BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County CA 6 September 2013

ELIZABETH LAKE and LAKE HUGHES

Los Angeles County, CA

2013

West Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County, CA October 11, 2012

Central and West Elizabeth Lake August 4, 2014 East Elizabeth Lake August 4, 2014

Links to previous bird surveys

March 2012 - October 2012

March 2011 - December 2011

June 2009 - February 2011

Recent Bird Surveys

March 12, 2018 Elizabeth Lake, Lake Hughes and Munz Ranch Rd. (51 Species)

West-Central Elizabeth Lake viewing west, 12 March 2018

Weather: Fair; 53F to 65F; wind WNW 0 - 2mph. Lignt but continuous rainfall over the previous two days. Total rainfall for the season still well below average.

Time: 0800-1200 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Munz Ranch Rd., Mile marker 2.30 (MRR: 0800- 0830; 1145-1200 hrs. DST). I birded open shrubland fields adjacent to the roadway, walking about 0.1 mile northward and back from my parked vehicle (0800- 0830 hrs. DST; 1140 - 1200 hrs.). 2) Northeast Elizabeth Lake (EEL: 0840-0935 hrs.). I walked from the roadway to the lakeshore, birding marginal riparian, mudflats and open water. This was the only section of Elizabeth Lake with enough accumulated rainwater from recent storms, to attract ducks and other waterbirds 3) Northwest and central Elizabeth Lake (WEL: 0940-1045 hrs. photo). From the USFS parking area in the NW corner of EL, I walked eastward along the north shore, surveying the muddy basin of EL, adjacent shrubland and riparian habitats. 4) Lake Hughes (dry), Trail K, and Painted Turtle pond and marsh (PTP) (LH: 1100-1120 hrs.). I birded this area, mostly from my parked vehicle along the roadway. The only significant surface water was at the Painted Turtle pond and marsh. 5) Ranch Club Road, northwest corner of golf course; Sand Rock Rd. (RCR: 1125-1135 hrs.). I walked east from the restaurant parking area at the golf course, in order to see a nearby, small irrigation pond and its avian inhabitants (including several pond turtles presumably, exotic red-eared sliders). All of the large, old cottonwoods, once forming a magnificent, open riparian woodland on and bordering the golf course, have been severely pruned to the point of offering almost no canopy cover or foraging opportunities for landbirds. One of these trees held a large stick platform nest, possibly belonging to Osprey. This entire area, from the intersection of Ranch Club Road and Elizabeth Lake Rd., extending to the western terminus of Sand Rock Rd., that until recent years supported a large variety of resident and migratory land birds, now appears largely desolate and ecologically impoverished. Most alarmingly, the mature riparian stand of cottonwoods and willows along the fence line of Sand Rock Rd., has been removed; essentially all of the trees having been cut down for no apparent reason (USFWS, CDFW environmental reports and/or reviews?).

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 120 (m,f) scattered flocks dabbling in the shallows, EEL.

Mallard 20 (m,f) pairs and individuals dabbling in the shallows, EEL.

Cinnamon Teal 10 (m,f) pairs and individuals in shallows and on mudflats, EEL.

Northern Shoveler 16 (m,f) with AMWI in shallows, EEL.

Ring-necked Duck 2 (m,f) swimming near marsh, PTP

Ruddy Duck 3 (m,f) swimming, diving, PTP.

California Quail 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in tall grass at edge of mudflats, EEL; 60 WEL.

Feral Rock Pigeon 8 gregarious; foraging on outer, weedy edge of mudflats, EEL.

Mourning Dove 1 in cottonwood, WEL.

American Coot 2 swimming near shore, PTP; 2 foraging on land at edge of golf course pond, RCR.

American Avocet 2 (alt plmg.) a pair walking through shallows, EEL.

Killdeer 4 vocal; 2 pair on mudflats, EEL; 2 on mudflats, central WEL.

Great Blue Heron 1 at edge of golf course pond, RCR.

Northern Harrier 1 (f) low perch (2 ft. agl)at edge of south shore, EEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 flying around; vocal, LH.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flying s over lake, WEL.

Burrowing Owl 1 flushed from roadside, MRR.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal in cottonwoods, EEL, WEL.

Northern (RS) Flicker 5 vocal; pairs and individuals in cottonwoods, EEL, WEL.

American Kestrel 2 vocal; individuals perched in canopy of cottonwood; flying, EEL, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 vocal, open area surrounded by large cottonwoods, LH.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal (unseen) open brushland near muddy shore, WEL.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 perched on tall shrub in open field, MRR.

California Scrub-Jay 2 vocal; riparian strip, EEL; 3 vocal, riparian, WEL.

American Crow 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Raven 4 circling high above lake; two raiding garbage in USFS picnic area, EEL, WEL.

Tree Swallow 1 LH; 2 flying around golf course pond, RCR.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low over shore and mudflats, WEL.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal, riparian roadside, LH.

Bushtit vocal (unseen) brushy roadside area, PTP.

Marsh Wren vocal (unseen) dense marsh, PTP.

Bewick's Wren 1 vocal; tall brush at edge of muddy shoreline, WEL.

Western Bluebird 3 (m,f) cottonwoods at edge of USFS picnic area, WEL.

California Thrasher 1 vocal adjacent hilltop post-fire regenerating chaparral, WEL.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, riparian, EEL, RCR.

European Starling 20 vocal, gregarious ubiquitous; one entering and exiting a cottonwood tree cavity in USFS campground.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; going under eaves at Rock Inn, LH.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

California Towhee 2 vocal; riparian strip along road, EEL, WEL.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1 with WCSP in dense arroyo willow and sandy open area, lakeside, EEL.

Chipping Sparrow vocal (unseen) dense arroyo willow and sandy open area, lakeside, EEL.

Lark Sparrow 1 on fence above roadway, MRR.

Savannah Sparrow 6 flushed from roadside shrubs, MRR.

Song Sparrow 15 vocal; partially gregarious; tall shrubs at edge of shore, EEL, WEL.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 vocal (unseen) with WCSP in dense brush at edge of wet mudflats, EEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 80 vocal, gregarious; dense brushy areas, EEL, WEL, MRR.

Dark-eyed Junco vocal (unseen) riparian and grassy USFS picnic area, WEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous around marsh-riparian areas.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m) lakeside mudflats, n EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 2 vocal, around picnic area, WEL.

Western Meadowlark 20 vocal, pairs and individuals, ubiquitous in open areas.

April 1, 2016 Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes (60 Species)

West Elizabeth Lake viewing southwest adjacent to USFS picnic area; note increased water levels, 1 April 2016

Weather: Fair; 45F to 62F; winds calm.

Time: 0750-1115 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course and East Elizabeth Lake (EEL); I walked on Ranch Club Rd. west to a recently graded easement leading to the western edge of Elizabeth Lake. Returning the same route, I walked on the road and pathways on the west border of the Elizabeth Lake Golf Course. Habitats surveyed included, ruderal roadways and fields, fairways with two small ponds, burned ripairan woodland, basins with dry cattail marsh, alkali shoreline with extensive mudflats and open water. The western section of EL now has shallow water, i.e. about 2-5 inches in depth (0750-0910 hrs.). 2) Central and East Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked around the entire eastern section of the lake, surveying cottonwood riparian, patches of dry marsh, alkali and mudflat shoreline and open water. The western section of Elizabeth Lake, following late winter and spring rains of an El Nino event, now has comparatively more water than in the previous 12-14 months. Most of the waterbirds found today were in this area (0930-1050 hrs.). 3) Lake Hughes (LH): I walked on Trail K down to the entrance of a lakeside resort on the eastern boundary of Lake Hughes. Continuing westward by auto on Elizabeth Lake Rd, I stopped briefly to scan Lake Hughes from the roadway (all of the land around the lake is under private ownership). Lake Hughes now has considerably more water than in previous months; a few waterfowl were swimming near the mudflats on the northern shore (1100-1115 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or local distributional interest found today included, Gadwall (6), American Wigeon (3), Cinnamon Teal (6), Northern Shoveler (13), Northern Pintail (1), Green-winged Teal (1), Greater Scaup (?), Lesser Scaup (1), Black-necked Stilt (2), American Avocet (17),Greater Yellowlegs (1), Western Sandpiper (1), Wilson's Snipe (1), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 6 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, WEL.

American Wigeon 3 (m,f) WEL.

Mallard 15 (m,f), EEL, WEL.

Cinnamon Teal 6 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, WEL.

Northern Shoveler 13 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, WEL.

Northern Pintail 1 (f) swimming near NOSH and other ducks, WEL.

Green-winged Teal 1 (f) with NOSH and CITE, WEL.

Greater Scaup ? 2 (f) ID: initially thought to be LESC due to comparatively similar size with nearby male LESC; but images showed round head, large bill; white ear patch; following LESC, WEL (photo).

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) ? Note rounded head, large bill and white ear patch on both, WEL, LACO CA 1 April 2016

Lesser Scaup 1 (m); ID peaked crown; head with purplish gloss; followed by two females (shown above), WEL.

California Quail 24 (m,f) several small coveys, EEL, WEL (photo).

California Quail (Callipepla californica) East Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 1 April 2016

Double-crested Cormorant 1 wings outstretched at edge of golf course pond, EEL.

Great Blue Heron 1 on uphill edge of east shore, WEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) fly, calls; perched on upper willow limb, EEL (photo).

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) EEL, LACO CA 1 April 2016

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) perched in burned cottonwood, EEL.

American Coot 20 in and around pond; lake shallows, EEL, WEL.

Killdeer 14 pairs and individuals on shore, EEL, WEL.

Black-necked Stilt 2 foraging in shallows with AMAV, WEL.

American Avocet 17 (m,f; alt. plmg) foraging in shallows, WEL.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging quickly in shallows amongst AMAV, WEL.

Western Sandpiper 1 (ad) foraging on mudflat with LESA, WEL.

Least Sandpiper 16 a cohesive flock foraging on mudflat, WEL.

Wilson's Snipe 1 foraging in shallows near other shorebirds, WEL (photo).

Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) WEL, LACO CA 1 April 2016

Feral Rock Pigeon 3 flying over suburbs, EEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal, suburban area bordering EEL.

Mourning Dove 13 vocal, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched on low branch in burned cottonwood, EEL.

Acorn Woodpecker calls (unseen) LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls; drumming, EEL.

Downy Woodpecker 1 (f) perched in crown of burned cottonwood, EEL.

Northern (RS) Flicker 2 vocal; flying over golf course and riparian area, EEL, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 vocal, Trail K yards with tall trees, LH.

Western Kingbird 2 vocal; perched on upper limbs of burned and unburned cottonwoods, EEL, WEL.

Western Scrub-Jay 3 vocal; flying over marsh and burned riparian, EEL; calls, WEL.

American Crow 4 vocal, flying over EEL; on shore, WEL.

Common Raven 6 vocal; soaring over adjacent hills, EEL, WEL.

Tree Swallow 4 flying over marsh; in burned cottonwoods, EEL.

Bewick's Wren 1 occasionally vocal; edge of burned cottonwoods, EEL.

House Wren 3 repeatedly vocal; interior and edge of burned cottonwood area, EEL.

Western Bluebird 4 (m,f) vocal; pairs active in and around ruderal fields, EEL.

American Robin 1 flew to crown of cottonwood, EEL.

European Starling 30 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 repeated song in unburned cottonwoods, WEL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 5 (m,f) relatively scarce, except in LH.

Spotted Towhee 1 repeated song in burned cottonwood area, EEL.

California Towhee 1 repeated calls, unburned edge of cottonwoods, WEL.

Savannah Sparrow 4 edge of marsh-riparian, EEL.

Song Sparrow 12 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Lincoln's Sparrow 2 edge of marsh-riparian with SOSP and WCSP, EEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Dark-eyed Junco 2 in garden, LH.

Red-winged Blackbird 40 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in cattails and riparian edge.

Western Meadowlark 3 repeated song adjacent fields, EEL, WEL.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 repeated song but remaining concealed in dry cattail basin, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 6 (m,f) foraging in weedy margin of parking area, EEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in open fields of adjacent suburbs, EEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 5 (m,f) flying over; calls; perched in burned cottonwoods, EEL.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) flushed to cottonwoods from weedy area near shoreline, WEL.

House Finch 40 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 (m,f) vocal; usually paired, ubiquitous.

House Sparrow 2 suburbs, EEL; 4 in gardens, LH.

August 28, 2014 Elizabeth Lake (36 Species)

Weather: Fair; 60F to 87F; wind WNW 2 - 5 mph.

Area Covered: 1) Northwest and west Elizabeth Lake (NWEL). I walked from the USFS parking area at the northwest corner of EL, through dense regenerating herbaceous vegetation, south on a trail through the burned cottonwood woodland (abundant base-sprouting in these trees), terminating at the junction of a line of newly replaced utility poles in the southwest corner of EL. Most of the vegetation in NWEL burned in the Powerhouse Fire of June, 2013, and is in the process of regeneration and ecological succession around the lake. By contrast, the adjacent hillside of xeric chaparral (north-facing slope) still appears largely blackened with widespread, short regrowth (photo b). Drought conditions in the region have probably reduced the rate of vegetative regeneration. Birdlife throughout this area (NWEL) unsurprisingly, appeared comparatively poor both in diversity and abundance. Conspicuously absent in NWEL were some previously common species, such as Wrentit, Bushtit, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee and Bewick's Wren. Except for a few Killdeer on the shoreline, the west lake area was devoid of waterbirds and pond turtles (photo a).

West Elizabeth Lake (NWEL) a) viewing southeast from the northwest shore; b) viewing southwest August 28 2014

2) North Elizabeth Lake (NEL). I walked from the USFS parking and picnic area, to the shoreline, then east along the north shore (0715-0755 hrs.). A remnant population of pond turtles (including the non-native Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta) and endangered native Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata) continues to survive in the north central section of Elizabeth Lake (see my report of July 30, 2013). Turtles generally have excellent eyesight and are extremely difficult to observe at distances less than about 30 yards; causing them to retreat quickly into the water. I suspect it would be almost impossible to capture them by hand when they are basking and alert. Nevertheless, this morning a team of USGS and private consulting biologists (ECOR: 714 648-0630) was engaged in a Western Pond Turtle, mark and recapture study (i.e. for the determination of the population size), using a combination of hand-nets and funnel-drift traps anchored in the shallows (see photos a-d, below). As a result, I abbreviated my walking survey of this area and limited my observations to distant scanning with a binocular (0800-0847 hrs.). Birdlife in this portion of EL was slightly more diverse and abundant than NWEL, presumably due to a surviving patch of unburned, mature cottonwood-willow woodland along the north shore.

North-central Elizabeth Lake: Western Pond Turtle recovery: a) Showing funnel-drift trap and plastic transport containers b) biologists cautiously approaching turtles basking on the north shore. Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County CA 28 August 2014

North Elizabeth Lake -cont. c) Western Pond Turtle trap design and configuration; d) a live- trapped pond turtle August 28 2014

3) Northeast Elizabeth Lake (NEEL): I walked to the shoreline opposite the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd. and Elizabeth Lake Rd., then eastward about 100 yards. A well-developed, unburned riparian woodland occurs here, together with the adjacent dry lake bed, was quiet and largely devoid of birdlife during my survey (0849-0910 hrs.). The adjacent eastern portion of Elizabeth Lake was essentially dry and covered by a white alkaline precipitate (photos a & b). The usual strong sulfuric odor from microbial decay, has diminished in this area.

East Elizabeth (Dry) Lake (NEEL), Los Angeles County CA a) from the north shore viewing southwest b) viewing southeast 28 August 2014

4) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): The golf course property is posted, remains vacant and is under new private ownership. I walked around the western edge of the property, surveying the interior of the golf course aurally and visually with a 10x42 binocular. Opposite the golf course on the west side of Ranch Club Rd., there is a large burned riparian woodland, with base-sprouting and regenerating herbaceous growth; this area was also surveyed from a distance. Birdlife in the ELG area was generally more diverse and conspicuous than elsewhere at EL this morning. A recorded playback of an accipiter was again loudly and continuously broadcasted from an adjacent suburban home bordering Ranch Club Rd (0915-0940). Since most birds and other animals rapidly habituate to these sounds, the purpose of the ongoing auditory assault is unclear.

5) South Elizabeth Lake: Sandrock Drive at the intersection of Monacan Pl. (SD): I walked from the suburban area north on the dam separating the dry east section of EL with the central and west sections, the latter retaining a rapidly decreasing water volume. The entire northern border of EL in this area was burned by the Powerhouse Fire of June, 2013, and is currently regenerating by tree base-sprouting and herbaceous vegetation. Birdlife was minimal though relatively abundant here, probably as a result of nearby unburned resources in the suburbs (0952-1008 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, American Avocet (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Phainopepla (2) and Virginia's Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 16 dabbling on the shore and shallows, NEL.

California Quail 6 on ground in regenerating burned riparian woodland, SD.

Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) on shore, NEL.

Turkey Vulture 15 on shore, NEL/SD; circling over adjacent hillside, ELG.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flying low toward the lake, ELG.

American Kestrel 1 flying over the riparian strip, NEL.

Killdeer 9 vocal; on shore, NWEL.

American Avocet 1 foraging in shallows, NEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 flying, NEEL, SD.

Mourning Dove 2 in burned riparian area, NWEL; 2 flying, ELG/SD.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) vocal in lower branches of a cottonwood, ELG.

Belted Kingfisher 1 fly, call, small pond on northwest side of golf course, ELG.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, flying, ELG.

Northern Flicker 1 on utility pole, NWEL; 1 flying, calls, ELG.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from middle to upper level of burned trees in riparian patch, SD.

Black Phoebe 2 sallying from a snag on shore, NEL; 1 ELG.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 flying to perch in unburned elderberry shrub at the edge of an unburned field, NWEL.

Western Scrub-jay 2 fly, call, NWEL; 2 repeated alarm calls, cottonwood riparian, NEEL; 2 SD.

American Crow 20 ubiquitous; esp. on shore NEL; flying over lake and surrounding area.

Common Raven 16 ubiquitous; esp on shore,with TUVU, NEL.

Oak Titmouse 1 in unburned cottonwoods at edge of golf course, ELG.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls; active in mature, unburned cottonwoods at edge of golf course, ELG.

House Wren 2 vocal; active in burned cottonwood -willow riparian with base-sprouting and herbaceous regrowth, NWEL; 2 unburned riparian and shoreline herbaceous thickets, NEL.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ? 1 (unseen) a single note BGGN-like, high pitched nasal sounding call was given from concealed location in dense, unburned brush; possibly a HOWR?

Western Bluebird 3 hovering around utility line and regrowth in burned riparian, NWEL; 2 vocal, around cottonwoods at edge of baseball field, ELG.

European Starling 2 vocal; in unburned cottonwoods, NEL; 3 vocal, flying, ELG.

Phainopepla 2 (m,f) vocal; one (f) flying; another (m) perched on tall tree in residential area, ELG.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 foraging at mid to high levels in unburned, mature cottonwoods, NEL.

Virginia's Warbler 1 calls; staying low in unburned shrubs and herbaceous regrowth at the edge of a burned riparian woodland; sw corner of NWEL (photo). Note: Virginia's warbler has historically been a scarce breeding resident in Southern California and a fairly rare but regular fall migrant, principally along the coast. Its status as a migrant through the interior of the region is poorly understood; this is my third record for VIWA at Elizabeth Lake in recent years, where it now appears to be a regular fall migrant.

Virginia's Warbler (Oreothlypsis virginiae) sw Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County CA 28 Aug 2014

Yellow Warbler 2 (f) repeated calls; foraging together in subcanopy of unburned, mature cottonwoods, NEEL.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) calls; foraging with OCWA in canopy and subcanopy of unburned, mature cottonwoods, NEL.

California Towhee 1 calls (unseen) regrowth understory in burned riparian woodland, NWEL.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 in unburned, mature cottonwoods and fruiting (mostly dry) elderberry, ELG.

Brewer's Blackbird 4 (m,f) vocal in crown of mature, unburned cottonwood, NEL.

House Finch 3 calls, fly, NWEL; 6 foraging on lawn beneath tree, ELG.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 fly, call, NWEL; 2 calls, ELG.

August 4, 2014 Elizabeth Lake (31 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 70F; wind WSW 5 -10 mph.

Time: 0730 - 1004 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Northwest Elizabeth Lake (NWEL): I walked the shoreline and through adjacent riparian (burned and unburned) areas. The lake water level was very low with a reddish-pink coloration, presumably due extensive growth of cyanobacteria (see above photos). No birds were in the lake; Least Sandpiper, American Avocet and Killdeer were on the shore. Three species of swallow (Tree, Barn and Cliff) foraged over the lake and shoreline. Landbirds were generally scarce in the riparian and chaparral areas (0730-0808 hrs.). 2) North Elizabeth Lake (NEL). I walked from the USFW picnic area on the north side of the lake, down to the shoreline, including the edge of a mature (unburned) cottonwood riparian strip. There was a sharp contrast in water coloration between the east (red) and central (green) sections, separated by an exposed levee (photo). The shoreline around both parts of the lake had a crusty alkaline surface; recent rains had softened the cracked mud surface further inland. A few ducks (Mallard and Gadwall) were foraging in the shallows; Two Great Blue Herons, one American Avocet , a Killdeer and Willet, were on the shore. One turtle (species unidentified) was on the shore of the levee separating the two lake sections (0812-0844 hrs.; 0938-1004 hrs). 3) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): I walked from the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd. and Elizabeth Lake Rd., down to the shoreline, surveying the unburned cottonwood riparian strip and the small amount of water remaining in the lake (see above photos). No waterbirds were in the lake at this location; one Great Blue Heron was on the west shore. A strong sulphuric odor continues to prevail throughout the eastern half of the lake. 4) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I walked outside the western boundary newly posted property including a vacant clubhouse and adjacent (still maintained) golf course. Several fruiting elderberry shrubs attracted a variety of birds adjacent to the suburbs (0913-0931 hrs.). 5) Sandrock Drive (SD): I walked from the intersection of Lesina Dr. and Sandrock Dr., down to the lake shore, surveying the south-central shore and (again) the central-west portion of the lake and adjacent riparian areas (0938-1004 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Willet (1), Western Flycatcher (1) and Violet-green Swallow (2)

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (m) swimming near shore, NEL.

Mallard 16 (m,f) resting on shore and dabbling in shallows, central-west, NEL, SD.

California Quail calls (unseen) SD.

Great Blue Heron 4 (ad) ubiquitous, on shore; fly.

Turkey Vulture 1 soaring over riparian strip, NEL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) soaring over adjacent hillside, NWEL.

Killdeer 2 calls; on shore, NWEL; NEL, SD.

American Avocet 4 (m,f; alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows and on shore, NWEL, NEL.

Least Sandpiper 4 foraging together on shore, NWEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 flying, ELG.

Mourning Dove 2 flying over riparian area, NEL, SD.

Nuttall's Woodpecker calls (unseen) NWEL.

Western Flycatcher 1 silently foraging in subcanopy of cottonwoods (ID based primarily asymmetric eye-ring, bill size, plumage coloration, wing and tail proportions ), NEL.

Black Phoebe 2 calls; flying between tops of snags, NWEL, NEL.

Western Scrub-jay 2 calls; in cottonwood subcanopy, NEL.

American Crow 5 vocal, gregarious; on ground and in cottonwoods, NEL, SD.

Common Raven 4 pairs flying together; on ground in picnic area, NEL.

Tree Swallow 10 flying low in msf of swallows over lake and shore, NWEL, NEL, SD.

Violet-green Swallow 2 flying together, low in msf of swallows, over lake and shore, , NEL, SD.

Cliff Swallow 20 flying low in msf of swallows over lake (dipping into surface) and shore, NWEL, SD; about 15 nests under eaves of two-storey home on corner of Lesina and Sandrock Dr.

Barn Swallow 20 flying low, back and forth in msf and separately, over lake (dipping into surface) and shore, NWEL, NEL, EEL, SD.

Oak Titmouse 4 two pair, vocal in cottonwoods, NWEL, NEL.

Western Bluebird 7 (ad, imm) a loose flock foraging on ground at the edge of the golf course, ELG.

Phainopepla 2 (m,f) flying over riparian area and adjacent suburbs, SD.

Common Yellowthroat 1 flushed from dense herbaceous growth at edge of lake, SD.

California Towhee 6 vocal; edge of riparian and chaparral, NWEL, NEL.

Song Sparrow 2 calls; active in patches of marsh-riparian at the edge of the main levee, SD.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 (m,f) flying from fruiting elderberry shrubs into adjacent cottonwoods, ELG.

Brewer's Blackbird 2 (m) on shore, NEL, SD.

House Finch 6 vocal, ubiquitous,

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods at edge of golf course, ELG.

January 30, 2014 Elizabeth Lake (33 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy with incoming low fog; 49F; wind WSW 5 -15 mph.

Time: 0715-0946 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked a clockwise route around the entire western section of Elizabeth Lake from the USFS parking area on the north-central shore. Habitats surveyed included chaparral (largely burned), riparian (burned and unburned), marsh (burned and unburned), shoreline (20-50 ft. wide) and open water. The water level of the lake continues to drop with the regional draught (0715-0908 hrs.). 2) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked on the western edge of the golf course and on the northwest section of Ranch Club Drive, surveying tall cottonwoods, lawns, burned riparian-marsh and ruderal fields. An adjacent home with a bird bath was attracting many birds. A strong sulphur dioxide odor continues in the northeast corner of Elizabeth Lake near the intersection of Munz Ranch Road and Elizabeth Lake Rd.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bald Eagle (2), Herring Gull (1) and Glaucous-winged Gull (1).

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 30 (m,f) a cohesive flock in a side pond, WEL.

Ruddy Duck 10 individuals diving througout the lake, WEL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) circling above the cottonwoods, ELG.

Bald Eagle 2 (one immature, e.g. 2 yr.; one adult). The immature was intially seen circling with Common Ravens high above adjacent hills to the northwest. Later, this individual was flying with and adult and a few gulls over the lake and landed in a nearby cottonwood. The adult was involved with gulls that were fighting over a fish picked up on the lake surface. The adult BAEA flew eastward and was not encountered again, WEL.

American Coot 25 one flock of 13 together in a side pond with AMWI, WEL

Killdeer 3 on shore, WEL.

Wilson's Snipe 2 on shore, WEL (photo).

Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata ) Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County CA 30 Jan 2014

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over the lake, WEL.

California Gull 22 (90% adult) most resting on shallow peninsula, WEL.

Herring Gull 1 (C2) with CAGU, WEL.

Glaucous-winged Gull 1 (C1) resting on peninsula with CAGU; later chasing CAGU with fish, WEL (photos a, b).

Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens); b) in flight west Elizabeth Lake LACO CA 30 Jan 2014 (same bird in both images)

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 on utility wire; flying to yard with bird bath, ELG.

Mourning Dove 1 flushed from the groung to a leafless elm, ELG.

Northern (RS) Flicker 4 vocal; displays; flushed from the sandy ground in a patch of mulefat on the dam, s WEL.

Western Scrub-jay 3 vocal; together in an unburned riparian woodland, n WEL.

American Crow 25 vocal; ubiquitous, esp. on shorelines, WEL.

Common Raven 4 soaring around an immature Bald Eagle, WEL.

Tree Swallow 3 flying low over the shore and lake, WEL.

Oak Titmouse 1 in an unburned riparian patch, nw WEL.

Western Bluebird 7 (m,f) three flying west, WEL; two pair taking turns at a bird bath, ELG.

European Starling 10 vocal; riparian (burned and unburned), WEL; ELG.

Spotted Towhee 1 in yard with bird bath, ELG.

California Towhee 2 vocal; riparian patch and shoreline, nw WEL.

Lark Sparrow 5 a cohesive flock in an unburned marsh-riparian patch, ELG.

Savannah Sparrow 16 cohesive flocks in unburned and burned marsh on shore, n WEL.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; unburned patches of marsh, WEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 12 ubiquitous but not abundant; unburned riparian patches; ruderal fields.

Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 unburned riparian patch and adjacent sandy shore, nw WEL.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 20 foraging in weedy area on sandy embankment in an unburned riparian patch, nw WEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 60 (m,f) vocal; roof-tops and adjacent utility lines of home with a bird bath, ELG.

Brewer's Blackbird 4 (m,f) roof top of home with bird bath, ELG.

House Finch 10 (m,f) ubiquitous; unburned riparian and marsh.

House Sparrow 12 yards and vacant lots adjacent to home with bird bath, ELG.

October 16, 2013 Elizabeth lake (37 Species)

Weather: Fair; 56F to 60 F; wind ENE 2 -10 mph.

Time: 0908-1100 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I surveyed the burned riparian woodland, alkali shoreline, chaparral hillside and open water at the west end of Elizabeth Lake. The water level of the lake continues to decrease, exposing at least a fifty foot wide shoreline with low alkali herbs and tule regrowth (0908-1000 hrs.). 2) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL). I walked the usual route in the northeastern section of Elizabeth Lake, along the increasingly wide shoreline (50-60 ft.), surveying an unburned patch of mature cottonwoods and willows, herbaceous regrowth, alkaline shoreline and open water, from the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd. and Elizabeth Lake Rd. The eastern section of the lake appears to have receded to an estimated ten feet in depth or less. Relatively few waterbirds were found in this area during the survey (1007-1100 hrs.). 3) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I surveyed the southwest corner of ELG, including several mature cottonwoods and a small portion of the adjacent suburb containing ruderal fields, patches of chaparral and riparian vegetation (1103-1140 hrs.).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 15 swimming near shore, WEL, EEL.

Cinnamon Teal 3 (f) swimming in open water, EEL.

Hooded Merganser 1 (m) flying low over the lake, WEL.

Ruddy Duck 2 resting in open water, EEL.

California Quail 10 flushed from roadside riparian patch, EEL.

Eared Grebe 8 one diving near shore, WEL; 7 swimming together near middle levee, EEL/

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore of middle levee, EEL.

Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over marsh and shoreline, WEL, EEL.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying over field adjacent to burned riparian woodland, WEL.

American Coot 20 open water and near shore, WEL, EEL.

Killdeer 8 together on shore, WEL, EEL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 calls; riparain, WEL, EEL, ELG.

Northern (RS) Flicker 2 fly, calls, WEL, ELG.

Black Phoebe 3 on and near shore, WEL, EEL.

Say's Phoebe 2 one on shore, WEL; one on baseball diamond fence, ELG.

Western Scrub-jay 3 WEL, EEL, ELG.

American Crow 4 in field, ELG.

Common Raven 2 flying over burned area, WEL.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls (unseen) cottonwoods, ELG.

Bewick's Wren 1 attracted to my 'psshing' sounds, along with 2 LISP, EEL.

Western Bluebird 2 calls, fly, ELG.

American Pipit 2 fly, call, shoreline, EEL.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 calls; foraging low in herbaceous regrowth, EEL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 8 calls; ubiquitous in regrowth and riparian areas.

Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, low herbaceous regrowth next to shore, EEL.

Wilson's Warbler 1 (f) low herbaceous regrowth with COYE and OCWA, EEL.

California Towhee calls (unseen) WEL.

Lark Sparrow 1 on fence, ELG.

Savannah Sparrow 3 low herbaceous regrowth, WEL, EEL.

Song Sparrow 8 calls; marsh and herbaceous regrowth, EEL.

Lincoln's Sparrow 4 calls; responded to my 'psshing' calls, EEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, ubiquitous, EEL, ELG.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 vocal, dense marsh and shrubs, EEL, ELG.

Western Meadowlark 3 on shore, WEL, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 4 on shore, WEL, EEL.

American Goldfinch 1 (f) ruderal field next to drainage ditch, ELG.

House Sparrow calls, shrubs adjacent to suburbs, ELG.

September 6, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (35 Species)

Weather: Fair; 60F to 75F. Wind WSW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0705-1030 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Northwest Elizabeth Lake (WEL). I walked east on the northern shoreline from the USFS parking area, surveying chaparral edge, mature cottonwood-willow riparian, shoreline and open water. Continuing west and south, I surveyed a burned cottonwood woodland and adjacent fresh water marsh. This area had patches of regrowth (basal sprouting of otherwise dead cottonwoods) and extensive regrowth of tules in the burned area next to the shore. Adjacent chaparral hillsides were almost entirely consumed by the Powerhouse Fire about three months earlier, except for a few patches of live oak and shrubs in deep draws and north-facing gullies. Resident bird species of this area (based on my surveys before the fire) such as, Wrentit, Oak Titmouse, House Wren, Spotted Towhee and Song Sparrow, were not seen or heard during today's survey of the burned areas. Wrentit, Spotted Towhee and House Wren were not found anywhere in the Elizabeth Lake area today. Other breeding residents, e.g. White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Flicker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Anna's Hummingbird, Western scrub-jay, Western Bluebird, Bushtit, Bewick's Wren and California Towhee, were found active in and around the burned areas. The lack of understory vegetation within the burned areas probably accounts for most of the variance in bird species occurrence (0705-0815 hrs.)

2) Northeast Elizabeth Lake (EEL). I walked from the intersection of Elizabeth Lake Rd. and Munz Ranch Rd., south then east along the north shore of Elizabeth Lake, surveying a mature riparian woodland strip, ruderal fields, shoreline, patches of freshwater marsh and open water. The lake water level continues to drop. Currently, the exposed shoreline around the lake is about 50-60 ft., allowing easy access on foot. Very few waterbirds were present on the shore an in open water during my survey. There remains an odor of decaying vegetation, fish carcasses and other aquatic organisms around the lake, though not as strong as that found during my previous survey of July 30, 2013 (0830-0925 hrs.)

3) Elizabeth Lake golf course and adjacent areas (ELG). I walked just outside of the western border of the golf course, past the baseball field, patches of chaparral, grassland, ruderal fields, suburban homes and gardens, and burned riparian woodland next to Ranch Club Road (0931-1006 hrs.)..Sandrock Drive (SD) was not covered in today's survey, except by distant views from EEL..

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Turkey Vulture (65), White-tailed Kite (2), Lark Sparrow (2) and Chipping Sparrow (4).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 50 (m,f) ubiquitous, scattered around the edges of the lake.

Northern Shoveler 12 (m,f) dabbling together in open water, WEL.

California Quail 6 flushed from dense brush, WEL.

Eared Grebe 1 preening, near shore, WEL.

Great Blue Heron 4(ad, imm) ubiquitous on shore and flying low over golf course.

Great Egret 1 (ad) flying low over pond, ELG.

Turkey Vulture 65 (conserv. est.) on shore and in cottonwoods nearby; forming large kettle rising on thermals at 0850 hrs.

White-tailed Kite 2 vocal; flying over burned cottonwood area; landing in burned cottonwood, WEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 4 calls; in burned cottonwoods; unburned riparian, WEL, EEL.

American Kestrel 1 diving on perched WTKI, WEL.

American Coot 1 swimming near shore, WEL.

Phalaropus sp. 10 a tight flock flying low, fast over lake, WEL.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) in unburned willow surrounded by burned riparian and chaparral, WEL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) foraging in burned cottonwoods, WEL; 2 calls, EEL.

Northern Flicker 1 (f) probing into bark and knot-holes on upper-level trunk and large branches of a burned cottonwood, WEL.

Black Phoebe 6 ubiquitous on shore and in adjacent riparian.

Western Scrub-jay 15 vocal, ubiquitous in burned and unburned areas.

American Crow 15 foraging next to TUVU on shore, EEL.

Common Raven 2 fly, call, WEL.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, unburned riparian woodland, WEL; 2 active in understory of unburned riparian areas, EEL.

Bushtit 20 vocal, active in unburned riparian and edge around the lake.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls, mature unburned cottonwoods, EEL.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal; primarily in unburned riparian and edge around the lake.

Western Bluebird 4 vocal; sallying out from partially burned cottonwoods; flying over burned marsh and lake, WEL.

California Thrasher 1 song, unburned riparian, EEL.

European Starling 8 vocal, active in burned cottonwood canopies, WEL.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 Noted gray head and nape, faint streaks on sides of breast; broken eyering;.active in unburned cottonwood subcanopy , EEL (photo).

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County CA 6 September 2013

Common Yellowthroat 4 calls, dense marsh-ruderal area, EEL.

California Towhee 5 calls; foraging on ground in unburned areas, WEL, EEL.

Chipping Sparrow 4 (ad, imm) calls; foraging in pairs on ground in ruderal, unburned field, ELG.

Lark Sparrow 2 song, edge of garden and ruderal field, ELG.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) tall grass bordering riparian shoreline, EEL.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; active but secretive in tall grass and herbs bordering riparian woodland, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 8 fly, call, WEL, EEL.

House Finch 18 (m,f) vocal, active in unburned areas, EEL, ELG.

July 30, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (40 Species)

(A) A group of ten Southwestern Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata pallida) north-central Elizabeth Lake July 30 2013

(B) Close up of two adult Southwestern Pond Turtles located about 30 yards north of the group shown above. July 30 2013

Weather: Fair; 58F to 76F; wind WSW 5-10 mph.

Time: 0658 - 0950 hrs.

Area Covered: 1) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): From the roadside on the northeast shore of Elizabeth Lake, I walked the shoreline to the eastern end of the lake, surveying riparian, freshwater marsh, mud, sandy shore, and open water Most of this area was untouched by the recent Powerhouse Fire (see previous report of June 11, 2013). Recent rains resulted in a slightly increased lake water level; the shoreline width appeared to have been reduced by about 30% in comparison with the width on June 11, 2013 (0658-0800 hrs.). 2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): From the roadside parking area at the northwest corner of the lake, I walked south through a burned out riparian and adjacent chaparral. I also walked along the west shore, which was almost entirely devoid of birdlife (0807-0837 hrs.). 3) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked along the west border of the golf course, surveying ruderal fields, mature cottonwoods and patchy chaparral with fruiting elderberry This area was largely quiet and undisturbed by human activities (0842-0918 hrs.). 4) Sandrock Drive (SD). I walked from Lesina to the lakeshore, crossing the dam between the western and eastern sections of Elizabeth Lake. One fisherman was on the east shore of the dam. I counted fifteen Southwestern Pond Turtles in two groups in a backwater channel on the west side of the dam (see above photo and photos from the May 10, 2013 survey). A pervasive odor of methyl mercaptan (from leaking propane tanks ?) was in the air around the intersection of Elizabeth Lake Rd. and Munz Ranch Rd.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 110 (m,f) ubiquitous but mostly in the eastern half of the lake, near shore, EEL, WEL.

Cinnamon Teal 3 (m,f) swimming together near shore, EEL.

California Quail calls (unseen) from a patch of chaparral with fruiting elderberry , ELG.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near the south shore, SD.

Eared Grebe 2 (bsc. plmg.) picking insects from the lake surface, EEL.

Great Blue Heron 2 on shore; in burned cottonwood, EEL, WEL.

Turkey Vulture 2 soaring above the shore in the vicinity of the methyl mercaptan odor, ne EEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 one flushed from burned cottonwoods, WEL; calls, ELG.

American Coot 6 swimming near shore, EEL.

Killdeer 10 (ad, imm) vocal; flying over lake; a flock of eight on shore, EEL

Spotted Sandpiper 2 (trans. plmg.) foraging together on shore, EEL.

Least Sandpiper 2 (ad) foraging together on shore, EEL.

Red-necked Phalarope 8 (bsc. and trans. plmg,) staying close together near shore, EEL (photo).

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) east Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 30 July 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 foraging on bare ground with light gravel, ELG.

Mourning Dove 3 on ground in weedy area, ELG.

White-throated Swift ? 2 not seen clearly from the car; a pair circling high (300 ft. +) above the lake, SD.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 chasing around canopy of a mature cottonwood, EEL.

Anna's Hummingbird 5 (1 male identified; others uncertain) vocal, ubiquitous in unburned riparian areas.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 a pair calling while foraging in burned cottonwoods, WEL; calls, ELG.

Northern Flicker 2 calls; one on ground , ELG.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal, on and near shore, EEL, SD.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 (trans. bsc. plmg.) low perch in burned mulefat on dam, SD (photo).

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 30 July 2013

Western Kingbird 2 calls; tops of mature cottonwoods, ELG.

Cassin's Kingbird 1 (unseen) called twice: a distinctive loud, two syllable chi-bew; from mature cottonwood stand, nwc of ELG.

Western Scrub-jay 6 vocal, ubiquitous, including burned areas.

American Crow 30 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. s shore, EEL.

Barn Swallow 10 ubiquitous, flying low over marsh and lake.

Cliff Swallow 5 circling high (100 ft +) above s shore, SD.

Violet-green Swallow 2 seen briefly amongst CLSW above s shore, SD.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls in burned area, WEL; unburned cottonwoods, ELG.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls; foraging low on trunk of mature cottonwood, ELG.

American Robin 2 (1 imm) calls; one imm. foraging on elderberries, ELG.

Western Bluebird 7 (m,f; imm) sallying from low perches at edge of cottonwoods and ruderal field, ELG.

Lark Sparrow 1 foraging in weedly vacant lot, ELG.

Song Sparrow 10 calls; several together in weedy border of unburned cottonwoods, EEL.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (unseen) calls from mature cottonwood, ELG.

Brewer's Blackbird 6 (m,f) on and near shore, EEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 (m,f) vocal, on shore, EEL.

House Finch 40 (m,f) vocal, feeding in ruderal field and on elderberries, ELG.

Lesser Goldfinch calls, song, elderberry bushes, ELG.

June 11, 2013 Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake, including notes on the Powerhouse Fire (51 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 61F to 78F; wind wsw 0 - 7 mph.

Time: 0648 - 1003 hrs.

Areas Covered : 1) Northwest Lake Hughes (LH) from Elizabeth Lake Road. 2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL). 3) East Elizabeth Lake from the northeast corner (EEL). 4) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course from Ranch Club Road (ELG). Sandrock Drive; surveyed briefly by car (SD).

THE POWERHOUSE FIRE (May 30 - June 10, 2013)

Powerhouse Fire, Day 1, viewing southwest from Ensenada Road, Green Valley, Los Angeles County, CA 30 May, 2013

Called the "Powerhouse Fire" , the blaze began on the west side of San Francisquito Canyon Road about two miles south of Green Valley. It moved slowly for a few hours then swiftly northwestward, driven by increasing winds (see above photo). By June 9, thirty-thousand acres were reportedly burned, including about two dozen homes. Local roads were closed shortly after the fire began on May 30 and evacuations recommended for the communities of Green Valley, Lake Hughes and portions of Elizabeth Lake. Today was the first day roads were open to the public in the Elizabeth Lake and Lake Hughes area, allowing access for a bird survey, including photographic documentation of the burned areas.

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) male SW Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 11 June 2013

Southwest Lake Hughes following the Powerhouse Fire, 11 June 2013

NW Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA; note melted fence; 11 June 2013 Western Fence Lizard SW Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 11 June 2013

Southwest corner of Elizabeth Lake, viewing northwest, 11 June 2013

Southwest Elizabeth Lake, viewing northeast; note unburned north shore riparian woodland.. 11 June 2013

Southwest corner of Elizabeth Lake Road and Ranch Club Road, east Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 11 June 2013

Generally, I found the usual diversity of bird species occurring here at this time of year. Notable absences included Bushtit, Wrentit and Spotted Towhee, though the latter two resident species have been missed before. Wrentit and Spotted Towhee in this region are largely dependent of chaparral; virtually all of it was destroyed by the fire. By contrast, California Towhee, a habitat generalist, was repeatedly heard calling around Elizabeth Lake. A pair of House Wrens, apparently agitated, called repeatedly in the burned out riparian woodland of west Elizabeth Lake. No sign was found of the usually common and conspicuous Bewick's Wren. Also noteworthy were relatively low counts of common marsh birds, especially Song Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat. Most of their favored habitat was also destroyed by the fire. Areas around the lake with intact riparian and freshwater marsh, e.g. most of the north and northeast shoreline of Elizabeth Lake, appeared to have above-average (i.e. crowded) populations of birds,including Mallard, California Quail, Killdeer, Bullock's Oriole and Red-winged Blackbird. A few species were searching burned areas for insects, e.g. Western Kingbird, Western Scrub-jay, American Crow, European Starling, Bullock's Oriole, Brown-headed Cowbird and Brewer's Blackbird. Aerial insects (e.g. dipterans) became abundant as the air temperature increased to nearly 80F by 0930 hrs..Four species of swallow (Tree Swallow, Violet Green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow) were flying low, back and forth over burned areas and adjacent patches of intact riparian-marsh habitat, well before air temperatures began to rise..

BIrds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Gadwall (3), Ring-necked Duck (1), Canvasback (1 -cont), Eared Grebe (5), Black-crowned Night Heron (4), Willow Flycatcher (1), and Yellow Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 3 (m,f) trans. bsc. plmg; resting on shore, swimming, se EEL.

Mallard 65 (m,f) a few at the west end of LH; many on the shore and in shallows of EEL.

Canvasback 1 - cont. (m) swimming, EEL (photo).

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) male -cont. east Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 11 June 2013

Ring-necked Duck 1 (m) preening on shore; entered the water as I approached, EEL (photo).

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) male east Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 11 June 2013

Ruddy Duck 2 (m,f) swimming, se EEL.

California Quail 12 (adults with several young) ne EEL.

Eared Grebe 5 (alt. and trans. alt plmg.) swimming together, se EEL.

Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) on shore, s WEL.

Black-crowned Night Heron 4 (ad, imm) flying low around lake; one adult swimming in open water, LH.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (1 ad; 1 ?) repeated vocalizations; flying over lake to tall, burned cottonwood, WEL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 flying at about 100 ft. over burned out hillside, WEL.

American Coot 10 around edges of the lake, LH. 4 foraging in shallows, se EEL.

Killdeer 12 vocal; 4 WEL; 8 on shore, EEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 calls; on utility wire, LH.

Mourning Dove 1 on shore, sw WEL.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, roadside riparian woods, ne EEL.

Acorn Woodpecker 2 vocal; on utility pole, LH.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, LH; 2 calls, roadside riparian, ne EEL

Northern Flicker 1 calls, roadside riparian woodland, ne EEL.

Willow Flycatcher 1 (unseen) repeated, distinctive fitz-bew calls heard in dense riparian area, ne EEL.

Black Phoebe 1 calls, riparian edge, ne EEL.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 repeated calls, burned out chaparral hillside, s WEL.

Western Kingbird 1 flying between burned trees on hillside, sw WEL.

Western Scrub-jay 2 vocal; on burned ground trees, sw WEL; 2 fly, call, EEL.

American Crow 10 vocal, ubiquitous.

Common Raven 2 vocal; flying together over burned hillside, sw, WEL.

Tree Swallow 4 vocal; flying low, back and forth over shore and unburned riparian woods, EEL.

Violet-green Swallow 4 flying at about 60-80 ft. agl, back and forth over burned hillside with trees, s WEL.

Cliff Swallow 20 vocal, flying low over lake, shore, marsh and riparian, WEL, EEL.

Barn Swallow 6 vocal, flying very low over lake, marsh and shore, WEL, EEL.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, unburned riparian, n, WEL; ne EEL.

House Wren 2 repeated calls from a burned riparian woodland, WEL.

Western Bluebird 3 (m,f) flying low between trees in the unburned and burned sections of Ranch Club Drive, ELG.

European Starling 10 vocal, ubiquitous in burned areas; foraging on ground, WEL.

Phainopepla 2 calls (unseen) unburned cottonwood riparian woods, nw WEL; ne EEL.

Yellow Warbler 1 song (unseen) dense, unburned cottonwoods, ne EEL.

Common Yellowthroat 2 song (unseen) unburned marsh-riparian, s WEL; ne EEL.

Wilson's Warbler 1 repeated song (unseen) dense, unburned cottonwood riparian, ne EEL.

California Towhee 2 calls, unburned riparian, nw, WEL; ne EEL.

Song Sparrow 1 song, marsh LH; 2 half-burned marsh, sw WEL; 2 intact marsh riparian, ne EEL.

Dark-eyed Junco 1 vocal (unseen) unburned gardens with pines, LH.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 song, riparian, LH; 1 song, unburned cottonwood riparian woods, ne EEL.

Blue Grosbeak ? (unseen) not heard clearly; HOFI also singing in same area, edge of unburned riparian, ne EEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f; imm) unburned marsh and riparian, ne EEL; 4 flying, WEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) vocal; pairs foraging on shore, burned hillsides (photo); flying west over lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 vocal, active in unburned marsh-riparian, n LH.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 calls in burned riparian, WEL; 2 foraging with BRBL on burned hillside, sw WEL.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; active in burned and unburned trees around the lake, esp ne EEL.

House Finch 5 vocal; unburned riparian woodland, ne EEL.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; active in unburned cottonwood riparian woods, ne EEL.

House Sparrow 5 vocal; around homes and gardens, ELG.

May 10, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (50 Species)

Weather: Fair; 59F to 71F; wind ENE 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0735 - 1115 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): I walked from the south side of Elizabeth Lake Road, west of the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd., eastward to the along the north shore to the marsh and pond separated from the main lake on the east end. The lake water level continues to recede, leaving up to 50 ft. of exposed shoreline around the entire eastern half of the lake. No other people were present in the area during my survey. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations (0735-0857 hrs.).. 2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL). I walked through the riparian area adjacent to the northwest corner of Elizabeth Lake, surveying marsh, open water, shoreline, mature cottonwood-willow riparian woods, an open field and hillside chaparral. The area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during my survey (0911-1005 hrs.). 3) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG). I walked around the western perimeter of ELG, surveying fairways, mature cottonwoods, adjacent chaparral, weedy lots and a small drainage canal bordering Ranch Club Road. A county survey crew and someone operating a riding mower were present during my survey (1014-1037 hrs.). 4) Sandrock Drive (SD). I parked at the west end of SD and walked down to the levee separating the east and west halves of the lake. I surveyed suburban gardens, willow-cottonwood riparian, chaparral, freshwater marsh, shoreline and open water. One person was walking on the northern lakeshore during my survey (1041-1115 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canvasback (1) and Double-crested Cormorant (5).

At least five Southwestern Pond Turtles (a California Dept. of Fish & Game Species of Special Concern) were basking on the north-central shore near the main levee; courtship behavior was observed in two individuals (photos).

Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata pallida ) male (largest- same individual in both photos) and females; note carapace and head shape; prominent limb scales; north Elizabeth Lake, LACO , CA 10 May 2013

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 5 (m,f) in shallows, EEL, SD.

Mallard 30 (m,f) pairs throughout the lake and margins.

Canvasback 1 (m) resting in open water, EEL (photo).

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) male east Elizabeth Lake, 10 May 2013

Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 13 vocal; pairs and small coveys in brushy areas, EEL, WEL, SD.

Eared Grebe 8 alt. and trans. alt. plmg. picking insects from lake surface, EEL.

Western Grebe 1 calls; resting in open water, EEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 5 (1 ad; 4 imm,.) resting at edge of lake, EEL, SD.

Turkey Vulture 1 flying low, back and forth over the lake, SD.

American Coot 20 shallows and open water throughout.

Killdeer 10 increasingly vocal with my approach; shoreline and adjacent bogs, EEL.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 (alt. plmg.) foraging together on shore, EEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, riparian, EEL.

Mourning Dove 8 calls; ubiquitous, riparian and edge.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, EEL; 1 (m) calls; in large cottonwood with a pair of EUST, WEL.

Western Wood Pewee 1 calls; on utility line, WEL (photo).

Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) west Elizabeth Lake, LACO CA 10 May 2013

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 fly, calls, WEL.

Western Kingbird 1 aerial insect-hawking from top of tall cottonwood, EEL; calls, SD.

Warbling Vireo 1 in willows, WEL.

Western Scub-jay 2 calls, fly; riparian, WEL.

American Crow 15 vocal, ubiquitous.

Common Raven 3 flying over lake and adjacent suburbs, ELG, SD.

Tree Swallow 1 flying low over marsh, EEL.

Cliff Swallow 12 dipping in canal; picking up mud on shoreline, SD.

Barn Swallow 6 flying low, back and forth over lake and marsh, EEL.

Oak Titmouse 1 song, riparian, WEL.

Bushtit 2 low in shrubs, WEL.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, calls, riparian and adjacent field, WEL.

House Wren 3 vocal, riparian woods, WEL.

Thrush (Catharus sp.)? 1 seen briefly; dorsal coloration suggested C. ustulatus, flushed from dense riparian undergrowth, SD.

Western Bluebird 2 (m,f) pair staying close in trees at edge of ELG.

European Starling 2 entering large cavity in mature cottonwood, WEL; 10 foraging on fairways and edge, ELG.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 grayish head, broken eyering; yellow undertail coverts; foraging silently in willows, WEL (photo).

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothylpis celata) west Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 10 May 2013

Yellow Warbler 5 vocal, active in tall cottonwoods, EEL; calls, WEL.

Common Yellowthroat 1 song, EEL.

Wilson's Warbler 20 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Spotted Towhee 2 song; active in understory of riparian and adjacent chaparral, WEL.

California Towhee vocal; ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Song Sparrow 15 vocal (several call types and at least three song dialects heard), ubiquitous in marsh and edge of riparian; two singing different dialects; single metallic chip call given while birds were well concealed at edge of riparian, EEL.

Western Tanager 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas; usually in the upper levels of mature cottonwoods.

Black-headed Grosbeak 6 vocal; mature cottonwoods around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 25 vocal; mostly in marsh and edge of riparian, EEL.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (f) foraging on shore, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) ubiquitous; foraging in open areas and riparian edge.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m,f) vocal, active in marsh, EEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (m,f) vocal; active in riparian areas around the lake.

Bullock's Oriole 8 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in mature cottonwoods.

House Finch 5 vocal, active in cottonwoods and willows, ELG, WEL.

American Goldfinch 1 (f) in tamarisk at edge of riparian, EEL.

House Sparrow 15 vocal, active in suburban gardens, ELG, SD.

April 20, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (68 Species)

Weather: Fair; 56F to 69F; wind variable W, WNW 5-15mph.

Time: 0725 - 1112 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): I walked from the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd. and Elizabeth Lake Rd., east on the north shore to the east shore and back. Habitats surveyed included hillside grassland-chapparal, cottonwood-willow riparian woodland, freshwater marsh, shoreline, mudflats and open water. The water level continued to be low, exposing sangs and 30-50 ft. of shoreline around the entire lake (0725-0825 hrs.) 2) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked from the USFS parking area west and south through a mature riparian woodland bordering grassland-rabbitbrush, hillside chaparral, mature cottonwood-willow riparian woodland, freshwater marsh and shoreline (0836-0940 hrs.). 3) Sandrock Drive (SD): I walked from the western terminus of SD to the southeastern corner of EL, staying on the sidewalk and dirt pathway along the fence line. Habitats surveyed included residential gardens, weedy vacant lots, mature cottonwood-willow riparian woodland, shoreline and open water (0947-1112 hrs.). Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. A few fishermen and others were around the lake during the survey. A Little League baseball game was in progress on the border of the golf course; that area (ELG) was not surveyed today.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (1- cont.), Canvasback (2), Red-breasted Sapsucker (1), Black-chinned Hummingbird (1), Willow Flycatcher (2), Warbling Vireo (1), Yellow Warbler (5) and Western Tanager (1) and Black-headed Grosbeak (3)..

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 1 (cont. - see March 21 notes)) dark morph; on se shore; walked away as I approached within about 60 yards; reluctant (or unable) to fly, EEL (photo).

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) se Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April 2013

Gadwall 2 (m,f) in shallows, e EEL.

Mallard 16 (m,f) on shore, EEL; WEL.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (m,f) flushed from marshy pond, EEL.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) flushed from shallows, EEL.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) EEL.

Ruddy Duck 80 (many in alt. plmg.) resting in open water, EEL.

California Quail 20 calls; vocal, active in small coveys around gardens, EEL, SD.

Eared Grebe 18 (most in alt. plmg.) shallows and open water, EEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 5 (ad, imm) resting on shore and snags, EEL.

Great Blue Heron 2 on shore, separated by 100 yards, e EEL.

Great Egret 2 on shore, about 30 yards apart, e EEL.

Snowy Egret 1 on shore, e EEL.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 on shore, separated by 60 yards, e EEL.

Turkey Vulture 5 resting in trees; soaring over lake, EEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flying low over residential area, SD.

American Coot 150 shallows and shoreline around the lake.

Killdeer 8 singles and pairs, vocal on shore; flying, EEL.

Least Sandpiper 8 foraging on shore, se EEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove calls, EEL; calls, SD.

Mourning Dove 1 fly, riparian, WEL.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) calls; active around possible nest in mule fat, SD.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (m) calls; drumming on metal high voltage marker at 20 ft on a utility pole, WEL (photo).

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) west Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April, 2013

Nuttall's Woodpecker 5 calls; drumming in riparian woodland throughout; one male drumming on utility pole, SD (photo).

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) male Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April 2013

Willow Flycatcher 2 noted lack of eyering; tail repeatedly flicked downward; calls; middle level of willow riparian woods, WEL.

Black Phoebe 1 calls, edge of marsh, WEL.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 (alt. plmg.) calls, chasing, edge of riparian and open field, WEL (photo).

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) west Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April, 2013

Western Kingbird 1 flew to roadway for an insect, EEL.

Warbling Vireo 1 song, subcanopy of mature willows and cottonwood, WEL.

Western Scrub-jay 10 ubiquitous, vocal.

American Crow 20 ubiquitous.

Common Raven 4 three flying together, EEL; one flying, calling, SD.

Tree Swallow 30 a pair perched in riparian understory near nest? ,SD (photo); many flying over lake, EEL, WEL.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April, 2013

Cliff Swallow 15 commuting to and from traditional nesting site under eaves of home at the swc of Lasina and Sandrock Dr.

Barn Swallow 2 flying low over marsh, EEL.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal in riparian woodland, EEL; 1 song, riparian woodland, WEL; 1 vocal at edge of riparian woodland, SD.

Bushtit calls, edge of chaparral-riparian, WEL.

Bewick's Wren 1 song brushy field bordering riparian, WEL.

House Wren 16 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 in willows, WEL.

Hermit Thrush 1 flying over open field toward chaparral, WEL.

Western Bluebird 2 calls, WEL; 2 at edge of riparian woodland, SD.

Wrentit 1 song, hillside chaparral, sw WEL.

California Thrasher 1 song, hillside chaparral, sw WEL.

European Starling 1 on utility line, EEL.

Yellow Warbler 5 song, subcanopy and canopy of mature riparian woodland, EEL, SD.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 3 (m,f) vocal, active at all foliage height levels, at edge of riparian woodland, WEL.

Common Yellowthroat 5 song, calls, marsh-riparian, EEL, WEL, SD.

Wilson's Warbler 25 song, active in mature willow-cottonwood riparian woods around the lake.

Spotted Towhee 1 vocal, active in undergrowth of chaparral at edge of riparian, sw WEL.

California Towhee 1 calls, edge of riparian, WEL; 1 calls, edge of riparian, SD.

Song Sparrow 30 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian edge.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls, edge of dense riparian-marsh, WEL.

White-crowned Sparrow 3 vocal, active in riparian understory, WEL; 3 riparian understory, SD.

Western Tanager 1 (m) active in willow canopy, SD.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 song, mature cottonwoods, WEL; song, calls, edge of riparian woodland, SD (photo).

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) male Elizabeth lake, LACO CA 20 April, 2013

Red-winged Blackbird 35 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian edge.

Western Meadowlark 3 vocal, active in open field, WEL.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 5 (imm; fem) active on shoreline and adjacent marsh, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 12 (m,f) vocal, active in suburban gardens, and shoreline, SD; WEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 6 vocal, active on shore and marsh, EEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 (m) vocal, edge of riparian; canopy of cottonwood, WEL; SD.

Bullock's Oriole 12 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian woodland.

Hooded Oriole 1 calls; canopy of tall cottonwood, WEL.

House Finch 5 vocal, active, EEL; 2 song, WEL; 4 song, SD.

Pine Siskin 1 on utility wire, WEL (photo).

Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) w Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 20 April 2013

Lesser Goldfinch 3 calls; garden trees, SD.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, gardens and buildings, SD.

March 21, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (58 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy to fair; 50F to 60F; wind WSW 5-15mph.

Time: 0803-1200 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked the west and southwest shore and the riparian-chaparral trail and from the USFS parking area at the northwest corner of Elizabeth Lake on Elizabeth Lake Rd. ( 0803-0924 hrs.). 2) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): I walked the north, northwest and east shoreline from the intersection of Munz Ranch Road and Elizabeth Lake Rd., surveying chaparral, riparian, shoreline, mudflats, freshwater marsh and open water (0926-1050 hrs.). 3) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I walked to the edge of ELG, circling back to Ranch Club Rd., surveying the western fairways, ponds, cottonwoods, suburban gardens, grassland, weedy fields, chaparral and riparian edge. Heavy machinery was being operated on the golf course during the survey (1106-1120 hrs.). 4) Sandrock Drive (SD): I walked from the west end of SD along the sidewalk about 0.25 mi east, surveying gardens, weedy fields, riparian and open water (1123-1200 hrs.). The lake water level continues to be very low, exposing 20-50 ft. of shoreline around the entire perimeter. Conditions were good for detecting bird vocalizations around the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (dark morph - 1), American White Pelican (1), and Wilson's Snipe (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 1 dark morph immature; preening in shallows amongst mallards, east shore (photos).

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) immature dark morph (same individual) east Elizabeth Lake Los Angeles County, CA 21 March 2013

Gadwall 2 (m,f) WEL; 2 EEL.

American Wigeon 20 (not all were seen and counted) (m,f) -cont. in same pond on north side, ELG (see March 7 notes).

Mallard 40 (m,f) ubiquitous in shallows around the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 8 (m,f) foraging on mudflats and in shallows, EEL.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) flushed from small pond and marsh bordering the shore, EEL.

Green-winged Teal 4 (m,f) foraging on mudflats and in shallows, EEL.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m) diving, EEL (seen from SD).

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake; most numerous in EEL.

California Quail calls, suburban chaparral edge, ELG.

Double-crested Cormorant 50 (ad, imm) ubiquitous; diving; one with 3 inch fish, EEL.

American White Pelican 1 (alt. plmg.) resting in shallows, EEL (photo).

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) east Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 21 March 2013

Great Blue Heron 3 flying; one landed in cottonwood, EEL.

Great Egret 1 on shore, EEL.

Turkey Vulture 5 in cottonwoods and on shore, EEL.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying low over gardens with conifers, SD.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, EEL.

American Kestrel 1 flying, WEL; two perched together on utility pole, EEL.

American Coot 100 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous in shallows around the lake.

Killdeer 8 on shore, WEL, EEL.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) on shore, EEL.

Least Sandpiper 12 foraging on mudflats, EEL.

Wilson's Snipe 1 foraging at the edge of a small pond, WEL; 2 foraging together on mudflats, EEL.

California Gull 1 (C1) flying low over the lake; resting on the lake, EEL.

Mourning Dove 1 calls, SD.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) calls, riparian edge, SD.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 5 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian woodland around the lake.

Hairy Woodpecker calls, riparian woodland, WEL.

Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, riparian woodland, SD.

Northern Flicker 6 fly, call, WEL, EEL, SD.

Black Phoebe 1 sally-flycatching low at edge of small pond, WEL; calls, EEL.

Western Scrub-jay 10 ubiquitous in woodland and gardens around the lake.

American Crow 2 on shore, WEL; 4 fly, call, ELG; 2 SD.

Common Raven 2 fly, call, WEL.

Tree Swallow 60 (conserv. est.) flying low over the lake; several on mudflats and most numerous in WEL.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20 flying back and forth, low over the edge of the lake with TRSW, WEL.

Barn Swallow 4 flying low, back and forth over the lake, WEL; 2 circling suburban garden and weedy field, SD.

Oak Titmouse 4 calls, active in subcanopy of cottonwoods, WEL; 2 calls, song,riparian, EEL; 1 SD.

Bushtit 2 flying across roadway from riparian and into a suburban garden, SD.

House Wren 3 repeated song, riparian, WEL; riparian SD.

Wrentit 1 song, chaparral hillside, WEL.

European Starling 2 song, riparian WEL; 2 SD.

American Pipit 1 on shore, EEL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 ubiquitous in riparian and gardens.

Common Yellowthroat 1 calls, EEL.

California Towhee 1 calls, chaparral edge, WEL.

Savannah Sparrow 3 edge of marsh, EEL.

Song Sparrow 25 vocal, ubiquitous; most numerous in EEL (photo).

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) east Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 21 March 2013

White-crowned Sparrow 5 calls; active in brushy areas at the edge of riparian, WEL; 3 riparian edge, EEL.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (conserv. est.) (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian areas around the lake.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, open field bordering chaparral, WEL.

Yellow-headed Blackbird ? song (briefly; heard only once) in dense cattails bordering a small pond, EEL.

Brewer's Blackbird 30 (m,f0 vocal, ubiquitous; most numerous on shore, EEL.

Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) vocal; in trees and on shore, EEL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 vocal, riparian-marsh edge with BRBL and RWBL, EEL.

House Finch 3 vocal, active in riparian, WEL; 2 fly, call, SD.

Lesser Goldfinch 5 vocal in flowering willows, SD.

House Sparrow 2 vocal in garden, SD.

March 7, 2013 Elizabeth Lake (51 Species)

Weather: Overcast with intermittent drizzle; 43F; wind SW 10 - 25 mph.

Time: 0719 - 1015 hrs.

Areas Covered: I made a standard survey of the usual locations around Elizabeth Lake, using a 10x40 binocular and DSLR camera (see 2012 notes). These areas included: 1) Sandrock Drive (SD): I walked from the west end of SD, across the dam separating the east and west portions of Elizabeth Lake, surveying residential gardens, riparian, freshwater marsh, shoreline and open water (0719-0755 hrs.).

2) Elizabeth Lake Golf Course (ELG): I walked around the golf course, surveying fairways, ponds, large cottonwoods and weedy borders of Ranch Club Road (0803-0831 hrs.)

3) West Elizabeth Lake (WEL): I walked the northwest and west shoreline, surveying open water, shoreline, freshwater marsh and weedy margins of Elizabeth Lake Rd. I also surveyed the south trail leading to a chaparral hillside, including a small pond in the northwest corner (0838-0930 hrs).

4) East Elizabeth Lake (EEL): I walked from the intersection of Munz Ranch Rd and Elizabeth Lake Rd. to the north shore of Elizabeth Lake, continuing to the northeast corner and back along the shoreline. I surveyed open water, freshwater marsh, riparian and weedy margins (0938-1015 hrs.)

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 45 (85% m) walking on the grass flying to a nearby pond when flushed, ELG.

American Wigeon (Anas americana) Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County CA 7 March 2013

Mallard 2 (m,f) SD; 8 WEL; 12 (including two hybrids) EEL.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) in small pond with AMWI, ELG.

Green-winged Teal 6 swimming in shallows, EEL.

Bufflehead 2 (f) swimming near shore, SD.

Common Merganser 3 (2 f) swimming, diving; one f resting on shore, SD.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) diving; many resting in open water, SD, WEL, EEL.

California Quail 5 running across a yard, SD; 6 flushed from marsh, WEL.

Double-crested Cormorant 40 a large flock on shore; others perched on snags; swimming, SD, WEL, EEL.

Great Blue Heron 6 on shore, flying, SD, WEL.

Great Egret 1 at edge of pond, ELG.

Turkey Vulture 12 perched in cottonwoods; on shore; flying over hillside, SD, WEL, EEL.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) calls, ELG.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flying over chaparral hills and residential area, ELG.

American Kestrel 1 flying over riparian area, EEL.

American Coot 12 in and around ponds, ELG; 25 foraging on foamy shoreline; swimming near shore, WEL, EEL.

Killdeer 3 on shore, EEL.

Least Sandpiper 6 foraging together on shore, EEL.

Wilson's Snipe 1 foraging at the edge of a small pond, WEL.

Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) Elizabeth Lake CA 7 Mar 2013

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over the lake, EEL.

California Gull 6 (ad, C1) flying low over the lake, EEL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 calling repeatedly, SD.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched on tall shrub, SD; 1 (m) displaying atop small tree, WEL.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 calls, SD; 1 calls, flying, WEL.

Western Scrub-jay 2 SD; 3 WEL.

American Crow 8 fly, call, SD; 5 WEL; 6 on shore, EEL.

Common Raven 2 flying over riparian, SD; 1 in cottonwood, WEL.

Tree Swallow 300 (conserv. est.) (10% imm) flying back and forth over the entire surface of the lake.

Violet-green Swallow 1 flying low over lake surface amongst many TRSW, WEL.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3: in twisting, acrobatic and vocal aerial chase over the marsh and shore, WEL.

Cliff Swallow 80 flying low over the lake surface amongst TRSW, WEL.

Barn Swallow 8 flying over the lake surface and higher (to about 100 ft.).

Oak Titmouse 1 vocalizing, SD.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, marsh at edge of riparian, EEL.

Western Bluebird 2 calling; separated by about 50 yards on utility line, WEL.

Northern Mockingbird 2 song, residential area, ELG.

California Thrasher 1 calls, responded to my pshing noises, riparian edge of chaparral, WEL.

European Starling 15 vocal, on utility wires, SD; on shore, WEL.

American Pipit 1 alarm calls, flushed from shoreline, EEL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 1 SD; 2 (m,f) flying low between riparian patches, EEL.

Spotted Towhee 1 in dense chaparral-riparian edge, WEL.

California Towhee 2 chaparral edge, ELG; 2 calls, edge of riparian, WEL.

Savannah Sparrow 2 on shore at edge of marsh, EEL.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal, ubiquitous but relatively secretive in marsh-riparian edge.

White-crowned Sparrow 2 edge of chaparral, ELG; 2 calls, riparian, WEL.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 1 calls, active around dry pond, ELG.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (90% m) vocal, setting up breeding territories in marsh and riparian areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Elizabeth Lake LACO CA 7 Mar 2013

Western Meadowlark 1 song, ELG.

Brewer's Blackbird 35 (m,f) foraging on shore, EEL; 8 vocal; on utility wire, SD.

Great-tailed Grackle 12 (m) vocal, active in marsh and on shorelines around the lake.

House Sparrow calls, SD.