Bird Surveys
Holiday Lake, Quail Lake, Nebeker Ranch, Lake Hughes and the Southwestern Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, CA © 2010 Callyn Yorke
February 28, 2011 Holiday Lake, Avenue I, 110th Street West, Western Antelope Valley
January 16, 2011, Quail Lake and Holiday Lake
January 5, 2011 Nebeker Ranch, Holiday Lake, Quail Lake Outlet, Western Antelope Valley
December 13, 2010 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake
December 4, 2010 West Lake Hughes
November 17, 2010 Quail Lake, Holiday Lake, West Lake Hughes
November 10, 2010 Quail Lake, Holiday Lake, 110th Street West
FEBRUARY 28, 2011 Holiday Lake, Avenue I, 110th Street West, Western Antelope Valley (44 Species)
Weather: Fair, 32F to 44F; winds 0-5 mph ENE.
Time: 0900- 1140 hrs.
Areas Covered: 1) 110th Street West from Avenue K to Avenue I (KI): Driving slowly, I surveyed open short-grass fields on the east and west sides of the roadway about 200 yards in both directions. 2) 120th Street West and Avenue I (120): I scoped the large open field at the southeast corner of this intersection where many California Ground Squirrels were active in and around their burrows. 3) Avenue I (Lancaster Road) from 120th Street West to 250th Street West; continuing a drive-by survey of open fields, cultivated and fallow along this roadway (LR). 4) Holiday Lake (HL), including La Petit Ave, 255th Street West @ the California Aqueduct and rural settlements on the southern border of Holiday Lake. The lake water level was medium-high, exposing a narrow, rocky shoreline and mudflat in the eastern half. About 0.5 acre of the eastern and northeastern perimeter of tules and cattails had been control burned Thursday, February 24, by a LACO fire crew. Mark Crosby, supervisor of the West Valley Water District, told me that no more would be burned here due to the arrival of resident (breeding) Tricolored Blackbird. The fire crew also trimmed many of the Aleppo Pines along the southern border, leaving fresh piles of branches. Waterbirds (especially ducks) were abundant here today; landbirds, notably scarce. I used a scope, binocular and DSLR camera for the survey. Birds of seasonal/distributional interest found today were: Greater Scaup (4), Burrowing Owl (1), Ferruginous Hawk (3), Mountain Bluebird (10), Pink-sided Junco (Junco h. mearnsi) and Tricolored Blackbird (100).
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 120 (m,f) flighty, HL.
Gadwall 8 (m,f) staying close to the marsh, HL.
Green-winged Teal 8 (m,f) close to the marsh, HL.
Northern Pintail 1 (m,f) resting, open water, HL.
Northern Shoveler 1 (m) open water, HL.
Cinnamon Teal 7 (m,f) dabbling, open water, HL.
Ring-necked Duck 4 (m,f) swimming in middle of aqueduct, HL.
Greater Scaup 4 (m,f) large, rounded head, 2 m with green head gloss; large bill; swimming in middle of aqueduct separate from LESC, HL.
Lesser Scaup 30 (m,f) some with pointed head; most m with purplish head gloss, relatively small bill, swimming in aqueduct, HL.
Bufflehead 8 (m,f) swimming in aqueduct, HL.
Ruddy Duck 1(f) edge of marsh, HL.
Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (ad, imm) n edge of lake, HL.
Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) n edge of lake, HL.
Red-tailed Hawk 6 utility poles; one pair on nest, LR; 1 on utility pole, HL.
Ferruginous Hawk 1 (ad) on utility pole, 120; 2 utility poles, LR.
American Kestrel 1 utility pole, KI.
Sora 1 calls, n marsh, HL.
American Coot 8 edge of HL.
Killdeer 2 e shore, HL.
Long-billed Dowitcher 1 foraging in shallows, e HL.
Rock Pigeon 8 flying around homesteads, HL.
Mourning Dove 3 flushed from trees, e HL.
Burrowing Owl 1 head rotating frequently, just above burrow entrance about 100 yards east of 120th street West (south dirt road) in open field, sec of 120th St West and AVE I.
Say's Phoebe 1 calls, adjacent yard and fence, HL.
Common Raven 6 in fields, KI; 12 flying and in fields, LR; 20 in yards and flying over, HL.
Horned Lark 8 KI; 10 LR; qo, fly, calls, s fields, HL.
Marsh Wren 4 calls and song in burned and unburned marsh, HL.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls in pines, HL.
Mountain Bluebird 10 flying low in east field, KI.
European Starling 6 farmyard, LR.
American Pipit 1 fly, call, HL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 in pines and riparian, HL.
Lark Sparrow 5 LR; 1 song, HL.
Song Sparrow 2 burned and unburned marsh, e HL.
White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) calls and songbrushy areas around lake, HL.
Dark-eyed Junco 12 (1 J.h. mearnsi) beneath pines, HL.
Western Meadowlark 3 LR.
Red-winged Blackbird 4 song, 120.
Tricolored Blackbird 100 (m,f) a flock of about 80 feeding on ground at La Petit and Gypsum; 20 (m, imm) vocal but concealed in marsh, s, HL
Brewer's Blackbird 20 (m,f) foraging on ground with TRBL, La Petit and Gypsum, HL.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 fly, calls, song, southwestern edge of marsh, HL.
House Finch 12 fly, calls, song, riparian and gardens, HL.
Purple Finch 1 (m) in pine, HL.
House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse, HL.
January 25, 2011 Holiday Lake (40 Species)
Weather: Partly cloudy to fair; 39F to 60F; winds ENE 0 -2mph.
Time: 0815 - 1040 hrs.
Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route twice around the entire lake, surveying all habitats using a 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. Someone in a black SUV drove once around the lake; no other people were present during the survey. The lake water level was considerably higher than last month, leaving only a narrow shoreline exposed on the south and eastern sections.During my second trip around the lake, a Swamp Sparrow was found, observed and photographed for several minutes. Presumably, this bird was the one first found here by Kimball Garrett on December 4, 2010 and subsequently by Jon Fisher about two weeks ago. Swamp Sparrow is a new record for Holiday Lake and possibly the first well-documented record for the Antelope Valley.
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) SE Holiday Lake January 25, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
Canada Goose 40 flying in from the north, slowing over HL and continuing west.
Cackling Goose 1 flying together with CAGO.
Ross' Goose 1 flying together with CAGO.
Gadwall 5 (m,f) middle and north edge of lake, flighty.
Mallard 180 (m,f) scattered throughout the lake; alert, vocal and flighty.
Green-winged Teal 15 (m,f) north side of lake, flighty.
Cinnamon Teal 2 a pair dabbling in middle of lake.
Lesser Scaup 1 (m) head-dipping while swimming in middle of lake.
Ring-necked Duck 8 (m,f) middle of the lake; flew off and didn't return during the survey.
Bufflehead 3 (m) in aqueduct near bridge on Elise Rd.
Ruddy Duck 1 north edge of lake.
California Quail 10 (m,f) flushed from dry cattails at east end of lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 calls from w lake.
Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (ad, imm) in cattails at n edge of lake.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 flushed from brushy area at east end of lake; carrying small bird in talons.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 on utility poles northeast of lake.
Sora 1 calls from sw edge of lake.
American Coot 4 swimming at north edge of lake.
Killdeer 1 calls from sw area adjacent to lake.
Mourning Dove 2 flushed from trees, ne edge of lake.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 in trees in yard, sw of clubhouse; calls.
Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m,f) in shrubs and trees, ne and nw side of lake; calls.
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (f) foraging in elm tree at sw edge of lake.
Downy Woodpecker 1 (f) foraging in Cottonwoods and pines, s edge of lake; calls.
Say's Phoebe 1 calling from adjacent field sw of clubhouse.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 calls from adjacent field, s.
Common Raven 6 flying around yards, n and s of lake.
Marsh Wren 2 calls and song, s and nw edge of lake.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 aerial-hawking around top of pine tree, s.
American Pipit 1 fly, call, s.
Common Yellowthroat 2 calls from edge of marsh, s, ne.
Song Sparrow 1 flushed from edge of marsh-riparian, ne; calls.
Savannah Sparrow 1 foraging on muddy shore, s.
Swamp Sparrow 1 (bsc. plmg: tailless). Foraging at muddy base of an isolated patch (10 ft. x 30 ft.) of umbrella sedge (Cyperus sp.) on the se shore. The bird was busily probing and scratching at the substrate, occasionally lifting wet leaves and other debris on the muddy shore. Several calls were given, a high-pitched, faintly metallic, two-part (pipit-like) call, repeated quickly 5-6 times in about 10 seconds as it moved quickly on the ground and flew short distances. The bird appeared aware of my presence yet allowed me to approach within about 30 feet for photographs (see above). As noted above, this is likely the same bird found here December 4, 2010 and again by at least two other observers this month.
White-crowned Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) marsh and riparian edge of lake, s.
Dark-eyed Junco 12 in and below pines, s.
Red-winged Blackbird 1 (m) singing in marsh, sw.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 singing in tall trees in adjacent yard, s.
House Finch 4 fly, call n.
House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse; calls and song.
January 16, 2011 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (36 Species)
Weather: Fair, 60F to 68F; winds WNW 0-18 mph.
Time: 0920-1236 hrs. (see below).
Observers: Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered: 1) Quail Lake Outlet (QLO) from Westfork Rd. overlook ( 0920-0930 hrs.): We briefly surveyed the section of the California Aqueduct between HWY 138 and about 0.25 mile west, using a 10x42 binocular and scope. Several small flocks of Bufflehead, Scaup and Goldeneye were diving. 2) Quail Lake (QL): We cycled roundtrip from the west parking area along the south, east and central-northern border of the lake on a partially paved roadway. All parts of the lake could be seen with a binocular, scope and monopod, including the northwestern section. However, the identity of some waterbirds to species (e.g, Scaup) was uncertain due to distance (see below). Several fishermen were around the lake; most in the western and northern sections. A group of teenagers was collecting litter in plastic bags on the west end of the lake. Conditions on the lake were initially good (i.e. no wind) then gradually deteriorated with strong, gusty winds turning the lake to whitecaps (0935-1140 hrs.). 3) Holiday Lake (HL): We stopped for lunch in our vehicle (strong winds now persisted), observing the lake using a binocular. Three people at the east end of the lake were throwing rocks and flushing waterfowl westward in our direction. Because of the disturbance, high winds and time of day, we abandoned plans for a walking survey and settled for a brief, stationary (incomplete) bird survey of Holiday Lake (1215-1236 hrs.).
BIRDS NOTED
Cackling Goose 1 with large, loose flock of Canada Geese, HL.
Canada Goose 120 a large, sleepy-headed flock swimming west from human disturbance on the southeast shore, HL.
Gadwall 2 (m) northern side of the lake, HL.
American Wigeon 5 (m,f) in middle of western portion of the lake, HL.
Mallard 8 on shore of island, n-central, QL; 60 (m,f) edges of western portion of the lake, HL.
Green-winged Teal 10 (m,f) males showing intraspecific aggression (chasing), northern edge of lake, HL.
Greater Scaup 3 (m) diving, QLO; 3 (m,f) diving near inlet, QL. Possibly more individuals than this number; id difficult due to distance, lighting, etc.
Lesser Scaup 28 (m,f) diving, QLO; 120 (m,f) scattered over west and northern sections, diving, QL.
Bufflehead 6 (m,f) diving, QLO; 50 (prob. low est.) diving througout the lake, QL.
Common Goldeneye 3 (f) diving, QLO; 30 ( low est.) diving; males doing head- toss display in small flocks on east QL.
Common Merganser 2 (m) resting on shore of island, n-central QL.
Ruddy Duck 1 QLO; 200 (m,f) resting in middle and edges of QL.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 n-central QL.
Horned Grebe 2 diving, central, QL.
Eared Grebe 20 diving, throughout QL.
Western Grebe 1 central QL.
Great Blue Heron 1 edge of east QL.
American Coot 30 edges of QL; 5 HL.
Killdeer 2 s edge of lake, QL.
California Gull 4 (ad, imm) central QL.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, sw QL.
Common Raven 3 s QL; 2 HL.
Horned Lark 2 fly, call, e QL.
Marsh Wren 1 calls, sw QL.
Bewick's wren 1 singing, sw QL.
American Pipit 2 fly, call, se QL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 riparan, se QL.
Lark Sparrow 20 a large, singing flock mostly concealed from view, riparian, n-central QL.
Song Sparrow 3 song, calls, marsh, s QL.
Savannah Sparrow 1 riparian, n-central QL.
White-crowned Sparrow 15 s and n-central QL.
Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) noisy, mobile flocks in marsh s QL.
Western Meadowlark 2 song, call, n-central QL.
Brewer's Blackbird 12 parking area and roadside, w and s QL.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 singing in marsh, HL.
House Finch 10 song, calls, riparian, s and n-central QL.
House Sparrow 2 around clubhouse, HL.
.
January 5, 2011 Nebeker Ranch, Holiday Lake, Quail Lake Outlet, Western Antelope Valley (47 Species)
Weather: Partly cloudy with increasing cloudiness; 37 to 43F. Winds ENE 2 -15 mph. Patches of snow on wet, muddy ground.
Time: 0900-1020 hrs (NR); 1050 - 1140 hrs, (HL); 1150- 1210 hrs. (QLO); 1210- 1240 hrs. Eastbound -- HWY 138 ; 110th St. W; Ave K.
Areas Covered: 1) Nebeker Ranch (NR) from the SEC of 60th Street West and Avenue B: I walked east about 0.2 mi across an alfalfa field to observe and photograph a pair of Tundra Swans initially found and reported here by Mark and Janet Scheel on January 1, 2011. I also walked around a ca 20 acre field at the SWC of 60th St. W and Avenue B, dominated by a dense growth of Atriplex spinosa and Artemesia tridentata in search of Sage Thrasher, also reported here by M&J Scheel on January 1 (none was found). My survey of this area included roadway utility poles along 60th West, where an adult Golden Eagle was found and photographed about 0.5 mile south of the Nebeker Ranch. 2) Driving westward on HWY 138, I next stopped at Holiday Lake (HL) which had had snow around the margins (photo). I walked around the lake once in a counter-clockwise direction. The lake was low and largely frozen around the margins; many Mallards were standing on the ice. Relatively few landbirds were found around the lake. 3) Continuing westward on HWY 138, I stopped briefly on the Westfork Rd. overlook above the California Aqueduct at the Quail Lake Outlet (QLO). I then drove across HWY 138 and surveyed the western edge of Quail Lake, including the QLO channel next to the parking area. The latter location produced a White-winged Scoter, reported here January 3, 2011 by Bobby Walsh. Driving back to Lancaster, I stopped briefly on 110th Street West near Avenue F to observe an adult Ferruginous Hawk with a small rodent in its talons. Surveys today were made using a 10x42 binocular and hand-held Nikon D3100 DSLR/18-200 mm AF VR lens.
Holiday Lake, viewing northeast. January 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
Snow Goose 20 in a flooded alfalfa field with CAGO and TUSW; first to flush as I approached within 0.1 mi. NR.
Canada Goose 8 same area as noted above; flushed within 80 yards.
Tundra Swan 2 (m,f?) a pair staying close; one about 10% larger appeared to be the most alert; head bowing; flushed at about 50 yards (photos).Both birds had a long, running, westbound take-off without the benefit of wind; flying low in wide arc and landing a few minutes later about 0.2 miles to the northeast in another flooded field on NR.
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Gadwall 4 (m,f) northern edge of lake, HL.
Mallard 80 (m,f) crowded in central-northern section of the lake; flighty, HL.
Northern Shoveler 5 (m,f) with MALA, HL.
Green-winged Teal 12 (m,f) northern edge of lake, HL.
Greater Scaup 6 (m,f) in western channel of QL at QLO with WHWS (photos).
Lesser Scaup 30 (m,f) in aqueduct and west channel, diving, QLO.
White-winged Scoter 1 (f) with GRSC in west channel, QLO (photos).
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Bufflehead 4 (m,f) diving in aqueduct, QLO.
Common Goldeneye 6 (m,f) diving in aqueduct, QLO.
Ruddy Duck 1 (f) diving in west channel, QLO.
California Quail 30 in dense saltbush, flushed at 10 yards, NR.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 in west channel, QLO.
Eared Grebe 2 in west channel, QLO.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying over west channel, QLO.
Great Blue Heron 1 fly, call over lake, HL; 1 flying, QLO.
Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (ad, imm) north edge of lake, HL.
Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over field, NEC Avenue K and 110th St. West.
Cooper's Hawk 1 flushed from west edge of lake, HL.
Red-tailed Hawk 10 (1 imm) top of utility poles, HWY 138; one chasing FEHA with prey, open field, west side of 110th St, West & Ave F.
Ferruginous Hawk 1 on utility pole, 60th St. W, Avenue B-C; 1 on (ad) on utility pole, HWY 138, 190th St. W; one on ground with small rodent, 110th St. W.
Golden Eagle 1 (ad) on utility pole, 60th Street West, Ave B-C; stayed for several minutes while I photographed it from the car; then flew west (photos).
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
American Kestrel 10 utility poles and flying over adjacent fields, HWY 138.
American Coot 12 HL; 3 QLO.
Killdeer 3 flooded field, NR.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls from pines, sw, HL.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, QLO.
Common Raven 6 NR; 30 HWY 138; 8 HL; 4 QLO.
Horned Lark 10 flying over fields, NR.
European Starling 20 saltbush scrub, swc 60th W and Ave. B, NR.
Mountain Chickadee 1 calls from pines, sw HL.
Marsh Wren 2 north edge of lake, scolding calls, HL.
Hermit Thrush 1 northwestern riparian edge, HL.
American Pipit 3 fly, call, NR; 2 calls, HL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 calls in pines, HL.
Common Yellowthroat 1 brushy area, n HL.
Lark Sparrow 10 homesteads on s side of HL.
Song Sparrow 1 calls, sw HL.
White-crowned Sparrow 20 saltbush scrub, NR.
Sage Sparrow 5 saltbush scrub, NR.
Dark-eyed Junco 12 in and around pines, east HL.
Western Meadowlark 5 saltbush scrub and edge of open fields; singing, NR.
Brewer's Blackbird 30 roadside, HWY 138 near QL.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 (m) calling in tall cottonwood, sw, HL.
House Finch 10 suburbs s of HL.
DECEMBER 13, 2010 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (50 Species)
Weather: Fair, 45F to 63F; wind 0-1 mph; lakes with largely smooth surfaces.
Time: 0745 - 0950 hrs. (QL); 1009-1130 hrs. (HL).
Areas Covered: 1) Quail Lake Outlet (QLO). I scoped the California Aqueduct from the Westfork Road overlook near HWY 138. Visual coverage extended about 0.5 mi sw and about 0.1 mi ne to the Quail Lake Outlet. All bird species found here were also found at Quail Lake (0745-0800 hrs.). 2) Quail Lake (QL). I cycled first around a small hill next to the west parking area, surveying the California Aqueduct junction with Quail Lake. I continued east on the south shore road to the eastern Quail Lake section (separated from QL by a levee) and finally to the Quail Lake Inlet (QLI) on the north-central side of Quail Lake, returning the same route. I surveyed open water, fresh water marsh, riparian, grassland and ruderal roadside habitats, using a scope, binocular and DSLR camera. Only one person (with a leashed dog) was in the survey area on the west side of QLI. Conditions were good for finding and identifying birds on and around the lake. 3) Holiday Lake (HL). I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the lake, surveying all habitats (see previous notes). I did not find the Swamp Sparrow found and photographed here on December 4, 2010 by Kimball Garrett.
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 6 (m,f) swimming along the edge of the HL, n, nw.
Mallard 16 (m,f) s edge of QL; 75 (m,f) crowded around the northern edge of the lake, HL.
Northern Pintail 1 (m) n edge of HL.
Green-winged Teal 2 east end of QL.
Greater Scaup 2 (m,f) diving in strong current, QLI.
Lesser Scaup 14 (m,f) tight flock, QLO; 120 some diving, throughout QL.
Bufflehead 10 (m,f) QLO; 60 diving, throughout QL.
Common Goldeneye 6 (m,f) diving, QLO; 20 (m,f) QL; 1 (f) shallow dive attempts in about 2 inches of water, HL (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Common Merganser 9 (m,f) one in wQL; others together in e QL.
Ruddy Duck 1 resting, QLO; 120 scattered in lake, QL.
California Quail 6-10 calls, ne HL.
Pied-billed Grebe 6 edges of QL.
Eared Grebe 20 edges and middle of QL.
Clarks Grebe 2 north QL.
Western Grebe 25 north QL; calls.
Double-crested Cormorant 2 diving QLO; 12 resting on small outcrops, n QL.
Great Blue Heron 1 in Cottonwood, s HL.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 flying over e QL; 3 (ad, 2 imm) n edge of marsh HL.
Coopers Hawk 1 flying, riparian edge, w QL.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole, suburbs of s QL.
Sora 2 calls from marsh, HL.
American Coot 60 around edges of lake, QL; 8 swimming and walking on mudflats, HL.
Killdeer 1 calls, se QL; 3 HL.
Spotted Sandpiper 1 flying along edge of aqueduct, QLI.
Least Sandpiper 2 foraging on mudflats, ne and se HL.
California Gull 3 resting in middle of lake, QL.
Ring-billed Gull 2 resting in middle of lake near CAGU.
Mourning Dove 1 riparian edge, ne HL.
Nuttalls Woodpecker 1 calls, s QL; 2 in Cottonwoods, n and s HL; calls.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, s QL; 2 in Cottonwoods and pines, s, n HL; calls.
Black Phoebe 2 ne QL; 1 sw HL.
Common Raven 5 fly, call, w QL; 10 flying over adjacent fields and homesteads, HL.
Horned Lark 3 w and n QL; calls; 2 fields, s HL.
Marsh Wren 3 marsh, s QL; 3 marsh, HL.
Northern Mockingbird 1 calls n HL.
European Starling 1 on fence, s HL.
American Pipit 2 fly, call e QL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 riparian, s QL; 5 riparian, HL; calls.
Common Yellowthroat 2 marsh-riparian, s QL; 2 marsh-riparian, s HL.
Savannah Sparrow 10 brushy fields, QLO; 2 calls from marsh-riparian, e HL.
Song Sparrow 3 marsh, s QL; marsh, HL, calls and song.
White-crowned Sparrow 20 brushy fields, QLO; 30 fields and riparian edge, QL; 25 marsh, riparian and pines, HL.
Dark-eyed Junco 10 in and beneath pines, HL; calls.
Tricolored Blackbird 25 (f, imm) tight flock concealed in marsh, ne HL; calls and flocking to east.
Brewer's Blackbird 5 w QL.
Great-tailed Grackle 1 (m) flying over HL.
House Finch 4 fly, call, w QL; 6 fly, call, riparian, HL.
Western Meadowlark 1 singing, brushy fields, QLO; 2 singing in hillside grassland, QLI.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 singing in pines, ne HL.
House Sparrow 4 around clubhouse, HL.
December 5, 2010 Holiday Lake (41 Species)
Weather: Overcast to partly cloudy; 57F; winds 0 -1 mph.
Time: 0940 - 1150 hrs.
Observers: Ethan Yorke and I.
Area Covered: We walked a counter-clockwise route 1.5 times around the lake, surveying open water, shoreline (rocks, sand and mud) freshwater marsh (Cattail Typha angustifolia, Tule Schoenoplectus acutus ), riparian (Cottonwood, Chinese Elm, Willow), Aleppo Pines, and adjacent fields of Rabbitbrush-Saltbush scrub. No other individuals were present during the survey; conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to drop (maximum depth now about 2 - 4 inches), exposing 5 - 15 ft. wide mudflats around the edges. We used binoculars and a DSLR camera for the survey. Several minutes of observation were dedicated to the birds in the northeastern section of the lake, where we hoped to obtain views of a new species for Holiday Lake, Swamp Sparrow, reported here yesterday by Kimball Garrett. Birds of distributional/seasonal interest found today at HL were: Cackling Goose (4), Red-breasted Sapsucker (1), Pine Siskin (2), Lawrence's Goldfinch (2) and Tricolored Blackbird (10).
BIRDS NOTED
Cackling Goose 4 staying close, mid-lake; separate but sometimes surrounded by CAGO (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Canada Goose 70 two flocks; one rather flighty; both wary and swimming away from us.
Gadwall 6 (m,f) dabbling around the edges of the lake,w.
American Wigeon 2 (f) n edge of lake.
Mallard 20 (m,f) n edge of lake; wary.
Green-winged Teal ? 2 swimming in the marsh,n ; difficult to see clearly.
Bufflehead 40 (m,f) in the Calif. Aqueduct (very low water level) adjacent to HL.
California Quail 10 calls from edge of marsh, nw.
Great Blue Heron 1 n edge of lake.
Black-crowned Night Heron 7 ( 2 ad; 5 imm.), n edge of marsh and wading into shallows.
Cooper's Hawk 1 (imm) flying between shrubs and trees around the lake; perched for several minutes in each location.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) on utility pole in adjacent field, se.
Sora 1 foraging at edge of lake-marsh, ne; calls.
American Coot 2 swimming at edge of lake, n.
Killdeer 2 staying together on mudflats and on exposed boards in lake; fly, call, e.
Rock Pigeon 12 on roof of mobile home in s suburb of HL.
Mourning Dove 6 pairs in tall Cottonwoods; fly, e.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 flying between shrubs, sw.
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (f) conspicuous perch near top of a tall, leafless Chinese Elm, ne (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m,f) fly, call; in pines, n and s.
Black Phoebe 1 low perch on shore; calls, se.
Say's Phoebe 1 low perch in adjacent field; calls, s.
Common Raven 6 flying around lake; calls.
Horned Lark 1 flying low over adjacent field, s.
Tree Swallow 2 flying over lake, 20-50 ft.
Marsh Wren 3 calls from marsh; foraging at edge of water-marsh, ne.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 (m,f) brushy areas, ne and sw; calls.
Ciommon Yellowthroat 2 (m,f) marsh and edge of riparian, sw and ne.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls in pines, s and se.
Savannah Sparrow 10 in and around marsh and riparian edge; calls, ne.
Song Sparrow 2 calls from marsh-riparian, sw and s.
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 foraging at edge of marsh on mudflats, ne.
Swamp Sparrow ? 1 foraging at edge of marsh in tule-mudflats next to exposed boards, with other sparrows, ne. Seen for only 15-20 seconds at a distance of about 50 ft and partly obscured by marsh vegetation. ; Noted overall dark rufous- brown upperparts, white, unmarked chin; nearby SASP, LISP and MAWR for comparison. A few minutes earlier at this location I heard an unusual, single, call note -- a loud chirp, similar to a nearby calling MAWR but louder and more resonant. I was unable to obtain a clear view for a usable photograph.Most likely this was the bird seen here by KG yesterday; However, I would have liked a much clearer view (and photo) to be certain of the identification.
White-crowned Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) mostly in and around the marsh, ne; calls and song.
Lark Sparrow 4 in elms and on ground, ne and sw.
Dark-eyed Junco 6 in pines; call, fly, s.
Tricolored Blackbird 12 (f, imm) most staying low in marsh; flying out, calls, ne.
Great-tailed Grackle 2 fly, call, se.
House Finch 10 (m,f) brushy areas throughout.
Pine Siskin 2-3 flew into Chinese Elm, ne.
Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 calls from pines, ne.
DECEMBER 4, 2010 West Lake Hughes (20 Species)
Weather: Overcast, 54F; no wind.
Time: 0900-0920 hrs.
Area Covered: I surveyed the western portion of Lake Hughes (about 30 acres) from a vacant lot bordered by riparian and freshwater marsh on the north shore, on the south side of Elizabeth Lake Rd. Most of the birds were identifiable using my 10x42 binocular. Ducks were numerous and fairly uniformly distributed on the lake; each species more or less clumped together.
BIRDS NOTED
American Wigeon 6 (m,f) open water.
Mallard 6 (m,f) open water and s edge of lake.
Northern Shoveler 10 (m,f) dabbling in center of lake.
Canvasback 30 (m,f) mostly resting, mid-lake.
Redhead 100 (m,f) resting and preening throughout.
Ring-necked Duck 10 (m,f) swimming, diving, mid-lake.
Bufflehead 20 (m,f) mid-lake; diving.
Hooded Merganser 5 (f) two groups, s and se; preening, diving.
Common Merganser 7 (m,f) swimming along ne shoreline.
Ruddy Duck 80 mostly resting throughout.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 n edge of lake.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) flushed from Cottonwood on n shore.
American Coot 60 scattered over the lake.
Hairy Woodpecker 1 calls from adjacent pines, n.
Marsh Wren 1 calls from marsh, n shore.
Song Sparrow 2 calls from marsh-riparian, n.
Spotted Towhee 1 calls from brushy area, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 call, fly, n shore.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls from riparian, n.
House Sparrow 10 around buildings, n.
NOVEMBER 17, 2010 Quail Lake, Holiday Lake and West Lake Hughes, Los Angeles County, CA (55 Species)
Weather: Fair, 51F to 65F; winds ENE 2 - 12 mph (Quail Lake); 2 mph (Holiday Lake and Lake Hughes).
Time: 0745 - 0920 hrs. (QL); 0928 - 0933 hrs. (QLO); 0950 - 1105 hrs. (HL); 1130 - 1140 hrs.(LH).
Areas Covered: 1) Quail Lake (QL): I cycled the southern, eastern and northern margin of Quail Lake, stopping at the Calif. Aqueduct Inlet (CAI) on the north-central shore of QL, returning the same route. I surveyed open water, freshwater marsh, shoreline, ruderal fields, chaparral, grassland and riparian habitats around the lake. No fishermen were present during the survey; conditions were good for identifying birds until about 0900 hrs, when winds increased and the lake surface became choppy.
Large rafts of waterbirds were in the central and northern parts of the lake. Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest included, Common Goldeneye (3), Greater Scaup (10), Red-breasted Merganser (1) and White Pelican (1). 2) Quail Lake Outlet to the California Aqueduct at Westfork Rd (QLO). I briefly scanned the aqueduct with a binocular. No new species were added to the day-list. 3) Holiday Lake (HL). I walked once, counter-clockwise, around the entire lake, surveying all habitats using a scope, binocular and DSLR camera. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations. The relatively low water level in the lake reduced the maximum depth in the central section to only a few inches. I spoke with the West Valley Water District manager, Mark Crosby, who was interested to learn about the presence of Ross' and Cackling Goose at the lake today. 4) I parked on the roadside at the intersection of Hughes Lake Road (Elizabeth Lake Rd.) and Newvale Rd.,
where a partial view of the western portion of Lake Hughes was obtained using a scope (LH). Waterbirds were crowded on this section of the lake; most were foraging either on or beneath the surface. Three species were added to the day-list: Canvasback ( 6), Ring-necked Duck (5) and Northern Shoveler (2).
BIRDS NOTED
Canada Goose 37 crowded in the middle of the lake; wary but didn't fly (HL).
Cackling Goose 1 (continuing) with CNGO (HL)..
Ross's Goose 2 (continuing) a pair staying close in the middle of the lake (HL).
Gadwall 2 (m,f) n QL; 6 ne edge of lake (HL); 4 (m,f) (LH).
Mallard 10 (m,f) hiding in marsh and near edge of lake (QL); 2 HL; flighty.
Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) LH.
Northern Pintail 2 (m) foraging along n edge of lake (HL).
American Wigeon 2 flying s across lake with a pair of mallards (QL); 2 (m,f) dabbling (LH).
Canvasback 6 (m,f) diving, (LH).
Ring-necked Duck 5 (m,f) diving, (LH).
Lesser Scaup 60 (m,f) large, loose flocks in middle and n side of lake (QL); 20 (QLO).
Greater Scaup 10 (m,f) one flock on s side of lake (QL).
Common Goldeneye 3 (m,f) s side of lake (QL).
Bufflehead 200 (m,f0 diving throughout the lake (QL); 3 (m,f) diving (LH).
Red-breasted Merganser 1 (f) diving near s edge of lake; preening. Initially seen clearly with scope at 50-80 yards; moved out to central section of lake and out of photo range.
Ruddy Duck 100 most resting in middle of lake (QL); 1 (HL); 4 diving and resting (HL).
California Quail 12 flushed from dead tules, nw margin of HL (two quail hunters in adjacent fields, n).
Common Loon 1 (bsc. plmg.) at w edge of QL near outlet.
Pied-billed Grebe 4 central and s lake, QL.
Eared Grebe 20 diving, edge and central QL.
Western Grebe 60 loose flock in central lake; most resting, QL.
Clark's Grebe 1-2 edge of WEGR flock, QL.
American White Pelican 1 resting at e edge near marsh, EQL.
Double-crested Cormorant 12 flying into e QL; some swimming around with WEGR.
Great Blue Heron 1 flushed from n edge of lake, HL.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) flushed from n edge of HL.
Cooper's Hawk 1 flying across Elizabeth Lake Rd, east end.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 circling together, calls; one with rodent in talons, HL; 2 on utility poles, HWY 138.
Sora 1 called twice from marsh, s HL.
American Coot 40 around edges of QL; 4 HL; 20 LH.
Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad, imm) resting on lake; one C1 flying w over lake, QL.
Rock Pigeon 1 circling s edge of lake, HL.
Mourning Dove 6 flushed from e side of lake, HL.
Great-horned Owl 1 flushed from pines, n HL; flew to pines on s side of lake.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, HL.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 flying low over field, adjacent suburbs, HL
Western Scrub-Jay 10 flying across Hughes Lake Rd,
Common Raven 8 QL; 10 HL and adjacent suburbs.
Marsh Wren 2 marsh, s QL; calls.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 pines, HL; calls.
European Starling 1 flying over adjacent field, HL.
American Pipit 1 call/ fly s HL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 adjacent homestead with mature trees, QL; 2 pines, HL.
Common Yellowthroat 1 calls from marsh, s HL.
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls from edge of weedy field, n QL.
Song Sparrow 5 marsh, s QL; 1 marsh-riparian, w HL; calls.
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 marsh-riparian, s QL; calls.
White-crowned Sparrow 15 (ad, imm) brushy edges of QL; 12 edges of HL; calls and song.
Dark-eyed Junco 6 pines, s HL; calls.
Red-winged Blackbird 6 (m,f) marsh and edge, s QL; 2 marsh, HL, calls.
Western Meadowlark 3 song, adjacent brushy hillsides, n QL; 1 song, adjacent field, n HL.
Brewer's Blackbird 5 (m,f) roadside, s QL.
House Finch 10 riparian edge, s QL; calls and song; 20 brushy - riparian border, e HL; calls and song.
American Goldfinch 8 riparian and pines, e HL; calls and song.
House Sparrow 4 around clubhouse, HL; 4-6 LH, calls.
November 10, 2010 Quail Lake Outlet, Holiday Lake, 110th Street West (44 Species)
Weather: Partly cloudy; intermittent light rain; 48F; winds W 12-25 mph. Whitecaps on surface of Quail Lake.
Time: 0739 .- 0755 hrs.(QLO); 0812- 0930 hrs.(HL); 1000-1010 hrs. (110th St. W).
Areas Covered: 1) Quail Lake Outlet (QLO) from overlook on Westfork Rd. I scanned the California Aqueduct with a scope, surveying about 0.5 miles W. Relatively few birds were in the aqueduct. 2) Holiday Lake (HL): I walked a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats, using a scope, 10x42 binocular and DSLR camera. Increasing winds made observations of landbirds difficult. A sheriff's deputy circled the lake once in a patrol SUV during my survey. No other people were present (except for West Valley Water District personnel in the clubhouse) during my survey. Ross' Goose (HVL) and Mountain Bluebird (110th St. W) were FOS birds found today.
BIRDS NOTED
Ross' Goose 2 one pair was swimming in midwater, staying together, HL (photo).
Canada Goose 12 staying fairly closely packed, midwater, west side (HL).
Cackling Goose 3 staying close and within the flock of CAGO, HL (photo).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Gadwall 3 (m,f) dabbling near edge of marsh, w-HL.
Mallard 30 (m,f) dabbling near edge of marsh, w,c,e-HL.
Northern Pintail 1 (m) dablling near edge of marsh, central - HL.
American Wigeon 1 (f) dabbling near edge of marsh, w HL
Green-winged Teal 2 (m,f) swimming along n edge of lake, HL.
Scaup sp. 6 (m,f) possibly GRSC; diving; indistinct greenish gloss on heads; too distant for an accurate assignment of species, QLO.
Bufflehead 12 (m,f) diving, QLO.
Ruddy Duck 3 (m,f) staying in and near cattails, n HL.
California Quail 20 flushed from brushy area at edge of lake, e - HL.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 edge of lake, e HL.
Eared Grebe 1 edge of lake, n HL.
Horned Grebe 1 edge of lake nw HL.
Great Blue Heron 2 edge of lake in marsh, fly, calls; n, w HL.
Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (ad, imm) marsh at edge of lake, n HL.
Cooper's Hawk 1 (ad) flushed from a freshly killed coot on the ground, s HL.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole, HWY 138 @ 260th St. W.
Turkey Vulture 1 flying low and into the wind over open field, south side of Ave K @ 70th Street West.
American Coot 10 edge of lake; one fresh carcass being fed upon by a COHA, HL.
Rock Pigeon 10 circling over homestead adjacent to s HL.
Mourning Dove 30 flushed from trees and shrubs, e HL.
Northern Flicker 1 fly, call, HL.
Common Raven 2 QLO parking lot; 4 HL; 20 feeding on something in a neighboring yard, s HVL.
Horned Lark 2 HL; 20 flying low over fields, 110th St. W.
Oak Titmouse 1 calls, HL.
Marsh Wren 1 calls from marsh, w HL.
American Robin 3 flying w, landing in large tree, adjacent to nw HL.
Mountain Bluebird 16 (m,f) flying low over open field; landing, taking flight repeatedly, 110th St. W and Ave. H (photos).
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 3 adjacent yards, s HL.
American Pipit 1 fly, call, QLO; 1 calls, HL.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 calls, foraging in shrubs and trees, HL.
Common Yellowthroat 1 calls from edge of marsh, c- HL.
Savannah Sparrow 2 fly, call, QLO; 2 calls, HL.
Song Sparrow 2 HL; calls.
White-crowned Sparrow 4 calls, HL.
Dark-eyed Junco 6 flushed beneath pines,calls, w HL.
Western Meadowlark 3 open fields along HWY 138.
Great-tailed Grackle 6 (m,f) circling lake, HL.
Brewer's Blackbird 40 roadside, HWY 138 @ 300th St. W.
House Finch 2 QLO; 12 e HL.
Lesser Goldfinch 4 fly, calls; perched in Cottonwood, HL.
House Sparrow 4 around clubhouse, HL.