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. A few fishermen were trolling in small motorboats on the lake. About ten others were fishing from the shore and docks; two were on the jetty briefly prior to my arrival to that location. Auto traffic around the lake was light; conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level has increased slightly since last week's survey; the stream inlet channel in the southeast was again at maximum flow. Very little exposed shoreline occurred around the lake during today's survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Eared Grebe (4), Black-crowned Night Heron (2), Osprey (1 -cont.), White-breasted Nuthatch (1) Yellow Warbler (6) and Tricolored Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Ruddy Duck 22 (m,f) alt. plmg. a fairly cohesive flock resting near the marsh, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 4 calls; open water and swimming near the marsh, n.

Eared Grebe 4 (alt. plmg.) diving together for prey a few inches beneath the surface nw.

Western Grebe 6 vocal; pairs swimming near the marsh; singles in open water; outnumbered by CLGR by about 5:1.

Clark's Grebe 30 vocal; several pair engaged in ritualized head turning, bobbing and preening displays; picking up small pieces of vegetation; three or four pair nesting and partly concealed in marsh, nw, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (ad, imm) swimming, diving; resting on buoy, n, s.

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

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad) one flying low in front of marsh; another partly concealed in marsh, nw.

Osprey 1 ad. - cont. perched in a leafless willow overhanging the slough, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calling repeatedly, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) on utility poles, n.

American Coot 60 ubiquitous; several evidently on nests at edge of marsh.

Killdeer 2 vocal; one foraging on mudflats in settling pond, n.

Least Sandpiper 4 foraging at edge of mudflats in settling pond, n.

Caspian Tern 1 vocal; flying around the lake several times.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 flushed from a cottonwood, sw.

Mourning Dove 20 vocal; ubiquitous; pairs on ground and in cottonwoods.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (m,f) female feeding on flowering Indian Paintbrush, se; male perched in cottonwood, ne.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 vocal; chasing in cottonwood riparian; perched in shrubs at edge of riparian areas around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 5 (m,f) vocal; active in willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 5 (ad, imm) vocal; sallying from low perches around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 2 flying low in open areas and into cluster of GB Sage, se.

Western Kingbird 2 one on fence, e; another flying, nw.

Common Raven 6 vocal; ubiquitous.

Horned Lark call, fly, n.

Tree Swallow 5 flying back and forth over the lake and open area, se in a mixed-species flock (msf) of other swallows.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying back and forth in msf of other swallows (CLSW, BASW, TRSW), se.

Cliff Swallow 120 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous; a cohesive flock foraging over creosote scrub, nw and in a msf over sage-juniper area next to inlet, se.

Barn Swallow 20 flying low over the lake, marsh and sage-juniper scrub in a msf with other swallows (CLSW, TRSW, NRWS), se.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; foraging in junipers and willows, sw.

Verdin 1 calls, juniper-riparian edge, sw.

Bushtit 20 three vocal, cohesive flocks in riparian-marsh edge around the lake.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 seen clearly at close range; flew from mulberry grove in picnic area into juniper next to entrance road, n.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal, ubiquitous though relatively uncommon today.

House Wren 4 vocal; three individuals together in the canopy of a willow, nw.

Marsh Wren 1 calls from dense marsh next to jetty, nw.

California Thrasher 1 running across the entrance road, n.

European Starling 5 vocal; on utility lines and in mulberry trees, n.

Yellow Warbler 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Common Yellowthroat 6 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh.

Song Sparrow 3 vocal; marsh-riparian, w, ne.

Blue Grosbeak? 1 (f) seen flying away over willows in same area where a male was found last week, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 15 (m,f; imm) in marsh-riparian areas, nw, w.

Tricolored Blackbird 2 (m) flying together over the lake, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f; imm) vocal, ubiquitous and gregarious.

House Finch 25 (m,f; imm) vocal, ubiquitous and gregarious.

Lesser Goldfinch 1 in marsh, nw.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 vocal in pines; same place where it was found last week, ne.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, active in picnic area and adjacent gardens, n.

July 15, 2014 (59 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy to fair; 77F to 88F; wind WSW 5 - 10 mph.

Time: 0712-1024 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 trolling in small motorboats on the lake; about ten others were fishing from the shore and south docks. Auto traffic around the lake was light. The stream inlet channel in the southeast was at maximum flow; Five to fifteen feet of exposed shoreline occurred around the lake due to the relatively low water level.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Green Heron (1), Osprey (1), Western Sandpiper (2), Least Sandpiper (2), Caspian Tern (3), Tree Swallow (90), Bank Swallow (2), Verdin (3), American Robin (1),Phainopepla (1), Yellow Warbler (4), Wilson's Warbler (2), Blue Grosbeak (1), Hooded Oriole (4), Tricolored Blackbird (3) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (4).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 120 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

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

California Quail 2 fence line, ne.

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

Western Grebe 4 vocal; outnumbered by CLGR by about 6:1; around the edges of the lake.

Clark's Grebe 25 vocal; swimming in pairs; one pair constructing a nest at the edge of the slough, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (imm) resting on a buoy, ne.

Great Blue Heron 2 on jetty and edge of dam, nw, ne.

Green Heron 1 called (unseen) dense marsh-riparian, ne.

Osprey 1 (ad) with partially eaten fish on branch, edge of slough, s (photo).

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) south Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 15 July 2014

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 flying low over riparian-marsh, w; calls se.

American Coot 90 vocal, ubiquitous.

Killdeer 1 calls; resting on concrete embankment of settling pond, n.

Western Sandpiper 2 foraging in shallows of settling pond, n.

Least Sandpiper 2 foraging singly at the edge of the water in settling ponds, n.

California Gull 2 (juv, C2); resting in open water; flying low over dam and shore, e (photo).

California Gull (Larus californicus) juvenile Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 15 July 2014

Caspian Tern 3 (2 ad., 1imm.) calls, flying low, back and forth over shore by the dam, e.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal; foraging on ground; riparian and mulberry trees, n, w, ne.

Mourning Dove 20 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) chasing in willow riparian, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (f) riparian-marsh around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) calls; foraging in riparian woodland, w, s, se.

Black Phoebe 5 sallying from low perches near marsh and in riparian woodland around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 2 sallying to short grass near jetty; fence line, se.

Western Kingbird 6 ad, imm; vocal and gregarious in riparian and edge around the lake.

Common Raven 12 vocal, ubiquitous; a vocal pair chasing a mangy coyote on the dam, e.

Horned Lark 6 foraging on shady ground in RV parking area, n.

Tree Swallow 90 (ad, imm) gregarious; large flock in leafless branches of a cottonwood; foraging widely, 5 - 100 ft. agl.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 (ad, imm) on utility line, ne; flying low over open areas adjacent to marsh, n, ne.

Bank Swallow 2 one on utility line near TRSW and RWSW, ne; another flying low over open areas, n.

Cliff Swallow 30 (ad, imm) flying 10-50 ft. agl over open areas and riparian, n.

Barn Swallow 6 pairs flying low over lake, marsh and open fields around the lake.

Oak Titmouse 1 song, cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 3 vocal; a pair staying close in cottonwoods, sw, s.

Bushtit 12 vocal flocks of 4-8 birds, w, sw.

Cactus Wren 1 flushed from shrubs at fence line, nw.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal; ubiquitous.

House Wren 1 song repeated, riparian-marsh, n.

Marsh Wren 1 song, dense cattails next to dock, sw.

American Robin 1 vocal; in cottonwoods and mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

Northern Mockingbird 3 vocal, n, w.

European Starling 5 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Phainopepla 1 (f) vocal; hawking aerial insects from 8-12 ft. agl in willows, sw.

Yellow Warbler 4 (m) song repeated; active in canopy of cottonwoods and willows, w, s, sw.

Common Yellowthroat 12 vocal; active in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m) vocal and active in canopy of cottonwoods and willows, marsh-riparian, w.

California Towhee 2 vocal; creosote scrub, n; juniper woodland, w.

Song Sparrow 3 (ad, imm) marsh-riparian, w, ne.

Blue Grosbeak 1 (m) song repeated from exposed perch in willow overhanging marsh near jetty, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous, though less numerous than previous surveys here this May.

Tricolored Blackbird 3 (m) two foraging together on lawn in picnic area, n; one flying over marsh near jetty, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f; imm) vocal, gregarious and ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 5 vocal; one chasing a COYE, sw.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) calls; with two HOOR, nw.

Hooded Oriole 4 (1 m, 3 f) vocal; females gregarious on fence line, nw.

House Finch 25 (m,f) vocal, gregarious and ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; cottonwoods, nw.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 (ad, imm) one adult and immature drinking from dripline puddle beneath pines, ne.

House Sparrow 2 picnic area, n.

May 27 2014 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 73F to 92F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0708-1015 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 northwestern section. A few fishermen were on docks around the lake; three or four in small motorboats on the lake. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be moderately high, exposing little shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Least Bittern (1 - cont.), Osprey (1 -cont.), Bonaparte's Gull (3 -cont.), Tree Swallow (35 -cont.),Yellow Warbler (14 - cont.),

Tricolored Blackbird (12), Yellow-headed Blackbird (10 -cont.) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5 -cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 8 (m,f) around the edges of the lake and in the settling pond, n.

Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f alt. plmg.) resting in small flocks near the marsh around the lake.

California Quail 6 (m,f) vocal pairs on roadways around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 vocal; in marsh; swimming near shore, n.

Western Grebe 30 vocal; a cohesive flock in the middle of the lake; one pair showing courtship behavior near the marsh, nw.

Clark's Grebe 20 vocal; pairs scattered around the edges of the lake next to the marsh.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from shore, s channel.

Least Bittern 1 (ad. alt. plmg.) noted distinctive markings: Dark crown, mantle and primaries; buffy neck and secondary coverts in flight; flushed from east edge of jetty near the marsh; flew to concealed location on opposite shore with a marsh-riparian border beneath a bluff; second sighting of LEBI this month from the same area (see May 5, 2014) suggesting a continuing bird, nw (photo).

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) nw Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 27 May 2014

Turkey Vulture 1 flying low over junipers; chased by ravens, w.

Osprey 1 in willow, same area where two individuals were found during previous survey, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) a nearly fledged immature (photos) on the same utility pole nest (see previous survey notes of May 5 and 12, 2014); adult vocalizing repeatedly from nearby utility pole, ne.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Spring 2014 Nesting Sequence (left to right): (a) adult on nest 21 April; b) hatchling in nest 12 May; c) pre-fledgling in nest 27 May.

(C - cont.) Enlarged image of pre-fledgling Red-tailed Hawk, Lake Palmdale LACO CA 27 May 2014

American Coot 50 (many more probably concealed in the marshes around the lake); ubiqutious around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 3 calls; flying, nw; settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 3 foraging at water's edge on the jetty, nw.

Bonaparte's Gull 3 (cont.- all imm.) flying low over the lake, dipping into the surface, e; on swimming in settling pond, n.

California Gull 6 (C1, C2) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 12 vocal; pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous, esp. shady riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) aerial insect hawking around cottonwoods and willows, w, e.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 aerial insect hawking in junipers and cottonwoods, nw, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (ad, imm) an immature male begging and following an adult male closely while the latter foraged in the bark crevices of a cottonwood, s.

Western Wood Pewee 1 calls (unseen) sw.

Black Phoebe 3 calls; sallying from subcanopy limbs of a cottonwood, s, nw.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 calls (unseen) cottonwoods, s, se.

Western Kingbird 2 a vocal pair attacking an adult male GTGR in the picnic area; the GTGR did not leave the area as a result of the kingbird behavior, n.

Warbling Vireo 1 flew between cottonwood subcanopies, se.

Western Scrub-jay 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, sw.

Common Raven 10 ubiquitous, vocal, especially around active nests with young.

Tree Swallow 35 ubiquitous; perched in cottonwoods; pairs flying low over the lake and marsh; also over adjacent fields.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 pairs flying low over open areas and settling pond, ne, n.

Cliff Swallow 40 loose flocks over the entire lake area; active nests in adjacent home, s.

Barn Swallow 6 pairs flying low over the lake, Palmdale Ditch inlet, and the dam.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated song, n, sw.

Bushtit 30 small, vocal flocks in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 3 repeated song from sage-juniper field, nw.

Marsh Wren 1 repeated song (unseen) marsh bordering s slough.

Northern Mockingbird 1 repeated song (imitiations of several local species, including WSJA, CAWR, KILL,), n.

California Thrasher 2 repeated song from atop junipers, nw, w.

European Starling 4 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Yellow Warbler 14 (m,f) repeated song; foraging in willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 2 repeated song, marsh-riparian, w, ne.

Wilson's Warbler 1 foraging in cottonwood with YEWA, w.

Song Sparrow 4 repeated song, marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 80- 120 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous; young fed by adult females.

Tricolored Blackbird 12 a flock of 9 flying over the marsh, n; three males foraging on lawn in picnic area; nesting area at LP remains undiscovered, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 repeated song; marsh-riparian border beneath the bluffs, n and in burn regrowth cattails near jetty, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; a flock of four males in alt. plmg. on the jetty; two chasing a GBHE, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 vocal; riparian, w, sw.

Bullock's Oriole 4 (m,f) vocal, mulberry trees around picnic area, n; cottonwoods and open fields, s, e.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal (unseen) cottonwoods and sandbar willow patch, e.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 vocal, gregarious; young fed by adult male (photo).

Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) immature (left) fed by adult male. ne Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 27 May 2014

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) foraging on window sill and on trunks of mulberry trees in picnic area, n.

May 12, 2014 (68 Species)

Weather: Fair; 60F to 72F; wind NNE 5 - 15 mph.

Time: 0740-1110 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 for a short distance in the northwestern section. About 50 fishermen were around the lake; two on the jetty and several in small motorboats moving slowly around the lake. Workers were removing vegetation from the east side of the dam. Conditions were very good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level has been slowly receding over the past few weeks; presently a shoreline of 3 -5 ft. of mud and rock is exposed around most of the lake. There was a relatively fast flow of water from the Palmdale Ditch inlet in the southeast corner.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (1 - cont.), Horned Grebe (1 - cont.), Western Grebe (4), Clark's Grebe (20 - courtship), Osprey (2), Bonaparte's Gull (5- cont.), Willow Flycatcher (1), Cassin's Vireo (1), Tree Swallow (35 - nesting),Swainson's Thrush (1), Yellow Warbler (16), Yellow-rumped Warbler (5), Hermit Warbler (1), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), Tricolored Blackbird (16), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs scattered around the edges of the lake and settling pond.

Bufflehead 1 (m -cont.) resting near the jetty, nw.

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) flocks resting around the edges of the lake, esp. s slough.

California Quail 5 calls, nw, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 calls; edge of the lake near cattail marsh, nw, s.

Eared Grebe 1 (alt. plmg. -cont.) swimming near the jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 4 calls; resting in open water, nw.

Clark's Grebe 20 calls; several pair showing a series of synchronized courtship moves, nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) foraging on shore, se.

Snowy Egret 1 (ad) foraging in shallows, se.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from riparian marsh, ne.

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

Osprey 2 perched in separate willows about 50 yards apart, overhanging the peninsula of the south slough; one with a trout in its talons, s (photo).

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2014

Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) flying n; chased and pecked in mid-air by RWBL.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) adult calling repeatedly as I photographed its young in the nest, ne (photos).

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) nest with young, same individual in both images, Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 12 May 2014

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 6 foraging on shore, nw and in settling pond, n; one adult, possibly nesting in ruderal field with gravel, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 6 ubiquitous on shore and jetty.

Bonaparte's Gull 5 imm. - cont. a loose flock flying short distances on lake; one with attached fragments of fishing tackle (photo); picking small invertebrates from surface, nw and settling pond, n

Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) immature, Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 12 May 2014

California Gull 1 (C1) flying low over the lake, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 calls; pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 24 vocal; pairs in riparian and edge around the lake.

Great-horned Owl 1 - cont. in nest tree; young again not found, w.

Vaux's Swift 1 flying with CLSW about 80 ft. agl over marsh and lake, w.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) landed on barbed wire fence, juniper scrub, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m) all on conspicuous perches around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (m) vocal; foraging on main trunk of cottonwoods, se (photo).

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) male, Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 12 May 2014

Western Wood Pewee 1 calls; sallying from outer cottonwood branch about 10 ft. agl., se.

Willow Flycatcher 1 sallying from low perch in willows overhanging marsh, w.

Black Phoebe 3 sallying from low perches at the edge of open fields and marsh around the lake,.

Say's Phoebe 1 calls; on chain-link fence, se.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 repeated calls, s, se.

Western Kingbird 4 repeated calls in mulberry trees around picnic area (probably nesting), n.

Cassin's Vireo 1 foraging in subcanopy of willows, w (photo).

Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassini) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 12 May 2014

Warbling Vireo 2 a pair moving together through flowering creosote bushes, n.

Western Scrub-jay 1 on fence line in willow thicket, e.

Common Raven 10 soaring high above the dam; highly vocal young recently fledged from nest in mulberry tree, n.

Tree Swallow 35 - cont. ubiquitous flying over marsh and lake; one adult flying directly into nest cavity in cottonwood trunk about 13 ft. agl., leaving about 30 seconds later with a fecal sac, s (photos). Multiple nest sites around the lake in willows and cottonwoods. Lake Palmdale continues to be one of the few locations in Southern California where large numbers of Tree Swallow nest successfully without the benefit of nest boxes each year. Curiously, no reference is made by Garrett, et. al. 2012, Birds of Southern California, to this highly significant and well-documented Tree Swallow colony at Lake Palmdale, see C. Yorke field notes for LP: 2010-2013).

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) same individual in both images at nest south Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 12 May 2014

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 pairs flying together, low over open areas, marsh and riparian around the lake.

Cliff Swallow 120 ubiquituos; flying low over the lake and high above adjacent areas; a visible nesting colony in the eaves of an adjacent Spanish-style home, s.

Barn Swallow 4 two pair flying low over the lake and marsh, nw, se.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated vocalizations in cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from salt cedar at edge of cottonwoods, ne.

Bushtit 30 several small, vocal flocks affecting a variety of vegetation around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 3 repeated song, calls, nw, w, sw.

House Wren 1 repeated song, cottonwood riparian patch, s.

Marsh Wren 1 song (unseen) in dense regrowth of cattails near jetty, nw.

Swainson's Thrush 1 flushed from ground beneath junipers and cottonwoods, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song, n.

California Thrasher 2 song, juniper woodland, nw; 1 running beneath pyracantha and junipers next to entry road, n.

European Starling 4 on ground in RV parking area, n.

Yellow Warbler 16 (m,f) vocal; foraging in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 5 (m, f) foraging singly and paired in willows and cottonwoods, n, w.

Hermit Warbler 1 (f) foraging in Aleppo pines, ne.

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 flushed from sage-juniper field, nw.

Common Yellowthroat 1 (m) moving low in marsh-riparian area, w.

Wilson's Warbler 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiqutous in riparian areas.

California Towhee 1 flushed from junipers, nw.

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

Red-winged Blackbird 60 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Tricolored Blackbird 16 (m,f) a cohesive flock flying over the marsh, nw; foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 vocal; males on conspicuous perches in marsh-riparian patches, n, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiqutous,esp. nw and s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. in cottonwood-willow riparian, w, sw.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in cottonwoods and mulberry trees.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; dense patch of willows next to the dam, e.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 (m,f) vocal a pair staying close atop an Aleppo pine, ne.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) mostly around the picnic area; one vocalizing in willow, sw.

May 5, 2014 (64 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 62F to 70F; wind WSW 10 -30 mph.

Time: 0737 - 1040 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 and outside perimeter roads. About 100 fishermen were around the lake; several in small motorboats on the lake. Two maintenance crews were removing vegetation, one with a chainsaw in the northeast corner. High winds (20-30 mph) occurred during the last 40 minutes of the survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (1), Least Bittern (1 - new record for LP), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Bonaparte's Gull (4- cont.), Black Tern (2), Vaux's Swift (1), Black-chinned Hummingbird (4), Myrtle Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (8), Black-throated Gray Warbler (2), Tricolored Blackbird (1) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) around the edges of the lake and in the settling pond, n.

Bufflehead 1 (m) with eye injury (apparently without its right eye); diving near the jetty.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) resting around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 5 running across the roadways, n, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near shore, n.

Eared Grebe 1 (alt. plmg.) diving near the jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 2 calls; swimming in open water, n.

Clark's Grebe 6 swimming and resting together in open water; one pair, nw.

Least Bittern 1 (adult) ID: observed for a few seconds in flight: flight direct with relatively shallow, fast wing strokes (unlike GRHE); appeared compact and nearly tail-less; significantly smaller than GRHE; mantle dark; wing pattern not seen clearly due to angle; In the northwest corner of LP, the bird flew from the riparian-marsh strip below a small embankment next to a vacant dock, and across the roadway, heading nw over the adjacent Park and Ride lot. It was not found again (no photo). Least Bittern is a new record for LP.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from shore, n.

Snowy Egret 1 (ad) flying over the shore, n.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from marsh and flew over the lake (good comparison of flight pattern with LEBI seen earlier); where crews were cutting trees with a chainsaw, ne.

Osprey 1 eating a fish on a willow branch overhanging the lake, ne.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 ID: relatively small size (c.f. male COHA) ; very agile while flying fast, low between junipers, nw.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flying low, ne.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 calls; foraging on shore near jetty, nw; at edge of settling pond, n.

American Avocet 2 (alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows of settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 3 fllying low over the lake, n; on edge of jetty, nw (photo).

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 May 2014

Bonaparte's Gull 4 (bsc. plmg.) continuing. resting together in open water; flying and dipping into the surface, n.

California Gull 1 (C1) flying low over the lake, n.

Black Tern 2 flying together low over the lake; banking, dipping, e.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 calls; flying over riparian woods, sw.

Mourning Dove 12 individuals foraging on the roadways around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) continuing in same cottonwood; no young birds seen, w.

Vaux's Swift 1 flying low above the dam, e.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 4 (m) foraging on creosote bush flowers,n (photos) ; calls; flying around cottonwoods, w

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) male (same individual in both images) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 May 2014

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) calls; flying around exposed perches at the edge of a riparian woodland, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 fly, call, w, s.

Empidonax sp. olive-brown upperparts; eye-ring not conspicuously asymmetrical; short primary projection; silent; pumped tail upwards repeatedly; low sallies around a juniper, sw.

Black Phoebe 1 flying over canopy of cottonwoods, w.

Ash-throated Flycatcher calls (unseen) s.

Western Kingbird 3 vocal; active in mulberry trees and cottonwoods, n, ne.

Western Scrub-jay 3 a pair together in juniper-sage field; another calling nearby, nw.

Common Raven 10 one feeding on cottontail carcass, s.

Tree Swallow 35 ubiquitous; several pairs in willows overhanging the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 ubiquitous, esp. n.; pairs flying low over open fields and lake,

Cliff Swallow 120 ubiquitous; many flying back and forth over the surface of the lake.

Barn Swallow 6 (ad, imm) an adult and immature together on roadway (photo).; flying low over marsh and adjacent fields, se.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) immature (left) and adult (right) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 May 2014

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, juniper-riparian, s.

Verdin 2 vocal in riparian-juniper area, w, sw.

Bushtit 20 two vocal, active flocks in shrubs and trees, n, w.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal in juniper sage field, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 4 vocal; three flying together around picnic area and pyracantha shrubs, n.

California Thrasher 3 song atop a juniper; one relatively pale individual (i.e. a Palmdale Gray - see previous accounts); running on ground in front of junipers nw;. observed heavy downturned bill; streaked cheeks; pale dorsum, brown wings and tail; whitish-buff underparts and contrasting dark buff undertail coverts. Other CATH seen today at LP appeared darker brown overall than this particular individual.

European Starling ' 4 vocal; on ground and in cottonwoods, parking area, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in creosote bush with WIWA, n.

Yellow Warbler 8 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. in cottonwoods.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 (f) on fence and ground beneath a large cottonwood, s.

Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 1 (m) song; foraging in mulberry trees around picnic area (photo).

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 May 2014

Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 (f) foraging in mulberry trees and in creosote bushes, n.

Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; two or more birds together in a variety of shrubs, trees and heights.

California Towhee 3 calls; juniper-sage fields, nw, w.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Western Tanager 5 (m,f) one pair flying to a cottonwood, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 vocal, ubiquitous, esp, marsh-riparian.

Tricolored Blackbird 1 (m) alone on top of an RV trailer, n (photo).

Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 5 May 2014

Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 vocal in slash-burned and now regrown cattails next to the jetty, nw (photo).

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 5 May 2014

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; flying over the lake; foraging on ground.

Brown-headed Cowbird 12 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in pairs and trios, esp. cottonwoods.

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

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; probably nesting in junipers, se.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 vocal; gregarious in junipers and cottonwoods, nw, w.

House Sparrow 10 vocal; active around gardens and picnic area, n.

April 28, 2014 (67 Species)

Weather: Fair; 55F to 68F; wind WNW 5-10 mph.

Time: 0745-1130 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. About 30 fishermen were around the lake; several in small motorboats on the lake. Conditions were generally good for finding and identifying birds.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (4), Osprey (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), Sora (1), Bonaparte's Gull (5), Caspian Tern (1), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Bank Swallow (1), Cedar Waxwing (10), Myrtle Warbler (1), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), Tricolored Blackbird (7), Yellow-headed Blackbird (8), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 16 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake and settling ponds.

Bufflehead 4 (m,f) two pair diving, nw, ne.

Ruddy Duck 40 (m, f) alt. plmg. resting in loose flocks around the edge of the lake, nw, n, ne.

California Quail 8 (m,f) two coveys, n, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 nw.

Eared Grebe 3 (alt. plmg.) diving, nw (photo).

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 April 2014

Western Grebe 1 swimming in open water, ne.

Clark's Grebe 4 in a loose flock in open water, central, nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 in willows overhanging marsh, ne.

Osprey 1 flew with fish to willow branch overhanging the lake, ne.

Red-shouldered Hawk calls (unseen) ne.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) one on the same utility pole with a nest, ne; another adult soaring nearby.

Peregrine Falcon 1 observed and photographed for several minutes in a willow snag overhanging the marsh; same area where previous sightings of this species were made se (photo).

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) south Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 April 2014

Sora 1 calls (unseen) marsh next to docks, w.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous, though apparently less numerous than in previous survey.

Killdeer 2 on concrete embankment of settling pond, n; one in rv parking area, n.

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

Least Sandpiper 1 foraging in shallows next to boat launch, nw.

Bonaparte's Gull 5 (bsc. plmg.) swimming and pecking at the lake surface; CAGU nearby, s-central.

California Gull 30 (85% ad); resting together in a loose flock, open water, central.

Caspian Tern 1 flying over lake and marsh, se.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 calls (unseen) sw.

Mourning Dove 12 pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 2 (ad and juvenile) both in same cottonwood with this season's nest; adult calling repeatedly; young in same tree nearby; natal down and first basic remiges (photos)

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) adult (left); juvenile (right), Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 April 2014

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m, f) on conspicuous perches at the edge of riparian areas; one hovering around pines, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (m) foraging in canopy of a large cottonwood, ne.

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 landed on rooftop satellite dish in adjacent yard, se.

Black Phoebe 2 edge of marsh, w, se.

Say's Phoebe 2 one caught a large lepidopteran, returning to a barbed wire fence perch to eat it, se.

Ash-throated Flycatcher calls (unseen) large cottonwood next to dam, se.

Western Kingbird 3 highly vocal in mulberry trees and on adjacent fence post, n.

Warbling Vireo 3 foraging in creosote bushes (flowering) with OCWA and YRWA, n.

Western Scrub-jay 1 flew into canopy of large cottonwood, se.

Common Raven 8 pairs flying over the dam; one immature in a mulberry tree nest in the picnic area, n.

Tree Swallow 40 flying low over lake, marsh and riparian areas; one adult entering and leaving woodpecker (e.g. NUWO) cavity in cottonwood; another adult in same tree, s (photos).

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) two individuals, one (Right) in presumed nest cottonwood nest cavity, Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 28 April 2014

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 individuals flying low over open areas and marsh, n, ne.

Bank Swallow 1 flying low over the lake; several CLSW flying through the same area, n.

Cliff Swallow 60 ubiquitous; several nests in eaves of adjacent home, s.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwoods, sw.

Bushtit 16 two small, vocal flocks; in creosote bushes (flowering) and pines, n, ne.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. juniper sage field, nw.

House Wren 2 vocal; in cottonwoods and understory shrubs, s.

Hermit Thrush 1 on ground beneath junipers, se.

Northern Mockingbird 4 repeated song, se; two together on fence next to clubhouse, n.

California Thrasher 2 song; atop juniper, w; in sage scrub, e.

European Starling 10 foraging on lawns and bare ground, n.

Cedar Waxwing 10 vocal in canopy of mulberry trees in picnic area; one with nest material (first record of attempted nesting at LP, though actual nest not observed), n.

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 April 2014

Orange-crowned Warbler 4 calls, song; individuals foraging in creosote bush (flowering), and cottonwoods around the lake.

Yellow Warbler 12 (m,f) ubiquitous, vocal; active almost exclusively in deciduous trees, esp. cottonwoods

Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (m,f) 30 ubiquitous, calls; esp. in cottonwoods; also foraging on lawns, n.

Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 1 (m) noted white supercilium and whitish-yellow throat extending below auriculars; foraging in mulberry trees, picnic area, n (photo).

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 28 April 2014

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 (m) foraging low in cottonwoods and adjacent shrubs, s.

Common Yellowthroat 1 (m) calls; foraging low in shrubs beneath a large cottonwood, s.

Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) ubiquitous, vocal; foraging at all foliage height levels in a variety of vegetation types.

California Townee 2 calls (unseen), se.

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

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad) foraging on ground beneath junipers, se.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (m) flying over patch of arroyo willow, e.

Red-winged Blackbird 90 vocal, ubiquitous;many nesting in marsh; a female gathering hymenoptera from roadside, w (photo).

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) female, Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 April 2014

Tricolored Blackbird 7 (m) flying together, e along n shore; no nesting colony yet observed at LP this year.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 6 (m) highly vocal in patches of unburned and regenerating burned marsh, n, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 ubiquitous, vocal; groups of 3-4 mailes displaying on ground, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 (m,f) vocal; males displaying to females on roadway; YEWA usually vocal and active nearby, n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 8 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; pairs in cottonwoods; flying together.

House Finch 15 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 (m,f) vocal; a pair in cottonwoods and understory shrubs, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 (m,f) vocal; a cohesive flock in junipers; flying to cottonwoods, w.

House Sparrow 20 vocal; active in mulberry trees, junipers and on ground in picnic area and adjacent fields, n.

April 21, 2014 (63 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 79F; wind WNW 2 mph.

Time:0732-1040 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 northwest. About 50 fishermen were around the lake; several in small motorboats. A maintenance crew was removing vegetation from the northeastern shore. Conditions were generally good for finding and identifying birds. Numerous migratory passerines were in the fruitless mulberry trees around the picnic area next to the clubhouse.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (6), Osprey (1), Snowy Egret (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Cassin's Vireo (2), Yellow Warbler (10), Western Tanager (2), Tricolored Blackbird (5), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 6 flying over the lake; swimming, nw.

Mallard 16 (m,f;) a female with 10 small ducklings in the settling pond, n.

Bufflehead 6 (m,f) diving, nw.

Ruddy Duck 30 (m,f; alt. plmg.) resting in open water, nw.

California Quail 6 calls; n, nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 open water and in the marsh, nw.

Eared Grebe 10 (alt. plmg.) diving in a loose flock near the jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 1 calls, n.

Clark's Grebe 1 swimming in open water, central.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 flying low over the lake, central.

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

Snowy Egret 1 (ad) flying low over the lake, n.

Osprey 1 flying low, circling the lake, nw.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) in nest on utility pole, ne.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 on shore near the jetty, nw.

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

Least Sandpiper 4 flushed from the edgee of the jetty, nw.

California Gull 12 (ad, imm C1, C2) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 pairs calling in cottonwoods, n, w, sw.

Mourning Dove 10 pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 2 (juveniles - cont.) nearly fledged with first basic plumage covering some of the natal down; together in the same cottonwood with their nest; adult not seen, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m,) calls; on territory at edge of riparian areas around the lake.

Belted Kingfisher 1 (m) flying low over the shore, w.

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

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 21 April 2014

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 sallying low from perch in mulberry tree, about 20 ft agl over the picnic area, n (photo).

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 21 April 2014

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 calls; active in middle-lower level of junipers and mulberry trees, picnic area, n

Black Phoebe 6 edge of marsh-riparian, nw, w, sw.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls, w.

Western Kingbird 10 vocal, ubiquitous; some chasing above mulberry trees, n.

Cassin's Vireo 1 rep. song; faint greenish yellow wash on flanks and secondaries (photos examined carefully following intial misidentification as PLVI): 2 individuals foraging 20 yards apart in mulberry trees, n (photo).

Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassini) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 21 April 2014

Western Scrub-jay 3 calls; active in picnic area and cottonwoods next to dam, n, e.

Common Raven 8 soaring over the lake in pairs and trios, n, ne; pair and possibly young in nest of mulberry tree, n.

Tree Swallow 40 ubiquitous; individuals and loose flocks foraqing widely over the lake and marsh; a few in cottonwoods trees, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair; flying together, low over open areas, w, n.

Cliff Swallow 10 flying around nesting area under eaves of adjacent Spanish-style home, s.

Barn Swallow 2 flying low, back and forth near covered drainage culvert, ne.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal; active in cottonwoods, sw.

Bushtit 16 (ad, imm) small, vocal family flocks staying close; foraging in trees and shrubs.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. sage-juniper field, nw.

House Wren 1 repeated song, cottonwoods, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song, n, ne.

California Thrasher 2 repeated song, nw; one on ground in picnic area, n.

European Starling 6 on lawn in picnic area, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; active in mulberry trees around picnic area, n,

Yellow Warbler 10 vocal, ubiquitous; cottonwoods around the lake.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Common Yellowthroat 3 repeated song; marsh, w, ne.

Wilson's Warbler 10 (m,f) ubiquitous in cottonwoods; mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

California Towhee 4 two pair, roadside and ruderal fields, nw, n.

Savannah Sparrow 2 one on jetty, nw; one call, fly; at base of dam, ne.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian marsh areas.

Western Tanager 2 (m) in mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Tricolored Blackbird 5 (m) flying over the lake, n.

Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 21 April 2014

Yellow-headed Blackbird 6 vocal; in traditional nesting areas with patches of cattails and cottonwoods at the edge of the cliff, n; 1 repeated song, sw.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 vocal, ubiquitous; males displaying on ground near jetty, nw.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 (m, f) 3 males calling and displaying in a loose aggregation on terminal branches of willows, nw, w.

Bullock's Oriole 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in cottonwoods and mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

House Finch 20 9m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal; cottonwoods and willows, w, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 3 (m,f) vocal, cottonwoods, w.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) active on ground in picnic area, n.

April 7, 2014 (58 Species)

Weather: Fair; 54F to 69F; wind WNW 2-5 mph.

Time: 0733-1100 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, mostly using the exterior perimeter road. About 60 people were fishing around the lake; several in small motorboats. A maintenance crew was removing vegetation on the southeast shore.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Osprey (2), Greater Yellowlegs (2), Tree Swallow (60-cont.), Verdin (2), Hermit Thrush (4), Yellow Warbler (4), Myrtle Warbler (1), Chipping Sparrow (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (4 - cont.) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 8 (m,f) pairs around the edges of the lake.

Bufflehead 30 (m,f) pairs and loose flocks diving in open water around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 50 (m,f) most males now in alt. plmg. resting around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 10 two small coveys, n, sw.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 open water with AMCO, nw.

Eared Grebe 15 (alt. plmg.) diving in open water around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 1 calls; open water, n.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 diving and resting on buoys, n.

Osprey 2 (ad) soaring together about 100 ft. agl over the dam and eastern side of the lake.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flying over shore, sw.

American Coot 150 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 edge of settling pond, n.

Greater Yellowlegs 2 foraging together in shallows of a settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 resting on a dock next to the jetty, nw.

Least Sandpiper 4 foraging in shallows of a settling pond, n.

California Gull 10 (ad, imm) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 5 calls; pairs on ground and in cottonwoods, n, sw.

Mourning Dove 12 pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 3 one adult and two downy juveniles in same cottonwood tree but outside of their nest, w (photo).

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) juveniles, Lake Palmdale LACO CA 7 April 2014

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m,f) commonly conspicuous on exposed perches around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) pair in vocal contact while foraging in separate cottonwoods, sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flying s, s.

Black Phoebe 6 sallying from low perches around the lake.

Western Kingbird 7 vocal; in canopies of trees around the lake, esp. n.

Common Raven 8 pairs flying around the lake.

Tree Swallow 60 pairs perched on dead limbs of cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair; on utlilty wire and flying low over open areas, n.

Cliff Swallow 25 flying around traditional nesting site under eaves of adjacent home, s.

Barn Swallow 2 flying low over open areas near water, s, se.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; cottonwood riparian woodland, sw, s.

Verdin 2 alternate song between two individuals about 30m apart in juniper-riparian area (photo).

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 7 April 2014

Bushtit 12 three smal, vocal flocks in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal; especially numerous in sage-juniper field, nw.
House Wren 3 repeated song from top of cottonwood; individuals now 50-70 yards apart on their respective territories, s.

Marsh Wren 1 song, regenerating burned marsh, ne.

Hermit Thrush 4 individuals in shady areas on the ground and on low branches around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song, n, s.

California Thrasher 3 (all appearing to be dark brown in dorsal coloration) repeated song and calls from exposed perches; juniper and juniper-sage areas, nw, w.

European Starling 15 vocal; ubiquitous; a pair nesting in a cottonwood trunk cavity, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 vocal; active in cottonwoods around the lake, often with YRWA nearby.

Yellow Warbler 4 (m) alt. plmg. repeated song from cottonwood and willow canopies, w, s; two individuals chasing each other in subcanopy.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 (m,f) ubiquitous; calls; in a variety of vegetation types and heights.

Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 1 (f) calls; active in subcanopy and aerial hawking next to it, sw (photo).

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata) female, Lake Palmdale LACO CA 7 April 2014

Common Yellowthroat 4 song; calls; marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 2 repeated song; active in subcanopy of cottonwoods and willows, s, sw.

California Towhee 3 calls (unseen) dense sage-juniper area, nw.

Chipping Sparrow 1 (ad) foraging in weedy roadside area with WCSP (photo).

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 7 April 2014

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) on edge of dam, ne.

Song Sparrow 8 vocal in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks foraging in weedy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 90 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 4-cont. vocal; patches of marsh, nw, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) leks of 2-3 males displaying on exposed perches around the lake.

Brown-headed Cowbird 5 voca, ubiquitousl; females following RWBL and vice-versa.

Bullock's Oriole 4 (m) vocal, ubiquitous in cottonwoods.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; foraging on herbaceous vegetation beneath a mature cottonwood, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 vocal; 2-3 individuals in the canopy of cottonwoods, s, sw.

House Sparrow 12 vocal; active in picnic and garden area, n.

March 24, 2014 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair; 45F to 65F; wind WNW 0 - 2mph.

Time: 0725-1045 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 and outer perimeter roads in an effort to avoid fishermen and automobile traffic. About 80 fishermen were around the lake; several in small motorboats. Conditions were otherwise good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canada Goose (3), Canvasback (2 - cont.), Bald Eagle (1 - cont.), Osprey (2), Herring Gull (2), Western Kingbird (2), Verdin (3),

Wilson's Warbler (4), Yellow-headed Blackbird (4) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (3 -cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 3 swimming together near dam; flushed by approaching motorboat; calls, e.

Mallard 4 (m,f) two pair; one in settling pond, n; one near marsh, s.

Canvasback 2 - cont. (m,f) resting with a large flock of RUDU, s.

Bufflehead 100 (m,f) ubiquitous; many diving.

Ruddy Duck 150 (m,f) many males in alt. plmg. scattered in flocks around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 3 (m) calls; on ground,n, w.

Eared Grebe 25 (most in alt. plmg.) ubiquitous; singles and small flocks; diving.

Western Grebe 1 swimming in slough, s.

Clark's Grebe 4 three swimming together, central.

Double-crested Cormorant 30 ubiquitous; diving.

Great Blue Heron 1 at edge of marsh, se.

Osprey 2 one circling high above the lake; the other flying low, nearly touching the lake surface, central.

Bald Eagle 1 (imm. -cont.) appeared to be the same individua with similar molt pattern,l as seen during the previous survey; approached from Lake Una; flew low over the dam and soared above the lake.

Red-shouldered Hawk calls, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) flying low over the dam and adjacent riparian woodland, se.

American Coot 80 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer calls, settling ponds, n.

Least Sandpiper 2 foraging in shallows of settling pond, n.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over the lake near CAGU, central.

California Gull 80 (90% adult); ubiquitous on the lake; several approaching lake from ne.

Herring Gull 2 (ad, C1) swimming near CAGU; flying low over a flock of CAGU, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 calls; riparian, n, sw.

Mourning Dove 14 one pair copulating in juniper; other pairs scattered on the shoreline road.

Great Horned Owl 1 adult continuing on nest with at least one juvenile mostly concealed beneath the rim of the nest, w (photo).

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 24 March 2014

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) on conspicuous perches, s, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls; foraging in willows, sw, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 in cottonwood, s.

Black Phoebe 3 calls; sallying from low perch near marsh, w, s, se.

Western Kingbird 2 pair highly vocal; aerial insect hawking over power lines and 100 ft. + over open areas, n FOS (photo).

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 March 2014

Common Raven 8 pairs flying acrobatically over open areas around the lake; one apparently incubating eggs in a nest about 20 ft. agl in a mulberry tree, picnic area, n.

Tree Swallow 60 ubiquitous; vocal; many flying low over the lake; several pairs perched in leafless willows, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 a pair on a utility wire, n; two flying low over open area and riparian woodland, ne.

Cliff Swallow 10 building nests under eaves of the same Spanish-style home (adjacent property) used in previous years, s.

Barn Swallow 3 flying low, back and forth over the dam and lake, ne.

Oak Titmouse 2 highly vocal in cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 3 vocal in juniper-riparian patches, w, sw, ne.

Bushtit 5 vocal in juniper-sage, n, w.

Bewick's Wren 8 repeated song; ubiquitous in brushy areas around the lake.

House Wren 2 repeated song from canopy of a cottonwood; understory, sw.

Marsh Wren 2 repeated song from dense marsh-riparian, w, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 3 repeated song; defending fruiting pyracantha on fence line, n.

European Starling 2 calls; active on ground and in mulberry trees, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 4 vocal; active in canopy of cottonwoods, sw, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 (m,f) ubiquitous; calls; loose flocks in a variety of vegetation types and heights.

Common Yellowthroat 3 song, in dense marsh-riparian, w, sw.

Wilson's Warbler 4 repeated song and calls; foraging quickly in canopy of cottonwoods around the lake.

Savannah Sparrow 2 weedy south half of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 4 repeated song; marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 on ground in picnic area, n; brushy roadside riparian area, s.

Dark-eyed (O) Junco 1 evidently alone; foraging at edge of roadway in marsh-riparian area, sw.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (conserv. est.) males highly vocal in riparian and marsh areas around the lake (photo).

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoenecius) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 March 2014

Yellow-headed Blackbird 4 (m) repeated song from exposed perches in marsh-riparian patches, n. (photo).

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 March 2014

Great-tailed Grackle 20 vocal; flying around the lake; esp common in willow-marsh areas.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in tall trees.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal in canopy of mulberry trees, n.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 3 (m,f) in cottonwood trees overhanging the marsh, ne.

House Sparrow 10 vocal; active on ground in picnic area, n.

March 17, 2014 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair; 58F to 68F; wind WNW 5 - 10 mph.

Time: 0741-1120 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning 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 northwest section. A few fishermen were around the lake; two small motorboats were on the lake. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations until winds picked up to about 15 mph at 1000 hrs. The lake water level continues to be high, leaving essentially no exposed shoreline. A maintenance crew was removing vegetation on the dam.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional significance found today included, Horned Grebe (2 -cont.), Osprey (1), Bald Eagle (1), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Herring Gull (1), Caspian Tern (1), Tree Swallow (60), Rough-winged Swallow (2), Verdin (2), Wilson's Warbler (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (1) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5 - cont.). Additionally, a brief sighting of Brewer's Blackbird (3), established the first record for that previously common species at LP in recent years (see historical bird summary for LP: 1986-1996).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 3 (m,f) swimming together in open water, s-central.

Mallard 8 pairs near shore around the lake and in settling pond, n.

Northern Shoveler 16 (m,f) flying over the dam, e.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) cont. resting on the water and at the edge of the marsh, nw.

Lesser Scaup 6 (m,f) swimming together in open water, s-central.

Bufflehead 100 (m,f) loose flocks around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 150 (m,f) a few males in trans. alt. plmg. most birds resting near the edge of the marsh around the lake.

California Quail 6 two small coveys, w, ne.

Horned Grebe 2 diving near shore, n, nw.

Eared Grebe 30 diving; singles and loose flocks of 3-5 birds around the lake.

Western Grebe 1 resting near the marsh, nw.

Clark's Grebe 8 a pair swimming in open water; other resting near the marsh around the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 30 (ad. - one in allt. plmg.; imm) resting on buoys; swimming and diving around the lake.

Osprey 1 flying over the lake, sw (photo).

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 17 March 2014

Bald Eagle 1 (subadult ; overall blackish-brown plumage; worn and newly molted flight feathers; showing white blotches in underwing; circling and gaining altitude then descending over the western half of the lake (photo). Note: Bald Eagle had been reported at LP many years ago but without proper documentation; locals who reported to me on several occasions having seen a Bald Eagle at LP, may have mistaken Osprey for this species. Today's sighting represents the first time I have seen Bald Eagle at LP, and, to my knowledge, the first photo-documentation of its occurrence at LP.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) subadult Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 17 March 2014

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 flushed from dense stand of California Juniper and Big Sagebrush; noted relatively small size and head profile; rapid wing-strokes and agile manuevers low through the vegetation.

Red-shouldered Hawk repeated calls as I approached a stand of large cottonwoods (nesting?) in the southeast corner.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad; imm) immature circling above riparian-juniper woodland, sw; adult flushed from cottonwoods, ne.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the lake.

Killdeer 2 edge of settling ponds, n.

Least Sandpiper 4 foraging together in shallows of settling ponds, n.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over the lake near flock of CAGU, central.

California Gull 80 (90% ad) most resting in open water, central.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) flying low over the lake amongst CAGU, n-central.

Caspian Tern 1 calls; flying nw over the jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls repeated; riparian woodland, sw.

Domestic Rock Pigeon 1 on rooftop, adjacent suburb, s.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal; pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 - cont. moving around on nest; no young visible, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) exposed perch, s se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 calls; foraging on cottonwood, sw, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker 5 on ground and in cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 4 low sallies near shore around the lake.

Common Raven 8 three flying fast in aerial manuevers and chase, e.

Tree Swallow 60 vocal; in willows and partially dead cottonwoods; flying over lake and high (100 ft. +) over brushy areas.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over vegetation and edge of marsh, nw, s.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated calls and song; cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 2 repeated song; foraging low in big sagebrush field along fence line, ne.

Bushtit 10 two small flocks, w, ne.

Northern Mockingbird 3 song (including excellent imitations of NOFL, CATH, CAQU, KILL, CAWR and other local species), n, s.

California Thrasher 2 one foraging on ground in garden beneath pyracantha, n (photo); repeated song in dense juniper stand, sw

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 17 March 2014

European Starling 2 foraging at edge of settling pond, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 calls; foraging amongst YRWA in cottonwoods, sw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 80 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 5 repeated song from marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 1 song (unseen) in cottonwoods amongst YRWA, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 4 foraging in weedy pavement on jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 1 song, marsh-riparian, sw.

White-crowned Sparrow 15 ubiquitous in brushy areas and picnic area.

Red-winged Blackbird 90 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh (burned and unburned), riparian and ruderal roadside areas.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (perhaps 2) song (somewhat abbreviated though distinctive, c.f. nearby RWBL); well-concealed in cattails at the edge of a willow riparian patch, w.

Brewer's Blackbird 3 (1 m, 2 f) in crown of mulberry briefly; then flew n. Note: Brewer's Blackbird was once common at LP during the late 1980's (see 1986-96 historical summary). This species evidently left LP in favor of local shopping malls and other relatively recent developments with favorable foraging and (presumably) nesting opportunities. Today's sighting represents the first documented record of BRBL at LP in recent years.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal; active on jetty; flying back and forth across the lake; possible staging and nesting area on marsh-riparian island, s.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal; often in pairs; ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 song, repeated atop mature cottonwoods, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 a vocal, loose flock moving through cottonwoods and pines, ne.

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

March 10, 2014 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair with scattered high clouds; 58F to 68F; wind WSW 3-5 mph.

Time: 0741-1105 hrs. DST

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 northwestern section. About 50 people were fishing around the lake, including several in small motorboats on the lake.

A maintenance crew was removing vegetation on the dam. Conditions were otherwise good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be relatively high with little exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canvasback (2 -cont.), Horned Grebe (2 -cont.), Spotted Sandpiper (1), Barn Swallow (1), Verdin (1), House Wren (1), Hermit Thrush (1), Phainopepla (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (2) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 8 pairs around the edges of the lake and in the settling ponds.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) flushed from the marsh next to the dam, ne.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) a pair resting amongst RUDU in the same location as in the previous survey - slough, se.

Lesser Scaup 3 (2 m, 1 f) resting near the dam, se.

Bufflehead 120 (m,f) in small flocks around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 150 resting near shore around the lake.

California Quail 10 one covey on ground next to caretaker's house, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 (calls - unseen) marsh next to jetty, nw.

Horned Grebe 2 (bsc. plmg.) diving amongst EAGR and RUDU, n, s.

Eared Grebe 30 small flocks diving around the edges of the lake.

Western Grebe 3 diving in open water, n-central.

Clark's Grebe 3 open water, central.

Double-crested Cormorant 20 scattered around the lake; a few diving near shore.

Cooper's Hawk 1 imm flushed from junipers, nw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 flushed from mature cottonwoods, s; calls, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 imm circling above the dam, se (photo).

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) immature. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 10 March 2014

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer 1 resting on concrete embankment of settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging at the water's edge on the jetty, nw.

Least Sandpiper 5 foraging in shallows and mudflats in settling ponds, n.

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

California Gull 40 (90% adult) resting in open water, central; commuting to and from the Palmdale landfill.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) amongst CAGU resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 calling repeatedly, cottonwoods, s.

Mourning Dove 12 pairs on ground and in cottonwoods around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 (cont.) on same nest in cottonwood; no young visible, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m) on conspicuous perches around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, cottonwoods, sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 2 flying over brushy area,s; in fruiting pyracantha next to clubhouse, n.

Black Phoebe 3 low perch near water, w, s, se.

Common Raven 5 on and around the dam, e.

Tree Swallow 50 ubiquitous, vocal in cottonwoods and willows.

Barn Swallow 1 flying low over the lake, n.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls; cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 1 calls; medium height in cottonwood, sw (photo).

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 March 2014

Bushtit 15 vocal; in small flocks around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 16 vocal, active in brushy areas around the lake.

House Wren 1 song (repeated) cottonwoods, s.

Hermit Thrush 1 in subcanopy of mature cottonwood, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 3 song (including remarkably accurate imitations of Killdeer, Cactus Wren and Nuttall's Woodpecker), s, n.

California Thrasher 1 song, w.

European Starling 10 fly; calls, n.

American Pipit 1 fly, call, s.

Phainopepla 1 repeated calls from well-concealed perch in mature cottonwood with large clumps of mistletoe, se.

Orange-crowned Warbler (relatively dull yellow-green plumage); vocal; one amongst YRWA in mulberry trees, n; one in cottonwoods, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 (m,f) ubiquitous, esp. in cottonwoods with new foliage.

Common Yellowthroat 3 song; concealed in marsh-riparian, n, nw, s.

California Towhee 2 calls; brushy area along drainage culvert, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 5 a loose flock foraging on weedy margins of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 song, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 15 ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal in cattails (burned and unburned) and riparian areas around the lake

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal; flying across lake; foraging in weedy area near jetty, nw.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 (m,f) vocal; foraging in junipers and cottonwoods, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 5 (m,f) alt. plmg.; foraging in a loose flock in weedy areas next to the skeet range, ne (photo).

Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 10 March 2014

House Sparrow 12 vocal, active around clubhouse and picnic area, n.

March 3, 2014 (53 Species)

Weather: Overcast; clearing to 50% cloud cover; 44F to 55F; wind NW 0 - 3 mph; 2-3 ft. of snow in adjacent mountains; about 2 inches of rain received in the western Antelope Valley during the past 72 hrs. as a result of a pair of weather systems originating in the Pacific Ocean.

Time: 0709 - 1034 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route, using the interior shoreline road, except in the northwestern section. About 30 fishermen were on the docks around the lake; a few were in small motorboats moving slowly across the lake. A PWD crew was pumping water from the northeastern section of the lake. Conditions were good for finding and identifying birds in all habitats.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Horned Grebe (2), White Pelican (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1), American Crow (2), Violet- green Swallow (6), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4), Cliff Swallow (2), Barn Swallow (4), and Cactus Wren (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 2 (m,f) swimming in slough, s.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) resting near shore, nw.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m) resting and preening amongst RUDU in slough, se.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 March 2014

Bufflehead 120 (m,f) ubiquitous in the lake; many diving, flying (photo).

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 3 March 2014

Ruddy Duck 180 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake; most resting.

Horned Grebe 2 diving, n (photo).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 3 March 2014

Eared Grebe 20 (bsc. and trans. alt. plmg.) singles diving; one flock of 8, n, ne (photo).

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 3 March 2014

Western Grebe 5 calls; singles; resting and diving near shore, n (photo).

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 3 March 2014

Clark's Grebe 10 ubiquitous; silent; resting in pairs and swimming in open water near shore.

Double-crested Cormorant 4 (ad, imm) diving; resting on buoy, n.

American White Pelican 1 flying southwest, adjacent area north of the lake.

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

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 fly, call; grove of tall cottonwoods, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 flushed from cottonwoods, se; on repeater tower, ne.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake and marsh.

Killdeer 4 settling pond, n; shore, s.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) flew to jetty, nw.

Least Sandpiper 5 a cohesive flock foraging at the edge of the settling pond, n.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) resting in open water amongst CAGU, central.

California Gull 35 (90 % ad) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove calls (unseen) around clubhouse, n.

Mourning Dove 8 pairs in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 adult continuing on nest in cottonwood; no young seen, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m) conspicuous perches on junipers around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) pairs maintaining contact with calls; foraging in separate cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Flicker 1 call, fly, sw.

Black Phoebe 3 low perches near shore around the lake; calls.

American Crow 2 a pair in the crown of a large cottonwood, se. ID based on repeated high-pitched calls and small size; rounded head and relatively small bill compared with nearby Common Raven (photos).. Note: American Crow (AMCR) had been listed as occurring at Lake Palmdale but the record was without proper documentation. AMCR is a rare visitant to the Antelope Valley, where it is often confused with the resident Common Raven (Corvus corax).

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) same individual in both images. Southeast Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 3 March 2014

Common Raven 18 small flocks on the dam; soaring high above the lake and adjacent land.

Tree Swallow 160 ubiquitous; vocal; flying low, back and forth over the lake and riparian areas; in willows near shore, w, s.

Violet-green Swallow 6 flying low, back and forth over the lake near shore, n (photo).

Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 3 March 2014

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 a pair flying low, back and forth over the lake near shore; perched on utility wire, n (photo).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 3 March 2014

Cliff Swallow 2 flying low, back and forth over the lake, n, nw.

Barn Swallow 4 (alt. plmg.) flying low, back and forth over the lake near shore, n (photo).

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 March 2014

Oak Titmouse 3 calls; riparian woods, s, se.

Bushtit 20 one with nest material, ne.

Cactus Wren 1 on fence with fruiting pyracantha, n.

Bewick's Wren 8 vocal, ubiquitous.

Marsh Wren 1 calls, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 active in cottonwoods with YRWA, w, s.

Northern Mockingbird 3 vocal; on fence with fruiting pyracantha, n; one singing, s.

California Thrasher 1 calls (unseen) juniper-joshua field, n.

European Starling 20 vocal (including many imitations of other birds), ubiquitous.

American Pipit 1 flushed at e edge of dam, se.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 (m,f) ubiquitous; calls.

California Towhee 2 calls; an active pair in juniper field, w.

Savannah Sparrow 5 foraging in weedy edges of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 8 vocal; ubiquitous.

White-crowned Sparrow 18 vocal, ubiquitous.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 vocal, ubiquitous; setting up territories in riparian-marsh areas.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. nw, s.

House Finch 25; vocal, ubiquitous.

House Sparrow 12 vocal; active around clubhouse garden, in olive trees and picnic area, n.