BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LAKE PALMDALE, Los Angeles County, CA

Winter 2013/14

Lake Palmdale List of 242 Bird Species

LINKS TO PREVIOUS LP BIRD SURVEYS

2013c FALL

2013b SPRING, SUMMER

2012b - 2013a SUMMER, FALL, WINTER

2011-2012a WINTER, SPRING

2010- 2011a WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, FALL

2009-2010a FALL, WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, FALL

See Previous Surveys for Habitat Descriptions

Zenaida sp. (c.f. Z. auriculata) Lake Palmdale, CA December. 10, 2011 (see Dec. 10, 2011 notes)

Lake Palmdale is 2.7 miles in circumference, 234 acres, and holds 4,129 acre-feet of water when full. Maximum Depth (NW) = 39 ft.

RECENT SURVEYS

February 22, 2014

FEBRUARY 22, 2014 (48 Species)

The jetty in the northwestern corner of Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 22 February 2014

Weather: Fair; 50F to 61F; wind WNW 0-5 mph.

Time: 0730- 1015 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake using the outside perimeter road. Large crowds of fishermen were present during the survey, including many on the jetty, docks and in motorboats on the lake. I was unable to survey most of the marsh-riparian zone and nearshore waters in the south and western sections due to occupation of those areas by people fishing (photo). Dust from automobile traffic on the interior shoreline road was also an issue this morning. Relatively few undisturbed areas were available to ducks and other waterbirds on the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (5), White Pelican (3) Tree Swallow (20) and Cactus Wren (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 6 (m,f) edges of the lake.

Canvasback 1 (f) continuing in same area of slough, s.

Lesser Scaup 1 (m) se.

Bufflehead 60 (m,f) scattered over the lake; many diving; some courtship displays.

Ruddy Duck 130 (m,f) mostly in the south slough; edges of the lake.

California Quail 8 foraging beneath olive trees at the caretaker's house, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 5 diving in pairs and singles, central, n.

Eared Grebe 18 diving in small flocks of 6 -10 birds, central, n.

Western Grebe 3; 1 swimming with a CLGR, n-central.

Clark's Grebe 6 swimming in pairs and singles, n-central.

American White Pelican 3 (alt. plmg.) swimming and interacting with DCCO diving near marsh, nw; later flying over the lake (photo).

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 22 Feb 2014

Double-crested Cormorant 50 (ad, imm) diving; resting on buoys and in trees around the lake.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) at edge of marsh, s slough.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 fly, calls, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 5 (ad, imm) in trees and adjacent utility poles around the lake.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from large cottonwood, sw.

American Coot 150 ubiquitous around the edge of the lake.

Killdeer 5 3 foraging on mudflats in settling pond, n; 2 on dam, e.

Least Sandpiper 12 foraging on mudflats and in shallows of a settling pond, n.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying over dam, e.

California Gull 60 (90% ad) resting in middle of lake; commuting to and from landfill, nw.

Mourning Dove 8 riparian areas around the lake.

Great-horned Owl 1 (ad) continuing on nest surrounded by parked vehicles; no young seen, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) calls, displays, s, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 fly, call, cottonwoods, se, sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 8 ubiquitous in and around cottonwoods.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal; edge of riparian-marsh areas around the lake.

Say's Phoebe calls (unseen) field next to skeet range, ne.

Western Scrub-jay 2 calls; on utility line, e; calls, junipers, w.

Common Raven 8 calls; on and around dam, e.

Tree Swallow 20 vocal; two flocks circling willows, w, nw.

Oak Titmouse 3 calls; s, sw, nw.

Bushtit 5 vocal;a loose flock in sage and junipers, nw.

Cactus Wren 2 a pair on and around a dead Joshua Tree at the edge of the RV parking area, n (photo).

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 22 Feb 2014

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal, conspicuous; in brushy areas around the lake.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls; foraging in newly leaved cottonwoods, s, w.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal; pyracantha at entrance, n; song, adjacent yards, s.

California Thrasher 2 vocal; sage and juniper fields, e, nw.

European Starling 25 flocks in trees next to the caretaker's house, n; pairs in cottonwoods, s, sw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 calls; ubiquitous in loose flocks.

Common Yellowthroat 1 song, marsh-riparian, ne.

Song Sparrow 5 song; ubiquitous in burned and unburned marsh-riparian.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) vocal; ubiquitous flocks in brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal; marsh riparian (burned and unburned) around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas

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

House Sparrow 10 picnic area and clubhouse; foraging under olive trees, n..

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 (49 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 44F to 54F; wind WNW 0 -3 mph.

Time: 0730-1027 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the outer perimeter road in the south and west sections due to the large crowds of fishermen on and around the docks, including auto traffic on the interior shoreline road. Several small motorboats were being operated on the lake during my survey. The lake water level continues to be at the maximum level, resulting in little or no exposed shoreline. Waterbird populations were generally low (California Gull and Ruddy Duck being the exceptions) in and around the lake this morning.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Merganser (3), Horned Grebe (2), Herring Gull (1), Tree Swallow (15) and Rough-winged Swallow (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 3 (m,f) swimming near shore, s, n.

Canvasback 1 (f) resting among RUDU, s.

Bufflehead 25 (m,f) scattered over the lake in loose flocks.

Common Merganser 3 (1 m, 2 f) flying together, low over the lake, w.

Ruddy Duck 120 scattered over the lake, esp. s.

California Quail 8 in sage brush field, w.

Common Loon 1 diving, open water, central.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 swimming around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 2 diving near shore, n (photo).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 7 February 2014

Western Grebe 4 calls; open water, n.

Clark's Grebe 5 pairs engaged in head-turning and bobbing courtship behavior, n.

Double-crested Cormorant 50 scattered over the lake; several diving, central.

Great Blue Heron 3 on shore; flying around lake.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) in the usual roosting area - cattails at the edge of the s slough.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 fly, calls, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 4 ad; imm. (incl. one dark morph - cont. s) in trees and on utility poles around the lake.

American Coot 150 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Least Sandpiper 12 a cohesive flock foraging in shallows of settling ponds, n.

California Gull 80 (95 % ad) resting in open water; commuting to and from the Palmdale landfill to the nw.

Herring Gull 1 (C2) on buoy, ne.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 calls, n.

Mourning Dove 8 riparian areas around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1-cont. on nest in roadside cottonwood, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in cottonwood, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (f) loud, harsh calls suggesting HAWO; typical female with a mostly black face foraging in cottonwoods, se.

Northern (RS) Flicker 8 loose flocks in cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 6 ubiquitous, vocal; sallying from low perch at edge of lake and marsh.

Western Scrub-jay calls (unseen) e of dam.

Common Raven 12 cohesive flocks on the dam near groundsquirrel poison stations; pairs engaged in vocal and head posture (extended throat hackles) courtship.

Tree Swallow 15 flying back and forth over the dam and adjacent lake, e.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low over the s slough; perched for a few minutes in adjacent willow,s.

Oak Titmouse 4 vocal; riparian area, se, s.'

Bushtit 10 a vocal, cohesive flock in juniper-sage, w.

Cactus Wren repeated calls (unseen) from Joshua tree-juniper area next to entrance road, n.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal; shrubby areas around the lake.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6 calls; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake; often amongst YRWA.

Hermit Thrush 1 flushed from juniper-sage drainage ditch on fence line roadway, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 3 a pair on fence with fruiting pyracantha shrubs, n.

California Thrasher 4 vocal; a pair staying several yards apart, with one vocalizing from exposed juniper perch, w; ne.

European Starling 16 vocal; flocks in cottonwoods and on utility poles, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 25 calls; ubiquitous in a variety of vegetation types and heights.

Common Yellowthroat 1 calls; marsh, s.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 two or three flocks feeding on roadside and in silted concrete culvert, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m) establishing territories in burned and unburned riparian and marsh around the lake.

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

House Finch 5 vocal; brushy areas bordering riparian woodland, s.

Lesser Goldfinch 1 in canopy of budding cottonwood, s.

House Sparrow 6 vocal; in and around gardens and picnic area, n.

JANUARY 28, 2014 (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 49F to 65F; wind calm.

Time: 0806- 1125 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 shoreline road. The lake water level has continued to rise and appears to be at its maximum. Little or no shoreline is exposed around the lake. The survey area was largely quiet and undisturbed by human activities except for a maintenance crew removing vegetation on the northeast shore and two workers in a small motorboat towing a floating mass of cattails across the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1), Hooded Merganser (2), a posssible hybrid Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker (1) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (m) swimming in open water, central.

Amercan Wigeon 1 (f) swimming with other ducks, n-central.

Mallard 4 (m,f) two pair near shore, s, n.

Green-winged Teal 1 (m) in channel, s.

Lesser Scaup 60 (m,f) scattered over the lake in mostly open water.

Bufflehead 80 (m,f) scattered over the lake; many diving; open water and near the marsh.

Common Goldeneye 1 (m) open water, central.

Hooded Merganser 2 (m,f) a pair diving near the shore of the dam, e.

Ruddy Duck 140 (m,f) scattered on the lake in small, restive flocks.

Pied-billed Grebe 12 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 30 two tight flocks swimming in open water; individuals diving around the lake.

Horned Grebe 2 swimming amongst gulls, coots and ducks, central.

Western Grebe 1 swimming amongst gulls, coots and ducks, central.

Clark's Grebe 20 pairs and individuals scattered around the lake; this species is continuing to outnumber WEGR.

Double-crested Cormorant 40 scattered over the lake; many individuals diving, resting on buoys.

Great Blue Heron on shore and docks, s, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (imm) flushed from usual roosting area on the in channel riparian-marsh, s.

Cooper's hawk 1 (ad) in canopy of cottonwood, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 in cottonwoods around the lake, s, se, ne.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) calls; flushed from cottonwoods, se.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous, esp. around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 calls, on edge of dam, se.

California Gull 80 (95% adult); most resting in open water, n-centra; a few commuting to and from the Palmdale landfill to the nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls from a utility pole next to the clubhouse, n.

Mourning Dove 8 flushed from riparian areas, nw, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) calls; atop junipers and cottonwoods, w, s.

Belted Kingfisher 1 call, fly; perched on tall snag overhanging the lake,se.

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

Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker ? 1 (f) possibly a continuing bird; face with more white than usual for NUWO; wide white supercilium; buffy base of bill; whitish-buff underparts with streaks and spots on sides; calls intermediate in quality and duration (photos).

Possible hybrid female Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker (same individual in both images) sw Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 28 January 2014

Northern (RS) Flicker 4 flushed from riparian woodlands around the lake.

Black Phoebe 8 sallying from low perches near shore around the lake, esp. w and s.

Say's Phoebe 1 perched on a large saltbush next to the skeet range, ne.

Common Raven 10 most on or flying around the dam in the vicnity of ground-squirrel poison stations.

Oak Titmouse 2 song; riparian woodland, sw, s.

Common Bushtit 15 two vocal flocks foraging among branches of cottonwoods with infloresecences.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, brushy areas outside of riparian woodlands, s, w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 calls; foraging in cottowoods with YRWA around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 calls; in fruiting pyracantha hedge next to the clubhouse entry road, n.

California Thrasher 2 one on chain link fence, ne; one on another fence, n.

European Starling 16 in mulberry trees and cottonwoods around the clubhouse; foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 (m,f) ubiquitous; often in small flocks foraging in cottonwoods with inflorescences.

Common Yellowthroat 4 calls; active in burned and unburned cattails around the lake.

Savannah Sparrow 3 in weedy area on jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; active in burned and unburned marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 calls; brushy areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 40 vocal; males establishing territories in burned and unburned marsh around the lake, esp. n, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 15 (m,f) vocal, active in burned and unburned marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m) distinctive, repeated song (unseen) the usual location for one or two early arrivals in spring; concealed in a patch of unburned cattails and small cottonwoods at the base of a cliff, nw

House Finch 10 vocal; active at edge of ruderal fields and riparian woodland, ne.

American Goldfinch 5 (bsc. plmg.) a cohesive, quiet flock foraging on inflorescences of cottonwoods, w. (photo)

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) west Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 28 Jan 2014

House Sparrow 12 vocal; active in and around the clubhouse garden and picnic area.

JANUARY 17, 2014 (54 Species)

Weather: Fair; 46F to 59F. wind calm.

Time: 0745-1115 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 southeast section. The lake water level has risen to nearly maximum height, following several months of lowered levels. Riparian shoreline and cattail marshes are inundated and almost no shoreline is currently exposed around the lake. Maintenance workers and heavy equipment were present during my survey today, causing some dust and noise disturbance in the western and southern shoreline areas.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (6), Common Loon (1), Spotted Sandpiper (1), Tree Swallow (1) and Fox Sparrow (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 2 (m,f) together near jetty, nw.

Green-winged Teal 4 (m,f) inundated cut and burned riparian marsh, ne.

Canvasback 3 (m,f) resting near marsh, nw.

Redhead 1 (m) swimming near marsh, nw.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (m imm) swimming near docks, w.

Lesser Scaup 60 (m,f) ubiquitous; diving; swimming in loose flocks.

Bufflehead 30 (m,f) ubiquitous; diving; flying low over the lake.

Ruddy Duck 150 (m,f) ubiquitous; mostly resting; swimming near docks and marsh.

Common Loon 1 diving near dam, e.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 vocal; ubiquitous, near shore.

Horned Grebe 6 diving together and individually, e.

Eared Grebe 25 ubiquitous; often in pairs near shore.

Western Grebe 20 ubiquitous; often with nearby CLGR.

Clark's Grebe 30 ubiquitous; often with nearby WEGR.

Double-crested Cormorant 40 ubiquitous; resting on buoys; flying low over the lake;diving no foraging flocks seen..

Great Blue Heron 2 flying near shore, w, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flushed from cottonwood, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (ad, imm) in cottonwoods, willows and on utility poles, s, se, ne.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous; most near shore; flighty.

Killdeer 3 in field of broken clay projectiles, skeet range, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging at the water's edge of a settling pond, n.

Least Sandpiper 4 foraging on mudflats and shallows of a settling pond, n.

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

Herring Gull 1 (C2) swimming alone n-central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, riparian-marsh, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) vocal, active in cottonwoods, s, se.

Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call, w, sw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker calls, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker 3 foraging ground and on willow trunks in cut/burned marsh-riparian, ne.

Black Phoebe 10 ubiquitous; active low, near water

Say's Phoebe 2 perched on fences and shrubs at edge of open areas, s, ne.

Common Raven 15 several investigating a ground squirrel poison bait station on the dam, e.

Tree Swallow 1 (ad) perched on tall willow snag at edge of burned marsh near jetty, nw.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls, cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 1 active in salt bush and California Juniper, ne.

Bushtit calls, cottonwoods, w.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal; active in shrubby areas, w, s, e.

Marsh Wren 1 repeated song; edge of inundated burned marsh near jetty, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 vocal; cottonwoods, w, s, se.

Northern Mockingbird 2 one foraging on ground by raising and lowering its wings. ne.

California Thrasher 1 subsong; on Calif. juniper, w; a pair foraging in leaf litter beneath a large Calif. Juniper next to the picnic area; one bird chasing starlings away as they attempted to forage nearby, n.

European Starling 40 a large, vocal flock foraging on ground in picnic area; using adjacent mulberry trees as a roost, n.

American Pipit 1 foraging in short grass in picnic area, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 vocal, ubiquitous; many foraging together on ground and lawn in picnic area, n.

Common Yellowthroat 1 (f) foraging on floating mat of dead vegetation at edge of burned marsh next to jetty, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 4 two pair foraging on jetty in weedy spots, nw.

Fox Sparrow 1 edge of picnic area; CATH nearby; same place as found during the previous survey of Dec. 27; looked like the same bird, n.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; marsh-riparian areas, burned and unburned around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) , marsh-riparian edge, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 brushy areas, n, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 5 (m) vocal in marsh, single and flock of four; burned and unburned, nw, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 calls, marsh-riparian island, s.

House Finch 20 vocal, ubiquitous.

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

DECEMBER 27, 2013 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 37F to 50F; wind NNE 0-5 mph.

Time: 0728-1121 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The survey area was largely quiet and undisturbed by human activities. A few vehicles were present on the shoreline road and one motorboat was being operated on the lake; several people were working around the western docks.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Merganser (2), White Pelican (15), Rock Wren (2) and Fox Sparrow (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 4 (m,f) flying around the eastern portion of the lake.

American Wigeon 1 (f) swimming with LESC and other ducks, ne.

Mallard 1 (f) on mudflat, s.

Northern Shoveler 1 (f) dabbling in shallows near mudflats, s.

Green-winged Teal 2 (m) swimming with AMWE, LESC and other ducks, ne.

Canvasback 2 (f) swimming with other ducks, ne, sw.

Lesser Scaup 120 (m,f) ubiquitous; diving in loose flocks around the lake.

Bufflehead 30 (m,f) diving in pairs and singles around the lake.

Common Merganser 2 (f) swimming and resting together, n-central, e-central (photo).

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 27 December 2013

Ruddy Duck 350 (conserv. est.) (m,f) ubiquitous in loose flocks, most resting, a few diving.

Common Loon 1 diving, preening, open water, central.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 diving in pairs and singles throughout.

Horned Grebe 10 diving in pairs and loose flocks, n, ne.

Western Grebe 50 ubiquitous in pairs and singles.

Clark's Grebe 30 in pairs and singles; often with WEGR nearby; around edges of the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 60 (ad; imm) diving in loose flocks, central; several resting on buoys and solar-powered stirring platforms.

American White Pelican 15 (ad, imm) swimming together in a cohesive flock; flushed by a someone driving toward them in a motorboat; flew south; not returning to LP.

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, marsh, s.

Black-crowned Night Heron 4 (ad) separated by 50 yards or more at the edge of the marsh and slough, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk calls, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 5 (including 2 dark morphs); one pair (light and dark morph) together in willow; flushed as I approached, calls, nw.

American Coot 60 local poplulation declining throughout the month; most swimming around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 6 on shore around the lake; calls.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flew to shore, ne.

Least Sandpiper 5 a small, mobile flock foraging on mudflats, se.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over a flock of CAGU, n.

California Gull 800 a large, loose flock (90% adult) in open water across the lake; many commuting to and from Palmdale landfill nw of LP.

Herring Gull 1 C2 resting on a buouy, ne.

Rock Pigeon 2 flying, adjacent area, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 flew to Aleppo Pine, ne.

Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call, n, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 calls; riparian, ne, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 12 foraging on the ground in loose flocks of 2-4 birds around the lake.

Black Phoebe 6 calls; ubiquitous, usually near water.

Common Raven 15 ubiquitous, especially on and around the dam, e.

Verdin 1 foraging with COBU and RCKI in saltbush and mulefat at fence line, nw.

Bushtit 5 foraging in a cohesive flock with RCKI and VERD, nw.

Rock Wren 2 vocal; on ground near large pile of gravel; another on dam around boulders, ne.

Marsh Wren 1 at edge of cattails and mudflat, w.

Northern Mockingbird 2 around fruiting pyracantha on fence line, n.

European Starling 50 vocal; cohesive flock foraging in picnic area, n.

American Pipit 1 on shore, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f; imm) calls; ubiquitous; 1 YR Myrtle (f) foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Common Yellowthroat 1 calls; active in marshy drainage ditch, se.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, open field below dam, e.

Fox Sparrow 1 bill size undetermined; dorsal coloration slate-gray (c.f. P.i. schistacea); very shy; foraging in leaf litter beneath Calif. juniper next to picnic area, n.

Song Sparrow 3 calls; marsh-riparian, s, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad, imm) vocal; ubiquitous in ground-feeding flocks.

Dark-eyed Junco 1 calls, pines, ne.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, repeated; open area, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m, f) on shore, s. one male in alt. plmg. (long tail).

House Finch 18 vocal, ubiquitous in flocks on the ground and in trees.

House Sparrow 5 vocal; picnic area and gardens, n.

DECEMBER 20, 2013 (58 Species)

Weather: Fair; 38F to 45F; wind WNW 0-2 mph.

Time: 0758-1140 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The entire survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be about 10 feet below normal, exposing 10-30 ft. of shoreline around the lake. No additional clearance of vegetation was apparent since the previous survey of Dec. 13, 2013.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Red-breasted Merganser (1), Surf Scoter (1), Common Goldeneye (2-cont.), Horned Grebe (7), White Pelican (4), Red-breasted Sapsucker (1-cont.). Verdin (1), Marsh Wren (1) and Cactus Wren (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (f) flying low over the lake, e.

Mallard 1 with a flock of LESC, se.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) with other ducks, se.

Canvasback 1 (m) resting amongst other ducks, s.

Lesser Scaup 60 (m,f) resting near the marsh and in open water around the lake.'

Surf Scoter 1 (f) noted squarish crown,sloped forehead;no white patch in secondaries; probably a continuing bird from last month; swimming close to LESC, se (photo).

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 Dec 2013

Bufflehead 50 (m,f) diving around the lake in loose flocks and singles.

Common Goldeneye 2 (m) diving near shoreline; exposed mudflats and shore with many small clam shells (Corbicula ?), ne.

Red-breasted Merganser 1 (f) noted relatively thin bill; indistinct posterior-lateral border of rufous head and neck;slight posterior head crest; possibly a continuing bird from last month; swimming with LESC and other ducks, se (photo).

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 Dec 2013

Ruddy Duck 350 (m,f) most resting around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 8 feeding on gravel and fallen olives on the roadway next to the caretaker's yard, n.

Common Loon 1 preening, open water, n-central.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 diving around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 7 one flock of four swimming and diving together, s-central; another pair by the dam, e (photo).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 Dec 2013

Eared Grebe 20 diving in pairs and singles around the lake.

Western Grebe 60 in pairs and singles around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 10 usually in pairs; found only in the west and north sections of the lake today.

Double-crested Cormorant 50 resting on shore and buoys; a few swimming, diving, n-central.

American White Pelican 4 (2 adults in trans. alt plmg.) swimming (photo) and preening when all four were together; two flying s, ne

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 December 2013

Great Blue Heron 3 on shore, s, w.

Great Egret 1 flying low, sw.

Black-crowned Night Heron 7 (ad, imm) in marsh next to slough, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flying over cottonwoods, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 6 (5 ad; 1 imm; 1 dark morph), in cottonwoods and willows around the lake; aerial assault by ravens.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 7 calls, n; 5 foraging on rocky shore of dam, e.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on mudflats of inlet stream, se (photo).

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 20 December 2013

Least Sandpiper 5 foraging on rocky shoreline of dam, e.

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

California Gull 1,200 (90% ad; 10 % C1, C2); most resting in open water, n-central; many commuting between lake and landfill to nw.

Herring Gull 3 (C1; C3) one C1 alone on mudflat, se (photos); others mixed in with CAGU, n-central.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) C1 (same bird in both images) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 20 December 2013

Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call; perched on willow overhanging lake, se.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 probably a continuing bird from the previous survey of 13 Dec. 2013; foraging on willows in burned riparian-marsh, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) calls; foraging in burned riparian marsh area, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker 15 in loose flocks; active in burned and unburned riparian areas around the lake.

Black Phoebe 8 two chasing, vocalizing, ne; low perches near edge of lake, throughout.

Say's Phoebe 1 in brushy field adjacent to skeet range, ne.

Western Scrub-jay call, fly, adjacent yards with conifers, se.

Common Raven 20 vocal; ubiquitous; chasing RTHA, s.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls; riparian, s, sw.

Verdin 1 calls; active in cottonwoods and understory, se.

Bushtit 5 calls; active in cottonwoods, se.

Cactus Wren 1 on fence with fruiting pyracantha next to clubhouse, n.

Marsh Wren 1 active in burned cattails next to jetty, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls; active in willows and cottonwoods, ne, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 on fence with fruiting pyracantha next to clubhouse, n.

California Thrasher 1 on fence with fruiting pyracantha near entrance, n.

European Starling 10 vocal (including recognizable imitations of Western Meadowlark and several other resident birds); utility wires and adjacent trees, n.

American Pipit 4 on shore, ne, e, nw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 calls; ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 4 vocal in marshy areas, s.

California Towhee calls (unseen) brushy area under cottonwoods, w.

Savannah Sparrow 4 on jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 20 vocal (calls and song) in riparian-marsh (including burned areas) around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 on fence line, brushy areas, s.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 (m,f) fly; on mudflats and in marsh, s.

House Finch 12 vocal, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

House Sparrow 5 around clubhouse and caretaker's yard.

DECEMBER 13, 2013 (54 Species)

Weather: Fair; 49F to 55F; wind ENE 5 mph.

Time: 0755-1120 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Maintenance crews and other people were working in the southern and western shoreline areas. The lake water level continues to be about 10 feet below normal, exposing 10-30 ft. of shoreline around the lake. Clearance and burning of freshwater marsh around the lake continues.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, White-winged Scoter (1), Common Goldeneye (3), Horned Grebe (3),Red-breasted Sapsucker (1) Phainopepla (1) and Golden-crowned Kinglet (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) open water with RUDU, e-central.

Green-winged Teal 1 (f) swimming in slough, s.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) open water with LESC and RUDU, e-central.

Lesser Scaup 60 (m,f) several cohesive flocks scattered around the lake.

White-winged Scoter 1 (imm) At 200 yards, I noted grayish-black upperparts; gray head contrasting with darker mantle; head relatively rounded, white spots at base of bill and behind eye; large white patch in secondaries; swimming with BUHE nearby, open water; second record (cf. 27 Oct. 2012) for Lake Palmdale, ne (photo).

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca) immature (same individual in all images) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 13 Dec 2013

Bufflehead 60 (m,f) scattered around the lake in open water.

Common Goldeneye 3 (2 m; 1 f) a pair of males swimming together in open water, ne.

Ruddy Duck 250 (m,f) ubiquitous; most resting around the edges of the lake.

Common Loon 2 open water, n-central.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 diving, edge of the lake.

Horned Grebe 3 diving in a loose flock, n-central.

Eared Grebe 10 diving; resting in loose flocks, w, s.

Western Grebe 60 calls; ubiquitous.

Clark's Grebe 15 continuing to be less numerous than WEGR; most in west and south.

Double-crested Cormorant 60 scattered around the lake; many resting on buoys and shore.

Great Blue Heron 2 on shore, n, e.

Great Egret 5 on shorelines around the lake.

Black-crowned Night Heron (ad, imm) in marsh at edge of slough, s.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from edge of marsh, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flushed from willows, w.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (ad) on utility poles and in willows around the lake.

American Coot 200 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 4 together on mudflats, ne.

Least Sandpiper 7 foraging together on mudflats.

Ring-billed Gull 2 flying low over the lake with CAGU.

California Gull 500 (ad, imm) scattered over the lake; mostly open water.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) flying around the lake with CAGU.

Mourning Dove 7 foraging on ground in burned marsh, ne.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched on Juniper, w.

Belted Kingfisher 2 flushed from edge of marsh, se, s.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (f) foraging in upper levels of a cottonwood, sw (photo).

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti ) female Lake Palmdale LACO CA 13 Dec 2013

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) contact calls (one higher pitched than another in an adjacent tree) foraging in cottonwoods and willows, ne.

Northern Flicker 7 four individuals foraging in leaf litter on open ground in burned marsh, ne.

Black Phoebe 10 vocal; ubiquitous.

Western Scrub-jay 1 in tree top of adjacent yard, w.

Common Raven 10 flying; calls, n.

Verdin 1 repeated calls in olive trees and junipers next to caretaker's house, n.

Bushtit 8 vocal; a cohesive flock foraging in cottonwoods, nw.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, garden of caretaker's house, n.

Golden-crowned Kinglet distinctive high calls (unseen) in cottonwoods and willows; same area where one was found last month.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 calls; cottonwood-marsh edge, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 w, n.

European Starling 10 on utility line and around caretaker's garden, n.

American Pipit 3 on shore, n, ne.

Phainopepla 1 (m) flying low open area of parking lot,n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 vocal, active on ground and in trees throughout.

Savannah Sparrow 5 on jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 6 in burned marsh, n.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 vocal, ubiquitous but less numerous than in recent surveys.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) island adjacent to slough, s.

House Finch 8 calls; brushy areas; riparian, n.

Lesser Goldfinch calls, cottonwood, ne.

House Sparrow 10 around garden, n.

DECEMBER 6, 2013 (59 Species)

Weather: Fair; 38F to 41F; wind WNW 2 - 7 mph.

Time: 0808-1130 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Except for some maintenance crews repairing docks and removing vegetation in the south, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed. Freshwater marsh - willow riparian areas in the northeast and northwest had been burned since my previous survey of November 30, 2013. This is evidently part of efforts to clear major portions of freshwater marsh-riparian habitat around the lake in order to increase the volume and efficiency of the reservoir.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Surf Scoter (1-cont.), Cackling Goose (1 - a new record for LP), Common Goldeneye (1), White Pelican (5), Peregrine Falcon (1) and a presumed Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 21 swimming in a tight flock near the dam, e.

Cackling Goose 1 observed and photographed at about 200 yards; noted relatively small head and bill; overall body size about 50% smaller than nearby Canada Geese; a new record for LP (photo)

Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 Dec 2013

American Wigeon 4 (m,f) resting, open water, e.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) with LESC and RUDU, e-central.

Green-winged Teal 8 (m,f) swimming and flying together near edge of lake, se.

Canvasback 8 (m,f) swimming together, e-central.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (m) swimming together near edge of lake, se.

Lesser Scaup 30 several small flocks swimming together around the lake.

Surf Scoter 1 (f) - cont (see 15 Nov.) swimming in open water, w.

Bufflehead 30 (m,f) in small, loose flocks around the lake.

Common Goldeneye 1 (m) swimming near RUDU and LESC, se.

Ruddy Duck 150 large flocks resting around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 3 ran across the road next to the caretaker's house, n.

Common Loon 4 swimming and diving together, s-central.

Pied-billed Grebe 12 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 5 singles and pairs diving, n-central.

Eared Grebe 12 diving singly throughout.

Western Grebe 60 ubiquitous; loose flocks of pairs and single birds; many resting in open water.

Clark's Grebe 10 pairs near the marsh and in open water, sw, se, ne.

Double-crested Cormorant 60 a large foraging flock of about 25 swimming together, central; others resting on buoys.

American White Pelican 5 swimming together near the marsh, se; one swimming with a large flock of foraging DCCO.

Great Blue Heron 3 individuals on shore and in marsh around the lake.

Great Egret 10 individuals on shore and in marsh around the lake.

Black-crowned Night Heron 12 (8 imm; 4 ad) in marsh along channel, s.

Osprey 1 flying over lake; chased by two adult CAGU, e.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying through cottonwood area, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 flushed from cottonwood, sw; calls, w.

Red-tailed Hawk 4 (3 ad. 1 imm) calls; circling above the shore; perched in tall trees around the lake; one dark morph -cont. s.

Peregrine Falcon 1 perched in willow overhanging mudflat; allowed me to approach to within about 30 ft before flying a short distance to another exposed branch; circled back again, apparently reluctant to leave this area, se (photos).

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 6 Dec 2013

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 9 several on mudflats and shorelines around the lake; calls, flying off together.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 on mudflats, se.

Least Sandpiper 5 foraging together on mudflats, se,

Ring-billed Gull 5 resting in open water, central.

California Gull 120 (98% ad) most resting in open water; flying to and from Palmdale Landfill to nw.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) flying over CAGU, central.

Mourning Dove 1 on utility line, n.

Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call, shoreline and marsh w, s.

Ladder-backed x Nuttall's Woodpecker - presumed 1 (immature male). I was initially drawn to distinctively raspy, single call notes (similar to Hairy Woodpecker, but harsher and louder than a typical Nuttall's); Noted the extensive white areas on face; white bars reaching to narrow black collar;small red patch on hind crown; patches of buff with predominantly white underparts; black-spotted breast and black-barred flanks, sides of belly and under tail coverts.; foraging near top of mature cottonwood, sw (photos).

Picoides scalaris x nuttallii (presumed) same individual in both images (see text); west Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 Dec 2013

Northern (RS) Flicker 7 loose flocks in cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 10 calls; active in marsh-riparian and open areas around the lake.

Say's Phoebe calls (unseen) caretaker's yard, n.

Western Scrub-jay 1 on top of mature juniper, w.

Common Raven 10 pairs and loose flocks around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, garden and brushy areas, n.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6 vocal; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 on fenceline with pyracantha, n.

European Starling 20 on utility lines and in tall trees, n.

American Pipit 4 on rocky shore of dam, e, se.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 calls; foraging in cottonwoods, sw.

Common Yellowthroat 5 calls; active at edge of marsh, s, sw.

Savannah Sparrow 5 a loose flock on the jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 8 calls; active in cut cattails on shore, n, se., w.

White-crowned Sparrow 12 vocal; brushy areas, n,

Dark-eyed Junco calls (unseen) garden of caretaker's house, n.

Western Meadowlark song (unseen) shoreline area, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 12 (m,f) loose flock on shore and in marsh, s.

House Finch 8 calls; edge of marsh-riparian,se; garden, n.

House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse and picnic area, n.