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Cormorants, terns and bands, Malibu Lagoon: 23 August 2026
(Ray Juncosa 8/23/26)
[By Chuck Almdale; photos by Ray Juncosa, Trish Oster & Chris Tosdevin]
It may look like high tide, but it’s not. The lagoon is closed to the sea. It happens every summer, for most of the summer. Water keeps coming down the creek, gradually filling the lagoon. Occasionally it gets so high, perhaps 9-10 ft. above sea level that it begins to spill over whatever is the low spot in the beach, possibly creating a “permanent” channel which may last until the next spring. But usually it’s the first significant rain (1/2 inch or more) in November or December that is brings sufficient water down Malibu Creek to blow through the beach. When this happens, all the water runs out at the next low tide until the end of the next low tide, along with a lot of the fish, and the lagoon remains open to the sea for the next six months. Or thereabouts.
The Double-crested Cormorants, unafraid of fresh or brackish water, frequently rest on this log near our gathering point, giving us something close-at-hand to look at.
(Ray Juncosa 8/23/26)
The NGS field guide describes the color of “trousers” as burgundy. Looks more rusty, rufous or cinnamon to me.
To our great surprise the Surf Scoter (or more accurately “a” Surf Scoter) was resting on the ground on the east end of the western sand & brush island in exactly the same spot as one rested a month ago. Seeing one on land is so uncommon – I can’t recall a single other instance – that we (or maybe only I) assumed it was sick or damaged. Seeing it there still, or again, reinforced that belief.
(Chris Tosdevin 8/23/26)
Of course, later on our way back from the beach, the bird was nowhere to be seen, blowing all assumptions about the state of its health out of the water.
The go-away bird below is an American Kestrel according to those who actually saw it. I didn’t, but I’d guess from the breast-streaks that it’s a female. (In southern Africa there is a whole family of real go-away birds, also called turacos. The vocalizations of some species sound like they’re pleading with you to “go away.”)
I don’t know exactly what this Snowy Egret has here, but evidently it’s a keeper.
I thought the numbers (346 birds) and diversity (48 species) was pretty low for August, but a quick check revealed that August 16, 1980 had only 282 birds and 22 species. On the other hand August 25, 2013 had 1154 birds and 61 species. So you never know.
We had (at least) seven Pygmy Blue Butterflies today. Possibly a record.
Here’s a collection of left-looking birds.
(Chris Tosdevin 8/23/26)
In case the name “Hudsonian” Whimbrel sounds new to you, you’re right, as in 2025 the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus was officially split into two species. In the Americas we have Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius hudsonicus and Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus everywhere else.
Our Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatorola is known as the Grey Plover in Europe. They are of course both Gray and Black-bellied. Most of the year they have gray bellies, and the rest of the bird is always gray-ish, but for the few months in which they breed they have black bellies. Of course the Golden Plovers also have black bellies in breeding plumage and they too are largely gray, not terrifically golden as a rule, certainly not oriole or warbler or finch-like golden. [If you think bird names are supposed to be accurately descriptive or helpful when trying to identify a bird, you’d best forget that right now. Their names are frequently misleading and rarely useful, primarily because it’s very difficult for one-to-four words to both adequately and exclusively cover both sexes, all plumages and all ages of a species. But with over 11,000 species of birds to look at, there are of course exceptions to this generalization, although none come to mind. Ostrich, perhaps?]
(Chris Tosdevin 8/23/86)
Semipalmated Plovers (can you see the obvious semi-palmation, so useful for identification purposes?) are regular spring and fall visitors to the lagoon. April and August-September are their peak months, whereas in May-June and October-February they are very few and far between.
Can you guess why this Ruddy Turnstone below is called a “turnstone?” Usually their bills show a very slight up-turn towards the end of their upper mandible and a slight thickening in the lower mandible just below. This bird has a hint of the thickening in the lower bill, but no noticeable up-turn. These add structural strength which aids in the turning of stones, as you guessed. There are often tiny edible invertebrates hiding under small stones.
This Western Snowy Plover flubbed his photo op.
We had two banded Western Snowy Plovers on this trip, and discussion ensued as to the color of their bands. Most west coast Snowy Plovers have four bands (rings) on their legs, two on each leg. Alternatively, some have a single ring on the leg above the heel (or backwards knee or leg joint if you prefer). I concluded that they were (reading left leg above, then below, right leg above then below) orange : aqua+blue (o:ab) and violet+green : orange+white (vg:ow). But some thought the single left orange band on the first bird was rust or corrosion (bands are colored plastic applied to a metal ring); it was hard to differentiate between violet and blue; the white at first looked to me like a very light brown, but I then decided it was merely body shadow altering the color.
Here’s the official color chart for Western Snowy Plovers. Learn it and become a pro.
Three of our photographers in action. Now you know where some of those great close-up photos come from. I personally think that having good equipment, rock-steady hands, great framing ability and wise choice in capturing interesting behavior should all be considered some sort of cheating. I refuse to cheat, which is why I rarely include my own cruddy photography in these postings.
(Chris Tosdevin 8/23/26)
We had great fun discussing and sorting out the Royal and Elegant Terns, although there were only 35 of them. No one was hurt during these discussions.
Sometimes it’s hard to unwind after a long flight.
A view of the west channel, PCH bridge and Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.
The surf was very good today. Very little wind so the waves weren’t all blown out but were very nicely shaped. The highway shoulders were packed with surfer’s cars, the waves packed with surfers, and the beach packed with sunbathers under their portable shades. Even the birds joined in, with cormorants in the waves and several loons out past the surf zone.
Malibu Lagoon on eBird as of 8-24-26: 9595 lists, 3143 eBirders, 323 species
Most recent new species seen: Canyon Wren, 06/11/26 by Judith Olsen (no photo).
Birds new for the season: Semipalmated Plover, Red-throated Loon, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern House Wren, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat. “New for the season” means it has been three or more months since last recorded on our trips.
Many, many thanks to photographers Ray Juncosa, Trish Oster & Chris Tosdevin
Upcoming SMBAS scheduled field trips; no reservations or Covid card necessary unless specifically mentioned:
- Lower L.A. River, Sat. Aug. 29, 7 am
- Lower Sycamore Canyon, Mugu Rock & Marsh, Sat. Sep 12
- Malibu Lagoon, Sun. Sep 27, 8:30 am (adults) & 10 am (parents & kids)
- Huntington Beach Central Park, Sat. Oct 10, 8 am
- Malibu Lagoon, Sun. Oct 25, 8:30 am (adults) & 10 am (parents & kids)
- These and any other trips we announce for the foreseeable future will depend upon expected status of the Covid/flu/etc. pandemic, not to mention landslides, fires, local flooding and atmospheric rivers at trip time. Any trip announced may be canceled shortly before trip date if it seems necessary. By now any other comments should be superfluous.
- Link to Programs & Field Trip schedule.
The next SMBAS Zoom program: Tuesday, October 6, 7:30pm; TBA
The SMBAS 10 a.m. Parent’s & Kids Birdwalk has again resumed. Reservations not necessary for families, but for groups (scouts, etc.), please call Jean (213-522-0062).
(Chris Tosdevin 8/23/26)
Links: Unusual birds at Malibu Lagoon
9/23/02 Aerial photo of Malibu Lagoon
Aerial ‘film’ flying north over lagoon
More recent aerial photo
Prior checklists:
2025: Jan-June, July-Dec 2026: Jan-June
2023: Jan-June, July-Dec 2024: Jan-June, July-Dec
2021: Jan-July, July-Dec 2022: Jan-June, July-Dec
2020: Jan-July, July-Dec 2019: Jan-June, July-Dec
2018: Jan-June, July-Dec 2017: Jan-June, July-Dec
2016: Jan-June, July-Dec 2015: Jan-May, July-Dec
2014: Jan-July, July-Dec 2013: Jan-June, July-Dec
2012: Jan-June, July-Dec 2011: Jan-June, July-Dec
2010: Jan-June, July-Dec 2009: Jan-June, July-Dec
The 10-year comparison summaries created during the 2012-13 Lagoon Reconfiguration Project period, remain available—despite numerous complaints—on our Lagoon Project Bird Census Page. Very briefly summarized, the results unexpectedly indicate that avian species diversification and numbers improved slightly during the restoration period June’12-June’14. We also have a newly-refurbished slide show of the reconfiguration from just before it started until the recent 13-year celebration.
Many thanks to Marie Barnidge-McIntyre, Femi Faminu, Chris Lord, Emily Roth, Chris Tosdevin and others for contributions made to this month’s census counts.
The species list below was re-sequenced as of 12/31/25 to agree with the eBird sequence. If part of the right side of the chart below is hidden, there’s a slider button inconveniently located at the bottom end of the list. The numbers 1-9 left of the species names are keyed to the nine categories of birds at the bottom. Updated lagoon bird check lists can be downloaded here.
[Chuck Almdale]
| Malibu Census 2026 | 3/22 | 4/26 | 5/24 | 6/28 | 7/26 | 8/23 | |
| Temperature | 65-76 | 55-64 | 60-63 | 61-66 | 72-76 | 67-81 | |
| Tide Lo/Hi Height | L-0.31 | H+4.32 | L+0.42 | H+3.35 | H+3.49 | H+3.64 | |
| Tide Time | 0640 | 0624 | 1126 | 1034 | 0949 | 0858 | |
| 1 | Brant (Black) | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 1 | Cackling Goose | 1 | |||||
| 1 | Canada Goose | 5 | 4 | ||||
| 1 | Northern Shoveler | 2 | |||||
| 1 | Gadwall | 15 | 25 | 18 | 10 | 11 | 15 |
| 1 | American Wigeon | 6 | |||||
| 1 | Mallard | 14 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 35 | 6 |
| 1 | Northern Pintail | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | Surf Scoter | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | Red-breasted Merganser | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||
| 2 | Feral Pigeon | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | ||
| 2 | Mourning Dove | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2 | Black-chinned Hummingbird | 1 | |||||
| 2 | Anna’s Hummingbird | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| 2 | Allen’s Hummingbird | 5 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 3 | American Coot | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 4 | Black-bellied Plover | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 35 | 50 |
| 4 | Killdeer | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 4 | Semipalmated Plover | 6 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | Snowy Plover | 1 | 17 | 20 | |||
| 4 | Hudsonian Whimbrel | 6 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 2 | |
| 4 | Long-billed Curlew | 1 | |||||
| 4 | Marbled Godwit | 1 | |||||
| 4 | Long-billed Dowitcher | 1 | |||||
| 4 | Spotted Sandpiper | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | Willet | 4 | 9 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 4 | Ruddy Turnstone | 1 | 2 | ||||
| 4 | Least Sandpiper | 8 | 3 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 4 | Western Sandpiper | 13 | 29 | ||||
| 5 | Bonaparte’s Gull | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 5 | Heermann’s Gull | 22 | 75 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 1 |
| 5 | Ring-billed Gull | 3 | |||||
| 5 | Western Gull | 61 | 40 | 22 | 29 | 68 | 51 |
| 5 | American Herring Gull | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 5 | California Gull | 95 | 110 | 6 | 1 | 2 | |
| 5 | Glaucous-winged Gull | 1 | |||||
| 5 | Caspian Tern | 3 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Elegant Tern | 24 | 750 | 185 | 3 | 12 | 4 |
| 5 | Royal Tern | 34 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 31 |
| 6 | Pied-billed Grebe | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | Western Grebe | 24 | 4 | 35 | 1 | ||
| 6 | Red-throated Loon | 1 | |||||
| 6 | Pacific Loon | 45 | 1 | ||||
| 6 | Common Loon | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 6 | Brandt’s Cormorant | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 6 | Pelagic Cormorant | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Double-crested Cormorant | 18 | 26 | 25 | 10 | 30 | 21 |
| 6 | Black-crowned Night-Heron | 3 | |||||
| 6 | Snowy Egret | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
| 6 | Green Heron | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 6 | Great Egret | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| 6 | Great Blue Heron | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Brown Pelican | 30 | 395 | 28 | 64 | 15 | 2 |
| 7 | Turkey Vulture | 3 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | |
| 7 | Osprey | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 7 | Red-shouldered Hawk | 1 | |||||
| 7 | Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 8 | Belted Kingfisher | 1 | |||||
| 8 | Nuttall’s Woodpecker | 1 | |||||
| 7 | American Kestrel | 1 | |||||
| 7 | Peregrine Falcon | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Western Flycatcher | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Black Phoebe | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Cassin’s Kingbird | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Hutton’s Vireo | 1 | |||||
| 9 | California Scrub-Jay | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 9 | American Crow | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| 9 | Common Raven | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 9 | Oak Titmouse | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| 9 | Tree Swallow | 3 | |||||
| 9 | Violet-green Swallow | 2 | |||||
| 9 | No. Rough-winged Swallow | 25 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 | |
| 9 | Barn Swallow | 8 | 12 | 15 | 35 | 15 | |
| 9 | Cliff Swallow | 25 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
| 9 | Bushtit | 8 | 1 | 10 | 25 | 8 | 15 |
| 9 | Wrentit | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 9 | Swinhoe’s White-eye | 2 | |||||
| 9 | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Northern House Wren | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Marsh Wren | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Bewick’s Wren | 1 | |||||
| 9 | European Starling | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 12 | |
| 9 | Western Bluebird | 3 | |||||
| 9 | American Robin | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | House Finch | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 6 |
| 9 | Lesser Goldfinch | 6 | 2 | ||||
| 9 | Dark-eyed Junco | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | White-crowned Sparrow | 10 | |||||
| 9 | Song Sparrow | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 9 | California Towhee | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | Spotted Towhee | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Hooded Oriole | 2 | 4 | 1 | |||
| 9 | Red-winged Blackbird | 2 | 5 | ||||
| 9 | Great-tailed Grackle | 5 | 4 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 9 | Orange-crowned Warbler | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 9 | Common Yellowthroat | 1 | 4 | ||||
| 9 | Yellow-rumped Warbler | 4 | |||||
| 9 | Black-headed Grosbeak | 1 | |||||
| Totals Birds by Type | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | |
| 1 | Waterfowl & Quail | 48 | 42 | 35 | 25 | 47 | 21 |
| 2 | Doves, Swifts & Hummers | 11 | 11 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 4 |
| 3 | Rails & Coots | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Shorebirds | 44 | 54 | 6 | 22 | 70 | 97 |
| 5 | Gulls & Terns | 247 | 1005 | 221 | 60 | 99 | 90 |
| 6 | Grebe, Loon, Heron, Pelican | 134 | 435 | 105 | 91 | 63 | 46 |
| 7 | Hawks & Falcons | 4 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | Kingfish, Peckers & Parrots | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Passerines | 116 | 70 | 92 | 96 | 100 | 81 |
| Totals Birds | 608 | 1625 | 491 | 306 | 399 | 346 | |
| Total Species by Group | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | |
| 1 | Waterfowl & Quail | 8 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | Doves, Swifts & Hummers | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| 3 | Rails & Coots | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Shorebirds | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 9 |
| 5 | Gulls & Terns | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 6 | Grebe, Loon, Heron, Pelican | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 |
| 7 | Hawks & Falcons | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 8 | Kingfish, Peckers & Parrots | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Passerines | 23 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 15 |
| Totals Species – 98 | 67 | 52 | 51 | 49 | 49 | 48 |
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
We haven’t had any inquiries or received any reservations for this trip.
If you were planning on coming or wish to come, please contact one of the leaders before 6 PM Thursday 27 August and leave contact information. Otherwise we will cancel the trip.
Chuck Almdale: webinfo493[AT]verizon.net
Lu Plauzoles : 310-779-0966, plauzoles@me.com
Saturday, 29 August: Lower Los Angeles River. EARLY START! 7 AM. The lower portion of the LA River has become a late summer hotspot for southbound migrants: in the vegetated river channel are Sandpipers, Phalaropes, Ibis, Terns; various passerines in the trees and bushes of adjacent parks. Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpipers quite possible! The river is wide, so bring your spotting scope and 10X binoculars if you have them, water, snacks and dress for variable weather. Rain very unlikely. Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and water recommended, small folding chair/stool can be useful. Family guide: 1-2 miles walking on pavement and grass, ending about 11-11:30am.
These are the current (Thursday 8/27) weather predictions for Saturday at Long Beach Airport, 2.5 mi. NE of the Willow St. birding point. Considering what we’ve experienced in the past, they seem quite reasonable. I had feared it would be in the high 100’s.
| Time | Temp. °F. | Cloud Cover % | Wind |
| 7 am | 74 | 20 | 3 SSE |
| 8 am | 78 | 20 | 3 SSE |
| 9 am | 79 | 20 | 3 SSE |
| 10 am | 83 | 20 | 3 SSE |
| 11 am | 86 | 2 | 5 SSW |
| Noon | 90 | 2 | 5 SSW |
Try to arrive early. We start birding at 7:00, not just gathering. Early birders get the jump on early birds.
Reservations: Please contact Lu Plauzoles (310-779-0966). Open to all.
Car Pooling: If you are interested in a carpool ride or have a seat available please contact Lu Plauzoles (310-779-0966), by Thursday afternoon if possible so we can try to match you up. (If no answer, please leave a message.)
Lunch: For those who wish, we will have lunch at our last birding stop and thrash out our sightings, DeForest Park in Long Beach no later than noon. Often there are many migrating warblers in the trees, including occasional oddities.
(Thomas Hinnebusch 8/27/2016)
Directions to LA River meeting spot: from Santa Monica, take I-10 east to I-405, south on I-405 22 miles to Long Beach Fwy I-710. South on I-710 1.5 mi. to Willow St., exit eastbound over the Fwy. & river. Turn left at first stoplight at Golden Ave., left again at 26th Way, then 2 blocks to end at DeForest Ave. Park along DeForest Ave. and meet at the bikeway at the top of the pedestrian ramp. Meet at 7 am. Allow 45 minutes from Santa Monica.
After birding here, we will go north to DeForest Park for more birds and lunch. To reach DeForest Park, return to I-710 north, pass the I-405 and exit at Artesia Blvd. Proceed east and turn right onto Atlantic Ave., then right again onto E. Harding St. The park is at the end of the road. Park along DeForest Ave. or in the lot near the pickleball courts.
Leaders: Chuck Almdale & Lu Plauzoles
Field Trip Chair & Information: Jean Garrett 213-522-0062
Prior Reports including trip lists: August 2016, September 2015, September 2014, August 2013, September 2012, September 2011, October 2010
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Volunteers needed at Audubon Ballona Wetlands Education Program
[Posted by Chuck Almdale, submitted by Cindy Hardin]
Nature Nexus Institute (NNI) has taken over the operation of Los Angeles Audubon’s school outreach program of school field trips to the Ballona Wetlands. Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society has helped financially support this organization for several decades. Many members of SMBAS have worked as docents for this program and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Nature Nexus Institute is all about sharing and teaching local school children about the special habitats found right here in Los Angeles. NNI will be starting their six-week Fall Training on 15 September to get ready for school field trips to the Ballona Wetlands. Their tours take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All you need to be a volunteer is a love of the outdoors and the enthusiasm to work with school age aspiring nature lovers. Please contact Cindy Hardin at chardin@naturenexusinstitute.org or give her a call at 310-745-2118 if you are interested.
The following announcement is from them.
We are looking for Volunteers!
The sun is shining, August is starting to feel like a real August and the calls are starting to come in from teachers requesting field trip dates. We are rolling!! In order to prepare, our Fall Training will commence on Tuesday, September 15th. We have also have a new speaker schedule.
Meeting Dates: Tuesdays 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20
Starting times vary: See below for each session!
Some of our speakers come from far afield, and a little later start time will (in theory) make traffic challenges less arduous for them.
Location: Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, entrance at 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey.
Contact: Cindy Hardin, Ph/Text 310-745-2118, <chardin@naturenexusinstitute.org>
The training schedule is as follows:
September 15th, 9 am to Noon. – Welcome back and a warm welcome to new volunteers. We will discuss the coming year, catch up with each other and greet the new volunteers that will be a part of our program. And of course, a stroll through Beautiful Ballona to look for creatures and admire the Goldenbush that is sure to be in prolific bloom.
September 22nd, 10 am to 12:30 pm. – Herpetology with Greg Nemes. Greg is new to the program, and comes highly recommended by California State Parks staff. He helps out with the training they do at Malibu Creek State Park, and is passionate about all things reptilian. A brief discussion will be followed by a walk through the Reserve to spot basking lizards and hopefully a snake or two!
September 29th, 10 am to 1 pm – Wetland Ecology and Parasitic Relationships with Julianne Passareli. Julianne is the Curator of Collections at the fabulous Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro. It has been a while since she has had some time to visit us, as she has been quite busy with recent renovations at the Aquarium. I am thrilled that she will be a part of the program this year!
October 6th, 10 am to 1 pm.– Indigenous Knowledge and Botany with Matt Teutimez. Matt is a trained botanist and a member of the Kizh Gabrielino Nation. He does tremendous work with Indigenous youth, and has so much wonderful information to share that will serve to enhance our tours with the students of Los Angeles.
October 13th, 10:30 am to 1 pm. – Native Plants with Orchid Black. Orchid teaches classes at the venerable Theodore Payne Native Plant Nursery, and through UCLA extension. It was suggested that she speak to our group by volunteer docent Jen Carter, who took her class at UCLA. And Ballona is the perfect place to see and learn about Native Plants-the habitat just keeps getting better year after year!
October 20th, 9 am to Noon. – Birds and Birding with Walter Lamb. Fall Migration and the return of our resident Winter Birds will be in full swing by mid-October, and Walter is just the person to show us who is in town, and learn all about the birds of our region. He is also a passionate advocate for the Wetlands, and has done heroic work in stewardship of the habitat, particularly in Area A. He is also very encouraging to birders of all levels!
In addition, on our last day of Training, October 20th, we will have the folks from LiveScan on site at Ballona. Last year the California Assembly passed a bill that requires that all personnel who work with children go through a process known as LiveScan. This is a background check, and if you have already gone through the process there is no need to do it again. However, if you have not you will be able to do this on the 20th. The service is provided at no cost to you, and is a relatively quick procedure that will be done at the end of training on that day.
There is also an online training about being a Mandated Reporter, which is also required. NNI Staff Member Emily Cobar will be on site on 20th to assist in implementing LiveScan, and to help set you up for the Mandated Reporter training.
All sessions will take place at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. The Reserve has no actual address. We use 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey, 90293. This is a Local Market (it’s actual name!) that is currently being renovated. There is a driveway immediately behind the building that opens up into a large parking lot. The gate to the Reserve is located in the northeast corner of the lot. Please feel free to call me at 310-745-2118 if you have any suggestions, ideas, questions, or schools you might have in mind that could participate in one of our fabulous field trips.
Looking forward to working with all of you and the school children of Los Angeles — who are in dire need of some time in Nature!
Thanks,
Cindy
The Thick-legged Monkey Eater | BBC Wildlife
[Posted by Chuck Almdale, submitted by Lillian Johnson]
Some birds just have more charisma that others – beautiful, really small, great flier, long-lived, ugly, really large, great songster, strange behavior. This article is about one of the most charismatic birds in South America. one which the typical birder in the tropics hopes to see, and never forgets the moment when they saw it. One meter long, two-meter wingspan, talons up to 7 cm that can pierce thick leather gloves. The Darién forest of southern Panama hosts their highest population.
Its legs are as thick as wrists and it’s able to rip monkeys from branches with its deadly talons: Meet the world’s most powerful bird
What are harpy eagles? Where do they live and just how big are they? Learn all about this iconic eagle in our expert guide.
By BBC Wildlife Magazine, 7 August 2026
The article has a film of researchers with a captured Harpy Eagle; they then climb 120 ft. up to a nest. In it they found a primate skull (photo below, not a link) and a nestling among the scraps of food.
Young Birders United Conference Sat. August 29, 8am
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Young birders everywhere are flocking to the first-ever Young Birders United Conference (YBUC) on Saturday, August 29 at 8 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET. This free, virtual gathering launched by Taking Flight will bring together young birders, families, and supporters for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and community. All are invited—young birders with or without chapters, parents of young birders, and young birder supporters. Learn more about the Young Birders United Conference and how to register. Here is the actual link to the registration form – the first page is information, then at the bottom click ‘next’ to get to the actual registration form. Registration is due by 8/22/2026.
Founded in 2019 by Karinne Tennenbaum, Taking Flight is an educational initiative to inspire the next generation of climate leaders through the magic of birding. Taking Flight recently launched Young Birders United, a campaign to establish young birder chapters nationwide.
SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 