Another Warm January: Malibu Lagoon, 28 January, 2018

Sanderlings seeking a place to land (Joyce Waterman 1-28-18)

We had close to forty birders for a warm (76°F) day of birding. The sixty-five species was above average for recent years, and – as usual – about 75% of the 2,208 birds were gulls, mostly California Gull, typical for this time of year.

Wintering male ducks: American Wigeon and Gadwall (J. Waterman 1-28-18)

Probably the most uncommon bird was a single male Cinnamon Teal, sleeping among the wigeons. Over our 249 visits since October 1979 in which birds were censused, 153 Cinnamon Teal have been present on 24 total occasions. But the last sighting was a singleton on 12-26-10, seven years ago. Prior to that was in February and March, 2009. They’ve visited only thirteen times since January 2000, with the high count of only six birds. Contrast that to January – April, 1981 when they were present on four dates with a total of 101 birds. Of course, they likely were the same individual birds for that consecutive period. Still, that series accounts for 66% of total Cinnamon Teal ever present. So…bottom line…if you see a Cinnamon Teal at the lagoon, you’re lucky. It’s a very pretty bird.

Two Snowy Plovers (Randy Ehler 1-28-18)

We were missing our Snowy Plovers until the very end of the visit, when nineteen suddenly shot in, accompanied by thirty Sanderlings. The Snowies immediately landed on the east end of the beach, almost at our feet, while the tight group of Sanderlings flew back and forth at least a dozen times before alighting among the exposed rocks at the beach’s west end.

Osprey on a snag, waiting for a Jumping Mullet to jump into his mouth
(R. Ehler 1-28-18)

We had two Ospreys and two Peregrine Falcons, a bit unusual. The falcons raced around the lagoon, as usual, much to the annoyance of the shorebirds and ducks, while the Ospreys hunted in their more sedate manner – soaring high overhead, then plunging on a hapless Mullet. I didn’t see any of these raptors actually catch anything.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, gleaning invertebrates (R. Ehler 1-28-18)

The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are still relatively abundant, as they’ve been since November. The Yellow-rumped Warblers are everywhere in the brush and trees, as they always are in winter. They’ll leave in the spring.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (L) faces off with a Lesser Goldfinch (R) (J. Waterman 1-28-18)

Birds new for the season were: Cinnamon Teal, Green-winged Teal, Eared Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Lesser Goldfinch, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird.

Many thanks to our photographers: Randy Ehler & Joyce Waterman.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet pauses momentarily while flitting through the brush
(R. Ehler 1-28-18)

Male House Finch
(J. Waterman 1-28-18)

Our next three scheduled field trips: Malibu Lagoon 8:30 & 10am, 25 February; Sepulveda Basin, 8:30am, 10 March; Malibu Lagoon 8:30 & 10am, 25 March.

Our next program: Santa Cruz Island, with Larry Loeher – Evening Meeting: Tuesday, Mar. 6, 7:30 p.m., Chris Reed Park (we hope), 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 viewpoint just south of the parking area. Watch for Willie the Weasel. He’ll be watching for you and your big floppy feet.

Links: Unusual birds at Malibu Lagoon
9/23/02 Aerial photo of Malibu Lagoon

Heermann’s Gull already in breeding (alternate) plumage (J. Waterman 1-28-18)

Prior checklists:
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 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.

Many thanks to Randy Ehler, Lillian Johnson and Chris Lord for their contributions to the checklist below.  [Chuck Almdale]