BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
APOLLO PARK, Los Angeles County, CA
Spring & Fall 2015; Winter 2013/2014/2015; Spring, Summer, Fall 2014
© Callyn Yorke
Ross's Goose (Chen rossii) Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA 20 March, 2012 Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) Apollo Park 4 Oct. 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Link to A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Apollo Park
Links to previous Apollo Park bird surveys
Apollo Park Bird Surveys (2013-2015)
November 18, 2015 (34 Species)
Weather: Fair; 46F; wind WNW 1-2 mph.
Time: 0915-1012 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, excluding the interior section. A few visitors were walking the pathways around the park during my survey. Air traffic was light at Fox Field. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Hooded Merganser (3), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (2 -cont.).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (ad. -cont) with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 -cont. swimming with GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 -cont. a pair swimming with GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 85 -cont. ubiquitous.
Gray-Lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 40 mostly around shore, s.
Swan Goose (domestic) 2 on and near shore with GLGO, s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid) 1 s.
Mallard (wild type) 120 many resting on islands, ne.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 70 mostly s.
Hooded Merganser 3 (f) two females swimming together; one resting on island shore, ne.
Ruddy Duck 30 (m,f) most resting in open water throughout.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 swimming, preening together, ne.
Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad, imm) swimming; resting on island, n, s.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, n.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (imm) diving unsuccessfully into a flock of WCSP in the field adjacent to the northern fence line, n.
American Coot 500 gregarious, ubiquitous.
Killdeer 2 a pair on the lawn in the shade of conifers, n.
Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad, imm) on shore, s.
California Gull 2 (C2) on shore, s.
Feral Rock Pigeon 6 foraging on lawn, se; on trailers in adjacent field, ne.
Eurasian Collared Dove 4 foraging on ground and lawns, se.
Northern (RS) Flicker 2 vocal; in and around pines, e.
Black Phoebe calls (unseen) central.
Common Raven 6 vocal; flying around the park.
Horned Lark 6 vocal, gregarious; flying over adjacent field, ne.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 calls (unseen) pines, ne.
Bewick's Wren 1 calls (unseen) heavy brush outside of fence line, ne.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6 vocal; active in pines throughout.
American Robin 1 (f) on ground in garden, nw.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 12 calls; individuals active in pines throughout.
White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) flocks in brushy areas along the fence line throughout.
Dark-eyed Oregon Junco 12 flocks foraging beneath pines, se, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 4 (m) foraging on cones in pine tree, ne.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging in parking lot and on shore, s.
House Finch 4 on fence, ne.
Weather: Fair; 78F; wind ENE 1-2 mph.
Time: 1457-1615 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire park, excluding the central section. Numerous visitors were present in the park during my survey, including the same individual running the interior fence line with an unleashed dog.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.) Snow Goose (2-cont.), Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Ring-necked Duck (1) Wood Duck (1, Red-breasted Nuthatch (2-cont.), Pink-sided Junco (1)..
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 2-cont. individuals separated in n and s sections of park with other geese.
Ross's Goose 2-cont. individuals separated by about 50 yards one swimming; one on beach, s..
Canada Goose 80 -cont. ubiquitous.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 30 ubiquitous, esp. s, where taking bread crumbs thrown by visitors.
Swan Goose 2 on shore, s-central.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid only) 2 on shore, n-central.
Mallard (wild type) 120 many resting on shore and islands.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 ubiquitous, esp. s.
American Wigeon 1 (f) swimming near an island, ne.
Ring-necked Duck 1 (m) resting in open water, se.
Wood Duck 1 (m) swimming near shore with mallards; walking onto shore, n-central.
Ruddy Duck 1 (f) resting, open water, ne.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near shore, ne.
Eared Grebe 1 swimming, diving, ne.
Western Grebe 1 resting near shore, s-central.
Double-crested Cormorant 15 on shore; swimming in pairs around the park.
Great Egret 1 on shore, s.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) on shore, se.
American Coot 150 gregarious, ubiquitous.
Killdeer 1 on lawn beneath trees, n.
California Gull 1 (ad) on shore, s.
Feral Rock Pigeon 8 gregarious; foraging on ground, s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 s.
Northern (RS) Flicker 1 on ground, nw.
Black Phoebe 2 vocal; sallying from low perches, s, w.
Say's Phoebe 1 repeated song from exposed perch on small pine, s.
Common Raven 6 pairs and singles, ubiquitous.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 repeated calls; foraging in same pine tree, ne.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6 vocal; gregarious, ubiquitous, foraging quickly in shrubs and trees.
American Robin 1 on ground, flushed to pines, nw.
Hermit Thrush 1 on ground in moist grass outside of fence line, n.
White-crowned Sparrow 5 vocal in saltbush fields outside of park, n.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 10 vocal, gregarious; feeding on ground beneath pines, nw.
Dark-eyed (Pink-sided ) Junco 1 foraging on ground with Oregon Juncos, nw.
Brewer's Blackbird 2 on lawn and in pines, s.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 (f) on shore with geese, s.
House Finch 1 (m) foraging in pines, s.
House Sparrow 15 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Weather: Overcast; 81F; wind WSW 0 - 1 mph.
Time: 1045-1205 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the park along the fence line and excluding the interior section. Numerous visitors were present in the park during the survey, including several with dogs. The same jogger noted on Sept. 18, was again running with his unleashed terrier along the fence line. Others were throwing bread crumbs to a large mixed flock of waterfowl and other birds on the main beach. Air traffic at the adjacent Fox Field was moderately heavy.
Signage at the park entrance indicated that the park will be closed November 1-7, 2015 for maintenance.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), and Ross's Goose (2-cont.).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic GLGO and ROGO, s.
Snow Goose 1- cont. (minus one since the Oct. 7 survey); with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 2-cont. a pair foraging together on the lawn next to a GWFG.
Canada Goose 80 -cont. scattered around the park; foraging on lawns.
Swan Goose 3 on shore with other waterfowl, s.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrids) 35 mostly in the southern half of the park; competing for bread crumbs.
Muscovy Duck 1 (hybrid) on shore, n.
Mallard (wild type) 250 (m,f) ubiquitous; many resting on islands.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) mostly in the s half of the park; competing for bread crumbs.
Ruddy Duck 1 resting, open water, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 diving near island, ne.
Double-crested Cormorant 40 (ad, imm) swimming in small flocks around the park; resting on islands.
Great Blue Heron 2 a pair flying around the park; wing-lift displays on shore.
Great Egret 1 on shore, se.
American Coot 120 ubiquitous in water and on lawns.
California Gull 1 (ad) on shore, s.
Mourning Dove 1 flushed from pines, n.
Belted Kingfisher 1-2 fly/call; perched on snags on island, se.
Northern (RS) Flicker 2 flying between pines, w.
Black Phoebe 1 on fence line, n.
Say's Phoebe 4 vocal; a pair involved in repeated aggressive aerial attacks and chasing, w.
Common Raven 6 pairs and individuals around the park.
Mountain Chickadee 1 vocal; in pines, nw.
Bewick's Wren 1 low in tamarisk, e.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ? repeated scold calls (unseen) in tamarisk hedgerow, nw.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 vocal; foraging with YRWA in pines and tamarisk, e, ne.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 calls; foraging in tamarisk with YEWA and YRWA, e.
Yellow Warbler 1 (m) foraging in tamarisk with other warblers, e.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 25 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; snatch-gleaning; aerial hawking.
Common Yellowthroat 1-2 repeated calls; staying low in tamarisk, e.
Wilson's Warbler 2 (f) foraging in tamarisk and pines, e.
Chipping Sparrow 20 calls from pines, e, n.
White-crowned Sparrow 40 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous along fence line.
Dark-eyed Junco calls (unseen) in pines, e.
House Finch 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, in pines, n-central.
Western Meadowlark (unseen) vocal, rabbitbrush-saltbush field, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 3 (m,f) vocal; foraging on ground and lawns with BRBL, s.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground and lawns, s.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 (m) on shore, s.
House Sparrow 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging on ground, s.
Weather: Fair; 57F to 62F; no wind.
Time: 0750-0920 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the park, including the interior section. A few pedestrians and others were in the park during the survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (2), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.), Red-breasted Nuthatch (3), Lincoln's Sparrow (1), Yellow Warbler (3) and Black-throated Gray Warbler (4).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.) with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 2 (1-cont. 1 new arrival) on shore with GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) on shore and swimming with GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 90 (cont.) ubiquitous.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic; hybrid) 35 ubiquitous.
Swan Goose (domestic) 4 with other geese and ducks, s
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 2 with other geese and ducks, s
Mallard (wild type) 250 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 mostly on shore, s.
Ruddy Duck 5 (m,f) open water, s, ne.
Double-crested Cormorant 40 (ad, imm) many resting on ne island.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, s.
Great Egret 2 on shore; flying around park.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm ) on shore, s.
American Coot 120 ubiquitous.
Killdeer 5 vocal, gregarious; central.
Feral Rock Pigeon 4 s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 6 ubiquitous.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in and around pines, nw.
Northern Flicker 1 fly, call, w.
Black Phoebe 2 w, e.
Common Raven 10 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 repeated calls from pines, nw, n.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 vocal, in tamarisk with YRWA, e.
American Robin 2 on lawn, e; vocal; flying around park.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 foraging in tamarisk and pines, w.
Yellow Warbler 3 (m,f) foraging in tamarisk and pines, w.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 15 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous.
Black-throated Gray Warbler 4 (m,f) foraging in tamarisk and pines with other warblers, w.
Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging together in tamarisk, w.
Bell's Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious; saltbush outside of fence, n, ne.
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 on ground beneath tamarisk, e.
White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous outside of fence line; saltbush fields.
Dark-eyed (O) Junco 2 together in pines and on lawn, e.
Red-winged Blackbird 6 (m,f) foraging on lawns with BRBL, s.
Brewer's Blackbird 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
House Sparrow 40 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous around buildings.
September 18, 2015 (50 Species)
Weather: Fair; 54F to 71F, no wind.
Time: 0745-1015 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the perimeter of the entire park and the diagonal path through the interior. Increasing numbers of visitors began arriving around 0900 hrs., including many with dogs. A jogger was running his dog (initially unleashed) around the perimeter fence line several times during my survey. This effectively flushed most of the birds in shrubs and trees along the fence line. Air traffic was moderate at Fox Field. Conditions were otherwise good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.) Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Blue Winged Teal (2), Vaux's Swift (1), Downy Woodpecker (1), Gray Flycatcher (1), Red-breasted Nuthatch (1), Yellow-rumped Warbler (2) and White-crowned Sparrow (3).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1- cont. swimming with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 -cont. onshore and swimming with flock of white domestic GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 - cont. on shore and swimming with flock of white domestic GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 100 + scattered around the park; many with broken wings.
Gray-Lag Goose (domestic and hybrid), 90 mostly s.
Swan Goose (domestic) 2 with GLGO, s.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrid only) s.
Mallard (wild type) 150 (m,f) scattered around the lakes.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 mostly, s.
Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) swimming with NOSH and CITE, ne.
Cinnamon Teal 3 (f) swimming with NOSH and BWTE, ne.
Northern Shoveler 8 (f) swimming and resting near island, ne.
Double-crested Cormorant 12 (mostly imm.) swimming, diving; resting on island, s, ne.
Great Blue Heron 1 flew in from east, e.
Great Egret 1 on shore, ne.
Snowy Egret 1 on shore with GBHE, ne.
Black-crowned Night Heron 5 (ad, imm) flushed from pines, central.
American Coot 40 scattered around the lakes.
Killdeer 4 one pair around rain puddle outside park, se; another in central area.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 on shore, central.
Feral Rock Pigeon 8 on trailers outside of park, e; on ground, central.
Eurasian Collared Dove 16 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Mourning Dove 5 on ground, s.
Vaux's Swift 1 flying back and forth over saltbush field, ne.
Downy Woodpecker 1 (f) foraging on outer branches of a shoreline deciduous tree, se (photo).
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 September 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Western Wood Pewee 1 vocal; sallying from atop a tall salt cedar, w (photo).
Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 Sep. 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Willow Flycatcher 2 on fence, lower branches of pine and tamarisk, ne, s.
Gray Flycatcher 1 flushed from fence line to saltbush perch, se.
Black Phoebe 1 lower branch of pine, se.
Warbling Vireo 1 in deciduous tree, sw corner.
Common Raven 8 in pairs and singles around the park.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 vocal; foraging in pines, n.
House Wren 1 repeated scold calls, fence line shrubs, ne (photo).
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 September 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 repeated calls (unseen), pines, central.
European Starling 20 ubiquitous.
Orange-crowned Warbler 20 ( dull ssp. two with gray heads), ubiquitous in a variety of vegetation; foraging acrobatically for insect larve in tamarisk (photo).
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 Sep. 2015
Nashville Warbler 1 seen briefly near top of a mature pine, e.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 (f) foraging in pines with WIWA, YEWA and OCWA, e.
Yellow Warbler 15 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; often in msf with OCWA and WIEA; a few bright yellow males in alt. plmg (photo); mostly dull female/immature types; in a variety of vegetation around the park.
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 Sep. 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
MacGillivray's Warbler 2 repeated calls; staying mostly in low vegetation along fence line, ne, e (photo).
Common Yellowthroat 2 (m,f) calls; low vegetation along fence line, ne, e.
Wilson's Warbler 15 (m,f) calls; gregarious, ubiquitous in a variety of vegetation; often in msf with other warblers.
Chipping Sparrow 1 (bsc. plmg.) staying on ground in saltbush field outside of fence line, se.
Bell's Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious; widespread in saltbush scrub near fenceline, ne, e.
White-crowned Sparrow 3 (ad, imm) silently foraging on ground at fence line; in adjacent saltbush, ne.
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 Sep. 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Western Tanager 2 (f) repeated calls; flying between pines, ne, se.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m,f; imm) foraging on ground and lawns with BRBL, s.
Brewer's Blackbird 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; foraging on groun, lawns; in pines, s.
House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Lesser Goldfinch 6 vocal, gregarious, ne, e.
House Sparrow 40 (m,f, imm) vocal, gregarious; on and near buildings throughout the park, (photo)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Apollo Park LACO CA 18 Sep. 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
September 11, 2015 (32 Species)
Weather: Fair; 77F to 88F; no wind.
Time: 0730-0900 hrs.
Observers: Charles Hood and I.
Area Covered: We walked a clockwise route around the entire park, except for the interior section. A few walkers with and without dogs were present during our survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont.), California Gull (5), Western Wood Pewee (1), Willow Flycatcher (1), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (1) and Bell's Sparrow (20).
BIRDS NOTED
Canada Goose 80 ubiquitous, semi-tame; most on lawns; several with broken wings
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. swimming with GRLE, s.
Snow Goose 1 flying around the lakes; on land with CAGO, s, n.
Ross's Goose 2 swimming with GRLE, s.
Gray-lag Goose 20 (domestic, hybrids) gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. s.
Chinese Goose 3 (domestic) with GRLE, s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid only) 2 on shore, s.
Mallard (wild type) 50 gregarious, ubiqutious.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. s.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad, imm) in trees, se island.
Great Egret 2 on shore; flying around lakes (photo).
Great Egret (Ardea alba) Apollo Park LACO CA 11 September 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
American Coot 4 swimming near shore, s.
Killdeer 5 vocal, on and near shore.
American Avocet 2 9bsc. plmg. together on shore, s (photo).
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Apollo Park LACO CA 11 September 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Least Sandpiper 12 a cohesive flock foraging on shore, s.
California Gull 5 vocal, circling above lake in a cohesive flock, se.
Eurasian Collared Dove 8 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Feral Rock Pigeon 6 on adjacent trailers, e.
Mourning Dove 4 flying around park.
Anna's Hummingbird 2 vocal in pines, s, w.
Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from fence, ne.
Willow Flycatcher 1 in elm and pines, sw corner.
Pacfic Slope Flycatcher 1 in low branches of pines, se.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 repeated calls from saltbush scrub, n.
Common Raven 5 fly, call.
European Starling 15 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 calls; flew into pines, nw corner.
Bell's Sparrow 20 calls; gregarious, brushy areas along w and nw fence line (photo).
Bell's Sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli) Apollo Park LACO CA 11 September 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
.
Red-winged Blackbird calls (unseen) s.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous on lawns.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 (f) in pines and on shore, s.
House Sparrow 12 vocal, gregarious; ubiquitous.
Weather: Overcast; 52F; wind WSW 5 - 10 mph. Two back-to-back Pacific southwest storm systems moving through the region over the past two days; the first storm front brought intermittent showers (snow above 5,000 ft.) and gusty winds. The second storm front (today) is expected to produce precipitation this evening.
Time: 0920-1036.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, excluding the interior pathways. Time did not permit a thorough survey of the western fence line area today. About 60 people were in the park during my survey; none with dogs. Several people were feeding birds on the main beach.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont.), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Swainson's Thrush (4), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 -cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 on beach with domestic ducks and geese, s.
Canada Goose 60 - cont. ubiquitous.
Domestic Grey-lag Goose 30 (ad, imm) mostly in s.
Swan Goose 4 a pair resting together on ne island.
Muscovy Duck (domestic hybrid) 2 on shore, s.
Mallard (wild-type) 10 swimming, ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 30 ubiquitous, esp. on beach taking food handouts.
California Quail calls (unseen) ne fence line.
Double-crested Cormorant 3 (ad, imm) resting on se and ne islands.
Black-crowned Night Heron 8 (5 imm; 3 ad) adults apparently on nest in pines on ne island; immatures together on se island.
Killdeer 2 together on bare ground, n.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 flying low over lake, se.
Ring-billed Gull 2 (C2) resting on dock and beach with other waterbirds taking handouts, sw, s.
California Gull 2 (C2, C3) resting on dock, sw.
Feral Rock Pigeon 4 foraging on ground, central.
Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal, ubiquitous; pairs flying between perch sites in pines.
Mourning Dove 1 on utility line, s.
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 on low burned snag sallying to ground and capturing and consuming a large, black (Tenebrionid?) beetle, n (photo).
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Apollo Park LACO CA 15 May 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Western Wood Pewee 6 vocal; solitary;except for two individuals interacting aggressively on fence line, n.
Willow Flycatcher 1 flushed from salt cedar in ne corner.
Say's Phoebe 1 in saltbush scrub adjacent to park, e.
Western Kingbird calls (unseen) pines, w.
Warbling Vireo 2 one bathing in puddle on outside of fence line, ne.
Common Raven 8 two highly vocal individuals following me around the southeast section of the park.
Tree Swallow 10 flying with other swallows in msf, low over the lake, se.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low with other swallows in msf over the lake, se.
Cliff Swallow 150 gregarious; flying at variable heights (2 - 150 ft. agl) with other swallows in msf over the lake and park
Barn Swallow 60 flying low over the park and lake, esp. se.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls from pines, ne.
Swainson's Thrush 4 individuals foraging separately on bare ground and lawns beneath tamarisk and pines, ne, n (photo).
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus ssp.) Note: Pale olive-gray upperparts and weakly spotted breast. Apollo Park LACO CA 15 May 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 10 ubiquitous; foraging on ground.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler calls (unseen) pines, se.
Townsend's Warbler 3 one bathing with other birds in puddle, ne.
Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) gregarious, vocal, ubiquitous; feeding at all foliage-height levels, ground to canopy.
Western Tanager 1 (m) on pine trunk and fence, n.
Black-headed Grosbeak 4 (f) in pines and salt cedar, ne.
Brewer's Blackbird 2 (m,f) a pair foraging on ground, central.
Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
House Finch 10 (m,f; ad, imm) fledglings begging from adults, ne, n.
House Sparrow 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
.
Weather: Fair; 86F; wind WSW 5 - 7mph.
Time: 1255- 1450 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the park, including the central section but excluding the southeast corner. Park maintenance workers were riding large mowers and using gas-powered edgers during the survey. A few fishermen and other visitors were in the park during my survey. Air traffic noise from Fox Field was fairly constant. Conditions varied from poor to fair for identifying bird vocalizations
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.) with domestic geese, s-central.
Ross's Goose ( 2-cont.) foraging on lawn, s-central.
Snow Goose (1 -cont.) on shore of se island.
Canada Goose 50 several nesting on islands, ne.
Swan Goose (domestic) 6 on lawn, s-central.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic & hybrid) 25 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 2 on shore, s-central.
Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming, nw; on shore, ne.
Mallard (wild type) 30 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid ) 40 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Lesser Scaup 2 (m,f) swimming near se island.
Bufflehead 1 (f) swimming, ne.
Ruddy Duck 30 (m,f) some in trans. alt plmg. ubiquitous; many resting in open water.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 on shore, se island.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) in pine tree, ne island.
American Coot 25 ubiquitous.
Killdeer 4 two pair, se, nw.
Least Sandpiper 1 resting on shore, ne.
Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) on main beach, s.
California Gull 6 ( C1, C2, ad) on and around main beach, s.
Feral Rock Pigeon 2 foraging on ground, se.
Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal, pairs active on ground and in pines around the park.
Mourning Dove 4 fly, call, nw, central.
Hammond's Flycatcher 1 on fence and in tamarisk, w.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 in young pines, w.
Western Kingbird 2 vocal, active in pines, nw.
Common Raven 6 fly, call, ubiquitous.
European Starling 16 on ground, ubiquitous.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 foraging in pines and tamarisk, e.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f) ubiquitous in and around pines.
Wilson's Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging in tamarisk and pines, e.
White-crowned Sparrow 4 shrubs outside of fence line near puddles, n.
Western Tanager 2 (m,f) in pines, w, n-central.
Brewer's Blackbird 10 (m,f) on lawns and shore, ubiquitous.
Great-tailed Grackle 12 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp. s.
House Finch 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
House Sparrow 25 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous, esp on and around buildings.
Weather: Fair; 65F; wind ENE 5- 13 mph.
Time: 1255-1510 hours.
Area Covered: Initially, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the park perimeter, followed by a diagonal half-circuit through the interior and the southern section. A few fishermen and other visitors were present during my survey.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.), White-faced Ibis (2), Whimbrel (2), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (cont.) with domestic geese on lawn in central area.
Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) together on lawn with domestic geese; flying to lake.
Canada Goose 50 (cont.) scattered around the park, foraging on lawns; swimming near shore.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 20 on land and in the lake, s.
Swan Goose (domestic) 2 on shore, s.
Muscovy duck (domestic-hybrid only) 2 on shore, s.
Gadwall 1 (f) swimming, n-central.
Mallard (wild-type) 60 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 30 (m,f) two males (one wild type and one dom. hybrid) courting a wild type female near shore, s.
Lesser Scaup 3 (m,f) swimming near shore, se island.
Bufflehead 1 (f) n-central.
Ruddy Duck 22 (m- a few in alt. plmg; f) ubiquitous; most resting in middle of lake.
Double-crested Cormorant 2 resting on shore, se island.
Snowy Egret 1 on shore, ne island.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) flying n over desert, ne.
White-faced Ibis 2 flying northeast out of the park, ne.
American Coot 40 gregarious, ubiquitous.
Killdeer 2 calls, s.
Whimbrel 2 on lawn in picnic area,sw (photo - apparently the first documented record of Whimbrel within Apollo Park.).
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 April 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Least Sandpiper 10 foraging on concrete margins of lakes.
Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low over the lake, se.
California Gull 10 (ad, imm) circling over the main beach; attracted to a person feeding the birds on the shore, s.
Feral Rock Pigeon 1 foraging on the lawn, se.
Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal; courtship behavior, ubiquitous.
Mourning Dove 4 flying low through the park; foraging beneath pines, sw.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 vocal; in pine tree, ne.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 perched on a low branch in a tamarisk outside the park fence, ne.
Western Kingbird 4 two pair; vocal, interacting in pines; flying to shrubs in adjacent saltbush desert scrub.
Common Raven 14 circling high above the park; 3 - 4 vocal pairs in pines (nests?).
Tree Swallow 4 flying low over the lake, se.
Violet-green Swallow 6 a cohesive flock briefly flying low over the lake, back and forth then leaving the vicinity, se.
American Robin 1 called (unseen) pines, n.
Hermit Thrush 1 on ground beneath pines, sw (photo).
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 April 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 8 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging low in pines, fence line, s.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 80 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging at all foliage-height levels.
Chipping Sparrow 1 (ad) foraging beneath pines, nw.
White-crowned Sparrow 8 vocal, gregarious; ubiquitous; fence line shrubs and pines.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 1 foraging on lawn beneath pines with YRWA, se.
Black-headed Grosbeak 1 (m) partial song from canopy of pine; flew to adjacent saltbush in desert, nw.
Western Tanager 1 (m) flew to cypress grove , n (photo).
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) male Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 April 2015
© 2015 Callyn Yorke
Red-winged Blackbird 1 vocal, flying, n.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m,f) a pair foraging together on the lawn near BRBL, e.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous flocks foraging on lawns.
Great-tailed Grackle 15 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; foraging on shore and lawns.
House Finch 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
House Sparrow 50 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous.
Weather: Fair; 38F; wind calm.
Time: 1011-1146 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the perimeter of the park. Several visitors with leashed dogs were present during the survey. An imbecile flying an antique airplane made numerous low passes over Apollo Park, setting many birds to flight. Several people were throwing bread crumbs to large flocks of waterfowl and gulls on the beach.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (1- cont.), Ross' Goose (3; 2 -cont.), Hooded Merganser (3), American White Pelican (1), Herring Gull (2), Spotted Towhee (3) and Slate-colored Junco (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1- cont. with domestic geese, s.
Snow Goose 1 - cont. with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 3 a resident pair swimming together with domestic geese, s; another (newly arrived) individual foraging on lawn with CAGO, se.
Canada Goose 40 three separate flocks; in the water and on lawns, s.
Swan Goose 4 with domestic GRLA, s.
Gray-Lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 20 with other geese on shore taking bread crumbs, s.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrids only), s.
Mallard (wild type) 120 ubiquitous around the edges of the lakes.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 ubiquitous; esp, s.
Northern Shoveler 8 (m,f) swimming; resting on island shore, s, ne.
Bufflehead 2 (f) diving alternately together, nw.
Hooded Merganser 3 (2 m; 1 f) resting near island shore, ne.
Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f) ubiquitous, gregarious; most resting in central lake areas.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 near shore, se.
Double-crested Cormorant 25 resting on se and ne island; swimming and diving, s.
American White Pelican on se island; flying to adjacent lake, s.
Great Blue Heron 1 resting on se island with DCCO.
American Coot 150 ubiquitous, gregarious.
Ring-billed Gull 14 (ad, imm) on beach and shore, s.
Herring Gull 2 (ad, juv) juv. on shore with CAGU and RBGU; ad flying around park and swimming near DCCO, s.
California Gull 30 (ad, imm) ubiquitous, esp. on shore taking thrown bread crumbs.
Domestic Rock Pigeon 3 on lawn and walkways, s.
Black Phoebe 2 sallying from low perches over lawns, n, w.
Common Raven 6 ubiquitous; in pines and on ground; fly, calls; often in pairs.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 foraging together in a small pine, nw.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 1 (f) foraging on shore, n.
Spotted Towhee 3 (2 m, 1 f) a male and female foraging together, scratching in pine needles; another male doing same nearby, sw.
White-crowned Sparrow calls (unseen) n.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 20 foraging in loose flocks on lawns and in dirt below pines, n.
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 1 (m) foraging with ORJU beneath pines, n.
Brewer's Blackbird 16 (m,f) gregarious; foraging beneath pines, s.
House Finch 3 (m,f) calls; in pines, n.
House Sparrow 10 vocal, gregarious; on beach taking thrown bread crumbs, s.
Weather: Fair; 53F to 65F; no wind.
Time: 0836-1035 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked the perimeter of the park once in a counter-clockwise direction. The interior portion was not visited. A few people (some with dogs) were walking/jogging on the paved pathways. Maintenance crews were working throughout the park. Two park workers were motoring across the north lake in a small boat. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Blue-winged Teal (2), Northern Pintail (3), Green-winged Teal (1), Black-throated Gray Warbler (2) Spotted Towhee (1) and Pink-sided Junco (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. with domestic Gray Lag Geese, s.
Snow Goose 1-cont. with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 2 with domestic ducks and geese, s.
Canada Goose 60 most foraging on lawns, n.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 25 s.
Swan Goose (domestic) 4 s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid) 2 s.
Mallard (wild-type) 170 (m,f) most resting on shores and islands.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 ubiquitous.
American Wigeon 2 (f) dabbling near shore, se.
Northern Pintail 3 (f) resting on island, se.
Blue-winged Teal 2 (f) swimming near island, se.
Cinnamon Teal 1 (f) swimming in open water, se.
Green-winged Teal 1 (f) swimming in open water, se.
Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f) resting in open water.
Pied-billed Grebe 4 near shore, s.
Eared Grebe 8 in pairs, open water and near shore throughout.
Western Grebe 1 resting, open water, ne.
Great Blue Heron 1 on island shore, ne.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) on island shore, ne.
American Coot 200 ubiquitous.
Killdeer 2 on beach, s.
Ring-billed Gull 8 (ad, imm) on beach and swimming, s.
California Gull 15 (ad, imm) on beach and swimming, s.
Herring Gull 1-cont. (juv/C1) on shore with other gulls (photo).
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) juvenile/C1 Apollo Park LACO CA 23 Oct 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Eurasian Collared Dove 1 on beach, s.
Northern (RS) Flicker 1 foraging on lawn, central.
Common Raven 8 vocal; pairs flying around park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 calls; foraging with YRWA in pines, deciduous trees and tamarisk throughout.
European Starling 20 foraging on lawns near BRBL, s.
Bewick's Wren 1 scold calls from shrubs surrounding a bird-bath puddle outside the fence, n.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging in flowering rabbitbrush, n.
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler 150 (80% female and imm), ubiquitous, gregarious; all foliage height levels.
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 2 (f imm) foraging low in tamarisk at the fence line, se, e.
Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 (m,f) calls; foraging in adjacent pines, se (photo).
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) Apollo Park LACO CA 23 Oct 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Spotted Towhee 1 foraging on lawn and bare ground beneath pines, n.
Bell's Sparrow 10 aggregated around bathing puddles outside the fence, n.
Savannah Sparrow 12 calls; ubiquitous on lawns near the fence line.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 12 (m,f) calls; foraging on lawns beneath pines around the park.
Dark-eyed (Pink-sided) Junko 1 (m) - cont? foraging with other juncos on a lawn beneath pines, ne.
White-crowned Sparrow 25 calls; song; ubiquitous on lawns and adjacent saltbush fields.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 (m - ad, imm) foraging together on lawns, s.
Brewer's Blackbird 80 (m,f) vocal, foraging and flying around in cohesive flocks throughout.
House Finch 8 (m,f) brushy fields next to fence, ne,n.
House Sparrow 20 (m,f) vocal; mostly s.
NOTE: Apollo Park is scheduled to be closed for maintenance October 26 - November 1, 2014.
Weather: Partly cloudy; 56F; wind W 5-12 mph.
Time: 0716- 0950 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, including the central section. Relatively few visitors (no dogs) were present during the survey. Maintenance crews were working in and adjacent to the park. Air traffic at Fox Field was moderate to light. Conditions were fair for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.), Herring Gull (1), Vermilion Flycatcher (1), Spotted Towhee (1), Slate-colored Junco (1), Pink-sided Junco (1), and Tricolored Blackbird (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. with domestic geese, s.
Snow Goose 1-cont. with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 2 -cont. with domestic geese, s.
Canada Goose 60 foraging on lawns, n.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 25 s.
Swan Goose (domestic) 4 s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid) 3 central.
Gadwall 1 (m) swimming near shore, ne.
Mallard (wild type) 25 ubiquitous, esp, e.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 30 ubiquitous, mostly s.
American Wigeon 4 (m,f) swimming together near shore, e.
Ruddy Duck 30 (m,f) resting in open water, s, central.
California Quail 8 running through saltbush field, ne.
Pied-billed Grebe 10 swimming and diving throughout.
Eared Grebe 8 swimming and diving throughout.
Double-crested Cormorant 6 resting on island; flying low over lakes, se.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, nw.
American Coot 80 ubiquitous on lawns and in lakes.
KIlldeer 4 vocal, shore, central.
Ring-billed Gull 6 (C1, ad) on shore; swimming near shore, s.
California Gull 6 (C2, ad) on shore, s.
Herring Gull 1 (juv-C1) ID based on largely all-brown underparts; bill size and shape; white windows at pase of primaries in flight, s.
Note: Herring Gull, once a rarity in the Antelope Valley, has become a regular (though seldom more than three individuals per aquatic location) fall, winter and early spring resident at Apollo Park, Edwards AFB, Lake Palmdale and local landfills (see my published online reports for those locations). Although the origin of these birds is unknown, there is probably some movement of this species between the Central Valley, Salton Sea and Antelope Valley during spring and fall months. Lakes consistently with stocked trout, combined with the proximity of the ever-increasing acreage of landfills, probably accounts for the recent influx of HEGU into the Antelope Valley.
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) juvenile/C1; same individual in both images, Apollo Park LACO CA 15 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls; flying low through park, s.
Mourning Dove 1 flying low, n.
Black Phoebe 1 vocal, sallying from low perches of pines, w.
Say's Phoebe 1 sallying from low branches of trees and shrubs to lawn, sw.
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 (imm m) sallying from fence to lawn, s (photo).
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Common Raven 12 vocal pairs and individuals in and around the park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6 calls; foraging in msf with YRWA in pines throughout.
American Robin 1 (ad) on ground beneath pines, ne.
European Starling 20 foraging with RWBL and BRBL on lawns, central, n.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging in brush pile, s
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 150 (m,f) ubiquitous, gregarious, frequent calls; foraging at all foliage height levels.
Spotted Towhee 1 in saltbush and brush pile outside of fence, s.
Bell's Sparrow 2 calls; a pair on ground with WCSP, near puddle on fence line, n.
Chipping Sparrow 2 calls; foraging individually on lawns with YRWA, n.
Savannah Sparrow 8 calls; brushy areas along fence line throughout.
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 secretive beneath tamarisk and pine, e.
White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, ubiquitous and gregarious.
Dark-eyed Oregon Junco 3 frequent calls; foraging individually on lawns with YRWA and WCSP, n.
Dark-eyed Slate-colored Junco 1 (m) foraging on lawns in cypress grove, n (photo).
Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Dark-eyed Pink-sided Junco 1 (m) foraging on lawn under pine at fence line, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging in msf with BRBL and EUST on lawns, n, central.
Tricolored Blackbird 1 (f) foraging with RWBL and EUST on lawns, n.
Brewer's Blackbird 60 (m,f) foraging in msf with other blackbirds, n, central
House Sparrow 30 vocal, ubiquitous.
Weather: Fair; 63F to 70F; wind WSW 2 mph.
Time: 0820-1100 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the park, excluding the central interior. Relatively few visitors were present during most of the survey; several people began feeding the waterfowl on the south beach near the conclusion of my survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. Aerial insects (e.g. Diptera and Odonata) were abundant and ubiquitous.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (2-cont.),Green-winged Teal (2), American Wigeon (7), Great Egret (6), Belted Kingfisher (1), Gray Flycatcher (1), Marsh Wren (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), and Fox Sparrow (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1-cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 taking bread tossed by park visitors, s.
Canada Goose 80-cont. foraging in two flocks on lawns, n.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 30 ubiqutous, esp. s.
Swan Goose 5 (domestic) with GLGO, s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 2 on shore, s.
American Wigeon 7 (m,f) resting and swimming in two flocks, east-central (fos - photo).
American Wigeon (Anas americana) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Mallard (wild-type) 120 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Cinnamon Teal 3 (f) foraging near shore, e-central.
Northern Shoveler 2 (f) foraging near shore, e-central.
Green-winged Teal 3 (f) foraging in heavy surface algae, se (fos - photo).
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Ruddy Duck 10 (m,f) resting in open water, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 swimming and diving near shore, e, nw.
Eared Grebe 15 swimming in loose flocks, s, e-central, nw.
Western Grebe 1 (ad) swimming and diving, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 3 (imm) on shore and in trees, se.
Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) on shore, s.
Great Egret 6 flying together, low over the park, se.
Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad) on separate shorelines, se.
American Coot 80 ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.
Killdeer 3 vocal on shore, s; in adjacent field, s.
Least Sandpiper 1 foraging on shore and beach, s.
Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad, C1) on shore and in shallows, taking bread thrown by park visitors, s.
California Gull 4 (ad, C1, C2) with RBGU taking handouts.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 flying from lawn, s.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) hovering above tamarisk, w.
Belted Kingfisher 1 (m) fly, call, s.
Western Wood Pewee 2 sallying from exposed branches of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, w, se, (photo).
Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Gray Flycatcher 1 sallying from fence and low pine branches, se (photo).
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Black Phoebe 2 sallying from shore and low pine branches, se e.
Say's Phoebe 1 calls (unseen) adjacent field, s.
Warbling Vireo 1 foraging in tamarisk with OCWA, se.
Common Raven 6 flying over park; calls; in pines and adjacent field, n.
Marsh Wren 1 silent; on fence; on ground and climbing in adjacent tamarisk, se (photo).
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 foraging quickly in lower branches of pines, w (fos - photo).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) Apollo Park LACO CA 2 Oct 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Hermit Thrush 1 calls (unseen) shaded area beneath pines and tamarisk, sw corner.
European Starling 5 fly, call; with RWBL and BRBL, s.
Orange-crowned Warbler 20 (two races: i.e. celata and an unidentified dull- plumaged form, the latter slightly more abundant), ubiquitous, esp. pines and tamarisk; often in msf with BTGR, WIWA and WCSP on ground and lawns.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 120 (about 80% females and immatures) calls; ubiquitous in loose flocks, foraging mid to lower levels of pines and deciduous trees; on ground and lawns.
Black-throated Gray Warbler 3 (m,f) calls; in pairs and singles; foraging in pines with YRWA and OCWA; one on lawn with YRWA.
MacGillivray's Warbler ? 1 (dark gray head, light olive upperparts) seen briefly diving into dense shrubs outside of fence line, nw.
Common Yellowthroat 4 (1 ad m; 1 imm m; 2f) foraging in pines with YRWA, se; on ground at the fence line with nearby puddles, nw.
Wilson's Warbler 8 (m,f) calls; foraging in pairs and singles in pines with YRWA, s, e.
Bell's Sparrow 15 calls; ubiquitous, esp. n; frequently on ground and lawns in loose flocks.
Savannah Sparrow 4 foraging on lawns in pairs and singles, ne, nw.
Fox Sparrow 1 (Western Interior race: ID by relatively small bill with yellow mandible; reddish-brown wings and tail contrasting with slate gray back and crown; cf Thick-billed Fox Sparrow from Holiday Lake LACO CA 4 Sept 2014) 1 scratching pine needles and foraging on lawn, e (photo).
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca schistacea) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 2 October 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
White-crowned Sparrow 25 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous, often in loose flocks in pines, lawns and bare ground.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 vocal, gregarious with BRBL, s.
Brewer's Blackbird 35 (m,f) vocal, gregarious; often terrestrial.
House Finch 2 (m,f) in tamarisk with OCWA and WCSP, ne.
Lesser Goldfinch 3 fly, call; top of pines, s.
House Sparrow 50 vocal, ubiquitous.
September 26, 2014 (48 Species)
Weather: Fair; 74F; wind WSW 5-12 mph.
Time: 0915-1122 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park and the diagonal path through the interior. Frequent aircraft traffic produced nearly constant noise from Fox Field. Park visitors were numerous, though few dogs were present during my survey. Conditions were initially good for identifying bird vocalizations. By 1030 hrs. increasing winds made observations of landbirds more challenging.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1) , Orange-crowned Warbler (15), Yellow Warbler (8), Yellow-rumped Audubon's Warbler (50), Nashville Warbler (1), Townsend's Warbler (1) Black-throated Gray Warbler (4), Wilson's Warbler (40) and Brewer's Sparrow (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. s.
Snow Goose 1 -cont. s.
Ross's Goose 2 -cont. s.
Canada Goose 75 cont. ubiquitous.
Swan Goose (domestic) 6 s.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 25 s.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrid) 2 s.
Mallard (wild-type) 120 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 s.
Northern Shoveler 1 (f) foraging near shore, s.
Ruddy Duck 3 (bsc.plmg.) resting in open water, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 diving near shore, central.
Eared Grebe 1 diving near shore, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 on shore of se island.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, se.
Great Egret 1 on shore, se.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) on shore, se.
Cooper's Hawk 1 flying w and being chased by a flock of Brewer's Blackbirds, s.
American Coot 60 ubiquitous.
Killdeer 2 vocal, central.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 on shore of se island.
Least Sandpiper 14 a cohesive flock flying around the lakes.
Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad, imm) on shore, s.
California Gull 4 (ad, imm - C1, C2) on shore, s.
Larus sp. (hybrid?) 1 size intermediate between RBGU and CAGU; juvenile-C1; bill relatively short and dark, pinkish basally, s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 1 on ground, s.
Mourning Dove 1 flying, n.
Belted Kingfisher 1 calls; flying over lake, ne.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 sallying from low branches in pine, fence line, e.
Warbling Vireo 2 foraging in same and neighboring pines, e.
Common Raven 8 vocal, ubiquitous; often in pairs.
European Starling 1 on utility pole, s.
Orange-crowned Warbler 15 ubiquitous (two races, incl. the predominant celata and an individual with a bold supercilium, e.g. lutescens).
Nashville Warbler 1 (f, imm) foraging in pines, se.
Yellow Warbler 8 (m,f) ubiquitous in pines, foraging in msf with WIWA, OCWA, YRWAand BTGR.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous, sallying, hawking, gleaning; on lawns and low branches of pines; often in msf with other warblers.
Black-throated Gray Warbler (4) m, f calls; foraging in pairs and msf with other warblers in pines, n, e.
Townsend's Warbler 1 (m) calls; foraging in msf with other warblers in pines, ne.
Wilson's Warbler 40 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous, often in msf with warblers and sparrows.
Chipping Sparrow 6 calls foraging together on lawns with BESP and WCSP, n.
Brewer's Sparrow 1 foraging with BESP along fence line, ne.
Bell's Sparrow 25 calls; ubiquitous, esp. northern fence line and adjacent lawns; adjacent alkali scrub fields, n.
Savannah Sparrow 4 calls; foraging on lawns with SASP and BESP, n.
White-crowned Sparrow 4 (ad, imm) calls; foraging on lawns with other sparrows, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 20 vocal; on lawns and in pines, central.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 vocal; on lawns and in pines, central.
House Finch 6 (m,f) vocal; pines and lawns, n.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 (m,f) foraging on ground, fence line, n.
House Sparrow 50 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.
September 15, 2014 (44 Species)
Weather: Fair; 73F to 98F; no wind.
Time: 0753-1134 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked two circuits around the entire lake, a counter-clockwise and clockwise route. There were disturbances during the surveys, including an unleashed dog, numerous maintenance workers driving trucks on the pathways, some picking up trash in the lake and one using a leaf blower; for at least 30 minutes, a crane helicopter circled the park at low altitude, alarming many of the birds. Four other birders were in the park during my survey, including three from the East Coast. We met briefly and birded together in the northeast and southwest sections of the park.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (1-cont.), American White Pelican (1-cont.), Osprey (1), Vireo sp. (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (2), Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (1), and White-crowned Sparrow (1- fos).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 -cont. with domestic GLGO and ROGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2-cont with domestic GLGO and ROGO, s.
Canada Goose 60 -cont. scattered around the park in separate flocks.
Swan Goose (domestic) with domestic GLGO, s.
Muscovy Duck 2 on shore, s.
Mallard (wild type) 200 (m,f) scattered around the islands and shorelines.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 (m,f) mostly s.
California Quail 6 running between salt bushes, n.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 swimming, s.
Eared Grebe 1 diving, se.
Double-crested Cormorant 6 resting on shore, se, ne.
American White Pelican 1 swimming alone, s.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore ne.
Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) on shore, ne.
Osprey 1 fishing (apparently unsuccessfully) by flying around the lake, dragging its talons on the surface, se e (photo).
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 15 September 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Killdeer calls (unseen) central.
American Coot 8 swimming together and on the shore of islands, s.
Mourning Dove 1 flying low across the park, n.
Willow Flycatcher 2 sallying and snatch-gleaning from low branches of pines and tamarisk, e, n.
Black Phoebe 1 sallying from low branches to lawn, nw.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 snatch-gleaning in tamarisk with WIWA and OCWA, e.
Warbling Vireo 1 gleaning insects from foliage low in pines, ne.
Vireo sp. 1: olive to brownish gray upperparts; whitish below with bright yellow flanks and undertail feathers; relatively long bill when seen in side view. other features (e.g. head markings) not seen clearly. Initially I found this bird foraging at middle heights in a pine; moved into a nearby deciduous (ash) tree, swc. This bird was subsequently seen by other observers with me today. However, we were unable to establish its specific identity. My initial impression of the bird was Yellow-green Vireo, noting the relatively long bill (I had recently photographed a YGVI in Mexico, and I am familiar with its appearance and behavior). None of the bird's features seen indicated Warbling Vireo, thus ruling out that species (which was also present in the park today). I was unable to obtain usable images of this bird and I was unable to relocate it later this morning. There are apparently no records yet of YGVI from the interior of Los Angeles County.
Common Raven 8 ubiquitous.
Barn Swallow 6 flying south over the park, se.
White-breasted Nuthatch 2 vocal; active in pines, n, e.
Bewick's Wren calls (unseen) dense tamarisk, sw.
European Starling 16 foraging together on lawns, n.
Orange-crowned Warbler 5 foraging in pairs in pines with WIWA and YEWA, ne, w.
Yellow Warbler 4 (m,f) calls; foraging in pines and tamarisk, n, e.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 1 (f) calls; foraging in pines, n.
Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) calls; foraging at medium to low heights on outer branches of pines, ne.
Townsend's Warbler 1 (m) foraging in lower outer branches of pines, ne.
Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) ubiquitous in pines and tamarisks.
Western Tanager 2 (f) calls; in crown of pines, n.
Chipping Sparrow 4 foraging together beneath pines, ne.
Bell's Sparrow 20 ubiquitous, esp. beneath pines.
Savannah Sparrow 1 foraging with CHSP and BESP, ne.
White-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad) foraging on lawns and bare ground beneath shrubs, nw (first of the season).
Red-winged Blackbird 5 vocal; foraging with BRBL on lawns, n.
Brewer's Blackbird 15 (m,f) foraging near EUST and BHCO on lawns, n.
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (imm) foraging together with EUST and BRBL, n.
House Finch calls (unseen) flying, n.
House Sparrow 50 vocal, ubiquitous in flocks.
September 11, 2014 (50 Species)
Weather: Fair; 76F to 91F; wind WSW 0 - 2mph.
Time: 0900-1006 hrs; 1116 - 1250 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked two clockwise circuits; the initial one only half-way around and back through the central section (0900-1006 hrs.). The second circuit was completely around the park, excluding the central section (1116-1250 hrs.). Relatively few visitors were present during the surveys; conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. A comparatively high diversity and individual numbers of migrant warblers and flycatchers was found today (c.f. Sept. 8, 2014).
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont), Northern Shoveler (4), Black-necked Stilt (1), Herring Gull (1), Black-chinned Hummingbird (3), Dusky Flycatcher (1), White-breasted Nuthatch (1) Yellow-rumped Warbler (3) and Spotted Towhee.
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 - cont. with domestic GRLG geese, s.
Snow Goose 1 - cont. with domestic GRLG, s.
Ross's Goose 2 -cont. with domestic GRLG, s.
Canada Goose 60 - cont. scattered around the park, esp. s.
Gray- lag Goose (domestic and hybrids) 35 taking bread crumb hand-outs on shore, s.
Swan Goose 4 with GRLG, s.
Muscovy Duck 3 (hybrids) on shore, s.
Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) scattered around the park.
Mallard (domestic and hybrids) 65 scattered around the park, esp. s.
Northern Shoveler 4 (f) swimming, dabbling near shore, se.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 swimming near shore, s.
Eared Grebe 1 diving near shore, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 resting on shore, ne.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, s.
American Coot 4 swimming near shore, s.
Killdeer 4 on shore and lawns, central.
Black-necked Stilt 1 (imm) calls; foraging in algae-choked shallows, s.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 calls (unseen) se.
California Gull 2 (juv/C1; C2) flying around lake; taking breadcrumbs, s;
Herring Gull 1 (juv/C1) appearing to be the same individual I photographed here on 27 August, 2014. Close-up comparisons of this individual and two nearby immature CAGU on shore showed marked differences in overall body size; a relatively small, rounded head with a short bill; overall color pattern appears intermediate between CAGU and HEGU. There is the remote possiblity that this individual is a hybrid, e.g. Herring x Thayer's Gull or HEGU x CAGU (see discussion of 27 August).
Domestic Rock Pigeon 5 flying over, s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 foraging beneath pines, s.
Mourning Dove 6 flying around the park.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 3 (f) vocal; hovering around pines, n, ne, s (photo).
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 11 September 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 on outer branches of a pine, nw corner.
Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from 10 - 15 ft. heights on outer and inner branches of pines, nw corner.
Dusky Flycatcher 1 ID by relatively long, notched tail, white underparts; dark bill; symmetrical eyering; sallying from interior branches of pine, nw.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 2 ID by asymmetrical eyering, light colored mandible; calls; sallying and snatch-gleaning in tamarisks and pines, w, ne.
Black Phoebe 1 calls, flying low under pines, n.
Say's Phoebe 1 on fence under pines, nw corner.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 (fresh bsc. plmg.) on lower branches of pines and fence, n.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 on fence along entrance road, sw.
Warbling Vireo 2 calls; moving through interior of pines, nw, ne.
Common Raven 10 pairs resting in shade of pines around the park; vocal when approached.
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 vocal, foraging on trunks of pines, n, ne.
Bewick's Wren 2 calls; lower branches of pines and fence, nw corner.
House Wren 1 calls; lower branches of pines and adjacent saltbush, ne.
European Starling 8 foraging with BRBL on lawn, se.
Orange-crowned Warbler 60 (m,f; two subspecies in roughly equal numbers) ubiquitous, calls; foraging in pairs and small, loose flocks, including msf with WIWA.
Nashville Warbler 3 (m; f, imm) foraging with OCWA, low in tamarisk, w.
Yellow Warbler 4 calls; foraging in mid to high levels in pines around the park.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 (m,f) foraging together in interior of pines, nw corner (fos).
Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging in separate pines, ne, e.
Wilson's Warbler 40 (m,f) ubiquitous in pines and tamarisk.
Bell's Sparrow 18 nw, n, e, se; vocal; small, loose flocks on ground, lawns, fences and low branches of pines.
Spotted Towhee 1 on the ground beneath a tamarisk; moving to lawn beneath pines, se,
Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m,f) vocal; foraging on lawns with BRBL; pines.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging in loose flocks on lawns and ground beneath pines, s.
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (imm) foraging on lawns with BRB, se.
House Finch 1 (m) foraging beneath pines with BRBL, se
House Sparrow 50 ubiquitous, esp. near buildings.
September 8, 2014 (35 Species)
Weather: Overcast with intermittent light showers from a subtropical storm front; 73F; wind WSW 2-5 mph.
Time: 0828-1030 hrs.
Area Covered: I covered the entire park by walking half-way in a counter-clockwise, then clockwise direction, including a diagonal route through the interior. Relatively few visitors were present; one walking a leashed dog on lawns along the fence line. Maintenance crews were working throughout the park; air traffic at Fox Field was light.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (1-cont.), Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Eared Grebe (5), Savannah Sparrow (1), Lazuli Bunting (1) and Tricolored Blackbird (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic geese, s.
Snow Goose 1-cont. with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 2- cont. with domestic geese, s.
Canada Goose 65 -cont. scattered around the park in the water and on shore.
Swan Goose 4 with other domestic geese, s.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic, hybrids) s.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrids only) s.
Mallard (wild type) 90 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Mallard (domestic, hybrid) 40 (m,f) mostly on south shore.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 ad, imm; swimming, s, e.
Eared Grebe 5 (bsc. plmg.) swimming together and separately, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 resting on shore, central.
Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, n.
American Coot 4 swimming near shore, s.
Killdeer 3 on lawn, central.
Least Sandpiper 5 flying low over lake, s.
California Gull 1 juv. resting on shore.
Rock Pigeon 2 on shore, s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 3 flying; on utility line, s.
Mourning Dove 1 on sign in adjacent field, s.
Willow Flycatcher 3 snatch-gleaning within interior foliage of pines, s, e, n.
Black Phoebe 1 vocal; sallying from low branches of pines, central.
Common Raven 8 ubiquitous.
House Wren 1 vocal; adjacent field, fence line, ne.
European Starling 20 foraging on lawns, central.
Orange-crowned Warbler 30 (two subspecies; gray-headed form the least common); ubiquitous in pines; often in msf with WIWA.
Yellow Warbler 4 (f) calls; foraging in crowns and upper middle level of pines throughout.
Wilson's Warbler 50 (m,f) calls, ubiquitous, esp. in pines with OCWA.
Bell's Sparrow 2 calls (unseen) pines, n.
Savannah Sparrow 1 on ground near shore, ne.
Lazuli Bunting 1 (f) with two OCWA, low in tamarisk west of the fence line, w (photo).
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 8 September 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Red-winged Blackbird 3 foraging with EUST on ground and lawns with scattered trash, central.
Tricolored Blackbird 1 (m) foraging on ground with RWBL, central.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging on ground and lawns with EUST and RWBL, central.
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (imm) foraging with EUST, BRBL and RWBL, central.
House Sparrow 50 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Weather: Fair; 64F to 85F; wind WSW 1-2 mph.
Time: 0727-1055 hrs.
Area Covered: Initially, I walked a clockwise route around the park perimeter (0727-0945 hrs.), then a counter-clockwise and diagonal route through the interior. Increasing numbers of visitors (many with leashed dogs) began arriving after 0900 hrs. Air traffic at Fox Field was light; conditions were generally good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.), White-faced Ibis (5), Larus sp.(1), Black-chinned Hummingbird (1), House Wren (4), Nashville Warbler (2), Townsend's Warbler (2), Chipping Sparrow (2), Brewer's Sparrow (1) and Black-throated Sparrow (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (cont.) with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 (cont.) accepting bread crumbs thrown by a park visitor, together with domestic GLGO and ROGO, s.
Ross's Goose 1 (cont.) accepting bread crumbs thrown by a park visitor, together with domestic GLCO and ROGO, s
Canada Goose 80 (cont.) swimming in small flocks around the lake.
Swan Goose 4 accepting bread crumbs, s.
Gray-lag Goose 20 (including hybrids) accepting bread crumbs, s.
Muscovy Duck 1 (hybrid) on shore, s.
Gadwall 2 on island, se.
Mallard (wild-type) 85 ubiquitous around the edges of the lakes.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Pied-billed Grebe 5 vocal; swimming throughout.
Double-crested Cormorant 3 resting on island, se.
White-faced Ibis 5 flying e over park.
American Coot 2 swimming together near shore, s.
Ring-billed Gull 2 (C1 and ad.) swimming, s.
California Gull 2 (C1, C2) on shore and flying around park.
Larus sp. 1 (Juv-C1) ID by comparison with nearby juv-C1 CAGU: this relatively small-sized gull with a small, rounded head and short bill vaguely suggesting THGU (extremely unlikely in this area and otherwise wrong proportions, leg and feather coloration for that sp., though hybrids are a remote possibility) had a relatively short, thick bill (note gonydeal angle), unlike the the narrow, elongated ("pencil shaped") bill of a typical CAGU; limited pinkish coloration at base of mandible (a less reliable feature at this age); a conspicuous white patch on inner primaries viewed from above in flight (a fairly reliable feature distinguishing HEGU from CAGU at this age); on shore; flying and swimming (photo).
Larus sp. juvenile - first cycle Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 27 Aug 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Rock Pigeon 1 on shore, s.
Eurasian Collared Dove 3 s.
Mourning Dove 2 flying low, n.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) interacting in deciduous tree, se.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in pines, s.
Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying from snags, se.
Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Apollo Park CA 27 Aug 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Willow Flycatcher 2 sallying from interior pine branches, nw; salt cedar, ne.
Black Phoebe 2 sallying from fence and low pine branches, nw, e.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 together in salt cedar and on fence, ne.
Common Raven 8 ubiquitous, vocal.
Horned Lark 3 vacant lot next to entrance road, w.
Barn Swallow 4 flying low over lake, w.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying with BASW, w.
House Wren 4 two pair foraging on ground and in tamarisk, se, ne (photo).
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 27 August 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 12 vocal, ubiquitous in small flocks.
Orange-crowned Warbler 16 (two geographical races; gray-headed form much less common than other) ubiquitous in pines; on ground and lawns; often in msf with WIWA, esp. e (photos).
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) Note variation in head coloration. Apollo Park LACO CA 27 Aug 2014
. 
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Nashville Warbler 2 foraging in tamarisk and pines, e (photo).
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) Apollo Park LACO CA 27 Aug 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Townsend's Warbler 2 (m,f) foraging in pines, ne, e (photo).
Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) Apollo Park LACO CA 27 August 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Wilson's Warbler 12 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous, esp. tamarisk.
Western Tanager 2 (f) calls; in pines, e.
Chipping Sparrow 2 foraging beneath pines on fence line, e.
Brewer's Sparrow 1 in tamarisk; CHSP nearby for comparison, e (photo).
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 27 August 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Black-throated Sparrow 1 flew from ground to lower branches in pines, se.
Bell's Sparrow 16 foraging in loose flocks on ground and lawns, e, ne.
Black-headed Grosbeak 3 (f) calls; in pines.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in flocks on ground, lawns and in pines.
Brown-headed Cowbird 5 (imm) foraging together on lawn, se.
House Finch 6 (m,f) fly, call, n.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; in pines, e.
House Sparrow 50 ubiquitous on and around buildings.
Weather: Fair; 73F to 83F; wind WSW 1 - 3 mph.
Time: 0728-1017 hrs.
Observers: D.K. Anderson, R. Kitto and I
Area Covered: We walked a counter-clockwise route once around the entire park, surveying parkland, water, concrete shoreline and adjacent saltbush scrub. A few other visitors were in the park, including several with leashed dogs. Conditions were very good for identifying bird vocalizations, except for occasional noise from aircraft at Fox Field.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.),Belted Kingfisher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Ash-throated Flycatcher (4), Orange-crowned Warbler (3), MacGillivray's Warbler (1), Wilson's Warbler (1), Western Tanager (6), Lazuli Bunting (1), Bullock's Oriole (1), Hooded Oriole (5) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (2).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. foraging on grass with domestic GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 1 - cont. foraging on grass with domestic GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 - cont. foraging on grass with SNGO and GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 80 - cont. ubiquitous.
Domestic Gray-lag Goose 25 (including hybrids), vocal, foraging together on lawn, s.
Swan Goose (introduced) 5 with GLGO and other waterfowl, s.
Mallard (wild-type) 90 ubiquitous around the edges of lakes and islands..
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 ubiquitous, esp. s.
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 3 s.
Ruddy Duck 1 (m in trans. alt-bsc. plmg.), w.
California Quail 8 running on desert floor in sparsely vegetated saltbush/rabbitbrush field, ne.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 vocal; open water, se, n.
Double-crested Cormorant 13 (ad, imm) most resting on shore and in trees, se; a few swimming and diving, n.
American Coot 1 open water with RUDU, nw.
Killdeer 1 flying and landing on shore with peeps, e (DKA, BK).
Least Sandpiper ? 4 flying in and landing on shore briefly with KILD, e (DKA, BK).
Eurasian Collared Dove 4 in pines and flying low through park, e, s.
Mourning Dove 6 pairs on fence; flying through park; on ground, n, ne.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) hovering around pines, e.
Selasphorus sp. 2 (imm m, f) chasing, hovering around pines and salt cedar, e.
Belted Kingfisher 1 flying nw out of park, nw.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 sallying from inside branches of pines, e.
Black Phoebe 1 sallying from low perches in pines, w.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 4 ubiquitous; sallying from medium to low heights in pines.
Western Kingbird 2 on adjacent fence line, ne; one in tamarisk, w.
Common Raven 6 vocal, flying around park.
Horned Lark 4 in parking area adjacent to entrance road, sw.
Barn Swallow 1 (DKA).
European Starling 8 foraging with BRBL on ground, central.
Orange-crowned Warbler 3 (one celata subspecies; others uncertain ssp) calls; foraging in mid to upper levels of pines, e, n.
MacGillivray's Warbler 1 (f imm) foraging in upper level of pines, e (photo).
MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 7 August 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Wilson's Warbler 1 calls; flying between pines, e.
Bell's Sparrow 6 (ad, imm) calls; on ground beneath pines and in adjacent saltbush scrub, n.
Western Tanager 6 (m,f) loosely gregarious in pines and tamarisk, n, w.
Black-headed Grosbeak 7 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous in pines.
Lazuli Bunting 1 (m) calls and subsong; flushed from ground to large pine; flying across lake, e.
Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m) foraging on shore with BRBL, central.
Brewer's Blackbird 25 (m,f) foraging together on lawns and shore, central.
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (m) foraging with BRBL and EUST, central.
Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) possibly as many as 3; calls; foraging in flowering rabbitbrush, n.
Hooded Oriole 5 (f) vocal, loosely gregarious in pines and on fence line, n.
House Finch calls (unseen), e.
Lawrence's Goldfinch song (unseen) in tamarisk grove, sw.
House Sparrow 35 ubiquitous, esp. on shore, s.
Weather: Fair; 73F to 82F; wind W 10-12 mph.
Time: 0800-0915 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the entire park, including the central sections. About twenty other people were in the park during the survey, including a few with leashed dogs. Shrubs and puddles on the outside of the northern fence line have recently been removed and replaced by bare subsoil and an additional chain-link fence running parallel with the existing park fence. This natural, unmanaged area, just outside the park boundary, had provided significant habitat for a variety of western migrants including, flycatchers, thrushes,warblers and sparrows, in addition to occasional rarities, e.g. Ovenbird.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont.), White-faced Ibis (4) and White-breasted Nuthatch (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 - cont. resting on the lawn with GLGO, central.
Canada Goose 80 - cont. flocks scattered around the park on lawns and in the lakes.
Ross's Goose 2 - cont. resting with domestic GLGO, central
Snow Goose 1 -cont. resting with domestic GLGO, central.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrids) 25 mostly in the central area; a few on shore elsewhere.
Swan Goose (domestic) 3 resting on lawn with GLGO, central.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 pairs scattered around the park on and near shore.
Mallard (wild-type) 30 on shore, s, ne.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid only) 4 on shore, central.
California Quail 2 running across open area outside the park, n.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming near shore, central.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 (mostly imm.) in trees on islands; resting on shore, se.
Great Egret 3 on shore, s, e, nw.
White-faced Ibis 4 together in weeds at e end of island, se.
American Coot 3 swimming near shore, central, se.
Killdeer 2 on lawn near shore, s-central.
Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) resting on island, se.
California Gull 1 (C2) resting on shore, s.
Domestic Rock Pigeon 2 flying, s.
Collared Dove 6 vocal; pairs together in pines and salt cedar, s, w.
Mourning Dove 2 on walkway, ne.
Black Phoebe 1 low perch outside of fence, n.
Western Kingbird 3 vocal; in pines, w.
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 flying toward tamarisk windbreak, calls, w.
Common Raven 6 vocal, ubiquitous.
Barn Swallow 2 vocal; flying low over open areas and lake, n.
Cliff Swallow 1 flying low over lake, s.
European Starling 8 foraging on lawn with BRBL, e.
Bell's Sparrow 8 (ad, imm) foraging together on lawn, ne.
Brewer's Blackbird 12 (m,f) foraging together on lawns, e.
Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.
House Finch 3 (m,f) foraging on bare ground ne.
House Sparrow 30 (m,f) ubiquitous.
Weather : Fair; 70F to 75F; wind WNW 0 - 2 mph.
Time: 0810-0930 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route, once around the perimeter of the park. A few fishermen and other park visitors (some with leashed dogs) were present. Maintenance activities and noise from aircraft at Fox Field were the only disturbances during the survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. Three other birders were in the park during the survey; all of them had recently been to Munz Ranch Road to observe a Cassin's Sparrow found there by Jon Feenstra yesterday.
Birds Noted
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 80 several pair with goslings on lawns and swimming.
Ross's Goose 2 -cont. swimming together with domestic GLGO, sw.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrids) 25 several on islands (nesting?), se, ne.
Swan Goose 4 with GLGO, s.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 pairs scattered around the park on shore and islands.
Mallard (wild-type) 30 pairs on islands and shore around the park.
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 4 swimming together, ne.
California Quail 5 calls, ne.
Pied-billed Grebe calls (unseen) se.
Double-crested Cormorant 2 on se island.
Great Blue Heron 1 flying low over the lake, ne.
Great Egret 1 foraging on shore, se.
Black-crowned Night Heron 10 (ad, imm) vocal; flying between pines on islands, ne; on shore, se.
American Coot 2 swimming near shore, e.
Killdeer 3 calls; flying low, se, n.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 flushed from shore, se.
California Gull 2 (C2) on island, se; swimming with GLGO, w.
Domestic Rock Dove 1 flying over lake,sw.
Eurasian Collared Dove 4 calls; pairs in pines, e.
Mourning Dove 4 calls; in pines, e.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) in pines and deciduous trees, se.
Western Wood Pewee 2 sallying from fence and low branches in pines, ne.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 3 sallying from medium height branches in pines, e, n.
Hammond's Flycatcher 1 sallying at medium heights in interior of pine, n.
Black Phoebe 1 perched on adjacent fence in saltbush field, e.
Western Kingbird 2 vocal; possible nest in pine, nw.
Warbling Vireo 1 foraging about 12-15 ft. agl in pines, se.
Common Raven 10 highly vocal; following me in the pines around the southeast corner.
Swainson's Thrush 1 flying to low branch in pine, nw corner.
Northern Mockingbird 1 on fence, w.
European Starling 8 on ground and flying low over park.
Hermit x Townsend's Warbler 1 noted dark cheeks and cap; foraging silently but quickly at 8-15 ft. agl in adjacent pines, se (photo).
Hermit x Townsend's Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis x townsendi) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 23 May 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Wilson's Warbler 30 (m,f) ubiquitous in pairs and trios in pines; three bathing together in puddle beneath pines, e.
Bell's Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) vocal; noted relatively pale coloration, streaked mantle and indistinct moustachial streak of young birds, compared with nearby adults; foraging together on lawns and along fence line; song from exposed salt bush in adjacent field, e, ne.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) ubiquitous; foraging on lawns and shore.
Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.
House Finch 5 (ad, imm) in pines and adjacent saltbush, e.
House Sparrow 35 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous.
Weather: Hazy to partly cloudy; 56F to 60F; wind calm.
Time: 0727-1006 hrs.
Observers: myself (0727-0820 hrs.); UCLA Birds of Southern California class of 14 students and I (0840-1006 hrs.).
Area Covered: I walked the western and northwestern fence line, surveying pines, tamarisk, deciduous trees in the sw corner and lawns. Twenty or more fishermen were present during the survey; other visitors included a couple with an unleashed dog. The class and I walked a counter-clockwise route around the perimeter of the entire park, excluding the interior sections, except where visible from a distance. The parking area was full by 1230 hrs.
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. on shore with Gray-lag geese,, s-central.
Snow Goose 1 - cont. on lawn then moving to lake with Gray-lag geese, s.
Ross's Goose 2 - cont. standing and sleeping on se island, s.
Canada Goose 50 scattered around the park.
Gray-lag Goose 20 (domestic and hybrids) scattered around the southern half of the park.
Swan Goose 3 with GLGO on lake and se island.
Muscovy Duck (hybrid only) 1 swimming with hybrid domestic mallard, ne.
Mallard (wild-type) 40 (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake.
Mallard (domestic & hybrid) 35 (m,f) scattered around the lake.
Ruddy Duck 14 (m,f) resting in open water, nw.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming in open water, n.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 (ad. alt. plmg.; imm) resting on island shore, se, ne; swimming and diving around the lake.
Great Egret 1 in pine, central.
Black-crowned Night Heron 5 adults in pines on ne island (traditional roost/heronry); flying, ne.
American Coot 80 (conservative est.) around the edges and in open water throughout.
Killdeer 1 fly, call, central (CY 0740 hrs.).
California Gull 3 immatures (C1; C2) flying around the lake.
Rock Pigeon 2 on pathway, sw (CY 0750 hrs.).
Mourning Dove 2 together on fence, ne.
Barn Owl 1 (ad) flushed from pines in nw; flew to another tree where it was attacked by a Raven; the bird flew again to another tree and was not refound.
Hammond's Flycatcher 1 (slightly asymmetrical eye-ring; large head with small bill; calls) sallying from a low pine branch, w (CY 0730 hrs.).
Dusky Flycatcher 1 (grayish olive upperparts - darker appearance than neaby PSFL; relatively long bill (c,f, HAFL); symmetrical eye ring): snatch-gleaning in lower to mid-level of pine, w (CY 0740 hrs.).
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 2 calls; (conspicuously asymmetrical eyering in both individuals); sallying from low pine branches and fence line, w, nw (CY 0745-0810 hrs).
Black Phoebe 2 sallying from low pine branches near fence line, w, nw (CY 0800 hrs.).
Say's Phoebe 1 on fence at entrance to Fox Field, JW Barnes Ave (CY 1300 hrs.).
Western Kingbird 2 vocal; sallying to lawn; in pines, nw.
Common Raven 8 vocal; a pair (possibly nesting nearby) attacking and chasing a displaced Barn Owl in a pine, ne.
European Starling 8 foraging on lawn; flying around the park.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls (unseen) in pines, sw (CY 0800 hrs.).
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's ) Warbler 6 (m,f) calls; foraging in pines, ne, n.
MacGillivray's Warbler 2 low in tamarisk overhanging a puddle on the fence line, nw.
Common Yellowthroat 1 (f) foraging quickly in low to middle levels of isolated pines; and flying between in pines, sw.
Fox Sparrow 1 (appearing to be the stephensi subspecies with a slate-colored mantle and relatively large bill); scratching in in litter beneath pines and tamarisk on outside of fence, nw (CY 0805 hrs.).
Lincoln's Sparrow calls (unseen) nw.
White-crowned Sparrow 4 (ad) in tamarisk overhanging a puddle, fence line, nw.
Tricolored Blackbird 2 (m) flying sw togther over the park, central.
Brewer's Blackbird 6 (m,f) foraging on shore, s, w.
House Finch 4 (m,f) vocal in pines, w, n.
Lesser Goldfinch vocal in deciduous tree, sw; pines, nw.
Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 a highly vocal pair (possibly 1-3 other individuals concealed in pines) tamarisk overhanging a puddle, fence, nw.
House Sparrow 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous; foraging on shore with BRBL, s.
Weather: Fair; 45F to 55F; wind WNW 2-5 mph.
Time: 0709-0859 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the perimeter of the park; the interior was not surveyed. A few fishermen were around the edges of the lake; two people with dogs (leashed) were walking the perimeter pathway during my survey. A maintenance crew was digging in the southern section next to the temporary office buildings. Air traffic at Fox Field was light; conditions were otherwise good for identifying bird vocalizations. Abundant aerial insects (i.e. diptera) attracted significant numbers of warblers and other songbirds to the pines and lawns.
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic geese, s.
Snow Goose 1 - cont. on lawn with domestic geese, s.
Ross's Goose 1 swimming with domestic geese, se.
Canada Goose 50 scattered around the lawns and in the lake.
Swan Goose 4 one male attempting to copulate with a white domestic goose, s.
Gray-lag Goose 30 (including hybrids) mostly in the southern section.
Muscovy Duck (domestic hybrids) 2 (m) on shore, s.
Gadwall 2 (m,f) resting on shore, s-central.
Mallard (wild type) (m,f) 40 scattered around the edges of the lake,
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 30 scattered around the lake, especially s.
Hooded Merganser 1 (f) swimming near shore, se.
Ruddy Duck 25 (males in alt. plmg.) most resting in open water around the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 swimming in open water, nw.
Double-crested Cormorant 30 (ad, imm) perched in trees on se island; swimming, diving throughout.
Great Egret 6 (alt. plmg.) in pair of pines overhanging the shore, central.
Black-crowned Night Heron 12 (ad, imm) most in traditional roost/rookery in pines on ne island; 4 (ad and imm) scattered on shoreline.
American Coot 120 ubiquitous.
Least Sandpiper 2 on the concrete shoreline, s.
Ring-billed Gull 2 (C1) on shore, s.
California Gull 2 (C1, C2) on shore and flying around the lake.
Mourning Dove 6 pairs on lawns and in adjacent fields, e.
Anna's Hummingbird calls, pines on fence line, s.
Black Phoebe 1 calls, e.
Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 flying between pines along fence line, n.
Western Kingbird 2 calls; flying to lawns and back to top of pines, n, nw.
Vireo sp. (cf. Cassin's - unseen) repeated song twice in pines, e.
Common Raven 8 calls when I approached (nest?) pines, n.
House Wren repeated song, saltbush scrub in adjacent field, ne.
Ruby-crowned KInglet 3 foraging in pines, e, ne.
Hermit Thrush 1 foraging beneath pines, w.
European Starling 12 vocal; foraging in small flocks on lawns.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; foraging in tamarisk on fence line, ne.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 60 (m,f) ubiquitous; foraging on several vegetation types and all levels; aerial insect hawkin around esp. pines.
Wilson's Warbler 3 vocal; active in deciduous and evergreen trees, s, e, n.
Common Yellowthroat 3 (m,f) calls; active in wet, shrubby area on fence line, ne.
Sage Sparrow 2 song; active in shrubs on fence line, ne; singing in adjacent saltbush field, e.
Savannah Sparrow 1 foraging at the edge of the lawn near the fence line with WCSP, ne.
Fox Sparrow 1 foraging on the ground next to the fence line, near WCSP, ne.
Lincoln's Sparrow 2 foraging on lawns and bare ground on the fence line, ne, n.
White-crowned Sparrow 30 vocal, ubiquitous, esp. along fence line, ne, n.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 2 contact calls; one foraging on ground and lawn beneath pines, ne.
Red-winged Blackbird 1 song (unseen) nw.
Brewer's Blackbird 12 (m,f) foraging on ground and lawns, n.
Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal; flying around the park.
House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal; female gathering grass nest material, ne.
Finch sp.? (unseen in dense pine foliage near the canopy) a distinctive 2 -part call resembling an abbreviated House Finch song.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, vocal; in pines, nw.
Lawrence's Goldfinch 6 (difficult to see all the individuals) vocal and gregarious in pines, ne, nw.
House Sparrow 30 vocal; active throughout the park and in the adjacent alkaline scrub field, n.
Weather: Overcast; 59F; wind W 7-30 mph.
Time: 0720-0900 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the perimeter (excluding the northwest corner) and interior section. A few fishermen and other park visitors were present during the survey. A maintenance crew was cutting limbs from trees in the northwestern section. High winds made observations of landbirds increasingly difficult.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (3 - cont.), Ross's Goose (3 ), Hooded Merganser (14 -cont.), White Pelican (5), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2), Wilson's Warbler (1) and Slate-colored Junco (2 -cont.).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. foraging on lawn with GLGO, s.
Snow Goose 3 two swimming; one foraging on lawn, s.
Ross's Goose 1 swimming with SNGO; a pair foraging on lawn, s.
Canada Goose 80 scattered around the park on lawns and in the water.
Gray-lag Goose (domestic, hybrid) 30 on shore; swimming.
Swan Goose 5 (domestic) on shore; foraging on lawn.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrids only) on shore, w.
Mallard (wild-type) 35 on shore around the park.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 on shore around the park.
Northern Shoveler 120 (m,f) swimming in flocks and resting on shore around the lake.
Lesser Scaup 1 (m) swimming, nw.
Hooded Merganser 14 - cont. (6 m; 8 f) resting together; swimming in the usual location, ne.
Ruddy Duck 40 ubiquitous; most resting in flocks on the lake.
Double-crested Cormorant 40 (ad, imm) swimming; resting on island shore and in trees, se.
White Pelican 5 (4 adults in alt. plmg.) swimming together; resting together on island shore, se.
Great Blue Heron 2 flying low around the lake.
Great Egret 4 (3 in alt. plmg.) on shore, ne, se.
Turkey Vulture 6 flying low over the lake, e.
American Coot 80 ubiquitous; swimming near shore.
Killdeer 4 on lawns and shore, central.
Ring-billed Gull 4 (ad, C1; C2) on shore; flying, s.
California Gull 8 (ad; C1, C2) on shore; flying, s.
Herring Gull 3 (C1, C2 C3) island shore, se.
Mourning Dove 6 calls; on lawns and in pines throughout.
Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flying e over adjacent saltbush fields, s.
Black Phoebe 4 calls; sallying from fence, e, ne.
Common Raven 8 ubiquitous around edges of the park.
Tree Swallow 8 flying at about 25 ft. over the lake, e.
Barn Swallow 4 calls; flying over flooded saltbush fields, ne.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over flooded salfbush fields, ne.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8 calls; active in pines around the park; often amongst YRWA.
European Starling 2 foraging with BRBL on lawns, central.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2 song; in pines, s.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 80 calls; ubiquitous, esp. in pines and adjacent lawns.
Wilson's Warbler 1 song (unseen) in pines, se.
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) fence line, ne.
White-crowned Sparrow 10 calls; active along brushy fence line, ne.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 20 ubiquitous in pines and on lawns;
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored Junco) 2 (m,f) foraging on bare ground and lawns, s.
Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m) foraging on lawn with BRBL, central.
Brewer's Blackbird 25 (80% female) foraging in a tight flock on lawns, central.
Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal; males in alt. plmg. foraging on shore and bare ground in cohesive flock, central.
House Finch 12 vocal; in pines throughout.
Purple Finch 2 repeated song (unseen) ; well concealed in pines, s.
House Sparrow 30 ubiquitous around buildings.
Weather: Partly cloudy; 43F to 50F; wind calm.
Time: 0803-0935 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, including interior walkways. Disturbances were fairly regular during the survey (e.g. leaf-blower and power edger). One couple walked their (leashed) dog along the fence line of the entire park perimeter, effectively flushing birds before I could get close enough to identify all of them. Otherwise, conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (3; 2 additional individuals since my previous survey of Dec. 10, 2013); Ross's Goose (2-cont.), Hooded Merganser (16), Double-crested Cormorant (93), American White Pelican (1), Herring Gull (5), Slate-colored Junco (3) and Pink-sided Junco (1)..
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1(cont.) with domestic geese on lawn; swimming, s-central.
Snow Goose 3 (1-cont.) all adults; two additional individuals since my most recent survey of December 10, 2013. All birds in a large, loose flock of geese foraging on lawns, s-central.
Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) foraging on lawns; swimming, s-central.
Canada Goose 80 in loose flocks around the park.
Swan Goose 4 with GLGO, s-central.'
Gray-lag Goose 25 (incl. hybrids) a vocal, loose flock on land and in the water, s-central.
Muscovy Duck (hybrids only) 2 on shore, s-central.
Mallard (wild type) 175 (m,f) scattered around the park shorelines.
Mallard (domestic & hybrid) 50 mostly southern shoreline.
American Wigeon 1 (f) swimmng, ne islands.
Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming together, se.
Northern Shoveler 50 (m,f) ubiquitous; many resting on nw shore;
Hooded Merganser 16 (7 m, 9 f) staying together on island shore; males swimming, displaying, ne (photo).
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 22 January 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Ruddy Duck 25 (m,f) most resting; a few diving, central, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 open water and shorelines around the park.
Double-crested Cormorant 93 (90% imm); most standing on se island; a few diving in open water.
American White Pelican 1 (ad) standing on e shore of island with DCCO, se.
Great Blue Heron 1 in pine on island, se.
Great Egret 1 in pine on island, se.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole in adjacent field, ne.
American Coot 200 ubiquitous.
Ring-billed Gull 12 (8% ad) on shorelines and flying around the park.
California Gull 20 (ad; C1, C2) on shorelines and flying around the park.
Herring Gull (5) (1 ad; 3 C1; 1 C2) on shorelines; two with dead trout; flying around the park.
Mourning Dove 5 flushed from lawn beneath pines, se.
Common Raven 5 ubiquitous; vocal.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 calls from pines, s.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 3 calls from pines around park.
Lincoln's Sparrow calls (unseen) brushy area outside of fence, n.
White-crowned Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) foraging with DEJU on dead lawn, se.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 13 foraging in a loose flock on dead lawn and ground, se corner.
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 3 (1 m, 2 f) foraging with other juncos on dead lawn, se corner (photo).
Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) male Apollo Park Los Angeles County CA 22 January 2014
© 2014 Callyn Yorke
Dark-eyed (Pink-sided) Junco 1 foraging with other juncos on dead lawn, se corner.
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging on ground, main beach, s.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m) vocal; on dock and shore, sw.
House Finch 5 calls from pines, n.
House Sparrow 30 ubiquitous, vocal; on main beach and around buildings.
DECEMBER 10, 2013 (34 Species)
Weather: Fair; 41F; no wind.
Time: 1201-1300 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the perimeter of the park, visually surveying part of the interior. Relatively few visitors were present during the survey. Park maintenance crews were transporting pine tree trimmings to the area outside the southern fence line. Otherwise, there was little disturbance due to human activities.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1-cont.), Snow Goose (2 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont.), Hooded Merganser (10 - cont.) and Herring Gull (5 - cont.).
BIRDS NOTED
Greater White-fronted Goose 1-cont. foraging on grass with domestic GLGO,s.
Snow Goose 2 (cont.) foraging on grass with domestic GLGO, s.
Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) foraging on grass and bare ground with domestic GLGO, s.
Canada Goose 80 (cont.) in several flocks around the park.
Swan Goose 6 (domestic) foraging on grass with other geese, s.
Gray-lag Goose 30 (domestic and hybrids) foraging on lawns and bare ground with other geese, s.
Muscovy Duck 2 (hybrid only) on shore, s.
Mallard (wild-type) 120 (m,f) scattered around the shorelines and islands.
Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 scattered around the shorelines, s.
Northern Shoveler 4 (m,f) swimming together, ne.
Green-winged Teal 1 (m) swimming alone, n-central.
Bufflehead 2 (f) swimming separately, n.
Hooded Merganser 10 (4 males; 6 females) staying together on and in water in shade near island, ne.
Ruddy Duck 50 (m,f) resting in flocks, open water.
Pied-billed Grebe 4 swimming near shore, n.
Double-crested Cormorant 50 (ad, imm) ubiquitous; many resting on islands, se, ne.
Great Blue Heron 2 on shore, n.
Cooper's Hawk 1 flew to lawn under pines, se.
American Coot 250 ubiquitous.
Least Sandpiper 2 foraging on island shore, se.
Ring-billed Gull 8 (ad, imm) on shore; flying around, s.
California Gull 12 (ad, imm) on shore; one competing with Herring Gull for dead fish on shore, n.
Herring Gull 5 (2 adults; 3 C1) on shore; one C1 trying to eat a large dead trout on shore; lunging at a nearby C1 CAGU (photo)
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) left; California Gull (Larus californicus) right; both birds in first cycle (C1) plumage. Apollo Park ,LACO CA 10 Dec 2013
© 2013 Callyn Yorke
Mourning Dove 2 in pines and on ground, s.
Rock Pigeon 6 flying around park.
Common Raven 6 ubiquitous; vocal.
Horned Lark 1-? fly, calls; adjacent field, s.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 vocal; active in pines throughout.
Hermit Thrush 1 foraging on lawns and bare ground beneath pines, w.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 15 calls; foraging in pairs and loose flocks in pines throughout.
Sage Sparrow 1 vocal atop a large saltbush in adjacent field, ne.
White-crowned Sparrow 25 (ad, imm) foraging on bare ground and on lawns throughout.
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 8 foraging on ground and lawns beneath pines, w.
Brewer's Blackbird 18 (m,f) foraging in a cohesive flock on bare ground and lawns throughout.
House Sparrow 35 foraging on beach, bare ground and lawns, s.
.