA.
Crissal Thrasher 1 seen briefly twice; moving quickly, secretively; running on ground and in low shrubs in medium dense saltbush-mesquite scrub, LC/PGA.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 (ad) ID: Distinctively wide, white outer tail feathers; gray face; foraging busily in tamarisk and other tall shrubs LC/PGA (photo).
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Lake Cahuilla, La Quinta RICO CA 22 Jan 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler 2 in mesquite and other vegetation, PGA/LC.
Abert's Towhee 8 vocal; pairs on ground and low in dense vegetation, PGA/LC.
White-crowned Sparrow 1 dense saltbush, PGA/LC.
Western Meadowlark 6 foraging in a cohesive flock on lawn, s LC.
Brewer's Blackbird 14 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground in RV park, s, LC.
Great-tailed Grackle 15 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. parkland and shoreline; females staying together.
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, PGA/LC.
January 21 2015 Coachella Wild Bird Center, Indio, Riverside County CA (35 Species)
Weather: Fair; 68F; wind ENE 5 -10 mph.
Time: 0838-0945 hrs.
Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.
Area Covered: After registering at the Coachella Wild Bird Center (CWBC), we surveyed the south half of the sewage ponds adjacent to the CWBC; walking south on levees between the adjacent sewage marsh ponds, we surveyed open water, freshwater marsh, saltbush scrub, a ploughed field and dry, fenced pastures. We scanned the entire sewage treatment facility from two elevated observation towers within the marsh pond complex. A maintenance worker was working quietly in the area during our survey. Several injured birds (raptors and others) were being rehabilitated in cages by the CWBC staff. Except for increasing winds, conditions were fair to good for finding and identifying birds and their vocalizations.
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 4 (m,f) sewage pond and marsh.
Mallard 6 (m,f) marsh ponds.
American Wigeon 1 sewage ponds.
Northern Shoveler 1,500 (m,f) ubiquitous in sewage ponds and marsh.
Green-winged Teal 2 (m,f) marsh ponds.
Ruddy Duck 8 marsh ponds.
Pied-billed Grebe calls, marsh ponds.
Eared Grebe 3 marsh ponds.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 flying over sewage ponds; avoiding dive attacks from a PEFA by flipping upside down in flight.
American Kestrel 1 (m) on utility line, w edge of marsh ponds.
Peregrine Falcon 1 (ad) diving repeatedly on a RTHA over the sewage ponds; perched on adjacent utility pole (photo).
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Coachella Wild Bird Center, Indio, Riverside Co CA 21 Jan 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Common Moorhen 2 swimming at edge of marsh.
American Coot 60 a few in the sewage ponds; most in marsh ponds.
Killdeer 8 a loose flock in sandy, ploughed pasture on east side of marsh ponds.
Ring-billed Gull 85 sewage ponds.
California Gull 30 sewage ponds.
Feral Rock Pigeon 2 flying over sewage ponds.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 beneath yard feeder at center.
Mourning Dove 12 beneath yard feeder at center.
Anna's Hummingbird (m) calls, center yard in trees.
Black Phoebe 1 edge of marsh
Say's Phoebe 2 fence in adjacent pasture.
Common Raven 3 flying over marsh.
Verdin 2 repeated calls from saltbush on east fence line (photo).
Marsh Wren 12 repeated song and calls throughout marsh.
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 1 (imm. ?) ID by predominantly black tail (cf. BGGN) with narrow white outer tail feathers; black patches on face and forecrown; foraging in palo verde tree adjacent to the pasture, e (photo).
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura) CWBC Indio, RICO CA 21 Jan 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler 1 shrubs at edge of pasture.
Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal at edge of marsh, central.
Abert's Towhee 1 flushed from beneath saltbush, e.
Savannah Sparrow 2 calls; saltbush, e.
Song Sparrow 3 central marsh.
White-crowned Sparrow 4 calls; saltbush, e.
Red-winged Blackbird 12 (m,f) flying around marsh; at center feeder.
House Finch 6 (m,f) at center feeder.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 at center feeder.
La Quinta and Indio, Riverside County, CA
PGA West, La Quinta, Riverside County, CA November 26, 2009 Viewing W across a Colorado River canal into Lake Cahuilla.
© 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
Lake Cahuilla (western terminus of the Colorado River canal), La Quinta, Riverside County, CA November 28, 2009. Viewing NW
© 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
DECEMBER 28, 2010 Lake Cahuilla County Park, Riverside County, La Quinta, CA (36 Species)
Weather Fair, 50F to 64F; no wind.
Time: 0803 - 1034 hrs.
Observers Merissa Mendez, Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered: Entry fee $5: We initially walked the southwestern shore of Lake Cahuilla (LC), then returned along the south shore and through the adjacent park (Mulberry and Palm trees), eastward through a RV park (mostly bare ground; small lawns and Red Gum Eucalyptus trees), then north along the eastern shore and saltbush-ironwood-salt cedar scrub viewed from the west side (LC) of a chain link fence separating LC from the southwest corner of the PGA West (PGAW) country club (fairways surrounding a large pond with mature salt cedar borders). Our survey included shorelines and open water, ruderal roadways, creosote scrub, upland rocky slopes, saltbush scrub and parkland habitat. Shorelines were largely barren except for the southern sandy beach, which had gulls. The lake, divided by a levee, was also relatively birdless; several fishermen were around the lake during our survey. The RV park in the southeast corner of LC was fairly busy with campers, yet had bird species not found elsewhere, e.g. Costa's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker and Brown-headed Cowbird. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations; only a few shots were heard from the adjacent firing range in the northwestern section of the park. We surveyed using a 10x42 binocular and two Nikon DSLR cameras.
BIRDS NOTED
American Wigeon 3 (m,f) open water, LC; 3 (m,f) PGAW.
Ring-necked Duck 7 (m,f) flew into open water, se LC.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 open water, s-central LC.
Western Grebe 1 resting in open water, s-central LC.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 (ad, imm) swimming together in open water, s-central LC.
Snowy Egret 1 flushed from sw shoreline, LC.
Green Heron 1 perched on dead branch of salt cedar near water surface, PGAW.
Black-crowned Night Heron 20 (ad, imm) spaced about 20-50 ft. apart in salt cedars bordering large pond, PGAW.
American Kestrel 1 flying over, ne, LC.
American Coot 20 tight flock swimming in open water, n-central LC; 80 in pond and lawns, PGAW.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 shoreline, w and s, LC.
California Gull 3 (C2) shoreline, LC.
Ring-billed Gull 50 (ad, imm) shoreline, s LC.
Caspian Tern 1 flying over lake, on shore, s LC.
Mourning Dove 2 saltbush scrub ,e LC.
Greater Roadrunner 1 on roadway, se LC.
Costa's Hummingbird 3 (m,f) at feeder in RV park, LC (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Red-naped Sapsucker 2 (m,f) in Red Gum Eucalyptus trees in RV park, se LC (photo).
© 2010 Ethan Yorke © 2010 Callyn Yorke
Northern Flicker 2 near crown of mature palm, sw LC.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 calls from dense saltbush-iron wood, PGAW.
Black Phoebe 3 edge of park, sw, w, LC.
Say's Phoebe 2 edge of park, s, se, LC.
Common Raven 1 flying ne, LC.
Rough-winged Swallow 6 on utility line, w LC (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Northern Mockingbird 1 palms and Mulberry trees, sw LC.
European Starling 16 on lawns and in palms, sw LC.
Verdin 10 calls in creosote bush scrub, parkland, saltbush scrub, ubiquitous, LC.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 mostly in Mulberry trees and on lawns; calls, s LC.
Abert's Towhee 1 calls in dense saltbush scrub, LC/PGAW.
Lark Sparrow 8 foraging on lawn, sw LC (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
White-crowned Sparrow 15 dense saltbush scrub, fenceline, LC/PGAW.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 (m,f) most feeding on ground in RV park, se, LC.
Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) scattered around the park; calls, LC (photo).
.
© 2010 Ethan Yorke
Brown-headed Cowbird 7 (m,f) foraging on ground with BRBL in RV park, LC (photo)
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
House Finch 30 ubiquitous in parkland and brushy borders, LC, PGAW.
Lesser Goldfinch 5 (m,f) in salt cedar scrub, LC/PGAW (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Wild Bird Center Marsh (Indio Waste Water Treatment Facility), 46-500 Van Buren St., Indio, CA Nov. 28, 2010 Viewing NW
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
DECEMBER 27, 2010 Wild Bird Center Marsh and Indio Wastewater Treatment Facility, 46500 Van Buren St., Indio, CA (42 Species)
Indio Wild Bird Center Marsh, viewing northwest to Mt. San Jacinto December 27, 2010
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Indio Wastewater Treatment Facility, viewing northwest to Mt. San Jacinto. December 27, 2010
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Weather: Fair, 65-70F; winds WNW 2-5 mph.
Time: 0940 - 1158 hrs.
Observers: Merissa Mendez, Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered: We walked around the entire wildbird center marsh (I made two trips around), surveying fresh water marsh and adjacent fields of saltbush, salt cedar and ruderal pastureland (WBC). Our survey also included lawns and hanging feeders in trees at the front of the WBC buildings. Three other visitors (without binoculars) began walking around the marsh as I was leaving from my second, clockwise trip. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations; most of the waterfowl (i.e. Northern Shoveler) were wary and quick to take flight as we approached.
Ethan and I subsequently walked the perimeter of the Indio Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF), using binoculars and DSLR cameras. Most of the birds (i.e. Ring-billed Gull) were in the northwest ponds. Several new species were found here and added to our day-list: Ross' Goose, Black-necked Stilt, Spotted Sandpiper, California Gull, Rock Pigeon and American Pipit.
BIRDS NOTED
Snow Goose 1 (continuing?) first seen in same location as in previous survey of November 27 (see below), then the bird entered the pond where several photos were made. Identification was based on the relatively small size and short, stubby bill (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Canada Goose 16 flying north over WBC; one in the marsh.
Gadwall 8 (m,f) edge of marsh, WBC.
Mallard 6 (m,f) edge of marsh, WBC.
Blue-winged Teal 10 (m,f) west and north marsh, WBC.
Cinnamon Teal 2 (m,f) sw marsh, WBC.
Northern Shoveler 1000 (m,f) most in WBC; 50-60 in WWTF; very flighty.
Northern Pintail 2 (m) north and west marsh, WBC.
Bufflehead 6 (m,f) north and west marsh, WBC.
Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) throughout the marsh, WBC; 10, WWTF.
Gambel's Quail 2 (m,f) on fence, ne corner, WBC.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 calls from marsh, WBC.
Eared Grebe 8 central and west marsh, WBC (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Great Egret 1 on lawn and on post in marsh, WBC.
Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from central-east marsh onto observation platform, WBC.
Sora 1 calls from ne marsh, WBC.
Common Moorhen 10 edge of marsh, WBC (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
American Coot 100 WBC; 30 WWTF.
Black-necked Stilt 1 with ROPI on levee, WWTF.
Yellowlegs sp. ? (probably GRYL) 1 called from sw marsh, WBC.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 edge of water, WWTF.
Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from edge of marsh, northeast, WBC
Ring-billed Gull 200 flying over, WBC; most resting on levee; some drinking, WWTF.
California Gull 2 (C2) resting on levee with RBGU, WWTF.
Rock Pigeon 80 on levee and drinking, WWTF.
Mourning Dove 14 around lawns and feeders, WBC.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 around cages and lawns, WBC.
Greater Roadrunner 2 a pair flew up to the chain-link fence; separated in yard, ne, WBC.
Black Phoebe 3 edge of marsh and settling ponds: sally-flycatching low to ground; calls, WBC; WWTF.
Say's Phoebe 2 one on fence, ne WBC; one in middle of muddy south pond, WWTF.
Verdin 3 calls from saltbush scrub, e.
Common Raven 2 flying by, WBC.
Marsh Wren 6 calls from edge of marsh, WBC.
American Pipit 2 muddy south pond and edge of nw pond; calls, WWTF.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 calls from adjacent ruderal scrub, sw.
Savannah Sparrow 2 edge of marsh along trail; calls, WBC
White-crowned Sparrow 2 calls from saltbush scrub, ne and w, WBC.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 (f0 at feeder, WBC.
Brewer's Blackbird 6 on lawn, WBC.
Great-tailed Grackle 10 in marsh, sw, WBC.
House Finch 12 at and around feeder, WBC.
Lesser Goldfinch 3 at feeder, WBC.
NOVEMBER 28, 2010 Wild Bird Center Marsh and Indio Wastewater Treatment Facility, 46-500 Van Buren St., Indio, CA (48 Species)
Weather: Fair; 57F winds WNW 12 -20 mph.
Time: 0848 - 1059 hrs.
Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.
Area Covered: 1) Initially, we met one of the volunteers at the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center (CVWBC) and observed several captive birds being rehabilitated, including an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Barn Owl and several Great Horned Owls. CVWBC, opened to the public in 1995, is a licensed non-profit organization dedicated to care of sick and/or injured birds. They also maintain an adjacent, 21-acre wetland (WBCW) which is part of the adjacent Indio Sanitary District's wastewater treament facility. We walked on the trails through the wetland, surveying open water, shoreline (minimal in the northern portion), freshwater marsh (dominated by Schoenoplectus acutus.) and adjacent ruderal roadways, yard bird-feeders and pastureland. Two raised observation towers provided excellent views of the wetland (photos). This area had a much higher diversity of birds than the adjacent wastewater treatment facility. 2) Indio Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWT): We walked along the levees separating a large, empty treatment pond from an active (full) pond with aerators in operation. Many Ring-billed gulls and ducks (mostly Northern Shoveler) occupied the banks and water, respectively. Two relatively rare species for the area (according to the CVWBC Bird Checklist), Ross' Goose and Least Sandpiper, were found on the edge of the north pond. We used binoculars and a DSLR camera for the bird survey.
BIRDS NOTED
Canada Goose 1 possibly a released bird from CVWBC, seen on the lawn and later with Black-necked Stilts in the marsh, WBCW.
Ross' Goose 1 (ad) standing on the embankment of the northwestern pond, WWT.
Mallard 8 (m,f) edge of the marsh, WBCW; flighty; 2 in the pond, WWT.
Gadwall 4 (m,f) edge of ponds, WBCW.
Green-winged Teal 2 (f) flushed from northwestern pond, WBCW.
Blue-winged Teal 5 (m,f) swimming quickly when first sighted along the northwestern edge of the pond, WBCW (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Cinnamon Teal 5 (m,f) edge of southwestern pond.
American Wigeon 2 (m,f) in north pond with NOSH, WWT.
Northern Pintail 2 (m) central-west pond, WBCW; north pond, WWT.
Northern Shoveler 30 (m,f) dabbling around edges of pond, WBCW; 150 north pond, WWT.
Ring-necked Duck 5 (m,f) north and southwest ponds; wary. WBCW (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) all ponds, WBCW.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 edges of central and s pond, calls. WBCW.
Eared Grebe 4 staying together, central pond, WBCW.
Great Egret 1 east pond, quite shy and retiring, WBCW.
Virginia Rail 2 1 DOR near edge of marsh, ne; one calling, ne marsh, WBCW (unseen).
Sora 1 calls from central-east marsh WBCW (unseen).
American Coot 30 scattered around edges of the marsh, WBCW; 5 north banks, WWT.
Common Moorhen 10 staying close to the edge of the ponds, throughout, WBCW.
Killdeer 1 calls from adjacent vacant lot, sw, WBCW.
Black-necked Stilt 7 edge of e pond, call, fly, WBCW.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on foamy edge of n pond, WWT.
Least Sandpiper 2 foraging on foamy, ne edge of n pond, WWT.
Wilson's Snipe 2 flushed from edge of e and ne ponds, WBCW.
Ring-billed Gull 200 (ad, imm) flying over marsh, WBCW; most on banks of n pond, WWT.
California Gull 4 (C1, C2) resting on banks of n pond with many RIGU, WWT.
Rock Pigeon 10 flying around in adjacent industrialized areas,
Mourning Dove 16 beneath feeders at WBCW.
Eurasian Collared Dove 6 beneath feeders at WBCW.
Black Phoebe 1 low perch, edge of n pond; calls, WBCW.
Say's Phoebe 1 sally-glean to bottom of dry, sediment-caked south pond, WWT.
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 (f) sally-flycatching from chain-link fence bordering a horse pasture, e WBCW.
Common Raven 6 flying over WBCW.
Verdin 1 calls from adjacent tall shrubs, WBCW.
Marsh Wren 10 active in marsh throughout, WBCW; calls.
European Starling 4 around feeders and yard, WBCW.
American Pipit 1 flying, calls, WBCW; 10 in and around dry s pond; foraging along foamy edge of n pond, WWT.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 flying, calls, inside and edge of marsh, WBCW.
Common Yellowthroat 1 flew into sw section of marsh; calls, WBCW.
Savannah Sparrow 3 edge of marsh and ruderal roadways, calls, WBCW.
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 edge of centra-north marsh-walkway, calls, WBCW.
Song Sparrow 8 in cattails and feeding on gravelly pathways, WBCW.
White-crowned Sparrow 2 in adjacent trees and shrubs bordering pasture, e, calls, WBCW.
Western Meadowlark 2 flying over adjacent field and pasture, e, WBCW.
Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) noisy flock in se marsh; also around buildings, WBCW.
Red-winged Blackbird 20 (ad, imm) in yard and at feeders, WBCW.
Brewer's Blackbird 5 around buildings and feeders, WBCW.
House Finch 4 at feeders, WBCW.
NOVEMBER 25, 2010 Lake Cahuilla, Riverside County Park, La Quinta, CA (36 Species)
Weather: Fair; 55F to 65F; winds WNW 5- 15 mph.
Time: 0920 - 1150 hrs.
Observers: Merissa Mendez and I.
Area Covered: We walked the entire perimiter of Lake Cahuilla including the central breakwater. About 100 visitors were in the park during our survey, including about 20-30 fishermen. We surveyed open water, shoreline, adjacent rocky cliffs and saltbush scrub; parkland with fruitless Mulberry and palms (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 4 (m,f) open water, n.
American Wigeon 450 (m,f) open water, n.
Mallard 4 (m,f) open water with AMWI.
Northern Shoveler 3 (m,f) open water with AMWI.
Bufflehead 3 (m,f) open water with AMWI.
Common Merganser 2 (m,f) open water, central, s.
Ruddy Duck 1 (m,f) open water, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 chasing a HOGR, open water, s.
Horned Grebe 1 open water, s.
Western Grebe 1 open water, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 50 (ad, imm) open water.
Great Blue Heron 4 (ad, imm) in rocks, at nec.
Green Heron 1 (ad) on breakwater; flying.
Osprey 1 flying over lake; landed on utility pole at swc of PGA West.
American Coot 200 tight flock on the s lake.
Killdeer 4 shoreline, nw.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 nw shoreline.
Ring-billed Gull 200 (ad, imm) shoreline and open water.
California Gull 50 (ad, imm) on shore, on the lake.
Caspian Tern 5 (ad, imm) 1 imm banded yellow under metal (r); orange on green (l) (photo). This bird was reportedly banded as a chick in the Port of Bellingham on the north Washington coast, July 7, 2010 (about 1096 miles north of Lake Cahuilla, Riverside County, CA). Source: Yasuko Suzuki, Bird Research NW.
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) Lake Cahuilla, Riverside County, CA November 25, 2010.
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Forster's Tern 2 on breakwater; flying over lake.
Mourning Dove 8 on lawn in park.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 (m, ?) on utility pole and in Palo Verde tree, n, ne; calls.
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 (m) tall tree in park, sw.
Black Phoebe 2 lakeside, park, sw.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 on dead tree, e fence line.
Verdin 4 calls, e border of lake and inside park.
Rock Wren 1 on breakwater.
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 1 in saltbush scrub, n cliffs.
Northern Mockingbird 4 park area.
European Starling 10 atop palms in park.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 (ad, imm) mostly in the park; foraging on lawns.
Savannah Sparrow 1 breakwater rocks and weeds.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 (m,f) in rv parking area.
Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) in the rv park and main park.
House Finch 10 in the main park.
December 26, 2010 PGA West, La Quinta, CA (30 Species)
Weather Partly cloudy to overcast; 55 to 65F; no wind.
Time: O825- 1015 hrs.
Area Covered: I cycled through the western portion of PGA West, beginning and ending on Merion Drive. Included in the survey was the Nicklaus and Palmer residential areas, mostly along the perimeter but also including interior ponds and lakes where waterfowl were abundant. Foot and auto traffic was moderate during the survey conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. Three Bighorn sheep were found at the base of the east-facing mountains adjacent to Hole # 16 of the Palmer golf course (photo). These appeared to be grazing on grasses and low vegetation (photo). A local gardener initially informed me of the sheep and mentioned that he saw six animals at that location (I found only three). I used a 10x42 binocular and a hand-held Nikon D3100 with a 18-200mm AF VR lens.
Hole # 15, Palmer Course, 26 December, 2010
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 8 (m,f) edge of ponds and lakes.
American Wigeon 150 (m,f) a large flock (120) on the main lake; others on the pond/waterfall adjacent to Arnold Palmer Drive.
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Ring-necked Duck 7 (m,f) diving in pond noted above.
Gambel's Quail 12 feeding at edge of green, hole # 15, Palmer course (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Double-crested Cormorant 7 flying over sw from Lake Cahuilla.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 flying over sw from Lake Cahuilla (1700 hrs.).
Cooper's Hawk 2 perched in tall tree, sw (wary); 1 ad on utility pole, nw (photos).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
American Kestrel 2 fly, call w and nw.
American Coot 30 edge of main lake and ponds.
Killdeer 5 on edge of main lake.
Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad) lawn on east edge of main lake.
California Gull 1 (C2) lawn on east edge of main lake.
Caspian Tern 2 circling over main lake; calls.
White-winged Dove 1 on utility wire, sw.
Mourning Dove 30 flocks on western perimeter and interior; foraging on lawns.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) foraging on Bougainvilla flowers, nw.
Costa's Hummingbird 10 (m,f) fly, calls, active in flowering shrubs throughout.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 in ironwood trees, sw; calls.
Black Phoebe 5 edge of fairways and gardens throughout.
Say's Phoebe 10 gardens and roof-tops; calls, chasing, sw, w (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Bewick's Wren 5 in shrubs and trees around homes, w, sw calls.
Northern Mockingbird 4 gardens, w, sw calls.
Verdin 14 gardens throughout; calls and song.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 garden, song, sw.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 gardens and trees at edge of fairways, w.
White-crowned Sparrow 6 gardens, w calls.
Brewer's Blackbird 6 (m,f) on roof, nw.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 (m) calls, sw.
House Finch 30 ubiquitous.
House Sparrow 5 garden, w.
November 24, 2010 PGA West, La Quinta CA (29 Species)
Weather: Fair with increasing cloudiness; 49F to 55F. Winds WNW 2-5 mph.
Time: 0750 -0920 hrs.
Area Covered: From Merion Dr., I began the survey in the southwestern Nicklaus residential area (NR), by bicycling south on Merion to Colonial, then east on Hermitage, entering the Stadium residential area (SR), including Southern Hills, Pebble Beach and exiting Pete Dye. I then crossed PGA West Blvd. into the Palmer residential area (PR), continuing to the north end of Riviera then southward, back to the starting point on Merion Dr. I surveyed gardens, exotic shrubs trees and flowerbeds, fairways, mature mesquite and ironwood trees, artificial ponds, sterile lakes and waterfalls visible from the surface streets. I used a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera for the survey. The best areas for birds appeared to be along the southwestern border of the PGA West, Nicklaus residential area (i.e. Merion, Colonial and Hermitage). Only one pond in the Stadium residential area had waterfowl (mallards); A solitary Western Grebe in an otherwise lifeless pond next to hole # 8 in the Nicklaus residential area. Most of the residential streets had moderate to heavy automobile traffic along with remodeling, maintenance and gardening activities. Re-seeding of the golf courses has been completed (see October 14, 2010 survey notes) and the associated strong odors from ammonia-laden fertilizers has subsided. Three species were added to the PGA West bird list today: Western Grebe, Osprey and Song Sparrow.
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 12 resting around edges of pond near Pebble Beach Dr., SR.
Bufflehead 2 ? too distant for positive identification; large lake along Pete Dye, SR.
Gambel's Quail 1-? calls, outside of northwestern wall on Riviera (unseen).
Western Grebe 1 in pond next to hole # 8, NR.
Osprey 1 (ad) on utility pole on southwest border (Hermitage) of NR (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
American Kestrel 1 (imm f) on top of ornamental tree, southwest NR (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Caspian Tern 5 (ad, imm) fly, call, sw NR.
Mourning Dove 14 flying, west and south NR.
Greater Roadrunner 1 on driveway, investigating newly trimmed shrubs in a yard; relatively tame, southwest NR (photos).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Costa's Hummingbird 10 (f, imm m) in shrubs along edges of gardens and walls, NR, PR (photo); SR; calls.
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Black Phoebe 4 edge of ponds, gardens, NR, PR, SR; calls.
Say's Phoebe 6 edge of fairways, NR, PR, SR.
Vermilion Flycatcher 2 (f) in tall trees, sally-gleaning to ground, Colonial, NR; and Southern Hills, SR (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Common Raven 3 on roof-tops; fly, call, SR.
Verdin 12 ubiquitous in gardens with large trees, especially commong in NR and PR on west side; calls.
Bewick's Wren 8 calls and song from gardens, NR, PR.
Cactus Wren 2 garden, sw NR; calls.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls from tall trees, sw NR.
Northern Mockingbird 6 walls and gardens, sw NR (photo), se SR; calls.
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 6 flying around and landing in palms, SR; calls.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8 gardens throughout; calls.
Abert's Towhee 2 on outer wall, sw NR (photo); calls.
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Song Sparrow 1 flew into small tree at edge of wall, north end of Riviera, PR.
White-crowned Sparrow 6 garden and wall, sw NR; calls and song.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 calls, sw corner of NR.
Brewer's Blackbird 5 (m,f) on utility pole and lines, end of Riviera, PR (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
House Finch 10 fly, call se NR; SR.
Lesser Goldfinch 5 fly, call, Hermitage, s NR.
House Sparrow 20 sw NR; se SR.
PGA West, Lake Cahuilla, LA QUINTA, CA
October 14 & 16, 2010 (31 Species)
Weather: Fair, 77F to 90F; no wind.
Time: (10/14): 0815-1030 hrs.; (10/16): 0850-0950 hrs.
Observers: C. Yorke (10/14); M. Mendez and C. Yorke (10/16).
Areas Covered: 1) PGA West. Beginning on Merion Dr., I bicycled around the entire PGA West suburbs and golf courses (Nicklaus, Palmer and Norman), surveying fairways, adjacent Mesquite-Iron Wood and other planted shrubs, palms and trees; ponds, fountains, gardens and pools (PGAW). The Nicklaus and Palmer courses were being re-seeded and were without golfers; maintainence crews worked on landscaping throughout the area, sometimes with noisy mowers and other machinery. The strong scent of ammonia and manure (used on fairways and in gardens) dominated the area. Relatively low bird species diversity was found during the survey. One odd-looking grackle was found and photographed adjacent to Ave. 54, west of Jefferson inside the PGA West residential area (10/14/10).
2) We parked in the nearly empty lot next to the Mulberry grove picnic area and walked around the park and shoreline of Lake Cahuilla County Park (LC), located near the southwest corner of PGA West. Gunfire from the adjacent firing range was quite loud, reverberating off the canyon walls. Only a few fishermen and picnickers were present during the survey. Most of the birds (i.e. landbirds) were found around the Fruitless Mulberry grove on the south side of the park (10/16/10)
BIRDS NOTED
Western Grebe 1 open water, LC.
Great Egret 1 rocky bank on N side of LC.
Prairie Falcon 1 flushed from Mulberry trees, LC.
American Kestrel 1 flying over, S PGAW.
Double-crested Cormorant 6 flying toward LC, western PGAW.
Killdeer 1 calls, LC.
American Coot 20 (ad, imm) open water, LC.
Mourning Dove 6 N PGAW; 2 Mulberry grove, LC.
White-winged Dove 2 N garden of PGAW; flying.
Anna's Hummingbird 2 calls in garden, PGAW.
Costa's Hummingbird 10 (m,f) whistling display flights, call; gardens, PGAW.
Northern Flicker (red-shafted) 1 flushed from Mulberry grove, LC; calls.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 calls, west PGAW.
Say's Phoebe 4 edge of lawns, E PGAW; 1 edge of lake, LC.
Black Phoebe 3 gardens and edge of lakes, PGAW; 1 Mulberry grove, LC.
Common Raven 1 flying, calls, PGAW.
American Crow 2 palms, east PGAW; calls.
Northern Mockingbird 20 gardens, PGAW; calls and chasing; 2 Mulberry grove, LC.
European Starling 6 in date palms, calls, LC.
Verdin 20 gardens PGAW; 2 Mulberry and edge of desert; calls, LC.
Bewick's Wren 12 gardens, PGAW; calls and song.
Rock Wren 1 calls from adjacent rocky slopes, west LC.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 calls, foraging in Mulberry trees and on lawns, LC.
White-crowned Sparrow 8 gardens, N PGAW.
Chipping Sparrow 2 on lawn, LC.
Lark Sparrow 2 calls from Mulberry trees, LC.
House Finch 15 gardens and palms, PGAW; 15 palms and Mulberry trees, LC.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m,f) N edge of PGAW.
Brewer's Blackbird 5 (m,f) N edge of PGAW.
Grackle sp. (possible BRBL x GTGR) on utility pole, north PGAW (edge of Ave. 54, west of Jefferson: Palmer residential). Compared with nearby BRBL, decidely larger, long legs and tail; heavy bill (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
House Sparrow 10 gardens, PGAW.
March 26, 2010 PGA West (39 Species)
Weather: Fair, 55F to 84F; winds 0-5 mph.
Time: 0745 -1000 hrs.
Area Covered: Nicklaus, Palmer and Stadium residential areas. I bicycled slowly along the streets, surveying gardens, golf courses, ponds, lakes and adjacent hillside desert scrub, using a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera. Conditions were good for identifying birds by their vocalizations.
BIRDS NOTED
1) Canada Goose 1 edge of pond, Palmer.
2) American Wigeon 70 (m,f) edge of main lake, next to PGA West clubhouse.
3) Mallard 4 (m,f) main lake.
4) Cinnamon Teal 2 (m,f) main lake.
5) Ring-necked Duck 4 (m,f) main lake.
6) Common Merganser 1 (f) resting on edge of main lake.
7) Pied-billed Grebe 2 main lake.
8) Ring-billed Gull 2 (imm) flying between PGA West and Lake Cahuilla.
9) White-winged Dove 2 roof-top, S Nicklaus.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) PGA West, March 26, 2010
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
10) Mourning Dove 10 on power lines; flying throughout, esp. S.
11) American Kestrel 1 in ironwood trees, Nicklaus.
12) Costa's Hummingbird 8 (m) shrubs and low trees throughout; calls.
13) Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) calls, Merion, Nicklaus.
14) Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 calls, Merion, Nicklaus.
15) Black Phoebe 10 active throughout.
16) Say's Phoebe 3 calls from trees and low shrubs, E and S.
17) Cassin's Kingbird 1 calls, Merion, Nicklaus.
18) Vermilion Flycatcher 1 (m) in ironwood trees near entrance to Stadium.
19) American Crow 2 flying, calls; near Palmer entrance.
20) Common Raven 2 flying, calls, S.
21) Tree Swallow 6 flying around W edge and canal.
22) Northern Rough-winged Swallow 15 flying low and >100 ft around lakes.
23) Barn Swallow 1 flying low over lake, Stadiium.
24) Verdin 10 calls from gardens throughout; esp. WNicklaus.
25) Cactus Wren 2 singing, Merion, Nicklaus.
26) Bewick's Wren 10 singing throughout.
27) Northern Mockingbird 8 singing throughout.
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) PGA West, March 26, 2010
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
28) European Starling 2 calls, flying, NW.
29) Phainopepla 2 (m,f) a pair in an ironwood tree.
30) Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 N deciduous trees; calls.
31) Abert's Towhee 1 calls from hedges, E.
32) Lark Sparrow 1 on wall, S Nicklaus.
33) White-crowned Sparrow 10 gardens and hedgerows, Nicklaus.
34) Brewer's Blackbird 20 on fairways and large lawn areas.
35) Great-tailed Grackle 15 mostly around main lake and clubhouse.
36) Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (m) singing NW.
37) House Finch 30 singing throughout.
38) Lesser Goldfinch 10 singing in trees, E Nicklaus.
39) House Sparrow 4 N edge; calls.
December 20-23, 2009 (63 Species)
Weather: Overcast to partly cloudy; 45-57F; winds 0-15 mph; occasionally gusting to 40 mph.
Time: 0730-1200 hrs.
Observers: Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered: 1) PGA West (PGAW): Nicklaus, Palmer and Stadium residential and golf courses. Surveys on foot and by bicycle (me) and scooter (Ethan) on residential streets, covering several artificial ponds and lakes, residential gardens, and manicured golf courses (see above photo). Vegetation includes native mesquite, iron wood, salt bush, along with exotic trees (palms) and abundant flowering herbs and shrubs (e.g. Bougainvilla). Also surveyed adjacent saltbush scrub along the northwestern boundary of PGA West on a dirt road leading to an irrigation canal. 2) Lake Cahuilla Regional Park (LC): Walked from the S parking lot across the picinic area and along the shoreline, surveying open water, palms, adjacent desert scrub, rocky slopes and ruderal roadsides, using a scope and binoculars. Shots rang out each day, beginning at about 0830 hrs, at the firing range, located in the NWC of the park. The noise often sent flocks of waterbirds circling above and/or to the opposite side of the lake. Several fisherman were using the shorelines, especially on the SE and NE sides. The picinic area was unused during our survey (21 Dec. 0730- 0910 hrs. see above photo). 3) Calle Conchita and Madison Street (CCM): I walked down a dirt road adjacent to old homesteads with overgrown fruit orchards, palms and saltbush scrub. A few people were walking their dogs during the survey (21 Dec. 0945-1030 hrs.).
Abert's Towhee (Pipilo aberti) PGA West, LaQuinta, December 21, 2009. © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
BIRDS NOTED (numbers indicate the highest count for any given survey)
1) Canada Goose 8 PGAW in flight, NE
2) American Wigeon 80-100 (m,f) PGAW main clubhouse lake and lawns; calls.
3) Mallard 20 (m,f) PGAW pairs in most of the ponds and lakes throughout.
4) Domestic (white) Duck PGAW pond near Tanglewood.
5) Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) LC, open water.
6) Ring-necked Duck 12 (m,f) PGAW small lake near Tanglewood (photo).
7) Lesser Scaup 12 (m,f) PGAW main clubhouse lake.
8) Bufflehead 3 (m,f) PGAW main clubhouse lake; diving.
9) Ruddy Duck 3 (m,f) PGAW Stadium main lake.
10) Gambel's Quail 10 (est.) CCM; calling from beneath a dense growth of salt bush.
11) Pied-billed Grebe 1 PGAW Stadium main lake.
12) Eared Grebe 1 PGAW main clubhouse lake.
13) Double-crested Cormorant 5 PGAW flying over; 50 LC fish-feeding frenzy in central-northern part of lake.
14) Great Blue Heron 2 LC N side of lakeshore; 1 CCM in tree.
15) Great Egret 1 LC north shore.
16) Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (juv) LC northshore.
17) Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) PGAW; in tall tree; 1 (juv) LC in trees, picinic area.
18) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 CCM perched in tall tree next to homestead.
19) American Kestrel 3 PGAW utility poles and lines along NW boundary (photo).
20) American Coot 10 PGAW in small lakes and ponds; 15 LC, open water.
21) Killdeer 3 PGAW main lake; 1 CL, calls.
22) Spotted Sandpiper 1 PGAW rocky edges of main clubhouse lake.
23) Ring-billed Gull 5 PGAW flying over; 100 (mostly ads.) CL, open water and shore.
24) Forster's Tern 4 PGAW circling low over main clubhouse lake; diving.
25) Caspian Tern 2 PGAW; 4 CL circling lake above DCC feeding frenzy.
26) Mourning Dove 12 PGAW on utility lines, roof tops and foraging in maintenance yard with piles of fertilizer.
27) White-winged Dove 1 CCM perched in a bare-branched tree over a homestead (photo).
28) Rock Pigeon 10 downtown LaQuinta near Jefferson and HWY 111.
29) Greater Roadrunner 1 PGAW running through residential area (Merion and Riveria); on chain link fence by Nicklaus main entrance.
30) Anna's Hummingbird 10 PGAW in gardens throughout; calls.
31) Costa's Hummingbird 12 PGAW conspicuously vocal in gardens along Riveria and N boundary; occasional display flights
32) Belted Kingfisher 2 PGAW rocky edge of main lake; calls.
33) Red-naped Sapsucker 1 (m) PGAW foraging quietly in large ironwood tree with a Northern Flicker.
34) Sapsucker sp. 1 PGAW flying between palms and mesquite; very vocal; c.f. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, distinctly paler than typical
35) RNSS (see photo below).Seen clearly with a 10x42 binocular at distances ranging from about 60 to 120 feet.
Sapsucker sp. (possibly Yellow-bellied) PGA West, LaQuinta, December 20, 2009. © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
BIRDS NOTED - Continued
36) Northern Red-shafted Flicker 1 PGAW working up the trunk of a large ironwood tree; calls.
37) Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 PGAW in tall trees, including palms, Riveria.
38) Vermilion Flycatcher 1 CL sally-flycatching from low perch in Mulberry tree (photo).
39) Black Phoebe 10 PGAW in and around gardens and fairways. 1 LC lakeside picnic area.
40) Say's Phoebe 5 PGAW as above; sometimes trading perches with BP at edge of golf course; 1 CL (photo).
41) Loggerhead Shrike 1 PGAW roof-top, Hermitage (photo).
42) American Crow 2 PGAW calling/flying over roof-tops.
43) Common Raven 1 CL on utility pole.
44) Barn Swallow 1 PGAW on utility line, N boundary (photo).
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) at PGA West, LaQuinta, December 20, 2009
45) Verdin 10 PGAW vocal and active in small gardens along Riviera.
46) White-breasted Nuthatch 1 PGAW in ironwood trees near main Stadium lake; calls.
47) Cactus Wren 2 PGAW gardens and roof-tops on Merion.
48) Bewick's Wren 10 PGAW gardens along Riviera.
49) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 PGAW in trees, Medina; calls.
50) Northern Mockingbird 5 PGAW gardens along Riviera.
51) European Starling 6 PGAW; 10 LC. in fruiting palms.
52) American Pipit 1 PGAW edge of main lake.
53) Orange-crowned Warbler 1 PGAW trees on Oak Hill; calls.
54) Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 (m,f) PGAW trees and gardens throughout; 5 LC Mulberry trees and lawns.
55) Common Yellowthroat 1 PGAW garden near pond on Oak Hill; calls.
56) White-crowned Sparrow 35 PGAW small flocks of 5-12 birds in gardens throughout
57) Lark Sparrow 15 LC on lawn and in trees, picinic area.
58) Abert's Towhee 1 PGAW garden in Stadium residential area; vocal and momentarily conspicuous (photo); dove into dense shrubs.
59) Brewer's Blackbird 10 (m,f) PGAW flying over NW section.
60) Great-tailed Grackle 4 (m,f) PGAW around E edge of main lake; 15 LC picnic area; calls.
61) House Finch 50 (est) PGAW and LC; ubiquitous; calls and song.
62) Lesser Goldfinch 3 PGAW in trees, Riviera; calls.
63) House Sparrow 3 PGAW garden on Riviera; calls.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) PGA West, LaQuinta, December 20, 2009. © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) PGA West, LaQuinta, December 20, 2009. © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) CCM, LaQuinta Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) PGA West, LaQuinta
December 21, 2009 © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke December 21, 2009. © 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
Vermilion Flycatcher ( Pyrocephalus rubinus) Lake Cahuilla, LaQuinta, December 21, 2009
© 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
November 26-29, 2009 (56 Species)
Weather: Fair (Nov. 26-27) to increasing cloudiness and light rain (Nov. 28-29); 47-77F; NNE winds 5-25 mph.
Time: 0630 - 1700 hrs.
Observers: Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered:(1) PGA West (PGAW): Cycled and walked from Merion Way to Riviera Way (N), through neighborhoods, surveying gardens,
fairways, lakes, ponds, mature Mesquite, ironwood, ornamental trees and shrubs, adjacent weedy fields (N) and rocky slopes (photo). Used 10x 40 binocular and DSLR camera. Completed morning, mid-day and evening surveys over a full range of weather conditions (see above). (2) Drove to Lake Cahuilla (LC), paying $3 entry fee and walking around the southern perimeter of the lake. Surveyed shoreline, open water, parkland and adjacent rocky slopes. Only a few fishermen present during our morning survey (0700-0800 hrs.); many more park users in the evening (1530-1600 hrs.-- photo). (3) Visited La Quinta (LQ)shopping mall near the intersection of HWY 111 and Jefferson Blvd. While driving, noted birds using small pond on the SE side of Jefferson Blvd. See notes covering the La Quinta area in April, 2009.
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps PGA West, La Quinta, CA
© 2009 Callyn D. Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
1) Canada Goose 10 in small detention basin on SE side of Jefferson Blvd.
2) American Wigeon 30 (m,f) PGAW - Main Lake by clubhouse, early AM; large flock on lawn PM; 10 (m,f) LC open water with other ducks.
3) Mallard 8 (m,f) PGAW Main lake and Palmer Lake, open water and edge.
4) Northern Shoveler 3 LC, open water, N side, in tight MSF of other ducks.
5) Northern Pintail 2 (m,f) LC, open water, with above species.
6) Ring-necked Duck 3 (m,f) PGAW Main Lake, open water, followed by Ruddy Duck.
7) Lesser Scaup 3 LC open water in MSF with other ducks.
8) Ruddy Duck 1 PGAW, open water; 4 (m,f) LC, following Lesser Scaup, open water.
9) Gambel's Quail 1 PGAW, flushed from roadside bush and into saltbush scrub(Atriplex canescens) on Ave. 52, W of Jefferson at PGAW entrance.
10) Pied-billed Grebe 1 LC, open water, N side, with MSF of ducks.
11) Western Grebe 1 PGAW, E end of Main Lake; 6 LC, open water.
12) Double-crested Cormorant 5 PGAW, flying over; 15 LC, open water, N side, preening, diving in tight flock.
13) Great Blue Heron 1 LC, S shore.
14) Great Egret 2 PGAW, pair flying low, S; 1 LC, N shore.
15) Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm), LC S shore of jetty.
16) Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (ad?) PGAW, manuevering quickly, low in street and gardens along Riviera Way, near Canterbury (0720 hrs. 11/29).
17) Cooper's Hawk 2 PGAW, one (ad) on utility pole along Ave. 52; other (imm?) flying low across fairway.
18) Red-shouldered Hawk 1 PGAW , calls from Main Lake area (unseen).
19) Red-tailed Hawk 1(ad) PGAW, soaring high (200 ft. +), N.
20) American Kestrel 2 PGAW, in tall trees; 1 LC, flying N, low; perched on broken palm trunk.
21) American Coot 5 PGAW, Main Lake; 10 LC, open water; 4 pond on Jefferson Blvd.
22) Killdeer 2 PGAW, edge of fairway and lake, calls; 5 Ave. 52, N of Jefferson, on lawn.
23) Spotted Sandpiper 1 PGAW, edge of Palmer Lake, moving quickly on grassy embankment near the water line.
24) Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad, imm) PGAW, flying S (PM); N AM; 12 (ad, imm: 1-2 yr.) LC, S shoreline and open water.
25) Caspian Tern 1 PGAW, flying over Main Lake; 1 LC, flying over lake.
26) Rock Pigeon 20 LQ, flying around shopping mall.
27) Eurasian Collared Dove 1 LC, flew into tall tree, S.
28) Mourning Dove 15 PGAW, N side, foraging on ground in yard with piles of fertilizer; singles or pairs elsewhere.
29) Anna's Hummingbird 3 (m,f) PGAW, in gardens; calls.
30) Costa's Hummingbird 20 (m,f) PGAW, in gardens, consistently at particular addresses along Riviera Wy.; display flights with buzzing; calls.
31) Calliope Hummingbird? 1 (f) PGAW, around Bougainvillas and palms on Riviera Wy; not seen clearly; very small size; quiet and fast-moving.
32) Belted Kingfisher 1 PGAW, calls near Merion Way (PM) (unseen).
33) Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3 PGAW, tall palms near Oak Hill Ln. calls, fly.
34) Northern Flicker 2 LC, among palms in park, S; calls.
35) Black Phoebe 10 PGAW, edge of fairways, lakes and ponds (see photo below); hawking insects in and low over grass.
36) Say's Phoebe 6 PGAW, as above, once trading a boulder perch; individuals perched on flags, chairs, fences and other artificial items; 2 LC, parkland.
37) Vermilion Flycatcher 2 (m,f) LC, pair within 100 feet of each other; low and high perches; sally-flycatching in parkland.
38) American Crow 2 PGAW, fly, call, E side.
39) Common Raven 2 PGAW, pair soaring 300 ft. + about 1 mile NE.
40) Tree Swallow 2 (ad, imm) PGAW, on power line adjacent to weedy field along Ave. 52, W of Jefferson.
41) Verdin 20 PGAW, in ornamental shrubs and trees; gardens near pools (see photo above); noisy and conspicuous.
42) Cactus Wren 2 PGAW, in gardens with palms and on roof tops (see photo below); calls.
43) Bewick's Wren 20 PGAW, in gardens eveywhere; calls.
44) House Wren 1 PGAW, calls from garden on Merion Way.
45) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 PGAW, in ornamental trees; calls.
46) Northern Mockingbird 8 (ad, imm) PGAW, in and around gardens; calls.
47) Yellow-rumped Warbler ( m,f 1 Myrtle by calls) 10 PGAW , in and around ornamental trees; calls.
48) Abert's Towhee 2 PGAW, on lawns and in shady gardens on Riviera Way near intersection of Canterbury; calls; shy and retiring.
49) Lark Sparrow 8 LC, foraging on lawn, S.
50) White-crowned Sparrow 60(ad,imm) PGAW, ubiquitous; calls, song;10 LC, brushy areas bordering park. One imm. (PGAW) had buffy head without crown marks.
51) Western Meadowlark 7 LC, foraging on lawn.
52) Brewer's Blackbird 10 (m,f) PGAW, flying over open areas and lakes; 10 LQ.
53) Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) LC, shoreline and in park; males displaying; noisy flocks.
54) House Finch 10 PGAW, shrubby edge and gardens; calls. 5 LC.
55) Lesser Goldfinch 3 PGAW, in garden, drinking from puddle, N end of Riviera Way; calls.
56) House Sparrow 2 PGAW, calls from garden shrubs; more abundant in LQ than PGAW.
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) PGA West, La Quinta, CA
© 2009 Callyn D,. Yorke
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) PGA West, La Quinta, CA
© 2009 Callyn D. Yorke