[Chuck Almdale]

Pacific Coast Highway, as of this writing, is apparently still open between Santa Monica and Malibu. However, 7/28-late Sept, Topanga Cyn. Rd. to Las Flores, due to fires, storms, utility repairs and a plethora of diminutive theropodians:
Northbound: 1 lane weekdays 7am-3pm, weekends: 5am-5pm
Southbound: 1 lane weekdays 9am-5pm, weekends: apparently open
But you can confirm this for yourself here.

So… SMBAS lagoon trips (8:30am general and 10am parents & kids) are happening.

The migrating shorebirds are picking up in numbers and diversity, as are gulls and terns. Many may still have their bright breeding plumages. Snowy Plovers have returned from breeding. You never know what might blow, float or wander in.

Some of the great birds we’ve had in August are:
Green-winged Teal, Brandt’s & Pelagic Cormorant, Snowy Egret, White-faced Ibis, Osprey, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, Semipalmated Plover, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy & Black Turnstones, Sanderling, Western & Least Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Least, Forster’s, Royal & Elegant Tern, Black Skimmer, White-throated Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Merlin, Western Wood-Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Oak Titmouse, House Wren,  Orange-crowned, Warbler & Wilson’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah, Song & Lincoln’s Sparrow, Western Tanager, Red-winged Blackbird, Bullock’s Oriole.

Weather prediction as of 19 August:
Cloudy, warm. Temp: 67-73°, Wind: NW 3>8 mph, Clouds: 90%>15%, rain: 5%
Tide: Very low & rising: Low: -0.20 ft. @ 4:52am; High: +4.74 ft. @ 11:02pm
July 27 trip report link

Adult Walk 8:30 a.m., 4th Sunday of every month.  Beginner and experienced, 2-3 hours.  Species range from 35 in June to 60-75 during migrations and winter.  We move slowly and check everything as we move along.  When lagoon outlet is closed we may continue east around the lagoon to Adamson House.  We put out special effort to make our monthly Malibu Lagoon walks attractive to first-time and beginning birdwatchers.  So please, if you are at all worried about coming on a trip and embarrassing yourself because of all the experts, we remember our first trips too.  Someone showed us the birds; now it’s our turn. Bring your birding questions.

Children and Parents Walk, 10:00 a.m., 4th Sunday of every month: One hour session, meeting at the metal-shaded viewing area between parking lot and channel. We start at 10:00 for a shorter walk and to allow time for families to get it together on a sleepy Sunday morning.  Our leaders are experienced with kids so please bring them to the beach!  We have an ample supply of binoculars that children can use without striking terror into their parents.  We want to see families enjoying nature. (If you have a Scout Troop or other group of more than seven people, you must call Jean (213-522-0062) to make sure we have enough binoculars, docents and sand.)

[Written & posted by Chuck Almdale]