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, staying on the shoreline perimeter road except in the southeastern section. One motorboat was on the lake and several fishermen were on the docks and southeastern shore. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Wood Duck (1), Redhead (1), Double-crested Cormorant (1), Green Heron (1), Spotted Sandpiper (2), Caspian Tern (4), Phainopepla (3), Orange-crowned Warbler (1), and Wilson's Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Wood Duck 1 (m bsc. plmg.) swimming in open water near the dam, e (photo).

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) east Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 31 July 2013

Mallard 110 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Redhead 1 (f) molting; swimming in open water near the dam, ne (photo).

Redhead (Aythya americana) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 31 July 2013

Ruddy Duck 7 (m,f) swimming near the docks, w.

California Quail 2 running across the road, sw.

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

Western Grebe 30 vocal; mostly paired (all conspecific); swimming around the edges of the lake.

Clark's Grebe 40 vocal; ubiquitous around the edges of the lake, WEGR often nearby; some in open water; a pair nesting on tule mat; male on nest, female swimming nearby, occasionally approaching to make adjustments in the nest, s slough.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) on buoy, ne.

Great Blue Heron 2 one flushed from jetty, nw; one on shore, se.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flew to willow at edge of lake, ne.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) on log near dam, ne (photo).

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 31 July 2013

Accipiter sp. flushed from dense riparian-marsh, nw.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous; several standing in tules at edge of marsh.

Killdeer 1 vocal; on concrete divider between settling ponds, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 (trans. plmg.) foraging at the edge of the jetty, nw.

Least Sandpiper 1 (ad) foraging at the edge of the jetty, nw.

California Gull 2 (C2, C3) swimming together near the jetty, nw.

Caspian Tern 4 vocal, flying low around the east end of the lake then leaving the area.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 fly, riparian, w.

Mourning Dove 10 vocal; ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 8 (f) vocal; intraspecific chasing; cottonwoods overhanging marsh around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m,f) vocal; ubiquitous, often with BCHU nearby; cottonwoods in marsh; mulberry trees in picnic area, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) vocal; foraging in separate cottonwoods, sw, se.

Black Phoebe 20 (ad, imm) vocal; ubiquitous near shore and in picnic area, n.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 vocal; on dead branches in cottonwoods, sw.

Western Kingbird 2 aerial insect hawking over riparian, narsh, sw, se.

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, fly, w.

Common Raven 4 fly, call, near dam, ne.

Tree Swallow 12 fly, calls; over marsh and settling ponds, n.

Cliff Swallow 80 (ad, imm) a mixed flock of adults feeding young in the canopy dead branches of a cottonwood, n (photo).

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) north Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 31 July 2013

Barn Swallow 1 flying low, back and forth over settling pond, n.

Verdin 3 vocal, in cottonwoods and lower shrubs, n, w, s.

Bushtit 30 several vocal flocks in riparian and edge around the lake.

Cactus Wren 1 calls, Joshua Tree - juniper patch next to picnic area, n.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; juniper-riparian edge around the lake.

House Wren 1 in willow, sw.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal in dense patches of cattail around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal; n, nw.

California Thrasher calls, junipers, w.

European Starling 5 in mulberry and cottonwoods, n,.

Phainopepla 3 (1 m; 1 f; 1 imm ) vocal; together in dead branches of willow canopy; aerial hawking and gleaning from twigs, sw (photos).

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) female (left) and male. south Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 31 July 2013

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in willows, dense riparian, w.

Yellow Warbler 4 vocal; canopy and subcanopy of willows and esp. cottonwoods around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 5 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian patches.

Wilson's Warbler 1 (m) vocal; active in subcanopy of a large cottonwood with YEWA, se.

California Towhee 2 calls; foraging on ground on hillside below park n ride; calls, w.

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

Red-winged Blackbird 8 (ad, imm) foraging in fruiting cottonwood, n.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) adult female (above) and juvenile. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 31 July 2013

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (f) vocal; riparian areas, w, sw, n.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; foraging in canopy of cottonwoods, se.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 (m,f) on fence next to patch of arroyo willow, e.

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

July 24, 2013 (51 Species)

Pepsis wasps Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 24 July 2013

Weather: Fair; 78F to 88F; wind WNW 2 -7 mph.

Time: 0713-1040 hrs.

Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, staying on the inside perimeter shoreline road. A few fishermen were on the docks and on the southeast shore; no motorboats were being operated on the lake during the survey. A maintenance crew was working on and around the dam. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Double-crested Cormorant (1), Green Heron (1), Belted Kingfisher (1), Bank Swallow (1), Verdin (2), Marsh Wren (6), American Robin (1), American Pipit (1), and Orange-crowned Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Ruddy Duck 6 (m) open water near the docks, w.

California Quail 8 running across the road, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 vocal; around the edges of the lake

Western Grebe 30 vocal; mostly pairs (all conspecific); one pair displaying elaborate courtship, nw.

Clark's Grebe 50 vocal; mostly pairs (all conspecific), ubiquitous.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) resting on a dock with mallards next to the jetty, nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) flushed from shore, w.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flying over marsh, s.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) flushed from marsh, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) one immature entering dense riparian woodland next to shore, w; adult flushed from cottonwood, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) on utility pole, sw.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake; also in open water.

Killdeer 1 calls, settling ponds, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 running along the w edge of the jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 in willow overhanging shore, w.

Mourning Dove 12 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) vocal; hovering around outer canopy of cottonwoods, w, ne.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (f) vocal; conspecific chasing; cottonwoods around the lake.

Belted Kingfisher 1 fly, repeated calls; edge of lake with dense riparian woodland, w, sw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.

Black Phoebe 20 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous.

Say's Phoebe 1 sallying from low perches, n end of jetty and adjacent field, nw.

Western Kingbird 8 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous and gregarious (photo).

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) immature. north Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 July 2013

Western Scrub-jay calls, juniper-cottonwood edge, nw.

Common Raven 6 (ad, imm) vocal around cottonwoods with recent nesting, se.

Tree Swallow 80 (ad, imm) ubiquitous; flying back and forth over lake, marsh and riparian areas; a flock in bare cottonwood canopy, n.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low, back and forth over settling pond with water, n.

Bank Swallow 1 flying at 30 ft. above clubhouse and mulberry trees, n.

Cliff Swallow 100 - conserv. est. (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous; flying low and high (200 ft. +).

Verdin 2 calling repeatedly, roadside shrubs and riparian, nw.

Bushtit 30 three or four large, vocal flocks foraging in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal, ubiquitous.

House Wren 1 calls and song, cottonwoods, sw.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal; dense marsh around the lake.

American Robin 1 (juvenile) foraging on lawn and on bare ground in picnic area, n.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, n.

European Starling 5 (ad, imm) foraging on lawn and bare ground in picnic area, n.

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 1 Description: Upright, alert posture; pipit-like bobbing movements of head and tail; walking quickly though uncut grass, evidently hunting insects. Noted pale face and grayish mantle; white wing bar on median coverts; faint streaks on sides. Obtained one undiagnostic photo before the bird flew to the west and could not be refound. No alarm call heard. A juvenile American Robin was within a few feet of the pipit and was also foraging in the uncut grass. Note: American Pipit is fairly common at Lake Palmdale between October and April. This late July record is probably unprecedented in the region.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (ad) grayish head, olive-green dorsum; moving quickly through willow foliage; same area where an immature OCWA was found and photographed during the previous survey of July 17 (see notes below).

Yellow Warbler 5 vocal; active in canopy of cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 6 (m,f) vocal; active in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

California Towhee 1 calls, juniper-cottonwood edge, sw.

Song Sparrow 4 (ad, imm) active in marsh-riparian, sw, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 15 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous but significantly less abundant than last month.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 vocal, ubiquitous; small gregarious flocks of females and young; some being fed (photo).

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) adult female (lower) young (upper two). nw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 July 2013

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 vocal; on ground and in cottonwoods, n.

Bullock's Oriole 1 calls, mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 3 vocal; top of cottonwood, se.

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

July 17, 2013 (48 Species)

Weather: Fair; 76F to 88F; wind WSW 1 - 5 mph.

Time: 0716 - 1045 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, staying mostly on the inside perimeter shoreline roads. A few fishermen in small motorboats were on the lake, two were on the jetty and several on the south shore and sw docks. Auto traffic on the shoreline roads was light. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Double-crested Cormorant (2), Green Heron (1), Least Sandpiper (1), Caspian Tern (2), Forster's Tern (3), Warbling Vireo (1), Verdin (1), Marsh Wren (10), Yellow Warbler (10), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (1), Western Tanager (1), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 90 (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake in small flocks.

Ruddy Duck 12 (m,f) swimming near the docks, w.

California Quail 8 (ad, imm) running together in weedy area near the dam, se.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 vocal; ubiquitous; edges of the lake near the marsh.

Western Grebe 30 vocal; singles and pairs; one on a nest of tules at the edge of the marsh, s; others in open water, esp. se.

Clark's Grebe 50 vocal; singles and pairs around the edges and in the middle of the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 (imm) perched in willows next to dam, ne. One surfacing with a small fish from the slough, s.

Green Heron 1(ad) on small rocky peninsula, n.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm) on low branch of willow, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 flushed from dense riparian area, w.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal; on edge of settling pond, n.

Least Sandpiper 1 on edge of jetty; FOS for LP (photo).

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) nw Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 17 July 2013

California Gull 1 (C2) - cont. resting under picnic table on s end of jetty, nw.

Caspian Tern 2 (ad) vocal, flying over marsh and edge of lake, se.

Forster's Tern 3 (alt. plmg.) resting on buoys near dam, e.'

Rock Pigeon 1 on edge of settling pond, n.

Mourning Dove 15 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 (f) hovering around cottonwoods and willows, ne, , se, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (f, imm m) vocal; ubiquitous; aerial-hawking of insects around cottonwoods.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls; cottonwoods, w.

Black Phoebe 15 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 3 (ad, imm) vocal; edge of cottonwoods; one imm in creosote bush at edge of roadway, n.

Western Kingbird 4 vocal; top of mulberry and cottonwoods, n, s, w.

Warbling Vireo 1 foraging silently in willow sub- canopy foliage; YEWA and BUOR nearby, ne.

Common Raven 4 fly, call, e, n.

Tree Swallow 30 flying low, back and forth over lake and marsh; mostly n.

Cliff Swallow 20 flying low over open areas, marsh, riparian and lake, ne.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from roadside creosote bush, nw.

Bushtit 10 vocal; two small flocks in willow-riparian, sw, w.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; active in juniper-riparian edge, w.

House Wren 3 (ad, imm) vocal; active in riparian edge, sw.

Marsh Wren 10 highly vocal in dense marsh areas around the lake.

European Starling 2 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas; one male in bsc. plmg. (AHY?) singing in willow canopy, s (photo).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) s Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 17 July 2013

Yellow-rumped (Audubon's ) Warbler 1 ( AHY m alt. plumage) note frontal pathology; foraging on ground beneath mulberry trees in picnic area, n (photo).

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) n Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 17 July 2013

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothylpis celata)1 (juvenile in partial prebasic molt): Note dark crown with a bold whitish-yellow supercilium; vague dark cheek outline; dark markings on breast and dark streaks on sides white and yellowish breast, belly with yellowish under tail coverts; upperparts greenish; two faint white wing bars; tarsi and toes blackish. I could find no comparable illustrations of immature Orange-crowned Warbler in guide books (e.g. Dunn & Garrett 1997. Warblers. p. 51). The bird was observed and photographed at a distance of about 10 yards while it foraged silently in the lower to middle level of a black willow tree growing at the edge of the lake in wet soil. Thus far I have found no evidence of OCWA nesting at Lake Palmdale or in the Antelope Valley region. According to Kimball Garrett, collections manager at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Ornithology Dept., Orange-crowned Warbler is unusual among North American warblers for its long-distance dispersal in juvenile plumage. Thus, this juvenile OCWA at Lake Palmdale may not be the product of a local breeding population.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothylpis celata) (juvenile showing partial prebasic molt; same individual in all 3 photos) ne Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA, 17 July 2013

Common Yellowthroat 8 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; marsh-riparian, n, w.

Western Tanager 1 (m) calls; partly concealed in subcanopy of cottonwood overhanging shore, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 15 (m,f; imm) vocal; small flocks in marsh-riparian, ne, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. in riparian-marsh of south slough.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 (m,f; imm) vocal; males showing head-up display on ground in picnic area, n.

Bullock's Oriole 3 (f, imm) vocal and gregarious in canopy of cottonwoods and willows, ne.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls; dense riparian-marsh area, ne.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 3 repeated song in cottonwoods at edge of juniper area, w.

House Sparrow 10 around picnic area, n.

July 10, 2013 (44 Species)

Weather: Overcast; 82F to 96F; wind WSW 2 -3 mph. roadways wet from overnight light rain.

Time: 0700-1007 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, staying mostly on the interior shoreline road. A few fishermen were in motorboats on the lake; several were on the south shore and docks. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Double-crested Cormorant (6), Green Heron (1), Lucy's Warbler (1), Tricolored Blackbird (3), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 80 (m,f) trans. bsc. plmg. dabbling around edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 18 (m only; females on nests?) together near docks, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 (ad) vocal; edges of lake.

Western Grebe 25 vocal; pairs near marsh and in open water throughout.

Clark's Grebe 22 vocal; pairs near marsh; one adult on nest at edge of slough, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 (ad, imm) flock of 5 flying s; one in tree ne; one diving, s.

Great Blue Heron 4 (ad, imm) two on weedy shore of dam, e; s, w.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from quiet backwater with dock, w.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) perched at 10 ft.in willow at edge of slough, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad; molting inner rectrices), flew to utility pole, ne.

American Coot 100 (conserv. est.) many partly concealed in marsh around the lake.

Killdeer 3 two on edge of settling pond, n; one on jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal; ne, w.

Mourning Dove 20 vocal; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) riparian and marsh, ne, s.

Black Phoebe 8 vocal; marsh-riparian around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 3 vocal; marsh-riparian and open areas, s, n.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 4 vocal; edge of cottonwoods; creosote scrub, ne, se, n.

Western Kingbird 4 vocal; riparian-marsh, ne; mulberry picnic area, n.

Common Raven 8 (ad, imm) ubiquitous, vocal.

Tree Swallow 20 flying low over marsh and lake throughout.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 flying low over open areas, n.

Cliff Swallow 20 flying low and high over lake and open areas throughout.

Barn Swallow 15 flying low over marsh and lake, n, s., w.

Verdin 1 vocal; active in junipers, n.

Bushtit 10 two small flocks in riparian edge, n, se.

Cactus Wren 1 vocal; Joshua tree scrub next to entrance road, n.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal; active in riparian trees, e, se, w, n.

Marsh Wren 10 vocal in dense cattail marsh around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal; foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

California Thrasher 1 (ad; relatively dark brown form) foraging on ground on roadway next to GB sage, ne.

European Starling 2 fly, n.

Lucy's Warbler (Oreothlypis luciae) 1 (fem/imm) Description: A tiny warbler; silvery gray above, whitish below; showed a distinctive dark eye on plain light face; no other conspicuous markings. The bird was initially found (seen for a few seconds) foraging briefly in outer foliage of a creosote bush and juniper, between the restroom and maintenance building on the west side of the clubhouse picnic area. The bird flew toward the grove of fruitless mulberry trees and was not refound (no photo). This is the second record of LUWA at Lake Palmdale. The first record was obtained on August 17, 1994 by Kimball Garrett.

Yellow Warbler 12 (m,f; imm) highly vocal in riparian areas throughout.

Common Yellowthroat 5 highly vocal in marsh-riparian areas, ne, s, w.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; active in riparian areas throughout.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f; imm) now greatly reduced numbers and confined to riparian areas in the western and northwestern sections.

Tricolored Blackbird 3 (f; imm. m) together in a willow at the edge of a marsh, ne.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 song (unseen) dense cattail-riparian patch, ne.

Great-tailed Grackle 50 (m,f; imm) ubiquitous; several small flocks vocalizing in emergent willows; flying s over lake.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 vocal; two males with one female on lawn in picnic area, n; others in western riparian areas.

House Finch 30 (m,f) vocal; flocks perched in leafless branches in canopies of cottonwoods, s, w.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 vocal in canopy of large cottonwood, se.

House Sparrow 20 active in a variety of shrubs and trees; on lawns, n.

July 3, 2013 (50 Species)

Weather: Fair; 86F to 93F; wind W, WSW 0 -10 mph.

Time: 0656-0943 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, staying mostly on the inside shoreline road. About 12 fishermen were on the docks and southeast shore; a few were also in small motorboats on the lake. Traffic on the shoreline road was light and conditions were generally good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Verdin (3), Marsh Wren (5), Yellow Warbler (8), Wilson's Warbler (1), Blue Grosbeak (1), Tricolored Blackbird (3), Yellow-headed Blackbird (3) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 60 (m,f) many in trans. bsc. plmg. scattered around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 18 (m,f) resting near the docks, w, sw.

California Quail 12 two small coveys flushed from roadside, ne, s.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal; around the edge of lake in and near the marsh.

Western Grebe 25 pairs; vocal; throughout the lake, esp near edges.

Clark's Grebe 20 pairs; vocal, mostly near the marsh, n, nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from the jetty, nw.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) hiding at the edge of the marsh, ne.

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

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

American Coot 120 vocal; scattered around the edges of the lake; several individuals and pairs in the middle.

California Gull 2 (C1, C2) resting on jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 fly, calls, w.

Mourning Dove 20 vocal; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) flying in middle level of cottonwoods, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 vocal; hovering around pines, ne.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; sally-flycatching from low and medium high perches, riparian areas around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 4 sally-flycatching to ground; skeet range fence line, ne; east side of dam, e.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 calls; riparian-juniper edge, se, s.

Western Kingbird 5 (ad, imm) high perches in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 perched in dead tree, ne.

Western Scrub-jay 3 calls (unseen) e, s, w.

Common Raven 6 vocalizations increasing with my approach; cottonwoods, se; w.

Tree Swallow 30 (ad, imm) on snags; flying low in small flocks over marsh and lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair flying low over roadway and marsh, ne, nw.

Cliff Swallow 50 ubiquitous; flying low over lake and marsh.

Barn Swallow 4 flying low over roadway, open areas, marsh and edge of lake, n.

Verdin 3 highly vocal in creosote scrub; juniper-cottonwood, n, w.

Bushtit 20 three vocal flocks in riparian and edge, ne, s, w.

Bewick's Wren 3 song, edge of riparian-sage and juniper areas, e; se, w.

House Wren 1 song, riparian, ne.

Marsh Wren 5 repeated song in dense cattails, se, w, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 song, s, n.

European Starling 2 vocal; mulberry tree picnic area, n.

Yellow Warbler 8 highly vocal (song, calls) cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 10 highly vocal (song, calls) marsh-riparian around the lake; often in same area as YEWA.

Wilson's Warbler 1 song (unseen) with singing YEWA in cottonwoods, ne.

California Towhee 2 edge of skeet range fence line, ne.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal, riparian-marsh, ne, w.

Blue Grosbeak 1 (m) singing from concealed location near top of mature willow, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 vocal; riparian-marsh; noticably less numerous than in most recent surveys

Tricolored Blackbird 3 (m) marsh-riparian, ne.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 (m) vocal in small patches of marsh-riparian, n, ne.

Great-tailed Grackle 50 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous, esp. in marsh-riparian areas.

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) vocal; marsh-riparian, ne, w.

Bullock's Oriole 5 (m,f) one pair on fence line of skeet range; others vocalizing in tops of cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 30 (m,f) vocal; large flock on ground in skeet range, ne.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 fly, call, juniper-riparian, ne, e.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 3 fly, call; active in pines, ne.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, active on ground, n.

June 26, 2013 (46 Species)

Weather: Fair; 76F to 85F; wind WSW 3 - 5 mph.

Time: 0655 - 1000 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 on the interior shoreline road. About ten fishermen were around the lake; two groups were in small motorboats on the lake. A maintenance crew was removing vegetation in the southeast corner of the dam. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. Aerial insects (e.g. Diptera and Odonata) were abundant.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Green Heron (3), Loggerhead Shrike (1), Tree Swallow (60, including immatures), Verdin (4), Marsh Wren (5), Yellow Warbler (8), Wilson's Warbler (1), Tricolored Blackbird (5), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (5).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 4 (m,f) swimming together in sheltered backwater lagoon, w.

Mallard 30 (m,f; eclipse plmg.) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 12 (m,f) individuals and pairs of males scattered around the edges of the lake.

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

Western Grebe 50 vocal; mostly in pairs (always conspecific) around the edges of the lake; a few in open water.

Clark's Grebe 70 mostly in pairs (always conspecific) around the edges of the lake; occasionally vocal.

Great Blue Heron 1 nw.

Green Heron 2 w, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) nw, s.

American Coot 120 vocal, ubiquitous.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 w.

Mourning Dove 10 vocal, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, s.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal, ubiquitous near shore.

Say's Phoebe 1 on dam, se.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls, se.

Western Kingbird 5 vocal, ubiquitous in tall trees.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 open field, e.

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, w.

Common Raven 8 vocal, s, se.

Tree Swallow 60 flying over lake and marsh; fledglings and adults in trees, n, s, w.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 flying low, back and forth over fields and marsh, n.

Cliff Swallow 30 ubiquitous, flying low and high.

Barn Swallow 8 flying low over lake and marsh, n, w.

Verdin 4 vocal, active in shrubs and trees, n, w.,

Bushtit 20 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks.

Bewick's Wren 1 vocal, w.

House Wren 3 active, vocal in understory of cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 5 vocal, ubiquitous in dense patches of cattails.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, n.

California Thrasher 1 calls, nw.

European Starling 5 active on ground in picnic area, n.

Yellow Warbler 8 (m,f) noticably less numerous than previous surveys; vocal in usual riparian-marsh areas around the lake.

Common Yellow-throat 8 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Wilson's Warbler 1 vocal; YEWA nearby in cottonwoods, s.

California Towhee 1 calls, w.

Song Sparrow 3 noticably less conspicuous, riparian areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 170 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

Tricolored Blackbird 5 (m,f) picnic area and adjacent riparian patch, ne.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 5 vocal; patches of marsh-riparian, n (photo).

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 26 June 2013

Great-tailed Grackle 50 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 10 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas,esp. n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 2 in cottonwoods and mulberry trees, n.

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

House Sparrow 10 active in picnic area and garden around clubhouse, n.

June 12, 2013 (49 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 73F to 88 F; wind W 2mph.

Time: 0640-0958 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, staying mostly on the interior shoreline road.

A few fishermen were on the docks and southeast shore during the survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Downy Woodpecker (1), Tree Swallow (50 - cont.), Verdin (2), Marsh Wren (12), Cactus Wren (1), Yellow Warbler (12), Wilson's Warbler (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (4),

Tricolored Blackbird (3), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (1).

BIRDS NOTED:

Gadwall 3 (m,f) swimming together in open water, n.

Mallard 25 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 5 (m,f) near the docks and marsh, nw, w.

California Quail 12 brushy roadside, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 vocal, ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Western Grebe 20 vocal, ubiquitous around the edges and in middle of the lake.

Clark's Grebe 60 occasionally vocal; ubiquitous around the edges of the lake, often with WEGR nearby.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from jetty, nw.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous, near marsh and in open water.

California Gull 1 (C1) on jetty.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal, active on ground and in riparian area, w.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. riparian areas.

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

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) vocal, riparian, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 vocal, cottonwoods, w, sw.

Downy Woodpecker 1 (m0 active on small diameter branches of willow, w.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal, ubiquitous at edge of lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 in open field, e.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 vocal, in cottonwoods, sw, se.

Western Kingbird 2 vocal, active in riparian areas, n.

Common Raven 6 vocal, flying, ne.

Tree Swallow 50 flying low over lake and marsh; adults feeding young in trees, s.(photo).

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 12 June 2013

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 flying low, back and forth over open fields, marsh and shoreline, n.

Cliff Swallow 50 vocal, ubiquitous, flying low over lake and high (100 ft. +).

Barn Swallow 10 flying low, back and forth over lake and marsh, n, w.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, song, cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 2 vocal, riparian edge, nw, w.

Bushtit 20 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks.

Cactus Wren 1 vocal, active in juniper-Joshua tree patch, n.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal, shrubs adjacent to riparian areas, w, s, e.

House Wren 2 vocal, active in understory of cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 12 highly vocal in dense cattail marsh around the lake, esp. w and s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, n, s.

California Thrasher 4 vocal, active in juniper-sage scrub and riparian edge, w, sw.

European Starling 6 vocal, active in weedy fields and riparian, n.

Yellow Warbler 12 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas (photo).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 12 June 2013

Common Yellowthroat 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

Wilson's Warbler 1 (m) vocal, active in cottonwood, w.

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

Red-winged Blackbird 120 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian.

Tricolored Blackbird 3 (m,f) 1 male foraging on the ground in a ruderal area next to a small patch of marsh, ne (photo).

Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 12 June 2013

Yellow-headed Blackbird 4 vocal, patches of riparian, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 35 vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas, esp. n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (f) vocal, active in riparian trees, n, s.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, cottonwoods, se.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 1 riparian, ne. (photo)

Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 12 June 2013

House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse and garden, n.

June 4, 2013 (51 Species)

Weather: 66F; wind W 5-25 mph.

Time: 0632-1010 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, staying mosltly on the interior shoreline road.

A few fishermen were on the docks in the west and southwest. Increasingly windy conditions made birding difficult toward the end of the survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Willow Flycatcher (1), Tree Swallow (60 - cont.), Verdin (1), Cactus Wren (1), and Blue Grosbeak (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 12 (m,f) around the edges of the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 3 edge of the lake, n.

Ruddy Duck 12 (m,f) open water and edges of the lake.

California Quail 6 brushy areas, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 edge of lake, n, s.

Western Grebe 14 open water and edge of lake.

Clark's Grebe 10 open water and edge of lake, often near WEGR.

Green Heron 1 edge of marsh, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 in cottonwoods, se.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous; most near the edge of the lake.

Killdeer 2 calls, active, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 edge of jetty, nw.

California Gull 2 (C1, C2) near jetty.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 vocal, active in riparian and edge, w.

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous, riparian and open fields.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 riparian, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, cottonwoods, w, sw.

Willow Flycatcher 1 riparian, w.

Black Phoebe 8 ubiquitous, edge of marsh-riparian.

Say's Phoebe 5 ubiquitous, open, ruderal fields.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 vocal, cottonwoods, s.

Western Kingbird 3 vocal, cottonwoods, n, ne,.

Common Raven 4 vocal, e.

Tree Swallow 60 ubiquitous, flying low over lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 flying low over open fields, n.

Cliff Swallow 40 active nesting colony in adjacent home, s.

Barn Swallow 8 flying low over the lake and marsh, n.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.

Verdin 1 vocal, active in creosote and other shrubs, n.

Bushtit 20 vocal, ubiquitous; active in a variety of shrubs and trees.

Cactus Wren 1 vocal, n.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal at edge of riparian-juniper and sage areas, w, s, e.

House Wren 2 vocal, cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal in dense cattail patches around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, n.

California Thrasher 3 (one "Lake Palmdale Gray" variant - photo) vocal; active in juniper scrub, w.

"Lake Palmdale Gray" California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum canus Yorke )

European Starling 6 vocal, active on ground and in riparian areas, n, w.

Yellow Warbler 20 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Common Yellowthroat 3 vocal, marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

California Towhee 2 vocal, active in sage-juniper area, w.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

Blue Grosbeak 1 (f) in dense patch of arroyo willow on southeast side of dam (photo).

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 4 June 2013

Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 16 vocal, in patches of marsh-riparian areas, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 40 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 15 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Bullock' Oriole 3 (m,f) vocal, canopy of cottonwoods, w, s.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal, cottonwoods, se.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, active around clubhouse, n.

May 29, 2013 (63 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 73F, no wind.

Time: 0723-1048 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, staying mostly on the inside perimeter road,

A few fishermen were on the docks and south shore; conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Red-breasted Merganser (1), a possible Franklin's Gull (1), Bonaparte's Gull (3), Black Tern (3), Gray Flycatcher (1), Willow Flycatcher (3),

Cassin's Vireo (1), Tree Swallow (40), Verdin (3), Cactus Wren (2), Yellow Warbler (30), Yellow-breasted Chat (1), Chipping Sparrow (2), and Tricolored Blackbird (10).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 15 (m,f) around the edges of the lake.

Red-breasted Merganser 1 (SY male) swimming in open water near the dam, ne (photo).

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 29 May 2013

Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f) edges of the lake near the docks and marsh, nw, w.

California Quail 4 n.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 edge of lake, n,s.

Eared Grebe 10 together in open water, central lake.

Western Grebe 10 vocal; edge of the lake, esp. nw.

Clark's Grebe 10 edges of the lake, n, nw, w, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 on a snag near riparian, ne; swimming, n.

Green Heron 1 flushed from riparian, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 calls; s, se.

American Coot 60 ubiquitous.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 edge of jetty, nw.

Franklin's Gull ? 1 seen briefly but not clearly flying over nw section of lake.

Bonaparte's Gull 3 flying low over lake, s.

California Gull 4 (ad, imm) swimming; on jetty, nw.

Black Tern 3 flying low over lake, se.(photo).

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 29 May 2013

Mourning Dove 10 vocal, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 riparian-marsh, w, ne.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) calls; cottonwoods, w, se.

Western Wood Pewee 6 ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Willow Flycatcher 3 edge of riparian, sw, se.

Gray Flycatcher 1 edge of riparian-juniper, se.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 riparian, w.

Black Phoebe 1 riparian-marsh, sw.

Say's Phoebe 3 open areas, n, s.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 edge of riparian-juniper, se.

Western Kingbird 1 vocal; riparian, n.

Cassin's Vireo 1 active in subcanopy of cottonwoods, n.

Warbling Vireo 2 active in cottonwoods and willows, w, ne.

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, e.

Common Raven 2 fly, calls, se.

Tree Swallow 40 vocal, pairs in willows with dead branches, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20 flying over open areas, marsh and riparian, n.

Cliff Swallow 120 active nesting colony in adjacent home, s.

Barn Swallow 10 flying low over the lake, n.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, riparian, sw.

Verdin 3 active in a variety of shrubs and trees, n, w, se.

Bushtit 20 ubiquitous; active in small vocal flocks in shrubs and trees.

Cactus Wren 2 calls; acttive at edge of Joshua-tree juniper scrub, n.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal, juniper-riparian, w, sw.

House Wren 1 cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 4 vocal in dense cattail marsh around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, n.

European Starling 5 n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 riparian, w, sw.

Yellow Warbler 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian woodland.

Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal in marsh-riparian, w.

Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) ubiquitous in shrubs and trees.

Yellow-breasted Chat 1 in dense riparian, w.

California Towhee 1 calls, nw.

Chipping Sparrow 2 on lawn in picnic area, n.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 250 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal; active in marsh and foraging in short grass, with and without RWBL, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 vocal, active in marsh-riparian patches, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 (m,f) vocal, active in riparian areas with YEWA and RWBL.

Bullock's Oriole 2 vocal, active in cottonwood canopy, s.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal, riparian-marsh, se.

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

May 20, 2013 (63 Species)

Weather: Fair; 57F to 75F; wind calm until about 0900 hrs, then ENE 10 -15 mph.

Time: 0630 - 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, staying mostly on the perimeter shoreline road. About 30 people were fishing around the lake, including several in small motorboats moving slowly across the lake. Maintenance crews worked the south and western roadsides; the latter area being trimmed with a riding mower.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Merganser (1), Green Heron (1), Caspian Tern (1), American Robin (1), Northern Waterthrush (1), and White-crowned Sparrow (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming near dam, ne.

Mallard 12 (m,f; two small ducklings) near edge of marsh and shallow backwater areas around the lake.

Merganser sp. 1(f) note steep forehead and feathering at base of bill (c.f. Red-breasted Merganser); resting in open water; awakened by passing motorboat, e-central (photo).

Merganser (Mergus sp.) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 20 May 2013

Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f) quiet backwaters and nearshore waters around the lake.

California Quail 8 calls; juniper-rabbitbrush roadside scrub, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 calls, swimming near shore, s, sw.

Eared Grebe 5 (alt. plmg.) swimming and diving together, w-central.

Western Grebe 10 resting in open water around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 12 vocal; swimming near the marsh, w, s, ne.

Green Heron 1 (ad) on cottonwood over shore (photo); vocal when harrassed by a RWBL.

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) se Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 20 May 2013

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 one flushed from large cottonwood, se; one adult circling edge of riparian woodland, w.

American Coot 85 scattered around edges of the lake; a few probably nesting in the interior marsh, nw, s.

American Avocet 2 (alt. plmg.) on s end of jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 three foraging at the water's edge on the jetty, nw; one rocky shore, n.

California Gull (C1, C3) resting in open water; flying over lake, central and nw; one C1 resting on s end of jetty.

Caspian Tern 1 (ad) flying over se marsh and lake, se (photo).

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) se Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 20 May 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls; flying, se.

Rock Pigeon 1 flying over entrance road, n.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal, ubiquitous; pairs active in and around riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 calls, flying around outer foliage of cottonwood, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) two pair, vocal, foraging on cottonwood trunks and main branches, se, w.

Western Wood Pewee 4 vocal; sallying at 8 - 20 ft. heights from branches in cottonwoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 3 vocal; low perch near marsh, n, ne, s.

Say's Phoebe 1 repeated calls from adjacent yard, se.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 calls from dead branches atop cottonwoods, se, s.

Western Kingbird 1 calls, se.

Cassin's Vireo 1 repeated song, well concealed in large cottonwood, se.

Warbling Vireo 4 vocal; one pair interacting, foraging in canopy of mature cottonwoods, ne (photo).

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 20 May 2013

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, e.

Common Raven 6 vocal, ubiquitous, esp.n.

Tree Swallow 40 flying low, back and forth between riparian-marsh areas and central lake; probably nesting in snags, s., nw.

Cliff Swallow 60 flying low, back and forth over the lake and open areas; at least 20 nesting under eaves of adjacent home, s.

Barn Swallow 10 vocal; flying low over marsh and riparian areas, nw, w.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwood riparian woodland, sw.

Verdin 1 rapid chip calls, riparian edge, sw.

Bushtit 20 several small, vocal flocks in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 5 song, riparian and edge around the lake.

House Wren 3 vocal, cottonwood understory, e, se, s.

Marsh Wren 4 vocal individuals in dense marsh, se, sw, w, nw.

American Robin 1 (m) vocal, atop ornamental cypress in adjacent yard, se.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, ne.

California Thrasher 1 running beneath junipers, n; two, calls; one LP Gray scratching in soil beneath junipers, sw (photo). Note: Most of the California Thrashers found at Lake Palmdale are signiicantly paler and dorsally grayer than those found in the transverse and coastal mountain ranges. I have designated this distinctive form as a Lake Palmdale Gray.

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) a Lake Palmdale Gray form , sw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 20 May 2013

European Starling 2 fly, call, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 vocal; foraging in cottonwoods with YEWA and WIWA, n, w.

Yellow Warbler 20 (m,f) two distinctive song-types, probably representing two subspecies; ubiquitous in willows and cottonwoods.

Yellow-rumped(A) warbler 1 vocal, in cottonwoods with YEWA and WIWA, sw.

Northern Waterthrush 1 ( flushed though largely unseen); distinctive loud chips given in rapid succession; staying partly concealed in dense, shady riparian-marsh area with exposed muddy shoreline (found at this exact location in previous years); other species present included RWBL,SOSP, WIWA, OCWA and COYE, w.

Common Yellowthroat 4 repeated song in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) ubiquitous, vocal in riparian and edge around the lake.

California Towhee 1 calls, ne.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and marsh areas.

White-crowned (Gambel's) Sparrow 1 (ad) on ground beneath junipers, se (photo).

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) se Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 20 May 2013

Western Tanager 3 (m,f) in cottonwood and mulberry canopies, n.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 song, repeated in canopy of cottonwoods, n, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 250-300 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous; one young male with dragonfly (photo).

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) imm. male, Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 20 May 2013

Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m,f) one male flying over marsh, followed by several more vocalizing, n. Nesting at LP not yet confirmed this year.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 35 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 vocal, riparian; two pair, n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 3 (m,f) vocal, active in canopies of cottonwoods and mulberry trees, n, se.

House Finch 12 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, call, ne.

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

MAY 15, 2013 (53 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy with haze building in the west from the Fraiser Park fire. 82F to 70F. wind W 10 mph.

Time: 1643 - 1921 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 inside shoreline perimeter road, except in the southeastern section. About 40 people were fishing on docks around the lake during the survey. I met the new caretaker near the jetty, whom had just found what he described as a very large owl (probably GHOW) in the tall willows in the northwest corner. Windy conditions reduced detectability of birds around the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included what was possibly a Long-tailed Duck (see notes below), Black-necked Stilt (4) and Tricolored Blackbird (12).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (m) flushed from the west side of the dam, ne.

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

Long-tailed Duck ? Initially seen with a 10x42 binocular at about 300 yards; photographed with a DSLR/400 mm lens from the north shore of Lake Palmdale. The bird in question on the left with two other unidentified ducks; all resting in the middle of the lake. Noted low profile on water surface; a pointed tail; white breast, dark gray back and white flanks. Head mostly concealed; when briefly visible, appeared light around face, dark on crown. Overall pattern of gray and white ruled out Bufflehead in favor of LTDU in predominantly basic plumage (photo).Note: Bufflehead was found on the lake during the previous survey of May 6, 2013..

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis ) ? left: central Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 15 May, 2013

Ruddy Duck 5 (m,f) resting near the marsh, nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near the marsh, ne.

Eared Grebe 3 (alt. plmg.) small flock; diving, nw.

Western Grebe 8 calls; pais and singles, w, s.

Clark's Grebe 2 calls; pair near marsh, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) flying near dam, e.

Great Egret 1 (ad; bsc. plmg.) foraging on large floating mat of tules, se.

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

American Coot 60 a flock in shallows next to docks, w; other scattered around edges of the marsh.

Killdeer 2 fly, call, picnic area, n.

Black-necked Stilt 4 foraging together on sw edge of jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 (alt. plmg.) foraging at water's edge on jetty, nw, (photo).

Spotted Sandpiper (Actits macularia) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 15 May 2013

California Gull 8 (imm: C1, C2, C3) on s end of jetty, nw ; one C2 swimming near shore, se.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 fly, call, n.

Rock Pigeon 2 around settling ponds and buildings, n.

Mourning Dove 12 ubiquitous; pairs foraging on bare ground.

Great Horned Owl ? (unseen by me) reported during my survey by the LP caretaker who found one in cluster of mature willows; earlier this season he reported adults and fledglings in this area.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 calls, w, s.

Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, sw.

Black Phoebe 3 low perch near shore, sw, se, e.

Say's Phoebe 1 calls from fence, adjacent yard, s.

Western Kingbird 2 on fence, e, n.

Common Raven 4 fly; apparently nesting in tall cottonwood, sw.

Tree Swallow 80 ubiquitous; flying low, back and forth over lake and marsh.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4-6 flying low, back and forth over marsh edge of lake, nw, ne.

Cliff Swallow 300 ubiquitous, flying low over lake, marsh and open land.

Barn Swallow 50 ubiquitous, especially numerous around marsh and shorelines.

Oak Titmouse 2 song; foraging in junipers and cottonwoods, sw, se.

Bushtit 2 calls; moving through lower branches of cottonwoods and junipers, sw.

Bewick's Wren 3 song, brushy areas and riparian, w, sw, ne.

House Wren 1 calls, riparian and brushy edge, s.

Marsh Wren 1 song, dense cattails near jetty, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, desert scrub, n.

European Starling 3 on lawn in picnic area, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 calls; foraging in mulberry trees, n.

Yellow Warbler 20 vocal; cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 2 song, riparian, nw, w.

Wilson's Warbler 20 vocal; ubiquitous in trees and shrubs

Song Sparrow 6 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian edge.

Western Tanager 3 (1 m) vocal; mulberry trees in picnic area, n.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (f) mulberry trees, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 200 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian.

Tricolored Blackbird 12 (m,f); two males and a female foraging on lawn in picnic area; flock of 9 flying s toward lake, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 8 vocal; marsh at edge of riparian, nw, ne.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal; ubiquitous in small flocks of 3 -5 of m & f.

Brown-headed Cowbird 10 (m,f) vocal pairs; one female following two TRBL in picnic area, n.

Bullock's Oriole 3 vocal, active in mulberry trees, n.

Hooded Oriole 1 (f) active in mulberry trees with BUOR, n.

House Finch 15 vocal, active in riparian areas, sw, se.

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

MAY 6, 2013 (57 Species)

Weather: Overcast to partly cloudy with intermittent showers; 48F; wind W, WSW 2 - 10 mph.

Time: 0714 - 1115 hrs.

Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, staying on the shoreline perimeter road. Several fishermen were around the lake; one motorboat was moving around the lake. Conditions were fair for identifying bird vocalizations; rain and wind reduced bird activity and made observations difficult.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (2), Bufflehead (1), Forster's Tern (1), and Tricolored Blackbird (2). An unidentified gull with a black head, possibly an adult Franklin's Gull in alternate plumage was observed briefly near the jetty in the northwestern section.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 16 (m,f) in paris close to the marsh around the lake.

Green-winged Teal 2 (m) open water, central.

Bufflehead 1 (f) swimming near the marsh, se (photo).

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) female southeast Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 6 May 2013

Common Goldeneye 2 (f) swimming with other ducks, open water, central.

Ruddy Duck 35 (alt. plmg.) resting near the marsh around the lake.

California Quail 2 running across road, s.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 calls, nw, w, s.

Eared Grebe 10 (alt. plmg.) diving; scattered around the lake.

Western Grebe 18 most resting in sheltered areas near marsh; calls, nw, w, s.

Clark's Grebe 4 swimming, diving near docks; calls, w (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarki) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County, CA 6 May 2013

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (one in alt. plmg.) resting on buoys, ne.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake; a few in the central section.

Killdeer 1 calls, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 (alt. plmg.) a pair; calls; foraging in weedy area of jetty and edge of water, nw.

Phalaropus sp. (probably P. tricolor ) 6 a tight flock flying low over the lake; not seen in the water, e.

Franklin's Gull ? 1 (alt. plmg.) seen once briefly from about 150 yards; flying low around jetty, nw. wing stroke and pattern suggested FRGU. Note: David Bell reported an adult Sabine's Gull at the Lancaster Sewage ponds today.

California Gull 2 ( C1; C2) flying low over lake from nw.

Forster's Tern 1 (alt. plmg.) noted white ventral; very uniform light upperwing (wedge mark on primaries absent ); relatively long, black tipped orange-red bill; flying low back and forth, occasionally dipping into lake surface near dam, e. (photo).

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County, CA 6 May 2013

Mourning Dove 6 pairs, on road, flying, w, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) flying over creosote bushes, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, n, w.

Western Wood Pewee 2 perched on willow snag, w fence wire, n.

Black Phoebe 2 low perch, sw, s.

Say's Phoebe 1 relatively pale underparts; low perch on dam; e (photo).

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) Lake Palmdale 6 May 2013

Western Kingbird 2 a pair together on east side of dam; flew to fence, e.

Common Raven 4 fly, call, n.

Tree Swallow 100 (conserv. est.) flying low, back and forth over entire lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3 flying over roadway and open fields; also over marsh, n, nw.

Cliff Swallow 250 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous; most flying low, back and forth over lake.

Barn Swallow 4 perched on utility line; flying low over roadway and marsh, n.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, se.

Bushtit 2 calls, se.

Bewick's Wren 3 song, juniper-sage area, w.

House Wren 2 song, cottonwood with sage understory, s.

Marsh Wren 2 song, in marsh, e and w side of jetty, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, se.

European Starling 3 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 vocal; foraging in mulberry trees, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 vocal; foraging in deciduous trees, n, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal; mostly in mulberry trees, n.

Townsend's Warbler 1 (f) foraging in juniper and mulberry trees, n.

Hermit Warbler 1 (m) foraging in mulberry trees, n.

Common Yellowthroat 1 song, riparian-marsh, nw.

Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; foraging mostly in mature deciduous trees.

California Towhee 1 calls, sw.

Song Sparrow 8 song, riparian-marsh areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow song, creosote scrub, n.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (m,f) (conserv. est.) vocal and ubiquitous.

Tricolored Blackbird 2 calls; one male foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 8 vocal, scattered in small patches of marsh, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 vocal, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 two pair; vocal; foraging on lawn and roadway, n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 1 calls, canopy of cottonwood, se.

House Finch 5 vocal; foraging on ground near dam, se.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal; top of cottonwoods, se.

House Sparrow 10 vocal; active in and around gardens next to clubhouse, n.

APRIL 29, 2013 (60 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F to 84F; no wind.

Time: 0710-1110 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, staying on the interior shoreline road in the west and south. About 50 people were fishing around the lake, including several in small motorboats. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Ring-necked Duck (1), Common Loon (1), Western Grebe (12), Clark's Grebe (8), Great Egret (1), Double-crested Cormorant (2) and Tricolored Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs swimming around the edges of the lake.

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

Ring-necked Duck 1 (m) swimming amongst RUDU, se (photo).

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 29 April 2013

Ruddy Duck 60 (alt. plmg.) small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 2 running across road, w.

Common Loon 1 (alt. pmg.) open water near dam, e.

Eared Grebe 16 (alt. plmg.) diving in loose flocks; open water around the lake.

Western Grebe 12 pairs resting; vocal; shallows and open water, esp. w.

Clark's Grebe 8 pairs; less vocal than WEGR; shallows around the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 (ad, imm) resting on snags near dam, ne.

Great Egret 1 (alt. plmg.) in willow, nw.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 calls, sw.

Sora 1 foraging in shallows, shady willow riparian, w.

American Coot 120 (conserv. est.) in small flocks around the lake.

Killdeer 1 at edge of settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 3 on jetty, nw; concrete boat launch, w.

Ring-billed Gull 2 (C2, C3) together on s end of jetty, nw.

California Gull 4 (C2, C3) resting on lake, n.

Mourning Dove 12 two engaged in courtship, w; pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (m, f) vocal, active in cottonwoods, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) vocal, chasing in riparian area near shore, sw.

Belted Kingfisher 1 fly, call, nw; w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) calls; riparian areas, w, sw.

Black Phoebe 4 two pair sallying from docks and low perches, w, ne.

Ash-throated Flycatcher calls, sw.

Western Kingbird 6 pairs atop cottonwoods; vocal, n, w, s.

Western Scrub-jay 2 in riparian and edge of juniper-sage, nw, n.

Common Raven 5 call, fly, n, s.

Tree Swallow 20 flying low over lake; vocal; several perched in dead limbs of willow and cottonwood around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over fields and settling ponds, n.

Cliff Swallow 10 about six nests under eaves in adjacent Spanish-style home; flying low over fields, s.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal; active in lower branches of cottonwood, sw.

Verdin 1 repeated calls, juniper-riparian, sw.

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

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

Marsh Wren 1 song, dense marsh, ne.

Northern Mockingbird 2 song, n, s.

California Thrasher 3 a pair foraging beneath junipers, both giving contact calls, sw; one singing atop juniper, nw.

European Starling 6 foraging on ground; vocal; one entering nest cavity in broken cottonwood branch, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; active in cottonwoods in with YEWA and YRWA, s, sw.

Yellow Warbler 15 vocal, ubiquitous in cottonwood-willow riparian areas.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 35 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 2 (m,f) female in mulberry trees, n; male in cottonwoods, s (photo).

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) male south Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 29 April 2013

Hermit Warbler 1 (m) foraging on outer limbs of Aleppo pines, ne (photo).

Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) male ne Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 calls, low in dense riparian-marsh, w.

Common Yellowthroat 3 vocal, riparian-marsh, w, sw.

Wilson's Warbler 1 calls, willow riparian, w.

Yellow-breasted Chat ? 1 called twice; relatively faintly (unseen) in dense marsh-riparian, w.

California Towhee calls, sage-riparian area next to parking area, nw.

Song Sparrow 12 vocal, active in riparian-marsh around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 1 calls; foraging on roadway, nw.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 calls; song, tall willows, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 150 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous, especially nw, w riparian-marsh.

Tricolored Blackbird 2 (m,f) adult male foraging on s end of jetty; female in grass and neaby RWBL colony in cattails, nw.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 8 vocal; in marsh, n, sw, ne.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh.

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) vocal; one female entering tree cavity, sw.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; tall cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 10 vocal; riparian areas, n, nw, s.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 vocal atop cottonwood, se.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, active in and around garden, nw.

APRIL 22, 2013 (62 Species)

Weather: Fair; 67F to 79F; wind variable W, WSW 2 - 10 mph.

Time: 0715 - 1108 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 inner shoreline road, except in the south. Auto traffic and dust was significant; several fishermen were in boats on the lake. Conditions varied from poor to good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be relatively high; resulting in almost no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Merganser (1), Bufflehead (1),Western Grebe (6), Clark's Grebe (2), Double-crested Cormorant (4) and Tricolored Blackbird (6).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 6 (m,f) flushed from ne corner of lake near the dam.

Mallard 14 (m,f) around the edges of the lake.

Lesser Scaup 1 (m) middle of the lake.

Bufflehead 1 (f) diving in cove near jetty, nw.

Common Merganser 1 (f) diving near jetty, nw.

Ruddy Duck 50 (many in alt. plmg.) edges of the lake; many resting near marsh.

California Quail calls, sw.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 shallows, nw, w.

Eared Grebe 12 (alt. plmg.) diving near jetty and in central part of lake.

Western Grebe 8 pairs resting near marsh; calls.

Clark's Grebe 2 a pair engaged in courtship behavior (facing each other with neck outstretched parallel with the water surface,near marsh, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 4 (ad, imm) diving near marsh; resting with outstretched wings on buoy, n, s.

Snowy Egret 1 foraging at edge of the jetty, nw.

Red-tailed Hawk soaring high on updrafts with ravens over Lake Una.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 fly, call, nw.

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

Least Sandpiper 8 foraging on edge of jetty, nw.

California Gull 8 (ad; imm) resting in north-central area of lake.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 pairs calling; flying over lake, n.

Rock Pigeon 2 flying over lake, w.

Mourning Dove 12 several foraging on ground; others in cottonwoods; calls.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) calls; foraging in cottonwood, w, ne.

Anna's Hummingird 2 (m,f) one male on snag above marsh, s; female foraging in cottonwood near f BCHU, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, w, s.

Black Phoebe 2 together; calls, edge of marsh-riparian, sw.

Western Kingbird 2 vocal, active in mulberry trees around picnic area, n.

Warbling Vireo 1 foraging at mid-level in a cottonwood, w.

Western Scrub-jay 1 perched atop a juniper, se.

Common Raven 20 many soaring high on updrafts around the lake.

Tree Swallow 25 vocal; flying low over roadway and marsh; several pairs nesting in cottonwood and willow snags around the lake

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over roadway by clubhouse, n.

Cliff Swallow 20 vocal; nesting under eaves in traditional site (a large Spanish-style home adjacent to LP, s).

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.

Verdin 1 calls, juniper-cottonwood edge, sw.

Bushtit 15 vocal; active in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal; brushy fields and riparian edge around the lake.

House Wren 2 singing about 50 yards apart in in cottonwood grove next to shoreline road, s.

Marsh Wren 2 song; dense, dry cattail marsh, s.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 foraging in subcanopy of cottonwood, w.

Northern Mockingbird 2 song; n, s.

European Starling 6 foraging on grass; fly, call; probably nesting in cottonwood area, nw, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 calls; foraging with YRWA and WIWA in cottonwoods, s, sw.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 22 April 2013

Yellow Warbler 3 song; willow-riparian over marsh, w, sw, ne.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous at all foliage-height levels; esp. cottonwood canopies.

Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 1 distinctive calls and angled white throat; foraging in juniper next to clubhouse, n.

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 22 April 2013

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 noted broken eyering; staying low at edge of marsh, w.

Common Yellowthroat 3 song; marsh-riparian, nw, w, s.

Wilson's Warbler 10 vocal, ubiquitous in cottonwoods around the lake.

California Towhee 2 calls; flying to open ground in parking area near jetty, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 1 calls; edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 12 vocal; ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas; foraging in mud; edge of jetty and in trees.

White-crowned Sparrow 15 (ad) small flocks at edge of riparian and dry brush around the lake.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 calls; about 30 yards apart in canopies of cottonwoods, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (conserv. est.) highly vocal, ubiquitous; females foraging in short grass near jetty; marsh-riparian.

Tricolored Blackbird 6 (1m; 5 f); females foraging together in Bermuda grass near jetty and adjacent cattail marsh, nw.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 vocal; ubiquitous (though never abundant) in cattails around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale 22 April 2013

Great-tailed Grackle 16 vocal (esp. males); displays on conspicuous perches around the lake.

Brown-headed Cowbird calls, riparian-marsh, w.

Bullock's Oriole 7 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in large cottonwoods.

House Finch 10 vocal; marsh-riparian, w, s, ne.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal atop large cottonwood, se.

House Sparrow vocal; active around picnic area, n.

APRIL 15, 2013 (52 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 50F to 55F; increasing wind WSW 15 - 30 mph. Whitecaps on lake by 0945 hrs.

Time: 0724- 1030 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 inside shoreline road. About 25 people were fishing around the lake; two in small motorboats. Increasing winds beginning about 0900 hrs. made observations relatively difficult..

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 12 (m,f) swimming in shallows around the lake.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) resting in settling pond, n.

Lesser Scaup 1 (m) swimming alone in open water, nw.

Bufflehead 10 (m,f) in pairs and singles; diving, nw (photo).

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 15 April 2013

Ruddy Duck 40 (3 males in alt. plmg.) two flocks resting in shallows, nw; s.

California Quail 6 w; calls, n.

Eared Grebe 18 (most in alt. plmg.), diving near jetty, nw; s (photo).

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigriollis) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County, CA 15 April 2013

Western Grebe 4 two pair restng near edge of marsh, nw, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 (ad, imm) resting on buoy; diving, ne.

Snowy Egret 1 (ad.) lying over dam from Lake Una, e.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 calls, tall cottonwoods, se.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging at the w water line of the jetty, nw.

Least Sandpiper 10 foraging all over the jetty; mostly at the water line, nw.

California Gull 7 (ad, imm) one with injured wing on jetty; others flying to middle of the lake around 9:30 AM.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 edge of willows next to dock, w.

Mourning Dove 12 pairs in riparian and tall weeds , nw, w, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, s

Pacific Slope Flycatcher Flycatching silently from middle level of willows next to the shore, w (photo).

Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 15 April 2013

Black Phoebe 2 flycatching near ground, w, s.

Common Raven 10 pairs and trios flying low around the lake.

Tree Swallow 200 flying low, back and forth over the entire lake and adjacent habitats.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 flying low, back and forth over the lake amongst other swallows, nw, w.

Cliff Swallow 130 ubiquitous; flying low, back and forth over open areas, marsh and lake surface.

Barn Swallow 25 flying low, back and forth over the lake with other swallows.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, song; cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 3 calls; active in creosote bush and other shrubs, nw, w.

Verdin (Auroparus flaviceps) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County, CA 15 April 2013

Bushtit 20 vocal; at least three separate, small flocks in cottonwoods, sage and saltbush habitats around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal, active in brushy areas around the lake.

House Wren 1 song, marsh-riparian, ne.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 foraging in cottonwood foliage, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, active in juniper scrub, nw, n.

European Starling 2 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n.

American Pipit 1 calls; flushed from s end of jetty, nw.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 two foraging in same cottonwood, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 100 (conserv. est.) many males in alt. plmg. ubiquitous;calls, active in small flocks at all foliage heights.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) foraging with YRWA in cottonwood, w.

Common Yellowthroat 1 calls, tall weeds at edge of marsh, nw.

Wilson's Warbler 8 song; active in willow riparian areas around the lake.

Savannah Sparrow 2 calls; flushed from weedy areas at edge ot the jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 8 ubiquitous; vocal, active in pairs and singles, marsh, riparian and weedy fields.

White-crowned Sparrow 45 (ad) ubiquitous in a variety of habitats.

Dark-eyed Junco calls, junipers next to the picnic area, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous, vocal; most in cattails and adjacent riparian.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 12 vocal; active in same cattail marsh where noted in previous surveys last month; one flushed from beneath a creosote bush (photo)two on jetty, nw; s, se.

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 15 April 2013

Great-tailed Grackle 16 (m,f) ubiquitous; males vocalizing from conspicuous perches above marsh

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 calls, cottonwoods, w.

Bullock's Oriole 7 (m,f) three (2 m, 1 f) vocal, foraging in same cottonwood canopy; a pair of females flying over the dam from Lake Una.

House Finch 35 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.

Lesser Goldfinch calls, se.

Lawrence's Goldfinch vocal, active in planted pines and cottonwoods, adjacent property, s.

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

MARCH 25, 2013 (49 Species)

Weather: Fair; 57F to 69F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0822-1115 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 outside perimeter road in the northwest and southwest sections. About 70 people were fishing around the lake, including several on the north end of the jetty and in motorboats on the lake. Automobile traffic and dusty conditions prevented me from surveying most of the riparian area in the western and southern sections. The lake water level continues to be high, resulting in very little exposed shoreline. Only one settling pond contained standing water; the others had thick layers of organic sediment.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Herring Gull (2), Bullock's Oriole (1 - fos) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2- cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming together, ne.

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs and singles in the shallows around the lake.

Northern Shoveler 3 (m) swimming together in the middle of the lake.

Bufflehead 50 (m,f) in loose flocks, open water; diving.

Ruddy Duck 50 (m,f) most in bsc. plmg. resting in quiet backwaters around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 10 calflushed from brushy area, nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 in slough, s.

Eared Grebe 10 (bsc. plmg.) open water, n, w.

Western Grebe 8 pairs resting in open water around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 1 open water, central; called once.

Double-crested Cormorant 12 resting at base of dam, e; flying; swimming, diving, n.

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

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake; a few in open water.

Killdeer 4 calls, nw; a pair on the concrete embankment of a settling pond, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging on the concrete embankment at the edge of a settling pond with water, n.

Ring-billed Gull 2 swimming near a large flock of CAGU, open water, central.

California Gull 300 (90% adult) resting in the central sections of the lake; two (ad, C1) on the jetty, nw.

Herring Gull 2 (C1) swimming amongst CAGU in the central section of the lake.

Mourning Dove 6 pairs flying in riparian areas, n, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 calls, riparian, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker 2 calls; one on ground on east side of dam, e.

Black Phoebe 4 low near water and calls from tree-top perches, w,se.

Western Scrub-jay 1 fly, call juniper-sage scrub, w.

Common Raven 6 pairs fly, calls; one DOR and partially eaten, w.

Tree Swallow 20 flying low over lake; several perched in willows and cottonwoods; one vocal while exiting nest cavity about 18 ft. agl in a cottonwood, ne.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 on utility wire near clubhouse, n (photo).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopterix serripennis) n Lake Palmdale, March 25 2013

Barn Swallow 2 one perched in willows near jetty; vocal; another flying low over marsh, nw.

Mountain Chickadee 1 calls in Aleppo Pine, ne.

Oak Titmouse 5 calls, song, riparian and juniper scrub around the lake.

Verdin 1 calls juniper-sage, concrete drainage, w.

Bushtit 6 calls; pairs active in shrubs and riparian trees, n, s, ne.

Cactus Wren 2 running on ground, then jumping onto a parked trailer with a small motor boat, n.

Bewick's Wren 10 highly vocal in dry scrub and riparian edge around the lake.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 calls, juniper-cottonwood area adjacent to the clubhouse, n.

Northern Mockingbird 2 song, n, s.

California Thrasher 1 (a pale grayish-brown morph) running on ground beneath parked boats, n (photo).

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) note relatively pale overall coloration, n Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 25 March 2013

European Starling 6 vocal; in cottonwoods with cavities next to clubhouse; cottonwoods, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 25 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

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

Song Sparrow 10 vocal, active in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 called once, picnic area next to clubhouse, n.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 calls; in small flocks, brushy areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 120 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m-cont.) singing alternately about 20 yards apart in marsh bordering steep hillside (same area where it was heard vocalizing during my previous survey on March 18); staying well-conealed in dry cattails; flushed after several minutes when I tossed a small stone into the marsh; one male emerged with ruffled plumage --possibly molting.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) highly vocal on conspicuous perches in trees bordering marsh, n, w, s.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (m) foraging in a mature cottonwood, fos (photo).

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullocki) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 25 March 2013

House Finch 20 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and juniper areas.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal atop mature cottonwood, ne.

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

MARCH 18, 2013 (47 Species)

Weather: Fair ; 54F to 64F; wind WNW 0 - 2mph.

Time: 0810-1055 hrs.

Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, staying on the inside shoreline road, except in the southeast where several fishermen were present. About 30 people were fishing around the lake, three boats were on the lake. Auto traffic was light and conditions generally were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shore.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Spotted Sandpiper (1), American Avocet (1), Herring Gull (1), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Ladder-backed Woodpecker (1) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 6 (m,f) swimming close to the dam, e.

Mallard 10 (m,f) edges of the lake; a female watching two males fight near the jetty, nw.

Cinnamon Teal 4 (2 m), swimming together near the dam, se.

Bufflehead 80 (m,f) scattered around the lake; diving.

Ruddy Duck 50 (bsc. plmg.) resting in shallows near shore, nw, se.

Pied-billed Grebe 4 edges of the lake, nw, w, se.

Eared Grebe 50 (many in alt. plmg.) diving throughout the lake (photo).

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 18 March 2013

Western Grebe 4 resting in shallows; calls, nw, w, s.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 on stirrer platforms in lake; swimming, flying, n, e.

Great Blue Heron 1 in marsh at base of dam, ne.

American Coot 120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 calls, nw.

American Avocet 1 9alt. plmg.) flying e, low over the lake, central.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 on jetty (photo).

Spotted Sandpiper (Actits macularia) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 18 March 2013

California Gull 120 (ad, imm) resting on the lake, central.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) resting on the lake on the outside of a flock of CAGU, central.

Mourning Dove 20 pairs calling; riparian areas around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m) vocal; exposed perches, riparian and juniper edge around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m) drumming on willows, w; calls.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 (m) extensive white on face visible; calls; flew to a cottonwood, w.

Hairy Woodpecker 1 (m) calls, flew to the crown of a fruitless mulberry next to the clubhouse, n.

Black Phoebe 2 calls; riparian -marsh edge, w, s.

Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, w.

Common Raven 2 on jetty, nw.

Tree Swallow 20 flying low over lake and marsh; two birds staying close to cottonwoods with possble nest cavities, s (photo).

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 18 March 2013

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low; resting on utility wire, n.

Oak Titmouse 3 song, riparian areas, w, s, sw.

Verdin 1 flying quickly between creosote bushes, n.

Bushtit 6 calls; pairs and singles foraging in riparian areas around the lake.

Cactus Wren 1 singing on top of a cholla cactus, n.

Bewick's Wren 4 song, calls; edge of riparian, juniper, w, sw.

House Wren 3 repeated song; staying low, near cavities in mature cottonwoods, s (photo).

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 18 March 2013

Marsh Wren 2 song, dense cattails, nw, w.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song; gardens and ornamental trees, n, nw.

European Starling 15 song (incl. mimicry), calls; in crowns of mature cottonwoods, n, w, sw.

American Pipit 1 (worn bsc.plumage) on jetty, nw (photo).

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County, CA 18 March 2013

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 ubiquitous at all levels in the vegetation.

Common Yellowthroat 5 repeated song, marsh, riparian edge around the lake.

California Towhee 1-2 calls, roadside shrubs and riparian, n.

Song Sparrow 20 repeated song; calls, marsh and riparian areas around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 ubiquitous, though not numerous; brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal; ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 one singing briefly in cattails at the base of a cliff, nw; another song heard in cattails next to slough, s.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal; ubiquitous on jetty and in marsh-riparian areas.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, riparain areas n, w.

Lesser Goldfinch 1 song, cottonwoods, s.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, active in picnic area next to the clubhouse, n.