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Malibu Lagoon: Sunday, 28 May 2023, 8:30am
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]

Optical illusion – this yawning Brown Pelican isn’t really trying to swallow that passing gull (G. Murayama 2-16-17)
It’s ALWAYS the 4th (not the last!) Sunday of the month.
Same as last month: No reservations, no Covid card checks.
Rules for Malibu Lagoon trip
- Masks not required; feel free to wear one whenever you want.
- Bring your own binoculars & telescope if you have them.
- We do have loaner binos but they don’t always show up in time to hand out.
- Participation in social activities, such as field trips, comes with an inherent risk of exposure to infectious disease. Prospective participants should self-evaluate or discuss with their doctor if their participation merits this risk. If you’re sick or experiencing any symptoms that indicate you might be sick, STAY HOME.
- The 10am Children & Parents Walk is reinstated. Call Jean Garrett (424)-248-3801
- For general questions contact Chuck: misclists[AT]verizon.net

Pelicans and cormorants (L. Johnson 5-22-22)
A few wintering birds remain, the migrants continue to come through and our nesting birds will be so busy they’ll hardly notice you.
Some of the great birds we’ve had in May are:
Brant, Pelagic Cormorant, Green Heron, Whimbrel, Bonaparte’s Gull, Royal, Least, Forster’s, Royal & Elegant Terns, White-throated Swift, Anna’s & Allen’s Hummingbirds, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Common Raven, Violet-Green, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded and Bullock’s Orioles.
If you arrive early you may perchance to espy, as said in 1452, a congregacyon of plouers.
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 (424-248-3801) to make sure we have enough binoculars and docents.)

Map to Meeting Place
Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road, west of Malibu Pier and the bridge. We gather in the metal-shaded area near the parking lot. Look around for people wearing binoculars.
Parking: Parking machine 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 signs carefully) on either of 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 (i.e. they tow cars).
Link to trip report: May 22, 2022.
Prior checklists:
2021: Jan-July, July-Dec 2022: Jan-June, July-Dec
2020: Jan-July, July-Dec 2019: Jan-June, July-Dec
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
[Written & posted by Chuck Almdale]
Recording of Uganda Meeting is on line now.
Click on UGANDA for a 65 minute recording.
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Femi Faminu is an L.A. area birder whom I have gotten to know over the past four or five years. She has come on many of our Malibu Lagoon walks as well as a few others like Back Bay Newport, and she always brings a friendly expertise to the trip as well as a few photos for the blog, and often a few more for me to puzzle out. She also birds abroad and makes short films about her adventures in travel, accommodations, birding and eating. Here’s her latest.
Femi has fifteen such films ranging from Borneo to Africa to Central & South America which can be found on YouTube HERE. They always give me that “wish I was there” feeling.
You are all invited to the next ZOOM meeting
of Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society

|
Uganda: Birds and Primates, with Chuck Bragg.
Zoom Evening Meeting, Tuesday, 2 May, 7:30 p.m.
Zoom waiting room opens 7:15 p.m.

Uganda encloses about 91,000 square miles, which means it is larger than Minnesota but smaller than Michigan. There are 1007 species on the bird list, 800 of which breed there – there are a lot of different habitats for them, from swamps to snowy mountains. Its border runs through several large rift lakes: Victoria, Edward and Albert. Although it lies on the equator, its altitude varies from 3000 to 5000 feet and the climate is refreshingly mild, hence the nickname, The Pearl of Africa.
Alice and I traveled there with Gerry Bertrand from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He arranged a great trip and we saw about 380 species, 170 of which were lifers. We visited the gorillas, chimps, and many monkeys – the tour was called Birds and Primates of Uganda. I hope you join us to hear about one of the rich but lesser-visited safari destinations in Africa.
|
(If this button isn’t working for you, see detailed zoom invitation below.)
Meeting ID: 847 7936 5566
Passcode: 121032
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Passcode: 121032
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keeKdInpEj
You are all invited to the next ZOOM meeting
of Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society

|
Uganda: Birds and Primates, with Chuck Bragg.
Zoom Evening Meeting, Tuesday, 2 May, 7:30 p.m.
Zoom waiting room opens 7:15 p.m.

Uganda encloses about 91,000 square miles, which means it is larger than Minnesota but smaller than Michigan. There are 1007 species on the bird list, 800 of which breed there – there are a lot of different habitats for them, from swamps to snowy mountains. Its border runs through several large rift lakes: Victoria, Edward and Albert. Although it lies on the equator, its altitude varies from 3000 to 5000 feet and the climate is refreshingly mild, hence the nickname, The Pearl of Africa.
Alice and I traveled there with Gerry Bertrand from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He arranged a great trip and we saw about 380 species, 170 of which were lifers. We visited the gorillas, chimps, and many monkeys – the tour was called Birds and Primates of Uganda. I hope you join us to hear about one of the rich but lesser-visited safari destinations in Africa.
|
(If this button isn’t working for you, see detailed zoom invitation below.)
Meeting ID: 847 7936 5566
Passcode: 121032
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,84779365566#,,,,121032# US
+16699009128,,84779365566#,,,,121032# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
Meeting ID: 847 7936 5566
Passcode: 121032
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keeKdInpEj