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No salesman will call, at least not from us. Maybe from someone else.
“I don’t know! I’m following you!” (Grace Murayama 6/6/19)
The wintering and most of the migrant birds are gone, but the nesting birds are out and about feeding their young, and the gulls and waders who couldn’t be bothered to leave will be lounging around. The sun and sand is warm; come watch the jumping mullet perform!
Some of the great birds we’ve had in June: Brant, Gadwall, Red-breasted Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Great & Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Willet, Long-billed Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Heermann’s Gull, Caspian, Royal & Elegant Tern, White-throated Swift, Anna’s & Allen’s Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Cassin’s Kingbird, Rough-winged, Barn and Cliff Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, Common Yellowthroat, California Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch.
Adult Walk 8:30 a.m., 4th Sunday of every month. Beginner and experienced, 2-3 hours. Species range from 40 in June to 60-75 during migrations and winter. We meet at the metal-shaded viewing area (see photo below) next to the parking lot and begin walking east towards the lagoon. We always check the offshore rocks and the ocean. When lagoon outlet is closed we 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.
Immature Brown Pelican (R. Juncosa 5-27-18)
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 (310-472-7209) to make sure we have enough binoculars and docents.)
Looking over the west channel to the Malibu Colony (L. Johnson 6-24-18)
Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road, west of Malibu Pier and the bridge. Look around for people wearing binoculars.
Parking: Parking machine recently installed in the lagoon lot: 1 hr $3; 2 hrs $6; 3 hrs $9, all day $12 ($11 seniors); credit cards accepted. Annual passes accepted. You may also park (read the signs carefully) either along PCH west of Cross Creek Road, on Cross Creek Road, or on Civic Center Way north (inland) of the shopping center. Lagoon parking in shopping center lots is not permitted.
Prior checklists:
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.
[Chuck Almdale]
The Upside of Being Awkward | PBS BrainCraft Video
We can all be pretty awkward. Right? Here we cover the psychology of awkwardness. But it’s not all bad news. It’s a good thing that we’re aware of ourselves and care about how others perceive us. Feeling awkward can push us to sharpen our social skills.
This is an installment of the PBS – BrainCraft series created by Vanessa Hill. If no film or link appears in this email, go to the blog to view it by clicking on the blog title above. If the film stops & starts in an annoying manner, press pause (lower left double bars ||) to let it buffer and get ahead of you. [Chuck Almdale]
There are strange little towers on the forest floor. Neat, right? Nope. Inside hides a spider that’s cunning, patient and ruthless.
This is another installment of the PBS Deep Look series; this installment is adapted from the “It’s OK to be Smart” series. If no film or link appears in this email, go to the blog to view it by clicking on the blog title above. If the film stops & starts in an annoying manner, press pause (lower left double bars ||) to let it buffer and get ahead of you. [Chuck Almdale]
Mt. Piños is a great area for mountain birds such as Clark’s Nutcracker, White-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Quail, singing Green-tailed Towhees and Fox Sparrows, Pygmy & White Breasted Nuthatches, Cassin’s & Purple Finches, Lawrence’s Goldfinches and the ever-elusive Calliope Hummingbird. We’re always on the lookout for one or more of the released California Condors who are again fully licensed to fly. We will bird early, then look for butterflies. If the wildflowers are out in force, we’ll have a good chance of finding the Calliope. We may also drive over to Mt. Abel to take a look at “Shirley’s Seep” – an oasis for thirsty birds in dry years – located about 1/2 way up the road.
Lawrence’s Goldfinch male at Shirley’s Seep (J. Waterman 6-11-17)
This trip is scheduled as a day trip, with Saturday birding from 8am until mid-afternoon. Some of us will be camping Friday and/or Saturday night at McGill Campground located about 1/2 way up the Mt. Piños road, and which opens on Memorial Day weekend. Mt. Piños Campground, about a mile farther up the road, will probably also be open. Both campgrounds feature new toilets. Sunday (9th) usually involves breakfast, some birding around the often-birdy camping area, and eventually breaking camp and returning home. Sometimes we return to the Iris Meadow area at the top of the road, or to one or two other locales if we feel we missed something.
Our famous leucistic Anna’s Hummingbird (Maja Block)
Family Guide: Lots of driving; maybe lots of walking; days can be sunny & hot or cloudy & cool. Small patches of snow may still be present. Dress in layers, bring food and water.
Mountain Adventure Pass Not Needed: The Forest Service Ranger Station for the Mt. Piños area (661-245-3731) says we do not need a pass for this area for this time of year, only during snow season which is now officially over.
Call the leader no later than Thursday, 6/06 if you’re coming. If they don’t know you’re coming, they won’t wait for you if you’re late.
The parasitic Snow Plant are usually still emergent (L Johnson 6/11)
[Directions] Allow 90 minutes travel time from downtown Santa Monica.
I-5 north to the Frazier Park exit. West on Frazier Mountain Road for about 6 miles. The name then changes to Cuddy Valley Road. Continue northwest about 6 miles to the intersection of Cuddy Valley and Mil Potrero Roads. Park in the large pull-off area about 100 yards past this intersection. (Do not expect us to meet you at the top of Mt. Piños!) We will briefly bird around this area, then continue up the mountain or drive over to Mt. Abel. Even if you are not camping, this is an all-day trip, so gas up your car, wear layers and bring food and water. If you are camping, McGill & Mt. Piños campgrounds have no water, but do have wonderful new bathrooms.
FRS radio: Bring it if you have one, tuned to Channel 11, privacy channel 22.
Meet at 8:00 a.m., Saturday June 8.
Leaders: Mary Prismon & Jean Garrett 310-472-7209
EMAIL: Mary <goldcrownking[at]msn[DOT].com>
[Chuck Almdale]
SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 