BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake using the interior shoreline road. One pedestrian and a maintenance vehicle were in the area during the survey. Otherwise the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level was relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline. The Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing at moderate volume. Waterfowl hunting season ended January 31; fishing season is now open.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (1), American White Pelican (1), Osprey (2), Tree Swallow (30), Violet-green Swallow (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2), and Cliff Swallow (4).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Bufflehead 12 (m,f) loosely gregarious and a some pairs; throughout.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) most resting at the edge of the marsh around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 individuals diving near shore, throughout.

Horned Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) with AMCO, near shore, N (photo).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale 21 Feb. 2019 C. Yorke

Eared Grebe 1 near shore, n.

Western Grebe 4 individuals, open water, n.

Clark's Grebe 4 individuals and pairs, throughout.

Double-crested Cormorant 20 gregarious; perched on stirring platform, n.

American White Pelican 1 swimming near shore, n.

Great Blue Heron 5 in the marsh around the lake.

Osprey 2 vocal; circling the lake about 100 ft. agl.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flying, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 on utility pole; flying with CORA, ne, se.

American Coot 80 gregarious; around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 4 2 pair; vocal, top of dam; jetty.

California Gull 50 (ad; imm) most resting in loose flocks in open water.

Mourning Dove 5 gregarious, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 sallying/ hovering from atop willow, se.

Northern (RS) Flicker 10 gregarious; foraging on ground throughout, esp. w.

Northern (YS) Flicker 1 imm. with NRSF, w (photo).

Northern Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) imm. LP LACO 21 Feb. 2019 C. Yorke

Black Phoebe 2 sallying from low perch, n, se.

California Scrub-Jay 2 in sycamores and junipers; one foraging on ground, se.

Common Raven 20 gregarious; in loose flocks over the dam, n, e.

Tree Swallow 30 loosely gregarious, flying low over lake surface and marsh throughout.

Violet-green Swallow 1 flying low over lake surface with TRSW, nw.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low near marsh and over channel, se.

Cliff Swallow 4 gregarious; resting on jetty (photo); flying low over lake surface near marsh, nw.

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Lake Palmdale LACO 21 Feb. 2019 C. Yorke

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, s.

European Starling 2 a pair in cottonwood canopy, s.

American Pipit 4 loosely gregarious on ground at edge of dam and jetty, e, nw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 vocal, in cottonwoods and willows, s, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 2 edge of rabbitbrush field, s.

Dark-eyed Junco 6 three on ground at edge of spillway, rabbitbrush scrub, s; in pines, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 6 vocal individuals in dead cattails, s, ne, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n, s.

House Finch 2 (m,f) vocal; on ground, roadside, n.

NOVEMBER 10, 2018 (62 Species)

Weather: Fair; 47F to 56F; wind WNW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0715-1030 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake using the interior shoreline road. A few vehicles and some maintenance workers were present during the survey; otherwise the area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during the survey. The lake water level was about 3ft. lower than the high-water line on marsh vegetation, resulting in a variable but substantial amount of exposed shoreline (10-40 ft. wide). The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the southeast corner was flowing at moderate volume. Many waterbirds were crowded together in the southern and central sections of the lake. Multiple blinds (vacant today) and decoys were set up for the continuing hunting season. The most recent waterfowl hunting day at LP was three days earlier (Wednesday, November 7).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canvasback (5), Greater Scaup (1), Common Loon (1), Horned Grebe (1), Bonaparte's Gull (1), Tree Swallow (6), Barn Swallow (2), and Rock Wren (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 3 (m,f) in a mixed species flock of ducks, se, ne.

American Wigeon 20 (m,f) a small flock in the central lake; flying over lake about 500 ft. agl.

Mallard 6 (m,f) individuals and pairs around the edges of the lake, esp. s.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) flying low toward ne shore.

Green-winged Teal 8 (m,f) swimming near shore, s, se.

Canvasback 5 (m,f) individuals and pairs swimming with other ducks near marsh, se (photo).

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) center, with other ducks (MALL, RUDU, RNDU), Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 10 November 2018

Ring-necked Duck 3 (m,f) swimming in msf with other ducks, se, nw.

Lesser Scaup 30 (m,f) mostly in large flocks resting in central section of lake.

Greater Scaup 1 (m) ID: rounded head with green gloss; large bill; swimming in proximity with LESC, n. (photo).

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 Nov. 2018

Bufflehead 25 (m,f) small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

Common Goldeneye 4 (m,f) gregarious; resting with AMWI and LESC, central.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous.

California Quail 4 running across PWD driveway, n.

Common Loon 1 occasionally diving in e-central lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 15 vocal; loosely gregarious around edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 1 swimming in open water near the dam, e.

Western Grebe 10 vocal; pairs showing courtship behavior, followed by an immature, w.

Clark's Grebe 12 vocal; pairs and individuals around the margins of the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 (imm) swimming near shore, n.

American White Pelican 4 on shore and swimming in open water, n.

Great Blue Heron 4 individuals on shore and in the marsh around the lake.

Green Heron 1 flushed from tules, sw.

Black-crowned Night Heron 12 (imm; 2 ad) gregarious; perched in leafless willows at edge of marsh, ne, se (photo).

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nyticorax nycticorax) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 November 2018

Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm) perched in canopy on bare branch of cottonwood for several minutes, s (photo).

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) immature Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 10 November 2018

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flying over riparian patches, w, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole at edge of rv parking area, n.

Sora 1 vocal (unseen) dense marsh on n side of slough, s.

American Coot 500 gregarious, wary, ubiquitous.

Killdeer 8 vocal, gregarious; on shore and jetty, se, nw.

Greater Yellowlegs 2 gregarious, vocal; a pair at water's edge on the dam, e.

Bonaparte's Gull 1 making short, low flights and then resting on the lake in different area, central.

Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad) flying low over the lake; one landing near BOGU, central.

California Gull 12 (ad, imm) gregarious; a loose flock resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 flushed from pines, ne.

Mourning Dove 4 flushed from pines and cottonwoods, ne.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) hovering around outer foliage of cottonwood, sw.

Belted Kingfisher 2 vocal; perched on leafless limbs over lake, n, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal (unseen) n.

Northern (RS) Flicker 4 individuals flushed from trees and ground, n, se, w.

Black Phoebe 3 sallying from low perches to ground, n, sw, nw.

Say's Phoebe 1 flying low over skeet range, ne.

California Scrub-Jay 1 flying between junipers, nw.

Common Raven 10 gregarious; small flocks circling the dam, ne.

Tree Swallow 6 gregarious; flying over lake surface; on utility lines, n.

Barn Swallow 2 gregarious; on utility line, n.

Bushtit 30 vocal, gregarious; two large flocks moving through cottonwoods and willows, w, s.

Rock Wren 1 taking an insect from the inside corner of the rear bumper of a storage-parked rv, n (photo).

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 10 November 2018

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal; one scolding an intinerant flock of WCSP in saltbush, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 foraging in cottonwoods and willows; often with YRWA, n, w.

Hermit Thrush 1 flushed from shaded ground to juniper, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 perched on a large saltbush, nw.

European Starling 1 flying over riparian patch, n.

American Pipit 1 vocal (unseen) flying over dam, e.

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

Common Yellowthroat 4 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in marsh-riparian, w.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy margin of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 4 vocal (one giving repetitive "tink" calls); marsh-riparian, nw, w, s.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 in low limbs of willow at edge of open field, nw.

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

Red-winged Blackbird 1 (imm m) walking on mudflat at edge of marsh, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in marsh, nw, sw.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in pines and cottonwoods, n.

OCTOBER 18, 2018 (64 Species)

Weather: Fair; 49F to 70F; wind wnw 0- 2 mph. High winds (SE - Santa Ana) in the Southern California region 2-3 days earlier.

Time: 0736-1145 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior lakeshore road. Some people were working on a dock in the southwestern section. Otherwise the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to recede; now about two-feet below the water line on marsh vegetation, leaving significant sections of exposed marsh and mudflats in the western and northern sections. The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the southeast corner was flowing at moderate volume. Several small groups of duck decoys had been placed around a few docks with hunting blinds. Waterfowl hunting season begins 10/20/2018 and extends through January 27, 2019 (regular season: Wednesdays, Sundays and Federal holidays).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, American Wigeon (4), Blue-winged Teal (8 - cont.), Lesser Scaup (8), Bufflehead (8), Common Goldeneye (1- cont.), Horned Grebe (2), American White Pelican (8), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Northern Flicker (12), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Barn Swallow (200), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (30), Phainopepla (1), Savannah Sparrow (3), and Western Meadowlark (1).

BIRDS NOTED

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

American Wigeon 4 (m,f) gregarious, swimming near shore, nw (fos).

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

Blue-winged Teal 8 (f - cont.) gregarious; three or four individuals swimming near edge of marsh, nw, se.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, ne.

Northern Shoveler 1 (f) resting in open water near jetty, nw.

Redhead 3 (m) swimming together, se.

Ring-necked Duck 6 (m,f) gregarious; swimming near marsh, se.

Lesser Scaup 8 (m,f) gregarious; resting in open water and near marsh, nw, e-central (fos).

Bufflehead 8 (m,f) loosely gregarious in open water, nw, e-central.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f - cont.) preening in open water near dam, e.

Ruddy Duck 200 (m,f) gregarious, easily flushed; ubiquitous around edges and in middle of the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 15 vocal, individuals and pairs around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 2 diving near shore, nw, e (photo- fos).

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 18 October 2018

Eared Grebe 2 swimming near shore with AMCO, n.

Western Grebe 4 vocal; open water, n.

Clark's Grebe 25 (ad, imm) vocal; one pair followed closely by an immature, nw (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) adult (l, r) and young (r-center), Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 18 October 2018

Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad, imm) swimming, resting on stirring platform and shore, ne.

American White Pelican 8 gregarious (one individual swimming 100 yards from flock), n-central.

Great Blue Heron 4 individuals at edge of marsh and on shore around lake.

Great Egret 1 flew to edge of marsh, se.

Green Heron 1 vocal; flying around marsh, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flying over marsh and around cottonwoods, w, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (ad, imm) individuals perched on utility poles; flying over edge of lake, n, w.

American Coot 600 gregarious; easily flushed; ubiquitous around edges and in middle of lake.

Killdeer 12 vocal when approached; gregarious; on jetty and dam, nw, e.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 vocal; on shore of dam (photo).

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 18 October 2018

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

California Gull 3 (ad, imm) flying around jetty, nw.

Feral Rock Pigeon 12 gregarious; flying around lake boundary, n.

Mourning Dove 2 on road, n.

Great Horned Owl 1 partially concealed in usual willow perch, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 hovering around outer canopy of willows and cottonwoods, nw, w.

Belted Kingfisher 3 (m,f) vocal; solitary on perches at edge of marsh around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal (unseen) nw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 12 (m,f)vocal; gregarious, ubiquitous on ground; in and around cottonwoods, willows and junipers; feeding on ants.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 sallying from outer limbs of cottonwood, nw.

Black Phoebe 3 vocal; individuals sallying to ground near water, w, se, e.

Say's Phoebe 2 sallying to ground from fence and low perches, ne, nw.

Warbling Vireo 1 in cottonwood canopy, n.

California Scrub-Jay 1 vocal (unseen) se.

Common Raven 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Tree Swallow 3 flying low over lake; on utility line with large flock of BASW (photo), n

Barn Swallow 200 - conserv. est. (ad, imm) gregarious, ubiquitous; perched on roof of large PWD facility water storage tank; on nearby utility lines (photo); flying low over lake.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 18 October 2018

Verdin 1 vocal in creosote bush, n.

Bushtit 14 two vocal flocks in shrubs and trees, w, s.

Bewick's Wren 1 vocal; willow-marsh riparian, sw.

Marsh Wren 1 vocal (unseen) w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 30 gregarious; foraging with YRWA in a variety of shrubs and trees around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 flew into canopy of cottonwood, se.

European Starling 5 vocal, gregarious; on utility lines next to clubhouse, n.

Phainopepla 1 (m) flew into cottonwood canopy, se.

Yellow Warbler 1 (f) in tamarisk, nw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 (m,f) gregarious, vocal (calls), ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 5 (m,f) vocal; marsh-riparian edge, nw, w, sw.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) a pair foraging in tamarisks with RCKI, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 3 flushed from weedy edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 1 in exposed mudflat-marsh, w.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 in tamarisk with YRWA, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious, brushy, roadside, n.

Western Meadowlark 1 in juniper canopy, w.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 18 October 2018

Great-tailed Grackle 16 (m,f) gregarious, nw, s.

House Finch 10 (m,f) gregarious, with WCSP, n.

House Sparrow 5 (m,f) gregarious, around clubhouse, n.

OCTOBER 4, 2018 (54 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 59F; wind WSW 15-25 mph; whitecaps on lake.

Time: 0744-1050 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. There was no disturbance due to human activities during the survey. The lake water level continues to recede, dropping another 10-12 inches since the last survey (9/27). The Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowin at medium volume. High winds significantly reduced bird activity and detectability.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1 - cont.), Cattle Egret (1), Common Tern (1), Vaux's Swift (1), Cliff Swallow (1), Hermit Thrush (2), and Oregon Dark-eyed Junco (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 8 (m,f) pairs scattered around the edges of the lake near the marsh.

Mallard 8 (m,f) individuals and pairs scattered around the edges of the lake with other ducks.

Blue-winged Teal 12 (f) pairs and trios swimming near the marsh, nw, se, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) flushed from shallows at edge of dam, e.

Common Goldeneye 1- cont. (f) flushed from shallows at edge of dam, e (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) fem. Lake Palmdale LACO CA 4 October 2018

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) loose flocks resting near the marsh around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 (ad, imm) individuals and small, loose flocks around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 1 swimming with AMCO, n.

Western Grebe 10 pairs and individuals in open water around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 30 (ad, imm) vocal; pairs and individuals in open water and near the marsh throughout.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (ad, imm) diving in open water, central, nw.

Great Blue Heron 3 on shore and in marsh throughout.

Great Egret 2 individual on jetty and another in a tree at edge marsh, nw, se.

Cattle Egret 1 (ad) flushed from n end of jetty, nw.

Green Heron 1 flying low over edge of marsh, nw.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (imm) flushed from marsh; flew around s end of lake together.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying low over slough and marsh, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flying around riparian areas, n, se.

American Coot 400 gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal flushed from s end of jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flushed from s end of jetty, nw.

Calidris sp. (possibly BASA) 1 gave single call note when flushded from s end of jetty, nw.

California Gull 2 (ad) flying over the central lake.

Common Tern 1 (imm) ID extensive black cap; conspicuous carpal bars and gray secondaries; flying around lake with two FOTE (photo).

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) immature Lake Palmdale LACO CA 4 October 2018

Forster's Tern 2 (ad, imm) gregarious; plunge-diving in central lake.

Mourning Dove 6 pairs flushed from jetty and riparian patches around the lake.

Vaux's Swift 1 flying at about 200 ft agl, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 hovering around outside of cottonwood, w.

Belted Kingfisher 3 (m,f) vocal when flushed from perch in marsh; w, s, ne (photo).

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) fem. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 4 Oct. 2018

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 foraging in cottonwood, nw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flying low into junipers, w.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from low cottonwood limbs; flushed to a perch tall rabbitbrush, s.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; individuals on low perches and roadways throughout.

Say's Phoebe 2 vocal; sallying to short grass near jetty; chased by BLPH nw.

Common Raven 30 gregarious; a large flock circling the dam, ne.

Tree Swallow 5 a loose flock flying over lake and dam, 2 - 20 ft. agl, ne.

Cliff Swallow 1 flying low into the wind over the lake, s.

Barn Swallow 10 gregarious; flying low over lake and marsh, s, e.

Verdin 2 vocal; in willows and cottonwoods, s.

Bushtit 30 gregarious; three separate flocks in shrubs and low foliage of cottonwoods around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal; riparian- rabbitbrush edge, nw, w.

Hermit Thrush 2 gregarious; a pair staying partly concealed beneath a large juniper, sw.

European Starling 2 flying around clubhouse, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; foraging in junipers and cottonwoods, nw, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 (m,f) calls, gregarious; in a variety of vegetation types around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 6 (m,f) calls; individuals and pairs foraging on mudflats and low in marsh-riparian around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging in cottonwoods, nw.

Song Sparrow 3 foraging on mudflats and in marsh, nw, w.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 foraging in roadside shrubs with WCSP, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow 5 gregarious; calls; foraging in shrubby areas, n, nw.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 1 (m) foraging alone at edge of marsh, sw.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 + gregarious; vocal; three in flight; many vocalizing in marsh, se.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) basic plmg. individuals and small flocks, n, s.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 (65 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 81F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0658- 1045 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Except for maintenance work in the northeast corner of the dam, there was little disturbance by human activities during the survey. The lake water level has dropped by about a foot since my most recent survey of September 13, 2018. This resulted in a narrow but significant strip of mudflats and dry marsh around the lake. The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the northeast corner was flowing at medium volume.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (15), Redhead (2), Ring-necked Duck (2), Bufflehead (1 - cont.), Common Goldeneye (1), Eared Grebe (10), Sora (1), Forster's Tern (3), Northern Flicker (1), Willow Flycatcher (1), Verdin (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (12), and Black-throated Gray Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 5 (m,f) individuals and pairs scattered around the edges of the lake.

Mallard 6 (m,f) pairs scattered around the edge of the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 15 (f) small flocks of females swimming near the edges of the lake, nw, ne (photo).

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 27 September 2018

Cinnamon Teal 6 (f) individuals in msf with BWTE and GADW around the edges of the lake.

Northern Shoveler 6 (f) swimming in a tight flock, e-central.

Redhead 2 (m,f) a pair resting in a backwater area near the marsh, nw (photo).

Redhead (Aythya americana) with a AMCO (L) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 27 September 2018

Ring-necked Duck 2 (f) a pair swimming together near the marsh, nw (photo).

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 27 Sept. 2018

Bufflehead 1 -cont. (f) flushed from shore, ne.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) flushed from near shore, n; possibly a summering bird - see Aug. 23, 2018 notes (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 27 September 2018

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) loose flocks scattered around the lake near the marsh.

California Quail 30 two-three flocks, n, se.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 (ad, imm) vocal; loosely gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake; a few in central lake.

Eared Grebe 10 gregarious; a tight flock swimming, w-central.

Western Grebe 30 (ad, imm) individuals and pairs scattered around the edges of the lake; no active nests observed.

Clark's Grebe 40 (ad, imm) individuals and pairs scattered around the lake; one adult carrying two chicks on its back (photo); no active nests observed.

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) adult with chicks Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 27 September 2018

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (ad, imm) resting on islet, ne.

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

Great Egret 1 on shore of dam, se.

Green Heron 1 flushed from aqueduct inlet fence, s.

Black-crowned Night Heron 4 (imm) flying over lake; one on edge of marsh in slough, s, nw.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from cottonwoods, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad) flushed from willows and cottonwoods, nw, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) circling 600 ft agl above dam, ne.

American Kestrel 2 (m,f) one flying to snag on slough island, s; another circling with RTHA, ne.

Sora 1 vocal; foraging in mud at waterline at edge of exposed marsh, nw.

American Coot 400 gregarious, ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer 4 flushed from jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flushed from edge of jetty, nw.

California Gull 3 (ad) resting in open water, central.

Caspian Tern 2 vocal; a pair flying over low, back and forth over the lake, w.

Forster's Tern 3 (ad, imm) gregarious; flying low, back and forth, dipping bills into lake surface, s, sw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 gregarious; on ground and in cottonwoods; on utility lines, n, s.

Mourning Dove 12 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Great Horned Owl 1 partially concealed in same large willow where found during the previous survey, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 15 (m,f) individuals and pairs - loosely gregarious, vocal; hovering around canopy of cottonwoods and willows.

Belted Kingfisher 2 (m,f) vocal; individuals apparently on widely spaced territories; perched on snags overhanging the marsh.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, n, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 (m) vocal; perched on lower limb of cottonwood, sw.

Western Wood Pewee 1 calls (unseen) trees clubhouse, n.

Willow Flycatcher 1 perched on low cottonwood limbs overhanging small marsh, se.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; individuals on low perches near water around the lake.

Warbling Vireo 2 individuals foraging in msf with YRWA, OCWA in canopy of cottonwoods and mulberry trees, s, n.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 vocal; flying from junipers to cottonwoods, sw.

Common Raven 6 ubiquitous; pairs circling above the shore, w, ne.

Barn Swallow 8 gregarious; flying low over the lake surface, s.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal; in lower limbs of cottonwoods, se.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from cottonwood, se.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 vocal in large cottonwood above Palmdale Ditch inlet, se.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal; active in low to mid-level in willows and brushy areas around the lake.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal; trees at edge of park n ride, n.

European Starling 5 vocal, gregarious; on utility lines around clubhouse, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 5 calls; foraging in a variety of vegetation types and heights; often with YRWA.

Yellow Warbler 3 (f) individuals foraging in cottonwoods, n, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler (m,f; imm) vocal (calls) gregarious; ubiquitous in trees and large shrubs.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (m) foraging in juniper, n.

Common Yellowthroat 12 (ad, m, f) vocal; gregarious (ad, imm) in marsh-riparian edge around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 3 (m,f) foraging in willows, nw.

California Towhee 1 repeated calls (unseen) from saltbush-juniper scrub, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 2 flushed from weedy edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; individuals and pairs in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 8 gregarious, vocal; in creosote scrub, n (fos).

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) gregarious, vocal; shoreline and marsh, nw, s.

House Finch 10 (m,f) gregarious, vocal, ubiquitous, esp. n.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 (m,f) gregarious; foraging on sunflowers next to Palmdale Ditch inlet, se.

House Sparrow 6 (m,f) gregarious, vocal; in shrubs and mulberry trees around clubhouse, n.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 (55 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 74F; wind WNW 1 - 15 mph.

Time: 0732-1030 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Except for maintenance work at the main gate on Avenue S, the lake and surrounding land was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be near maximum volume, but had receeded about 1ft. since my previous survey of September 6, resulting in very little exposed shoreline. The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the northeast corner was flowing at medium volume.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (2-cont.), Ring-necked Duck (1- fos), Bufflehead (1 - fos), California Gull (11 - fos), Western Wood Pewee (3), Willow Flycatcher (1), Tree Swallow (1), Verdin (1), and Savannah Sparrow (1-fos).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 10 (m,f) pairs scattered around the edges of the lake, nw, se, ne.

Mallard 30 (m,f) pairs and small flocks around the edges of the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) a pairs swimming near the marsh, se.

Northern Shoveler 5 (f) gregarious; swimming near the marsh, se.

Green-winged Teal 2 (f) a pair swimming near the marsh, se.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (m) swimming in open water, e (photo - fos).

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 13 September 2018

Bufflehead 1 (f) diving near shore, n (photo - fos)

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) fem. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 13 September 2018

Ruddy Duck 25 gregarious; most inactive on water in loose flocks; a few diving near marsh, nw, w.

California Quail 6 gregarious; in brushy area next to back gate, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 20 (ad, imm) vocal; diving near shore and marsh throughout.

Eared Grebe 1 swimming near jetty, nw.

Western G rebe 30 at least 4 pair nesting on floating marsh vegetation, nw (photo). Interspecific aggression with CLGR: One adult with a highly vocal, nearly full-grown young bird, was observed aggressively chasing a nearby CLGR, that closely approached the parent and offspring near the jetty, nw. At least two other pairs composed of one adult closely followed by a nearly full-grown young bird, were in open water vocalizing, repeatedly giving, loud, high-pitched, begging calls.

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) on nest, Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 13 September 2018

Clark's Grebe 30 individuals and pairs scattered around the lake, both near and distant from the shore; some still on floating nests, nw; others possibly nesting in marsh. One adult followed by a highly vocal young, giving similar begging calls sounding identical to WEGR.

Double-crested Cormorant 8 (ad, imm) gregarious; swimming in open water; resting on a small islet, ne.

Great Blue Heron 1 in marsh at edge of slough, s.

Great Egret 2 on shore; one relatively tame near docks, w.

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 vocal when flushed from willows on shore, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flushed from a series of riparian patches sw,s and se; vocalized and circled high above the dam; alighted in tall cottonwood where a nest had been in previous years.

American Kestrel 2 (m,f) individuals perched on outer branch of tall willow and cottonwood, nw, se.

American Coot 400 gregarious; wary and easily flushed when near shore.

Killdeer 2 on jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) flushed from edge of jetty to a small, mostly submerged patch marsh vegetation.

California Gull 11 (ad) gregarious; resting in open water, nw.

Caspian Tern 2 vocal; a pair flying around the lake at about 20 ft., then rising to 200 ft. and moving off to the east.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 on ground and in riparian patches around the lake.

Mourning Dove 10 individuals and pairs in willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Great Horned Owl partly concealed in subcanopy of a large willow, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 10 (m,f) hovering around trees and shrubs throughout.

Belted Kingfisher 4 vocal; individuals, apparently maintaining territories along the shore; wary and readily flushed; one adult female alighting on dead willow limb at edge of slough, s (photo).

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) female Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 13 September 2018

Nuttall's Woodpecker 6 m,f vocal; pairs foraging in same or adjacent willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Western Wood Pewee 3 vocal; sallying from 3- 20 ft. perches in brush and riparian-marsh, nw, w.

Willow Flycatcher 1 vocal; sallying from 4 ft. perch in willow, to edge of marsh, nw.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal; individuals sallying from 1 - 5 ft. perches to ground around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; sallying from 1 ft. perch at edge of marsh next to jetty, nw.

Western Scrub-Jay calls (unseen) nw, ne.

Common Raven 6 vocal; pairs and individuals flying around the lake.

Tree Swallow 1 flying back and forth over the slough, s.

Barn Swallow 1 perched on a utility line, n.

Oak Titmouse 1 repeated calls from cottonwoods, nw.

Verdin 1 vocal in saltbush at edge of roadway and park n ride fence, nw.

Bushtit 20 gregarious, vocal; two flocks in cottonwoods, n, s.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal; in cottonwoods and tamarisk, n, w.

European Starling 5 vocal, gregarious; on utility lines, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 3 foraging in creosote bush, cottonwood and on sunflowers, n, w, se.

Yellow Warbler 1 (f) foraging in cottonwood, sw.

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 repeated calls while foraging around base of a tamarisk, nw.

Common Yellowthroat 2 calls; marsh-riparian, nw, w.

Wilson's Warbler 4 (m,f) calls; 2-3 individuals foraging in willows, nw.

California Towhee 1 calls (unseen), n.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal; marsh-riparian, nw, w.

Red-winged Blackbird 8 (m) gregarious, vocal; flying over marsh, s.

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

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious in cottonwoods,n, se.

House Sparrow 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in shrubs and on ground around clubhouse, n.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 (52 Species)

Weather: Fair; 70F to 89F; wind WNW 2-5 mph.

Time: 0714-1025 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Maintenance workers with a chainsaw were in the northern section, topping mulberry trees. Two other maintenance vehicles were present in the area during the survey. Otherwise, the lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be at or near maximum volume; the Palmdale Ditch inlet in the se corner had a high flow rate.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (2), Northern Shoveler (5), Eared Grebe (17), Peregrine Falcon (1), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Willow Flycatcher (2), Warbling Vireo (1), Verdin (2), and Hermit Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 8 (f) pairs and individuals swimming near shore, n, ne.

Mallard 20 (f) individuals and pairs scattered around the edges of the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) a pair swimming from the edge of the dam, e (photo).

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) female Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 September 2018

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

Northern Shoveler 5 (f) two flocks swimming; one of three, nw; one of 2, ne.

Green-winged Teal 2 (f) a pair swimming near the marsh, se.

Ruddy Duck 3 (m,f) swimming together near the marsh, nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 25 (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 17 (bsc. plmg.) a cohesive flock in open water, central.

Western Grebe 20 vocal; individuals and pairs around the edges of the lake. Two active, floating platform nests made from of aquatic vegetation, e.g. bullrush & cattail; CLGR nesting similarly nearby; no interspecific interactions observed, nw (photo).

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) left; Clark's Grebe (A. clarkii) right, Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 Sept 2018

Clark's Grebe 30 vocal; individuals and pairs around the margins of the lake, often near a marsh; at least three pair at nests, nw (photo).

Double-crested Cormorant 2 perched on emergent snag, ne.

Great Blue Heron 1 standing at edge of marsh in slough, s.

Great Egret 1 flushed from shore; terminal section of lower mandible missing, n.

Green Heron 2 flyiing low over the lake, n, nw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ad flushed from canopy perch in willow, nw.

Peregrine Falcon 1 (imm) flying low and fast from riparian edge and over marsh and lake, s (photo).

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) immature Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 September 2018

American Coot 400 gregarious, ubiquitous; wary and easily flushed.

Black-necked Stilt 1 on edge of jetty, nw.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 vocal in flight, low over water next to dam, e.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 two pair; both flushed from shore, n, e.

Caspian Tern 2 (ad, imm) vocal; gregarious; flying 50 ft. over the lake; one adult repeatedly giving a loud, raspy call; an immature with a high-pitched begging call.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 in trees and on utility lines, n.

Mourning Dove 5 individuals on ground, on utility wires and in trees around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 20 (m,f) ubiquitous; individuals and pairs hovering around creosote bushes, willows, cottonwoods.

Belted Kingfisher 4 (m,f) individuals perched on snags over the lake, n, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls (unseen) n, se.

Willow Flycatcher 2 sallying from perch in willows, n, w.

Black Phoebe 10 vocal; individuals sallying to ground and shrubs around the lake.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 individuals sallying from willows; one captured a dragonfly in flight, ne, nw.

Warbling Vireo 1 foraging in cottonwood middle foliage; moving to juniper, then back to cottonwood, se.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 calls, se.

Common Raven 6 pairs and individuals soaring high above the lake.

Tree Swallow 2 flying low over lake surface, n.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low over marsh and lake with nearby CLSW, n.

Cliff Swallow 40 gregarious; on utility wire; flying low over land, marsh and lake, n, nw.

Barn Swallow 50 gregarious; on utility wire; flying low over marsh and lake, n, nw.

Verdin 2 vocal; foraging in cottonwood over PD, se.

Bushtit 6 vocal, gregarious; foraging in canopy and subcanopy of cottonwoods and willows, w.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal; foraging near the ground in creosote scrub; one singing atop a tall willow, n, w.

Marsh Wren 1 (unseen) scolding calls given repeatedly in dense cattails as I approached, s.

European Starling 6 on utility wires and poles, n.

American Pipit 1 flushed from dam, e.

Orange-crowned Warbler 5 vocal; often with other warblers, e.g. YEWA, in a variety of shrubs and trees throughout.

Yellow Warbler 2 vocal; foraging in subcanopy of cottonwoods, and creosote bushes, n, nw.

Hermit Warbler 1 imm. foraging quickly in mid level foliage of large willows, nw (photo).

Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis) immature; . same individual in both images; Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 6 Sept. 2018

Common Yellowthroat 6 (m,f) vocal; staying low in marsh-riparian edge around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) repeated calls; foraging low in willows, w.

California Towhee 2 calls; in willows, nw, Great Basin scrub, ne.

Song Sparrow 6 calls; riparian-marsh edge aroundt the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 12 vocal, gregarious; most in transitional mol, n,s.

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

AUGUST 23, 2018 (56 Species)

Weather: Fair; 55F to 80F; wind WNW 5 - 15 mph.

Time: 0646-0952 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Aside from one vehicle briefly present in the se section, the lake was undisturbed by human activities during the survey. Increasing winds put a chop on the lake surface by 0845 hrs. The lake water level continues to be at or near the maximum level; flow was moderately high in the Palmdale Ditch inlet at the se corner.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1 fem. - cont. as a summering bird), nw (photo), Blue-winged Teal (2), Green-winged Teal (1), Clark's Grebe (8 pair nesting), Caspian Tern (2), Black-chinned Hummingbird (1), Selasphorus sp. (1), Verdin (3), White-breasted Nuthatch (1), Phainopepla (1), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), Black-headed Grosbeak (2), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (f) open water, ne.

Mallard 18 (f) ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 2 f swimming with a female Cinnamon Teal, south slough.

Cinnamon Teal 1 f as above.

Green-winged Teal 1 f swimming near dam, se.

Common Goldeneye 1 f - cont. probably as a summering bird; initially flushed from nw edge of jetty; stretching wings and showing missing/molting flight feathers (photos).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) female (same individual in both images) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 23 August 2018

Pied-billed Grebe 15 vocal; ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Western Grebe 4 individuals and pairs resting near the marsh, nw, se.

Clark's Grebe 24 vocal; 8 pair nesting on floating tule-cattail nests; seven nests spaced 10-50 ft. apart in traditional colonial nesting area of nw corner, but all nests now west of the jetty; this is one of the largest perrennial nesting colonies of Clark's Grebe in Los Angeles County (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 23 August 2018

Double-crested Cormorant 2 (ad) flying around over the lake, e.

American White Pelican 1 (bsc. plmg.) resting on shore, n.

Great Blue Heron 3 individuals and a pair flying over lake; one in a tree overhanging the slough, se.

Great Egret 1 (ad) flying low over the lake, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ad vocal in flight, se.

American Kestrel 1 m hawking large insects, e.g. dragon flies, from a 15 ft. perch in leafless tree in the marsh, se.

American Coot 50 gregarious, ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 9 gregarious, vocal; a cohesive flock on the dam, e.

Black-necked Stilt 1 resting on s edge of jetty with an AMAV, nw.

American Avocet 1 (bsc. plmg.) as above.

Caspian Tern 2 vocal; flying 20 -60ft agl over edge of lake, ne.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal, n.

Mourning Dove 6 individuals scattered around the riparian areas.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) seen at close range, perched on a willow snag; possibly more individuals in cottonwoods at distance, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m,f) interacting around cottonwoods and willows throughout.

Selasphorus sp. 1 (m) seen briefly flying to perch in distant cottonwood, se.

Belted Kingfisher 3 highly vocal; a pair flying together, low over the marsh, n, sw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (f) foraging on main trunk of cottonwood at about 15 ft. agl., s.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; individuals on low perches around the lakeshore.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 one in fresh bsc. plumage; snatch-gleaning insects from marsh and low vegetation near shore, s, sw.

Western Kingbird 1 worn bsc. plmg. aerial hawking from willow overhanging lake, ne.

Common Raven 6 vocal; individuals and pairs flying around lake, 20 - 100 ft. agl. young calling in nest in canopy of cottonwood, se.

Horned Lark 10 flushed from roadway at interior gate, n.

Tree Swallow 1 flying low with CLSW and BASW over edge of lake, n.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low (2- 6 ft. agl) over ground and marsh with CLSW and BASW, n.

Cliff Swallow 20 (ad, imm) gregarious; flying 10 - 60 ft. over edge of lake and open areas; perched on utility wire, n.

Barn Swallow 30 (ad, imm) gregarious; flying 5 - 60 ft. over edge of lake, marsh and open areas; on utility wires near CLSW n, se.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls (unseen) cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 3 vocal; active in creosote bush and low tree limbs, n, s.

Bushtit 6 gregarious; a cohesive flock foraging in creosote bushes, n.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 foraging in the bark crevices and cavity in a large cottonwood, s (photo).

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 23 August 2018

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal (unseen) brushy areas, n, nw.

European Starling 4 vocal; on utility wire; in canopy of cottonwoods and willows, n, s.

American Pipit 1 vocal when flushed from roadway, n.

Phainopepla 1 (f) in canopy of cottonwood tree, nw.

Orange-crowned Warbler 6-12 (ad, imm; bsc. plmg.) calls; most appearing to be the lutescens subspecies; gregarious while foraging in junipers and willows around the lake.

Yellow Warbler 1 (f) calls; foraging in subcanopy of a cottonwood, n.

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 (f) foraging in msf with OCWA and WIWA in dense subcanopy of willows overhanging the water, nw.

Common Yellowthroat 5 calls (mostly unseen) staying low in marsh, nw,w.

Wilson's Warbler 3 (m) in msf with OCWA and MAWA, subcanopy of willows, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 calls (unseen) marsh-riparian, nw, w.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 (m) vocal; in canopy of cottonwoods, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 1 (m) flying low over marsh, nw.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 song given briefly in marsh at base of cliff, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 m, f vocal, gregarious, n, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 m,f; gregarious in canopy of willows and cottonwoods, nw, s.

House Finch 12 m,f vocal, gregarious; canopy of cottonwoods; utility wires, n.

May 24, 2018 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; low clouds and fog on adjacent Ritter Ridge; 57F to 65F; wind WSW 10-15 mph.; whitecaps on eastern half of the lake.

Time: 0727-1025 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Aside from 2-3 vehicles temporarily moving around the lake, there was little disturbance by humans during the survey. The western half of the lake was relatively calm; the eastern half choppy with gusty winds. Except for swallows, most birds favored the wind-sheltered areas. The lake water level continues to be relatively high with little exposed shoreline. A relatively new inundated wetland near the jetty and on the west shore attracted numerous bird species.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (2 -cont.), Common Goldeneye (1- cont.), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (1), and Blue Grosbeak (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f; imm) pairs and individual males scattered around the edges of the lake.

Bufflehead 2 (m,f - cont.) a pair swimming together near the marsh and jetty, nw.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f- cont) flushed from s end of jetty; flapped wings vigorously as it moved a short distance on the water, but did not become airborne, suggesting a cripple.

Ruddy Duck 40 (m,f; alt. plmg.) one male showing head bobbing display; most resting together in quiet, backwater areas around the lake.

California Quail 10 individuals running on roadway and in open areas around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 4 vocal; in and near the marsh around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 8 pairs resting in quiet backwater areas around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore in marsh, se.

Snowy Egret 1 at edge of inundated wetland, w.

Cooper's Hawk 1 ad chasing a RTHA in flight near the mulberry picnic area, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 flying over marsh and shore, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 1 juv. in utility pole nest over PWD yard, n; an adult chased by COHA, n.

American Coot 60 gregarious; often paired at edge of marsh around the lake.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 flushed from jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 pairs in riparian areas, n, nw, w.

Mourning Dove 20 gregarious; riparian and adjacent roadways and open areas around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched atop a creosote bush, nw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, n, w. se.

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 sallying from outer limbs of cottonwood, se (photo).

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 May 2018

Western Wood Pewee 4 vocal; individuals sallying from outer limbs and snags of cottonwoods and willows around the lake (photo).

Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 May 2018

Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 repeated song (initially suggesting LEFL) while sallying and changing perches on outer limbs of a tall shrub, sw (photo).

Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 May 2018

Black Phoebe 8 pairs and individuals sallying to roadway and open areas around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 4 vocal; pairs and individuals sallying from outer cottonwoods and willows to ground, nw, w, s.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 flying over juniper field toward riparian patch, se.

Western Kingbird 3 vocal; a pair foraging together on roadway, n.

Warbling Vireo 3 individuals foraging in willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 flying over adjacent field of arroyo willow, se.

Common Raven 15 gregarious; small flocks flying over open areas, n, e.

Tree Swallow 40 pairs and individuals foraging low over lake and marsh; pairs on outer limbs of nesting sites (cavities in dead limbs) in willows and cottonwoods, n, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low, back and forth over dirt roadway; perched on fence, n.

Cliff Swallow 60 gregarious, ubiqutious; foraging widely in high winds over lake and adjacent areas in loose flocks, 10 - 200 ft. agl.

Barn Swallow 10 pairs and individuals foraging over lake, marsh and open, windy areas, n, e..

Verdin 2 vocal; se, ne.

Bushtit 1 flying to cottonwoods, ne.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal; riparian and juniper edge, n, nw.

American Robin 1 on ground beneath cottonwoods, ne.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, n, se.

European Starling 3 gregarious, vocal, n.

Phainopepla 1 vocal atop cottonwood, s.

Yellow Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal; individuals foraging in willows and cottonwoods around the lake (photos).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) m (A); imm. female (B), Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 May 2018

Common Yellowthroat 6 (m,f) vocal in marsh-riparian areas, nw, w, s.

Wilson's Warbler 15 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging in a variety of shrubs and trees around the lake.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; often in pairs on ground in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Western Tanager 1 (f) flushed from edge of PD inlet riparian patch, se.

Blue Grosbeak 1 (f) flew to outer limb of cottonwood (photo).

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina cerulea) female Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 May 2018

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) gregarious; ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m) vocal in marsh adjacent to jetty, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) ubiquitous, esp. nw, w, s. several males displaying together in leafless willows, n.

Brown-headed Cowbird 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; marsh-riparian areas with other icterids.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f; imm) vocal; n, w; one immature begging from an adult male in cottonwood; one fem. foraging on ground w.

House Finch 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; often paired, n, ne.

Lesser Goldfinch vocal (unseen) cottonwoods, ne.

House Sparrow 4 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around clubhouse, n.

May 10, 2018 (61 Species)

Weather: Fair' 63F to 78F; wind wsw 0 - 7 mph.

Time: 0640-1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. One maintenance vehicle was moving around the lake during the survey; otherwise the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. Water flow in the ne Palmdale Ditch inlet was moderately low; the lake water level continues to be at or near maximum volume, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (1 -cont.), Warbling Vireo (3), Swainson's Thrush (3), Townsend's Warbler (1), Chipping Sparrow (2), Western Tanager (5), Tricolored Blackbird (10) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (3).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Bufflehead 1 m - cont. diving near the jetty, nw.

Ruddy Duck 60 m,f (alt. plmg.) loose flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 20 several small coveys in brushy areas around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal individuals around the edges of the lake; one in open water, central.

Western Grebe 7 vocal, gregarious, open water, central, ne.

Clark's Grebe 4 individuals and a pair around edges of the lake, nw, e.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) resting on snag in lake, ne.

Great Blue Heron 1 at edge of jetty, nw.

Green Heron 1 (ad) flew to marsh next to jetty, nw.

Cooper's Hawk 1 ad repeated alarm calls, following me into mulberry picnic area; same behavior as during the previous two surveys, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) vocal; flying low over lake, then circling high (150 ft. agl) over marsh, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 on cell tower above PWD buildings, ne.

American Coot 60 gregarious; ubiquitous around edges of lake and central.

Killdeer 1 on gravel edge of entrance rd.PWD, n.

Spotted Sandpiper 4 vocal; individuals on edge of jetty and dam, nw, e.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 pairs in riparian patches around the lake.

Mourning Dove 20 pairs in riparian and open fields around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) in same willow (with CORA) as during previous survey, nw (photo).

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 May 2018

Anna's Hummingbird 3 (m) vocal; individuals perched atop junipers; flying to cottonwoods, sw, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal in cottonwoods, n, se.

Western Wood Pewee 2 sallying from fence and mid level in cottonwood, se, ne.

Black Phoebe 2 vocal; perched atop cottonwood; and near ground, s, se.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; flying low over rabbitbrush field, se.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 flew to willow riparian patch from juniper field, w.

Western Kingbird 5 vocal, gregarious; one individual with worn plumage, sallying from outer cottonwood limb over shore, ne.

Warbling Vireo 3 individuals foraging in creosote bush, cottonwoods, n, nw. (photo).

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 May 2018

Western Scrub- Jay 2 vocal; juniper field and cottonwoods, se.

Common Raven 10 pairs and individuals flying around lake; one perched on limb above GHOW, w.

Horned Lark 5 on shaded gravel edge of entrance road, PWD n.

Tree Swallow 20 pairs and individuals flying low over lake and adjacent areas; two - three pair in traditional staging and nesting area (Dock #44), attending nest cavities in large outer limbs of dead willow and cottonwoods; similar nesting areas in riparian areas on the north and west shore.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 a pair flying low over marsh and open fields, se.

Cliff Swallow 10 gregarious; flying 10 - 100 ft. agl over the lake and adjacent areas; no nesting colonies observed in adjacent homes with old nests under eaves, s.

Barn Swallow 8 individuals and pairs flying 2 - 30 ft. agl over lake, marsh and adjacent areas, n, se.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal (unseen) in cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 1 repeated calls while moving around in tall juniper next to PD, se.

Bushtit 12 vocal, ubiqutious in brushy areas; one flock of 7 birds in junipers, sw.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal, riparian and brushy areas around the lake.

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

Swainson's Thrush 3 individuals on ground beneath cottonwoods and junipers, sw, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, in cottonwood, se.

California Thrasher 4 vocal; in riparian and juniper edge around the lake.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious; cottonwoods, n, nw, s.

Yellow Warbler 20 m,f highly vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, creosote bush and cottonwoods, n.

Townsend's Warbler 1 (m) foraging in mid level of willow canoy, w (photo).

Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 May 2018

Wilson's Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in a variety of shrubs and trees.

Chipping Sparrow 2 (alt. plmg.) on ground and in creosote bush; one perched atop a cottonwood, n.

Savannah Sparrow 1 (alt. plmg.) flushed from edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal; individuals on edges of riparian-marsh around the lake.

Western Tanager 5 (m) gregarious; individuals and a small flock foraging in fruiting cottonwoods, junipers, sw (photo).

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 10 May 2018

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian.

Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m,f) gregarious; a flock flying ne over riparian patch, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 (m) vocal; in patches of marsh, n, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. nw and s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) vocal, riparian patches, n, nw, w.

Bullock's Oriole 12 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in cottonwoods.

Hooded Oriole 1 (f) atop a creosote bush, n.

House Finch 12 (m,f) vocal; pairs in riparian and brushy areas around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 (m,f) vocal; pairs in riparian patches, n, se.

House Sparrow 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; on shore, in and around creosote bushes opposite mulberry picnic area with COHA, F&F clubhouse, n.

May 3, 2018 (72 Species)

Weather: Fair; 52 F to 72F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.

Time: 0659- 1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. A pontoon boat was launched from the nw ramp and motored around the lake during the first hour of my survey. Two vehicles were moving around the lake later. Spraying of shoreline vegetation on the dam was being done by a local pest control company. Otherwise, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. Water was flowing moderately through the Palmdale Ditch inlet (PD) in the southeast section. The upstream riparian area was attracting warblers and other birds for bathing; several of those species were not found elsewhere during the survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (2), Common Goldeneye (1), Osprey (2), Virginia Rail (1), Common Gallinule (1), Black-necked Stilt (4), Great Horned Owl (2), Vaux's Swift (6), Gray Flycatcher (1), Cassin's Kingbird (1), Cliff Swallow (120), Barn Swallow (100), Verdin (2), Phainopepla (1), Black-throated Gray Warbler (1), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), White-crowned Sparrow (1), Tricolored Blackbird (6) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (4).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 2 vocal a pair swimming in channel, s.

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

Bufflehead 2 (m,f) individuals diving near the jetty, separated by 30- 50 yards (photo).

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) male (l) and female (r) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Common Goldeneye 1 (f - cont.) diving near the jetty with fem. bufflehead, nw (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) fem Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f; alt. plmg.) small flocks resting in backwater areas around the lake.

California Quail 12 (m,f) pairs and small coveys in brushy areas around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 12 vocal individuals and loose flocks swimming around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 2 (alt. plmg.) diving in open water, n-central and nw.

Clark's Grebe 1 swimming near the jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 1 vocal, swimming near the docks, w.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying low over lake, w.

Green Heron 1 perched on metal post on dam; flew to shore, se.

Osprey 2 one moulting wing feathers flying with a fish (photo); another individual without moulting pattern in flight feathers, flying with nest material over dam, s, e.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) again repeatedly vocal as in previous survey; this time following me around the mulberry grove picnic area (possibly nesting here) (photo).

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

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

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) being chased by ravens over dam, ne.

Virginia Rail 1 foraging on muddy edge of newly dredged marsh next to jetty, nw (photo).

Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Common Gallinule 1 flushed from shore on dam to adjacent water, se (photo).

Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

American Coot 80 gregarious, ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 3 one pair on gravel road at PWD back gate, n.

Black-necked Stilt 4 flying low (30 ft. agl) together, northbound over marsh and jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 8 gregarious; vocal when flushed; pairs on jetty and shore, nw, ne (photo)

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal, gregarious; often foraging in pairs on roads around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 2 vocal; two individuals, one harrassed by ravens while perched in willow (photo); another chased out of a nearby cottonwood by ravens, nw.

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Vaux's Swift 6 gregarious; circling low over lake, occasionally dipping into surface, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 3 (m) on exposed perches; one foraging on flowering creosote bush, n (photo).

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) two individuals Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal; perched on willow limb overhanging lake, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal (m,f) foraging in cottonwoods, n.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from low limb of willow, nw.

Gray Flycatcher 1 (fos) flew to outside limb of juniper at edge of Joshua tree - California Juniper patch, near PD inlet, se (photo).

Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Black Phoebe 3 sallying to ground from low perches around the lake.

Say's Phoebe calls (unseen) ne.

Cassin's Kingbird 1 ID: A comparatively compact profile; contrasting white throat patch on dark gray face; tail dark without outer white feathers; terminal buffy edge (photo); Initially seen at 10:10 hrs. and observed and photographed for 2-3 minutes near the conclusion of my survey, perched on outer limb of large cottonwood in roadway, flew to north out of view. Two WEKI were interacting on fence nearby; this spot is at the edge of the skeet range and interior roadway, ne. NOTE: Although CAKI is common at Castaic Lagoon and generally elsewhere in the San Fernando Valley and coastal LACO, it is apparently quite a rare bird in the Antelope Valley. To my knowledge, this is the first photo-documented occurrence of CAKI at Lake Palmdale and possibly for the Antelope Valley region. However, it has been included on local bird lists, suggesting it may occur there regularly during migration.

Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

Western Kingbird 4 vocal, gregarious; pairs interacting on fence and in mulberrys, n.

Common Raven 10 voca, ubiquitousl; pairs harrassing GHOW and RTHA.

Tree Swallow 40 gregarious, ubiquitous; loose flocks and pairs foraging over marsh and lake; some perched in dead willow and cottonwood limbs, n, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6 pairs foraging over open fields, marsh and lake, n, e.

Cliff Swallow 120 gregarious; a very large flock of 100 + birds initially found perched on chain-link fence in PWD yard; flocks foraging widely in area, water level to 200 ft. agl.

Barn Swallow 100 gregarious; together on fence with CLSW (see above); flocks foraging widely over lake and marsh; apparently nesting in covered concrete drainage box, se.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; individuals foraging in willows and cottonwoods, w, s.

Verdin 2 vocal; individuals in brushy areas along fence line, nw, ne.

Bushtit 2 individuals foraging in riparian and conifer grove, w, ne.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal, juniper-sage field, nw, w.

House Wren 1 vocal; PD inlet area beneath large cottonwoods, se.

American Robin 2 a pair foraging beneath cottonwoods in weedy area near shoreline, n.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal; n, s.

California Thrasher 1 repeated song in juniper-sage field, nw.

European Starling 8 vocal, gregarious; riparian areas, n, s.

Phainopepla 1 (m) in willows, sw.

Orange-crowned Warbler 4 foraging with YRWA, YEWA, and WIWA in a variety of shrubs and trees around the lake.

Yellow Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal; often with other warblers in riparian woodland around the lake.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging in a large variety of shrubs and trees.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) bathing upstream in PD, se.

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 (m) bathing upstream in PD with other birds, se (fos).

Common Yellowthroat 4 (m,f) vocal in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal, often in msf with other warblers; in a variety of vegetations types around the lake.

California Towhee 1 in PD bathing area with other birds, se.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian-marsh areas.

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad) with other birds in PD bathing area, se.

Black-headed Grosbeak 2 (m,f) one perched atop a willow near jetty, nw; another bathing in PD stream, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious (many males on territories) in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Tricolored Blackbird 6-8 (m,f) a small, vocal flock flying n over roadway; two other individuals flying ne over marsh, nw.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m) one vocalizing from conspicuous perch in marsh with RWBL and GTGR, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) vocal; pairs in riparian patches around the lake.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; pairs and idividuals in cottonwoods around the lake.

Hooded Oriole 1 (m) with BUOR atop cottonwood, n (photo).

Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) m Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal; pairs active in trees and shrubs around the lake.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 (m,f) two pair; one in cottonwoods and on roadway, s (photo) ; the other in pines, ne.

Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 3 May 2018

House Sparrow 6 vocal, gregarious; around buildings and riparian edge, n.

April 26, 2018 (57 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F; wind WSW 5 - 20 mph.

Time: 0702-1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. A few vehicles were present during the survey; otherwise the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be at or near maximum volume; inflow at the Palmdale Ditch was moderate. Recently cleared marsh-riparian areas in the western section have increased mudflats and shallow water habitat further inland. Those new, open wetland areas have been attracting a few species of waterbird, mostly mallards, coots and killdeer, but also less common migrants, e.g. Wilson's Snipe.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Bufflehead (1), Common Goldeneye (1), Osprey (1), Wilson's Snipe (1), Vaux's Swift (1), Cassin's Vireo (1), Phainopepla (3), Wilson's Warbler (20), and Black-headed Grosbeak (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 pairs scattered around the edges of the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) flushed from shore, ne.

Bufflehead 1 (m) swimming near the jetty, nw.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f- possibly continuing) flushed from shoreline; swimming with PBGR, n (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) female Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 April 2018

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f; alt. plmg.) small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake in quiet backwater areas.

California Quail 10 (m,f) two or three pair in brushy areas, n, nw, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal; swimming near shore around the lake.

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

Western Grebe 6 vocal; pairs resting in open water, n, central.

Clark's Grebe 1 swimming in open water near dam, e.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) flying over lake, se.

Great Blue Heron 1 standing on boat dock, nw.

Osprey 1 flying w over dam, e.

Cooper's Hawk 1 repeated loud calls from mulberry tree in F& F picnic area, n.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 one adult standing on nest; same PWD utility pole nest site as this species has used in previous years, ne.

American Coot 80 gregarious, ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 calls, new wetland area next to jetty, nw.

Wilson Snipe 1 flushed from edge of new wetland area next to jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 pairs in trees and on ground in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 8 vocal; mostly paired; ubiquitous.

Vaux's Swift 1 flying low over lake with BASW and TRSW near jetty, nw.

Hummingbird sp. (f) not seen clearly in flight, but appeared to be a BCHU, cottonwoods, s.

Belted Kingfisher 1 perched in willow overhanging lake, ne.

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

Black Phoebe 1 low perch over concrete drainage channel, se.

Western Kingbird 3 vocal; one on a juniper (photo) and a pair in mulberry trees in F&F picnic area.

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 April 2018

Cassin's Vireo 1 vocal; in outer canopy of tall cottonwood, se (fos).

California Scrub-Jay 3 vocal; a pair in juniper-riparian area next to PD inlet, se.

Common Raven 12 vocal; pairs and small flocks flying around lake; two possibly active nests in cottonwoods, sw, s.

Tree Swallow 40 pairs and trios flying low over lake and adjacent areas, esp. s, around traditional nest sites in willows and cottonwoods.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10 ubiquitous; pairs and individuals flying with BASW and TRSW.

Barn Swallow 8 one pair nesting in traditional site in concrete drainage box, se; others flying low over lake.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal in riparian areas, nw, s, se.

Verdin 1 vocal, shrubs on fence line, ne.

Bushtit 6 vocal, two or three pair, brushy areas n, nw.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal from perches in brushy areas, n, nw, ne.

Marsh Wren 1 vocal (unseen) dense marsh next to jetty, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, s, ne.

European Starling 8 vocal, gregarious; in cottonwoods with possbile nest cavities, n, s.

Phainopepla 3 (f) gregarious in willows and cottonwoods; aerial hawking from exposed perches, sw.

Orange-crowned Warbler 6 foraging in creosote bush, mulberry trees and cottonwoods; often with YRWA and WIWA, n.

Yellow Warbler 6 (m,f) vocal foraging in tops of willows, cottonwoods and mulberry trees, n, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 40 (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal (calls) gregarious, ubiquitous; often with other warblers in a variety of foliage types and heights.

Common Yellowthroat 1 repeated song from marsh-riparian, w.

Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal (song and calls); often in pairs and in msf with other warblers in low to medium high shrubs and trees around the lake (fos).

California Towhee 1 vocal; creosote bush hillside, n.

Song Sparrow 4 vocal (calls and song) marsh-riparian around the lake.

Western Tanager 1 (m) in mulberry grove, F&F picnic area, n (fos).

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (f) in creosote bush, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; females feeding on ground away from marsh colonies around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 vocal (unseen) small patch of marsh, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. nw and s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (m,f) vocal; perched on tree tops, w, s.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; foraging on fruits in cottonwoods around the lake (photo).

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) male Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 April 2018

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; mostly in pairs.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 (m,f) vocal, pairs flying between cottonwoods, s, n.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around buildings and shore, n.

April 12, 2018 (58 Species)

Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA, viewing northwest from the dam 12 April 2018

Weather: Partly cloudy; 44F; wind WNW 15 -30 mph.; whitecaps on lake surface.

Time: 0658-0915 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. One fisherman and one PWD maintenance truck were in the area during the survey; otherwise the lake was undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level was at or near maximum volume; most of the western shoreline was inundated and cleared of tall vegetation. Little or no exposed shoreline occurred around the lake. The Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing at about half the maximum rate. Increasing wind velocity significantly reducted the detectability of birds.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1), White-faced Ibis (1), Osprey (1), Caspian Tern (1), Vaux's Swift (1), Rufous Hummingbird (1), Ash-throated Flycatcher (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (1), Bullock's Oriole (2) and Hooded Oriole (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 16 (m,f) pairs scattered around the edges of the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 9 (m,f) gregarious; a small flock dabbling in foam at edge of PD inlet channel, se.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) swimming alone near boat ramp next to jetty, nw.

Ruddy Duck 50 (bsc. and alt. trans. alt. plmg.) small flocks resting around edges of lake in wind-sheltered areas.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal; pairs and individuals around the edges of the lake.

Eared Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) swimming near jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 3 vocal, gregarious; resting near docks, sw.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 individuals diving and resting on stirring platforms around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 3 flushed from shore, nw, sw, ne.

Green Heron 4 flushed from shore; gregarious; individuals vocal while in flight to secluded sections of the marsh, sw, s.

White-faced Ibis 1 (alt. plmg.) standing above water line on dead cattails at edge of slough, s (photo).

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 April 2018

Turkey Vulture 1 struggling against wind at about 200 ft. agl over lake, se.

Osprey 1 flying around at about 50 ft. agl above marsh with fish in talons, s (photo).

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 April 2018

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 flying; vocal, nest area in cottonwoods, se.

American Coot 80 gregarious, scattered around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 6 vocal; pairs and trios on shore, nw, and on gravel road across dam, e.

California Gull 4 ad, C3; individuals and a small flock flying into wind at about 80 ft. agl, above lake, central, n.

Caspian Tern 1 (alt. plmg.) circling the lake at about 80 ft. agl.

Eurasian Collared Dove 8 vocal; pairs around the riparian edges of the lake.

Mourning Dove 6 pairs and individuals around the lake.

Vaux's Swift 1 flying at about 50 ft. agl over lake outlet area, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 3 (f) vocal; hovering near junipers and other tall vegetation, w, s.

Rufous Hummingbird 1 (m) hovering with ANHU, above a mature juniper, se.

Belted Kingfisher 2 perched on tree overhanging lake; flying, w, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal (unseen) cottonwoods, s, n.

Black Phoebe 2 staying on low perches in wind near marsh and shore, s, n.

Say's Phoebe 1 perched in wind-sheltered spot on rv spare tire next to PWD back gate, n.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 flushed from low perch in creosote bush; flying to similar perch nearby, n.

California Scrub-Jay 1 moving low in black willows near roadway, nw.

Common Raven 10 vocal; pairs flying but most grounded by high winds -- one pair on the dam alowed me to approach within about 5 ft., evidently reluctant to take flight in high winds.

Tree Swallow 120 (conserv. est; including a few (imm?) in bsc. plmg..) large mixed species flocks of swallows flying a few inches above the entire lake surface, esp. w; some on sheltered perchs in trees with CLSW and NRWS, w.

Violet-green Swallow 1 flying low with other swallows over lake surface in high winds, ne.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 100 (conserv. est.) in msf with other swallows, low over entire lake surface in high winds.

Cliff Swallow 250 (conserv. est.) in msf with other swallows, low over entire lake surface in high winds.

Barn Swallow 60 (conserv. est.) in msf with other swallows, low over entire lake surface in high winds.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls (unseen) cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 3 vocal (unseen) shrubs and trees, n, ne.

Bushtit 1 in pines next to skeet range, ne.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal from conspicuous perches in tall shrubs and trees around the lake.

House Wren 1 repeated song from canopy of black willow, s.

Marsh Wren 3 (unseen) repeated song from dense marsh, s, se.

Northern Mockingbird 2 in adjacent yard, s.

California Thrasher 1 on ground beneath mature juniper, se.

Phainopepla 1 repeated calls (unseen) cottonwoods, s.

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

Yellow Warbler 6 (m,f) vocal; actie in shrubs and trees around the lake, esp. n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler (m,f alt. plmg.) vocal (calls) gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 2 vocal in marsh-riparian, w.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal; edge of marsh-riparian around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 40 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 vocal, gregarious; males on territories in marsh around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 vocal (unseen) in favorite patch of marsh-riparian below cliff, n.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 vocal; edge of riparian-marsh around RWBL colony, w.

Bullock's Oriole 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, n, sw.

Hooded Oriole 1 (m) moving about in crown of flowering creosote bush, n.

House Finch 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n.

Lesser Goldfinch vocal (unseen) pines, ne.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious; in pines and junipers with HOFI and WCSP, n.

March 24, 2018 (53 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 46F to 55F; wind w 2 -10 mph.

Time: 0754-1040 hrs.

Area Covered: Due to heavy Saturday traffic on the interior shoreline road, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the exterior, fence-line road, except across the dam. Many fishermen occupied the docks, shore and jetty; I avoided those areas and searched for birds in the relatively quiet sections. Several boatloads of fishermen were on the lake, including those trolling near the shoreline and marshes. Most of the waterbirds were hiding in the quieter sections of marsh and riparian patches, e.g. in the southeast. The lake water level continues to be at maximum volume; the Palmdale Ditch inlet was running at full capacity.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (1), Common Loon (1), Western Kingbird (1), Tree Swallow (400), Violet-green Swallow (20), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (12), Cliff Swallow (80), Barn Swallow (20), Orange-crowned Warbler (6), Bullock's Oriole (2) and Hooded Oriole (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 8 (m,f) pairs swimming close to shore, e, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) resting on the edge of the marsh, s.

Bufflehead 15 (m,f) gregarious; ne.

Ruddy Duck (m,f) a few in trans. alt. plmg. most resting in flocks in quiet backwater areas around the lake.

California Quail 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; two flocks, ne, nw.

Common Loon 1 (trans. alt. plmg.) laboriously taking flight from open water near the dam as a motorboat approached, e.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 vocal; swimming around the quieter edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) swimming near the marsh, s.

Eared Grebe 2 (one in trans. alt. plmg) open water s, e.

Western Grebe 1 swimming in open water near dam, ne.

Clark's Grebe 6 vocal; pairs swimming in open water, dodging boat traffic.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 (ad, imm) flying low around the lake; diving in quiet backwater areas, s.

Great Blue Heron 3 all hiding in quiet areas; two with three GREG in marsh, se.

Great Egret 3 gregarious in marsh, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal; 1 adult staying low inside nest; a large platform stick nest in canopy of largely leafless cottonwood, sec.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) one perhed on communication tower platform above PWD buildings, n.

American Coot 120 gregarious; staying close to marsh in quiet backwater areas.

Killdeer 1 on concrete wall between settling ponds, n.

California Gull 14 (ad, imm) resting in open water; flushed by motorboats; flying north toward landfill.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 around clubhouse, n.

Mourning Dove 4 flying low over open areas, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 5 (m,f) perched on shrubs and in low trees around the lake (photo),

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) fem. Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 24 March 2018

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) a pair maintaining vocal contact while foraging in adjacent cottonwoods, se (photo).

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 24 March 2018

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

Say's Phoebe 2 vocal; flying low across open areas, n, nw.

Western Kingbird 1 flying low, northward over juniper-rabbitbrush field, w (fos).

California Scrub-Jay 2 vocal; w.

Common Raven 10 vocal, gregarious; flying around lake 20- 200 ft. agl.

Tree Swallow 400 (conserv. est.) gregarious, ubiquitous; flying over surface of the lake, marsh, fields and > 200 ft. agl.

Violet-green Swallow 20 ubiquitous; a few with TRSW but seldom seen flying about 50 ft. agl.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 pairs flying low 2-10 ft. agl over open fields and shoreline, e, s.

Cliff Swallow 80 (conserv. est.) gregarious, ubiquitous; with TRSW, flying 2-200 ft. agl.

Barn Swallow 20 pairs flying low over open fields, lake and marsh, seldom above 10 ft. agl.

Oak Titmouse 4 vocal; individuals calling repeatedly in cottonwoods, se, s.

Verdin 2 vocal; in cottonwoods and shrubs, n, s.

Bushtit 10 gregarious, vocal; affecting shrubs and trees; highly mobile flocks, easily double-counted.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal; individuals in dense rabbitbrush, sage and juniper, w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 individuals foraging in cottonwoods; often with YRWA and OCWA, n, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, s.

European Starling 20 vocal, gregarious; nesting in cottonwood and willow cavities around the lake.

Orange-crowned Warbler 6 individuals foraging on budding cottonwoods around the lake; often with YRWA.

Yellow-rumped (A) Wabler 100 (m,f; many in alt. plmg.) vocal (calls) gregarious, ubiquitous, foraging at all foliage height levels.

Common Yellowthroat 6 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian areas.

California Towhee 3 vocal; brushy areas, ne, w.

Song Sparrow 1 vocal, se.

Lincoln's Sparrow 3 with WCSP in brushy areas near water, se, s.

White-crowned Sparrow 60 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; males on territories in marshes around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal (including females), gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. nw, s.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (m,f) vocal; a pair in a cottonwood, ne (fos).

Hooded Oriole 1 (m) in Arizona cypress; 2 nearby BUOR, n (photo - fos).

Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) male Lake Palmdale Los Angeles County CA 24 March 2018

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; often foraging on ground with WCSP.

House Sparrow 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, around clubhouse, n.

March 8, 2018 (48 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 53F to 72F; wind WNW 2-5 mph.

Time: 0730-1040 hrs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Cinnamon Teal (7), Horned Grebe (3), Wilson's Snipe (1), Greater Roadrunner (1), Tree Swallow (20), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1), Cliff Swallow (1), and Verdin (6).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 6 (m,f) swimming together, near shore, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 7 (m,f) dabbling at the mouth of the PD inlet, se.

Northern Shoveler 3 (m,f) swimming together, away from the dam in open water, e.

Bufflehead 20 (m,f) gregarious; several small flocks near the docks and marsh around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f; bsc. plmg.) scattered flocks resting around the margins of the lake.

California Quail calls (unseen) nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 individuals and pairs in flooded riparian areas and at edge of marsh, nw, w.

Horned Grebe 3 (bsc. plmg.) gregarious; diving in open water, n-central.

Eared Grebe 3 (bsc. plmg.) individuals swimming in open water and near jetty, nw.

Western Grebe 1 swimming near marsh and docks, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad. alt. plmg.; imm) most resting on stirring platforms in open water around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 3 one walking on a dock; others on shore - flighty when approached.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2: 1 ad with unidentified prey on ground in marsh-riparian patch near jetty, nw; another calling, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 5 (ad, imm) one with a Calif. Ground Squirrel in talons, perched on Joshua Tree, flew to utility pole; another ad. and imm. nearby, n.

American Coot 90 gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal; flushed from open area near jetty, nw.

Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from edge of lake near boat launch, s.

California Gull 80 (95% ad) gregarious; resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 8 vocal; pairs and individuals in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 20 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Greater Roadrunner 1 hunting on ground in sage scrub outside of fence line, nw.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m,f) foraging on flower buds in cottonwoods; one m perched on a juniper, n, w.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m) vocal; foraging on main trunk and large limbs of cottonwoods and willows, n, s, ne.

Black Phoebe 8 pairs and individuals sallying from low perches around the lake shore.

Say's Phoebe 4 (ad, imm) vocal from high perch in cottonwood; one imm. sallying from low shrub at edge of field (photo).

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis sayi) immature Lake Palmdale LACO CA 8 March 2018

California Scrub-Jay 2 in juniper-sage scrub, nw (photo)

California Scrub-Jay (Aphelecoma californica) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 8 March 2018

Common Raven 20 gregarious, vocal; circling 200-500 ft. agl above the lake.

Tree Swallow 20 gregarious, vocal; in willows around the lake; foraging 2 - 100 ft. agl over the area.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low over slough, s.

Cliff Swallow 1 flying low (10-15 ft. agl) over open area near jetty, nw.

Oak Titmouse 5 individuals and pairs in cottonwoods, separated by 50 yards or more, alternate calling, nw, w. s.

Verdin 6 vocal; individuals foraging in cottonwoods and creosote bushes, with BUTI and alone, ne, nw, s.

Bushtit 20 three separate flocks; gregarious, vocal; in low shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 5 vocal in juniper-sage scrub and edge of riparian-sage around the lake.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 vocal in cottonwood subcanopy, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, in adjacent yard, s.

California Thrasher 2 one running along fence line, ne; another vocalizing in juniper scrub, sw.

European Starling 12 vocal, gregarious; mostly around buildings and gardens, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging (snatch-glean; flycatching) at all foliage height levels.

Common Yellowthroat 2 (1m) calls at base of dried cattails in dense marsh, w.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy margin of outer jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 10 (one in fresh,rusty-brown alt. plmg.) vocal; pairs and individuals in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 foraging on dock walkway through marsh, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 40 (ad, imm) gregarious; contact calls; foraging in tight flocks around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) gregarious; vocal; males on territories in marsh, n, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal; gregarious; leks in tall trees around the lake, esp. n, s.

House Finch 15 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; with WCSP, n.

House Sparrow 12 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in garden around F&F clubhouse, n.

February 26, 2018 (39 Species)

Weather: Fair; 35F to 51F; wind WSW 6 - 35 mph; white caps on lake by 0830 hrs.

Time: 0735-0938 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the northwest section. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, innundation reaching a narrow strip of willow riparian woodland. The Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing at full volume. Numerous fishermen were present on the docks and shore around the lake, especially the west and sw sections. One small motorboat with fishermen was in the southeast corner of the lake; moving northwestward as the wind speed and waves increased. Vehicular traffic was relatively light around the lake. High winds significantly reduced bird activity and detectability.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (1), Tree Swallow 10, Rough-winged Swallow (4), Cliff Swallow (1) Barn Swallow (1), and Verdin (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs and small flocks scattered around the lake near shore.

Bufflehead 12 (m,f) gregarious; swimming, males displaying; near the jetty, nw.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) swimming in open water near shore, n (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) female Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 February 2018

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) gregarious; small flocks scattered around the lake near the shore and marsh.

California Quail calls (unseen) n.

Pied-billed Grebe 3 vocal; swimming near shore and marsh around the lake.

Horned Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) swimming near shore, n.

Eared Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) swimming near shore, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 flying low over lake; resting on floating stirrer platforms, n.

Great Blue Heron 2 flushed from marsh, s, ne.

Cooper's Hawk 1 ad flying low over slough, s (photo).

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 February 2018

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 ad flying low over marsh and riparian, sw, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 flying to perch in cottonwood, se.

American Coot 60 gregarious; scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer calls, nw.

California Gull 20 (90% ad) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 one pair in courtship display at edge of park n ride, nw.

Mourning Dove 12 gregarious; edge of marsh-riparian, n, nw.

Northern Flicker 1 flying, nw.

Black Phoebe 5 pairs and individuals sallying to ground from low perches, nw, s.

Western Scrub-jay 1 vocal atop junipers, se.

Common Raven 20 gregarious; a large, loose flock over the dam, e.

Tree Swallow 10 gregarious; flying 2 - 100 ft. agl over lake, marsh, willow riparian and open areas around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair flying low over open, grassy areas and Palmdale Ditch inlet, nw, se.

Cliff Swallow 1 flying low over open grassy area, nw.

Barn Swallow 1 flying with TRSW and NRWS over Palmdale Ditch inlet, se.

Verdin 1 vocal; foraging on cottowood catkins, nw (photo).

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 26 February 2018

Bushtit 2 vocal; creosote bush scrub, n.

Marsh Wren 2 vocal; active low in sedge grass, nw.

California Thrasher 1 vocal (fragmented song) fence line sage-juniper, nw.

European Starling 6 around clubhouse, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in shrubs and trees.

Common Yellowthroat 1 flying low around outer edge of marsh, n.

Savannah Sparrow 10 vocal; individuals and loose flocks in grass and shrubs around the lake, including the jetty.

Song Sparrow 4 edge of marsh and riparian, around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 2 calls; foraging in sedge swamp near jetty, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Red-winged Blackbird 40 (mostly males) vocal, gregarious & territorial in marshes around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 m,f vocal, gregarious, n, s.

House Finch 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n.

February 8, 2018 (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 45F to 59F; winds calm.

Time: 0715-0950 hrs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (2), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1) and Tree Swallow (10).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs swimming near marsh and shore around the lake.

Northern Shoveler 2 (m) near the marsh and shore, se.

Green-winged Teal 1 (f) swimming with mallards, se.

Bufflehead 42 (m,f) small flocks scattered around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) flocks resting near the marsh, shore and docks around the lake.

California Quail 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; a flock foraging in skeet field, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 8 individuals scattered around the edges of the lake.

Horned Grebe 2 swimming together, open water, n.

Eared Grebe 4 pairs diving, open water, n, nw.

Western Grebe 2 individuals in open water and resting near shore, n.

Double-crested Cormorant 20 (ad, imm) individuals resting on stirring platforms; diving near shore around the lake.

American White Pelican 2 (1 alt. plmg.) individuals swimming in open water, central.

Great Blue Heron 5 (1, alt. plmg.) individuals scattered in marsh and riparian areas around the lake.

Green Heron 1 (ad) standing in flooded riparian area, w.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 chasing a starling in flight near the F&F clubhouse, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; flying over riparian canopy, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) perched in trees and on a utility pole, s, ne.

American Coot 60 loose flocks and individuals scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 a pair on the jetty, nw.

California Gull 24 (90% ad) a loose flock resting in open water, central.

Feral Rock Pigeon 2 flying over homes in adjacent suburb, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove 5 vocal; flying around riparian areas.

Mourning Dove 14 ubiquitous; often perched on utility lines.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) same location as in previous survey - garden trees at PWD entrance, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m) vocal; foraging on cottonwoods and willows, sw, s.

Northern (RS) flicker 2 flushed from brushy edge of cottonwood stand, s; one foraging on cottonwood, se.

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

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal, edge of skeet range, ne.

Western Scrub-Jay 2 a pair in a brushy area near dam, se.

Common Raven 6 vocal; pairs flying over roadways and open fields, n, ne.

Tree Swallow 10 vocal, gregarious; pairs and trios interacting in flight; sometimes landing in trees (photo); behavior suggesting early courtship and nest site selection; foraging over lake and marsh, 20- 100 ft. agl; s, se.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 8 February 2018

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; individuals in juniper field and cottonwood area, nw, sw.

Verdin 1 vocal; in shrub on shrubby south-facing hillside below park n ride, nw.

Bushtit 6 vocal; in pines, ne.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; brushy areas, nw, w, s.

Marsh Wren 1 vocal in dead cattail marsh, w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 vocal in junipers and pines, se.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 vocal atop a juniper, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal along fence line, n.

California Thrasher 3 individuals vocal (full and partial song), atop junipers, w, sw, s.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious, most around clubhouse, n.

American Pipit 2 vocal when flushed; one on e edge of dam; one on edge of jetty, flushed to adjacent short grass, nw (photo).

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 8 February 2018

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 vocal, loosely gregarious, ubiquitous.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal; pairs foraging on ground at edge of marsh, riparian and dam.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 flushed from edge of riparian-marsh, sw.

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

Red-winged Blackbird 40 (m,f) males highly vocal (photo); setting up territories in marsh, n, nw, w.

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 8 February 2018

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; esp. nw, s.

House Finch 14 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, n.

House Sparrow 2 (m,f) in shrubs next to skeet range clubhouse, ne.

January 30, 2018 (51 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 46F to 61F; winds calm.

Time: 0723-1010 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the northwest section. The lake water level was relatively igh, leaving little exposed shoreline; high inflow volume at the Palmdale Ditch. Except for two vehicles on the interior road, and someone in a motorboat traversing the northern half of the lake at around 0915 hrs., the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. Tomorrow is scheduled as the last day of the waterfowl hunting season at Lake Palmdale.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (10), Tree Swallow (2), and Mountain Bluebird (2 - second record for LP).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Mallard 1 (m) swimming near the docks, w.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) dabbling in aquatic vegetation near the dam, se.

Green-winged Teal 1 (m) resting near the shore of the dam, se.

Lesser Scaup 3 (m) swimming together, n-central.

Bufflehead 20 (m,f) small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) swimming in open water, ne.

Ruddy Duck 70 (m,f) large flocks resting around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 4 vocal, active in brushy areas, nw, ne.

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

Horned Grebe 10 a cohesive flock swimming in open water, n.

Eared Grebe 2 open water, nw.

Western Grebe 10 vocal, gregarious, n, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 individuals and pairs diving, resting on stirring platforms around the lake.

American White Pelican 6 pairs and individuals swimming and flying near shore around the lake (photo).

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 Jan 2018

Great Blue Heron 5 (1 alt. plmg.) individuals flying; on shore and in trees around the lake (photo).

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 January 2018

Green Heron 1 (ad) flushed from dock railing, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) in cottonwood over roadway, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) flying; vocal; in willows and cottonwoods, and on a utility pole, s, ne.

American Coot 50 loose flocks around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal; a pair in ploughed field next to jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flushed from edge of jetty, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) swimming near shore, n.

California Gull 12 (ad, C1, C2) on jetty; in open water; flying toward landfill, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 5 pairs and individuals in trees, n.

Mourning Dove 20 gregarious; ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) in mesquite tree, PWD entrance, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal, cottonwoods, sw.

Northern Flicker 1 (f) possible intergrade RS x YS: note gray crown without red nape crescent; red shafts of flight feathers showing when flushed; initially on ground in juniper woodland, nw (photo).

Northern Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus) possible intergrade fem Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 January 2018

Black Phoebe 2 sallying from low perches near shore, sw, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 on dock railing, w.

Common Raven 4 two pair flying to parking lot, n.

Tree Swallow 2 flying back and forth over lake and riparian patch, se.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; individuals in cottonwoods, separated by about 50 yards, sw.

Bushtit 8 vocal, gregarious; in pines, ne.

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

Marsh Wren 2 vocal; in dead cattails next to docks, w, sw.

Mountain Bluebird 2 vocal; flying together, s over dam, e (second LP record).

Northern Mockingbird 1 fence line, nw.

California Thrasher 1 vocal (partial song) in juniper woodland, sw.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious; riparian and open areas, n, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warlber (m,f) vocal, gregarious; ubiquitous, esp. in riparian areas.

Common Yellowthroat 2 vocal; dense cattails next to docks, sw, s.

California Towhee 1 with WCSP on ground in rabbitbrush scrub, w.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; individuals and pairs (photo) near shore in recently cleared marsh patches around the lake.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 30 January 2018

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 with WCSP on ground in rabbitbrush patch, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious; flocks in brushy areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal; males establishing territories in patches of cattails, nw, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 16 (m,f) vocal, gregarious in marsh-riparian areas; nw, s.

House Finch 2 vocal; in pines, n.

House Sparrow 2 vocal; open area next to clubhouse, n.

December 30, 2017 (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 36F to 55F; wind WSW 0-2 mph.

Time: 0718- 1000 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Paralleling a six-month regional drought, the water level continues to recede; 10 - 15 ft. of exposed shoreline was found in many areas around the lake. A partial clearing of cattails had been implemented recently on the western shore, resulting in additional mudflats and openings in the wetlands. The lake area was fairly quiet during the survey, with little traffic and human distrubances.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Cinnamon Teal (1), Canvasback (1), Common Goldeneye (6), Horned Grebe (2), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Wilson's Snipe (1), Tree Swallow (10), Western Bluebird (2 - a new record for LP), Phainopepla (2), and Lawrence's Goldfinch (4). Note: A unsuccessful search of the lake was made for an adult male Barrow's Goldeneye, reported here by Kimball Garrett (with photo documentation) on 24 December, 2017.

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 4 (m,f) flushed from edge of the dam, e.

American Wigeon 5 (m,f) swimming together in open water, e.

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

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) resting at edge of marsh, s.

Canvasback 1 (m) with LESC, near jetty, nw.

Lesser Scaup 6 (m,f) swimming together near jetty, nw.

Bufflehead 8 (m,f) scattered over the lake in open water.

Common Goldeneye 6 (1 m; 5 f) swimming and diving; one male diving alone in open water, e-central.

Ruddy Duck 100 (m,f) several cohesive flocks resting in open water and edges of marsh around the lake.

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

Horned Grebe 2 diving in open water, e and central.

Eared Grebe 2 swimming in open water, central.

Western Grebe 32 two cohesive flocks of 16 - 18 adults swimming in open water and near shore; a definite increase in WEGR numbers on the lake since the last survey.

Clark's Grebe 20 vocal pairs scattered around the lake, esp. n and nw.

Great Blue Heron 5 individuals flushed from shore around the lake; two using recently cleared areas, w.

Great Egret 1 on shore, se.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) perched on a limb about 18 ft. agl in a willow, nw (photo).

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 30 December 2017

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) vocal; flying low toward the se corner cottonwoods.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (2 ad, 1 imm). vocal; individuals perched in tall willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

American Coot 350 occasionally vocal, largely gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 on shore ne.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 flushed from shore at edge of dam, e, se (photo).

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 December 2017

Spotted Sandpiper 1 flying low above shoreline of dam, e.

Wilson's Snipe 1 flushed from edge of marsh near jetty, ne.

California Gull 28 (98% ad) mostly resting together on lake, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 vocal, gregarious, in willows and cottonwoods, s.

Mourning Dove 16 gregarious in willows and cottonwoods, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) vocal, active in creosote scrub and adjacent willows, n.

Belted Kingfisher 1 (m) flying low over slough, se.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls (unseen) sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 low in cottonwoods and willows, w.

Black Phoebe 3 individuals sallying from low perches to ground around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 flying over edge of marsh next to jetty, nw.

California Scrub-Jay 2 vocal, se, w.

Common Raven 10 individuals and pairs flying around lake.

Tree Swallow 10 (conserv. est.) a dispersed flock flying back and forth, low over lake, sometimes dipping into surface.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; flying between cottonwoods, se, sw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 vocal; pairs and individuals foraging in cottonwoods, s, sw.

Western Bluebird 2 (m) a pair foraging in crown of cottonwood with clumps of mistletoe, se (a new species record for LP - photo).

Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) male Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 30 December 2017

European Starling 8 vocal, gregarious; perched atop tall cottonwoods, se.

American Pipit 2 vocal; shoreline and vicinity of dam, e.

Phainopepla 2 (m) in cottowoods with clumps of mistletoe; one calling while foraging on mistletoe berries, se, sw (photo).

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 30 December 2017

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 15 (m,f) vocal, sometimes gregarious; ubiquitous in a large variety of vegetation; ground to tree canopy height.

Common Yellowthroat 1 edge of marsh and shore, n.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; invididuals in marsh and edge of riparian around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 flocks on ground and in shrubs around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 5 (m,f) vocal in cattails next to jetty, nw.

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

House Finch 2 in salt bush on hillside below park n ride lot, n.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 (m,f) vocal, gregarious in trees and edge of marsh, s, sw.

November 16, 2017 (46 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 64F to 70F; wind WSW 12-14 mph.

Time: 0740-0957 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road and northwest fence line road. Four other persons were in the survey area working on a dock and fishing in the southwestern section. Otherwise, the area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to recede, leaving extensive exposed shoreline throughout. Duck decoys were clustered around the edges of the lake. Waterfowl hunting season here (Wednesday, Sunday and holidays) continues through January. There was a significantly low diversity and abundance of waterfowl on the lake during the survey.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Loon (2), Barn Owl (1), Verdin (1), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2), and Tricolored Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

American Wigeon 1 (m) swimming in channel, sw.

Lesser Scaup 8 (m,f) swimming together in open water, e, n.

Bufflehead 16 (m,f) loose flocks resting in open water, w.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) gregarious; resting in open water throughout.

California Quail 10 in garden at PWD entrance, n.

Common Loon 2 separated by 100 yards or more; diving in open water and near the jetty, nw.

Pied-billed Grebe 8 gregarious; open water and diving near the marsh throughout.

Eared Grebe 1 swimming near shore, s.

Western Grebe 2 open water, central, s.

Clark's Grebe 30 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious and singles throughout; nearly full-grown immatures giving begging calls around adults.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 on floating stirring platform, open water, central.

Great Blue Heron 2 flushed from shore, ne, nw.

Great Egret 2 on shore and in trees, s, e.

Cooper's Hawk 2 flying low through juniper-sage and riparian areas, w, sw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (imm) perched in willows over marsh, w (photo).

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) immature Lake Palmdale LACO CA 16 November 2017

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) flying over open areas and riparian edge, nw, w.

American Coot 250 gregarious, ubiquitous in lake.

Killdeer 2 in cleared field next to roadway, nw.

California Gull 12 (90 % ad) gregarious; mostly resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 3 flying w over roadway, n.

Feral Rock Pigeon 4 on rooftop of adjacent home, s.

Mourning Dove 2 perched in dead willow, nw.

Barn Owl 1 on ground at edge of roadway with wings extended; piles of feathers (AMCO?) nearby; chased away by RTHA, sw (photo).

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 16 November 2017

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) on fence next to park n ride, nw.

Belted Kingfisher 2 vocal; flying low over marsh and shoreline, n, nw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 vocal; flying over riparian area, sw.

Black Phoebe 3 vocal; sallying from low perches near marsh and adjacent juniper-sage fields, nw, w, s.

Say's Phoebe 2 on low perches at edges of open fields, nw, s.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 flying over juniper-sage field, sw.

Common Raven 12 gregarious; several pair on dam; flying around lake.

Horned Lark 5 in cleared field at entrance of jetty; flew to water's edge on concrete boat ramp, nw.

Verdin 1 vocal; active in creosote bush and saltbush in msf with BEWR, WCSP and BGGN, nw.

Bushtit 5 vocal, gregarious; active in saltbush at edge of roadway, in msf with WCSP, BGGN, BEWR, nw.

Bewick's Wren 1 vocal, active in msf with spp. noted above, nw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 vocal; in cottonwoods, sw.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 vocal, active in msf with spp. noted above, nw (photo).

Blue-gray Gnatchatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 16 November 2017

American Pipit 1 on water's edge of concrete boat ramp, nw.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging at all foliage height levels.

California Towhee 1 vocal; coastal sage field, nw.

Song Sparrow 1 vocal; in marsh-riparian, sw.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 foraging in saltbush and on ground with WCSP, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow (gambeli) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground and in saltbush, sage- juniper, and creosote bush throughout.

Dark-eyed Junco 1 foraging on ground beneath saltbush with WCSP, n.

Tricolored Blackbird 1 (f) foraging alone in weedy margins of jetty, nw (photo).

Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) female Lake Palmdale LACO CA 16 November 2017

Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m,f) flying across lake, s, se.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; often with WCSP.

October 19, 2017 (47 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 75F; winds calm.

Time: 0811- 1010 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. There were two vehicles in the survey area; otherwise the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level was down about 4 ft.; exposed shorelines and mudflats throughout, attracted waterbirds. Duck season is scheduled to begin Saturday, October 21 and continues through January, 2018. Several blinds with duck decoys had been set up around the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canada Goose (4), Blue-winged Teal (5), Ring-necked Duck (7), Lesser Scaup (2), Greater Yellowlegs (7) and Wilson's Snipe (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 4 flushed from s end of jetty; vocal; swimming together to the north shore.

Gadwall 6 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, ne, se.

Blue-winged Teal 5 (f) dabbling in shallows, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) with BWTE, ne.

Northern Shoveler 3 (f) with BWTE, ne; also se.

Green-winged Teal 2 (f) dabbling in shallows, ne, se.

Ring-necked Duck 7 (m,f) swimming together near marsh, se.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m,f) swimming together near marsh with RNDU, se.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of lake.

California Quail 2 near PWD entrance gate, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 open water and near marsh, throughout.

Eared Grebe 2 open water, nw.

Western Grebe 20 vocal; swimming in pairs and singles throughout.

Clark's Grebe 30 vocal; one pair showing courtship display in open water; singles and pairs elsewhere throughout.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 in a tree overhanging the shore, ne.

Great Blue Heron 2 on shore; flying over lake; one in a tree. n, w, se.

Great Egret 1 in a tree overhanging the shore, ne.

Green Heron 1 standing on mudflat, ne.

Cooper's Hawk 1 in willow overhanging docks, sw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal; flying low over road, s.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad; one dark morph) flying low over shore and interior riparian, w, s.

American Coot 250 gregarious, ubiquitous in lake.

Killdeer 6 pairs on concrete edge of settling ponds, n; on and around dam, ne.

Greater Yellowlegs 7 two small flocks; resting on edge of dam; foraging on mudflats, e, ne.

Wilson's Snipe 2 flushed in sequence from marsh at edge of jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 around PWD yard.

Mourning Dove 20 pairs and small flocks throughout.

Belted Kingfisher 1 fly, call, n.

Northern Flicker 1 flying low through riparian-sage area, nw.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal, ubiquitous around margins of lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 open field, ne.

Common Raven 6 pairs and individuals flying around the lake.

Horned Lark 16 foraging on dry mud in settling pond, n.

Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwoods, s.

Bewick's Wren 1 song, garden at PWD entrance.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 with YRWA in cottonwoods, w, sw.

Hermit Thrush 1 repeated chirp call; on ground in shade under large juniper, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, PWD entrance.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 foraging in cottonwoods and tamarisk, nw, w.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 calls; gregarious in a variety of trees and shrubs around the lake.

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

Savannah Sparrow 2 flushed from edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 1 vocal, marsh-riparian, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious; brushy areas, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 4 (m,f) vocal in marsh, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal; active at edge of marsh and on mudflats, n, s.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, brushy areas, n.

September 28, 2017 (69 Species)

Weather: Fair; 58F to 81F; winds calm.

Time: 0720-1100 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Two PWD trucks were present in the survey area. Otherwise, the lake was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level was at or near maximum volume, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (3), Ring-necked Duck (2), Common Tern (1), Common Moorhen (1) Rock Wren and Virginia's Warbler (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) wary; flushed from a small marsh at edge of the dam, e.

Mallard 4 (m,f) wary; swimming near dam, e.

Blue-winged Teal 3 (f) with CITE; wary; all flushed from weedy edge of dam, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (f) with BWTE; as noted above.

Northern Pintail 4 (f) wary; swimming together in open water (photo).

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 28 September 2017

Green-winged Teal 8 (f); wary; swimming together near marsh, se, ne.

Redhead 1 (m) swimming with RNDU, ne.

Ring-necked Duck 2 (m,f) wary; pair swimming away from dam, se.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) all in bsc. plmg. flocks resting in open water and near marsh throughout.

California Quail 20 (m,f) two or three separate coveys around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 8 individuals swimming, diving near marsh around the lake.

Eared Grebe 8 a cohesive flock swimming in open water, n-central.

Western Grebe 30 vocal; pairs and individuals scattered around the lake.

Clark's Grebe 40 vocal; pairs (one engaged in coutship) scattered around the lake with nearby WEGR.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 resting on a snag, ne.

American White Pelican 5 (ad, imm) flushed from weedy margin of dam; swimming to open water and taking flight toward the sw.

Great Blue Heron 2 perched in trees above the water, ne, nw.

Osprey 1 circling above the dam, se.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying low from cottonwoods toward lake, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1-2 vocal; flushed from cottonwoods, w; calling repeatedly in cottonwoods, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 vocal; flushed from cottonwoods, sw; flying over trees; perched in subcanopy of cottonwood near RSHA, se.

Sora 3 vocal; active at edge of lake in flooded grass, tamarisk and willow, nw.

Common Moorhen 1 flushed from weedy margin of dam, se.

American Coot 250 gregarious, ubiquitous on lake.

Killdeer 6 vocal, gregarious, ne.

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

Caspian Tern 4 vocal, gregarious; circling lake a few times; skimming surface.

Common Tern 1 (imm); ID: partial black cap, extending from edge of forehead to nape; relatively slender blackish-red bill; mostly gray upper wings; black carpal bars and wing tips (seen only in flight - photo) circling lake; plunge-diving successfully for a small fish, ne.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 28 September 2017

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 a pair on utility wire, n.

Feral Rock Pigeon 2 flying over, n.

Mourning Dove 6 pairs perched together in trees and on fence; in flight; throughout.

Great-horned Owl 1 (unseen) ID by large, dark fresh pellet and scat beneath a favored cottonwood, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 3 (m,f) individuals hovering around trees and shrubs, n, nw.

Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal; flying over marsh and edge of lake, n.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 silent; flying to cottonwood next to lake outlet; changing limbs frequently, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 (m,f) vocal; individuals foraging in upper limbs of cottonwoods, w, s.

Northern Flicker calls (unseen) nw.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from high perch (20 ft. agl) in willows, s (photo).

Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 28 September 2017

Black Phoebe 5 vocal; individuals and pairs sallying from low perches throughout.

Say's Phoebe 3 vocal; individuals sallying to ground from fences, signs and snags, n.

Common Raven 6 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Horned Lark 10 a cohesive flock in gravel lot next to PWD maintenance yard, n.

Tree Swallow 40 (ad, imm) gregarious; on utility line, n; flying low, back and forth over lake surface.

Barn Swallow 60 (ad, imm) gregarious; on utility line and flying low over lake with TRSW.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal; in cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from edge of riparian patch in rabbitbrush field, sw.

Bushtit 12 vocal, gregarious; foraging in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal; brushy areas and edge of riparian around the lake.

Rock Wren 1 vocal; on boulders on east side of dam, ne.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 foraging in subcanopy of willows and cottonwoods, often in msf with OCWA, YEWA, nw, w.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal; planted border of settling ponds, n.

California Thrasher 3 vocal; on fence and junipers, ne. nw.

European Starling 5 vocal, gregarious; on utility line, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 6 foraging with YEWA, RCKI and WIWA in willows and cottonwoods, nw, w, s.

Virginia's Warbler 1 ID; similar to (HY) NAWA but with more contrast between white belly and yellow undertail coverts; obvious white eye ring on pale head and back; observed for several secods from about 10 ft. away, while foraging in tamarisk at edge of marsh; nw.

Yellow Warbler 3 (m,f) foraging with OCWA in willow and cottonwood subcanopies, nw, s.

Common Yellowthroat 5 (m,f) pairs foraging together in willow riparian-marsh and dry brush , nw, w. ne.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) a pair foraging in tamarisk and willows with YEWA and OCWA, nw.

California Towhee 1 vocal; in planted border at PWD entrance, n.

Chipping Sparrow 1 (bsc. plmg.) flushed from ground to creosote bush, n.

Savannah Sparrow 6 gregarious; foraging on ground with WCSP, n; in weeds at edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal; in willow riparian-marsh, nw, w.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 foraging on ground in rabbitbrush field with WCSP and SASP, n.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground in brushy areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; edge of lake, n, s.

House Finch 12 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging with WCSP on ground in brushy areas around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 (m,f) foraging in low flowering shrubs, e.g. rabbibrush, sunflower, n, se.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; brushy areas and gardens, n.

September 14, 2017 (42 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; clearing by 0900 hrs. 56F; wind WSW 15 - 40 mph.

Time: 0711- 1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. A maintenance crew was dredging the southeast shore with heavy equipment. Otherwise there was little human disturbance in the survey area. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little exposed shoreline. High winds and rough water reduced the detectability of birds.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Redhead (2), Sora (2), Sabine's Gull (1), Forster's Tern (5), Western Wood Pewee (1), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 4 (m,f) edge of lake; flying over lake.

Northern Shoveler 1 (f) edge of lake near dam, e.

Redhead 2 (m) swimming near marsh, se.

Ruddy Duck 12 resting together in backwater areas, w, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 gregarious; shallows at edge of marsh, nw, s.

Western Grebe 3 vocal, edge of lake, nw, s.

Clark's Grebe 16 vocal; pairs and idividuals around the edges of the lake, esp. nw.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from shore, nw.

Green Heron 1 edge of marsh and willows, ne.

Turkey Vulture 1 flying low, ne.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (imm) flushed from low perch in willows, sw.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) flew to canopy of cottonwood, se.

American Kestrel 1 perched in willow over docks, w.

Sora 2 (calls); one at edge of marsh next to jetty, nw.

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

Killdeer 4 vocal; in pairs, nw, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 flying near rocky shore, n; on edge of jetty, nw.

Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad) flying over lake, s-central.

California Gull (ad, C1, C2) resting together in open water, s-central.

Sabine's Gull 1 (imm) flying low over lake, marsh and jetty, nw (photo).

Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 14 September 2017

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 perched together in willow, w.

Feral Rock Pigeon 10 gregarious; flying over settling ponds, n.

Mourning Dove 8 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m,f) in and around cottonwoods and junipers, nw, s.

Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from a low perch at edge of juniper-sage field, nw (photo).

Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 14 September 2017

Black Phoebe 5 ubiquitous, usually near shore.

California Scrub-Jay 1 flying over juniper-sage field, w.

Common Raven 8 ubiquitous; gregarious.

Tree Swallow 1 flying low over lake and marsh, se.

Verdin 2 calls (unseen) juniper-sage field, nw, w.

Bushtit 4 gregarious in subcanopy of cottonwoods, w.

Bewcick's Wren 1 flushed from sage-saltbush scrub, w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet vocal in cottonwood near shore, n.

California Thrasher 1 repeated song from roadside saltbush- creosote bush field, nw.

European Starling 2 on utility line, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in cottonwoods, w.

Yellow Warbler 1 in willows at edge of shore, nw.

Song Sparrow 1 vocal at edge of riparian-marsh, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 4(m,f) flying low over dam, e.

Great-tailed Grackle 3 (m) in marsh, s.

Oriole sp. 1 (f) possibly HOOR, flew into mesquite tree in landscaped area at edge of settling ponds near main entrance, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal in cottonwoods, s.

August 24, 2017 (35 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 78F; no wind.

Time: 0630-0851 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. Except for one PWD truck and people fishing on a west dock, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake is at or near its maximum capacity; virtually no exposed shoreline occurring, except adjacent to the old pier on the north side.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (1), Northern Shoveler (1), and Caspian Tern (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 15 (f) scattered around the edges of the lake in small flocks.

Blue-winged Teal 1 (f) flew in to a secluded area near the dam with CITE, ne.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (f) with BWTE, ne.

Northern Shoveler 1 (f) swimming near dam with fem. MALL, e.

Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f) swimming together, e-central.

Western Grebe 20 (m,f) mostly paired (one pair on nest of floating cattails); vocal, gregarious.

Clark's Grebe 30 (m,f) mostly paired, vocal, ubiquitous, often with WEGR swimming nearby.

Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from shore, n, flew to ne shore, vocal.

Green Heron 1 flying low; landing on shore, n.

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

American Coot 60 gregarious; diving near dam, e.

Killdeer 3 vocal, gregarious, on dam, e.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 fly, calls; n, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 5 gregarious; flushed from shore, n, e.

Caspian Tern 1 (ad) flying low over lake; surface-dipping, n.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal; gregarious; singles; uibquitous.

Feral Rock Pigeon 3 drinking at nw boat landing.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around tamarisk, willows and flowering Castilleja, w, se.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m,f) hovering above willows and cottonwoods, w, sw, n.

Belted Kingfisher 1-2, vocal; flying; (f) perched over shoreline, w, s.

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

Black Phoebe 12 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Raven 1 flying over.

Barn Swallow 28 a flock of 26 perched on dock railing, w; gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. over lake.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, nw, sw.

Verdin 2 vocal; active in saltbush on slope adjacent to park n ride, n.

Bushtit 6 vocal, gregarious; in shrubs next to park n ride, n.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; brushy areas, n, nw, ne.

California Thrasher 1 vocal (calls), from atop juniper, w.

Yellow Warbler 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, n, sw.

Common Yellowthroat 2 vocal; riparian-marsh edge, n, nw.

California Towhee 2 vocal in brushy area, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal at edge of marsh-riparian and dam, w, e.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; most perched in trees in marsh, s.

House Finch 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, s, ne.

June 22, 2017 (43 Species)

Weather: Fair; 68F to 88F; wind WSW 2-5 mph.

Time: 0650-0925 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior perimeter road. The lake water level continues to be at or near maximum; the southeast Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing a high volume. Except for one vehicle circling the lake, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Great-horned Owl (1), Verdin (2), American Robin (2), Yellow Warbler (15), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f), swimming together near shore, se.

Mallard 16 (m,f) pairs and small flocks scattered around the margins of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 20 (ad., imm) one fem. with five young swimming close to her - probably same family group found here on June 8, nw.

California Quail 8 (m,f) vocal; pairs and trios in brushy areas, n

Eared Grebe 3 (alt. plmg.) swimming and diving together, nw.

Western Grebe 6 vocal; pairs swimming together around the margins of the lake, but separated from CLGR.

Clark's Grebe 10 vocal; individuals and pairs around the margins of the lake, esp. nw, w.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) one circling high on thermals, se; another on metal antenna platform above PWD building, n.

American Coot 30 relatively solitary; individuals swimming near shore and marsh around the lake.

Killdeer 6 vocal; nw, e.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal; pairs and individuals in riparian and open areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 12 relatively solitary; individuals on roadways and edges of fields around the lake.

Great Horned Owl 1 (ad) flushed from cottonwoods; flew to two different perches, agitating a nearby pair of WEKI and RWBL (photo).

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 22 June 2017

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (f) one hover-gleaning at spider web in willow canopy; others also in riparian areas around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 vocal; riparian areas, nw, w, se.

Black Phoebe 3 voca; sallying from low perches near shore line around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 2 one attempting to consume a 2 inch- long insect larva.

Western Kingbird 4 two pair; vocal in canopy of cottonwoods, ne; one pair becoming more vocal and active above a perched GHOW, sw.

Common Raven 8 (ad, imm) vocal; riparian areas around the lake.

Tree Swallow 40 individuals foraging at a wide range of heights (2 - 100 ft. agl)) over the lake and adjacent riparian areas.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low (6- 15 ft agl) over shore and open field, e., ne.

Cliff Swallow 4 individuals flying back and forth (10- 100 ft.) over open areas and adjacent suburbs with nests under eaves, s.

Barn Swallow 6 pairs and individuals flying low (1- 20 ft.) over marshes and shoreline, nw, w, se.

Verdin 2 (ad, imm) vocal; one adult feeding on creosote bush inflorescence, n; a juvenile calling repeatedly from atop an AZ. cypress, ne.

Bushtit 6 vocal, gregarious; in pines and cottonwoods at edge of roadway, ne.

Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; brushy areas around the lake.

House Wren 1 vocal; shoreline shrubs, n.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal (unseen) individuals singing repeatedly in dense marsh, sw, s, se.

American Robin 2 a pair perched near ground in shady shoreline area, s.

California Thrasher 1 (imm) vocal; flew to post perch in open area near jetty (photo), then to adjacent shrubs at fence line.

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) imm. Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 22 June 2017

European Starling 6 vocal, gregarious, riparian areas, n., w.

Yellow Warbler 15 (m,f) vocal; active in canopies of cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 5 vocal (unseen) marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Song Sparrow 10 individuals and pairs foraging on ground in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. nw, w.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m) vocal; males singing from exposed perches above patches of marsh, n, nw.

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

Brown-headed Cowbird 5 (ad, imm) two juveniles vocalizing from canopy perch, n.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (m) vocal; active in canopy of cottonwoods, n, sw.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, solitary and in pairs around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal (unseen) cottonwoods, ne.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 vocal; a pair flying between cottonwood canopies, se.

House Sparrow 4 vocal; gregarious, near clubhouse, n.

June 8, 2017 (46 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 62F to 73F; wind WNW 2 -15 mph.

Time: 0630- 0910 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior perimeter road. The lake water level continues to be high; the southeast Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing at near maximum volume. Except for one vehicle circling the lake, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Northern Shoveler (1), Prairie Falcon (1), Verdin (1), Rock Wren (1), Yellow Warbler (20), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs and idividuals around the margins of the lake.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) resting on shore of dam, e (photo).

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 8 June 2017

Ruddy Duck 25 (ad., imm) female vocalizing with five ducklings, showing aggression toward displaying male, nw (photos).

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 8 June 2017

California Quail 8 pairs and small coveys active in shrubby areas around the lake.

Eared Grebe 10 (alt. plmg.) individuals scattered over the lake.

Western Grebe 5 pairs and singles swimming, resting together, ne, nw.

Clark's Grebe 10 (vocal) pairs swimming together near marsh; one pair engaged in courtship rituals, nw.

Great Egret 1 in flight, low over lake, n.

Snowy Egret 2 a pair foraging in shallows of newly dredged marsh next to jetty, nw.

Cooper's Hawk 1 in flight, low over riparian-marsh; chased by TRSW, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk calls (unseen) cottonwoods, se.

Prairie Falcon 1 in flight over lake, e.

American Coot 30 noticably less abundant and conspicuous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer 8 vocal; in pairs; nw, e.

California Gull 1 (C2) on s end of jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal; pairs and individuals in riparian areas around the lake.

Mourning Dove 30 pairs and individuals; ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) in cottonwood at edge of Palmdale Ditch, se.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 flying low over roadway, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 vocal; active in cottowoods around the lake.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; sallying from low perches around the lake.

Common Raven 12 two young birds following me; vocalizing; one in cottonwood harassed by a male BUOR (photo).

Raven (Corvus corax) and male Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 8 June 2017

Tree Swallow 40 vocal; ubiqutious; pairs and idividuals flying 6- 100 ft. agl around the lake; several pair in cottonwood and willows with dead branches.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over the lake and adjacent open areas, se, e.

Cliff Swallow 1 flying 50 ft. agl over junipers, w.

Barn Swallow 6 individuals flying 6- 60 ft. agl over lake, marsh and open areas.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; active in cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 1 vocal; in creosote bushes, n.

Bushtit 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in brushy areas and riparian woodland.

Rock Wren 1 vocal (unseen) around dam, ne.

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

Marsh Wren 2 vocal (unseen) marsh at edge of slough, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal, se.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious, n.

Yellow Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal; active in riparian and adjacent brushland around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal; marsh, se.

Song Sparrow 12 vocal; active on ground, muddy shoreline and in trees around the lake.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 vocal (unseen) cottonwoods, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 100 (m,f; imm) vocal, gregarious; some feeding together with GTGR and RWBL in fruiting creosote bushes, n (photo).

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoenicius) and Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 8 June 2017

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 vocal; active atop a creosote bush overlooking small patch of marsh at base of cliff, n (photo).

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 8 June 2017

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

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 (m) vocal; conspicuous perches in riparian areas around the lake.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; often in pairs; one male making repeated aggressive flights at a young, vocal raven in a cottonwood, staying just out of the raven's reach, s (photo).

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

Lesser Goldfinch calls (unseen) cottonwoods, s.

House Sparrow 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around clubhouse, and adjacent trees and shrubs, n.

May 4, 2017 (63 Species)

Weather: Fair; 69F to 88F; wind WNW 1- 2 mph.

Time: 0714-1030 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The lake water level continues to be high; the southeast Palmdale Ditch inlet was flowing at maximum volume. Except for two vehicles circling the lake, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Green-winged Teal (2), Bufflehead (3), Osprey (1), Spotted Sandpiper (8), Bonaparte's Gull (1), Least Bell's Vireo (1 - first record for LP), Verdin (1), Yellow Warbler (14), Yellow-rumped Warbler (1), Wilson's Warbler (8), Western Tanager (2), and Tricolored Blackbird (8).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) a pair flushed from the inlet ditch, se.

Mallard 4 (m,f) flying low over the lake, n, s.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) swimming near the dam, se.

Green-winged Teal 2 (m,f) a pair in a recently cleared marsh next to the jetty, nw.

Bufflehead 3 (f) a cohesive flock in open water, nw.

Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f) about half of the birds in alt. plmg., resting near the marsh, nw, w.

California Quail 16 vocal; pairs scattered in brushy areas around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 6 vocal; swimming, diving; open water and near the marsh, n, nw, w.

Eared Grebe 18 90% in alt. plmg. loosely gregarious; diving in open water around the lake.

Western Grebe 4 two pair resting in open water, n., nw.

Clark's Grebe 8 vocal; pairs and individuals in open water and near marsh around the lake, esp. n, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 resting on an islet, ne.

Snowy Egret 1 (alt. plmg.) walking on jetty, nw.

Osprey 1 vocal; perched on branch overhanging lake, n; flying to another perch, se (photo).

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 4 May 2017

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal (unseen) in cottonwoods, se.

American Coot 200 individuals swimming, foraging; scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer 10 (ad, imm) vocal; false brooding display in newly cleared marsh next to jetty, nw.

Spotted Sandpiper 8 (alt. plmg.) vocal when flushed; individuals and small flocks on shore, nw, e.

Bonaparte's Gull 1 (imm) dipping in lake surface while flying back and forth, e.

California Gull 30 (C1; C2, C3) a cohesive flock resting in open water, n-central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal; one with nesting material; often paired, ubiquitous.

Mourning Dove 30 vocal; often paired, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (m) displays from conspicuous perch, n, nw.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal (unseen) in cottonwoods, s.

Western Wood Pewee 1 perched on outer canopy branch of cottonwood; displaced by WEKI, se.

Black Phoebe 1 perched on fence on pump station outlet, s.

Say's Phoebe 3 vocal; perched in open areas, n., ne.

Western Kingbird 4 vocal; in tree canopies around the lake.

Warbling Vireo 2 foraging silently in juniper, creosote bush and mulberry trees, n.

Least Bell's Vireo 1 gray above, largely white below with slighly yellowish tinge on belly; conspicuous lower wing bar; white lores and supercilium ending at posterior eyering; giving distinctive song repeatedly while moving through foliage of cottonwoods and willows in mid-level and sub canopy. Responded once to playback of its song on a cell phone by briefly alighting on a nearby perch, then quickly flying off 20-30 yards. Judging distance from the variable song volume, the bird appeared to be rapidly covering a relatively large area (0.5 acre) grown to willow,cottonwood and tamarisk near the lakeshore, nw (photos: first documented record of this species for Lake Palmdale; a few previous records for this species in the Palmdale-Lancaster region, including the vicinity of Sierra Hwy and Lake Una). Least Bell's Vireo remains a State and Federal listed species due to relatively low populations within its historical range. Causal factors for its decline are mainly brood parasitism by the invasive Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), habitat degradation ( e.g. invasive exotic plants) and loss of riparian habitats. Conservation efforts (i.e. cowbird trapping and habitat restoration) have resulted in a significant increase in the breeding population of Least Bell's Vireo in Southern California.

Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) same individual in both images; nw Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County CA 4 May 2017

Western Scrub-Jay 1 perched in canopy of juniper, se.

Common Raven 4 pairs flying high (200- 300 ft. agl) above the lake, n.

Tree Swallow 80 pairs and individuals flying low over the lake and adjacent areas; perched on dead branches of willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 two pair flying low over widely separate open areas and shore, s, ne.

Cliff Swallow 20 individuals and small flocks flying 50-100 ft. agl over riparian, marsh and adjacent open and suburban areas, w, s.

Barn Swallow 30 several pair nesting in concrete drainage bunker, se; individuals flying low over lake and marsh throughout.

Oak Titmouse 2 moving through middle levels of cottonwoods, nw, sw.

Verdin 1 repeated calls (unseen) in a large cottonwood, ne.

Bushtit 2 vocal; a pair foraging in creosote bushes, n.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal from exposed perches around the lake.

House Wren 1 repeated song from lower level of cottonwoods, se.

Marsh Wren 3 repeated song (unseen) from marsh island bordering slough, s, se.

American Robin 1 on ground in shade beneath mature junipers, s.

California Thrasher 1 repeated song from exposed perch on Joshua Tree, n.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious, on ground and in deciduous trees, esp. those with dead branches and cavities, n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 low in a juniper, n.

Yellow Warbler 14 vocal; active in canopy and middle levels of cottonwoods and willows around the lake (photo).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 4 May 2017

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 1 (imm, f) foraging alone, quietly in canopy of young cottonwoods near the outlet, n.

Common Yellowthroat 10 vocal in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 8 (m,f) vocal, active at multiple height levels in a variety of shrubs and trees around the lake.

California Towhee 2 vocal, brushy area near dam, ne.

Song Sparrow 4 active in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Western Tanager 2 (m) flying between cottonwood canopies, sw, se.

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 vocal in canopy of cottonwood, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious; many recently fledged young in marsh around the lake.

Tricolored Blackbird 8 (m) small flocks flying from jetty, marsh and grassy area, e along shore, nw, n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 (m) repeated song from patches of marsh below cliff; flying n over park n ride lot, n, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m, f) males (some with worn alt. plmg. - photo) displaying individually and in leks on ground, and trees overhanging marsh, around jetty and docks; females perched nearby in marsh, nw, s.

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 4 May 2017

Brown-headed Cowbird 10 (m,f) vocal, individuals perched in tree canopies overhanging the marsh, n, w, sw.

Bullock's Oriole 4 (m) vocal; active in the canopy of cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 20 (m, f) vocal flocks of mostly males in trees and shrubs around the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal, active in pines and cottonwoods bordering skeet range, ne.

House Sparrow 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around clubhouse and gardens, n.

April 13, 2017 (58 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 50F; wind WSW 15- 25 mph. whitecaps on lake surface.

Time: 0725-1008 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road and outer fence line road (nw & w only). The lake water level continues to be near maximum, leaving little or no exposed shoreline. Water was moving swiftly through the se Palmdale Ditch inlet. Several vehicles, including a large tanker, were involved with stocking fish on the jetty. Otherwise, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. High winds made observations of birds difficult, especially on the downwind (east) side of the lake.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (1), Bonaparte's Gull (2), Verdin (1), Yellow Warbler (10), Yellow-headed Blackbird (3) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (12).

BIRDS NOTED

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

Bufflehead 60 (m,f) pairs and small flocks throughout; some diving.

Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f; 40% alt. plmg.) small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake; mostly inactive.

California Quail 20 pairs and small coveys in shrubby areas around the lake.

Pied-billed Grebe 2 vocal, in shallows near marsh, nw.

Horned Grebe 1 (trans. alt plmg.) swimming, diving near shore, se.

Eared Grebe 20 individuals and pairs diving throughout.

Western Grebe 1 open water, central.

Clark's Grebe 6 vocal; three pair, swimming in open water throughout.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 most resting on stirring platforms, n, central.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) flushed from cottonwood, sw.

American Coot 120 small flocks scattered around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal; n settling ponds.

Least Sandpiper 12 two flocks; one foraging at edge of settling pond, n; four birds on mudflats in newly cleared marsh, nw.

Bonaparte's Gull 2 (alt. and trans. alt. plmg.) flying in high winds near shore of dam, hovering and dipping bill into surface, ne (photo).

Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 13 April 2017

California Gull 16 (ad, imm) most resting together in open water, n.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal, n.

Mourning Dove 10 vocal; pairs and individuals in riparian areas around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in cottonwood at edge of lake, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal, in cottonwoods, se.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 vocal; flying over slough, se.

Black Phoebe 3 flying low over road near shore, w, se, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; edge of settling ponds, n.

Western Kingbird 2 flying; mulberry trees in picnic area, n; flying, nw.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 perched in juniper, nw.

Common Raven 6 flying around lake.

Tree Swallow 120 flying low, and up to about 60 ft. agl, back and forth over lake and adjacent habitats throughout; several pairs perched in willows, s, se.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30 pairs and small flocks flying back and forth low over shoreline, marsh and adjacent open fields throughout.

Cliff Swallow 200 flying at variable heights (2- 100 ft. agl) back and forth over all habitats.

Barn Swallow 20 individuals and pairs flying low over lake and marsh throughout.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal in cottonwoods, sw, se.

Verdin 1 vocal in patch of creosote bush, nw.

Bushtit 10 small, vocal flocks in shrubs and trees throughout.

Cactus Wren 1 vocal (unseen) in joshua tree scrub, n.

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

House Wren 1 vocal (unseen) in cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 2 vocal (unseen) in dense cattails, s, se.

American Robin 1 on ground beneath large juniper, s.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious, n, s.

American Pipit 1 foraging on edge of jetty, nw.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 vocal, cottonwood-willow patch, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 vocal in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 (alt. plmg.) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 2 vocal in marsh-riparian, nw, w.

Wilson's Warbler 1 vocal (unseen) marsh-riparian, s.

California Towhee 2 vocal; fenceline and juniper scrub, w.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal marsh-riparian edge, sw, s.

White-crowned Sparrow 5 vocal; small flock in saltbush scrub, n.

Dark-eyed Junco 1 on ground beneath juniper, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 60 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in patches of cattails around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 (m) vocal; flying around patches of marsh, n, w.

Great- tailed Grackle 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Brown-headed Cowbird 3 (m,f) vocal; individuals perched atop willows and cottonwoods, nw, w.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (m) vocal, in cottonwoods, n, w.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal; gregarious, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 12 (m,f) vocal pairs on ground and in cottonwoods around the lake.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, n.

March 30, 2017 (50 Species)

Weather: Fair; 61F to 65F; wind WNW 5 - 15 mph.; whitecaps on lake.

Time: 0733-1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The lake water level was near maximum, leaving no exposed shoreline around most of the lake and 20 - 30 ft. landward inundation in the willow riparian strip in the western section. A crew on the jetty was introducing a load of trout for the upcoming fishing derby this weekend. Two men from a local pest management compamy were spraying the cut-over marsh vegetation on the west shore of the dam. Otherwise, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1), Western Kingbird (2), Purple Martin (1), Tree Swallow (120), Verdin (1), Black-throated Gray Warbler (1), Yellow-headed Blackbird (1), Bullock's Oriole (2) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 10 (m,f) pairs and individuals in shallows around the lake and in a settling pond.

Bufflehead 90 (m,f) individuals, pairs and small flocks, diving, swimming, around the edges of the lake.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) swimming about 50 m offshore, n.

Ruddy Duck 200 (m,f; many in alt. plmg.) in cohesive flocks around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 20 (m,f) vocal; three coveys, n, w, ne.

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

Eared Grebe 10 (about 20% in alt, plmg.) individuals, pairs; diving in open water, central, n.

Western Grebe calls (unseen) w.

Clark's Grebe 8 pairs swimming together in open water and near marshes throughout.

Double-crested Cormorant 10 small flocks resting on stirring buoys, central, e.

Osprey 1 circling above the lake, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) flew to cottonwood, se corner.

American Coot 120 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous around margins of the lake.

Killdeer 4 vocal; on concrete edge and in shallows of settling ponds, n.

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

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

California Gull 40 (ad; about 20 % C1) resting on lake; flying nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 flushed from roadside and parking area, n, s.

Mourning Dove 6 pairs and individuals in riparian areas around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal, active in mature cottonwoods, sw.

Black Phoebe 8 vocal; individuals in cottonwoods and shrubs around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 2 vocal; on shrubs and on fences in open fields, n, ne.

Western Kingbird 2 vocal in canopy of mulberry trees, picnic area, n (fos).

Common Raven 6 flying around lake.

Purple Martin 1 (imm or fem.) noted long wings; relatively slow wing strokes; brownish above; flying to cottonwood; perched there for a few minutes then flushed by a RSHA, se.

Tree Swallow 120 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; many alighting on dead branches of willows and cottonwoods in traditional nesting areas; many flying at variable heights( 2- 100 ft. agl) over the lake.

Barn Swallow 10 (alt. plmg.) pairs and small flocks flying low over lake, settling ponds and adjacent open fields around the lake.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated song in cottonwoods, sw, s.

Verdin 1 flying from hillside saltbush below park n ride to creosote scrub across the roadway, nw.

Bushtit 10 individuals, vocal; pairs, active in shrubs and trees around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 5 repeated song from brushy areas around the lake.

Marsh Wren 6 individuals separated by 10-40m, giving repeated song (unseen) in dense marsh, sw, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song from conspicuous perches, n.

European Starling 6 vocal; in cottonwoods and on ground, n, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 80 (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal (song and calls); gregarious, ubiquitous.

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) in creosote bush with YRWA, n (fos).

Common Yellowthroat 5 repeated song from marsh and edge of riparian around the lake.

California Towhee 4 repeated song from rabbitbrush-juniper scrub, w.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal (calls and song) marsh and riparian edge around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 flushed from swampy edge of willow thicket, sw.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous in small flocks.

Red-winged Blackbird 70 (m,f) vocal; males establishing territories in marsh and adjacent riparian areas around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m) flying from park n ride across the road to willows and marsh at edge of lake, n (fos).

Great-tailed Grackle 40 (m,f) males in vocal leks on ground; on territories with nearby RWBL in marsh, n, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (m) vocal; in and around willows with nearby RWBL.

Bullock's Oriole 2 repeated song given from mulberry trees and cottonwoods, n sw (fos).

House Finch 10 (m,f) yellow - bright red feathering of males; vocal, gregarious, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 (m,f) two pair; vocal in cottonwoods, s, se.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 (m,f) a pair on ground beneath pines, ne.

House Sparrow 3 (m,f) vocal; on ground and in pines, ne.

March 2, 2017 (56 Species)

Weather: Fair; 39F to 55F; wind SSW 2 - 4 mph.

Time: 0715- 1020 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake using the interior shoreline road. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during the survey. The lake water level was relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (2), Red-breasted Merganser (1), Horned Grebe (1), White Pelican (1), Bald Eagle (1), Tree Swallow (100), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4), Cliff Swallow (10), Barn Swallow (6), Verdin (2), Cactus Wren (3), Phainopepla (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (2), Purple Finch (2) and American Goldfinch (10).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 4 (m,f) edges of the lake, nw, se.

Northern Shoveler 1 (m) swimming with AMCO and RUDU, n.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (f) resting at edge of marsh, nw.

Bufflehead 20 (m,f) swimming together in pairs and small flocks, n, nw.

Common Goldeneye 2 (f) swimming apart, near the dam, ne (photo).

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 2 March 2017

Red-breasted Merganser 1 (m) diving near the dam, e (photo).

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Ruddy Duck 200 (m,f - bsc. plmg.) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 2 (m,f) vocal, running through saltbush scrub, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 5 vocal; edges of the lake and marsh, n, nw.

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

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Eared Grebe 12 mostly around the edges of the lake; some in central section.

Western Grebe 1 swimming in central section of the lake.

Clark's Grebe 1 swimming in n-central section.

Double-crested Cormorant 8 most resting on floating stirrer platforms, central, n.

American White Pelican 1 (alt. plmg.) swimming in open water, n.

Osprey 1 vocal; perched atop pole at edge of lake next to docks, s.

Bald Eagle 1 (ad) flushed from cottonwood next to lake; flew westward with a 6 inch fish in talons (photo), se.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (imm; ad) perched in cottonwood and on utility pole, s, ne.

American Coot 80 scattered in loose flocks around the edges of the lake.

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

California Gull 20 (ad, imm) in cohesive flocks; resting, open water and jetty, central, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 on ground, s.

Mourning Dove 8 individuals and pairs in riparian areas around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 vocal; flying over creosote bush scrub, n.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) vocal; drumming; in cottonwoods, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, w, s, se.

Black Phoebe 8 vocal; inviduals on low perches near edge of lake.

California Scrub-Jay 3 vocal; individuals in juniper scrub, nw, w, ne.

Common Raven 6 vocal; individuals and pairs circling above the lake.

Tree Swallow 100 ubiquitous;vocal; gregarious; in large flocks flying low over the lake; several flying around and alighting in traditional nesting area among cottonwoods, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 2 pair flying together, low over water, slough and near dam, se, ne.

Cliff Swallow 10 pairs and individuals flying low over the water in msf with BASW and TRSW, nw, s.

Barn Swallow 6 individuals flying low over lake near jetty and docks, nw, w.

Oak Titmouse 3 vocal; in cottonwoods, nw, w, sw.

Verdin 2 vocal; in creosote scrub; flying across road to saltbush scrub hillside below park and ride lot, n.

Bushtit 20 gregarious; largely silent while foraging in fairly cohesive flocks on cottonwood inflorescences, nw, w, sw.

Cactus Wren 3 vocal; one pair in saltbush scrub, ne.; another calling from juniper-joshua field, nw.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal; widespread in brushy and riparian edge.

Marsh Wren 3 highly vocal and active in patches of dried cattails around docks, w, sw.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 vocal; foraging on cottonwood catkins, w, sw.

Northern Mockingbird 1 flying low over saltbush scrub, w.

European Starling 4 vocal; atop cottonwoods, w, sw.

American Pipit 4 foraging at edge of jetty (photo) and on muddy shoreline, nw, n.

American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Phainopepla 1 (m) perched quietly in crown of cottonwood, s (photo).

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 vocal (song and calls) foraging in subcanopy of cottonwoods on inflorescences, w (photo).

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothylpis celata) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 calls; (m,f - some in trans. alt. plmg.) ubiquitous in shrubs and trees.

Savannah Sparrow 1 foraging at edge of jetty, nw (photo).

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 2 March 2017

Song Sparrow 3 edge of marsh and riparian, sw, s, se.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad, imm) small, vocal flocks on ground in brushy areas around the lake; and edge of lawn in picnic area, n.

Red-winged Blackbird 60 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; males establishing territories in cattail marshes around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; in marsh and on ground, nw, w, s.

Purple Finch 2 (m,f) vocal; feeding on cottonwood inflorescences with HOFI, w.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; ubiquitous, espin flowering cottonwoods.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal in flowering cottonwood; AMGO nearby, s.

American Goldfinch 10 vocal, gregarious; foraging on cottonwood inflorescences, s.

House Sparrow 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; on ground beneath pyracantha and mulberry trees, picnic area, n.

September 29, 2016 (54 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F to 82F; wind WSW 2 mph.

Time: 0715-1030 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road, except in the northwest section where I used the concrete drainage road. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during the survey. The lake water level remains relatively high, although lower than for the previous survey (August 25, 2016); a few feet of exposed shoreline was present in the north and western sections.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Blue-winged Teal (2), Redhead (1), Brown Pelican (1), Red-breasted Sapsucker (1), Verdin (3), Yellow Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (4), Vesper Sparrow (1), White-crowned Sparrow (6), and Tricolored Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 8 (m,f) loosely associated pairs and individuals, s, se, n.

Mallard 30 (m,f) scattered around the margins of the lake; also in a settling pond, n.

Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) flushed from the weedy edge of the dam, e.

Redhead 1 (m) resting in open water amongst AMCO and RUDU, e.

Ruddy Duck 40 (m,f; bsc. plmg.) small flocks scattered around the margins of the lake.

California Quail 8 two small coveys - n, ne.

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

Western Grebe 2 one in a face-off a few feet from a CLGR; definitely fewer individuals on the lake compared with previous survey in August.

Clark's Grebe 30 (ad, imm) vocal; several pairs and small flocks including 1/3 - grown young; ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 swimming and resting, ne, s.

Brown Pelican 1 (ad) initially observed flying low around the ne corner of the lake; alighted on small islet; swimming in open water (photo); second record for LP (and Antelope Valley).

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 29 September 2016

Great Blue Heron 5 individuals around the edges of the lake; two on docks, w, s.

Great Egret 1 flushed from the aqueduct inlet, s; flew to trees in ne.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flew to large cottonwood, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 vocal; se.

Red-tailed Hawk 3 ad; s, e, ne.

American Kestrel 1 (m) perched in crown of cottonwood at edge of slough, s.

American Coot 250 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer calls (unseen) e.

California Gull 1 (ad) resting in open water near jetty, nw.

Mourning Dove 12 pairs and small flocks in riparian and open fields around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 10 (m,f) individuals scattered around the lake in brushy and riparian areas.

Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal; flying low around the lake.

Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 foraging in willows and cottonwoods, s (photo).

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 29 September 2016

Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 vocal; active in willows and cottonwoods throughout.

Northern Flicker calls (unseen) sw.

Black Phoebe 8 vocal, ubiquitous; individuals sallying from low perches.

Coastal Scrub-Jay 3 vocal; one carrying an acorn-like object; landing to bury it, w.

Common Raven 10 vocal, gregarious; mostly around the dam, e.

Horned Lark 14 vocal, gregarious; ruderal field adjacent to back gate, n.

Tree Swallow 1 swooping low over lake near jetty, nw.

Barn Swallow 10 a flock flying low over the lake and marsh near the jetty, then disappearing to the west, nw.

Verdin 3 vocal; brushy areas along fence line, nw; repeated calls, s.

Bushtit 20 vocal, gregarious; foraging in creosote bush, n; cottonwood and willow, s.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

House Wren 1 partial song, cottonwoods, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 fence line brushy area, nw.

California Thrasher 1 repeated song from Joshua-Juniper field near Fin & Feather entrance road, n.

European Starling 10 vocal, gregarious; in tops of cottonwoods, n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 25 calls; often gregarious while foraging in cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

Yellow Warbler 2 (f) calls while foraging in canopies of cottonwoods, ne, w.

Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 (f; imm) calls; foraging in a variety of tall shrubs and trees around the lake (fos).

Common Yellowthroat 12 (m,f; imm) calls; sometimes gregarious while foraging in riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 4 (m,f) pairs and individuals foraging low in cottonwoods and willows, w, sw.

California Towhee 1 on roadway, nw.

Vesper Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy margin of south end of jetty, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 2 flushed from weedy margins of south end of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 5 calls; individuals foraging on ground with WCSP, n, w.

Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal in marsh, w, s.

Tricolored Blackbird 1 (m) flying north over roadway from marsh-riparian patch, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m,f) a small flock of males in leafless willow overhanging slough, se.

House Finch 10 (m,f) pairs and small flocks around the edges of the lake.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, call; se.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) around the fence, garden and buildings of the F&F club, n.

August 25, 2016 (51 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F to 75F; wind NNW 5 - 10 mph.

Time: 0710-0925 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior perimeter road, and including the north settling ponds (two with standing water). The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little exposed shoreline. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities, except for the launching of a pontoon boat at the nw corner.

Birds Noted

Canada Goose 1 flying over adjacent suburb, s.

Gadwall 2 (f) swimming, e.

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

Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) flushed from edge of dam, e.

Northern Shoveler 3 (f) swimming together, e.

Ruddy Duck 1 (m, alt. plmg. ) near docks, sw.

California Quail 6 running across entrance driveway, n.

Western Grebe 10: 3 occupied floating nests; pairs active around nests, w, s.

Clark's Grebe 25: 4 occupied floating nests; pairs and singles active around nests, nw, w.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 resting on snags; flying low over lake, n.

Great Blue Heron 3 edge of marsh around lake.

Great Egret 4 edge of marsh around lake.

Green Heron 1 flushed from shore, n.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm). flushed from edge of lake, s.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm) flying to cottonwood, e.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 calls, se; one imm. in cottonwood, w.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) on utility poles; in cottonwood, n, nw.

American Coot 120 ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer calls (unseen), e.

Black-necked Stilt 1 flushed from edge of dam, ne.

Least Sandpiper 7 flying in a tight flock, low, nw.

California Gull 2 (C1) resting on jetty with CATE, nw; flying around lake.

Caspian Tern 25 (ad, imm); a cohesive flock resting on s end of jetty; others vocalizing, flying around lake, occasionally diving.

Feral Rock Pigeon 5 flying over adjacent suburbs, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal; edge of riparian, n.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal; gregarious and singles around the lake.

Anna's Hummingbird 10 (f, imm m) vocal; active in riparian and edge around the lake.

Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal; flying over slough, s.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 vocal, cottonwoods, sw.

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

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 fresh bsc. plmg. in willows, w.

Coastal Scrub-Jay 3 vocal; edge of riparian and junipers, w, e.

Common Raven 14 vocal, gregarious; several fledglings relatively tame and together on dam, e.

Horned Lark 12 a cohesive flock on gravel lot next to back gate, n.

Cliff Swallow 1 flying low, nw.

Barn Swallow 4 individuals and a pair flying low over the lake, nw, se.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; cottonwoods, w, sw.

Verdin 2 vocal; active in creosote bushes,, n.

Bushtit 6 vocal, gregarious; riparian, w.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal, ubiquitous in brushy areas and in cottonwoods.

Marsh Wren 1 vocal (unseen) w.

European Starling 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. n.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in canopy of willows, w.

Yellow Warbler 6 vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas; cottonwoods.

Common Yellowthroat 14 vocal, often paired; edge of marsh-riparian around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging low in willows near shore, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow ? (not seen clearly) 1 edge of saltbush scrub, nw.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal, active in riparian-marsh edge around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 vocal, gregarious; marsh and riparian around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, edge of riparian, nw, s.

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

July 21, 2016 (37 Species)

Weather: Fair; 70F to 80F; wind WSW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0647-0947 hrs.

Observers: Dan Byrne and I.

Area Covered: We walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior perimeter road. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during our survey. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, at or near full capacity; little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Caspian Tern (2), Verdin (6). and Yellow Warbler (10).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 30 (m,f) individuals and small flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake.

California Quail 4 vocal, gregarious; shrubby area at edge of park n ride, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 4 vocal; individuals near shore around the lake.

Western Grebe 10 (m,f) vocal; mostly paired; some showing synchronized head-bobbing and ritualized preening courtship behavior.

Clark's Grebe 30 (m,f) mostly paired; one pair constructing a nest of floating cattails near the docks, nw.

Double-crested Cormorant 2 flying low over lake.

Great Blue Heron 2 flushed from edge of lake, nw, ne.

Great Egret 2 flushed from edge of marsh, n, s.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal; flying over marsh and slough, s.

American Coot 100 gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Caspian Tern 2 vocal; a pair flying at 50 ft agl around the edges of the lake.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal; riparian patch, n.

Mourning Dove 12 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around creosote bush and cottonwoods, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m,f) vocal; cottonwoods, nw, w,

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) vocal; individuals foraging in sub canopy of cottonwoods, w, sw.

Black Phoebe 6 vocal; individuals sallying from low perches around the lake.

Western Kingbird 8 (ad, imm) individuals and pairs (imm) in canopy of cottonwoods and mulberry trees, n.

Common Raven 8 inidviduals and pairs circling above the lake, n.

Horned Lark 16 a cohesive flock in a ruderal field next to the PWD back gate, n.

Tree Swallow 20 (ad, imm) gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging over marshes.

Cliff Swallow 6 ubiquitous; several flying amongst TRSW over marsh.

Barn Swallow 10 flying in msf with TRSW and CLSW around the lake.

Oak Titmouse 1 repeated song, willows, nw.

Verdin 6 vocal, partially gregarious; shrubby areas around the lake.

Bushtit 2 vocal; active in shrubs and trees, w.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal; active in upper levels of willows, w.

European Starling 4 vocal, gregarious, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 (m,f) vocal, active in canopy of willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 3 vocal; dense marsh-riparian edge, nw, s.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal; active in riparian-marsh edge, w, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 12 (m,f) gregarious in marsh with emergent willows around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; commuting between park n ride and n shore riparian.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (m,f) vocal; active in areas with YEWA in willows and cottonwoods, n, w.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

House Sparrow 5 vocal; active around buildings and in gardens, n.

June 9, 2016 (47 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; wind WSW 5-15 mph.

Time: 0626-0909 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during my survey. The lake water level was at or near maximum height, leaving little or no exposed shoreline. The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the southeast corner was running at medium velocity and volume.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canada Goose (6; ad., imm), Prairie Falcon (1), Black-necked Stilt (1), Willow Flycatcher (3), Tree Swallow (80), Verdin (1), Yellow Warbler (10), Yellow-headed Blackbird (2) and Hooded Oriole (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 6 (4 ad; one pair with two 75% - grown goslings).

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

Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f) loose flocks near the marsh in the corners of the lake.

California Quail 10 vocal, gregarious; brushy areas, s, ne.

Western Grebe 6 vocal; pairs engaged in courtship around the edges of the lake.

Clark's Grebe 16 silent; pairs and singles staying fairly close to the marsh around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 1 (imm) flushed from s end of jetty to opposite side of lake.

Great Egret 1 (ad) flushed from edge of slough, s.

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

Red-tailed Hawk 3 (ad, imm) on and around utility poles and tower with recent nest, n.

Prairie Falcon 1 flying s at eye level with the dam, e.

American Coot 80 individuals and loose flocks scattered around the edges of the lake.

Black-necked Stilt 1 on rocky shore of dam, ne.

Eurasian Collared Dove 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Feral Rock Pigeon 1 flying s over adjacent suburbs, s.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) hovering around cottonwood, sw.

Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m,f) in and around cottonwoods and junipers, w, s.

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

Willow Flycatcher 3 vocal (repeated song and calls); active at middle and upper middle level of outer canopies of cottonwoods, w, sw.

Black Phoebe 2 sallying from low perches, s, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 sallying from juniper and other shrubs, n.

Western Kingbird 1 vocal in canopy of mulberry tree in picnic area, n.

Western Scrub-Jay 2 vocal; a pair flying together over adjacent sandbar willow patch, e.

Common Raven 8 vocal; pairs and individuals soaring high above the lake.

Tree Swallow 80 vocal, uibquitous; interactions in upper branches of willows and cottowoods; one pair displaying repeated copulations, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 individuals flying low over ruderal fields and roadways, n, se.

Cliff Swallow 30 gregarious, ubiquitous; flying back and forth 15-100 ft. agl.

Barn Swallow 20 individuals flying low over open ground and lake; ubiquitous; several birds sometimes perched on utility lines.

Oak Titmouse 1 repeated song (unseen) cottonwoods and conifers in adjacent yard, s.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from concealed location in rabbitbrush and other shrubs, se.

Bushtit 12 small, vocal flocks in a variety of vegetation in and around riparian patches.

Bewick's Wren 2 repeated song from juniper scrub and edge of riparian, w.

Marsh Wren 2 repeated song (unseen) in dense patches of marsh, nw, s.

California Thrasher 1 on fence with CATO, nw.

European Starling 8 vocal, gregarious, n.

Yellow Warbler 10 (m) highly vocal; repeated song from canopy of cottonwoods around the lake.

Common Yellowthroat 8 (ad, imm) vocal in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

California Towhee 2 on fence near CATH, nw.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; individuals in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 120 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious; breeding colonies established in cattail marshes around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m,f) vocal; perched in willows overhanging cattail patch, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 50 (m,f) gregarious; leks in tops of willows, nw.

Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, riparian patches, nw, w.

Bullock's Oriole 4 (m,f) vocal in canopies of cottonwoods around the lake.

Hooded Oriole 1 (m) briefly in crown of a large juniper with a nearby male BUOR, w.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; common in ruderal fields and riparian patches around the lake.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious around buildings and ruderal fields, n.

MAY 12, 2016 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 79F; no wind.

Time: 0655-0957 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore next to the PWD outlet, I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during my survey. The lake water level continues at maximum level; no exposed mudflats or shoreline.

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 4 - cont. : A family group of two adults and their two 30% grown goslings foraging in tall grass next to the slough, s.

Mallard 8 (m,f) individuals and small flocks, near shore, e.

Ruddy Duck 4 (alt. plmg.) diving in slough, s.

California Quail 8 pairs scattered around the skeet range, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 calls (unseen) , marsh, ne.

Eared Grebe 30 (most if not all in alt. pmg.) pairs and individuals diving around the lake (photo).

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2016

Western Grebe 6 vocal; in pairs around the edges of the lake near the marsh, nw.

Clark's Grebe 20 vocal; almost all in pairs; some showing ritualized preening and synchronized swimming; one episode observed of inter-pair aggression, nw (photo).

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarki) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2016

Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) resting on a stirring platform, n.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) perched motionless in willow overlooking marsh, nw (photo).

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2016

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 ad. flying low from cottonwoods, s to se corner.

Red-tailed Hawk 5 -cont. a family group of two adults perched nearby and three active nestlings; one nestling comparatively advanced by a week or more; the latter eating the entrails of something (cottontail?); all birds standing occasionally and stretching wings, appearing to be within a week of fledging. This is in the same location on a utility pole as last year, and apparently includes the same nest materials, nw.(photo).

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) three nestlings, Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2016

American Coot 60 ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer 4 vocal; running across the skeet range; one on the dam, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 2 easily flushed; foraging on edge of jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 16 vocal; display flights; pairs and individuals around the lake.

Feral Rock Pigeon 2 on rooftop of neighboring home, s.

Mourning Dove 22 vocal, gregarious pairs, ubiquitous.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around outside foliage of cottonwoods, se.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m,f) foraging on flowering shrubs (e.g. prince's plume); some intraspecific aggression, s, se.

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

Black Phoebe 2 vocal; sallying from low perches near shore, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; flying low over skeet range, ne.

Western Kingbird 3 vocal; individuals perched on utility wires and tree tops around the lake, esp. n.

Western Scrub-Jay 4 mostly silent; perched on junipers and other shrubs, se, w.

Common Raven 6 individuals and pairs soaring 200-300 ft. agl.

Tree Swallow 60 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; many perched on snags in canopies of cottonwoods around the lake; others flying low over lake and open areas around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over open ground, n.

Barn Swallow 8 (alt. plmg.) a cohesive flock flying 10 -20 ft. agl over open ground and marsh, se.

Verdin 1 carrying something in beak into juniper, se.

Bushtit 10 vocal; individuals and small flocks in shrubs around the lake.

Bewick's Wren 6 vocal, ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Marsh Wren 2 repeated song (unseen) from marsh bordering slough, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 repeated song (unseen) ne, s.

European Starling 10 vocal; pairs and small flocks around the lake; esp. in cottonwood with snags and potential nest cavities.

Yellow Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous as single males foraging in cottonwoods and willows.

Common Yellowthroat 1 repeated song (unseen) marsh, sw.

Wilson's Warbler 4 (m,f) vocal; foraging low in shrubs and cottonwoods, se, w.

California Towhee 2 on ground in juniper scrub, sw.

Song Sparrow 6 vocal; inviduals active at edge of marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Western Tanager 3 (m,f) one pair staying close in cottonwood, se.

Black-headed Grosbeak 3 repeated song from cottonwoods, se, sw.

Lazuli Bunting 1 repeated song (unseen) in junipers, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m,f) a well-concealed but vocal colony in a patch of marsh with RWBL; two males foraging on lawn near shore, ne (photo).

Tricolored Blacbird (Agelaius tricolor) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 12 May 2016

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 repeated song (unseen) marsh with RWBL and GTGR next to jetty, nw.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) alt. plmg.; vocal; males in leks around the lake, usually near water; esp. nw.

Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (m,f) vocal; perched nearby RWBL colonies, n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 6 (m,f) vocal; pairs and individuals active in cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging in ruderal fields, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 6 (m,f) vocal; pairs and loose flocks of pairs foraging in ruderal fields with HOFI, ne.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 (3 m; 1 f) foraging together in ruderal patch of skeet range, ne.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal; active in and around gardens and edge of buildings, n.

APRIL 28, 2016 (49 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 47F; increasing winds, 10 - 25 mph. lake surface with whitecaps.

Time: 0740-0947 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from several locations along the north shore, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using primarily the interior shoreline road. An unleashed dog (the same boxer that has aggressively approached me during previous surveys), traveling with its owner to different fishing locations in the northwestern and western sections of the lake, resulted in me taking a detour on the outer perimeter road for safety reasons. Riparian sections in those areas were not surveyed this morning. Increasing winds and a choppy lake surface also reduced the overall effectiveness of my bird survey. Excavations with heavy machinery were taking place in the southeastern corner of the lake. The lake water level remains at or near maximum capacity, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 6 (4 ad; 2 goslings). A pair with two half-grown goslings following them on shore, ne (first record of CAGO breeding at LP); another pair flying s over the lake, e.

Mallard 2 (m,f) flying low over the lake, s.

Ruddy Duck 6 (m,f; alt. plmg.) scattered around the margins of the lake.

California Quail 10 small coveys running on roadways adjacent to brushy areas, n.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 vocalizing in marsh, w.

Eared Grebe 12 (alt. plmg.) individuals, pairs and small flocks throughout the lake.

Clark's Grebe 1 diving near shore, n.

Double-crested Cormorant 5 most resting on shore and floating stirring platforms around the lake.

Osprey 1 -cont. circling the lake, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) a nesting pair staying around a communications tower and adjacent utility pole with two chicks in a nest from the previous year (photo).

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) two chicks in nest from previous year, n Lake Palmdale LACO CA 28 April 2016

American Coot 50 gregarious, ubiquitous around the margins of the lake.

Killdeer 2 vocal; possibly nesting on or near the dam, ne.

Spotted Sandpiper 8 (alt. and trans. alt plmg.); vocal, easily flushed; individuals and, more commonly, pairs, on shorelines around the lake. One apparently foraging land and running across an adjacent roadway more than 50 yards from the water. This may be the greatest number of SPSA found during a single survey of LP.

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

Bonaparte's Gull 14 (2 full alt. plmg; imm; most in bsc. and trans. plmg.) a flock resting in open water, central; a cohesive flock moving to s end of jetty, nw.

California Gull 8 (2 ad. alt. plmg; imm, C1, C2) flying over the lake; resting on jetty with BOGU, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 vocal; usually in pairs; riparian patches, n, s.

Mourning Dove 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls (unseen) s.

Black Phoebe 6 ubiquitous; low perches near shore.

Western Kingbird 4 vocal; usually in pairs interacting in tree canopies, n.

Common Raven 6 ubiquitous.

Tree Swallow 80 a large, loose flock flying low, back and forth over the lake and marsh, s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 50 pairs and individuals flying low over open areas and shore throughout.

Cliff Swallow 500 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; often flying low over land and water in association with other swallows.

Barn Swallow 20 individuals flying low in msf with other swallows around the lake.

Verdin 1 on fence next to mature juniper; appeared to be carrying nest material, w.

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

American Robin 1 vocal; riparian patch near PWD outlet, n.

Northern Mockingbird 1 repeated song, riparian-scrub edge, s.

California Thrasher 1(unseen) repeated calls from concealed location in dense juniper, w.

European Starling 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; esp. around cottonwoods with nest cavities.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 flushed from clump of creosote bush, n.

Nashville Warbler 1 in crown of creosote bush, n.

Yellow Warbler 15 vocal (repeated song) ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 10 vocal (calls and song), clumped distribution in a few riparian areas around the lake.

Wilson's Warbler 3 repeated song (unseen), riparian patches, n, sw, s.

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

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad) flushed from shrubs, ne.

Western Tanager 1 repeated calls from cottonwood on shore, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 vocal, gregarious in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 repeated song from small riparian-marsh patches, n.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; apparently beginning their nesting in marshy areas, nw, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 calls in flight, w.

Bullock's Oriole 3 (m,f) vocal; usually in canopies of cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, or in pairs; ubiquitous, esp. n.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 (f) in clump of mature pines, ne.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 (m,f) vocal in pines, ne.

House Sparrow 20 vocal, individuals and pairs around buildings and gardens, n.

APRIL 14, 2016 (56 Species)

Weather: Overcast; clearing by 0900 hrs. 53F to 63F; winds 2 -25 mph, increasing; white-caps on lake.

Time: 0730-1046 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore between the PWD outlet and the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked the standard, counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road. There were no fishermen on the docks during the survey; the entire lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be relatively high, leaving little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canada Goose (1-cont.), Ring-necked Duck (1), Spotted Sandpiper (2), Greater Yellowlegs (1-fos), Bonaparte's Gull 6 (fos), Caspian Tern (4 - fos), Verdin (2), Orange-crowned Warbler (1 -fos), Yellow Warbler (9- fos), Hermit Warbler (1 - fos), and Wilson's Warbler (1 - fos).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 1-cont. swimming near shore, ne.

Mallard 4 (m,f) swimming near shore, nw, ne.

Ring-necked Duck 1 (f) swimming in slough with RUDU, s.

Ruddy Duck 50 mostly resting in flocks near shore around the lake.

California Quail 30 several coveys in brushy areas around the lake.

Eared Grebe 20 (alt. plmg.) small flocks and individuals diving in open water around the lake.

Western Grebe 1 swimming near the jetty; chased by a CLGR, nw.

Clark's Grebe 7 vocal; pairs and individuals scattered around the lake.

Double-crested Cormorant 3 (alt. plmg.) flying low over the lake; swimming, nw.

Osprey 1 vocal, circling the lake at 50 - 100 ft. agl.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 repeated calls from mature cottonwoods, se.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 ad. on nest (same location and possibly the same nest as last year) on utility pole platform, ne.

American Coot 50 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Killdeer 1 vocal, n.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 vocal; flushed from edge of dam, e. (fos)

Spotted Sandpiper 2 one on jetty; another flying low near shore, nw, ne (fos).

Least Sandpiper 1 on jetty, nw.

Bonaparte's Gull 6 (alt. plmg.) a cohesive flock flying low over the lake; resting in open water, n, e (fos).

California Gull 10 (90% ad, alt. plmg.; C, C2) resting together in open water, central.

Caspian Tern 4 (alt. plmg.) a vocal flock flying 60-100 ft. agl around the lake (fos).

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 pairs and individuals around the lake.

Feral Rock Pigeon 2 flying over suburbs n of the lake.

Mourning Dove 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched on a Joshua Tree, se.

Belted Kingfisher 1 vocal, flying around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal; flying to willows and cottonwoods, nw, s.

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

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; skeet range, ne.

Common Raven 10 circling very high (e.g 200-300 ft agl) above the lake.

Tree Swallow 60 ubiquitous, gregarious, vocal; many flying over lake surface; apparently beginning to nest in cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 in pairs; flying just above the ground, over open areas around the lake.

Barn Swallow 1 flying over the lake surface, nw.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal in cottonwoods, sw.

Verdin 2 vocal in creosote bush and junipers, n, nw.

Bushtit 4 vocal, gregarious; brushy areas, w, sw.

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

House Wren 1 vocal in understory of cottonwoods where usually found, s.

California Thrasher 1 on ground between shrubs on hillside below park n ride, n.

European Starling 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. n, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 1 vocal (unseen) in mature cottonwood, sw.

Yellow Warbler 9 (m, f) males singing from elevated perches in cottonwoods and willows around the lake (fos).

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler (m,f; alt. plmg.) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Hermit Warbler 1 perched atop a mature willow at lakeside; flew to adjacent cottonwood (fos).

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

Wilson's Warbler 1 (possibly more) vocal; riparian patch, sw.

Song Sparrow 8 vocal; foraging on ground at edge of marsh; in trees around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious; on ground in brushy areas around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 40 (m,f) vocal, gregarious in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 4 (m,f) vocal; patches of cattails, n, w.

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

Brown-headed Cowbird 12 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; n, w.

Bullock's Oriole 4 (m) vocal in canopies of mature cottonwoods around the lake.

House Finch 10 vocal, gregarious; skeet range area, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal; in pairs around cottonwoods, s.

Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 vocal; in cottonwoods and pines, ne.

House Sparrow 12 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around buildings and adjacent brushy areas, n.

MARCH 31, 2016 (48 Species)

Weather: Fair; 46F to 57F; wind NE 2-5 mph.

Time: 0748-1021 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore, I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake using the interior shoreline road. Aside from a few fishermen on the docks and a fire crew arriving in the southeast corner at about 0930 hrs., the lake was quiet and largely undisturbed by human activities. The lake water level continues to be near the maximum level, resulting in little or no exposed shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Canvasback (3), Western Grebe (1), Osprey (1-cont.), Cliff Swallow (2), Verdin (2), Tricolored Blackbird (8) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1-cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 1-cont. flying; swimming in open water, ne.

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

Cinnamon Teal 2 flying into marsh, se.

Canvasback 3 (m) swimming near the marsh, nw; se.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m,f) diving in open water, n.

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

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) resting flocks scattered around the lake near marshes.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near docks, s.

Eared Grebe 12 (bsc., alt. plmg.) individuals diving throughout.

Western Grebe 1 diving, open water, n-central.

Double-crested Cormorant 12 resting on stirring platforms around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 1 preening on shore, e.

Osprey 1-cont. perched on limb overhanging slough, s.

American Coot 80 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Killdeer 1 calls, ne.

California Gull 10 (7 ad; 2C1, 1C2) on jetty and resting in open water, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 vocal, s, se.

Mourning Dove 18 vocal, gregarious and solo; ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) perched on tall creosote bush, n.

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

Black Phoebe 3 vocal; low perches near marshes, se, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal (unseen) skeet range, ne.

Common Raven 14 vocal; gregarious, ubiquitous.

Tree Swallow 80 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12 vocal; pairs and small flocks; flying low over land, n.

Cliff Swallow 2 flying fast, back and forth over dam and adjacent land, ne.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal in cottonwoods, sw, s.

Verdin 2 vocal in shrubs, n, nw.

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

House Wren 1 vocal in understory of cottonwoods, s.

Marsh Wren 1 vocal (unseen) at edge of slough-marsh, s.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, n, ne.

European Starling 12 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 40 (m,f) vocal (song and calls), gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 3 vocal in marsh, nw, w, s.

California Towhee 1 vocal (unseen) se.

Savannah Sparrow 2 flushed from weedy area on jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 15 vocal, ubiquitous in marsh-riparian patches.

White-crowned Sparrow 5 vocal; staying in dense cover, n, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; territorial males in marshes around the lake.

Tricolored Blackbird 8 in a msf with RWBL; several males initially seen together in a willow overhanging a patch of cattails; flew to latter area, continuing to interact, ne.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m) repeated song - same area next to jetty where found during previous survey, nw.

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

Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (m) vocal; perched in willows overhanging marsh with RWBL, w.

Bullock's Oriole 5 (m) vocal; individuals in crowns of cottonwoods around the lake.

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

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal; cottonwoods, sw.

House Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious, n.

MARCH 24, 2016 (55 Species)

Weather: Fair; 52F to 64F; wind ENE, WNW 0 - 1 mph.

Time: 0812-1103 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore between the PWD outlet and Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior shoreline road except in the northwestern section. There were two fishermen (one with an aggressive, unleashed, boxer-type dog) at the edge of the slough in the southeastern corner and several of firemen (with an unleashed border collie-type dog) attending a controlled brush burn in the se area near the dam. The lake area was otherwise undisturbed by human activities during my survey. The lake water level continues to be at or near maximum, leaving little or no exposed shoreline throughout.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Western Grebe (1), Osprey (1), Sora (1), Western Kingbird 1 (fos), Verdin (1 - nesting), Phainopepla (1-cont.), Yellow-headed Blackbird (2 - fos), and Bullock's Oriole (2 - fos).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 1 (ad) standing on a small peninsula, ne.

Mallard 8 (m,f) pairs swimming near shore around the lake.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (m,f) resting on shore near the boat launch ramp, nw.

Lesser Scaup 5 (m,f) resting in open water and near shore, n.

Bufflehead 18 (m,f) pairs swimming and diving near shore around the lake.

Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f; some in alt. plmg.) flocks resting in shallows around the margins of the lake near marshes.

California Quail 14 (m,f) foraging in a brushy field at edge of skeet range, ne.

Eared Grebe 8 (bsc., trans. and alt. plmg.) individuals diving in open water around the lake.

Western Grebe 1 diving in open water, n-central.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 resting on stirring platforms, n.

Osprey 1 vocal; circling 100-200 ft. agl abov the lake; perched on favorite branch overhanging the slough, s.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from cliffside creosote bush stand, n.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal (unseen) mature cottonwoods, se.

Sora 1 repeated calls (unseen) marsh near jetty, nw.

American Coot 80 gregarious, ubiquitous around edges of the lake.

Killdeer 1 at edge of field, ne.

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

California Gull 20 (ad; 60% C1) resting on s end of jetty, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal; pairs flying low around the lake.

Feral Rock Pigeon 4 flushed from ground, ne.

Mourning Dove 12 vocal; individuals and pairs; ubiquitous; perched on utility wires.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in and around pines and cottonwoods, ne.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m) vocal; drumming on dead willow limbs, nw, s.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 in subcanopy of cottonwood, sw.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal; sallying from low perches around the lake.

Western Kingbird 1 vocal; in crown of fruitless mulberry in picnic area next to clubhouse, n (fos - photo).

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 March 2016

Western Scrub-Jay 1 perched on mature juniper, w.

Common Raven 10 vocal; soaring high (>300 ft. agl) above the lake.

Tree Swallow 60 individuals and pairs flying around the lake; many in and around cottonwoods and willows with potential (active?) nest cavities.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying over cliffside with creosote bush scrub, n.

Cliff Swallow 1? seen briefly but not clearly from my vehicle, flying low (15 ft. agl) over open area by PWD outlet.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal, active in mature cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 1 carrying nest material in beak; flying around a mature juniper and alighting on an adjacent fence (photo); same area where a vocal individual was found during previous surveys, nw.

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) same individual in both images; with nest material, Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 24 March 2016

Cactus Wren 1 vocal (unseen) around the PWD yard, n.

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

Marsh Wren 1 vocal (unseen) dry cattail patch, s.

Northern Mockingbird 1 vocal; adjacent suburban yard, s.

California Thrasher 2 vocal; juniper shrub patch and edge of riparian, w, sw.

European Starling 6 vocal, gregarious, ubiqutious.

Phainopepla 1 m -cont. in cottonwoods with parasitic mistletoe, se.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 (m,f; many in alt. plmg.) vocal; gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. in mature deciduous trees.

Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal (unseen) marsh at edge of slough, s.

California Towhee 1 vocal (unseen) in dense cover of sage and juniper, nw.

Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from weedy area on edge of jetty, nw.

Song Sparrow 2 vocal (unseen), riparian-marsh, nw, w.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous on ground in brushy areas.

Dark-eyed Junco 1 in deciduous tree of adjacent suburban yard, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; many males on established territories in cattail patches.

Western Meadowlark 1 repeated song (unseen) n.

Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m) infrequent partial song from partially concealed perches in dry cattails; at edge of established RWBL colony, nw, sw (fos - photo).

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) Lake Palmdale LACO CA 24 March 2016

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal leks in canopy of willows, n; individuals and pairs flying low around the lake and into adjacent property, n, s.

Bullock's Oriole 2 (m) repeated calls and partial song while foraging among inflorescences in outer canopies of cottonwoods, sw, (fos).

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

Lesser Goldfinch 4 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; frequenting canopies of cottonwoods, sw, s.

House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; around clubhouse and picnic area, n.

MARCH 10, 2016 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 54F to 66F; wind calm.

Time: 0715-1005 hrs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1-cont.), White Pelican (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (3), Verdin (1), Cactus Wren (2) and Phainopepla (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1(m) swimming alone in slough, se.

Mallard 6 3 pair near edge of lake, s, se, e.

Canvasback 1 (m) swimming near flock of RUDU, nw.

Lesser Scaup 6 (m,f) swimming together, open water, n.

Bufflehead 16 (m,f) singles and small flocks throughout.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) - cont. swimming near docks, w.

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) most resting in flocks near marshes around the lake.

California Quail 2 flushed from beneath pines, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near dam, e.

Eared Grebe 8 individuals diving in open water and near marshes throughout.

Western Grebe 4 two pair showing courtship behavior; vocal, open water and near shore, nw, s.

Clark's Grebe 1 vocal; swimming and diving alone in open water, n.

Double-crested Cormorant 6 resting on stirring platforms, n, central.

American White Pelican 1 (ad, alt. plmg.) resting on s end of jetty; wary - entered water as I approached.

Great Blue Heron 2 edge of marsh; flying across lake, n, se.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 vocal, circling tall cottonwoods (nesting?) , se.

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) flushed from trees overhanging marsh, se; on tall radio tower platform at PWD plant, ne.

Sora 1 vocal (unseen) nw.

American Coot 80 gregarious, ubiquitous around edges and in middle of lake.

Killdeer 5 vocal when approached; on embankment of settling ponds, n; on dam, e.

California Gull 15 (ad, imm) resting in open water, central.

Eurasian Collared Dove 8 vocal; usually paired; ubiquitous in riparian areas.

Mourning Dove 12 gregarious, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m) vocal; active in shrubs and trees throughout.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 4 (m,f) drumming from at least two individuals in cottonwoods, s, se.

Northern (RS) Flicker 4 flushed from cottonwoods and pines, sw, s, ne.

Black Phoebe 3 sallying from low branches, s, ne.

Say's Phoebe 1 on short post on skeet range, ne.

Western Scrub-Jay 1 vocal; perched in willow, nw.

Common Raven 10 pairs and small flocks circling above the lake.

Tree Swallow 50 vocal; pairs and trios active in and around cavities of cottonwoods and willows throughout, esp. s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low at edge of cliff, n; a pair on chain-link fence, e.

Oak Titmouse 2 repeated song from cottonwoods, s.

Verdin 1 vocal; flying around junipers, nw.

Bushtit 10 vocal; small flocks in brushy areas around the lake.

Cactus Wren 2 vocal; one flew to parked boat on lot; another singing from Joshua Tree nearby, n.

Bewick's Wren 10 vocal; ubiquitous in brushy areas.

Marsh Wren 1 vocalized briefly in dry cattail patch next to jetty, nw.

Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal, n, s.

European Starling 6 vocal, gregarious; a pair in and around cottonwood cavities, s.

American Pipit 1 flushed from dam, ne.

Phainopepla 1 (m) in low branches of cottonwood, se.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 12 (m -alt. plmg; f) calls, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Common Yellowthroat 1 vocal in marsh at edge of slough, s.

California Towhee 1 vocal; perched in rabbitbrush below cottonwoods, se.

Savannah Sparrow 1 called once unseen), e edge of dam, ne.

Song Sparrow 5 vocal; active in multiple vegetation height levels in riparian marsh around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 vocal, gregarious, uibquitous in brushy areas, esp. sage scrub, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal; males on territories in dry cattails around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 25 (m,f) vocal; leks in trees and marsh; individuals throughout, esp. nw and s.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground.

Lesser Goldfinch 4 vocal; foraging in shrubs and in pines, se, ne.

House Sparrow 5 vocal; around clubhouse and parking areas, n.

MARCH 3, 2016 (49 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy; 54F to 73 F; wind WNW 0 - 3 mph.

Time: 0712-0956 hrs.

Area Covered: After scanning the lake from the north shore between the PWD outlet and Fin & Feather clubhouse, I walked the standard counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, using the interior perimeter road, except in the northwestern section. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities (two fishermen were on a dock in the sw). The lake water level continues to be near the maximum capacity, leaving little or no exposed shoreline. The Palmdale Ditch inlet in the se was flowing fairly swiftly.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Common Goldeneye (1 -cont.), Western Grebe (1), Clark's Grebe (1), Osprey (1), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (1), Barn Swallow (1), and Verdin (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (m) swimming near shore with mallards, n.

Mallard 8 (m,f) pairs dabbling near shore around the lake.

Canvasback 2 (m,f) resting with RUDU in slough, s.

Lesser Scaup 7 (m,f) a cohesive flock in open water, n.

Bufflehead 18 (m,f) individuals, pairs and small flocks diving throughout.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f - cont.) swimming near docks, sw.

Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) flocks resting near shore and marshes around the lake.

Eared Grebe 6 individuals and pairs diving throughout.

Western Grebe 1 swimming in slough, s.

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

Double-crested Cormorant 6 resting on stirring platforms; diving near shore around the lake.

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, se.

Osprey 1 on horizontal branch overhanging the slough, s.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm) perched on low branch in willow overhanging marsh, nw.

Red-tailed Hawk 5 (ad, imm) pairs on utility poles and individuals in trees around lake.

American Coot 80 ubiquitous.

Killdeer 5 vocal; pairs and individuals on shore and on side of settling ponds, n.

Least Sandpiper 6 foraging at edge of water in the only settling pond with surface water, n.

Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad, imm) an immature on the end of the jetty with a CAGU, nw.

California Gull 30 (85% ad) most resting in flocks in open water, central; a few commuting to and from the Palmdale landfill, nw.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 vocal; pairs on utility poles and lines, n, s.

Feral Rock Pigeon 2 on adjacent roof-top, s.

Mourning Dove 14 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Anna's Hummingbird 3 (m,f) conspicuous perches in shrubs and low branches of trees around the lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 vocal, foraging in cottonwoods, nw, sw.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 on fence, e.

Black Phoebe 5 vocal; pairs and individuals; sallies from low perches around the lake.

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal (unseen) adjacent yard, s.

Western Scrub-jay 2 vocal; juniper scrub, w, sw.

Common Raven 8 pairs and small flocks circling high (> 300 ft. agl) above the lake.

Tree Swallow 30 vocal, gregarious; settling into nesting sites in willows and cottonwoods around the lake.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying back and forth, low over the dam, se.

Barn Swallow 1 flying low over the jetty, nw.

Oak Titmouse 2 vocal; in cottomwoods, sw.

Verdin 1 repeated calls from mature stand of junipers, nw.

Bushtit 8 vocal, gregarious, nw, s.

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

House Wren 1 repeated song at edge of park n ride, nw.

Marsh Wren 2 (unseen) repeated songs in dense, dry patch of cattails, nw.

California Thrasher 3 vocal; individuals in juniper scrub and singing from cottonwood subcanopy, nw, s.

European Starling 2 a pair displacing a pair of TRSW on a cottonwood snag, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f; some in alt. plmg.) calls; gregarious; foraging in canopy of newly budding cottonwoods and willows around the lake.

California Towhee 1 calls (unseen) dense juniper-sage scrub, nw.

Song Sparrow 10 vocal; active in marsh-riparian patches around the lake.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.

Red-winged Blackbird 18 mostly males vocalizing in dry cattail patches around the lake.

Great-tailed Grackle 30 (m,f) ubiquitous; leks of alt. plmg. males with satellite groups of females in canopies of willows, nw, s.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging on ground and in trees.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, active around clubhouse and garden, n.