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The Bird Family Tree | Eric Ray
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
This is a pretty good presentation of recent knowledge of the avian evolutionary tree, and includes photos of many of the families and most of the orders of birds. It packs a lot into 30 minutes. Eric also discusses topics like convergent evolution, the paleognathes, and the mobile-like maneuverability of the lineages at the nodes. I disagree with him slightly on his polytomies as I think there is recent information on dating the nodes which he didn’t use. Not sure what all that means? Watch the film. Then you’ll know, probably for forever. Then, knowing all this, your birding ventures will be that much more interesting.
If you know of a better explanation of reasonable length, send it to me and I’ll post it.
I’ve written a few blogs on this subject.
Cladogram of forty-one Avian Orders | Taxonomy 9. Link
Avian Checklist of 41 Orders & 251 Families | Taxonomy 10. Link.
Kenneth Hahn Park field trip, 12 April 2025
[By Lucien Plauzoles, photos by Ray Juncosa, domestic waterfowl comment by Chuck Almdale]
A typical spring day in coastal California starts with a cloudy chill and it was in fine tradition that we started our exploration in the native plant garden at the Stoneview Nature Center in the Blair Hills neighborhood of Culver City. We spotted a number of typical species there but were surprised by a captive quail exhibit probably used by educators when they welcome school groups.
Chris Tosdevin who has quail frequently in his Topanga yard opined that the young birds were not our usual CA quail. Having reviewed some of my photos I would guess they were Sooty Grouse, native to the Sierra ecosystem rather than the local mountains. (On the other hand, they could have been Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus, common in the eastern U.S., widely kept in cages and introduced elsewhere.–Ed.)
Near the quail enclosure was a small pond with a variety of waterfowl.
Notice the curly tail on this “pond duck.”
It’s not a goiter on this goose.
Domestic geese and ducks can go by many names which only those who fancy domestic wildfowl need concern themselves with. Most domesticated ducks that live in barnyards and wind up on someone’s plate are descended from the ubiquitous Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. The males have a little curl in their tail (see duck above), even if they’re totally white. In the Americas from Mexico southward, domestic Muscovy Ducks Cairina moschata, the ones with the knobbly red faces, are fairly common, not so much in the USA. Most domestic geese in the world are descended from Graylag Goose Anser anser, common in the wild from England to east Asia. The other species of domesticated goose is the Swan Goose Anser cygnoides, breeding in the wild in Mongolia, northeastern China and adjacent Siberia. In its domesticated versions, it is often called the Knob Goose, and it comes in two flavors: Chinese Goose and African Goose. (Some good photos on these two sites.) The latter is not from Africa but from China, as is the Chinese Goose, as you probably guessed, but it got hung up in Madagascar before making its domesticated way onward to Europe, so…African Goose it is. The chin wattle or dewlap can be found in both domestic versions, but the African seems to have it more commonly and larger. So…the goose in the pond at Kenneth Hahn park may be a Chinese Goose but in my mind the dewlap suggests a Brown African Goose, which is also called the African Wattled Goose, Knob Goose, African Knob Goose, Brown Goose, African Brown Goose, Super Goose, Super African Goose, and Dewlap African Goose. But they’re all Anser cygnoides or Swan Goose, so call then what you like, just don’t call them late for dinner or you’ll wind up with an angry goose banging on your kneecaps. – Ed.
The walk continued over the steel pedestrian bridge over La Cienega Blvd and we spent an hour and half exploring the grassy areas of Kenneth Hahn Park A decent number of species seen and heard, but surprisingly few warblers. The exception was a show-off singing male yellow Warbler who welcomed the sunny half of our trip, but nary a Yellow-rumped Warbler! For next year, I would suggest a date in late March rather than waiting for April, despite the general opinion of many SoCal birders that we are in a late migration year.
Larry Allen, birder: In memoriam
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
I met Larry Allen way back, sometime in the late ’80’s or early 90’s. Western Tanager, the newsletter of Los Angeles Audubon Society, listed an upcoming trip as Gull-watching from Malibu Lagoon to Point Mugu. Or something like that. “Gulls,” I thought, “I can’t tell them apart. I gotta go on this.” And I did, and I repeatedly went for some number of years thereafter. Larry Allen was always the leader. He was fun and very knowledgeable. He had little hand-outs on telling gulls apart. He looked like a freak (which was a good thing, in case you’ve forgotten), as I used to look; still do, sometimes.
I think I have a mental block on gulls. I’m still trying to figure them out, and every time I think I’ve learned something, the next gull sets me back to zero. Larry never seemed to have that problem. But on the other hand…
After I began leading the Malibu Lagoon field trip, I was frequently stumped on gulls, and occasionally I’d email a photo to Larry for help. On my first photo to him he thought he knew what it was (I’ve since forgotten what) but then added, “…but the bill looks a little zaftig.” Zaftig? What the devil is that? Some sort of birder’s term, like Jizz, coverts, or remiges? Upon inquiry, he said, “it means a bit off.” Oh-kay. [Google now says “plump,” but what does google know.] I went with his conclusion, whatever it was. I knew he knew more than me.
We’d bump into Larry here and there — Mt. Piños, Antelope Valley, Angeles Crest Hwy, Morongo Valley, Bolsa Chica, South End Salton Sea, pelagics on the Vantuna, Audubon Quarterly Chapter meetings, Audubon annual meetings, pelagics in Monterey Bay, rare bird sighting stakeouts — but the next meeting of consequence was when the Las Angeles County Birding Atlas Project began in 1995.
Lillian and I went to Eaton Canyon for an orientation meeting for volunteer atlas bird censusers, taught by…guess who? Larry led a half-dozen of us up the canyon and together we figured out the numerous sighting codes for signs of nesting behavior — carrying building material, carrying food to nest, carrying fecal sacs away from nest, young in nest, fledglings on twigs, fledged young still lying on the couch, and so on. We learned the ropes and over the next five years, Lillian and I surveyed five blocks and felt quite volunteerish and accomplished about it. Especially the family of eight Burrowing Owls we found in the western Antelope Valley!
At some point in time Kimball Garrett, then at the L.A. County Natural History Museum and deeply involved in the atlas project, mentioned to me that Larry had done 79 of the 3 x 3.5 mile rectangular blocks, 55 as primary observer (13% of the entire county!) and 24 more as second observer. (See appendix H of the atlas.)
I think I lost a few teeth when my jaw dropped onto the floor. A great many of Larry’s census blocks were in the mountains where no one else was sufficiently willing or physically fit to clamber through the brush and trees, down cliffs and up slopes, perhaps without benefit of even a trail, looking for “signs of breeding.” The mind boggles in contemplation of such a feat! If you’ve hiked through the San Gabriel Mountains (highest point 10,064 ft), you’ll understand. Many others were in the sandy washes, stony slopes and occasional windbreak or woodlot of the eastern Antelope Valley. Following the finish of the five-year census, Larry spent the next fifteen years as the lead writer on the atlas, published in 2016.
Larry was very generous with whatever spare time he had, and he’d happily take people around the Pasadena area to see their flocks of wild-living parrots. Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society went with him a couple of times, and we probably saw a dozen parrot or parakeet species, numbering anywhere from a pair or two per species to flocks of thousands, covering the cars and lawns below with parrot poop.
Larry was also a member of Los Angeles Birders. He presented a program for them on Urban Tropicana: Parrots of Southern California in November 2021. Link Now you can see our parrots too.
Somehow, in the midst of all this working, birding, writing and editing, Larry managed to found the Harpsicord Society of Los Angeles, which later became the Southern California Early Music Society. Here’s a link to an article he wrote about the history of that society.
A man of many talents, good humor, abundant energy and immense good will. Those who knew him as a close friend are fortunate. Even a casual birding acquaintance like me are better for having known him.
He is missed.
Page three of the Pasadena Audubon Society’s newsletter The Wrentit for June-August 2025 has remembrances from other birders who knew Larry.
I had no idea Larry was an aficionado of harpsicords and Early Music, so much so that in his obituary below, birding is described as “another passion,” which amounts almost to heresy. It’s amazing what birders get up to when they’re not looking at birds, talking about birds, thinking about birds or writing about birds.
The Neptune Society also has his obituary as well as details on the June 19 Celebration of Life for Larry.
Western Field Ornithologists has his obituary and remembrances from members.
The following obituary was posted in the Los Angeles Times. There’s also a page for him on Legacy.com. It has a couple of suggestions should you wish to donate in his name.
Larry Wayne Allen
October 26, 1946 – April 3, 2025. Larry was the eldest son of Harry R. Allen and Clara M. Allen who married and moved to California shortly after WW II. Larry grew up in Rosemead, attended school in the San Gabriel Valley and graduated from California State College Los Angeles in 1968 with dual degrees in Economics and Philosophy.
Larry continued his graduate studies in Economics at Harvard University.
After college, he took civilian employment with the US Navy. Larry planned that he would work full time for at most ten years, targeting his “retirement” in April 1984. He served as a civilian Contracting Officer for the US Army and the US Air Force.
Larry’s plan to retire came to fruition. He acquired rental income property in the Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno and retired to a frugal lifestyle in January 1982.
One of Larry’s passions was Early Music as performed and interpreted using period instruments and historically informed practices. He was a founding member of the Harpsichord Society of Los Angeles. When the Harpsichord Society became the Southern California Early Music Society, Larry joined its board and served for over 25 years, in every office, including President.
Larry volunteered for many additional Early Music organizations, including serving on the Boards of Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra (Treasurer and Secretary) and the Foundation of the Neo-Renaissance (President and Vice-President).
Larry had another passion.
Birding. During the first year of his retirement, Larry became aware of the great beauty and variety of avian life. He became deeply involved in birding, quickly became proficient and joined several professional ornithological organizations.
Later, he lectured, led field trips, and wrote widely on the subject. His most ambitious publication was as first author of the 660-page Los Angeles County Breeding Bird Atlas. In later years, Larry birded on all seven continents.
He traveled our country from one end to the other visiting friends, art museums, classical music events and remote points of natural interest including separate driving trips to the Bering Sea and Artic Ocean. The best of these adventures was with wife and lover Marilyn with whom he spent 30 years. Their last years were spent happily in Altadena, California. His home and its rich collection of Native American art, voluminous library, and a collection Allen and Wright family heirlooms were lost in the 2025 Eaton Fire.
To his friends, Larry was smart, quick-witted, well-informed, warm and loyal. The sort of man anyone would be lucky to call a friend.
Larry in Bhutan, 2nd from left, ready to see some birds. (Tom Stephenson)
[By Chuck Almdale; Photos by Marsha Collins, Femi Faminu, Lillian Johnson, Armando Martinez & Chris Tosdevin]
As you’ll see by the photographs, the day was gray, sometimes, depending on which way you looked. To the north, bluish sky, to the south, gray-grim. We were quite surprised to see the Osprey on a light pole over Pacific Coast Hwy., as he or she normally prefers the wooden telephone pole at the back of the colony. We then realized that the wooden pole was completely gone. They’re putting in a new house at the back corner of the colony, and the pole was in the way. I suppose. Too bad – that pole was a favorite perch for birds. The Northern Mockingbird stood there for years, tootling away. More recently the Osprey commandeered it and ate many a fish on the top. Occasionally a Red-tailed Hawk would rest there, but the last time one did a group of Ravens drove it off.
Twenty-four birders showed up, eager to see lagoon birds. It had been difficult for the past four months to get to Malibu as Pacific Coast Highway, the main route for most people, was closed to all non-resident traffic. Cleanup crews were all over the place, trucks everywhere, trying to clean up the enormous mess left by the fires. One SMBAS member, living in one of the devastated neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and whose house was near-miraculously unfazed by fire, found the interior filled with toxic dust from the fire, rendering it uninhabitable. They’re still living with family, waiting for cleanup specialists, name of Godot Speedy Service, to arrive.
The birds were relatively normal, although for the second month in a row there were virtually zero shorebirds, by which I mean sandpipers and plovers. Two Killdeer, that was it. And they’re nesting, as a gangly chick was recently seen, so I supposed that should be three Killdeer, except we didn’t see it.
The lagoon outflow channel to the sea has silted in, and the lagoon water was quite high, higher than actual sea level which was at high tide. The railing around the summer clock sidewalk barely emerged from the water. According to the designers, for every inch of water level rise in the lagoon, the water moves four feet up the sidewalk.
Tiles spaced along the sidewalk tell you the water height. The out-of-picture water’s edge was just below this marker.
Not every lagoon in the world is lucky enough to have it’s own water level marking system.
I really don’t remember the sky being this gray (see below). Surfrider Beach appears to have a large gap, but that’s an optical illusion due to the sand being only a couple of inches higher than the lagoon level. The curvature of the earth may be involved as well.
Marsha captured a resting pair of Gadwall. With her camera. Sometimes the orange on the female’s bill is just a thin strip along the bill’s edge – orange lips, so to speak. This one has a bit more than that.
There were lots of other Gadwall around. Mallards too. The bird below on the right looked to be a young male molting into his first adult plumage, due to all the “scales” on his breast.
We had some excitement along the beach path as someone spotted a hummingbird sitting on a nest. It was very obscured and difficult to see, but we managed to get two telescopes and a half-dozen cameras onto it. But from no angle could you actually see much of the bird. The spots on the throat didn’t really look as reddish as they ought(?) to be for Allen’s, but they certainly weren’t iridescent as would be the flecking on the female Anna’s, and the underlying throat feathers were quite pale, not dingy gray. Bill length and curvature is getting quite variable these days, and you’ll find out more about that if you follow these links to NPR and Smithsonian.
The chin seems to have a slight tinge of rufous, befitting an Allen’s but not Anna’s.
The beach between the sea and lagoon is still well-distributed with driftwood from the winter storms.
Western Gulls of all ages are reliable at the lagoon. They nest on the nearby Channel Islands where there are few predators to gobble up their eggs.
Ring-billed Gulls can be tricky. Young birds can have an all-black, or partially-black bill. As they age the black area turn yellow-pink-orange at different rates and in different patterns. The base of the bill generally changes color earlier than the tip. In the bird below, the tips is minutely pale at the very tip. They eyes also begin as dark, then turn very pale by the time they’re adult at the ripe old age of three.
We debated about this bird (below, in the middle) on the beach, deciding it likely was a Herring Gull. Chris thought two-years old. After looking at the picture, I think it’s molting into 3rd year plumage. The wing-coverts are quite worn, giving it that “shredded” look. The bill is less chunky than the Western’s (two pictures up), the head looks a bit flat and no white mirrors in the primaries. Pink legs of course.
That’s a Brown Pelican behind them, the most common species of the day..
The Great-tailed Grackles definitely enjoy poking around through the driftwood.
The fact that the two grebes below are in the same avian family, although different genera, sometimes mystifies people. If you ever saw either of them try to walk on land the family relationship would become more clear.
Song Sparrows are one of the reliable breeders at the lagoon. They’re always there and they’re always singing.
Malibu Lagoon on eBird as of 5-26-25: 8583 lists, 2754 eBirders, 321 species
Most recent new species seen: Nelson’s Sparrow, 11/29/24 by Femi Faminu (SMBAS member). When the newest species added to the list was seen on a date prior to the most recently seen new species, there is no way I can find to easily determine what that bird is. Another minor nit to pick about eBird.
Birds new for the season: Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Mockingbird .. “New for the season” means it has been three or more months since last recorded on our trips.
Many, many thanks to photographers Marsha Collins, Femi Faminu, Lillian Johnson, Armando Martinez & Chris Tosdevin.
Upcoming SMBAS scheduled field trips; no reservations or Covid card necessary unless specifically mentioned:
- Malibu Creek State Park, Sat, June 14, 8 am
- Malibu Lagoon, Sun. June 22, 8:30 (adults) & 10 am (parents & kids)
- Malibu Lagoon, Sun. July 27, 8:30 (adults) & 10 am (parents & kids)
- These and any other trips we announce for the foreseeable future will depend upon expected status of the Covid/flu/etc. pandemic, not to mention landslides, at trip time. Any trip announced may be canceled shortly before trip date if it seems necessary. By now any other comments should be superfluous.
- Link to Programs & Field Trip schedule.
The next SMBAS Zoom program: October 7, to be announced.
The SMBAS 10 a.m. Parent’s & Kids Birdwalk will resume when we can again schedule official monthly walks, probably in June. Reservations not necessary for families, but for groups (scouts, etc.), call Jean (213-522-0062).
Links: Unusual birds at Malibu Lagoon
9/23/02 Aerial photo of Malibu Lagoon
More recent aerial photo
Prior checklists:
2023: Jan-June, July-Dec 2024: Jan-June, July-Dec
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
The 10-year comparison summaries created during the Lagoon Reconfiguration Project period, remain available—despite numerous complaints—on our Lagoon Project Bird Census Page. Very briefly summarized, the results unexpectedly indicate that avian species diversification and numbers improved slightly during the restoration period June’12-June’14.
Many thanks to Marie Barnidge-McIntyre, Femi Faminu, Lillian Johnson & Chris Tosdevin for contributions made to this month’s census counts.
The species list below was re-sequenced as of 12/31/24 to agree with the California Bird Records Committee Official California Checklist. If part of the right side of the chart below is hidden, there’s a slider button inconveniently located at the bottom end of the list. The numbers 1-9 left of the species names are keyed to the nine categories of birds at the bottom. Updated lagoon bird check lists can be downloaded here.
[Chuck Almdale]
| Malibu Census 2024-25 | 12/22 | 1/30 | 2/23 | 3/23 | 4/27 | 5/25 | |
| Temperature | 56-62 | 57-59 | 57-70 | 54-64 | 56-64 | 63-68 | |
| Tide Lo/Hi Height | L+2.47 | H+6.14 | H+4.79 | H+4.15 | H+4.29 | H+3.78 | |
| Tide Time | 0939 | 0913 | 0526 | 0433 | 0957 | 0909 | |
| 1 | Canada Goose | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | ||
| 1 | Cinnamon Teal | 5 | 6 | ||||
| 1 | Northern Shoveler | 6 | |||||
| 1 | Gadwall | 32 | 89 | 9 | 35 | 10 | 24 |
| 1 | American Wigeon | 35 | |||||
| 1 | Mallard | 20 | 22 | 6 | 22 | 21 | 26 |
| 1 | Green-winged Teal | 10 | 5 | 16 | 6 | ||
| 1 | Lesser Scaup | 2 | |||||
| 1 | Surf Scoter | 2 | 15 | 6 | |||
| 1 | Bufflehead | 10 | 23 | ||||
| 1 | Red-breasted Merganser | 13 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1 | Ruddy Duck | 35 | 37 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 4 |
| 2 | Pied-billed Grebe | 5 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Eared Grebe | 1 | |||||
| 2 | Western Grebe | 1 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 4 |
| 7 | Feral Pigeon | 6 | 5 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 7 | Mourning Dove | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||
| 8 | Anna’s Hummingbird | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 8 | Allen’s Hummingbird | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 2 | American Coot | 705 | 797 | 45 | 55 | 11 | 4 |
| 5 | Black Oystercatcher | 2 | |||||
| 5 | Black-bellied Plover | 50 | 30 | 30 | |||
| 5 | Killdeer | 30 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | Semipalmated Plover | 2 | |||||
| 5 | Snowy Plover | 27 | 2 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 5 | Whimbrel | 4 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 3 | |
| 5 | Marbled Godwit | 25 | 3 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 5 | Ruddy Turnstone | 4 | 2 | 4 | |||
| 5 | Sanderling | 100 | 22 | ||||
| 5 | Dunlin | 1 | |||||
| 5 | Least Sandpiper | 27 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 1 | |
| 5 | Western Sandpiper | 16 | 34 | ||||
| 5 | Spotted Sandpiper | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 5 | Willet | 20 | 15 | 8 | 10 | ||
| 5 | Greater Yellowlegs | 2 | |||||
| 6 | Heermann’s Gull | 2 | 7 | 1 | |||
| 6 | Ring-billed Gull | 19 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | Western Gull | 35 | 90 | 55 | 20 | 20 | 70 |
| 6 | California Gull | 60 | 575 | 105 | 1 | 2 | 82 |
| 6 | American Herring Gull | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 6 | Glaucous-winged Gull | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 6 | Caspian Tern | 11 | 2 | 6 | |||
| 6 | Royal Tern | 2 | 5 | 10 | |||
| 6 | Elegant Tern | 2 | |||||
| 2 | Red-throated Loon | 1 | |||||
| 2 | Pacific Loon | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 2 | Common Loon | 4 | 10 | ||||
| 2 | Brandt’s Cormorant | 7 | 1 | 5 | 12 | ||
| 2 | Pelagic Cormorant | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Double-crested Cormorant | 23 | 55 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 7 |
| 2 | American White Pelican | 5 | |||||
| 2 | Brown Pelican | 35 | 23 | 29 | 200 | 25 | 157 |
| 3 | Snowy Egret | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | Black-crowned Night-Heron | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 3 | Great Egret | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | Western Cattle-Egret | 1 | |||||
| 3 | Great Blue Heron | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4 | Turkey Vulture | 2 | |||||
| 4 | Osprey | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 4 | Cooper’s Hawk | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 4 | Bald Eagle | 1 | |||||
| 4 | Red-shouldered Hawk | 1 | |||||
| 4 | Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| 8 | Belted Kingfisher | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 8 | Nuttall’s Woodpecker | 1 | |||||
| 8 | Nanday Parakeet | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 9 | Cassin’s Kingbird | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 9 | Black Phoebe | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 | Say’s Phoebe | 1 | |||||
| 9 | California Scrub-Jay | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 9 | American Crow | 8 | 9 | 26 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| 9 | Common Raven | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 9 | Oak Titmouse | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Tree Swallow | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Violet-green Swallow | 5 | |||||
| 9 | No. Rough-winged Swallow | 17 | 20 | 7 | |||
| 9 | Barn Swallow | 1 | 10 | 20 | 18 | ||
| 9 | Cliff Swallow | 3 | 7 | 24 | |||
| 9 | Bushtit | 50 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 2 | 3 |
| 9 | Wrentit | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 9 | Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Bewick’s Wren | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Northern Mockingbird | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 9 | European Starling | 7 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| 9 | Western Bluebird | 1 | |||||
| 9 | House Finch | 6 | 8 | 9 | 26 | 15 | 5 |
| 9 | Lesser Goldfinch | 2 | 10 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 9 | Dark-eyed Junco | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 9 | White-crowned Sparrow | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| 9 | Song Sparrow | 6 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| 9 | California Towhee | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| 9 | Spotted Towhee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 9 | Western Meadowlark | 1 | |||||
| 9 | Hooded Oriole | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 9 | Red-winged Blackbird | 2 | |||||
| 9 | Brown-headed Cowbird | 2 | |||||
| 9 | Great-tailed Grackle | 22 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 9 | Orange-crowned Warbler | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| 9 | Common Yellowthroat | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| 9 | Yellow-rumped Warbler | 14 | 6 | 8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | Wilson’s Warbler | 1 | |||||
| Totals Birds by Type | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | |
| 1 | Waterfowl | 157 | 196 | 78 | 91 | 50 | 55 |
| 2 | Water Birds – Other | 769 | 922 | 144 | 339 | 104 | 176 |
| 3 | Herons, Egrets & Ibis | 12 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Quail & Raptors | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | Shorebirds | 290 | 92 | 86 | 76 | 9 | 2 |
| 6 | Gulls & Terns | 119 | 685 | 183 | 52 | 26 | 161 |
| 7 | Doves | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 8 | Other Non-Passerines | 8 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| 9 | Passerines | 150 | 57 | 92 | 160 | 115 | 103 |
| Totals Birds | 1507 | 1966 | 615 | 742 | 325 | 517 | |
| Total Species by Group | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | |
| 1 | Waterfowl | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| 2 | Water Birds – Other | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 |
| 3 | Herons, Egrets & Ibis | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Quail & Raptors | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | Shorebirds | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| 6 | Gulls & Terns | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | Doves | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Other Non-Passerines | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 | Passerines | 17 | 14 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 21 |
| Totals Species – 102 | 56 | 50 | 66 | 71 | 55 | 46 |
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Orange County, a bit north of Newport Beach, has been a great birding spot for more decades than I’ve been a birder. Unfortunately, local thieves, perhaps working in bands, have heard about it as well, but for them it’s as a good spot to loot unattended cars and (apparently) sometimes follow you as you leave and rob you somewhere along the way or even at your home. This has been a problem for at least five years. A recent post on the OC bird chat line alerted local birders, yet again, to the continuing problem. There is a second message farther down.
Sad to say, but probably good advice anywhere, these days: If anyone inquires about your gear, even in the context of “Hi! See anything good?” and they don’t look like a birder, assume they’re more interested in your gear than you, your hobby or the birds and act accordingly.
SUBJECT: BOLSA CHICA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE CAR BREAK IN RESPONSE
To Whom it May Concern:
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is aware of several recent car break-ins at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (BCER) public parking lots. It appears that these break-ins have been targeted, with the criminals watching where some visitors are hiding belongings in their cars. It is also believed that the criminals are blending in with everyday visitors, hiding in plain sight.
We know BCER is important to so many of you, and we are deeply sorry that it has not been a safe place for everyone. CDFW’s Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Manager is constantly working to find ways to stop and prevent these crimes. CDFW is collaborating with the City of Huntington Beach Police Department to increase patrols in the area. The Bolsa Chica Reserve Watch volunteers have been informed of the increase in illegal activities and reminded to report all suspicious activity. CDFW also continues to improve signage and is working with the City of Huntington Beach and the BCER non-profit groups (Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Bolsa Chica Land Trust, and Bolsa Chica Conservancy, along with Sea and Sage Audubon Society) to finalize the installation of surveillance cameras. Additionally, we strongly rely on your assistance in preventing criminal activity at BCER. It will take the combined efforts of all groups and individuals to prevent car break-ins and to catch the criminals involved.
HOW TO PREVENT AND REPORT CRIME:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Always lock your vehicle.
- Do not leave belongings (purse/wallet, computer, books, equipment, etc.) unattended, and if possible, leave them at home.
- If you need to hide any belongings, do so before you arrive at the parking lot.
- If you have a state beach pass, do not leave it in plain sight (such as hanging on your rearview mirror).
- Call 911 if you witness an active break-in.
- Contact HBPD at 714-960-8811 if you are a victim of a car break-in at BCER. If possible, remain on-site so the police department can collect any evidence.
- It is incredibly important to report all car break-ins to the police! When incidents go unreported, it is much harder for us to understand the extent of the issue and find appropriate solutions.
- If you have previously been the victim of a car break-in and have not reported it, you can still do so.
Thank you for your support!
Melissa Borde
Reserve Manager-Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
The following message was posted later on the OC bird chat line by a well-known Orange Co. birder. I edited it slightly.
Good advice for a sad situation. I would add one more warning for wildlife photographers: be aware of cars following you as you leave as you may be followed. We made a stop in Huntington Beach after leaving Bolsa Chica, and our car trunk was broken into and we lost over $12K in camera gear. We were targeted and followed, but glad it did not turn into a home invasion. We’re now alert especially to single men talking on their cell phone on the footbridge and anyone asking us about our crappy camera gear.
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