[Chuck Almdale]

Pacific Coast Highway, as of this writing, is apparently still open between Santa Monica and Malibu, but observe the 25 MPH speed limit where posted.
Northbound: 1 lane weekdays 7am-3pm, weekends: 5am-5pm. Watch out around Big Rock Dr. for single lane traffic.
Southbound: May be 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.

Welcome back to the first field trip of the birding fiscal year. Migration will be in full swing so we should see many species. Birds often gather offshore in large feeding flocks. 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 September are:
Brant, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed & Eared Grebe, Green Heron, White-faced Ibis, Cooper’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Sora, Semipalmated Plover, American Avocet, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Long-billed Dowitcher, Red-necked Phalarope, Heermann’s, Western, Ring-billed & California Gulls, Common Tern, Vaux’s Swift, Belted Kingfisher, American Kestrel, Black & Say’s Phoebe, Cassin’s Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Bushtit, House & Bewick’s Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Pipit, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray, Townsend’s & Wilson’s Warbler, Savannah, Song & White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, to name a paltry few.

Weather prediction as of 26 September:
Cloudy, mild. Temp: 66-71°, Wind: ESE 6>9 mph, Clouds: 90%>40%, rain: 4%
Tide: Slowly rising all morning: High: 4.54 ft. @ 12:44pm Sun.; Low: +1.23 ft. @ 8:30pm Sat. night
August 24 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]