BIRD SURVEYS OF APOLLO PARK, Los Angeles County, CA

                                                     SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER, 2012-13

                                                                              © 2012, 2013  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 Photographic Guide to the Birds of Apollo Park

 

                                                                                                     LINKS TO PREVIOUS APOLLO PARK BIRD SURVEYS

                                                                                                             2009-2010  

                                                                                                             2011 

                                                                                                             

 

Bird Surveys (2012-13)

February 22, 2013

December 6, 2012

November 7, 2012

October 10, 12, 14, 2012

October 4, 2012

September 23, 2012

September 16, 2012

September 14, 2012

August 31, 2012

August 4, 2012

May 29, 2012

May 18, 2012

May 7, 8 2012

April 27, 2012

April 19, 2012

March 20, 2012

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2013 (40 Species)

 

Weather: Fair; 43F to 55F; no wind

Time: 0840 - 1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park including the central sections. A few fishermen were around the shorelines; other visitors were walking on the paved paths. Conditions were excellent 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.), Cackling Goose (1), Hooded Merganser (10), American White Pelican (7), Mew Gull (1), Tree Swallow (5), Mountain Chickadee (2), Pink-sided Junco (1) and Slate-colored Junco (1).

Note: Apollo Park is scheduled to be closed for maintenance, February 25 - March 2, 2013.

 

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (cont.) swimming with domestic GLGO near main beach, s.

Snow Goose  1 (cont.) with domestic ducks and geese following someone carrying a bag of bread crumbs on the main beach, s.

Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) swimming with white domestic GLGO near the main beach, s.

Canada Goose  65  scattered around the park foraging on dry grass.

Cackling Goose  1  swimming with a CNGO near shore, ne.

Swan Goose  3 on and near shore, s.

Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids) 25  mostly around the main beach, s.

Muscovy Duck  6  (including hybrids) resting on shore, s-central.

Gadwall 3 (m,f) swimming near island shore, se.

Mallard (wild-type)  75  (m,f) resting on or near shore around the park, esp. s.

Mallard (domestic and hybrid)  resting on se islands, shorelines and swimming around the park.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m,f) resting near island shore, ne.

Hooded Merganser  10 (2 m; 8 f) resting near island shore, ne.

 

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) Apollo Park LACO CA 22 Feb 2013

                                                                                © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

Ruddy Duck  20 (m,f) resting near shore around the lakes.

Pied-billed Grebe   4  diving, resting near shore, s, ne.

Double-crested Cormorant   30  most resting on se island; some swimming, flying.

American White Pelican   7 (ad, imm)    all but one resting on se island; one swimming, nw.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Apollo Park CA 22 Feb 2013

                                                                                             © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

Great Blue Heron  1 on shore, ne.

Great Egret  1 resting on se island.

Red-tailed Hawk  1 (ad) on utility pole, s of park.

American Coot  60  scattered around shorelines.

Killdeer  1 flushed from shoreline, s-central.

Mew Gull 1 (C2) standing next to a RBGU on shore, SE (photo).

Mew Gull (Larus canus) right; Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) left  Apollo Park, LACO CA  22 Feb 2013

                                                                                                                © 2013 Callyn Yorke

 

Ring-billed Gull  10 (ad, imm) on shorelines (photo); hover-dipping on lake, s.

California Gull  8  (ad, imm) on se island and flying around the park.

Herring Gull 1 (immature C1) resting on se island.

Northern (RS) Flicker  2 (m) foraging on shore and in pines, s.

Black Phoebe  2  sally-flycatching from fence, se, nw.

Common Raven  10  in pines and flying around.

Tree Swallow  5  flying low over lawn and between pines, se.

Mountain Chickadee  2  vocal, active in pines, nw.

European Starling  2  foraging on lawn, s-central.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler  2  foraging in pines, se, nw.

Sage Sparrow  1  song, adjacent saltbush field, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow  25 (ad, imm) foraging on lawns around the park; immatures together, nw.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco  30  foraging on lawns and ground beneath pines around the park; Pink-sided (mearnsi) 1; Slate-colored (hyemalis) 1 nw.

Red-winged Blackbird  1  calls, pines, s.

Brewer's Blackbird  20  (m,f) a loose, vocal flock moving around the park, foraging on lawns and main beach, s.

Great-tailed Grackle   6 (m) vocal, active on the ground and in pines around the park, esp. s.

House Sparrow  30 (m,f) vocal, foraging on ground, beach and lawns, around the park.

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER 6, 2012 (36 Species)

 

Weather: Fair; 60F; no wind.

Time: 0935 - 1100 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, surveying the central area visually. About fifty other people were present in the park during my survey, including several fishermen, walkers and maintenance personnel. Except for occasional fly-overs from aircraft using Fox Field, disturbance was minimal and conditions good for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Cackling Goose (1-2), White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.),

 White Pelican (2), Mountain Chickadee (1), Red-breasted Nuthatch (4), and Red Crossbill (6).

BIRDS NOTED

Cackling Goose 1-2 ( B. h. leucopareia and a small Branta sp..c.f B. c. taverneri) swimming near shore with CAGO, then on shore, n (photos a & b).

 (a) Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  6 Dec. 2012            (b) Branta sp (c.f. B. c. taverneri).  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  6 Dec. 2012

    

                                                                                                    © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

Canada Goose  75    a flock of 30 swimming, n; others foraging on the lawn, sw; one small individual, possibly a Cackling Goose (above photo b).

Greater White-fronted Goose  1 - cont.  with GLGO near shore, s.

Snow Goose  1 - cont. near shore with GLGO, s.

Ross's Goose  2  standing together on shore, s.

Gray-lag Goose   25 (domestic and hybrid)  taking food from people on the beach, s.

Swan Goose  2    with GRGO, s.

Muscovy Duck   3 (domestic and hybrid)  near shore, s.

Mallard (wild type)  130  m,f  scattered around the shorelines of the park.

Mallard (domestic and hybrid)  30  mostly on or near shore, s.

Ruddy Duck  2   resting on lake, se.

Pied-billed Grebe   6  swimming, preening, s, n.

Eared Grebe   8  swimming, diving throughout.

Western Grebe  2  resting on lake, s.

Double-crested Cormorant   20  swimming, diving (one with a small fish); resting on islands, s.

White Pelican  2  resting together on island, se.

Great Blue Heron  1  on shore, s-central.

American Coot   120  scattered around and in the lake.

Ring-billed Gull  2 (ad) on shore, s.

California Gull 4 (ad; C2), on shore; flying;  two birds trying to steal a fish from a DCCO, s.

Rock Dove  4  foraging on island, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker  calls, nw.

Black Phoebe  1  call, fly, shoreline, n.

Common Raven  4  fly, call, n, e.

Horned Lark  3  fly, call, adjacent saltbush field, e.

Mountain Chickadee  1  calls, pines, n.

Red-breasted Nuthatch  4  calls; foraging in pines around the park.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet   5  calls, foraging in pines and salt cedar around the park.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler   20  calls, in pines and on lawns around the park.

Lark Sparrow  2   one in pine tree; one foraging with HOSP on ground, s.

Sage Sparrow (A. b. nevadensis)  6  a loose, vocal flock in tall saltbush, ne.

White-crowned Sparrow (Z. l. gambelii)  20  vocal; foraging beneath pines and on reseeded lawns around the park.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco  2  foraging on ground with WCSP, n.

Red-winged Blackbird  1 (m) foraging with a flock of BRBL, s.

Brewer's Blackbird  20  flock moving around the park, foraging on bare ground beneath pines.

Red Crossbill   6 (m,f) fly, calls; initially seen in sw as a small flock flying e over pines; subsequently heard calling, n; evidently leaving the park.

House Sparrow  25  vocal, around buildings and foraging on shore and walkways, s.

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 7, 2012 (39 Species)

Weather: Fair; 48F to 65F; no wind.

Time: 0733 - 0927 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise and clockwise route around the entire park including the interior sections. Many people were fishing (evidently the lake was stocked during a recent park closure); other visitors included those with dogs and children.

Aircraft noise from the adjacent runway on the northwest side was moderate to very loud; once causing mass movements of waterbirds to eastern sections of the park.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included,  Cackling Goose (1), Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose  (2 - cont.), Hooded Merganser (3), Herring Gull (1), Red-breasted Nuthatch (4), Mt. Chickadee (1), and Cedar Waxwing (3).

 

BIRDS NOTED

Cackling Goose (subsp.?) 1 with CAGO in the lake and onshore, sw.

Canada Goose  90  foraging on lawns and swimming together in the lake, sw.

Greater White-fronted Goose  1-cont.   with domestic geese on shore, sw.

Snow Goose  1-cont.  with domestic gray-lag geese in the lake and on shore, sw.

Ross's Goose  2 cont.  with SNGO and domestic geese in the lake and on shore, sw.

Swan Goose (domestic)   4  swimming with GLGO, sw.

Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid)   25  swimming with other geese and domestic waterfowl, sw.

Muscovy Duck (domestic and hybrid)  3  on shore, sw.

Mallard (wild type)  120  (m,f) scattered around the park on shore and on islands, ne.

Mallard (domestc and hybrid)  60 (m,f)   mostly in the southern half of the park.

Hooded Merganser  3 (f)  diving together near ne island (fos; photo).

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  females  Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  7 Nov. 2012

        

                                                                                       © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ruddy Duck   6 (m,f) resting, swimming, ne.

Pied-billed Grebe   8  swimming near islands, ne.

Eared Grebe  5  diving near shore, ne, se.

Double-crested Cormorant   40   (ad, imm)  most resting on islands; a few swimming, flying, ne,se.

American White Pelican   2 (cont.) startled and flushed by noisy jet engines, ne, se.

Great Egret  2  flying together, sw; on islands, ne, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron  1  in pine tree in on BCNH colony island, ne.

American Coot   100  scattered around the park, on lawns and near shore.

Ring-billed Gull  1 ad circling island, ne.

California Gull  2 (ad, C3) on and around islands, ne.

Herring Gull  1 (ad) circling ne island.

Rock Pigeon   8  foraging on shore, s-central.

Mourning Dove  2  foraging on ground, nw.

Belted Kingfisher  1  flying around island, ne.

Black Phoebe  1  calls, se.

Common Raven  10  calls, flying around fence line, nw, n.

Mountain Chickadee  1  calls in pines, sw.

Red-breasted Nuthatch   4  calls, active in pines around the park; often in msf with YRWA and RCKI.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet   6  calls, active in pines around the park; often in msf with YRWA.

European Starling   4  calls, song,  on buildings and light poles, w.

Cedar Waxwing  3   calls, in deciduous trees, sw, se.

American Pipit   1  calls, fly, main beach, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler    25  (m,f)   calls; ubiquitous in pines and deciduous trees.

White-crowned Sparrow   20  (ad, imm) vocal; staying mostly in the pines around the park.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco   15  small flocks on ground and in pines around the park.

Red-winged Blackbird  5 (m,f)  calls, song; singly or pairs with flocks with BRBL around the park.

Brewer's Blackbird  40 (m,f) vocal, flying around the park; in pines and on lawns.

Lesser Goldfinch  1  calls, pines, se

House Sparrow  20   vocal, on and around buildings throughout the park.

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 10, 12 & 14, 2012 (53 Species)

 

Weather:(10/10) Partly cloudy; 71F; wind W, WNW  5 -12 mph. (10/12) Partly cloudy, 50F; wind WSW 5 - 10 mph.(10/14): Fair; 51F to 70F; wind WNW 0-2mph.

Time: (10/10) 1449 - 1600 hrs.; (10/12) 0725-0940 hrs.(10/14): 0815-1135 hrs.

Area Covered: (10/10): I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the perimeter of the park. About 30 people were in the park, including children and their parents feeding birds at the main beach. Conditions were fair to poor for finding birds; increasing west winds and noise from the adjacent airfield made observations somewhat difficult. (10/12): I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, then through the central section. Several people with dogs (one unleashed) and some joggers were in the park during my survey.(10/14): I began walking an counter-clockwise route then reversed at the southeast corner and completed a full clockwise circuit. Following a brief interlude in my car, I walked a full counter-clockwise route around the perimeter, excluding the interior pathways, which were scanned from a distance. Increasing numbers of visitors began arriving around 0930 hrs. many with leashed dogs. Several children and adults were feeding the ducks and geese on the main beach. Others were seen chasing geese (including Canada Goose). Conditions in the park were otherwise good (light air traffic from the adjacent airfield) for finding birds.

Summarized below is the bird list covering three separate surveys I conducted in Apollo Park on 10/10, 10/12 and 10/14/2012. My intent is to illustrate migration dynamics in the Antelope Valley during the first half of October. Several migratory species showed up abundantly and consistently during this period (e.g. Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot, Red-breasted Nuthatch,Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow), while others appeared sparsely or intermittently (e.g. Snowy Egret, Ring-billed Gull, Sage Sparrow, Lark Sparrow). Rarities found during this period included, Cackling Goose, Magnolia Warbler (previously unrecorded at Apollo Park) and White-throated Sparrow. Of course the differences in weather, survey schedule and detectability are likely contributing factors to the observed results.

 

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found on 10/10 included,  Greater White-fronted Goose (1- cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.), Ross's Goose (2 -cont.), American White Pelican (2), Snowy Egret (6), White-throated Sparrow (1) and Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco (2). Additional species of seasonal and/or distributional interest found on 10/12 included, Great Egret (7), Western Wood Pewee (1), Empidonax sp. (1), Red-breasted Nuthatch (8), Mountain Chickadee (2), American Pipit (1), and Black-throated Gray Warbler (1 dead). The White-throated Sparrow photographed here on 10/10 was not found. Birds found on one or the other survey are indicated below. Additional species of seasonal and/or distributional interest found on 10/14 included,  American Wigeon (2), Aleutian Cackling Goose (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1),  and Magnolia Warbler (1).

                                      Apollo Park is scheduled to be closed for maintenance, October 22 - November 3, 2012.

 

BIRDS NOTED

 

Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)  1 foraging on the lawn, n (10/14 - possibly overlooked during previous two surveys).

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)    40-50  foraging on lawns, swimming, n. One small individual, a relatively small variety of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis  c.f. taverneri), with a round head, moderate-sized bill, plain breast and no white basal neck ring, was found with others on the n lawn. (photo).This particular individual was observed chasing a much larger Canada Goose across the lawn, suggesting intraspecific rather than interspecific aggression (see the following commentary).

Commentary: The current A.O.U. classification (45th supplement to the A.O.U. checklist of North American Birds) places traverneri with the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) group. This widespread group of generally small Canada geese appears to share significant molecular and geographic similarities. However, according to the most fundamental working definition of a biological species, naturally occuring populations are reproductively isolated from one another. Molecular biologists, in contrast with experienced field biologists, may overlook this important distinction. Thus, while molecular comparisons can be very useful for clarifying evolutionary relationships among higher taxonomic groups (e.g. orders, families and genera), and possibly species and populations, these data should not necessarily be given  more statistical weight than other characteristics (e.g. morphology, behavior, ecology and biogeography) when determining if a taxon should be lumped or split at the level of species. I accept the specific separation of at least some populations of the Canada Goose, such as the Aleutian hutchinsii based on morphology and insular breeding of that population (also supported by molecular evidence). However, several other populations of the Canada Goose (e.g. moffitti, parvipes, taverneri) show overlap morphologically, behaviorally and geographically and may not be by definition distinct from the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis). Again, reproductive isolation is the bottom line in terms of assigning specific status. If unknown, it seems prudent and consistent with the objectives of taxonomy (e.g. information retrieval) to simply leave existing classification intact, adding subspecific status where appropriate.                                                                     Reference:  http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/682/articles/systematics

 

               Canada Goose (Branta canadensis c.f. taverneri) Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Oct. 2012

              

                                                                                   © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Greater-White-fronted Goose 1 (cont.) with domestic GLGO), s.

Snow Goose   1 (cont.) foraging on re-seeded lawn, s.

Ross's Goose  2 (cont.) swimming together with domestic geese, s.

Gray-lag Goose (including domestics and hybrids) 20, mostly around the main beach taking food.

Swan Goose  (domestic)  2  with other domestic geese, s.

Muscovy Duck (domestic and hybrids) 3 on shore, s.

American Wigeon  2 (m,f) resting on lake, se (10/14).

Mallard  (wild-type)  50  scattered around the edges of the lake.

Mallard (domestic and hybrids)  65  scattered around the shorelines, esp. s, taking food..

Ruddy Duck  3  resting on lake, n (10/14 - possibly overlooked in earlier surveys).

Western Grebe 1  swimming between the se island and mainland. (10/12).

Pied-billed Grebe  3  near the shore of an island, ne.

Eared Grebe  1 swimming near shore, nw (10/12).

Double-crested Cormorant   6  several resting on island, se; one swimming, n.

American White Pelican  2 (cont.) resting on island, se.

Snowy Egret  6  together on edge of island, se (10/10).

Black-crowned Night Heron  2 (ad, imm) on islands, se, ne; 4 (ad, imm) ne island (10/12).

Turkey Vulture  1  flew to low branch in a pine tree at edge of lake, se (10/14).

Cooper's Hawk  1 (subadult) on ground in shade of tamarisk at the fence line, n.

American Coot   100 scattered around the lake.

Killdeer  1 calls, central (10/12).

Ring-billed Gull  2  (ad, imm. C2) on shore, s. One adult stealing a small fish from a DCCO in the water by an aerial assault (10/12).

Rock Pigeon  1  flying around the west side of the park; 6 flying together w (10/12).

Mourning Dove  3  foraging on the ground, s (10/14).

Belted Kingfisher  1  fly, call, ne.

Northern (RS) Flicker  2  calls; foraging on lawn; in tamarisk, w, n (10/12).

Black Phoebe   5   vocal; low perches around the park.

Western Wood Pewee  1  sally-flycatching from the fence, ne (photo) (10/12).

Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) Apollo Park, LACO CA 12 Oct. 2012

                                                                     © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Empidonax sp. (c.f.   difficilis and flaviventris)1: Noted small, compact size; yellow chin and belly; moderately long primary projection, contrasting white wing edgings, complete eye-ring, slight crest; silent; tail flitting. on fence (photos); sallying back and forth to glean insects from the lawn (10/12).

 

Empidonax sp. same individual  east Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA   12 October, 2012

  

                                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 


Pacific-slope Flycatcher  1  sallying from fence and low pine branches, ne; Noted broken, assymetrical eyering, peaked crown, proportionate wings and tail; appeared to be a different individual than photographed above (photo) (10/14).

Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) ne Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Oct. 2012

                                                                                   © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

Common Raven    12   vocal, pairs and singles, fly, call, around and in pines, n, w.

Mountain Chickadee  2  active, vocal in pines with RBNU, n (10/12).

Red-breasted Nuthatch  8 (conserv. est.) vocal, foraging in pairs; caching pine nuts in the bark of large Aleppo pines (photo) (10/12).

 

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  12 Oct. 2012

                                                                                        © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Bewick's Wren  1  scold calls, fence line shrubs, ne (10/12); calls, fence line, nw (10/14)..

House Wren  1  scold calls along fence line, ne (10/14).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1  calls in pines, n (10/12).

European Starling   6  fly, call, central, w.

Yellow Warbler  1 (f) calls, moving quickly in lower branches of a pine tree, ne (10/14).

Magnolia Warbler 1 (f)  (10/14)  called once; foraging with YRWA in the canopy and subcanopy of an ornamental deciduous tree with clusters of  live and dead leaves, se; discovered here yesterday (10/13) by Kimball Garrett. This is apparently the first record of Magnolia Warbler for Apollo Park and possibly the first record for the Antelope Valley (photo).

 

Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) se Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  14 Oct. 2012

                                                                                       © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Yellow-rumped  (Audubon's) Warbler   20 (m,f)   ubiquitous, calls;  extremely quick, agile movements in small flocks on lawns and in pines; possibly using stereoscopic binocular vision to aid quick, agile movements when foraging (photo).

Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (Setophaga coronata auduboni) male showing strereoscopic binocular vision; Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Oct. 2012

                                   

                                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (m) dead (less than 24 hrs ;cause unknown)  lying on back beneath a pine tree, n (photo) (10/12).

 

Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) found dead on ground, Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  12 oct. 2012

                                                                                                                                             © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Lark Sparrow  1  foraging on beach and re-seeded lawns with WCSP and HOSP, s (photo).

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) Apollo Park, LACO, CA 10 oct. 2012

                                                                                           © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Savannah Sparrow  2  foraging together on lawn, e (photo) (10/12).

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  Apollo Park, los Angeles County, CA  12 october, 2012

                                                                                                       © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Sage Sparrow  5   calls; staying together in brushy areas outside of the fence line, n, e (10/14).

Lincoln's Sparrow  1  foraging in reseeded area and beneath shrubs, sw (photo) (10/12).

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  12 Oct. 2012

                                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

White-crowned Sparrow   25  (ad. imm) foraging on lawns, ground and re-seeded areas, s; One individual foraging on the ground with nearby Gambel's WCSP appearing to have thin, jagged black crown stripes and highly contrasting back feathers (photo).

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys ssp. c.f. gambelii and pugetensis) same individual; note distinctive crown and back markings, Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Oct. 2012

            

                                                                                                      © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

White-throated Sparrow  1 (ad) foraging on lawn with WCSP, sw  (photo) Discovered here yesterday by Tom Miko..

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  adult  sw  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  10 oct. 2012

                                                                                                  © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco  2  relatively light morphs, foraging beneath pines, n; 8  on ground around pines, n, central (10/12)

Red-winged Blackbird  1 (imm m) foraging in reseeded area with HOSP, w (10/12).

Brewer's Blackbird   18 (m,f) foraging on main beach with HOSP, s.

House Finch  1 (m) foraging with HOSP, w (10/12).

House Sparrow   15 foraging as a cohesive flock on beach and re-seeded areas, s.

 

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 4, 2012 (48 Species)

Weather: Fair; 69F; wind WSW 7 - 15 mph.

Time: 0740 - 0950 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the entire lake, followed by a brief return to the southern sections of the park. Relatively few park visitors were present during the survey and conditions were fair for finding and identifying birds by their vocalizations. I used a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera for the survey. An adult coyote was seen running across an adjacent field carrying a large Gopher Snake (photo).

Coyote (Canis latrans) with a Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer) adjacent to Apollo Park, LACO, CA  4 Oct. 2012

  

                                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Aleutian Cackling Goose (1), American White Pelican (2), Great Egret (6), Common Tern (1), Mountain Chickadee (2), Red-breasted Nuthatch (4) and Fox Sparrow (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Aleutian Cackling Goose 1  initially on the shore with domestic Mallards; moving to the water as I approached, s (photo)

 

   Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) same individual, south Apollo Park, LACO, CA  4 Oc. 2012

        

                                            © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Canada Goose  60  scattered around the park; some foraging on re-seeded lawns.

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont.  foraging on re-seeded lawns, s.

Snow Goose  1 - cont.  with other geese on re-seeded lawns, s.

Ross's Goose  2 -cont.  with other geese on re-seeded lawns, s.

Gray-lag Goose  25-35 (domestics including hybrids) on re-seeded lawns, swimming, s.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  2  (domestic) swimming, s.

Mallard (wild type) m,f   150  scattered around the park on shorelines.

Mallard (domestic including hybrids) 50   vocalizing when people approach; shore and lake, s.

Cinnamon Teal  2 (m,f) swimming, se.

Muscovy Duck  (domestic including hybrids)  4  swimming, s.

Redhead  7 (m,f) swimming in a tight flock, se.

Pied-billed Grebe  2  swimming, sw.

Eared Grebe  1 swimming, diving near shore, se.

Western Grebe  1 swimming, se.

Double-crested Cormorant  4  on island; swimming, se (see photo below).

American White Pelican  2 (imm) resting on island, with GREG, BCNH and DCCO, se (photo)

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) and other waterbirds on se island, Apollo Park, LACO, CA  4 Oct. 2012

                                                                                                                                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Great Egret  6  five together on se island (see above photo); one in pine tree, ne.

Black-crowned Night Heron  1 (imm) resting on island, se (see above photo).

American Coot   80  scattered around the edges of the lake; foraging on lawns.

Killdeer  4  on shore and lawns, central.

Common Tern  1  noted extensive black crown and broad black border on primaries; flying low over the southern lakes (photos); occasionally plunge-diving.

                              Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) same individual, south Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  4 Oct. 2012

 

                                                                           © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Rock Pigeon  5   flying aroun adjacent air field, w.

Mourning Dove  1  flying w through the park, s.

Belted Kingfisher  1 calls, fly, east-central.

Northern (RS) Flicker  1 foraging on lawn, central.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1   noted broken eye-ring; flycatching from lower branches of pines and tamarisk, n.

Black Phoebe  2   vocal; low perch, sally-flycatching over lawns, w, n.

Common Raven  4  in pines and flying over park, n.

Horned Lark  10  flying, calls, over adjacent field, s.

Barn Swallow  2  flying low, back and forth over the lake, s.

Mountain Chickadee  2  vocal in pines, ne.

Red-breasted Nuthatch  4   calls, active in pines, ne, n, sw.

Bewick's Wren  2  calls, active along fence line, ne, w.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  2  foraging in a tamarisk along the fence line, n.

European Starling   8  vocal, on utility line, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler  1 calls, foraging in pines and tamarisk, n.

Yellow-rumped (A-4, M-1) Warbler   5  calls; one distinctively pitched like a myrtle; pines, e, n.

Chipping Sparrow  1  calls; on fence briefly, ne.

Lark Sparrow  2  song, sw.

Sage Sparrow  22  a large flock of 12 or more drinking from a puddle in an adjacent field, e (photo).

 

Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli nevadensis) northeast Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  4 Oct. 2012

 

Savannah Sparrow  2  active along fence line, ne, n.

Fox Sparrow  1 ( noted large bill, gray upperparts suggesting stephensi)  scratching vigorously in dry pine needles near the fence, n (photo).

Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca c.f. stephensi) north Apollo Park, LACO, CA  4 Oct. 2012

                                                                               © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Lincoln's Sparrow  1  on fence briefly, sw (photo).

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) southwest Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  4 Oct, 2012

                                                                                                       © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

White-crowned Sparrow   16 (ad, imm) ubiquitous along fence line; several feeding on re-seeded lawn, s.

Red-winged Blackbird  1  song, in pines, s.

Brewer's Blackbird  10  (m,f)  vocal, foraging on shore and on re-seeded lawns.

Lesser Goldfinch   2  calls, pines, sw.

House Sparrow  10   vocal, around buildings, s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 (43 Species)

Weather: Overcast; 61F to 84F; wind WSW 0 - 1 mph.

Time: 0715 - 1025 hrs.

Area Covered: I initially walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, then a counter-clockwise route, visually covering all of the park and the fields immediately adjacent to it. Increasing numbers of Sunday visitors began arriving at 0930 hrs; several with leashed dogs. Noise from aircraft (helicopters and vintage planes) was nearly constant for the first hour of the survey, rendering the detection of bird vocalizations nearly impossible on the west side of the park near the airfield.

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.), Great Egret (4), Common Tern (1), Anna's Hummingbird (1), Willow Flycatcher (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Mountain Chickadee (2), and MacGillivray's Warbler (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose  65-75.- cont. scattered around the park in loose flocks, foraging on lawns.

Greater White-fronted Goose  1-cont.  with domestic geese on lawn; entering lake s.

Snow Goose  1 -cont.  with domestic geese on lawn; entering lake, s

Ross's Goose  2 - cont.  with domestic geese on lawn, entering lake, s.

Gray-lag Goose  25-35  domestic and hybrid, scattered around the park; taking bread crumbs from park visitors, s.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  2  on lawn with domestic geese, se.

Mallard (wild-type)  120 (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake.

Mallard (domestic, incl. hybrids) 60   mostly on the south shore.

Cinnamon Teal  5 (f) flew in from the west, se.

Muscovy Duck (incl. hybrids)  4 on shore, n-central.

Pied-billed Grebe  5  swimming, resting on island shore, central, n, s.

Double-crested Cormorant  6  swimming; flying; perched in trees on se island.

Great Blue Heron  2  fly, calls, n.

Great Egret  4   two foraging on e shore; later four perched together in tree on se island.

Black-crowned Night Heron  5 ( 1 ad,  4 imm.)   fly, calls; perched in pines; two on shore, s.

American Coot  100 (rough est; definitely more than previous survey of Sep. 16)   ubiquitous; all in the water.

Killdeer  1 fly, call, central.

Common Tern  1 (ad. alt. plmg. noted dark markings on primaries) circling the se lake for at least 1.5 hr.; several plunge-dives (photos).

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) same individual in both photos,  southeast Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  23 September, 2012

  

                                                                            © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Anna's Hummingbird  1 (m)  in and around tamarisk, ne.

Belted Kingfisher  1  fly, call, s.

Willow Flycatcher  1  snatch-gleaning in tamarisk; tail flicking, se (photo).

                                                        © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1 (noted asymmetrical broken eye-ring) perched at about 10 ft. agl in pine along fence line; retreated to interior and out of view, n.

Black Phoebe  3  vocal; aerial-hawking insects from low perches, e.g. dragonfly smack-down and swallowed whole, n (photo).

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  23 Sep 2012

                                                                               © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Common Raven   4   one pair perched in pine; others fly, call, n.

Horned Lark  5   vocal, drinking from a puddle in adjacent field, s.

Barn Swallow  2  flying low, back and forth over lake, sw.

Mountain Chickadee  2  vocal in pines, nw, n.

Bewick's Wren  1  vocal, fence line, nw.

House Wren  1 vocal, territorial on fence line, ne.

European Starling  10  vocal, foraging on lawns, se.

Orange-crowned Warbler  15 calls, foraging in pairs and trios, mostly in tamarisk at fence line, n, e.

Yellow Warbler  5 calls; foraging in pairs in tamarisk with OCWA and WIWA, n, e.

MacGillivray's Warbler  2  calls repeated, staying low in tamarisk and other desert shrubs, e, n (photo).

MacGillivray's Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) e Apollo Park, LACO, CA  23 Sep 2012

                                                                            © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Common Yellowthroat  1 (f) foraging low in a tamarisk, se.

Wilson's Warbler   20 (m,f) calls, foraging in pairs and trios, mostly in tamarisk with OCWA and YEWA, fence lines, e, n.

Sage Sparrow  25   ubiquitous, vocal (calls and song) foraging on ground, lawns, adjacent saltbush fields, fence lines.

Savannah Sparrow  1  foraging on ground with SASP, se.

White-crowned Sparrow (gambelii)    10 (adult)  vocal, foraging on ground and edge of lawns, fence line, n.

Western Tanager  1 (f) low perch in pine, n.

Red-winged Blackbird  3  calls; foraging on lawns with BRBL, e.

Brewer's Blackbird   30  (m,f) flocks scattered around the park foraging on lawns.

House Finch  4  vocal, in pines, n.

Lesser Goldfinch  2  vocal, in pines, fence line, w.

House Sparrow  25  vocal, on and around buildings throughout the park.

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 16, 2012 (53 Species)

Weather: Fair; 57F to 88F; no wind.

Time: 0703 - 1110 hrs.

Area Covered: I initially walked a clockwise route around the park (0703-0930 hrs.) , then a diagonal and counter-clockwise route (0945-1100 hrs.).

The park was relatively quiet until about 0900 hrs. when dozens of visitors arrived, several with leashed dogs. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations except for occasional air traffic at the adjacent Fox Field landing strip. My initial route produced most of the bird species found today; the second circuit yielded eight additional species, primarily from the northern fence line.

Today's survey results were significantly different from those obtained two days ago (September 14, 2012: see notes below).  Only six species found during the previous survey were missed today (Blue-winged Teal, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great Horned Owl, Eurasian Collared Dove, Western Wood Pewee and White-breasted Nuthatch), whereas seventeen species were added (Cooper's Hawk, Black-necked Stilt, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Belted Kingfisher, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Black-throated Gray Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler,  Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Western Tanager, Brown-headed Cowbird and Lesser Goldfinch). The disparity in bird species diversity between the two morning surveys, two days apart, may be due to the combined effects of migration dynamics and a different survey schedule (e.g. today: start time: 0703 hrs. duration: 4hrs. 7 min.; previous survey: start time: 0850; duration: 2 hrs. 36 min.). These results underscore the importance of repeated surveys with similar schedules in order to achieve a reliable level of accuracy.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included (c.f. previous survey notes), Black-necked Stilt (6), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Mountain Chickadee (1- cont.), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 -cont.), Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (1),  and Vesper Sparrow (4 - cont.).

 

BIRDS NOTED

 

Canada Goose  65  A large flock feeding on lawns, n; some taking bread crumbs, including a small idividual (B. c.parvipes?) in adult plumage (photo).

 

                                   Canada Goose (Branta canadensis  two ssp.) n Apollo Park, LACO CA 16 Sep 2012

                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                     © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

Greater White-fronted Goose  1 (cont.) with domestic Gray-lag geese, s.

Snow Goose  1 (cont.) swimming with domestic Gray-lag geese, s.

Ross's Goose  2 (cont.) with SNGO, GRLA and GWFG, s.

Gray-lag Goose  (including hybrids)  25  sw, s.

Swan Goose  3  swimming with domestic geese   s.

Muscovy Duck  5 (including hybrids) with domestic ducks, s.

Mallard (wild-type)  120  scattered around edges of the lake.

Mallard (domestic and hybrid)  55 scattered around the edges of the lake and on islands.

Pied-billed Grebe  3  swimming, ne, se.

Double-crested Cormorant  10  flying w from se island at 0730 hrs.; 1 diving, s.

Cooper's Hawk 1 (adult) flying low between the pines, se.

American Coot   35  scattered around the edges of the lake.

Killdeer   2  central shoreline.

Black-necked Stilt  6  a  vocal, cohesive flock flying around the park to several different locations on shore (photo).

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)  Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  16 Sep. 2012

                                                                                                       © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ring-billed Gull  1 (ad) on shore of main beach, s.

Rock Pigeon  2  flying over the park, w.

Mourning Dove  2  foraging on the ground, w.

Belted Kingfisher   1  fly, call, ne.

Olive-sided Flycatcher  1 (cont.) perched tamarisks where it was found and photographed on Sep. 14 (see previous survey notes), w.

Willow Flycatcher  3   silent with some tail-flicking; generally low perches, semi-concealed in tamarisk and pines, nw, n, ne (photo).

Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) ne Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  16 Sep 2012

                                                                                                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1   noted calls and broken eye-ring; in shady, partially concealed branches within a mature pine tree, sw.

Black Phoebe  3   calls; low perches in trees; sallying to lawn, w, n, e.

Warbling Vireo 1  foraging in canopy of a pine tree, central.

Common Raven   6    calls;  two pair in pines, n.

Horned Lark   2  call, fly, adjacent field, sw.

Tree Swallow  1  flying low over lake; dipping into surface, central.

Barn Swallow  2  flying back and forth, low over the lake, s.

Mountain Chickadee  1-2   vocal (repertoire included at least three distinct phrases, repeated several times, including one sounding like GCSP.) pines, n.

Bewick's Wren  2  scold calls from fence line; HOWR nearby, nw, n (photo).

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) n Apollo Park, LACO, CA  16 Sep 2012

                                                                     © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

House Wren  2   together on fence; vocal; BEWR within 50 ft., n.  (photo).

House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon) n Apollo Park, LACO, CA 16 Sep 2012

                       

                                             © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1 (cont.) foraging in same tamarisk where it was found during the previous survey of 14 Sep., n.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1  scolding calls repeated in dense fence line shrubs, nwc.

European Starling    12  vocal, flying over park; foraging on bare ground and lawns w, central.

Orange-crowned Warbler    25  calls; actively foraging in pines and tamarisk around the park.

Yellow Warbler   10  foraging in pines and tamarisk, w, n, ne.

Yellow-rumped Warbler  1 (f) calls, foraging in tamarisk and pines, n.

MacGillivray's Warbler  1 (m) foraging low in tamarisk and undergrowth, n.

Black-throated Gray Warbler  1 (m) foraging in lower branches of pines, e.

Common Yellowthroat  1 (f) foraging low under tamarisk in tall grass, ne.

Wilson's Warbler   30  (m,f) calls; ubiquitous in pines and tamarisk with OCWA, YEWA.

Chipping Sparrow  2 (ad, imm) foraging on ground under tamarisk, n.

Brewer's Sparrow  3  foraging on ground; perched in tamarisk (photo).

Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) n Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  16 Sep 2012

                                                                                      © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Vesper Sparrow   4    a trio and singles foraging on lawns and in tall grass beneath tamarisk, nw, n (photo).

Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) Apollo Park, LACO, CA  16 Sep 2012

                                                                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Sage Sparrow  25   vocal; ubiquitous on bare ground, lawns and pines near the fence line; adjacent salt bush fields.

Lark Sparrow  2   vocal; in pines and foraging on ground, sw

Western Tanager  1 (f) perched in leafless branches of a tamarisk with BHGR and HOFI, w.

Black-headed Grosbeak  2  (imm. m; f)  calls; in tamarisk and pines, w, n.

Red-winged Blackbird   3 (m; imm)  mixed in with BRBL foraging on lawns and bare ground, central.

Brewer's Blackbird   30 (m,f)  vocal, shifting flocks of 10 -15 individuals foraging on lawns and shorelines..

Brown-headed Cowbird  1  calls, flying with BRBL, central.

House Finch   10  calls; in tamarisk and pines, w.

Lesser Goldfinch  4  calls, in tamarisk, w.

House Sparrow  25  around buildings, s, w.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 (41 Species)

Weather: Fair;  72F to 95F; no wind.

Time: 0850 - 1126 hrs.

Area Covered:  ! walked a clockwise route around the entire park, visually surveying all areas except for the central section. About 50 park visitors and several sheriff's deputies were present during the survey; a few people had leashed dogs. Several people were feeding waterfowl near the shore. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The northern fence line with surface water in shallow depressions, flanked by pines and tamarisk, attracted numerous warblers. Flycatchers favored the pines and tamarisk along the western fence line.

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 (1), Olive-sided Flycatcher (1), Mountain Chickadee (2), White-breasted Nuthatch (1) House Wren (1), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), , Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (1), Brewer's Sparrow (1), Vesper Sparrow (1),  and Black-headed Grosbeak (1).

BIRDS NOTED

 

Canada Goose   65  on lawns and in lake, n.

Greater White-fronted Goose  1  swimming with domestic Gray-lags, s-central.

Snow Goose  1  following domestic geese into the lake, s.

Ross's Goose  2  together following domestic geese into the lake, s.

Gray-lag Goose  30 (domestics and hybrids), on shore and swimming, s.

Swan Goose  2  with other domestic geese, s.

Muscovy Duck (including hybrids) 4  shoreline, south.

Mallard (wild type)  120  scattered around the lake, esp. s.

Mallard (domestic and hybrids)  55  scattered around the lake.

Blue-winged Teal 1 (f)  noted broken eye-ring, gray face, moderate size bill, s. (photo).

Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors) female  south Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  14 September, 2012

                                                                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Pied-billed Grebe   6  swimming, n, ne.

Double-crested Cormorant   6   swimming and perched in trees on island, se.

Black-crowned Night Heron  1 fly, call, w.

Eurasian Collared Dove  2  central.

Mourning Dove  1  flying over, ne.

Great Horned Owl  1 fluhed from pine tree, ne.

American Coot    20   scattered around the lake

Western Wood Pewee  1  in pines, nw.

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1  in tamarisk, w (photo)

Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)  west Apollo Park, LACO, CA 14 Sept. 2012

                                                                                  © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Willow Flycatcher   4  hawking insects from lawn and on outside branches of pines, w, n.

Black Phoebe   3   vocal; low perch in pines, w, n.

Warbling Vireo  1  foraging in tamarisk with OCWA and YEWA, e.

Common Raven    4  fly, call, n.

Horned Lark   4  fly, call, adjacent fields, e.'

Mountain Chickadee  2  vocal, foraging on pine cones in canopy of Aleppo pines, w, ne.

White-breasted Nuthatch  1 calls from pines, nw.

Bewick's Wren  1  calls, adjacent field near fence line, nw.

House Wren  1  on fence, n.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  1  foraging in tamarisk with OCWA and YEWA, n (photo).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)  north Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Sep 2012

.

                                                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  1  scold call, fence line pines, nw.

European Starling  5  vocal, flying, sw.

Orange-crowned Warbler   10  foraging in pines and tamarisk with YEWA, n, e. (photo).

Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothylpis celata) Apollo Park, LACO, CA 14 Sep 2012

                                                                              © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Yellow Warbler   15  foraging in pines and tamarisk around the park with OCWA (photo).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  14 Sep 2012

                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Wilson's Warbler  2 (m,f) foraging in pines and tamarisk, n.

Brewer's Sparrow  1  drinking and bathing in puddle beneath tamarisk, n.

Vesper Sparrow  1  foraging at edge of lawn with SGSP, n (photo).

Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) Apollo Park, CA  14 Sep 2012

                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Sage Sparrow   25  small flocks of 3-5 birds foraging on lawns, w, n, ne.

Black-headed Grosbeak  1  calls, in pines, n.

Red-winged Blackbird  2  fly, call, sw.

Brewer's Blackbird   10 (m,f) in and around parking lot, s.

House Finch   4  in pines, nw.

House Sparrow   20  around buildings and lawns, s.

 

 

 

 

 

AUGUST 31, 2012 (38 Species)

Weather: Fair, 77F to 87F; wind W, WSW  5 - 10 mph.

Time: 0745 - 1000 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park including the interior pathways. Subsequently, I returned to the southwest corner for a few minutes, to observe birds active in and around elms, pines and salt cedar. Increasing numbers of people arrived at the park by about the mid-point of my survey, including several with leashed dogs. A sheriff's patrol car was moving slowly through the eastern half of the park. Conditions were fair for identifying bird vocalizations, deteriorating by 0930 hrs. with increasing winds, air traffic, maintenance and recreational activities

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Ross's Goose (2 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Great Egret (3), Selasphorus sp. (1), Belted Kingfisher (1) and Empidonax sp.(1).

BIRDS NOTED

 

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (continuing.)  with domestic Gray-lag, Snow and Ross's geese, s.

Snow Goose  1 (cont.) with domestic geese and other sp. noted above.

Ross's Goose 2 (cont.) with other geese noted above.

Canada Goose   80  Three or four flocks around the park foraging on lawns; resting on shore.

Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrids) 30  scattered around the park, esp.beach and lawns; being fed by park visitors, s.

Chinese Goose  2  s.

Muscovy Duck (including hybrids)  4, s.

Mallard (wild-type)  150 scattered around edges of the lake and islands.

Mallard (domestic and hybrids) 35  shorelines around the park, mixed with wild-types.

Pied-billed Grebe  4  swimming, s, central.

Double-crested Cormorant (ad, imm) resting on island in trees; swimming, diving, s, ne.

Great Blue Heron  1 resting in pines on BCNH (none seen today) island, ne.

Great Egret  3  resting on island, se; two separate individuals on shore, ne, n-central.

Turkey Vulture  2  soaring to the west of the park.

Cooper's Hawk  1 (f) flushed from pines, se.

American Coot   20   shorelines around the park.

Killdeer   1  calls, central.

Spotted Sandpiper  1 foraging on shoreline of island, ne.

Ring-billed Gull  2 (C1, C2) on main beach, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove   1  on a utility pole, s.

Rock Pigeon  6  flying in a tight flock over park, w.

Mourning Dove  2   one foraging on bare ground, central.

Anna's Hummingbird  1  aerial hawking around canopy of an elm, swc.

Selasphorus sp.  1 (imm)  note slight rufous tinge to belly and under tail coverts and short bill; hovering around a salt cedar, nec (photos)

 

                                     Selasphorus sp.  northeast Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA   31 August, 2012

  

                                                                             © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Belted Kingfisher  1 dove in lake twice (unsuccessfully) then perched in lower branches of pines of ne islands.

Empidonax sp.   1 (note large head, stout bill with entirely flesh-colored mandible, unbroken eyering, primary projection and fresh fall plumage); actively flycatching (silent except for an audible bill-snap) in large salt cedar, swc (photo).

Empidonax sp.   southwest Apollo Park, LACO, CA  31 Aug, 2012

                                                                                           © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ash-throated Flycatcher  1  in salt cedars, w.

Black Phoebe   3   vocal; middle and low perches in trees and on fences around the park.

Common Raven   6   a pair perched in a low pine branch, sec;  others vocal, flying over park.

Horned Lark   2  fly, call, saltbush scrub in adjacent fields, e, s.

Bewick's Wren  2   vocal, active in salt cedar, pines, elm, nec, swc.

European Starling  15   vocal;  on utility lines, pines; foraging on the ground with BRBL

Orange-crowned Warbler 1  calls, active in pines, e.

Yellow Warbler  2 (f)  actively foraging in pines and salt cedar, nec (photo).

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia aestiva) female   northeast Apollo Park, LACO CA 31 Aug 2012

                                                                                           ©  2012 Callyn Yorke

  

Sage Sparrow    16  calls, in small flocks of 3 - 5 birds, foraging on lawns, shoreline, fence lines, around the park (photo).

Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli)  northeast Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  31 August, 2012

                                                                                          ©  2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Red-winged Blackbird  1 (f) foraging on lawn with BRBL, central.

Brewer's Blackbird   50 (m,f)   large flocks foraging on lawns, shorelines, bare ground throughout the park.

Lesser Goldfinch  1 (m) calls from utility line, s.

House Sparrow  25  a large flock foraging on the shore, s.        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUGUST 4, 2012 (36 Species)

 

Weather: Partly cloudy; 72F to 82 F. Wind wnw  1 -3 mph.

Time: 0720 - 0910 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire park, including the interior. Only about 4 fishermen were on the shoreline; several joggers and walkers made their way around the park during my survey. The park was largely vacant and quiet. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - continuing), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Ross' Goose (2 - cont.), Western Tanager (2) and Sage Sparrow (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose  1 - cont.  resting with domestic geese on lawn, central.

Snow Goose  1 - cont.  resting on lawn with domestic geese, central.

Ross's Goose  2 - cont.  resting on lawn with domestic geese, central.

Canada Goose   80  several loose flocks scattered around the edge of the lake.

Gray-lag Goose   25  (ad, imm)  scattered around the interior and edges of the lake.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  4  resting with other domestic geese, central, north.

Mallard (wild type)  120 scattered around the edges of the lake.

Mallard (domestic)  30  central and southern edges of the lake.

Muscovy Duck   2  edge of the lake, north-central.

Pied-billed Grebe  4   one sitting on a "nest" of aquatic vegetation at the edge of an island, north-east;  two swimming; calls.

Great Blue Heron   2  resting on shore of island; one in a pine tree.

Great Egret   2  resting on se island;  one on shore, n-central.

Black-crowned Night Heron  2  (ad, imm)  one adult in a pine tree; one imm on shore of an island, ne; nesting colony apparently abandoned; islands all have been swept clean of vegetation and debris below the pines.

Double-crested Cormorant  25 ( ad;  85% full-grown imms.)  most on se island; a few swimming and diving, s.

Ring-billed Gull   3 (ad) on shore, s.

Forster's Tern  2 (ad)   flying slowly about 50 ft. above the lake, se, then eastward out of the park.

American Coot  2  on shore and swimming, s-central.

Mourning Dove  2 fly, call; on utility line, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove  2  on beach; calls, s.

Rock Pigeon   4  landing on shore, s.

Barn Owl  1 - fresh primary feather, (owner unseen), central.

Anna's Hummingbird  1 (f) hovering around elm tree, sw.

Western Kingbird  2  on fence, ne.

Black Phoebe  1  fly, call; low perch, w.

Common Raven   6  fly, call; ad feeding young, s.

Horned Lark  25  flying, calls, s.

Barn Swallow  2  fly, call, e.

European Starling  17  on utility pole; foraging on lawn, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler  1 active in lower branches of pines, calls, ne.

Western Tanager  2 (m) active, vocal in elm and tamarisk, sw.

Sage Sparrow  3 (imm) foraging on lawn; calls, nw.

Brewer's Blackbird   20 (m,f) foraging on lawns and on bare ground, s.

Great-tailed Grackle  3 (m imm; f) calling repeatedly in pines, s.

Hooded Oriole  1 (f) with WETA in tamarisk, sw.

House Finch  10  fly, call; active in pines and ornamental trees, w.

Lesser Goldfinch  2  calls, pines, tamarisk, sw.

House Sparrow  30  around buildings with lawns, bare ground and tall shrubs for cover, s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 29, 2012 (37 Species)

Weather: Fair; 64F to 78F; wind W 0- 2mph.

Time: 0726 - 1000 hrs.

Area Covered:  I walked a clockwise route once around the perimeter of the park, exclusive of the interior pathways. Relatively few visitors were present in the park until about 0900 hrs. I used a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera for the survey.

BIRDS NOTED

 

Snow Goose  1 - cont.  flying around and landing on the se island.

Ross's Goose  2 -cont.   a pair swimming together, se.

Canada Goose   50 (including about 14 goslings), scattered around the park; foraging on the lawns.

Gray-lag Goose  (including hybrids)  20  shoreline and swimming, s.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  3  swimming together, se.

Muscovy Duck (including mallard hybrids) 3  on shore, se.

Gadwall  2  (m,f)  on shore of ne island.

Mallard (wild-type)  12 (m,f)  pairs on islands and shorelines around the park

Mallard (domestic, hybrids)  (m,f)  40-60  scattered around the park.

Ruddy Duck  1 (m)  s.

California Quail   2  running at edge of saltbush scrub, s.

Pied-billed Grebe    3    one swimming, s;  a pair on and near nest on concrete shore of a ne island.

Black-crowned Night Heron   25  (90% ad. alt. plmg.) in pines and on islands, ne, se; nests difficult to see;  5-10 pair appeared to be vocal and nesting.

Killdeer  1  fly, call, n.

California Gull   13   ( imm C1, C2)  being fed by someone on the n shore.

Ring-billed Gull   6 (imm, C1)  on shore, s, n.

Rock Pigeon   1 flushed from pines, se.

Eurasian Collared Dove  2  calls, s.

Mourning Dove  6  pairs around the park, on lawns and bare ground.

Western Wood Pewee   3  sally-flycatching from exposed perches atop tamarisk and other trees with bare branches.

Willow Flycatcher  2  sally-flycatching from lower branches of pines and cypress, n.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1  sally-flycatching in  interior branches and shaded areas of pines, nw.

Western Kingbird   5  vocal, flying between pines;  one building a nest about 12 ft. from ground in a young pine; using pink ribbon and small pieces of vegetation.

Black Phoebe  1  calls, e.

Warbling Vireo  2  active near top of pines; calls, pair staying within about 10 yards of each other, se.

Common Raven  4  flying between pines, calls, n.

Horned Lark  4  fly, call, adjacent saltbush scrub, e.

European Starling   15 (ad, imm)   ubiquitous on lawns; vocal.

Yellow Warbler  4  calls, song, active in pines, n, e, s.

Wilson's Warbler  2  song, in pines, n.

Sage Sparrow   3  on ground and in pines, se, s.

Western Tanager  3  (f)  active in pines; calls, ne, e.

Brewer's Blackbird   6 (m,f)   on lawns, n.

Great-tailed Grackle   4  (m,f)  fly, call, ne.

Brown-headed Cowbird   1  calls, e.

Bullock's Oriole   1 (f) in pines, e.

House Finch  12 (m,f) ubiquitous in pines and on lawns.

House Sparrow  35  around buildings throughout the park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 18, 2012 (47 Species)

Weather: Fair; 57F to 60F; winds WNW 5 -15 mph.

Time: 0706 - 0950 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake then into the central section on diagonal paths. A maintenance crew was raking along the west and northwest fence line. Relatively few fishermen were present during the survey. Windy conditions in the park probably resulted in fewer birds seen and identified than expected without wind. Sheltered areas (eastern sections) had dense swarms of aerial Diptera, attracting numerous flycatchers and warblers. I used a 10 x 42 binocular and DSLR camera for the survey.

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.), Willow Flycatcher (4), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose  1 (ad. - cont.) with domestic geese, s.

Snow Goose  1 (ad. -cont) with domestic geese, s.

Ross's Goose  2 (ad. - cont) on se island and s beach.

Canada Goose  40 ( including several small goslings)  on lawns and shorelines throughout.

Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids)  25  scattered around the shorelines; several eggs on the se island probably from this species.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  2   on shore, s.

Gadwall    3 (m,f) swimming near shore, ne.

Mallard (wild-type)  m,f   scattered around the shore and on lawns.

Mallard (domestic and hybrids)  35  on shorelines and on lawns throughout.

Ruddy Duck   12 (m,f; alt. plmg.) resting in middle of lake, s.

Pied-billed Grebe  2  swimming near shore, ne.

Double-crested Cormorant   14  (ad, imm) resting on shore; flying, swimming, se, ne.

Cattle Egret  1 (ad. alt. plmg.)  on se island (photo).

Cattle Egret (alternate plumage) Apollo Park, LACO, 18 May 2012

                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Black-crowned Night Heron   25 (ad. alt. plmg.) vocal, on shore and nesting in pines on two ne islands. Nests well concealed and largely undetectable from the mainland.

American Coot  4  swimming near shore, s.

Killdeer  2  a pair vocalizing in flight around the park.

Spotted Sandpiper   7  foraging on shorelines, ne, n-central.

Ring-billed Gull   7  (C1-2) on main beach; attracted to people feeding domestic waterfowl.

Caspian Tern  1  call, flying, w (unseen).

Eurasian Collared Dove  2  calls, on path, central.

Rock Pigeon  3  flying around buildings; on lawn, s.

Mourning Dove  8  calls, in pines, on ground throughout.

Western Wood Pewee   6   calls; sally-flycatching from low perches in pines, on fences, throughout.

Willow Flycatcher  4  sally-flycatching, one pair chasing each other, vocalizing, from fence and low pine branches, n (photo), e.

Willow Flycatcher  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  18 May, 2012

                                                                                            © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1  sally-flycatching 6 -10 ft. between pines and cypress, n.

Black Phoebe  1  near shore and dock, nw.

Say's Phoebe  1  calls, fence line and adjacent salt bush desert scrub, se.

Western Kingbird   6  vocal, active in pines; aerial flycatching, n.

Warbling Vireo  1  song repeated, active in pines, se.

Common Raven  6  in pines; flying around.

Horned Lark  4  on ground in adjacent salt bush desert scrub, e.

Cliff Swallow  1  flying into wind at about 50 ft. near BASW, e..

Barn Swallow  1  flying with CLSW into wind at about 30 ft., e.

Swainson's Thrush  1  foraging in wet spot on lawn; flew into a cypress, n.

European Starling  10 foraging on lawns throughout.

Yellow Warbler  1 (m) foraging in pines, n.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler  1 (m) foraging in pines with WIWA, sw.

Townsend's Warbler  5 (m)  calls; foraging in pines throughout.

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 ?  calls, not seen clearly, concealed at base of small tamarisk, se.

Wilson's Warbler  30 (m,f)   active, vocal in pines throughout.

Sage Sparrow   10  foraging singly on ground at edge of lawn, n, se; singing in adjacent burned field, n.

Western Tanager   8  (1 f; 7 m)   vocal, foraging in pairs and singly in pines; snatch-gleaning from foliage; n, e.

Red-winged Blackbird   5  song, calls, flooded lawns and puddles, n, e.

Yellow-headed Blackbird  1 (f) on lawn with BRBL, se.

Brewer's Blackbird   20 (m,f)  vocal, foraging on lawns, shore throughout.

Great-tailed Grackle  30 (m,f) foraging on lawns and shore throughout.

House Finch   8 (m,f)   on lawns and in pines, throughout.

House Sparrow   30 on lawns, shore, around buildings throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAY 7,8  2012 (60 Species)

 

Weather: Fair; 58F no wind.(5/7); Fair, 86F; winds ENE 5 - 7 mph.

Time: 0721 -1000 hrs.(5/7); 1623 - 1820 hrs. (5/8).

Area Covered:  (5/7) I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, then in the reverse direction to the northwest corner. Near the end of my survey I met Kris Ohlenkamp, who had just spotted an Indigo Bunting along the west fence line. This bird (a new species for the Apollo Park bird list) had been reported here yesterday by Becky and Steve Turley, and was easily refound this morning (see photo and notes below). Subsequently, another birder named Judy arrived in the park, who was also looking for the INBU. The park was quite busy with many fishermen; one was seen landing a large (ca 10 inch) trout. Swarms of airborne diptera occurred around the pines, attracting many warblers. (5/8) I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park, focusing mostly on the perimeter trees. A Palm Warbler was reported here yesterday by Jon Feenstra. Special attention was given to finding this rarity. Meanwhile, the INBU and LABU continued in the same area of the park (western fence line). Several additional species were found during this late afternoon survey, including Great Horned Owl (2), Hammond's Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher and White-crowned Sparrow. Birds added to yesterday's list are indicated below (5/8). Most of the species I found in the park yesterday were found again today, with the exception of Western Grebe, Townsend's Warbler and Swainson's Thrush.

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.)Ring-necked Duck (1), Dusky Flycatcher (1), Cassin's Vireo (3), Swainson's Thrush (2), Lazuli Bunting (2) and Indigo Bunting (1).

 

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose  1  resting on lawn with other domestic geese, se.

Snow Goose  1  resting on se island with domestic waterfowl.

Ross's Goose  2  on lawn with other domestic geese, se.

Canada Goose   30  foraging on lawns around the park.

Gray-lag Goose  15 (including hybrids) mostly along the shore, s.

Swan (Chinese) Goose  1 (m) swimming near shore, sw.

Muscovy Duck  3  resting on shore, s.

Gadwall  1 (m)  swimming near shore, se.

Mallard (wild type)  30 (m,f)  mostly paired, on shore, swimming, throughout the park.

Ring-necked Duck  1 (m) swimming near se island (photo).

Ring-necked Duck (male) Apollo Park, LACO, CA  7 May, 2012

                                                              © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ruddy Duck  12  resting in middle of lake, se.

California Quail  2  calls, adjacent field, se.

Pied-billed Grebe  1  swimming near RNDU, se.

Western Grebe  1 swimming, n-central.

Double-crested Cormorant  20 (ad, imm), on se island; two near top of pines.

Black-crowned Night Heron  25 (90% adult); on pine islands, in pines; two nests visible, one occupied by adult; a few on shore; one flying with small twig, ne.

American Coot  12  close to se island (5/8).

Killdeer  1 calls, s-central (5/8).

Spotted Sandpiper  1 (alt. plmg.) on shore, se.

Ring-billed Gull  3 (imm) on shore, s, se.

Rock Pigeon  3  on lawn, se (5/8)

Eurasian Collared Dove  1  calling, nw.

Mourning Dove  6  on lawns, bare ground, flying.

Great Horned Owl  2 (fledglings; one with down feathers around face) perched together at about 10 ft in large pine, ne (5/8).

Black Phoebe  1 low perch, w.

Western Wood Pewee  1  adjacent tamarisk; calls, w. (1 flycatching from exposed snag, nw, photo (5/8).

Western Wood Pewee   Apollo Park, LACO, CA  8 May, 2012

                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1  low perch in pine, n.

Dusky Flycatcher  1 (note round head, moderately long, light-colored bill and short primary projection); silent; medium-height perch in pine, sw (photo).

Dusky Flycatcher   Apollo Park  LACO, CA  7 May, 2012

                                                                              © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Gray Flycatcher  1 sally-gleaning to ground from chain-link fence; bobbing long tail downward se (5/8).

Hammond's Flycatcher  1 (note small bill and dark flanks)   flycatching from low perch in pine, se (5/8 - photo).

Hammond's Flycatcher  Apollo Park, LACO, CA 8 May 2012

                                                    © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Western Kingbird  2  flying over pines, calls, n.

Cassin's Vireo  3   foraging in pines and elms, se, ne, nw (photo).

Cassin's Vireo  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  7 May 2012

                                                  © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Common Raven  4   calls, flying around the park.

Horned Lark   3  calls,  on ground in adjacent field, se.

Tree Swallow  1 flying west over park (5/8).

Barn Swallow  2  flying low and high above se lake (5/8).

Cliff Swallow  2  flying low over adjacent field and se lake (5/8).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  4  flying 20 - 80 ft. over se lake (5/8).

Bank Swallow ? 1 small size, white below; breast band not seen clearly, with other swallows, se lake (5/8).

Hermit Thrush  1  rusty, contrasting tail color; secluded in tamarisk under pine, n (5/8).

Swainson's Thrush  2  shady areas beneath pines along fence line; calls, n, nw (photo).

Swainson's Thrush    northwest Apollo Park, LACO, CA  7 May 2012

                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

European Starling   12   foraging on lawns, n.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)   6 (m,f)  foraging in pines and tamarisk, nw, w.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1 f  note white throat; foraging in pines, n (5/8 - photo).

Yellow-rumped Myrtle Warbler   Apollo Park, LACO, CA   8 May, 2012

                                                                             © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Yellow Warbler  2 (m)   foraging in pines, n.

Townsend's Warbler  2 (m)   foraging in pines, n (photo).

Townsend's Warbler (male)  Apollo Park  LACO, CA   7 May 2012

                                                                                                        © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Hermit Warbler  1 (f) foraging in pines, se (photo).

Hermit Warbler (female)  Apollo Park  LACO, CA  7 May, 2012

                                                                                                        © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Orange-crowned Warbler  3  foraging in pines, se, n.

Wilson's Warbler   30  foraging in pines throughout; calls and song.

Palm Warbler ?  1 (note faint wingbars on gray upperparts,  faint terminal whitish marks on tail; yellow wrap-around on neck; faint streaks on yellow underparts; moving quickly through lower branches of a pine, n (5/8 - photo).

Palm Warbler?  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  8 May 2012

                                                                           © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) note gray lores;on ground in ne corner (5/8 - photo).

Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow  Apollo Park,  8 May 2012

                                                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Sage Sparrow  6  fly, call, song, adjacent saltbush scrub, e.

Chipping Sparrow  10 (ad) foraging on lawns, w (photo).

Chipping Sparrow  Apollo Park  LACO, CA  7 May, 2012

                                                                               © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Savannah Sparrow  1  calls, adjacent field, ne.

Western Tanager   6  (m) in and around pines throughout the park; calls..

Lazuli Bunting  2 (m,f) foraging on lawn with INBU, w.

Indigo Bunting  1 (m)  foraging vigilantly on lawn with LABU (photo).

Indigo Bunting (male)  Apollo Park  LACO, CA  7 May, 2012

                                                                                  © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Brewer's Blackbird  10  on lawns; in pines, n.

Great-tailed Grackle  20  (m,f) one riding on the back of a BCNH as it flew from the ne island.

Brown-headed Cowbird  1 (m) calls, flying from lawn to tamarisk, w.

House Finch   4 (m,f) in pines, n.

House Sparrow  30  (m,f) ubiqitous, vocal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APRIL 27, 2012 (43 Species)

Weather: Fair; no wind; 75F.

Time: 1530 - 1705 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake including part of the interior diagonal pathway on the north side. Many people, some with dogs, were in the park during my survey. A recent fire (happening sometime since my previous survey of April 19, 2012) in the field bordering the northern fence line has destroyed several acres of desert saltbush scub habitat, including two small, riparian areas where landbirds ( thrushes, sparrows, wrens, warblers, etc.) had previously come to use puddles of water for bathing and drinking. Conditions were otherwise good for finding and identifying birds. Today was the first day of the three-day Los Angeles County Audubon's "ABC" event. Apollo Park is scheduled to be closed from April 30 through May 5 for maintenance.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today, included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont.), Snow Goose (1 -cont.) Ross's Goose (2; one relatively new arrival, see previous 2012 surveys) Common Loon, several species of warbler (e.g. Black-throated Gray, Orange-crowned, Nashville and Wilson's), Brewer's Sparrow (1) and Sage Sparrow (1). Additionally, at least three nests occupied by Black-crowned Night Heron were found.

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose (1 -cont.) swimming with domestic geese, s (photo).

Greater White-fronted Goose  Apollo Park, LACO, CA   27 April, 2012

                                                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Snow Goose  1- cont.  resting on se island with domestic geese (photo).

Snow Goose   Apollo Park, LACO, CA   27 April, 2012

                                                                                           © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ross's Goose  2  one swimming with other domestic geese and ducks, s (photo); the other (a slightly larger individual)on se island, swimming west

Ross's Goose   Apollo Park, LACO, CA  27 April, 2012

                                                                                                                             © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Canada Goose   30 scattered around the park on lawns and in the water; noticably fewer than during winter months.

Gray-lag Goose   10 (including hybrids)  swimming, resting on shore; taking handouts from folks on the beach, s.

Chinese (Swan) Goose  3  swimming, s.

Muscovy Duck  3  on shore, s.

Gadwall  4  (m,f)  two pair, each swimming close together, ne.

Mallard (wild type)  50 (m,f) around the edges of the lake; swimming.

Mallard (domestic, hybrids)  60 mostly in the southern half of the park; taking handouts from folks on the main beach.

Bufflehead  1 (f) diving, n.

Ruddy Duck   12 (m,f; alt. plmg.) resting, s, ne.

California Quail  2   walking on the edge of burned area, n.

Common Loon  1 (bsc. plmg.) diving, n-central (photo).

Common Loon  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  27 April, 2012

                                                                        © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Pied-billed Grebe  1  swimming, n-central.

Double-crested Cormorant   10 (ad, imm) diving, resting on shore of island, ne.

Black-crowned Night Heron  15  several in pines on islands; three nests (two shown below) with adult birds on each, ne (photo).

Black-crowned Night Heron (adults)  ne Apollo Park pine islands,  LACO, CA  27 April, 2012

   

                                                                         © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

American Coot  30  scattered around the park; noticably fewer individuals than last month.

Killdeer 1  fly, call, central.

California Gull  5 (ad, imm) on main beach, flying around park vocalizing, s.

Ring-billed Gull 12 (ad, imm) on main beach, and in water, s.

Rock Pigeon  1 in pine, n.

Mourning Dove  2  flying through park, s.

Eurarian Collared Dove  2  calls; foraging on ground, s.

Barn Owl  2  flushed from pines, e (photo). another (different) individual, nw.

Barn Owl  Apollo Park, LACO, CA  27 April, 2012

                                                                      © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Western Kingbird   5  vocal, sally-flycatching from pines around the park; some intraspecific interactions.

Pacific Slope Flycatcher  1  sally-flycatching from low branches of pines, sw.

Common Raven   4  flying, calls; in pines.

Northern Mockingbird   1 singing, central.

European Starling   12  foraging on lawns throughout the park; vocal.

Orange-crowned Warbler  1  in pines and cypress, n.

Nashville Warbler  1 (m) in pines and cypress with OCWA and YRWA, n.

Black-throated Gray Warbler  2  calls (unseen) in pines, ne.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler    60  vocal, ubiquitous.

Wilson's Warbler   10  vocal, ubiquitous, esp. in pines.

Western Tanager  1 (m) flying between pines, e.

Sage Sparrow  1  on saltbush in adjacent field about 100 yards away and nearly out of binocular range, e (photo).

Sage Sparrow, AP  27 April, 2012

                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Savannah Sparrow   3  on ground near fence line, with WCSP, n.

White-crowned Sparrow   4 (ad) on ground near fence line, n.

Dark-eyed Junco  1  calls from a pine tree where well-concealed (unseen), s.

Brewer's Sparrow  1 singing (briefly) atop salt bush in adjacent field, e (photo).

Brewer's Sparrow  Apollo Park,  CA   27 April, 2012

                                   © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Brewer's Blackbird   45  (m,f) scattered around the park on lawns; vocal.

Great-tailed Grackle   15  (m,f) ubiquitous; vocal; males displaying together in trees, s.

House Sparrow  15  active on ground around buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

APRIL 19, 2012 (46 Species)

Weather: Fair; 80F to 70F; winds WNW increasing to 20 mph.

Time: 1712 - 1850 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a diagonal route through the park, then from the southeast lake, a counter-clockwise route around the entire park. Many people were in the park, including fishermen, joggers and dog owners. A sheriff's deputy in a patrol car stopped and asked if I was birdwatching. Except for increasing winds, conditions were good for finding and identifying birds. I used a 10x40 binocular and DSLR camera for the survey. The park is scheduled for closure April 30 - May 5.

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose  60  most in the water and on shore.

Greater White-fronted Goose  1- continuing) swimming with domestic geese, s.

Ross's Goose  2   one flying, calling; the other swimming, se.

Chinese Goose  2  swimming with other domestic geese, s.

Gray-lag Goose  15 (including hybrids) swimming; taking handouts on the main beach, s.

Muscovy Duck   2   on shore, s.

Gadwall  2 (m,f) swimming, ne.

Mallard (wild type)  85  scattered around the lake; many paired.

Mallard (domestic)  35  mostly around the main beach, s.

Northern Shoveler  2 (m) edge of ne island in water.

Bufflehead  6 (m,f)  open water, n.

Ruddy Duck   12 (m,f two m in alt. plmg.)  n-central.

California Quail  2 crossing road near entrance.

Double-crested Cormorant  24 (ad, imm)  19 together on se island; others swimming.

Black-crowned Night Heron  5 (ad) in pines on islands, ne. No nests seen.

American Coot   20 scattered around the lakes.

Killdeer  1 flying, se.

Black-necked Stilt 6  on shore, se.

Whimbrel 10  flying in a tight flock, w near Avenue G and 50th St. West.

Spotted Sandpiper  2 (alt. plmg.)    foraging amongst decomposing pine needles and debris on shore with LESA, se (photo).

Spotted Sandpiper (rear) with LESA, Apollo Park, LACO CA 19 April 2012

                                                                                    © 2012 Callyn Yorke

Western Sandpiper  1  foraging on shore with LESA, se (photo).

Western Sandpiper (adult in alternate plumage) Apollo Park LACO CA  19 April, 2012

                                                                                                 © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

Ring-billed Gull   30 (ad, imm)  on shore; flying, s.

California Gull  10 (ad, imm) on shore, flyinf, s, n.

Mourning Dove  8  in trees and on utility lines, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove  2  fly, call, s.

Black Phoebe   3  low perch in pines around the lake.

Western Kingbird  2  fly, call, w.

Common Raven   6  flying; perched in pines.

Tree Swallow   25  flying in loose flock at 100- 150 ft. in late afternoon, e.

Barn Swallow   2  flying lower than TRSW, e.

Rough-winged Swallow   40  flying 30 - 100 ft, back and forth over saltbush scrub, e.

Hermit Thrush  1  in shady area with junipers and tamarisk, n.

European Starling  10  fly, call, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler  1 flying between pines, ne.

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

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler  60  active, calls, in and around pines throughout the park.

Common Yellowthroat  2  active, calls, in saltbush scrub adjacent to fence line, n.

White-crowned Sparrow  5  beneath pines and around planted shrubs, n, sw.

Savannah Sparrow  roadside and fence line near entrance; calls.

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)  1 beneath pines, s.

Red-winged Blackbird  2(m) feeding on lawn with other icterids; song, s.

Yellow-headed Blackbird  1 (f) feeding on lawn with other icterids, s.

Brewer's Blackbird   50 (m,f) small flocks scattered around the park foraging on lawns and bare ground.

Brown-headed Cowbird   4 (m,f) foraging on lawn with other icterids, s.

Great-tailed Grackle  30 (m,f) foraging on lawns, shore; fly, calls, throughout the park.

House Finch  10  around fences, n, and entrance; song.

House Sparrow   20 foraging with icterids on bare ground, s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARCH 20, 2012 (44 Species)

Weather: Fair; 39F; no wind. Flooding was evident in surrounding fields, following a recent storm passing through the region a few days ago.

Time: 0837 - 1019 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park, surveying all habitats, including adjacent Atriplex fields. A few fishermen were around the lake, along with people walking their dogs on a leash. A LACO sheriff's cruiser was patrolling the pathways during my survey. Several sections of lawn had been recently reseeded. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Ross's Goose (continuing +1), Snow Goose (1 - cont.), Greater White-fronted Goose (1 - cont), and five species of swallow (see below).

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose  1 (continuing); calls from middle of lake, se.

Ross's Goose (2) staying close together near shore (see photo above).

Canada Goose  60  pairs and small flocks scattered around the park on lawns and swimming.

Gray-lag Goose   25  (including domestic hybrids) scattered around the park; noisy and agressive on shore as I approached.

Chinese Goose   4  swimming, se.

Muscovy Duck   3  on shore, se.

Mallard (wild-type)  150 (m,f) scattered around park on shore and islands.

Mallard (domestic & hybrids)  40  scattered around the shorelines.

Gadwall  2 (m,f) swimming, se.

Northern Shoveler  120 (m,f) swimming, resting on shore throughout.

Bufflehead  25 (m,f) diving, open water throughout the park.

Ruddy Duck  40 (m,f; 50% alt. plmg.)  resting, open water throughout the park.

Pied-billed Grebe  2 open water, n-central.

Double-crested Cormorant  2  on island, se.

Great Blue Heron  1  flying over adjacent field, ne.

Black-crowned Night Heron  30 (ad, imm) in pines on islands; fly, calls, ne.

American Coot  500  ubiquitous.

Ring-billed Gull   25  (90% adult) on shore, island, se.

California Gull  4 (ad, C1 imm) on island, se and main beach, s.

Eurasian Collared Dove  6  fly, calls, s.

Mourning Dove   8  pines, sw; calls.

Black Phoebe  3  edge of lawns, se, e; calls.

Say's Phoebe  1  atop large Atriplex in field, se.

Common Raven  8  in pines around park;  pairs giving alarm calls.

Tree Swallow   100(conserv. est. 2 -3 imm.) flying low, back and forth over adjacent flooded fields and lake.

Violet-green Swallow   20  flying with TRSW, outer edge of park, s, se.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1  flying back and forth over field by the fence line; one on utility line (photo), s.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopterix serripennis)    Apollo Park, Los Angeles County, CA  March 20, 2012

                                                                                                                          © 2012 Callyn Yorke

 

 

Cliff Swallow   20  flying low, back and forth over flooded field, s, e.

Barn Swallow  1  flying low over flooded field, se.

Marsh Wren  1  singing (unseen) in dense growth in flooded field, along fence line, n.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet   4  active, vocal in pines, e, ne.

American Robin  1  on fence, sw.

European Starlng     30  a tight flock foraging on lawn, se.

American Pipit  1  fly, call (unseen) ne.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (A)  60 (m,f) active, vocal in pines and on lawns throughout.

Common Yellowthroat  1 (m)  in soggy grass near small pond at the n fence line.

Lincoln's Sparrow  1  bathing in small pond at fence line, n.

White-crowned Sparrow   30  (ad, imm) ubiquitous around the edges of the park.

Dark-eyed Junco (thurberi)      60  vocal, active on ground and in pines throughout.

Red-winged Blackbird  6 (m,f) vocal in trees; foraging on lawns, se.

Western Meadowlark  1  song, adjacent field, se.

Brewer's Blackbird   40 (m,f) foraging on lawns and newly re-seeded areas throughout.

Great-tailed Grackle   10 (m,f) active, vocal on ground and in trees throughout.

House Finch  4  active, vocal in pines, s.

House Sparrow  15  foraging in newly reseeded areas, s.

 

 

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