BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road except for part of the southern section. Waterfowl hunting season opened two days ago (Wednesday and Sunday); several blinds and groups of decoys were present. Except for a maintenance crew at the edge of the slough in the southern section, the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be about 3 ft. below the full mark, leaving a narrowly exposed shoreline around the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Ring-necked Duck (5), Wilson's Snipe (1), Sabine's Gull (1), Mountain Chickadee (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), and Marsh Wren (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 3 (m,f) swimming together near the marsh, se

Mallard 5 (m,f) swimming in pairs near the marsh, nw, se.

Ring-necked Duck 5 (f) swimming together near the docks and marsh, w, se.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) resting in sheltered backwater areas around the lake.

California Quail 6 calls; running through rabbitbrush field, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 20 scattered around the edges and center of the lake in small flocks of 3-5.

Western Grebe 120 ubiquitous, vocal; immatures (nearly full-grown) following and begging from adults; a significant increase in numbers since the previous survey of Oct. 10, 2014.

Clark's Grebe 60 ubiquitous but outnumbered at least 2:1 by WEGR; not as vocal as WEGR; one adult followed by full-grown immature.

Double-crested Cormorant 8 resting on buoys and shore, n.

Great Blue Heron 2 on shore, nw, e.

Great Egret 1 on shore, ne.

Red-shouldered Hawk 3 (ad, imm) vocal; riparian patches around the lake.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (ad, imm) flying around the lake, s, n.

American Coot 1,200 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 5 vocal; on jetty, nw; flying over shore, s.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on muddy shore at edge of marsh, nw.

Wilson's Snipe 1 foraging on muddy shore at edge of marsh near SPSA, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 3 (ad) resting in open water; CAGU flock nearby, central.

California Gull 50 (90% ad) a loose flock resting in open water, central.

Sabine's Gull 1 (imm) resting alone in open water; not observed in flight, central; second record this fall (photo).

Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 21 October 2014

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous; small flocks in riparian and adjacent desert scrub.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched in crown of cottonwood, s.

Belted Kingfisher 3 (m,f) fly, call; perched on docks,n,w, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) vocal; individuals foraging on cottonwoods and willows, w, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 10 vocal, gregarious (usually in pairs); riparian areas throughout.

Black Phoebe 10 vocal; active low in brushy areas distant and near the shore.

Say's Phoebe 1 sallying from low perches on and near the jetty, nw.

Common Raven 10 vocal, ubiquitous.

Mountain Chickadee calls; flying from cottonwood, w.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; cottonwoods, sw.

Bushtit 30 vocal flocks affecting deciduous trees and shrubs throughout.

White-breasted Nuthatch calls (unseen) cottonwoods, w.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal; brushy areas n, w, ne.

Marsh Wren 5 vocal in dense cattails around the lake.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5 calls; individuals foraging with YRWA in cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 2 calls; n, s.

California Thrasher 1 on ground beneath pyracantha shrubs, n.

European Starling 10 vocal; small flocks, n, w.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging with YRWA in cottonwood, ne.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous though sparsely distributed in cottonwoods and willows.

Common Yellowthroat 10 (m,f) calls, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

California Towhee 1 calls (unseen) rabbitbrush field, w.

Savannah Sparrow 2 calls; brushy field near jetty, nw; e.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; marsh and adjacent riparian areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 50 vocal (mostly calls; occasional song) in all vegetation types around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird calls (unseen) n.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n, s.

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

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) around the clubhouse and picnic area, n.

OCTOBER 10, 2014 (62 Species)

Weather: Fair; 63F to 76F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0732-1103 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the southern section. Fishing season at LP this year has concluded and the entire survey area was quiet. A maintenance crew drove onto the jetty briefly and left; subsequently the crew worked on the shoreline vegetation in the southeastern section. Some people with unleashed dogs appeared briefly and reversed their course during my survey of the southern section. Numbers of migratory landbirds (e.g. warblers and flycatchers) were relatively low today.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (2), American Wigeon (8), Redhead (1), Ring-necked Duck (18), Horned Grebe (2), Verdin (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (3),Yellow Warbler (2), Black-throated Gray Warbler (1), Hermit x Townsend's Warbler (1) and Virginia's Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 16 (m,f) dabbling in small, loose flocks close to the marsh around the lake.

American Wigeon 8 (m,f) swimming in open water with AMCO, e.

Mallard 2 (m,f) numbers dramatically reduced since previous survey of Sept. 30, 2014.

Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) swimming near shore, n.

Cinnamon Teal 3 (m,f) flying low over the lake, nw.

Northern Shoveler 2 (f) dabbling near marsh, s.

Redhead 1 (m) diving near the marsh amongst AMCO, nw.

Ring-necked Duck 18 (m,f) a cohesive, alert flock flushed from open water near the docks, w.

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) scattered around the lake in loose flocks resting near the docks and marsh.

California Quail 6 a small covey at the base of the dam, se.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 vocal; scattered around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 2 (bsc. plmg.) swimming together in open water, central (photo - fos).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 Oct 2014

Eared Grebe 50 (bsc. plmg.) ubiquitous, small flocks swimming in open water and near marsh.

Western Grebe 80 (ad, 6, 90% grown imm) vocal (esp. imm. near adults), in pairs and singles around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 70 (ad, 10, 70-90% grown imm) mostly silent; gregarious, widespread, esp. near marsh; numbers apparently increasing at LP, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 swiming, diving; resting on mud islets, buoys and floating stirrers, n.

Great Blue Heron 2 flushed from jetty; edge of marsh, nw, ne.

Great Egret 1 in willows overhanging lake, ne.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) edge of marsh, nw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 3 (2 ad; 1 imm) vocal; flushed from riparian areas, w, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) dropped something (possibly part of a cottontail) when flushed from a cottonwood, s.

American Coot 500 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 3 vocal, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging on edge of jetty and adjacent concrete boat ramp, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad, C2) flushed from jetty with CAGU, nw.

California Gull 5 (juv; C1, C2, ad) flushed from s end of jetty, nw.

Mourning Dove 8 pairs and singles perched on snags in riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) in same location as previous surveys - mature cottonwood with an old nest and numerous castings below, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; hovering around cottonwoods, w, s.

Belted Kingfisher 4 (m,f) ubiquitous, vocal; individuals hovering and diving; direct flight from dock and/or snag perch, followed by a sudden plunge-dive.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) vocal; active in mature cottonwoods, w, s, se.

Northern (RS) Flicker (m,f) vocal, gregarious in riparian areas around the lake,

Black Phoebe 10 vocal; ubiquitous, often low perch near water.

Say's Phoebe 1 chasing (unsuccessfully) a fast-flying dragonfly, se.

Western Scrub-jay 1 flying to se from direction of Lake Una, se.

Common Raven 6 vocal, flying around the lake, n, s.

Oak Titmouse 4 vocal, in pairs; foraging in cottonwoods and junipers, sw, s.

Verdin 1 repeated vocalizations from tall juniper, se.

Bushtit 20 two cohesive flocks foraging in cottonwoods, w, s.

White-breasted Nuthatch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, w, se.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal, brushy areas, nw, w, s.

House Wren 1 repeated song, brushy area beneath cottonwoods, w.

Marsh Wren 2 calls; flushed from dense cattails next to jetty, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 individuals foraging in cottonwoods, sw, s. ne.

Northern Mockingbird 4 picnic area, n, yard with horses and tall shrubs, w, yards with cottonwoods, s.

California Thrasher 1 near entrance, n.

European Starling 5 vocal, in tall trees, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; calls from cottonwoods, s.;foraging in sandbar willow patch, e

Virginia's Warbler 1 calls; ID: Gray upperparts; complete eyering; yellow undertail coverts; foraging in small willow at edge of cattail marsh near jetty, nw (photo); one previous LP record for 13 September 1993 - KLG.

Virginia's Warbler (Oreothlypis virginiae) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 10 October 2014

Yellow Warbler 2 (m, f) calls; individuals in subcanopy of cottonwoods, se, ne.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous but relatively scarce.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) calls; foraging in cottonwood and juniper, se.

Hermit x Townsend's Warbler 1 (f) ID: yellow face with faint dark marks; faintly to largely unstreaked sides;whitish underparts; conspicuous white wing bars; possibly the same individual found here during the previous survey of September 30, 2014 (see preceeding entry below) foraging in outer foliage of cottonwood, s.

Common Yellowthroat 5 calls; active in cattails and edge of riparian around the lake.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from short weedy growth at the s end of the jetty.

Song Sparrow 10 calls; active in cattails and edge of riparian around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal, riparian patches, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious in riparian patches, n, s.

House Finch 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 8 foraging on sunflowers adjacent to inlet stream, se.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious around picnic area, n.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 (67 Species)

Weather: Fair; 58F to 74F; wind WSW 1 - 3 mph.

Time: 0730-1122 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin and Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. About 40 fishermen were around the lake and on the docks; several small motorboats were on the lake. One fisherman was walking back and forth on the jetty. Auto traffic around the lake was light. Heavy equipment was being used to remove sediment from a settling pond, resulting in large clouds of dust and a false fire alarm at 0730 hrs. Conditions were otherwise good for finding and identifying birds. The lake water level was a few feet lower today than previous surveys this month, exposing a narrow shoreline. The southeast inlet was near its maximum flow rate.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (3), Ring-necked Duck (2), Sora (1), Caspian Tern (1), Common Tern (1), Forster's Tern (2), Western Wood Pewee (2), Dusky Flycatcher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (2), Barn Swallow (30), Yellow Warbler (3), Yellow-rumped Warbler (10), Black-throated Gray Warbler (2), and Hermit x Townsend's Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 5 (m,f) swimming together near the marsh, se, ne.

Mallard 60 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 3 (f) with CITE, resting in a quiet backwater area, se.

Cinnamon Teal 7 (f) swimming together near the jetty and in backwater, se.

Ring-necked Duck 2 (f) swimming together in backwater area, se.

Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f; most in basic plmg.) scattered around the w and s edge of the lake.

California Quail calls, sw.

Pied-billed Grebe 15 vocal, ubiquitous around the edge of the lake.

Eared Grebe 40 several small flocks swimming in open water around the lake.

Western Grebe 30 vocal; in pairs (one allospecific - photo) around the edges of the lake; several nearly full-grown young calling.

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) left; Clark's Grebe (A. clarkii) right. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 September 2014

Clark's Grebe 60 (ad, imm -75% grown) highly vocal in loose flocks, pairs and a few on floating nests of cattails around the edges of the lake. One individual diving for about 3 minutes, coming up with a small fish and followed closely by a WEGR (photo).

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (ad, imm) resting on shore and buoys, n.

Great Blue Heron 1 resting on shore, n.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from marsh, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron calls, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) flushed from riparian, nw, s.

Sora 1 flushed from edge of jetty next to marsh, nw.

American Coot 500 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 fly, calls, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) on the edge of the jetty, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (C1) flying low over the lake, n.

California Gull 2 (ad, C2) flying around the lake; resting in open water, n.

Caspian Tern 1 flying low over the lake near the dam, e.

Forster's Tern 2 (bsc. plmg.) long, black bill; black eye patch; white upper wings with black tipped primaries; white underparts; flying together and dipping into the lake, n.

Common Tern 1 (trans. bsc. plmg.) with partial black cap posteriorly; a relatively thin, red bill, tipped with black; black outer rectrices; light gray upper wings and body; flying back and forth, low over the lake, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 riparian canopy, w.

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous, riparian areas.

Great Horned Owl 1 -cont. in same cottonwood with last season's nest; many castings on ground below the tree, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 pairs and singles, riparian, n, w, s.

Belted Kingfisher 4 vocal, flying low near shore and perched on docks,n, w, sw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) calls; foraging in cottonwoods, w, sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 in cottonwood, s.

Western Wood Pewee 2 sallying from outer branches of cottonwoods and willows, w, s.

Willow Flycatcher 1 snatch-gleaning insects from middle level of large cottonwood, w.

Dusky Flycatcher 1 ID based on short primary projection, rounded head; PSFL nearby for comparison, mature cottonwood subcanopy over inlet, se.

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous; low perches, often near water.

Say's Phoebe 1 sallying from a low perch on shrubs at the edge of a salt grass field next to jetty, nw.

Western Scrub-jay 2 calls; flying, w.

Common Raven 5 calls, flying in pairs, n, e.

Barn Swallow 30 loose flocks of individuals and pairs migrating se, low across the lake, sometimes dipping into surface; observed sporadically during the survey.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated calls and song from cottonwoods, s, se.

Verdin 2 repeated vocalizations from cottonwood-juniper edge, w, sw.

Bushtit 20 vocal, active flocks moving through shrubs and trees around the lake.

Cactus Wren 1 on fence and adjacent saltbush below park & ride, nw.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal, active in shrubby areas, w, e.

Marsh Wren 2 repeated song; active in dense,regrown patch of cattails near shore, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, fence line and picnic area, n.

California Thrasher 1 repeated song from atop a tall saltbush, nw.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious in cottonwoods, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 12 (almost all showing relatively dull coloration) calls; active singly and in pairs, foraging in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Yellow Warbler 3 (m,f) calls; active in cottonwoods, n, s, se.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 (m,f - imm) ubiquitous, though sparsely distributed; loose, vocal flocks in cottonwoods and tamarisk.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 (m,f - imm) a pair foraging together in creosote bushes, n.

Hermit x Townsend's Warbler 1 (f - imm) showing Hermit plain yellow facial pattern and Townsend's underparts, i.e. dark streaks on sides and flanks, yellowish underparts; contrasting patches of gray and olive-green feathering on back, w (photo).

Hermit x Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis - townsendi) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 30 September 2014

Common Yellowthroat 5 (m,f) calls; active in pairs and singles at the edge of marsh around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 12 (m,f) calls; active in pairs and singles in cottonwoods and other vegetation around the lake.

California Towhee 1 repeated calls, rabbitbrush-juniper field, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) grassy area at edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 8 vocal, active at edge of marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) staying hidden in dense patch of low shrubs at edge of jetty, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 vocal; loose flocks in brushy areas at edge of riparian, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal in marsh and riparian areas, n, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal, active in marsh at edge of slough, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 12 (m,f) a vocal,cohesive flock flying with two RWBL over riparian area, alighting in tall cottonwood, n.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, cohesive flocks around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 10 (m,f) vocal, cohesive flocks in cottonwoods, w, s.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, loose flocks around picnic area and adjacent riparian, n.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 (64 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F to 84F; wind WSW 0-2 mph.

Time: 0725-1107 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the the interior shoreline road. Several fishermen were around the lake; five small motorboats were being operated on the lake. Auto traffic was moderately heavy on the interior shoreline road. One fisherman was on the jetty, but left before I arrived. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (3), Clark's grebe with their young (5), American Avocet (14), Caspian Tern (1), Vaux's Swift (3), Rock Wren (1), Cedar Waxwing (2), Phainopepla (1), Nashville Warbler (1), Virginia's Warbler (1), Lincoln's Sparrow (1), and Lazuli Bunting (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 7 (m,f) swimming together near shore, se, w.

Mallard 60 (m,f) ubiquitous near shore.

Blue-winged Teal 3 (f) swimming together near the jetty, nw.

Cinnamon Teal 10 (f) swimming together near the marsh, nw, se.

Northern Shoveler 1 swimming near the marsh, se.

Ruddy Duck 8 (m,f) resting near the marsh, nw.

California Quail calls (unseen) creosote bush hillside, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 15 vocal, ubiquitous near shore.

Eared Grebe 40 ubiquitous, open water.

Western Grebe 30 in pairs and singles with CLGR, nw; nesting at edge of marsh, w, sw.

Clark's Grebe 60 (ad, imm) one, possibly two pair with three 30-50% grown young following them, vocalizing (photo); one adult chasing a nearby WEGR in the water, nw.

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 23 September 2014

Double-crested Cormorant 5 resting on snags; swimming, n.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying low over the lake, n.

Green Heron 2 edge of marsh,nw ; flying by docks, w.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) edge of marsh, nw.

Osprey 1 gliding over the lake, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flushed from riparian areas, w, se.

American Kestrel 1 flying low with large insect (e.g. dragonfly) in talons, se.

American Coot 500 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 5 vocal; flying around jetty, nw; on concrete embankment of settling ponds, n.

American Avocet 14 a cohesive flock flying low over the lake and alighting in several locations (photo).

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 23 September 2014

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flushed from the edge of the jetty, nw.

California Gull 4 (ad, imm) flying around and alighting on the lake, n.

Caspian Tern 1 flying around the lake.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 riparian woodland, sw.

Mourning Dove 16 ubiquitous.

Vaux's Swift 3 flying back and forth at 30-60 ft. agl over creosote bush hillside and roadway, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 10 (m,.f) ubiquitous, esp. around cottonwoods.
Belted Kingfisher 3 vocal, flying low around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) vocal; foraging in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 vocal; flushed from cottonwoods, w.

Willow Flycatcher 1 sallying from 10 ft. branch in cottonwood, ne.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 snatch-gleaning from interior branches of a cottonwood, sw.

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous near and distant from lake.

Western Scrub-jay 2 vocal, edge of riparian and junipers, w, se.

Common Raven 10 vocal; pairs flying over lake; alighting in tall trees.

Barn Swallow 4 flying low over the lake surface, central.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal in cottonwoods and junipers, sw, s.

Verdin 1 repeated vocalizations from cottonwood, w.

Bushtit 20 two vocal, cohesive flocks in creosote bush and cottonwoods, nw, s.

Cactus Wren 1 foraging in a fruiting four-winged saltbush, w.

Rock Wren 1 on ground at fence line; flew up to top of fence, ne.

Bewick's Wren 8 vocal, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Marsh Wren 1 calls and partial song, nw.

California Thrasher 1 vocal, se.

European Starling 10 vocal in cottonwoods, n, s.

Cedar Waxwing 2 perched in tall, leafless willow overhanging lake, ne.

Phainopepla calls (unseen) s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 20 calls; ubiquitous in pairs and msf with YEWA ;predominantly celata, but including one or two resembling orestera.

Nashville Warbler 1 (m) foraging in dry clusters of cottonwood foliage, se (photo).

Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 23 September 2014

Virginia's Warbler 1 (m) foraging in cottonwood and nearby cattail marsh; with NAWA intially in same cottonwood, se (fewer than five records for LP).

Yellow Warbler 6 foraging in cottonwood canopies, often with OCWA, w, s.

Common Yellowthroat 5 (m,f) calls, foraging in marshes around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 15 (m,f) pairs foraging in a variety of shrubs and trees around the lake, often in msf with OCWA and YEWA.

California Towhee 1 calls, rabbitbrush roadside scrub, nw.

Song Sparrow 8 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 call (unseen) dense roadside rabbitbrush, s.

White-crowned Sparrow 1 song (unseen) juniper-rabbitbrush, nw.

Lazuli Bunting 1 (f) in short, dry grass beneath cottonwoods and juniper, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 fly, call; riparian marsh, nw, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 vocal, riparian marsh, s.

House Finch 20 (m,f) ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 10 (m,f) vocal, loose flocks; aggregations around inlet stream beneath cottonwoods, se.

House Sparrow 15 vocal, active in garden and picnic area, n.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair; 73F to 93F; wind WSW 0 -2mph. A high pressure system in the region has resulted in several consecutive days of 100F + temperatures.

Time: 0705-1057 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the southern section. Several fishermen were around the lake; a few in boats on the lake. No one else was on the jetty during my survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Cinnamon Teal (2), Common Moorhen (1-cont.), Black-necked Stilt (1), Ruddy Turnstone (1 - new LP record), Sabine's Gull (1), Caspian Tern (1) and American Pipit (1 - fos).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 5 (m,f) swimming near marsh, se.

Mallard 60 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (f) dabbling in a backwater area, se.

Ruddy Duck 3 flew to central section of the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 30 scattered in a loose flock over the middle of the lake.

Western Grebe 30 vocal; pairs swimming in open water; individuals on nests at the edges of marsh around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 50 vocal; pairs on and near nests around the lake; especially abundant in the nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 flying low over the lake, central.

American White Pelican 1 flying low over the lake, nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying low near the docks, w.

Green Heron 4 on the jetty and docks, nw, w, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk 3 (ad, imm) flushed from riparian areas, w, s, se.

American Kestrel 1 (m) hovering above the backwater area, se.

Common Moorhen 1 -cont. appeared to be the same individual in the same location where initially found and photographed on Sept. 3, 2014, nw.

American Coot 200 ubiquitous in the lake.

Killdeer 5 on the jetty and settling pond, nw, n.

Black-necked Stilt calls (unseen) nw.

Spotted Sandpiper calls (unseen) nw.

Ruddy Turnstone 1 (alt. pmg.) foraging on the northwest edge of the jetty at the water line, nw. RUTU is a casual vagrant in the interior of Southern California. First record of this species at Lake Palmdale (photo).

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 16 Sept 2014

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying n over the jetty, nw.

California Gull 7 (ad, C1) a cohesive flock of adults swimming in open water; an immature flying around the jetty, nw.

Sabine's Gull 1 (juvenile) flying around the nw section of the lake near the jetty, nw; made several low passes and alighted in the water. SAGU is a rare but nearly regular fall migrant in the interior of Southern California; several previous records for LP (photo).

Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) same individual in both images, Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 16 September 2014

Caspian Tern 1 (ad) flying low and diving into the lake, ne.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 vocal; flying over riparian area, sw, s.

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous, esp. riparian areas.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad -cont.) in the same cottonwood tree with last season's nest, where found during previous surveys, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 5 (f; imm) in and around cottonwoods, n, w, s.

Belted Kingfisher 3 (m,f) vocal, flying and diving near docks, nw, w, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) vocal; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 4 vocal; sallying from low perches around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 in rabbitbrush field next to southern fenceline, s.

Western Scrub-jay 3 fly, calls, w, sw, se.

Common Raven 10 ubiquitous.

Barn Swallow 2 flying se, low over lake, central.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; riparian, sw, s.

Verdin 3 vocal, ubiquitous; active in riparian-juniper edge; one with cotton-like material in beak, partly concealed in a juniper, s. n (photo).

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 16 Sep. 2014

Bushtit 30 vocal, loose flocks moving quickly through canopy of cottonwoods around the lake.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 -cont. vocal, active in mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

Bewick's Wren 8 vocal, ubiquitous.

House Wren 2 vocal; riparian, sw, s.

Marsh Wren 1 (unseen) song repeated in dense marsh, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 moulting; on fence, s.

European Starling 20 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks.

American Pipit 1 on grass at entrance to jetty, nw (photo - fos).

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 16 Sep. 2014

Orange-crowned Warbler 10 calls; ubiquitous; often foraging in pairs, esp. cottonwoods and willows.

Common Yellowthroat 5 calls; active in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 6 calls; foraging in pairs and with OCWA in a variety of riparian shrubs and trees around the lake.

California Towhee 2 calls repeated in shrubby hillside bordering the Palmdale park n ride lot, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) in low shrubs under cottonwoods, s.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal, active on ground and in marsh-riparian vegetation.

Western Tanager 1 (f) foraging in subcanopy of large cottonwood, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m,f) flying over in loose flocks, riparian.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) loose, vocal flocks, riparian-marsh, n, s, se.

House Finch 10 vocal; loose flock on ground, then flushed to trees, ne.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; cottonwoods, se.

House Sparrow 15 vocal, active around clubhouse and picnic area, n.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 (49 Species)

Weather: Fair; 70F to 86F; WSW 5 -10mph. A subtropical storm front moved through the region two days ago.

Time: 0720-1056 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the southern section. About 20 fishermen were around the lake; several in small motorboats on the lake. Fishermen were moving about on the jetty, which I did not survey this morning. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake continues to be near the high water mark; the southeast inlet was running moderately fast.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Willlow Flycatcher (2), Dusky Flycatcher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Verdin (5), and White-breasted Nuthatch (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 5 (m,f) flushed from the edge of the marsh, se.

Mallard 65 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 8 (m,f) resting near the docks, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 20 (bsc. plmg.) scattered over the lake in loose flocks.

Western Grebe 30 pairs swimming together; most near the marsh; a few amongst nesting colony of CLGR, nw.

Clark's Grebe 50 at least 15 pairs on or attending to nests, esp. nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 on snags, se.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying low over lake, nw.

Great Egret 1 flushed from upstream inlet, se.

Green Heron 1 flushed from upstream inlet, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) on and around docks, sw, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) flying through riparian-marsh area; calls; flying, se.

American Coot 150 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 fly, call, n.

California Gull 1 (juv) flying around the lake.

Forster's Tern 1 resting on buoy, sw (photo).

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 9 Sep 2014

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 flying, s.

Domestic Rock Pigeon 1 flying, n.

Mourning Dove 12 (ad, imm) ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) resting with eyes closed on same perch in subcanopy of its cottonwood nesting tree, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m,f) ubiquitous; hovering, aerial insect hawking around mature cottonwoods and mulberry trees.

Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, calls, nw, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls; flying, cottonwoods, n.

Willow Flycatcher 2 interior and exterior low branches of cottonwoods and mulberry trees, n, se.

Dusky Flycatcher 1 sallying from low branch in a cottonwood next to the lake, n.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 2 sallying from interior branches of mulberry trees and cottonwoods, n, s.

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous; sallying from low perches.

Say's Phoebe 2 flying low over open field, nw; on fence, s.

Western Scrub-jay 3 call, fly, juniper fields, sw, s.

Common Raven 10 ubiquitous.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 5 calls repeated; active in creosote bushes, n; juniper-cottonwood edge around the lake.

Bushtit 30 vocal flocks of 15 or more birds foraging in a variety of vegetation types, n, se.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls (unseen) large cottonwood, se.

Bewick's Wren 3 calls repeated, w, s, se.

House Wren calls repeated, nw.

European Starling 15 vocal flocks, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 15 (two subspecies, including a relatively common gray-headed form), calls; ubiquitous in a variety of shrubs and trees.

Yellow Warbler 2 calls; foraging high in cottonwoods, n, s.

Nashville Warbler 1 (imm) foraging in creosote bush with OCWA, n.

Common Yellowthroat 10 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous, including migrants in edge of creosote bush scrub and other xeric habitats, n.

Wilson's Warbler 10 (m,f) ubiquitous, frequent calls; often foraging in msf with OCWA, WIFL and other species.

Song Sparrow 3 foraging at edge of marsh-riparian areas, nw, w, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m) a cohesive flock landing in willows overhanging lake, s.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 vocal; ubiquitous, esp. nw and s.

House Finch 10 vocal; small, loose flocks around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal; pairs and loose flocks in cottonwoods, s, se.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, around the picnic area, n.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair; 76F to 93F; wind WSW 5-15 mph.

Time: 0656- 1110 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the southern section. A few fishermen were around the lake; four in motorboats moving slowing across the lake. Conditions were fair for identifying bird vocalizations; increasing winds occurred around 0900 hrs., resulting in white-caps on the lake surface. The lake water level is near the maximum, almost no exposed shoreline. Water from the se inlet was flowing strongly. I also surveyed the quiet upstream riparian area of the inlet, located within the fenced area adjacent to the gravel road.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Eared Grebe (3), Common Moorhen (1), Belted Kingfisher (4), Willow Flycatcher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Verdin (3), White-breasted Nuthatch (2), Phainopepla (2), Nashville Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (4), Savannah Sparrow (2), and Tricolored Blackbird (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 65 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 12 (alt. and trans. bsc. plmg.) resting near the docks, w.

California Quail 4 calls, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 12 vocal, ubiquitous.

Eared Grebe 3 (1 in alt. plmg.) swimming and diving together in open water, n-central.

Western Grebe 30: All conspecific pairs swimming and nesting around edges of the lake; one small colony next to a large CLGR nesting colony, nw.

Clark's Grebe 50: All conspecific pairs swimming, diving, building and occupying nests around the lake; WEGR nearby; at least 10 pair CLGR nesting in a loose colony in the nw near the jetty; (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) nesting nw Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 September 2014

Double-crested Cormorant 9 (ad, imm) swimming and diving around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 2 flying; perched in willows overhanging lake, w.

Great Egret 1 flying from inlet to lake, se.

Snowy Egret 1 flying from inlet to lake, se.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from marsh next to dock, nw (photo).

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 Sept 2014

Cooper's Hawk 1 vocalizing and chasing a young RTHA, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 3 (ad, imm) vocal; nw, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 one chased by a COHA, se; another flying high, n.

Common Moorhen 1 (ad) swimming at edge of marsh in heavy algal bloom, near jetty, nw (photo)

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) nw Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 September 2014

American Coot 80 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 calls (unseen) settling pond, n

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging at the edge of the jetty, nw.

California Gull 3 (C1, ad) flying around the lake, n, ne.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls; riparian area, sw (photo).

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 September 2014

Mourning Dove 20 (ad, imm) ubiquitous, esp. riparian woodland.

Great Horned Owl 1- cont. in same cottonwood as found during the previous survey of 26 Aug 2014, w.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 4 (f) hovering above shrubs and trees around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around large cottonwoods, n, s.

Belted Kingfisher 4 (m,f) ubiquitous; two pair, vocal, flying; perched on trees overhanging the lake,

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 calls; active in cottonwoods and willows, w, sw.

Willow Flycatcher 1 sallying from low perches in cottonwoods and willows, n.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 sallying from fence and low branches of cottonwood, se (photo),

Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 September 2014

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous near and distant from water on low perches.

Western Scrub-jay 1 call, fly, juniper field, w.

Common Raven 20 ubiquitous, esp. on and around the dam, e.

Tree Swallow 4 flying back and forth over the lake and adjacent inlet, se.

Barn Swallow 15 (ad, imm) ubiquitous.

Oak Titmouse 3 calls; active in junipers and cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 3 calls repeated, juniper-cottonwood edge, w, sw.

Bushtit 10 small vocal flocks in cottonwoods, w, sw.

White-breasted Nuthatch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, se and mulberry trees, n.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal; active in a variety of vegetation types and heights around the lake.

California Thrasher 1 song, repeated from shrubs next to clubhouse, n.

European Starling 10 vocal; in cottonwoods, n, s.

Phainopepla 2 (f) flying, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 4 vocal; foraging in shrubs and trees, n, w, s.

Nashville Warbler 1 foraging in lower branches of a large cottonwood, se.

Yellow Warbler 4 calls; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake, often with WIWA and/or OCWA.

Common Yellowthroat 5 (ad, imm) vocal, active in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 12 calls; active in riparian areas around the lake.

Savannah Sparrow 2 on jetty, nw fos at LP (photo).

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 3 September 2014

Song Sparrow 2 foraging at water's edge, sw, s.

Western Tanager 2 in mulberry tree canopy, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 vocal; flying over marsh, n.

Tricolored Blackbird 5 (m,f) flying together over marsh, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 5 vocal, active around marsh and jetty, nw, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (m) flying over riparian-marsh, n.

House Finch 12 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. w, s.

Lesser Goldfinch 1 calls (unseen) s.

House Sparrow 5 around gardens and picnic area, n.

AUGUST 26, 2014 (67 Species)

Weather: Fair; 72F to 85F; wind calm until about 1000 hrs. then WSW to 12 mph.

Time: 0740-1127 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road.

A few fishermen were on the docks; three or four motorboats were moving slowly on the lake. Traffic and other disturbances were minimal; conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Redhead (3), Sora (1), Herring Gull (1), Caspian Tern (3), Forster's Tern (1), Olive-sided Flycatcher (4), Western Wood Pewee (1), Willow Flycatcher (3), Gray Flycatcher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Tree Swallow (5), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (12), Verdin (6), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Nashville Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (10), Townsend's Warbler (1), Prairie Warbler (1), Yellow-breasted Chat (1), Western Tanager (1), Blue Grosbeak (1) and Hooded Oriole (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming with mallards, nw.

Mallard 80 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Redhead 3 (m,f) resting, bathing, nw (photo).

Redhead (Aythya americana) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 26 August 2014

Ruddy Duck 15 (several males in alt. plmg.) resting, near docks, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 (ad, imm) vocal; adults and young diving, w.

Western Grebe 25 at least eight pair on nests, mostly nw.

Clark's Grebe 40 at least 14 pair on nests, mostly, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 resting on snags, ne.

Great Blue Heron 2 flying in from the n; resting in tree overhanging lake, nw.

Great Egret 1 flushed from inlet, se; 2 perched together in marsh, ne.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) calls; flying; perched in willows overhanging lake, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flying over cottonwoods, se.

Sora 1 flushed from marsh next to dock, nw.

American Coot 80 (ad, imm) young following and being fed by adult; ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (alt. plmg.) foraging on edge of jetty, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (C2) flying low, dipping into lake surface, nw.

California Gull 3 (C1, C2) on jetty; flying around lake.

Herring Gull 1 (juv) ID by stocky build; relatively short, thick bill; pale window in primaries as seen in flight from above (c.f. juv-C1. CAGU); flying around lake, nw (photo).

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) juvenile Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 26 August 2014

Caspian Tern 3 (ad) repeatedly flying around the lake.

Forster's Tern 1 resting on buoy; flying low, dipping into the lake surface, nw, w.

Mourning Dove 20 (ad, imm) ubiquitous, esp. riparian areas.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) in cottonwood with last season's nest, w.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around willows and cottonwoods, nw, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around willows, w, s.

Belted Kingfisher 2 vocal; flying low around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) vocal; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake.

Olive-sided Flycatcher 4 ID by relatively large, heavy bill, whitish throat; dark streaks on flanks (overexposed and obscured by ligthing and angle of photo) and short tail; sallying from conspicuous, exposed perches on snags around the lake (photo).

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 26 Aug 2014

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from a 15 ft. high perch in a cottonwood, s.

Willow Flycatcher 3 sallying from low and high branches in willows and cottonwoods, nw, w, se.

Gray Flycatcher 1 in understory of large cottonwood overhanging inlet, se.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 sallying from lower branches of large cottonwood, sw.

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous near and distant from the lakeshore.

Western Kingbird 2 perched on branches near and overhanging the lake, w, se (photo).

Western Kingbird (Tyrranus verticalis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 26 Aug 2014

Western Scrub-jay 2 calls, flying; juniper field, nw.

Common Raven 15 pairs and singles flying around the lake.

Tree Swallow (ad, imm) a small flock perched on a dock railing, w.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 flying low, back and forth between cottonwoods and in open fields around inlet, se.

Cliff Swallow 5 flying 30-80 ft. agl over lake; with NRWS around inlet, se.

Barn Swallow 12 flying with NRWS over inlet; vocal in nesting colony in concrete culvert cover under dam, se.

Oak Titmouse calls, sw.

Verdin 6 vocal, ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Bushtit 10 two small flocks in cottonwoods, w, s.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 - cont. foraging on trunks and branches of cottonwoods next to lake, n.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal, ubiquitous.

House Wren 1 in subcanopy of cottonwood, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 flying s into adjacent residential area, s.

California Thrasher 2 1 foraging on ground beneath large cottonwood, s; 1 calling from exposed perch on tall sage, ne.

European Starling 5 vocal, in cottonwoods, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 12 foraging in a variety of vegetation types aorund the lake; often in msf with YEWA and WIWA.

Nashville Warbler 1 (f) foraging in cottonwood with YEWA and OCWA, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 (several dull- colored individuals) calls; ubiquitous, esp. cottonwoods, often in msf with WIWA, OCWA.

Townsend's Warbler 1 (m) foraging in willows with OCWA, YEWA and COYE, nw.

Prairie Warbler 1 silently foraging low in a creosote bush next to cottonwoods near interior clubhouse parking area, n: ID by all yellow underparts with dark streaks on sides and flanks; distinctive facial pattern with semicircular mark under eye; pale yellow wing bars; second record for Lake Palmdale (first with photo documentation):

Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor) same individual in both images: Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 26 Aug 2014

Common Yellowthroat 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) calls, ubiquitous in a variety of vegetation types, often in msf with YEWA and OCWA.

Yellow-breasted Chat 1 (unseen) repeated calls (a distinctive, loud chatter) remaining well concealed in cattails underneath willows, w.

California Towhee calls (unseen) juniper-cottonwood edge, sw.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal, active in willow understory overhanging marsh, w, ne.

Western Tanager 1 (f) active in subcanopy of large cottonwood, s.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (unseen) calls from subcanopy of cottonwood, s.

Blue Grosbeak 1 (f) flushed from weedy area at base of dam; flew to patch of arroyo willow on fence line, e.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) small, vocal, cohesive flocks foraging in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f; imm) vocal, active in marsh and willow riparian, nw, s.

Hooded Oriole 1 (f) in canopy of cottonwood; flew to patch of sage, nw.

House Finch 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; canopy of cottonwoods, s.

House Sparrow 2 on fence line next to clubhouse, n.

AUGUST 20, 2014 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F to 79F; wind ENE 2 - 7 mph.

Time: 0735-1141 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. One fisherman was on the jetty; several more on the shore and docks in the south. Two motorboats were on the lake. A ground maintenance crew was working next to the dam on the east side. Traffic around the lake was light. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level was high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Northern Pintail (1), Caspian Tern (6), Forster's Tern (2), Belted Kingfisher (4), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Western Wood Pewee (1), Willow Flycatcher (2), Verdin (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (5), Nashville Warbler (2), Yellow Warbler (8), Wilson's Warbler (6), Western Tanager (1), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming with mallards, se.

Mallard 80 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Northern Pintail 1 (f) flushed from open water next to the jetty, nw.

Ruddy Duck 15 (m,f; several in alt. plmg.) nw, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal; ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Western Grebe 25 vocal; at least 12 conspecific paisr nesting on floating marsh vegetation; CLGR nesting nearby nw, w (photo).

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) nw Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 Aug 2014

Clark's Grebe 40 about 15 conspecific pairs observed nesting in loose colonies; nesting WEGR nearby, esp. nw.

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) nesting colony nw Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 20 August 2014

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) west Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 20 August 2014

Double-crested Cormorant 2 resting on a snag; fly, nw, ne.

Great Blue Heron 2 on jetty; flying, nw, s.

Great Egret 2 flying low over lake; walking around Palmdale Ditch inlet, se.

Green Heron 2 flushed from edge of marsh and docks, nw, sw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (imm) in willow overhanging lake, w (photo),

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) imm Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 20 Aug 2014

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging at the water's edge on the jetty, nw.

California Gull 8 (ad; 2 juv.) resting in open water; juveniles flying around the lake.

Caspian Tern 6 (ad, imm) vocal; flying around dam; dipping on lake surface, e, se.

Forster's Tern 2 (bsc. plmg.) flying around the lake; resting on buoys, w.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 riparian edge over docks, s.

Mourning Dove 20 ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering and aerial insect-hawking, nw, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 5 (f) vocal, ubiquitou; shovering; perched in cottonwoods

Belted Kingfisher 4 two pair, vocal, flying, nw, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) two pair foraging on separate cottonwoods, w, se.

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 conspicuous perch on bare branch of cottonwood, ne.

Western Wood Pewee 2 mid-level in cottonwoods and willows, s, ne.

Willow Flycatcher 1 active in creosote bush and cottonwoods, n (photo).

Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 20 Aug 2014

Black Phoebe 10 vocal, ubiquitous.

Western Scrub-jay 2 flying, n; calls, w.

Common Raven 20 a large flock continuing on the dam, ne.

Tree Swallow 2 flying with NRWS, BASW and CLSW, se.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 flying low, back and forth over inlet, se.

Cliff Swallow 10 flying low, back and forth over inlet, se.

Barn Swallow 40 ubiquitous; most numerous flying over inlet, se.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal in cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 1 vocal; active in creosote bush, n.

Bushtit 30 vocal flocks in riparian areas around the lake.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 foraging on trunks and branches of cottonwoods, ne (photo).

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 20 August 2014

Bewick's Wren 12 vocal, ubiquitous in a variety of vegetation types.

Orange-crowned Warbler 5 pairs foraging in msf with COBU, YEWA and WIWA, n, w.

Nashville Warbler 2 vocal; a pair foraging low in a salt cedar, nw.

Yellow Warbler 8 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. cottonwoods.

Common Yellowthroat 5 vocal; active in marsh-riparian areas, nw, w, s.

Wilson's Warbler 6 vocal; in msf with YEWA, OCWA and COBU in riparian areas around the lake.

California Towhee 2 vocal; on road and in junipers, nw.

Song Sparrow 4 vocal in riparian-marsh areas around the lake.

Western Tanager 1 (f) in canopy of cottonwood with YEWA, sw.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging in cottonwoods, w.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m imm) flying with RWBL, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) vocal, active in marsh-riparian, s.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) vocal in cottonwoods, n.

House Finch 30 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal (unseen) cottonwoods, se.

House Sparrow 2 vocal around clubhouse, n.

AUGUST 5, 2014 (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 74F to 87F; wind WSW 5 - 8 mph. A tropical storm from the southeast with intermittent showers, moved through the Antelope Valley over the past week.

Time: 0726 - 1123 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. One fisherman was trolling in a small boat near the jetty; a few others were fishing from the docks and shore in the west and south. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline. Only one of the settling ponds (nw pond) in the north had water. The inlet from the Palmdale Ditch was flowing heavily into the southeastern portion of the lake. A large mixed species flock of swallows was foraging in the vicinity of the inlet.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Wood Duck (1), White-faced Ibis (14), Peregrine Falcon (1), Virginia Rail (1), Contopus sp. (1), Ash-throated Flycatcher (6), Verdin (4), Cactus Wren (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (3), and Tricolored Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Wood Duck 1 (m bsc. plmg.) swimming close to the marsh, se (photo).

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) se Lake Palmdale LACO CA 5 Aug 2014

Mallard 60 (m,f; ad imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f; alt. plmg.) resting in open water near the docks, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 vocal; swimming, diving near marsh, nw, s.

Western Grebe 12 mostly in pairs (all conspecific), frequently vocal; some engaged in courtship (e.g. water ballet); as I approached on a dock, one pair climbed onto a nearby nest of floating cattails then abandoned the nest and began a series of shallow dives within 30 feet of the nest w (photo). Several singles and separated pairs vocalizing; WEGR was outnumbered today by CLGR by about 4:1.

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 5 August 2014

Clark's Grebe 40 mostly paired (all conspecifically); occasionally vocal, but not as frequently as WEGR; one individual on nest of floating cattails, nw (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) nw Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 5 August 2014

Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad, imm) perched in willows and snags near the water surface; several diving, ne, nw.

Great Blue Heron 2 (ad) on docks and shore, w, e.

Great Egret 1 (ad) flushed from marsh in se corner.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad) flushed from marsh between docks, w.

White-faced Ibis 14 two flocks (10 and 4) flying se; seen about 15 minutes apart; presumably all different individuals, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) vocal; flighty, in willows and cottonwoods, nw, se.

Peregrine Falcon 1 (ad) in willows overhanging lake, w.

Virginia Rail 1 (imm) observed the same individual twice, flying at close range: Initially flying low over the jetty and landing in adjacent cattails; second sighting about 15 minutes later; the bird flushed briefly and flew back into the marsh a short distance away next to the jetty.

American Coot 60 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 foraging at the water's edge in the nw settling pond.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 ( a) in bsc,, b) alt. plmg.) a) rocky shoreline, n; b) on a fishing dock, w.

California Gull 8 (ad; C3; one juv.) standing and resting together on end of jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 in tree at the edge of an adjacent yard, se.

Mourning Dove 20 pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 6 (f) hover-flycatching under canopy of willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 vocal; cottonwoods, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal; active in cottonwoods, w.

Ladderbacked Woodpecker ? 1 (unseen) a distinctly harsher, drier sounding call heard multiple times after typical NUWO calls, cottonwoods, sw.

Contopus sp. 1 ID features included, a relatively large bill, whitish throat; dark sides with streaks ("vest"), dark markings on undertail coverts; relatively long, pointed wings (not visible in image below) c.f. WWPE and OSFL; perched on tall exposed snag of cottonwood; sallying out and back (photo).

Contopus sp. west Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 5 Aug 2014

Black Phoebe 12 ubiquitous; vocal, sallying from low perches.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 6 ubiquitous in riparian and creosote bush scrub (photo).

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 Aug 2014

Western Kingbird 1 calls (unseen) picnic area, n.

Common Raven 25 a cohesive flock soaring on updrafts off dam, e; one dead on ground beneath cottonwoods, ne.

Tree Swallow 40 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous, esp. se; ad, imm flying 2 -50 ft. agl over open fields, lake and inlet.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair flying in msf with other swallows, low over open areas and dipping into surface of lake, se.

Cliff Swallow 30 flying over lake surface; open areas and inlet, se.

Barn Swallow 60 (ad, imm) ubiquitous; adult briefly feeding two vocal fledglings on exposed snag overhanging shore; young birds interacting, se (photo).

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) se Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 August 2014

Oak Titmouse 1 active in subcanopy of cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 4 repeated calls; active in junipers, willows and cottonwoods with nearby flocks of bushtits, w, sw.

Bushtit 20 several vocal, active flocks in riparian areas around the lake.

Cactus Wren 1 bold and inquisitive; vocalized briefly and flew from desert scrub next to rr tracks and to a nearby fence as I approached; note the toe grip on barbed wire, e (photo).

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) east Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 5 August 2014

Bewick's Wren 4 relatively few vocalizations heard; riparian and desert scub.

Marsh Wren 1 (imm) moving quickly near the ground in a pile of dead shrub trimmings next to the marsh, sw.

European Starling 2 vocal in canopy of cottonwood, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 all relatively dull-plumaged individuals; a pair foraging with bushtits in willow-riparian, w.

Common Yellowthroat 4 vocal; active but shy in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 1 ? silent; seen briefly while quickly moving through the canopy of a cottonwood, w.

California Towhee 1 repeated calls; flew into juniper at edge of parking area, nw.

Song Sparrow 6 calls and brief song (once), marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 8 (m,f) together in dense cattails, nw.

Tricolored Blackbird 2 (m) one in flight, n; one foraging in canopy of a cottonwood, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. n

Hooded Oriole 1 (f) flying over hillside creosote bush - riparian scrub, n.

House Finch 30 (m,f; imm) vocal, ubiquitous.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, around clubhouse, on fence and utility lines, n.