LAKE PALMDALE, Los Angeles County, CA
Lake Palmdale List of 239 Bird Species
See Previous Surveys for Habitat Descriptions
Aerial Photo of Lake Palmdale, viewing south. March 12, 2007. © 2007 Callyn Yorke
Lake Palmdale is 2.7 miles in circumference, 234 acres, and holds 4,129 acre-feet of water when full. Maximum depth is 39 ft.
LINKS TO PREVIOUS LP BIRD SURVEYS
WINTER and SPRING, 2011 - 2012 BIRD SURVEYS © 2012 Callyn Yorke
Weather: Fair; 67F to 78F; winds W 0 - 2 mph.
Time: 0652 - 1007 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake. About 25 fishermen were on the docks, mostly in the southwest and southern areas; several were fishing in small motorboats on the lake. Auto traffic was light. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Black-necked Stilt (1), Spotted Sandpiper (2), Forster's Tern (2), Hairy Woodpecker (1), Verdin (2), Yellow-headed Blackbird (30) and Tricolored Blackbird (80). Nesting behavior and/or fledglings observed for several species at LP, including, Ruddy Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, House Wren, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Tricolored Blackbird.
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 2 (m,f) swimming, se.
Ruddy Duck 15 (one f with 3 young) swimming;resting on lake, w, sw.
California Quail 2 edge of juniper scrub, w.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 edge of lake; calls, n, w.
Western Grebe 20 calls; pairs swimming together around edges and in middle of lake.
Clark's Grebe 40 calls, pairs and singles around edges of the lake near the marsh.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) flushed from shoreline near jettey, nw.
American Coot 20 around edges of the lake.
Killdeer 1 on top of wall, settling pond, n.
Black-necked Stilt 1 foraging in settling pond, n.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 flushed from edge of jetty, nw.
California Gull 8 (C1, C2; ad.) one adult and one imm. with injured wing, jetty, nw.
Forster's Tern 2 (ad. alt. plmg.) flying together around lake; calls (photo).
Forster's Tern nw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Eurarian Collared Dove 2 calls, cottonwoods, s.'
Mourning Dove 8 pairs in trees and on ground in riparian areas around the lake.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) fly, calls, riparian and edge, w, e.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) defending nesting area in willows, w.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 3 2 adults alternating feeding young in cavity of cottonwood (12 ft. east-facing); All three vocalizing; female most vocal of the three; male eliciting partial exit behavior of young from its nest cavity; female feeding by inserting head into nest cavity, w (photos).
Nuttall's Woodpecker (m, left; f, right) nesting in west Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Hairy Woodpecker 1 distinctive loud calls (unseen) , willows, w.
Black Phoebe 2 (ad, imm) tree-top perch, preening (imm); flying low near shore, w.
Say's Phoebe 1 east side of dam, e.
Ash-thoated Flycatcher 3 calls; in and around large cottonwoods, se.
Western Kingbird 8 vocal, active in cottonwoods around the lake.
Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, n.
Common Raven 6 (ad, 2 imm); vocal around fledglings, s, sw (photo).
Common Raven (immature) sw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Horned Lark 5 on ground in shaded parking RV parking area, n.
Tree Swallow 20 active around nest cavities in willows and cottonwoods, s; flying low over lake.
Cliff Swallow 40 flying back and forth over juniper scrub, w; nesting under eaves of adjacent homes, w, s.
Oak Titmouse 1 calls, cottonwoods, sw.
Verdin 2 (m,f) a pair making contact calls while foraging in juniper with bushtits,sw (photo).
Verdin (male) sw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Bushtit 20 vocal; at least two flocks of 6-10 birds in willows,cottonwoods, junipers, sw, s.
Bewick's Wren 3 calls, song, cottonwoods and riparian edge, w, s, e.
House Wren 1 ad feeding young in cottonwood cavity (14 ft., east-facing), sw (photo).
House Wren nesting in sw Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Marsh Wren 4 song, marsh, nw, sw, s.
Northern Mockingbird 2 song, w, n.
European Starling 20 (ad, imm) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas.
Yellow Warbler 5 song, calls, active in subcanopy of cottowoods and willows, w sw.
Common Yellowthroat 5 song, marsh-riparian edge, nw, w, sw.
Wilson's Warbler 2 song, calls, canopy of cottowoods and willows with YEWA, w, sw.
Song Sparrow 10 (ad, imm) ad. feeding young, w; song, calls, marsh-riparian; adults foraging in subcanopy of willows,w.
Western Tanager 2 (f) one f with odd-looking eyering (photo); foraging in subcanopy and canopy of willows and cottowoods, w.
Western Tanager (female) west Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Red-winged Blackbird 200 (conserv. est.) m,f (imm) vocal, active in riparian and marsh around the lake.
Tricolored Blackbird 80 (conserv. est.) mostly males visible in marsh; foraging in short grass; vocal, colony now established in ne.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 30 (m,f) mostly north margins of lake, vocal, in cattails bordering cliffs, n, nw and in a mixed colony of RWBL, TCBL, GTGR, ne.
Great-tailed Grackle 60 (m,f) shorelines, marsh, riparian; pairs and triplets (mm,f; mff), vocal (photo).
Great-tailed Grackle (male) w Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 30 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 calls, s.
Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) foraging in subcanopy of willows and cottonwoods, w.
House Finch 8 (m,f) vocal, active in riparian areas around the lake.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 (m,f) in cottonwoods, sw.
House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse, n.
Weather: Fair; 67F to 74 F; wind WNW 0 - 7 mph.
Time: 0700 - 0935 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake. About 35 fishermen were around the lake on the docks; two or three small motor boats were moving slowly across the lake. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Eared Grebe (7), Green Heron (1), Hairy Woodpecker (1) and a colony of Tricolored Blackbird (100 est.)
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 10 (m,f) around the edges of the lake.
Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f) resting on the lake, w and s.
California Quail 10 (m,f) pairs running across the road around the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 edge of the lake, nw, w, s; calls.
Eared Grebe 7 (alt. plmg.) a loose flock picking insects from the surface of the lake, w-central.
Western Grebe 10 pairs staying close, calls; open water, s, central.
Clark's Grebe 7 no calls heard; pairs and singles, swimming at edge of the lake and central, s.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 resting on a snag, n.
Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) flushed from jetty, nw.
Green Heron 1 flushed from shore in shady marsh next to an unoccupied dock, w.
American Coot 30 foraging around the edges of the lake; pairs on edge of shore, ne.
Killdeer 1 on shore near jetty, nw.
Spotted Sandpiper 3 flushed from jetty, nw; 1 edge of settling pond, n.
California Gull 7 (1 ad; 5 imm) 6 on the jetty; adult with injured wing, nw.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 a pair on the ground next to tall cottonwoods, ne.
Mourning Dove 6 riparian and ruderal roadsides throughout.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (m) on fence, se.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) lower level of cottonwoods, ne.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, se.
Hairy Woodpecker 1 (m) foraging on trunk and main branches of a large willow, w (photo).
Hairy Woodpecker (male) Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 22 May 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Black Phoebe 4 low perch; sally-flycatching near shorelines around the lake.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls, cottonwood - juniper edge, se.
Western Kingbird 8 pairs and triplets vocalizing, chasing, around tops of tall trees, n, w, s, ne.
Western Scrub-jay 2 flying, w, s.
Common Raven 8 fly; call; one fledgling calling repeatedly in subcanopy of cottonwood, s.
Horned Lark 10 fly, call, open field, ne.
Tree Swallow 60 flying over the edge of the lake; perched atop willows around the lake; calls.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over creosote scrub, n.
Cliff Swallow 2 flying low over riparian edge and lake, ne.
Bushtit 10 vocal, active in willows, w.
Bewick's Wren 2 song, sage and riparian edge, w, e.
House Wren 1 active around nest cavity in cottonwood, w.
Marsh Wren 3 singing in marsh areas without fishermen, w, se.
Northern Mockingbird 2 song, w, ne.
European Starling 20 ubiquitous in riparian areas.
Yellow Warbler 1 song, willows and cottonwoods, w.
Common Yellowthroat 1 (m) active in marsh-riparian edge, s.
Wilson's Warbler 20 (m) very vocal, active in canopy of cottowoods and willows around the lake.
Song Sparrow 10 vocal, active in marsh and adjacent riparian areas around the lake.
Western Tanager 1 (f) in subcanopy of large cottonwood, w.
Red-winged Blackbird 200 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marshes and riparian areas.
Tricolored Blackbird 100 ( a conservative estimate; many hidden in marsh) (m,f) a highly vocal, crowded colony in dry cattails (photo); GTGR,YHBL and RWBL nesting nearby, ne; several foraging on caretaker's front lawn, n..
Tricolored Blackbird (male) northeast Lake Palmdale, LACO CA 22 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-headed Blackbird 20 2 -3 males calling in patches of marsh (cattails, tules) around the lake.
Brewer's Blackbird 1 (imm f) on utility line near clubhouse, n.
Great-tailed Grackle 60 (m,f) ubiquitous at edge of lake.
Brown-headed Cowbird 10 (m,f) riparian areas around the lake; a pair foraging on caretaker's front lawn, n.
Bullock's Oriole 2 (f) in canopy of tall cottonwood, w.
House Finch 10 vocal; pairs in riparian and edge around the lake.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, song in mature cottonwoods, s..
Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 song from juniper-riparian edge, se.
House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse and gardens, n.
Weather: Fair; wind W 20 mph. 86F.
Time: 1720 -1850 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying birds in all habitats. Windy conditions depressed bird activity and significantly reduced their detectabiltiy in most areas, except in leeward coves on the west side. Fewer than 20 fishermen were present around the lake; one boat was on the lake.
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 8 (m,f) edges of the lake in wind-protected areas, e.g. w.
Redhead 2 (m,f) swimming near the docks, w (photo).
Redhead (female, l; male, r) west Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 9 May, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Ruddy Duck 15 (m,f; some in alt. plmg.) protected edges of the lake.
California Quail 40 several small coveys in brushy areas around the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 edge of lake, w.
Eared Grebe 2 (alt. plmg.) swimming together, n.
Western Grebe 20 most sleeping and difficult to distinguish from CLGR, w.
Clark's Grebe 40 most sleeping and difficult to distinguish from WEGR, w, sw.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 (ad) flying w from Lake Una.
Osprey 1 circling over dam; chased by a blackbird (probably RWBL), se.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) circling over Lake Una.
American Coot 25 around the edges of the lake, w, sw.
Killdeer 1 foraging on mudflat in settling pond, n.
Spotted Sandpiper 8 on edge of jetty, nw.
California Gull 3 (ad w/ broken wing) on jetty, nw.
Herring Gull 1 (C2) flushed from jetty, swimming w (photo), nw.
Mourning Dove 6 riparian areas around the lake.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 a pair perched in tall cottonwood, calls, se.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (m) s.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.
Downy Woodpecker 1 calls, w.
Black Phoebe 2 riparian-marsh edge, w, s.
Western Kingbird 4 on fences and low branches; one caught a large insect, s, se, e.
Common Raven 6 n,, s, e.
Tree Swallow 20 flying back and forth over the lake; a pair in a tall cottonwood, calls, w, s, ne.
Cliff Swallow 6 flying over the lake; colony continues under eaves of adjacent home, s.
Barn Swallow 2 flying together over the lake, w.
Oak Titmouse 1 calls, sw.
Bushtit 5 calls, riparian, w.
Bewick's Wren 3 song, riparian and edge, w, s, ne.
Northern Mockingbird 1 flying from pyracantha hedge row, n.
European Starling 5 flying around buildings, n; adjacent homesteads, s.
Common Yellowthroat 2 song, marsh-riparian, ne, nw.
Song Sparrow 3 song, marsh-riparian edge, nw, w, ne.
Black-headed Grosbeak 1 song, mulberry picnic area, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 200 (m,f) ubiquitous, marsh, riparian.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 10 song, marsh-riparian, n, nw, ne.
Great-tailed Grackle 60 (m,f) ubiquitous, riparian, edge.
Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (m,f) calls, flying near RWBL nest areas; bathing, nw (photo).
Brown-headed Cowbird nw Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 9 May 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
House Finch 8 (m,f) song, calls, riparian-edge around the lake.
House Sparrow 10 active, vocal around the clubhouse and caretaker's yard, n.
Weather: Fair; 52F to 62F; WNW 0 - 1 mph.
Time: 0803 - 1130 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats. More than 200 fishermen were present during my survey, several in motorboats on the lake. I partially avoided the heavily trafficked perimeter road in the south and west by using the fence-line outer perimeter road as a detour. Conditions otherwise were good for finding and identifying birds. However, relatively few species of waterbird (e.g. no herons or egrets) were found today due to the heavy boat traffic on the lake. Today was the first of a three-day "America's Birdiest County" weekend event locally sponsored by the Los Angeles Audubon Society.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Virginia Rail (1), Black-necked Stilt (4), Red-necked Phalarope (1), Bonaparte's Gull (1), Herring Gull (1), Greater Roadrunner (1), Black-chinned Hummingbird (2), Ash-throated Flycatcher (1), Bank Swallow (1 - photo), Cactus Wren (2 - photo), Yellow Warbler (2 - photo), Nashville Warbler (1 - photo), Western Tanager (3 - photo), and Hooded Oriole (1 - photo). Several of the aforementioned species were the first of the season (fos) at Lake Palmdale.
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 6 (m,f) edges of the lake.
Bufflehead 30 (m,f) flying, edge of the lake, w.
Ruddy Duck 20 (m,f alt. plmg.) edges of the lake.
California Quail 15 pairs running in brushy areas around the lake; calls.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 open water and edge of lake; one calling from marsh, ne.
Eared Grebe 10 (alt. plmg.) loose flocks diving together, open water, n.
Western Grebe 60 mostly in pairs; calls, courtship, open water.
Clark's Grebe 20 (possibly more) many in pairs, resting; silent.
Double-crested Cormorant 2 flying across lake.
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls from cottonwood, flying, s.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) on utility pole, ne.
Virginia Rail 1 flushed from riparian-marsh shoreline by the dam, ne.
American Coot 35 relatively scarce; scattered around the edges of the lake.
Killdeer 1 calls, n.
Black-necked Stilt 4 flying low, nw over lake.
Red-necked Phalarope 1 open water, s-central.
Bonaparte's Gull 1 (bsc. plmg.) open water, s-central.
California Gull 10 (ad, imm) open water; flying over lake.
Herring Gull 1 (C1) swimming, then flying, nw.
Rock Pigeon 2 flying, n.
Mourning Dove 10 riparian areas around the lake.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, cottonwoods, adjacent yards, se.
Greater Roadrunner 1 in shade of California juniper with two CAWR, n.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (m,f) fos; calls, perched on yucca flower stalk, se (photo).
Black-chinned Hummingbird (m) se Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Anna's Hummingbird 6 (m,f) riparian and other habitats around the lake; calls.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, cottonwoods, se.
Black Phoebe 3 riparian and edge of marsh, se, s, w.
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 fos; calling atop a California Juniper, s (photo).
Ash-throated Flycatcher s Lake Palmdale, CA
April 27, 2012 © 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Kingbird 15 ubiquitous in open areas around the lake; vocal, conspicuous perches; sally-flycatching from trees and fences.
Warbling Vireo 1 foraging in cottonwood subcanopy, ne.
Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, n.
Common Raven 10 flying over lake and open areas around the lake.
Tree Swallow 60 pairs landing in dead branches of cottonwoods and willows around the lake, esp,. s and w; flying over the lake.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over open areas near shore, ne.
Bank Swallow 1 on utility line with CLSW and TRSW, ne (photo).
Bank Swallow ne Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Cliff Swallow 120 nesting under eaves in adjacent home; flying over entire lake; flocks on utility wires.
Oak Titmouse 5 calls, riparian areas around most of the lake.
Verdin 2 calls, juniper-cottonwood edge, se.
Bushtit 10 active in cottonwoods and junipers, s, se.
Cactus Wren 2 a pair in a Joshua Tree next to a California Juniper; calls (photo).
Cactus Wren north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Bewick's Wren 8 singing in brushy areas around the lake.
House Wren 3 singing in riparian understory, se, s.
Northern Mockingbird 1 singing, se.
California Thrasher 1 singing, s.
European Starling 10 vocal; riparian and open areas around the lake.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging in cottonwood, s.
Nashville Warbler 1 fos foraging in cottonwood, s (photo).
Nashville Warbler (male) south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Yellow Warbler 2 m foraging in cottonwood; calls and song, s (photo).
Yellow Warbler (male) south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 30 (m,f) ubiquitous, calls, though not as abundant as during previous survey.
Wilson's Warbler 20 (m,f) active, vocal in cottonwoods and junipers around the lake (photo).
Wilson's Warbler (male) south Lake Palmdale, CA 27 April 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Tanager 5 (m,f) fos in cottonwoods, ne,se, s (photo).
Western Tanager (female) ne Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
California Towhee 2 on ground; vocal, s, n.
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, e.
Song Sparrow 6 vocal in marsh-riparian areas around the lake.
White-crowned Sparrow 2 calls; active on ground in ruderal area, n.
Black-headed Grosbeak 1 fos calls, song; active in cottonwoods, se.
Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) active, vocal in riparian-marsh areas around the lake.
Tricolored Blackbird 1 (f) on lawn in picnic area, n.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 4, vocal (probably more, but difficult to see) mash-riparian areas, n.
Great-tailed Gravkle 60 vocal, active in marsh and riparian; flying back and forth across the lake.
Brown-headed Cowbird 5 vocal in cottonwoods around the lake.
Bullock's Oriole 1 fos (m) in cottonwoods, ne.
Hooded Oriole 1 (m) foraging on clusters of dead leaves in cottonwood, se. A relatively new species at LP, possibly attracted to the large palms in the adjacent tract (south) of new homes (photo).
Hooded Oriole se Lake Palmdale, CA 27 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, ruderal and riparian areas around the lake.
Lesser Goldfinch 8 vocal; pairs and small flocks in crown of cottonwoods, se, s ,sw
Lawrence's Goldfinch 2 calls and song repeated in cottonwoods, se.
House Sparrow 10 vocal, active around buildings, n.
Weather: Fair; 57F to 72F; no wind.
Time: 0720 - 1048 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying birds in all habitats. The lake water level continues to be relatively high. About 80 fishermen were on the docks and/or trolling in small motorboats; auto traffic around the lake was moderately heavy, especially on the west and south sides, where I used the fence line perimeter road in an attempt to avoid most of it. Cottonwoods were full of migrant warblers (mostly Yellow-rumped) but the lake had relatively few waterbirds.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Hooded Oriole (1) and Lawrence's Goldfinch (courtship behavior).
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 8 (m,f) pairs around edges of the lake; flushed by motorboat traffic.
Bufflehead 120 (m,f) a large flock staying together on the lake, nw.
Ruddy Duck 50 (several males in alt. plmg.) a large flock resting on the water away from boat traffic, nw.
California Quail 10 pairs flushed from brushy areas around the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 open water and calling from the marsh, ne.
Eared Grebe 10 (alt. plmg.) diving, open water, n-central.
Western Grebe 50 pairs and singles; calls, open water, avoiding boat traffic.
Clark's Grebe 40 pairs, triplets and singles (no calls heard), open water, central.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 open water, avoiding boat traffic.
Great Egret 1 on shore, se.
Snowy Egret 1 foraging in shallows; one in cottonwood, se.
Cooper's Hawl 1 (imm) atop tall willow next to slough; fly-by harassment by resident tree swallows (photo).
Cooper's Hawk (immature) and Tree Swallow, se Lake Palmdale, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, se.
American Coot 85 scattered around edges of the lake.
Black-necked Stilt 3 on shore next to jetty, nw.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 flushed from edge of jetty, nw.
Least Sandpiper 6 foraging in shallows of settling pond, n.
Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) on jetty with CAGU, nw.
California Gull 10 (ad, imm) on jetty and open water, n-central.
Mourning Dove 10 riparian areas around the lake.
Roadrunner 1 perched on outboard motor boat in parking lot, n (photo).
Roadrunner north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Anna's Hummingbird 8 (m) riparian and juniper-sage scrub around the lake.
Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call, riparian at edge of lake, se.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 (m, f?) fly, drumming, calls, riparian, s, se.
Black Phoebe 6 edge of lake, marsh-riparian.
Say's Phoebe 1 calling, adjacent open field, s.
Western Kingbird 8 open areas with tall trees around the lake; calls (photo).
Western Kingbird, north LP, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Scrub-jay 2 fly, call, se, sw.
Common Raven 10 fly, call, e, s.
Tree Swallow 80 pairs perched on snags around lake; calls; flying low over lake.
Cliff Swallow 10 nesting colony returning to eaves of adjacent home, s.
Barn Swallow 2 flying around concrete wall and drainage basin, s.
Oak Titmouse 3 active, vocal in cottonwoods, n, s, w.
Bushtit 5 active, vocal in cottonwoods, s.
Cactus Wren 1 calling repeatedly from Joshua Tree -juniper scrub adjacent to picnic area, n.
Bewick's Wren 8 song, calls, riparian and juniper scrub around the lake.
House Wren 2 singing repeatedly, cottonwoods, s.
Northern Mockingbird 1 song, pyracantha along entrance road, n.
European Starling 10 in tall trees, n, s; calls.
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 foraging in cottonwood, sw (photo).
Orange-crowned Warbler sw Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 120 (m,f) ubiquitous, vocal, especially when together in cottonwoods (photo).
Yellow-rumped Warbler (male, alt. plmg.)r Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Common Yellowthroat 3 marsh-riparian, vocal, active, ne.
Wilson's Warbler 2 (m) active, singing in cottonwoods, se, s.
California Towhee 1 edge of picnic area, n.
Song Sparrow 10 riparian, marsh, edge; one on ground (photo) and one with large dipteran dove into marsh (feeding nestinglings?), n.
Song Sparrow south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
White-crowned Sparrow 20 (ad) loose flocks in ruderal fields and edge of riparian around the lake.
Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) vocal in marsh-riparian areas around the lake, esp. w, n.
Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m) a tight flock flying east, calls, n.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 12 vocal, marsh-riparian, nw, n.
Great-tailed Grackle 50 (m,f) vocal, flying, riparian areas around the lake.
Hooded Oriole 1 (imm male: note incomplete hood, long tail) forgaging in canopy on cottonwood fruits, s (photo).
Hooded Oriole (immature male) south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, riparian and edge around the lake.
Lesser Goldfinch 4 (m,f) vocal, cottonwoods, s, n (photo).
Lesser Goldfinch (male) south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 two pair, singing repeatedly in same area (photo suggests one pair duetting), cottonwood -juniper, s (photo).
Lawrence's Goldfinch (female (left; male right) possible duet song of mated pair, south Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 20 April, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
House Sparrow 10 in garden and picnic area around clubhouse, n.
Weather: Fair; 47F to 61F; wind N 0-1 mph. Heavy rains yesterday; snow on adjacent mountains.
Time: 0816 - 1115 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake. More than 100 fishermen were around the lake; several trolling in motorboats. Skeet shooting was continuous during the survey on the range in the northeast; shotgun blasts were audible from all parts of the lake.Traffic on the perimeter road was moderate to heavy. My survey route was on the outside fence line road on the west and south sides, thus missing a significant amount of shoreline and marsh in those areas. Nonetheless, birding was fairly productive around the entire lake, including near the skeet range.
Bird species of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Red-necked Phalarope (7), Bonaparte's Gull (6), Herring Gull (1), Western Kingbird (6), Cassin's Vireo (1), Yellow Warbler (2), and Yellow-headed Blackbird (6).
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 10 (m,f) edges of the lake and settling pond, N.
Bufflehead 80 (m,f) a large, loose flock diving, central and w.
Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f; 20% alt. plumage) resting, edge of lake, slough, s.
California Quail 20 pairs and small coveys scattered around the lake in brushy areas; calls.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 open water, central.
Eared Grebe 12 (50% in alt. plumage), central and near the jetty, nw (photo).
Eared Grebe (alternate plumage) nw Lake Palmdale, April 15, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Grebe 40-50 in pairs; calls, central and edges of lake.
Clark's Grebe 20 in pairs, calls, central and n.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 n and central; dive, fly.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 imm flushed from large cottonwood by dam, se.
American Coot 100 (conserv. est.) around the edges of the lake.
Killdeer 1 calls, settling pond, n.
Red-necked Phalarope 7 (alt. plmg.) spinning, open water, s.
Bonaparte's Gull 6 (2 in alt. plumage) swimming, gleaning from lake surface, central, s.
California Gull 120 (90% adult) resting, open water, s-central; fly, call.
Herring Gull 1 (C!: noted large bill, whitish head and dirty brown upperparts) swimming alone near jetty, nw.
Mourning Dove 10 flushed from riparian around the lake.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, flying, tall cottonwood adjacent to homesteads, se.
Anna's Hummingbird 8 (m) fly, hovering, calls, around the lake.
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1? hovering between mature cottonwoods and junipers, se; smaller than Anna's but not seen well.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 fly, call, riparian, n, sw.
Black Phoebe 6 low perch, riparian areas around the lake.
Western Kingbird 6 perched on chain-link-barbed wire fence, e (photo); sally-flycatching from pole, ne.
Western Kingbird, east Lake Palmdale, 15 April 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Cassin's Vireo 1 singing briefly in cottonwood, w; moving quickly through subcanopy (no photo).
Western Scrub-jay 2 fly, calls, w, se.
Common Raven 12 a loose flock flying around the dam, se.
Tree Swallow 60 flying low over the lake; several pair in mature cottonwoods with cavities, w, s.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 10 flying low, back and forth over the lake and shore, n.
Cliff Swallow 200 flying low and to about 50 ft. over the lake and riparian areas around the lake.
Barn Swallow 6 fly, call; perched on utility line, n (photo).
Barn Swallow north Lake Palmdale, April 15, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Oak Titmouse 3 calls, riparian, n, s, ne.
Verdin 1 calls, repeated, riparian-juniper scrub, se.
Bushtit 10 two small, vocal flocks, riparian and sage scrub, nw, s.
Bewick's Wren 8 singing, riparian, juniper, sage scrub around the lake.
House Wren 2 singing, riparian-sage edge, nw; sw.
Northern Mockingbird 1 singing, n.
California Thrasher 1 ran beneath juniper, w.
European Starling 8 vocal; in cottonwoods and mulberry trees around caretaker's house, n.
American Pipit 2 on concrete embankment and wading in mud-lined shallows of settling pond, n.
Yellow Warbler 2 (m, f?) song, repeated in cottonwood across from noisy skeet range.
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 80 ( m, f; alt. plmg.) ubiquitous; vocal.
Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 1 (f) on fence, e.
Common Yellowthroat 5 song, repeated; marsh and riparian edge around the lake.
California Towhee 1 calls, sage scrub, n.
Savannah Sparrow 2 calls, edge of riparian; n, se.
Song Sparrow 8 calls, song, riparian around the lake.
White-crowned Sparrow 20 small flocks in creosote scrub and sage, n.
Red-winged Blackbird 50 (m,f) calls, song, marsh, riparian around the lake (photo).
Red-winged Blackbird (male) northwest Lake Palmdale, April 15, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Meadowlark 1 singing, open field, s.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 6 (m,f) singing; cattails under cliff with cottonwoods, nw (photo)
Yellow-headed Blackbird (male) northwest Lake Palmdale, April 15, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Great-tailed Grackle 50 (m,f) vocal, in cottonwoods (photo) ; flying across lake; ubiquitous.
Great-tailed Grackle (male) northwest Lake Palmdale, April 15, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (m) calls, song, n, ne.
House Finch 10 (m,f) song, riparian, edge, n.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, song, n.
Lawrence's Goldfinch 1 (m) cottonwood-juniper edge, se.
House Sparrow 10 brush piles around caretakers yard, n.
Weather: Fair; wind wnw 2 mph. 38F. PNW storm, with intermittent rain and snow two days ago, moving east.
Time: 0907 - 1130 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, including the lakeside and outer perimeter road (west side). About 50 fishermen were around the lake (no boat traffic during the survey). Auto traffic and associated disturbance on the south and west shoreline road was moderately heavy. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Hooded Merganser (1), Horned Grebe (2), Herring Gull (1), Mountain Chickadee (1) and five species of swallow Tree, Violet-green, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff and Barn.
BIRDS NOTED .
Mallard 1 (m) flying over lake, ne.
Bufflehead 80 (m,f) scattered around edges of the lake.
Hooded Merganser 1 (f) diving near the shore beneath the cliff, n.
Ruddy Duck 300 (m,f; about 50% in transitional alt. plmg.) resting around edges of the lake, especially in the s slough.
California Quail 5 calls from ruderal, shrubby roadside, s.
Pied-billed Grebe 10 open water; one flock (presumably migrants) staying together (photo).
Pied-billed Grebe north Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 19 March 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Horned Grebe 2 (basic plmg.) diving, open water, n (photo).
Horned Grebe north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Eared Grebe 6 (bsc. plmg.) a loose flock diving near shore, n (photo).
Eared Grebe north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Western Grebe 50 pairs and triplets engaged in synchronized water-run dance; frequent calls from these and other individuals, ubiquitous.
Clark's Grebe 3 a triplet swimming together then separating; mostly silent; near jetty, nw.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 on stirring platforms; swimming, diving around the lake.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 fly, call; evidently nesting in a tall cottonwood in the se corner.
American Coot 50 scattered around the edges of the lake.
Ring-billed Gull 1 (ad) flying low, w over lake.
California Gull 350 (95% adult) resting together in an exceptionally large, east-west oriented flock, southwest-central (photo).
California Gull southwest Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Herring Gull 1 (immature C1) on jetty, nw (photo).
Herring Gull (C1) northwest Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Eurasian Collared Dove 1 flushed from cottonwood, nw.
Mourning Dove 2 (about 100 yards apart) edge of juniper-sage scrub, se.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) atop Calif. juniper with MOCH, w.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 2 calls, active in cottonwoods, s, se.
Black Phoebe 2 edge of riparian, e, se.
Say's Phoebe 1 edge of ruderal area below dam, ne.
Common Raven 10 on dam, ne.
Tree Swallow 350 (5% immature) ubiquitous, flying low over lake, dipping; hundreds roosting at edge of lake in willows; w.
Violet-green Swallow 50 (2% immature - one with coloration and facial pattern resembling T. bicolor or possibly a hybrid T. thalassina x T. bicolor (see photo below) flying low around edges of the lake and shore; resting near shore (photo).'
Violet-green Swallow ( L-R: adult, Tachycineta sp.?, adult) north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over rocky-ruderal west face of dam, ne.
Cliff Swallow 10 flying low over the water, shoreline; resting near shore, n (photo) ne.
Cliff Swallow north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Barn Swallow 4 (bsc.; alt. plmg.) flying low over the shore; resting on utility wire, n (photo).
Barn Swallow north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Mountain Chickadee 1 active, calls, in Calif. juniper, w.
Oak Titmouse 3 calls, cottonwoods, juniper, n, sw, s.
Bushtit 20 3 active, vocal flocks of 5 - 8 birds; junipers, cottonwoods, Calif. buckwheat, w, sw, se.
Bewick's Wren 5 calls, song, brushy edges of fields, riparian around the lake.
Northern Mockingbird 2 calls, song, n, se.
California Thrasher 1 calls, junipers, se.
European Starling 10 calls, song, around clubhouse; in cottonwoods with holes in trunk (nesting?), n, s.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 (A); 1 (M - female) ruderal fields, riparian edge; vocal, active.
Common Yellowthroat 2 (m, f) calls, song, marsh, sw, ne.
Lark Sparrow 2 ruderal roadside, ne (photo).
Lark Sparrow northeast Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA 19 March, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Song Sparrow 10 calls, song, riparian and edge around the lake.
White-crowned Sparrow 50 (ad, imm) flocks of 10 12 birds foraging on ground in ruderal areas around the lake.
Red-winged Blackbird 40 (m,f) calls, song; riparian areas around the lake.
Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m) calls, song, riparian, w, s.
House Finch 20 (m,f) calls, song, riparian, n, se.
Lesser Goldfinch 2 calls, in mature cottonwoods, se.
House Sparrow 10 around the gardens, clubhouse and feeder at caretaker's house.
Weather: Fair; wind ENE 0-5 mph. 47F to 55F.
Time: 0924 - 1139 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats. I avoided the inside perimeter road on the west side due to heavy traffic. About 100 fishermen were around the lake, including a few trolling in small motorboats. The lake water level was very high, partially inundating the shoreline and boardwalks on the south side. Except for auto traffic around the lake, conditions were generally good for identifying bird vocalizations.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (4), Common Gallinule (1), Roadrunner (1), and Red-breasted Sapsucker (1). No herons of any kind were found today.
BIRDS NOTED
Mallard 1 (m) swimming in open water, s-central.
Northern Shoveler 8 (m,f) a tight flock swimming, s-central.
Bufflehead 40 (m,f) diving, edges of the lake.
Ruddy Duck 200 (m,f; a few in trans. alt. plumage) resting around the edges of the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 2 open water, n, s.
Horned Grebe 4 (bsc. plmg.) swimming, diving together, open water, n.
Eared Grebe 4 (bsc. plmg.) s-central.
Western Grebe 60 scattered around the lake.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 swimming, flying, se.
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (ad) fly, calls, se.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 (imm. one molting wing and tail feathers) flying, e, w.
Common Gallinule 1 swimming near docks, s (photo).
Common Gallinule south Lake Palmdale, CA March 3, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
American Coot 50 scattered around edges of the lake.
Killdeer 3 settling ponds, n.
Least Sandpiper 1 foraging in shallows, settling pond, n.
California Gull 60 ( 95% ad) resting on water, n-central.
Mourning Dove 1 calls, w.
Roadrunner 1 (ad) foraging in ruderal rabbitbrush field next to skeet range, ne.
Anna's Hummingbird 2 (m) fly, call, e, se.
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1 (m) foraging on trunk in subcanopy of large cottonwood (same tree where RNSS was found on 2/24/12), se.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, forgaing in same cottonwood with RBSS, se.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, n.
Black Phoebe 3 low perch, sally- flycatching, se, s, w.
Say's Phoebe 2 perched in juniper and small Joshua tree at the edge of an open field, ne, n (photo).
Say's Phoebe north Lake Palmdale, CA March 3, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Loggerhead Shrike 1 on fence, e.
Common Raven 15 soaring together 150 -300 ft., e.
Tree Swallow 50 (probably a low est. ) flying back and forth, low over most of the lake.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 flying low over bluff, n.
Cliff Swallow 80- 120 (est.) flying low, back and forth over most of the lake.
Oak Titmouse 1 at base of juniper next to clubhouse, n.
Verdin 1 rapids calls, juniper-sage scrub, se.
Bushtit 20 small, vocal flocks in wooded areas around the lake
Rock Wren 1 perched atop a parked tank-trailer, n (photo).
Rock Wren north Lake Palmdale, CA March 3, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Bewick's Wren 10 calls, song, brushy areas around the lake.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 in a large, budding cottonwood, calls, e.
European Starling 10 calls, active around clubhouse and garden; also in cottonwoods, s.
American Pipit 2 shoreline, settling pond; south docks (photo).
American Pipit southwest Lake Palmdale, CA March 3, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 50 (m,f) active at several levels in bushes and trees, ubiquitous.
Song Sparrow 10 active, calls, song, marsh-riparian around the lake.
White-crowned Sparrow 50 (ad, imm) vocal, active on ground, bushes and trees.
Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) active, vocal, marsh riparian around the lake.
Great-tailed Grackle 12 (m,f) active, vocal; flock in willows - riparian strip next to the s channel.
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, ruderal fields, riparian around the lake.
House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal around clubhouse and picnic area, n.
FEBRUARY 24, 2012 (46 Species)
Weather: Fair; 55F to 63F; wind WNW 2 mph.
Time: 0813 - 1050 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, keeping mostly to the outer perimeter roads in the south and western sections. Most of the fishing docks were occupied (totalling perhaps 175 people) around the lake and auto traffic on the interior perimeter road was heavy. Consequently, I avoided travelling my usual survey route close to the shoreline. Numerous motorboats were active throughout the lake, forcing most of the waterbirds into areas less disturbed by human presence. Ducks and herons were notably scarce or absent, except for Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck and Great Blue Heron.
Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (8), Red-naped Sapsucker (1) and LeConte's Thrasher (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Bufflehead 60 (m,f) small flocks scattered around the lake in undisturbed areas.
Ruddy Duck 80 (m,f - a few in trans. alt. plmg.) edges of the lake.
California Quail 4 juniper- cottonwood edge, w.
Pied-billed Grebe 3 open water, n.
Horned Grebe 8 singles, pairs ( all bsc. plmg.) diving, n (photo).
Horned Grebe north Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 24 February, 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Eared Grebe 6 singles, pairs,(all bsc. plmg.) n
Western Grebe 60 open water, scattered across the lake; calls.
Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying low, ne.
Great Blue Heron 1 flying se over dam.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (1 ad. seen) calls, perched in cottonwood, se.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) in cottonwood, flew e.
American Coot 60 around edges of the lake.
Killdeer 15 settling ponds, skeet field, n.
California Gull 30 (90% adult), open water; flying over lake.
Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls, cottonwood, w.
Mourning Dove 2 fly, ne, sw.
Anna's Hummingbird 2 fly, calls, se.
Downy Woodpecker 1 (m) foraging on terminal branches of budding cottonwood, se.
Northern Flicker 3 in cottonwoods, calls, ne, se.
Red-naped Sapsucker 1 (m) foraging in upper region of mature cottonwoods; possibly the same individual found in this general area on February 6, 2012, se (photo). Second record for LP.
Red-naped Sapsucker (m) southeast Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA 24 Feb. 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
Black Phoebe 8 low perch; sally-snatch gleaning from ground and foliage, riparian edges around lake.
Say's Phoebe 2; one doing a vocal display fligh at 15 -35 ft. above the ground; another nearby on fence, ne.
Western Scrub-jay 1 calls, n.
Common Raven 18 circling high on thermals above lake.
Horned Lark 2 fly, call, ne.
Tree Swallow 5 vocal, flying over riparian strip and edge of lake, ne.
Oak Titmouse 5 calls, song, riparian areas around the lake.
Verdin 1 calls, juniper-riparian, se.
Bushtit 12 foraging on new inflorescence of cottonwood, se.
Cactus Wren 1 calls, ne.
Bewick's Wren 10 calls, song, brushy areas around the lake.
Northern Mockingbird 2 calls, song, riparian and edge, n, s.
California Thrasher 3 calls, song, juniper -sage scrub, edge of parking lot, nw.
LeConte's Thrasher 1 (distinctive song; thin decurved bill and pale gray coloration, c.f. CATH); continuous song from atop a creosote bush, nw (photo). Second record for LP (see March 11, 2011) .
LeConte's Thrasher northwest Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA, 24 Feb. 2012
© 2012 Callyn Yorke
European Starling 6 fly, call, n.
American Pipit 1 fly, call, n.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 14 (m,f) calls, foraging in large cottonwoods with new buds.
California Towhee 2 calls, juniper-rabbitbrush scrub; one on fence, w
Song Sparrow 4 calls, song, marsh and riparian edge, se, s.
White-crowned Sparrow 60 (ad, imm) ubiquitous in brushy areas.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 calls, song, cottonwoods, marsh, n, ne, s.
Western Meadowlark 2 calls, song, n.
Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) fly, call, marsh-riparian, s.
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, yellow and red morphs, riparian and edges around the lake.
Lesser Goldfinch 8 vocal, foraging on buds of large cottonwoods, se.
House Sparrow 10 vocal, active around gardens, feeders at caretaker's house, n.
Weather: Overcast; 40F; wind ENE 0- 2 mph.
Time: 0822 - 1029 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin and Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, including the western perimeter road. The lake water level remains high, leaving almost no exposed shoreline.At least 100 fishermen were using the lake, several trolling with motorboats in open water. Many waterbirds occupied the central portion of the lake which had relatively little boat traffic. Auto traffic on perimeter roads was heavy throughout, except on the eastern side next to the dam and the fence line road on the western boundary. The large number of people around the lake made observations of birds more challenging than usual.
Species of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Horned Grebe (2), Red-naped Sapsucker (1 - a new addition to the LP bird list) and Phainopepla (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Bufflehead 10 (m,f) diving around edges of the lake, ne, nw.
Ruddy Duck 60 (m,f; many in transitional alternate plumage), resting around the edges of the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming, open water, central.
Horned Grebe 2 swimming, open water, n-central.
Eared Grebe 2 swimming together, open water, n-central.
Western Grebe 30 swimming, n-central
Double-crested Cormorant 2 one with outstretched wings on a stirring platform; one flying n.
Great Blue Heron 1 (imm) shoreline of dam, SE.
Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) edge of tules in slough, s.
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 calls, w.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) n, one in crown of a cottonwood, se.
American Coot 80 scattered around the edges of the lake.
Killdeer 15 resting on the dry section of the settling pond, n.
California Gull 10 (ad, imm) fly, resting in open water, central.
Rock Dove 2 bathing at edge of settling pond, n.
Mourning Dove 3 in cottowoods, s.
Anna's Hummingbird 1 (m) in field of mulefat, e.
Northern Flicker 1 calls, n.
Red-naped Sapsucker 1 (f) noted gray-white barring on gray upperparts;variegated gray head with dull red on nape and hind crown; foraging quickly; seen clearly with binocular from about 70 feet (no photo)and flew to trees around adjacent suburb, s. Species # 239 for the LP bird list.
Black Phoebe 3 calls, vocal, active low at edge of lake, se, s, w.
Loggerhead Shrike 1 on road cone on dam, e.
Common Raven 6 fly, call, n, e.
Horned Lark 2 fly, call, n.
Tree Swallow 10 flying back and forth, low over lake.
Oak Titmouse 3 calls, song, n, s, w.
Bewick's Wren 4 song, e, s, w.
Northern Mockingbird 3 song, calls, n, s, nw.
California Thrasher 5 song; pair in Joshua Tree - Juniper woodland, n; song, e, w.
European Starling 6 ruderal areas; vocal, n.
American Pipit 1 calls, n.
Phainopepla 1 (m) calls; chased by NOMO around mistletoe in crown of cottonwood, se.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15 (m,f) vocal, active, shrubs and trees throughout.
Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, riparian, ne.
Song Sparrow 4 calls, song, se, s, w.
White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) foraging on roads; vocal, active in shrubby areas, s ,w.
Red-winged Blackbird 10 vocal in marsh-riparian, ne, se.
Western Meadowlark 2 song, n, sw.
Great-tailed Grackle 16 (m,f) foraging on jetty, nw; vocal, active, s.
House Finch 10 (m,f) vocal, active, tall trees, n, w.
House Sparrow 10 around pyracantha; foraging on ground, n.
Weather: Fair; 53F; winds increasing, NNE 0 - 10 mph.
Time: 0835 - 1040 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats (see above link for habitat descriptions). A few people were working on docks and clearing weeds; otherwise the lake was quiet and undisturbed. Dredging activities (occurring at about eight year intervals) have ceased; large piles of mud and dead aquatic vegetation remain around the perimeter road on the south and west sides. The lake water level has increased since my last survey (December 27, 2011); only a foot or less of exposed shoreline is presently found, mostly on the north side. The southern channel is now contiguous with the northeast corner of the lake, due to the removal of dense growth of cattails and tules. Landbirds appeared scarce today; waterbirds (i.e. ducks) were fairly abundant in the central and eastern portions of the lake. Waterfowl hunting will continue through January on Sundays and Wednesdays.
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 4 (m,f) flushed from shallows, n, s.
American Wigeon 1 (f) open water.
Northern Shoveler 35 (m,f) open water and edge, e-central.
Canvasback 5 (f) resting, open water, w.
Ring-necked Duck 2 (m,f) swimming in south channel, then flying w.
Lesser Scaup 16 (m,f) open water, central.
Bufflehead 10 (m,f) pairs and small, loose flocks, open water and shallows.
Common Merganser 6 (f) one flock of 4 staying together; one pair open water, central, e.
Ruddy Duck 120 (m,f) most resting in loose flocks throughout the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 30 open water and edges of the lake.
Horned Grebe 3 diving, open water, central.
Eared Grebe 10 diving, open water, central, edges of the lake.
Western Grebe 60 open water and edges of the lake; a pair doing courtship head bobbing-turning.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 swimming, diving, open water; one with small fish.
Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) edge of marsh, ne.
Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) edge of marsh, s channel.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 fly, call, s, w.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 ad, imm) on utility pole, n; soaring, nw.
American Coot 80 edges of the lake, especially newly exposed mud shores, se.
Killdeer 10 on embankment of settling ponds, n.
Ring-billed Gull 2 (ad) open water, central; CAGU nearby.
California Gull 15 (ad, imm) resting on open water; flying nw toward landfill.
Northern (RS)Flicker 2 one foraging on ground, se; calls.
Black Phoebe 2 calls, e, se.
Common Raven 6 fly, call, e.
Tree Swallow 8 flying low, dipping; back and forth over lake, central.
Bewick's Wren 1 calls, brushy field, se.
Marsh Wren 1 calls, dense cattails, w.
Northern Mockingbird 1 in pyracantha bordering entry road, n.
California Thrasher 1 song, Joshua-Juniper area near clubhouse, n.
European Starling 10 foraging on lawn in picnic area, n; calls and song.
American Pipit 3 fly, call; shorelines, ne, se, nw.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 mulberry trees in picnic area, n.
Song Sparrow 3 calls, marsh, riparian, se, s.
White-crowned Sparrow 25 (ad, imm) brushy areas, n, e, s; calls, song.
House Finch 5 (m,f) picnic area, n.
House Sparrow 10 picnic area, n.
DECEMBER 27, 2011 (42 Species)
Weather: Fair 42F to 50F; wind ENE 2 mph.
Time: 0838 - 1030 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats (see above link for habitat descriptions). Dredging and removal of tules, cattails and other aquatic vegetation around the shore continued today in the northwest corner, adjacent to the jetty. Large piles of dredged vegetation and mud have been dumped next to the roadway around the south and western margins of the lake. Most of the trees (e.g. cottonwood and willow) have remained intact around the lake, except in the southeastern section where a few trees apparently interfered with heavy machinery used for dredging. The exceptionally low water level in the lake (about 4 feet below normal ) has left much of the shoreline exposed (photo). Landbirds of several species were observed foraging on the shoreline. Hunting on Wednesdays has been postponed until dredging operations have been completed.
Northeast Lake Palmdale viewing south. Note the exposed shoreline due to low water level. December 27, 2011
.
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming near shore, ne.
Bufflehead 20 (m,f) diving, central, s, w.
Common Goldeneye 1 (m) swimming near the dam, ne.
Common Merganser 10 (m,f) pairs and one flock swimming, preening, s-central.
Ruddy Duck 60 several small flocks resting around the edges of the lake.
California Quail 12 brushy roadside, ne.
Pied-billed Grebe 12 swimming, diving around the edges of the lake.
Horned Grebe 5 two fairly tight flocks swimming, diving, north-central.
Eared Grebe 15 individuals and loose flocks swimming, diving around the edges of the lake; also central. (photo).
Eared Grebe nw Lake Palmdale, December 27, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Western Grebe 60 resting, preening, mostly in loose flocks, n, n-central.
Clark's Grebe 1 n-central.
Double-crested Cormorant 10 swimming, diving, flying, resting, edges and central sections of the lake.
Great Blue Heron 2 on shore, se, nw.
Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (ad) in tules at edge of slough, s.
Cooper's Hawk 1 landing in willows, nw.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 fly, call, s.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad, imm) adult on utility pole, ne; immature on shore, nw.
American Coot 100 scattered around the edges of the lake.
Killdeer 2 shoreline; calls, n.
Least Sandpiper 1 foraging in debris on shore and in shallows near an American Pipit, ne (photo).
Least Sandpiper northeast Lake Palmdale, CA December 27, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
California Gull 20 (90% ad) resting on lake, central; flying nw toward Palmdale landfill.
Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call, n, w.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (f) fly, landing in willow, s.
Northern Flicker 1 fly, call, n.
Black Phoebe 2 riparian and edge; calls, se, s.
Say's Phoebe 1 on a short post, skeet range, ne.
Common Raven 6 fly, call; small flock in cottonwood, n.
Oak Titmouse 2 call, cottonwwoods, se, s.
Verdin 1 calls, flying between junipers, se.
Bushtit 8 active in junipers, se.
Bewick's Wren 2 calls, edge of riparian-rabbit brush field, se, sw.
Northern Mockingbird 1 on fence with pyracantha near clubhouse, calls, n.
European Starling 4 in cottonwood, n.
American Pipit 4 foraging on shore; fly, call, n.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (A) 2 fly, call, se.
Common Yellowthroat 5 a pair and individuals foraging on shore adjacent to disturbed riparian-marshland, n (photo).
Common Yellowthroat (male) northeast Lake Palmdale, CA December 27, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, se.
Song Sparrow 5 fly, call, riparian and marsh, s, se, w.
White-crowned Sparrow 30 (ad, imm) riparian, marsh and ruderal roadway areas around the lake; calls, song.
Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) active in riparian at edge of slough, s.
House Finch 6 fly, call, se.
House Sparrow 5 active in garden and around buildings, n.
DECEMBER 10, 2011 (52 Species)
Weather: Partly cloudy (30%); 43F to 55F; wind ENE 0-2 mph. Lake surface calm.
Time: 0840 - 1135 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats. Dead marsh vegetation (mostly cattails) in the southeast corner was being removed by heavy equipment; a maintenance crew was removing willows around dock #42 in the southern section. Elsewhere, the lake was quiet and largely undisturbed, without any boat traffic and minimal auto traffic. The lake water level continues to recede despite input from the aqueduct at the south end and a inlet pipe releasing water in the northeast corner. The result of the low water level is an extensive shoreline around much of the lake with exposed mudflats attracting to shorebirds (i.e. Killdeer and Least Sandpiper) in the northwest corner. Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Hooded Merganser (4), Common Merganser (1), Common Loon (3), Horned Grebe (3), Osprey (1), Least Sandpiper (11), Herring Gull (1), Hairy Woodpecker (2), Tree Swallow (30), Cactus Wren (1) and Mountain Chickadee (1). An unidentified Zenaida dove (possibly Z. auriculata) was photographed in the northeast portion of LP.
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 8 (m,f) swimming near dam in pairs and loose flocks; flighty,se.
Mallard 6 (m,f) edge of slough, se.
Northern Shoveler 18 (m,f) swimming in tight flock; flighty, se.
Lesser Scaup 12 (m,f) swimming in two small flocks, nw, central.
Bufflehead 40 (m,f) swimming in loose flocks; diving, around the edges of the lake.
Common Merganser 1 flying low over lake, e.
Hooded Merganser 4 (f) staying close together; preening, near shore, nw.
Ruddy Duck 100 (est. ) (m,f) scattered around the edges of the lake.
Common Loon 3 resting, preening; diving, central w-e sections of the lake.
Pied-billed Grebe 4 swimming, diving, edges of the lake.
Horned Grebe 3 swimming fairly close together; nearby EAGR for comparisons, central.
Eared Grebe 20 swimming, diving, edges and central.
Western Grebe 50 scattered over the entire lake; calls.
Clark's Grebe 10 edges of the lake, nw, w.
Double-crested Cormorant 15 resting, swimming and diving, north-central.
Great-blue Heron 3 shorelines around the lake; fly, call.
Great Egret 2 shorelines, n, se.
Black-crowned Night Heron 8 (1 ad) clustered in loose groups of 2-3 individuals in cattails at n edge of slough, s.
Osprey 1(ad) circling the lake, s (photo); in willow, calls.
Osprey south Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA December 10, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 flushed from cottonwoods, se; fly, call; one staying close to RTHA.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 (ad) cottonwoods with RSHA; circling, nw.
American Coot 100 (est.) edges of the lake and shore throughout.
Killdeer 10 widest shore and mudflats around the lake.
Least Sandpiper 11 foraging on shore and in shallows; flushed, then returned to same spot (photo).
Least Sandpiper northwest Lake Palmdale, Los Angeles County, CA December 10, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Ring-billed Gull 2 resting on water, central.
California Gull 120 (ad, imm) commuting between LP and the Palmdale landfill about 1 mile nw.
Herring Gull 1 (C1) noted relatively pale upperparts; large, nearly all black bill; resting on the water with nearby CAGU, central.
Rock Pigeon 18 flying over adjacent suburbs, n.
Zenaida sp.? (c.f. Z. macroura, Z. aurita and Z. auriculata - see photos below ) 1 on utility wire; noted relatively dark coloration and unusual rounded (not pointed) tail (photo); I did not see a white patch in the secondaries, characteristic of Z. aurita. this bird made typical MODO wing noise when flushed. Two authorities on California birds independently concluded this bird is a Mourning Dove (Z. macroura) based on population variation in Z. macroura together with certain missing features (i.e. white patch in secondaries and black ear mark) characteristic of Z. aurita and Z. auriculata, respectively. To my eye, Eared Dove (Z. auriculata) is perhaps the closest though certainly not a perfect match to the LP bird (c.f. photos below).
Zenaida sp? north Lake Palmdale, LACO, CA December 10, 2011.
© 2011 Callyn Yorke Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) South America © Robert Scanlon
Zenaida Dove (Zenaida aurita) Caribbean Islands Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Santa Barbara County, CA
© 2010 Callyn Yorke
Belted Kingfisher 1 fly, call, s.
Hairy Woodpecker 2 (m,f) pair foraging on nearby cottonwoods, s.
Northern (RS) Flicker 2 calls, n, s.
Black Phoebe 20 sally-gleaning on shorelines around the lake.
Common Raven 6 fly, call around the lake.
Horned Lark 10 fly, call, n.
Tree Swallow 30 flying low, back and forth over the lake.
Mountain Chickadee 1 calls, cottonwood, n.
Oak Titmouse 2 calls, cottonwoods, n, s.
Bushtit 10 two small, vocal flocks, nw.
Cactus Wren 1 on fence at edge of parking lot, nw.
Bewick's Wren 4 vocal; brush piles and edge of GB sage, s, nw
Marsh Wren 2 active, vocal, dry cattails, se, s.
Northern Mockingbird 1 calls, active around pyracantha, n.
European Starling 2 at top of cottonwood, n.
American Pipit 3 calls; on shore, n, ne.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal, foraging in a wide variety of habitats around the lake.
Common Yellowthroat 10 (m,f) vocal, foraging in cattails and on shore around the lake.
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, short grass next to jetty, nw.
Song Sparrow 10 riparian and edge of shore around the lake; calls.
White-crowned Sparrow 50 calls and song; loose flocks foraging on the ground and in saltbush scrub around the lake.
House Finch 8 (m,f) foraging in saltbush, nw.
House Sparrow 5 vocal, around buildings and gardens, clubhouse, n.
Weather: Fair; 45F to 50F; winds WNW 2 - 5 mph. High winds and intermittent rain over the previous two days as a NW Pacific storm moved through Southern California.
Time: 0904 - 1200 hrs.
Area Covered: After scoping the lake from the bluff next to the Fin & Feather clubhouse, I cycled a clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats. Aside from a maintenance crew on the jetty, the lake and surrounding habitat was quiet during the survey. Conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations. The lake water level continues to be about four feet below normal, exposing a nearly continuous shoreline around the lake. I was able to walk on portions of the exposed shoreline in the northern half of the lake. Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today, included Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), a possible Little Gull (1 AHY - see account below), Bonaparte's Gull (5), , and Yellow-headed Blackbird (1).
BIRDS NOTED
Gadwall 8 (m,f) edges of the lake, n, w, s.
American Wigeon 2 (m,f) near shore; calls, n.
Mallard 2 (m,f) edge of lake, ne.
Northern Pintail 12 (m,f) a tight, flighty flock in the central lake area.
Lesser Scaup 6 (m,f) central-n lake (photo).
Lesser Scaup (male) north Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Bufflehead 20 (m,f) central and edges of lake; diving.
Ruddy Duck 200 (m,f) rafts of 12 -20 individuals resting around the edges of the lake.
California Quail 10 (m,f) brushy area, ne.
Common Loon 1 diving, w.
Pied-billed Grebe 6 edges of the lake; diving.
Eared Grebe 8 central and edges of the lake, diving.
Western Grebe 120 (est). pairs and singles (one HY) all over the lake; calls.
Clark's Grebe 4 central-n lake.
Double-crested Cormorant 20 swimming, diving, resting on stirrer platforms on the lake.
Great Blue Heron 3 edge of lake, w, s.
Great Egret 1 edge of lake, ne.
Snowy Egret 1 on shore, ne.
Green Heron 2 (ad, imm) s, sw.
Black-crowned Night Heron 4 (ad, imm) resting in sunlight edge of marsh, nw, w (photo).
Black-crowned Night Heron (immature) nw Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (ad) flew from willows toward me, a few feet over my head, ne shore.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) flushed from quiet riparian areas, se, nw.
Red-tailed Hawk 1 (imm) in willow, nw (photo).
Red-tailed Hawk (imm) nw Lake Palmdale, Nov. 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
American Coot (1,000 est.) edges of lake.
Killdeer 5 3 on settling pond embankment, others on jetty.
Bonaparte's Gull 4 (ad, imm) flying low over lake, dipping, resting on surface, central-e, w (photo).
Bonaparte's Gull (immature) n Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus)? 1 (adult) Details: A small individual gull was observed from about 0915-0920 hrs. at Lake Palmdale, LACO, flying back and forth, occasionally dipping into the lake surface, in the southeastern section near the dam and adjacent marsh. The flight profile with rapid, shallow wing strokes initially suggested a small, agile gull (e.g. Bonaparte's). Seen through my 35-55x scope at a distance of about 300 yards, in fair light, though harsh at times, the tail and the upper wing were uniformly white, including the primaries, which were entirely transluscent when back-lit, with no black edges. When banking, the underwing was uniformly light brown and distinctly darker than the upperwing. Details of the head, feet and other body parts were not observed. Nearby Bonaparte's Gull in flight provided comparisons and this species was ruled out as a possibility since all plumages of BOGU show dark markings on all or part of the wings (see above photo of BOGU). Ivory Gull, the only other small Larid with all-white (or nearly so) plumage, was also ruled out due to the relatively small size of the LP bird and the extremely low probability of Ivory Gull occurring in Southern California. Unfortunately, the presumed LIGU was too distant and the lighting too harsh for useful photos. I was unable to relocate this bird during the survey. If accepted, this would be the first record of Little Gull at LP ( apparently the second for the Antelope Valley: Nov. 28, 1993, Piute Ponds: Hamilton, et. al. 2007. pp. 190-93). Note: One reviewer did not agree with the above description as a positive identification of LIGU, yet offered no other species as an alternative. The photo below of an adult Little Gull in basic plumage, most closely resembles the bird I saw at Lake Palmdale.
Little Gull, Cantley, Quebec March 4-5, 2007
© 2007 Steve Smith
Ring-billed Gull 6 (ad) flying over lake; resting in central lake.
California Gull 30 (ad, imm) 1 ad dead on shore, ne; some flying toward dump, nw; most resting in central lake.
Mourning Dove 2 flying, riparian, ne.
Belted Kingfisher 2 fly, call; one diving next to marsh.
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, riparian, s.
Northern Flicker (RS) 3 call, fly; top of cottonwood, se, s (photo).
Northern Red-shafted Flicker, se LP, Nov. 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Black Phoebe 4 marsh-riparian areas, n, s.
Say's Phoebe 1 perched on orange road cone on dam, e.
Common Raven 6 calls, fly, n, e.
Horned Lark 2 fly, call, s.
Tree Swallow 4 flying low, back and forth over lake, s, nw.
Oak Titmouse 2 calls, riparian, n; s.
Verdin 1 (m) calls, active in pine, flew to GB Sage, ne (photo)
Verdin (m) ne Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Bushtit 10 active on edge of riparian, s.
Rock Wren 1 calls, suburban yard, s.
Bewick's Wren 2 calls, active in shrubs, w, ne.
Marsh Wren 2 calls edge of marsh, ne, s.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 calls, riparian w.
Northern Mockingbird 1 on fence with fruiting pyracantha, n.
California Thrasher 1 song (discontinuous) edge of riparian, s.
American Pipit 4 on shoreline and jetty; calls, , n, nw.
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35 (m,f) ubiquitous in all kinds of vegetation and on muddy shore (photo).
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) w Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, marsh, w.
California Towhee 1 foraging on ground with WCSP, ne.
Savannah Sparrow 1 calls, e.
Song Sparrow 10 marsh and riparian around the lake, calls.
White-crowned Sparrow 60 (est) vocal, ubiquitous in brushy, ruderal fields and riparian areas.
Dark-eyed Junco 2 calls, pines, ne.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 (m ) on jetty, nw (photo).
Yellow-headed Blackbird (male) nw Lake Palmdale, November 5, 2011
© 2011 Callyn Yorke
Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) marsh, entry to slough, s.
House Finch 30 ubiquitous, often with WCSP.
House Sparrow 5 calls, active around buildings, n.