Malibu Lagoon Trip Report: 22 November, 2015

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Hooded Merganser pair (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

The tide was descending to the 12:41 pm low, so we didn’t need to dodge waves. The beach looked no smaller than last month. However, reports continue of waves washing across the beach into the lagoon, and the expected “king tides” may well gobble up what beach remains. It should be an exciting winter, probably too exciting for those living in beach houses.

Sora calling (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

Sometimes it’s nice to be wrong. In September I wrote, “I will not be shocked to see Sora appear sometime in 2016…” Much to our surprise, a Sora appeared, flying and swimming between the several small reed patches. Perhaps a Virginia Rail isn’t far behind. And at least one Marsh Wren has been present since September.

Sora flying between reed patches (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

Snowy Plovers – nowhere to be found at 8:30 am – scurried about the beach by 10 am. We found 28, including banded bird GA:OY. This bird was fledged up the coast at Oceano Dunes

Snowy Plover GA:UY (J. Waterman 11/22/15)

in Summer’14, and previously seen at the lagoon at least five times. Snowy Plovers usually avoid the surf zone, their food found in the high tide wrack line, but today a few were down at

Snowy Plovers at sea’s edge for a change (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

the ocean’s edge (see photo), perhaps because the waves were quite small. It would be very interesting to know where they go when – as occurred last month – they’re not near their winter roosting area. During their winter roosting season of July – April, they customarily stay near their roosts, straying no more than 200 yards, and stay usually much closer.

If any Malibu area readers see them elsewhere in Malibu (except Zuma Beach), send us a message. Where they go when not at their roost area has long been a mystery.

Sanderling – often confused with Snowy Plover (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

The swans are gone, probably never to return. But a pair of Hooded Merganser appeared, hiding among the numerous Ruddy Ducks. An infrequent visitor, this is only their 18^th visit out of 312 census dates, with a total of 48 birds. In recent history we’ve seen two pair on 12/28/14 and one pair on 12/24/95. But back in the old days, before the year of the Blue Snow (who could forget that), they’d appear and stay for a while: a pair in Jan’90 – Mar’90, another pair in Nov’80 – Mar’81, and 3 to 5 birds in Nov’79 – Jan’80. At that time they nearly always stayed in the deep pool area just inland of the PCH bridge, surrounded by Ruddy Ducks, of course.

Pacific Loon – note chinstrap, slender bill, unpatterned back, sharp division between front and back of neck (J. Waterman 11/22/15)

All three species of winter loons appeared: Red-throated and Pacific Loons close to the surf zone, and Common Loons both in the surf zone and in the lagoon. Look closely for the Pacific’s “chinstrap” in the photo. Before the Pacific was split from the Arctic Loon some decades ago, it was understood that at least 80% of Arctic Loons had this chinstrap. After the split, the Eurasian area Arctic Loons were bereft of straps, as this characteristic had been peculiar to the Pacific Loon all along.

Mystery Bird (J. Waterman 11/22/15)

Finally, we end with a mystery shorebird we found on the beach near the Snowy Plover roost. I sent these photos off to a local expert (to be named at a later date), who pronounced it, “A very interesting looking bird,” and sent it off to shorebird experts elsewhere. We await the results. Take a look, dig out your field guides, and make your best guess.

Mystery Bird (J. Waterman 11/22/15)

Birds new for the season were: Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Hooded & Red-breasted Mergansers, Red-throated, Pacific & Common Loons, Osprey, Sora, Glaucous-winged Gull, American Kestrel.

As always, many thanks to the photographers: Randy Ehler and Joyce Waterman.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (J. Waterman 11/22/15)

Our next four scheduled field trips: Carrizo Plain, 12 Dec. 9:00am (sign up required); Butterbredt Christmas Count, 19 Dec. 8:30am; Annenberg Beach Club walk, 20 Dec. 9am; Malibu Lagoon 8:30 & 10am, 27 December.
Our next program: Pine Siskin Migration Research with Heather Watts on Tuesday, 1 December, 7:30 pm, at [note location change] Chris Reed Park, 1133 7th St., NE corner of 7th and Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.

NOTE: Our 10 a.m. Parent’s & Kids Birdwalk meets at the shaded viewing area. Watch for Willie the Weasel. He’ll be watching for you and your big floppy feet.

American Kestrel female in flight (R. Ehler 11/22/15)

Links: Unusual birds at Malibu Lagoon
9/23/02 Aerial photo of Malibu Lagoon
Prior checklists:
2015:   Jan-May
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 project period, despite numerous complaints, remain available on our Lagoon Project Bird Census Page. Very briefly summarized, the results unexpectedly indicate that avian species diversification and numbers improved slightly during the period Jun’12-June’14.   [Chuck Almdale]