BIRD SURVEYS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Area Covered: 1) Quail Lake outlet to the California Aqueduct at West Fork Rd. (QLO 0800-0821 hrs. ). I visually surveyed the aqueduct between HWY 138 and about 0.1 mi southwest. 2) Quail Lake (QL 0825-1108 hrs): I cycled from the parking lot adjacent to the aqueduct, along the paved access road paralleling HWY 138, and continuing to the aqueduct inlet to the lake on the north side. I visually surveyed hillside grassland, chaparral, riparian, freshwater marsh, shoreline (relatively little was exposed due to a moderately high water level), the east pond and bordering marsh-riparian (EQL) and open water. On the return route, I met David Bell and three other birders on the southeast shore, informing them of my recent sighting of a female Barrow's Goldeneye in the northeastern part of the lake (SWBSC reported a male and female BAGO here yesterday). 3) Holiday Lake (HL 1126-1214 hrs): I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the entire lake. A few people were in the clubhouse; the survey area was quiet and undisturbed during my visit.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Barrow's Goldeneye (1), In a relatively small area of Quail Lake, there were three out of four species of merganser recorded in California: Common Merganser (18), Red-breasted Merganser and (8), and Hooded Merganser (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) swimming together, w HL.

Mallard 13 (m,f) s QL; 2 (m,f) HL.

Green-winged Teal 6 (m,f) w HL.

Lesser Scaup 150 (m,f) many diving in loose flocks, QLO, QL.

Greater Scaup 3 (m) Noted relatively large bill and round head; swimming with LESC (photo).

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) imm. male w Quail Lake LACO CA 26 Nov 2013

Bufflehead 120 (m,f) ubiquitous; diving amongst LESC, QLO, QL.

Common Goldeneye 12 (m,f) diving individually and in pairs; males displaying around females, QLO, QL.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) female (left); male (right) Quail Lake, LACO CA 26 Nov 2013

Barrow's Goldeneye 1 (f) swimming (not seen diving) amongst Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup in open water, initially (0915 hrs.)about 60 yards from the northeast shore of Quail Lake. Moved further away from the shore as I approached for photos. The Southwest Bird Study Club (SWBSC) reported a male and female Barrow's Goldeneye in this area of Quail Lake yesterday afternoon. I did not find the male during my survey of Quail Lake this morning. Note: Barrow's Goldeneye is a relatively recent addition to the Los Angeles County bird list, which may reflect increasingly frequent coverage of the lake by birders in recent years.

Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) female: Same individual in all four images, a-d. Note head shape and yellow bill; c.f. previous photo of female Common Goldeneye.

a b

c d

Common Merganser 25 (1 male) a tight flock of females swimming near the ne shore; several female RBME with them, QL.(photo).

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) center; and four Red-breasted Merganser (M. serrator) Quail Lake, LACO CA 26 Nov 2013.

Note: Female Common Mergansers in this image show contrasting reddish-brown head and neck; relatively thick base of the bill.

Red-breasted Merganser 12 (f) six females swimming with COME (see previous photo); one chasing a Pied-billed Grebe. QL.

Hooded Merganser 3 (f) swimming together near the marsh at the western edge of the EQL pond. Note: David Bell's group reported finding seven HOME (m,f ?) at this location today.

Ruddy Duck 250 (m,f) scattered flocks resting; several diving near inlet; open water throughout, QLO, QL.

Common Loon 1 diving in aqueduct next to parking area, w QL.

Pied-billed Grebe 10 vocal; ubiquitous near shore, QL.

Horned Grebe 7 swimming together near ne shore, QL.

Eared Grebe 30 diving; near shore and open water, QL.

Western Grebe 80 vocal; diving in loose flocks, n; open water and near shore, QL.

Clark's Grebe 20 swimming in pairs, open water and near shore, n, e, QL.

Double-crested Cormorant 16 resting on islands, n; flying, QL.

Great Blue Heron 1 on post near shore, e QL; 3 in marsh, HL.

Great Egret 1 in marsh, EQL.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) in marsh near GBHE, HL.

Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over hillsides and marsh, QLO, QL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole, adjacent housing area, n QL.

Sora 1-2 calls (unseen) dense cattails, se HL.

American Coot 60 edges of the lake, QL; 3 HL.

Ring-billed Gull 10 (ad; C2) resting on shore; flying, QL.

California Gull 20 (ad, C1, C3) resting on shore; flying, QL.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) resting with CAGU on island, QL.

Belted Kingfisher 1 flying low over the shore, ne QL.

Black Phoebe 3 marsh-riparian, QL.

American Crow calls (unseen) se QL.

Common Raven 20 ubiquitous; vocal, QL; HL.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls; riparian, sw QL; sw HL.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls; foraging in pines, sw HL.

Bewick's Wren calls (unseen) hillside shrubland, QLO.

Marsh Wren calls (unseen) marsh, sw QL.

California Thrasher calls (unseen) hillside chaparral, s QL.

American Pipit calls, fly, shore, se, ne QL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 call, fly, riparian, s QL; 2 in cottonwoods and pines, HL.

Common Yellowthroat calls (unseen) dense cattails, w HL.

Savannah Sparrow 20 vocal; brushy areas throughout, QL, HL.

Song Sparrow 1 riparian-marsh, w QL; 1 calls, w HL.

White-crowned Sparrow 20 vocal, ubiquitous, QL.

Dark-eyed (O) Junco 6 vocal; in pines, w QL.

Brewer's Blackbird 3 (m,f) in parking area, w QL.

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, tight flock, n QL.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 fly, call, n QL.

November 6, 2013 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (52 Species)

Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) Quail Lake, West Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, CA 6 November 2013

Weather: Fair; 51F to 63F; wind ENE 5 - 10 mph.

Time: 0815-1150 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) California Aqueduct and Quail Lake outlet from the West Fork Rd. overlook (QLO). Using a 10x40 binocular, I surveyed the section of the aqueduct from HWY 138 to about 0.2 mi west (0815-0824 hrs.). 2) West Quail Lake parking area to the California Aqueduct inlet on the northeast side of Quail Lake (QL). I cycled from the southwest parking area next to HWY 138, along the shoreline access road, stopping frequently to visually survey several habitat types, including open water, freshwater marsh,cottonwood-willow patches, shoreline and breakwater, ruderal roadside and adjacent hillside grassland and a north-facing chaparral-covered hillside on the south side of HWY 138. Several fishermen were present on the shore during the survey. Winds and a choppy lake surface made distant observations over the lake somewhat difficult. I included the southeastern section of the lake and surrounding grassland-riparian-marsh (EQL)which is separated from the main lake by a levee (part of the shoreline access road). The latter area had high concentrations of waterbirds, i.e. American Coot and several species of duck. The lake and surrounding land was largely undisturbed by human activities during my survey (boating and hunting are not allowed at Quail Lake). Noteworthy in this area were four Pronghorn Antelope (3 females, one male) grazing on a south-facing hillside adjacent to the aqueduct inlet - north side of Quail Lake (photo). 3) I walked a counter-clockwise route around Holiday Lake, beginning and ending at the clubhouse (HL). Except for people inside the clubhouse and a couple of automobiles in transit from the main gate, the survey area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities (1112-1150 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Cackling Goose (1: HL), Red-breasted Merganser (2: QLO), Common Goldeneye (1: EQL), Greater Scaup (20: QL), Surf Scoter (2: QL), Bald Eagle (1: QL), and Bonaparte's Gull (1: QL).

BIRDS NOTED

Canada Goose 12 resting in shallows, w HL.

Cackling Goose 1 resting with CAGO, w HL.

Gadwall 6 (f) with AMCO near marsh, EQL.

American Wigeon 18 (m,f) calls; swimming with AMCO, EQL; 6 dabbling, w HL.

Mallard 4 resting on paved breakwater peninsula, s QL.

Northern Shoveler 6 (f) swimming near marsh with AMCO, EQL.

Northern Pintail 2 (f) near marsh, EQL.

Ring-necked Duck 2 (m,f) resting near marsh, EQL.

Lesser Scaup 150 (conserv. est.) (m,f) open water and coves, w, n QL.

Greater Scaup 20 (conserv. est.) a loose flock in open water; distant views only; ID by photos; green gloss on heads of males; large bill, n QL.

Surf Scoter 2 (juv; ad f) swimming close together; juvenile briefly atop adult female, s QL (photo).

Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) Quail Lake LACO CA 6 Nov 2013

Bufflehead 200 (m,f) ubiquitous, QLO, QL, EQL.

Common Goldeneye 1 (f) flying low near marsh, EQL.

Red-breasted Merganser 2 (f) swimming together; diving, QLO.

Ruddy Duck 2,000 (conserv. est.) ubiquitous, diving; resting in loose flocks in open water, QLO, QL, EQL.

Common Loon 1 (trans. bsc. plmg.) preening, open water, QL.

Pied-billed Grebe 4 edge of lake and adjacent aqueduct outlet, w QL.

Horned Grebe 1 diving, open water, s QL.

Eared Grebe 25 ubiquitous, diving; small rafts of 3-5 birds in open water, QLO, QL.

Western Grebe 200 (conserv. est) ubiquitous; large rafts of 20-50 birds, n QL; QLO.

Clark's Grebe 5 (pos. ID) singles, open water; separate from rafts of WEGR, QL.

Double-crested Cormorant 30 on cliff island, n-central QL.

Bald Eagle 1 (2 yr) molting primaries; flying se at about 80 ft agl, s QL (photo).

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 2 yr Quail Lake, Los Angeles County CA 6 Nov. 2013

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (imm) flushed from pines, s HL.

Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utility pole, adjacent yards, s HL.

American Coot 1,500 ubiquitous, QL. EQL; HL.

Killdeer 4 on breakwater peninsula, s QL.

Bonaparte's Gull 1 (imm) foraging on breakwater peninsula, s QL (photo).

Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) Quail Lake LACO CA 6 November 2013

Ring-billed Gull (ad, imm) flying near shore; resting on breakwater peninsula, s QL.

California Gull (95% ad; 5 % juv. C1) flying; on peninsula breakwater, s QL.

Herring Gull 1 (C1) flying over shore, s QL.

Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flushed from roadside, s QL.

Say's Phoebe 1 s HL.

American Crow 6 foraging on breakwater peninsula, s QL.

Common Raven 30 ubiquitous.

Oak Titmouse 2 calls; active in pines, w HL.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls; foraging in pines, w HL.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 calls; willows and cottonwoods, s QL; 1 in pines, w HL.

American Pipit 1 on rocky breakwater, EQL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 12 calls; ubiquitous in loose flocks, riparian and marsh, QL.

Common Yellowthroat 2 marsh-riparian, s QL.

California Towhee 2 flushed from roadside, s QL.

Chipping Sparrow calls (unseen) edge of riparian, s QL.

Savannah Sparrow 4 calls (unseen) edge of marsh-riparian, s QL.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 calls (unseen) edge of riparian-marsh, s QL.

White-crowned Sparrow 40 (ad. imm) vocal, ubiquitous.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 6 on ground beneath cottonwoods, e QL; under pines, w HL; 1 pink-sided type (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) with others, w HL.

Red-winged Blackbird 1 in marsh, se QL.

Western Meadowlark calls, QLO.

Brewer's Blackbird 12 shoreline and road, s QL.

Great-tailed Grackle 1 (imm m) parking area, w QL.

House Finch 20 (m,f) riparian areas around the lake, QL.

October 27, 2013 Holiday Lake (38 Species)

Weather: Fair; 46F to 65F; wind W, WSW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0730-1105 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise and clockwise route around the entire lake. Between walking surveys, about 30 minutes were spent in a stationary position in my vechicle at the clubhouse. The entire area was quiet and undisturbed by human activities during my survey. The lake water level is currently low and the marsh (cattails and tules) occupies most of the former area that was open water, resulting in no shoreline or access to the water from the perimeter. Additionally, only a small, shallow pond surrounded by marsh remains in the eastern section. The only significant open water is in the western section. Cottonwoods on the south shore had abundant spiderwebs and insect damaged foliage that attracted numerous warblers (i.e. Yellow-rumped Warbler).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Long-billed Dowitcher (2) Sphyrapicus sp. (1),Brown Creeper (1) and Tricolored Blackbird (6)..

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 6 (m,f) dabbling in pairs and singles, west end.

Green-winged Teal 2 (f) dabbling, west end.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying low to pines, w.

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (imm) perched in pine, w.

Sora 1 calls (unseen), w.

American Coot 4 swimming near the edge of the marsh, e, w.

Killdeer calls (unseen) s.

Long-billed Dowitcher 2 noted relatively long bill, plain breast; silently foraging together in shallows, ne (photo).

Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) Holiday Lake, LACO CA 27 Oct 2013

Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus sp. probably nuchalis) 1 (imm) flushed from Chinese Elm to distant pines, e.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls; foraging in cottonwoods, e.

Northern (RS) Flicker calls; flying, s.

Black Phoebe 1 vocal; edge of marsh, s.

Say's Phoebe 1 in adjacent yard, s.

Common Raven 14 a large flock in the adjacent field, s.

Oak Titmouse 1 foraging in subcanopy of a cottonwood with YRWA,s.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 foraging in subcanopy of cottonwood with YRWA, s.

Bewick's Wren 2 vocal; edge of marsh, pines and cottonwoods, s, e.

Marsh Wren 6 vocal, dense cattails around the lake.

Brown Creeper 1 vocal; deciduous trees (elm, cottonwood) and pines, s (photos: note different lighting effects on feathering coloration).

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) (same individual in both images) Holiday Lake, LACO CA 27 October 2013

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 vocal, ubiquitous in pines and cottonwoods; often with YRWA.

European Starling 3 vocal; on a utility pole, s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 8 foraging in pairs and singles in cottowoods; often with YRWA, s..

Yellow Warbler 1 (imm) foraging in cottowood foliage amongst YRWA, s.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 35 calls; ubiquitous, especially in cottonwoods with spiderwebs and insect-damaged foliage.

Yellow-rumped (M) Warbler 1(f) calls; foraging amongst Audubon's YRWA in cottonwood with spiderwebs, s (photo).

Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga auduboni coronata) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County CA 27 October 2013

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 (f) foraging amongst YRWA in cottonwood next to clubhouse, sw.

Common Yellowthroat 2 calls, dense cattails, s, se.

Chipping Sparrow 1 (ad, imm) foraging amongst WCSP in ruderal area at edge of marsh, s.

Lark Sparrow 2 foraging on ground beneath pines, s.

Savannah Sparrow 5 calls; in dense cattails around the lake.

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 edge of cattail marsh, s.

White-crowned Sparrow 30 vocal, ubiquitous in loose flocks around the lake.

Dark-eyed (O) Junco 10 foraging beneath pines around the lake.

Red-winged Blackbird 3 calls; active in dense cattails and tules, s.

Tricolored Blackbird 6 calls; a flock of six flying sw from the marsh to adjacent fields,s.

Western Meadowlark 1 flew across the roadway, s.

House Finch 4 vocal; adjacent trees and fields, s.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 vocal; in canopy of cottonwoods, s.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, on and around clubhouse, sw.

September 20, 2013 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (34 Species)

Weather: Fair; 59F to 70F; wind WSW 5 -10 mph.

Time: 0730-0820 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Holiday Lake (HL): I walked a counter-clockwise route once around the entire lake. The lake was dry except for a small depression with water on the north side. Consequently, the only waterbirds found at HL today were Mallard and Killdeer (0730-0820 hrs.). 2) West Quail Lake (WQL): I walked from the west parking area to the east end of the Quail Lake Outlet, then south along the exposed shoreline (a concrete shelf) about 0.25 mi. to the first break. A few fishermen were on the shore. The lake water level was relatively low, exposing at an average of 10 ft. of shoreline, riparian patches (e.g. cottonwood and mulefat), mudflats and freshwater marsh. Noise from passing traffic on HWY 138 was occasionally loud enough to make the detection of bird vocalizations difficult. Relatively few birds were on the lake; no herons, egrets or cormorants were found at the lake today (0840-1015 hrs.)

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Northern Pintail (1) and Vesper Sparrow (3).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 1 swimming in isolated puddle, HL.

Northern Pintail 1 swimming in open water with RUDU, WQL.

Ruddy Duck 30 two cohesive flocks in open water, WQL.

(Red-tailed Hawk 1 on utlilty pole, Lancaster Rd.)

Sora 1 briefly ran on outer edge of marsh-mudflat, WQL.

American Coot 12 swimming in open water, WQL.

Killdeer 3 on lake bed, HL; 2 on shore, WQL.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 flying over adjacent residential area, s HL.

Anna's Hummingbird 8 (m,f) hovering around pines, willows and marsh, HL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker calls, HL.

Black Phoebe 2 edge of marsh-riparian, HL.'

Say's Phoebe 1 vocal; flying low over adjacent field, w HL.

American Crow calls, s HL.

Common Raven 5 flying over adjacent fields, HL; 8 flying over hillsides, WQL

Horned Lark 10 vocal, flying over parking lot, WQL.

Barn Swallow 2 flying over lake bed, w HL.

Bewick's Wren 3 vocal, adjacent fields, HL.

Marsh Wren 3 vocal, dense cattails, HL; 5 vocal, old-growth and new-growth marsh areas, WQL.

Northern Mockingbird 1 adjacent residential area, s HL.

European Starling 2 vocal, on utility pole, sw HL.

Orange-crowned Warbler 2 calls; in cottonwoods, HL; 2 in cottonwoods, WQL..

Yellow Warbler 8 in cottonwoods and pines, HL; 4 in cottonwoods, WQL.

Common Yellowthroat 2 vocal, dense cattails, HL; 3 vocal, old-growth marsh, WQL.

Chipping Sparrow calls (unseen) pines, n QL.; 6 foraging on ground with WCSP and VESP, edge of riparian and marsh, WQL (photo).

Clay-colored Sparrow 1? seen briefly; buffy upperparts with conspicuous gray collar; pale lores; flushed from ruderal area next ot shore, adjacent to mature cottonwoods, sw WQL.

Vesper Sparrow 3 foraging on shore and edge of ruderal area next to marsh; also beneath a mature cottonwood with WCSP and CHSP, WQL (photo)

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Left; Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) Right, sw Quail Lake, Los Angeles County CA 20 Sept 2013

Lark Sparrow 3 vocal; in pines, sw HL.

Savannah Sparrow 4 vocal; edge of marsh, HL; 12 shoreline and edge of marsh, WQL (photo).

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) sw Quail Lake Los Angeles County CA 20 Sept 2013

Song Sparrow 4 vocal, marsh and riparian, HL; 9 marsh, shore and riparian, WQL.

White-crowned Sparrow 7 (ad, imm) brushy areas near shore; riparian and edge of marsh, WQL.

Western Tanager 1 calls (unseen) pines, sw HL.

Red-winged Blackbird 6 calls, dense cattails, HL; 15 vocal in marsh, WQL.

Brewer's Blackbird 2 (m) foraging on shore, WQL.

House Finch 5 (m,f) vocal, in pines, HL; 10 vocal, riparian, brushy areas, WQL.

House Sparrow 2 on and around the clubhouse roof, HL.

August 29, 2013 Holiday Lake (34 Species)

Holiday Lake viewing west 29 August 2013

Weather: Fair; 72F to 82F; wind WSW 2 - 5 mph.

Time: 0702-0940 hrs.

Area Covered: Initially I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, then a clockwise route. I spoke with the West Valley Water District manager, Mark Crosby, regarding the extensive regrowth of marsh at the lake. Evidently, vegetation control measures (i.e. brush clearance, burning, emptying by evaporation and the use of selective herbicides) resulted in the opposite of the desired effect (photo). Although the heavy regrowth of tule and cattail has all but eliminated the exposed mud and rock shoreline, it has attracted a significant number of wetland bird species (c.f. field notes and photo from June 1, 2013).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Northern Pintail (5), Sora (2), Virginia Rail (1), Nuttall's Woodpecker (1), Marsh Wren (3), Oak Titmouse (1), Lark Sparrow (3) and Tricolored Blackbird (8).

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 20 (m,f) ubiquitous around the edges of the lake.

Northern Pintail 5 (f) a cohesive, wary flock that was flushed as I approached from the opposite (s) shore, and circled the lake several times before returning, ne. (photo).

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 29 August 2013

Cinnamon Teal 10 (m,f) wary; easily flushed; returning and dabbling in the shallows, w.

Killdeer calls, w.

Black-necked Stilt 2 (ad) foraging in shallows, w.

Sora 2 (unseen) repeated calls from dense marsh, nw

Virginia Rail 1 (unseen) repeated calls from regrown cattail marsh, se.

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 flying n, circling the lake, n.

Rock Pigeon 3 flying over lake; on utility wires, se.

Mourning Dove 3 flying over the lake, s.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 (f) hovering around mature cottonwoods, w, s.

Anna's Hummingbird 7 (m,f) ubiquitous; hovering (aerial insect hawking) over seedling willows and around pines.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (f) fly, call; foraging in cottonwoods around the lake.

Willow Flycatcher 2 repeatedly vocal ("WIT" ); sallying from mid-level branches in cottonwoods, w, n.

Black Phoebe 3 low perch at edge of marsh, w, s.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 on utility wire, ne.

Common Raven 4 fly, call, w, n.

Horned Lark flight calls, se.

Barn Swallow 6 vocal; flying low over lake and marsh.

Oak Titmouse 1 vocal; foraging in pines along fence line, sw.

Bewick's Wren 2 scolding and other vocalizations; lower level of pines and willows, s, n.

Marsh Wren 3 repeatedly vocal (unseen) in dense regrowth marsh, n.

Northern Mockingbird 1 in small willow, ne.

European Starling 1 flying s.

Orange-crowned Warbler 5 ubiquitous; calls; foraging in canopy and subcanopy of cottonwoods.

Yellow Warbler 10 (f, imm) vocal; ubiquitous in cottonwoods.

Common Yellowthroat 3 calls from edge of marsh, e, s.

Wilson's Warbler 12 (m,f) calls; ubiquitous, esp. in cottonwoods; pairs foraging together, interacting in canopy of cottonwoods.

Lark Sparrow 3 calls, song; foraging on ground beneath pines, sw.

White-crowned Sparrow 1? called twice (unseen) from rabbitbrush field next to dirt road, nw.

Red-winged Blackbird 20 vocal in dense marsh regrowth, s.

Tricolored Blackbird 8 (ad, imm) flying low over marsh; calls; s.

House Finch 5 (m,f) vocal; in cottonwoods, e, n.

Lesser Goldfinch 2 fly, calls, e.

July 16, 2013 Holiday Lake (31 Species)

Weather: Fair; 70F to 80F; wind WSW 2-10 mph.

Time: 0710-0907 hrs.

Area Covered: Initially, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, followed by a clockwise route. I surveyed all habitats, freshwater marsh, shoreline (very little exposed due to a high water level ), open water, riparian and conifer trees, ruderal roadway and adjacent rabbitbrush fields. A few people were walking together and cycling around the lake during my survey. I stayed in my vehicle for about 30 minutes between my two walking surveys, using it as a blind The lake area was relatively quiet and undisturbed; conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 3 (f) open water near the edge of the marsh, w.

Cinnamon Teal 2 (m) swimming near the edge of the marsh, w.

Ruddy Duck 4 (m) swimming near the edge of the marsh, w.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 calls; swimming, open water.

Great Egret 1 (ad) wading in the shallows, w.

Black-crowned Night Heron 3 (ad, imm) in marsh, flying, nw.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 (ad, imm) vocal; flying low around the lake; chased by a male RWBL, n.

American Coot 2 vocal; swimming near the edge of the marsh.

Killdeer 5 (ad, imm) vocal; ubiquitous, flighty; on roadway and edge of lake

Eurasian Collared Dove 4 vocal; in trees; flying over lake.

Mourning Dove 2 flying, n.

Anna's Hummingbird 4 (f) vocal; hovering on outside of canopy of cottonwoods and pines.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, flying between pines, sw, w.

Black Phoebe 2 vocal; sallying from low perch, s w.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 4 (ad, imm) vocal; staying together and moving around the lake; sallying to ground from low perch.

Common Raven 2 flying over adjacent field, n.

Horned Lark 8 flying togerher from shoreline, s.

Tree Swallow 2 flying low, back and forth over the lake, e.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 flying low, back and forth over the lake and marsh.

Cliff Swallow 15 flying low, back and forth over the lake, marsh and fields.

Barn Swallow 1 flying very low over the lake, s.

Marsh Wren 1 called briefly, dense marsh, ne.

Common Yellowthroat 5 vocal in dense marsh around the lake.

Lark Sparrow 8 vocal; a flock foraging in adjacent ruderal field, s.

Red-winged Blackbird 18 (m,f; imm) vocal; foraging on narrow shoreline; staying concealed together in marsh, e, n.

Brewer's Blackbird 3 (m,f) vocal; in cottonwoods and foraging with RWBL on shore, s.

Great-tailed Grackle 1 (imm) on shore, s.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (f) foraging with RWBL on shore, s.

Bullock's Oriole 1 vocal in cottonwood, e.

House Finch 6 (m,f) vocal in cottonwoods and pines around the lake.

House Sparrow 2 calls, s.

June 20 & 21, 2013 Holiday Lake (36 Species)

Weather: (6/20/13):Fair; 57F; wind WSW 25-35 mph. (6/21/13): Fair, 64F to 75F; wind WSW 5-20 mph.

Time: (6/20/13): 0711- 0841 hrs.; (6/21/13): 0804-1025 hrs.

Area Covered: (6/20/13): I walked a clockwise route once around the entire lake. The water level was near the maximum height, resulting in only a few inches of exposed shoreline in the southeastern section. No other people were present in the survey area during my visit. Increasing winds made observations difficult and caused be to cancel the usual second walk around the lake. (6/21/13): Initially I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire lake, followed by a clockwise route. I spoke briefly with Mark Crosby and Jeff Zimmerman regarding Holiday Lake habitat and wildlife conservation.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found included, Cattle Egret (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (1) and Tricolored Blackbird (18). Additionally, as many as four Willow Flycatchers were present in the marsh and cottonwoods around the lake. Bird species found only on one or the other day are indicated. Bird species found on both days (most of them) are not indicated by a particular survey date. Numbers following each species represent the highest count for one or both surveys.

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 3 (m,f) flushed together, nw (6/21/13).

Mallard 25 (m,f) staying together; flighty, w, e.

Cinnamon Teal 6 (m,f) foraging together, sw.

Ruddy Duck 5 (m,f) swimming near marsh, nw.

California Quail 6 (ad, imm) running up embankment, s.(6/20/13).

Great Egret 2 (ad) together, nw marsh (6/21/13).

Cattle Egret 1 (alt. plmg.) in marsh; sw; flushed and flew nw (6/20/13: Photo).

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Holiday Lake, LACO CA 20 June 2013

Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) flushed from sw; calls.

White-faced Ibis 8 foraging together in marsh, sw; flew to se shore.

American Coot 1 vocal, swimming near marsh, n.

Killdeer 8 (ad, imm) fly, call; running and broken wing display in burned marsh, w.

Lesser Yellowlegs 1 (trans. alt. plmg.) molting inner primaries; flushed from marsh; calls, flew nw (photo).

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Holiday Lake LACO CA 21 June 2013

California Gull 1 (C2) swimming in open water, w (6/21/13).

Eurasian Collared Dove 8 calls; flocking in cottonwood, se.

Mourning Dove 6 flying low around lake.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 (f) foraging in willow, sw (6/21/13).

Willow Flycatcher 4 ubiquitous; calls; song; aerial hawking from bulrush marsh; snatch-gleaning from cottonwood foliage (6/21/13)..

Say's Phoebe 1 flying low to trees, nw (6/20/13).

Common Raven 6 flying around lake, s.

Horned Lark 10 vocal; flock staying together in low weedy areas, e.

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

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 flying low, back and forth over the lake and marsh, sw.

Cliff Swallow 60 flying low, back and forth over the lake and marsh, w.

Barn Swallow 1 flying low over field and roadway, s residential area (6/21/13).

Marsh Wren 1 calls and partial song, dense marsh, ne.

Common Yellowthroat 3 repeated song; dense marsh ne, se.

Lark Sparrow 2 flushed from weedy roadside to cottonwood, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 vocal; ubiquitous, esp. in marsh.

Tricolored Blackbird 18 (ad, imm) vocal; staying together in marsh and adjacent trees, ne, s.

Brewer's Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal; foraging on rocky shore, se.

Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m; imm. f ) flying low over lake, w.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 (f) with BRBL in cottonwood, se.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (unseen) vocalizing in cottonwoods, se (6/21/13).

House Finch 8 vocal; ubiquitous in trees and adjacent weedy areas.

Lesser Goldfinch 3 vocal; in pines and cottonwwoods, e (6/20/13).

House Sparrow 6 on and around the clubhouse and garden, sw.

June 1, 2013 Holiday Lake (25 Species)

Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 1 June 2013 Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) Holiday Lake 1 June 2013

Weather: Fair; 74F; wind WSW 2 mph.

Time: 0724 - 0925.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise and counter-clockwise route around the lake and one east-west route across the lake bed. The lake was entirely empty and currently being refilled at the west end with well water. The West Valley Water District manager, Mark Crosby, who was initializing the refilling, told me this morning that Holiday Lake had been allowed to evaporate in conjunction with two consecutive herbicide treatments to control bullrush growth on the perimeter. The herbicide is reportedly specific for bullrush and meets environmental regulation standards when properly applied. However, most of the bullrush in Holiday Lake currently appeared to be alive and regenerating; patches of recently poisoned bullrush (yellowish in color) were most evident on the southern perimeter. The lake had been without surface water for about five days and was muddy in places but largely passable on foot. At the current rate of inflow, Mark Crosby estimated the lake should be near the maximum water level in about 24 to 36 hrs.

Birdlife was confined largely to the west half of the lake around the point of water inflow. Notably absent today were several species of waterbird (e..g Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper) and marsh birds (e.g. Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Tricolored Blackbird ). As the west end of the lake began filling, there appeared a small flock of White-faced Ibis and Brewer's Blackbird foraging on the shoreline. Calls of Red Crossbill were heard in the pines on the north side of the lake.

BIRDS NOTED

Mallard 1 (f) flying w across the lake bed.

White-faced Ibis 5 (two decidely larger individuals) appeared briefly and began foraging at the newly flooded lakebed, w.

Eurasian Collard Dove 2 fly, calls, sw.

Rock Pigeon 1 flying, sw.

Mourning Dove 2 calls, flying, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) vocal, active around pines, w.

Willow Flycatcher 1 repeated "fitz-bew" song given from shorline willow, sw.

Black Phoebe 1 low perch on shoreline, sw.

Western Kingbird 2 together in canopy of a cottonwood with dead branches, n.

Loggerhead Shrike 1 vocal, flying low, e.

Common Raven 2 fly, call.

Horned Lark 1 calls, s.

Northern Mockingbird fly, call, sw.

European Starling 2 foraging on shore, w.

Yellow Warbler 3 vocal; active in willow patch, w.

Wilson's Warbler 4 vocal, active in regenerating bullrush and willows, w.

Lark Sparrow 3 vocal in pines, sw, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 6 (m,f) vocal in marsh and on shore, w.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, adjacent fields, n.

Brewer's Blackbird 8 (m,f) foraging on shoreline, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 (m,f) vocal, on shore and in cottonwoods, w.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) vocal in cottonwoods, s.

House Finch 6 (m) foraging beneath pines, n.

Red Crossbill 2 fly, call, above and in pines, sw.

House Sparrow 10 around clubhouse and foraging on lake bed, e.

May 3, 2013 Holiday Lake (38 Species)

Weather: Fair; 50F to 72F; wind W 0-1 mph.

Time: 0720 - 0930 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise and clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying all habitats. The burned marsh (bulrush and cattail) areas have now regenerated to about 30% of the pre-burn height and coverage. The lake water level continues to recede; large areas are now mudflats and maximum water depth appeared to be about 3 inches. A few other people were present around the clubhouse during the survey. Conditions were excellent for identifying bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Great Egret (7), Green Heron (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (1), Tricolored Blackbird (60) and Red Crossbill (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 1 (f) w.

Mallard 6 (m,f) in shallows and marsh.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) w.

California Quail 6 calls; running across road, n, sw.

Great Egret 7 (alt. plmg.) in a cohesive flock standing in the central-west shallows (photo).

Great Egret (Ardea alba) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 3 May 2013

Snowy Egret 1 (alt. plmg.) standing near flock of GREG, central-w.

Green Heron 1 flying low over lake, w.

Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) flushed from pine near clubhouse.

American Coot 4 foraging on mudflat; one with nest material.

Killdeer 4 calls; on shorelines around the lake.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 foraging in shallows, s-central.

Lesser Yellowlegs 1 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows, e-central (photo).

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 3 May 2013

Spotted Sandpiper 5 (alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows and on mudflats throughout.

Western Sandpiper 4 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows, e-central.

Least Sandpiper 11 (bsc. and trans. alt. plmg.) foraging in shallows throughout.

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 calls; flying low over lake, w.

Mourning Dove 2 calls, w.

Anna's Hummingbird 1 (f) flying around juniper tams and cottonwood next to clubhouse, w.

Western Kingbird 2 calls; chasing, adjacent yard, s.

Say's Phoebe 1 calls; top oc cottonwood on a dead branch, w.

Common Raven 2 fly, call, w.

Horned Lark 1 drinking at edge of lake, se.

European Starling 2 foraging on clubhouse lawn, w.

Northern Mockingbird 1 song, adjacent yard, s.

Yellow Warbler 2 (m) calls and song; in cottonwoods, w.

Black-throated Gray Warbler ? calls, (unseen) in dense foliage of pine, n.

Wilson's Warbler 6 (m,f) calls; foraging in pines and cottonwoods around the lake.

Lark Sparrow 2 beneath a shrub at edge of lake, se.

Red-winged Blackbird 8 (m,f) vocal in marsh, w.

Tricolored Blackbird 60 (m,f) a vocal, mobile flock flying into dry cattails briefly then flying to the south, nw.

Western Meadowlark 1 song, adjacent field, sw.

Brewer's Blackbird 1 (f) briefly foraging on clubhouse lawn, w.

Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) vocal, active in marsh and in shallows throughout,.

Bullock's Oriole 2 calls, in cottonwoods, w.

House Finch 5 (m,f) begging calls from young, ne.

Red Crossbill 2 (m,f) carotenistic male (photo) pair staying close and making contact calls from willow and pines, ne (photo).

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) carotenistic male, Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA

Lawrence's Goldfinch 4 calls; in small cottonwood, flew nw, e.

House Sparrow 5 vocal, active on and around clubhouse, w.

APRIL 18, 2013 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (56 Species)

Weather: Fair; 46F to 56F; wind WNW; ENE 5 -10 mph.

Time: 0734 - 1135 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) Quail Lake Outlet (QLO): I survey a section of the California Aqueduct from the West Fork Rd. overlook (0734-0755 hrs.). 2) Quail Lake (QL): I cycled the south perimeter road from the west parking area, to the Quail Lake aqueduct inlet, including the east pond. The lake water level was low, exposing shoreline and snags. I surveyed open water, shoreline, riparian, freshwater marsh and adjacent grassland-chapparal. There were no fishermen at the lake during the survey. Conditions were fair for identifying bird vocalizations (0756-0930 hrs.). 3) Holiday lake (HL): I walked a counter-clockwise and clockwise route around the entire lake, surveying open water (maximum depth about 3 inches), shoreline, freshwater marsh (70% of it recently burned with new regrowth), pines and adjacent rabbitbrush fields. Children were throwing stones into the lake on the south shore near the end of my survey. The lake was otherwise undisturbed and conditions were good for identifying bird vocalizations (0951-1135 hrs.).

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater Scaup (2), Common Merganser (5), Short-billed Dowitcher (6), Sanderling (1), White-faced Ibis (13), Red-breasted Nuthatch (2) and Tricolored Blackbird (10).

Mallard 6 edges of the lake, QL; one bird near the QL inlet (QLI) was almost caught by a Prairie Falcon A pale-colored female (possibly a hybrid) showing atypical facial markings was swimming with a male in the east pond (photo).

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos x ?) female, east Quail Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Cinnamon Teal 5 (m,f) dabbling in shallow inlet stream, east QL; 3 (m,f) QL.

Lesser Scaup 2 (m,f) west QL.

Greater Scaup 2 (m,f) diving in open water about 100 yards south of QLI (photo).

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) Quail Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Bufflehead 20 (m,f) QLO; 60 (m,f) QL.

Common Merganser 5 (f) resting on shore and entering water near QLI (photo).

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) north Quail Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Ruddy Duck 350 (conserv. est.) about 20% in alt. plmg. open water, QL.

Eared Grebe 50 (conserv. est.) most in alt. plmg., QL.

Western Grebe 1 north QL.

Great Egret 2 shore, n QL.

Snowy Egret 6 on rocks, QLI; one foraging in shallows, east pond, QL; 1 HL.

White-faced ibis 13 resting together; foraging in shallows, HL (photo).

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) Holiday lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Turkey Vulture 1 soaring low over HL.

Northern Harrier 1 (f) flying low over east QL.

Cooper's Hawk 1 flying over open fields, QLO.

Prairie Falcon 1 (imm) failed capture: came down quickly with talons extended on a pair of mallards on shore near QLI.

American Coot 200 scattered around the edges of the lake, QL; 6 HL.

Killdeer 4 fly, call; one bird apparently flushed from a nest on n shore, HL.

Greater Yellowlegs 1 foraging in shallows, e HL.

Sanderling 1 foraging and flushed with a mixed flock of WESA and LESA, e HL (photo).

Sanderling (Calidris alba) center with WESA, Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Western Sandpiper 5 foraging in shallows, east QL; 4, foraging, preening in shallows with LESA, e HL (photo).

Least Sandpiper 22 on edge of aqueduct, QLO; 25 foraging in small flocks (8- 10 birds) on shore, w, e, QL 12 foraging in shallows, e HL.

Short-billed Dowitcher 6 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging together in shallows with several other dowitcher sp. HL (photo).

Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April, 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 2 around the clubhouse, HL.

Mourning Dove 2 flushed from beneath pines, ne HL.

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) w HL.

Black Phoebe 1 on rocks near shore, QL; 1 sallying over mudflats, HL.

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 calls; perched in willow next to marsh, n HL (photo).

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 18 April 2013

Western Kingbird 1 in front yard of adjacent property, s.

American Crow calls, e QL.

Common Raven 6 flying; calls; flushed from nest in pine, sw HL.

Horned Lark fly, call, QLO; 1 on mudflat, e HL.

Tree Swallow 35 flying low, back and forth over lake, e QL.

Cliff Swallow 200 flying low over lake; nesting colony of about 30 pair under concrete bridge of QLI.

Barn Swallow 10 flying low over lake with CLSW, QL.

Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 calls; foraging on cones of Arizona cypress, sw HL.

Bewick's Wren 2 song, brushy fields, QLO; 2 song, adjacent fields, HL.

Marsh Wren 2 calls, dry cattails, n HL.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 foraging in cottonwood and willows, HL.

Hermit Thrush 1 on ground beneath pines next to clubhouse, HL.

European Starling 3 foraging clubhouse lawn, HL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 25 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian areas and adjacent shoreline, QL; 5 all foliage-height levels, HL.

Common Yellowthroat 3 calls, active in marsh, QL; 1 HL.

Lark Sparrow 5 prolonged singing from exposed shrubs and trees, QL; 4 song, HL.

Savannah Sparrow 3 on grassy hillside, e QL; 5 in and around marsh, e HL.

Song Sparrow 5 marsh and shoreline, QL.

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad) on shore, s QL.

Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in marsh and riparian, QL; 10 in marsh, s HL.

Tricolored Blackbird 10 (m,f) vocal, active in dry cattails, n HL.

Western Meadowlark 2 song, fields around QLO; 1 song, adjacent field, e HL.

Brewer's Blackbird 5 (m,f) vocal; utility poles and lines, s QL.

Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m,f) 5 vocal, active in parking area, w QL; 4 fly, vocal in marsh, HL.

Brown-headed Cowbird 1 calls, HL.

Bullock's Oriole 1 (f) calls, active in cottonwoods, HL (photo).

Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii) female Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA

House Finch 20 (m,f) vocal, ubiquitous in riparian and adjacent areas, QL; 5 HL.

House Sparrow 8 around clubhouse, HL.

MARCH 22, 2013 Quail Lake and Holiday Lake (48 Species)

Weather: Fair: 46F to 60F; wind W, WNW 10 - 40mph.

Time: 0808 - 1215 hrs.

Areas Covered: 1) West Quail Lake (WQL): Due to persistent high winds (35 mph +), I confined my survey to the western shore of Quail Lake, viewing from nearly ground level on the leeward side of a bluff next to the parking area. From this vantage point, I could identify birds using the adjacent shoreline, freshwater marsh, open water (to about 1/3 mi. east) and hillside grassland (0808-0910 hrs.). 2) Quail Lake Outlet (QLO): From Westfork Rd. overlooking the California Aqueduct, I surveyed birds using the aqueduct, to about 0.1 mile westward. No additional bird species were found here (0913-0920 hrs.). 3) Holiday Lake (HL): I walked two counter-clockwise circuits around the entire lake (separated by about 40 minutes of observations from my car), surveying freshwater marsh, mudflats, open water, weedy borders, mature Aleppo Pines and adjacent rabbitbrush fields and yards. The lake water level continues to be low with exposed mudflats throughout. The lake area was quiet and undisturbed by human activity during my survey. Winds subsided by 1100 hrs. and several more species of bird were found on my second walking circuit as a result of increased activity (0942-1215 hrs.).

Note: A series of temporary fire breaks (10 ft. swaths from the shore to the lake) were cut recently in preparation for a 75% burn-off of the dry cattail and tule lake border, by a LA County fire prevention crew. The burn is scheduled for this week and will be followed by the application of herbicides to prevent re-growth of the marsh in the western half of the lake. These modifications have been sanctioned by government resource agencies, according to the West Valley Water district manager.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), Western Sandpiper (1), Long-billed Dowitcher (15), Greater Yellowlegs (20), Black-necked Stilt (1), Western Kingbird (3), Swamp Sparrow (1), Tricolored Blackbird (8) and Red Crossbill (6).

BIRDS NOTED

Gadwall 2 (m,f) dabbling in shallows, HL.

Mallard 6 (m,f) shallows and open water, WQL; 6 HL.

Cinnamon Teal 1 (m) swimming with NOSH in east outlet channel, WQL; 8 (m,f) sifting through muddy shallows, HL.

Northern Shoveler 3 (m,f) swimming in east outlet channel, WQL.

Green-winged Teal 20 (m,f) sifting through muddy shallows, HL.

Lesser Scaup 4 (m,f) swimming in east outlet channel, WQL.

Bufflehead 60 (m,f) scattered over the lake, WQL; 10 diving, QLO.

Ruddy Duck 50 (m,f) swimming, diving, edges and middle of the lake, WQL.

Pied-billed Grebe 1 swimming with ducks in east outlet channel, WQL.

Eared Grebe 10 (most in alt. plmg.) swimming in open water, WQL.

Double-crested Cormorant 1 flying low over the lake, WQL.

Great Blue Heron 1 flying over the lake, HL.

Snowy Egret 1 on w rocky shore, WQL.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (imm) flew to a mature cottonwood, s HL.

American Coot 25 around the edges of the lake, WQL; 10 HL.

Killdeer 2 call, fly, WQL; 5 HL.

Black-necked Stilt 1 foraging on mudflat with LBDO, WQL (photo).

Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus) and Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) west Quail Lake, LACO, CA 22 March 2013

Greater Yellowlegs 20 (trans. alt. plmg.) foraging in loose flocks in shallows and mudflats thoughout the lake, HL (photo).

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 22 March 2013

Spotted Sandpiper 1 on rocky shore, WQL.

Western Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging in shallows with LESA, HL (photo).

Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) Holiday Lake, LACO CA 22 March 2013

Least Sandpiper 2 foraging on rocky shoreline, WQL; 12 foraging in shallows and on mudflats, HL.

Long-billed Dowitcher 10 foraging in a cohesive flock in shallows and on mudflat; BNST nearby, WQL (photo); 5 foraging together in shallows, HL.

Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) - same individuals shown with BNST in photo above- west Quail Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 22 March 2013

Eurasian Collared Dove 1 in an adjacent garden, s HL.

Sapsucker sp. 1 seen briefly flying from cottonwood next to clubhouse, HL.

Nuttall's Woodpecker 1 calls, w HL.

Black Phoebe 3 sally-flycatching at edge of marsh, HL.

Western Kingbird a pair flying to a large cottonwood; one on a utility wire, w HL (photo).

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) west Holiday Lake, LACO CA 22 March, 2013

Common Raven 4 flying around the lake, WQL; 2 flying over fields, QLO; 2 HL.

Tree Swallow 1 flying low over the lake; dipping into surface water, HL.

White-breasted Nuthatch 1 vocalizing in pines near clubhouse, HL.

Marsh Wren 1 calls from dense, dry cattails, n HL.

American Pipit 1 calls, fly; on shore, WQL.

Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 2 fly, calls, WQL; 10 (m,f) in pines, HL.

Common Yellowthroat 1 active in dry cattails, n HL.

Lark Sparrow 1 in Aleppo Pine next to clubhouse, w HL.

Savannah Sparrow 2 calls, shoreline, WQL; 12 in marsh and edge on mudflat, e HL.

Swamp Sparrow 1 called twice (distinctive loud chip) from dense, soggy marsh, nw.

White-crowned Sparrow 2 brushy edge of marsh, WQL; 5 pines and edge of marsh, HL.

Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 12 two flocks feeding separately under pines, sw, ne.

Red-winged Blackbird 2 fly, call, WQL; 4 fly, call, HL.

Tricolored Blackbird 8 flying in a tight flock over the marsh; not seen landing; calls, HL.

Western Meadowlark 2 repeated song in adjacent fields, n, s.

Brewer's Blackbird 6 (m,f) on shore an in parking area, WQL.

Great-tailed Grackle 4 (m,f) on shore and in parking area, WQL; 4 (m,f) vocal in marsh, HL.

House Finch 2 fly, call, WQL; 4 in pines, HL.

Lesser Goldfinch song, atop cottonwood, ne HL.

Red Crossbill 6 (m,f) vocal, flying around and foraging in Aleppo pines; one female carrying nest material in beak, representing the first documented case (to my knowledge) of this species attempting to nest in the Antelope Valley, HL (photo).

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) female with nest material, north Holiday Lake, Los Angeles County, CA 22 March, 2013

House Sparrow 5 vocal, active around clubhouse, HL.