Free email delivery
Please sign up for email delivery in the subscription area to the right.
No salesman will call, at least not from us. Maybe from someone else.
Thanks to our Donors
As the fiscal year draws to a close, it’s past time to thank those who donated to our Annual Appeal. We truly appreciate what you do for our chapter’s conservation and education programs.
Jim Akers, Aurelio Albaisda, Paul Almond, Edna R S Alvarez, Catherine Andrews, C. M. (Charles) Armstrong, Dr. Leopold & Michelle Avallone, Liz Bell, Maja Block, H. Abigail Bok, Jeannette Boller, Suzanne Borghei, Peggy Mueller Burhenn, Barbara & George Sarames Butler, Suzanne Clark, Neko Colevins, Bill & Brenda Colfer, Judy Curry, Berl Dahlstrom, Beverly Dalby, David J. Daniels, Conley Day, Terri de la Pena, Dr. Ronald Di Salvo, Ana Diaz-Ruiz, Bruce & Lynn Dickhoff, Adrian & Esme Douglas, Richards K. Farnham, Beatriz Ferguson, Joanna Frawley, Elizabeth Galton, Jean D. Garrett, Carol Gee, Robert Ginsburg, Robert Gurfield, Cindy Hardin, Margaret Huffman, Mona Iskandar, Gary Johnson, Nancy Johnson, Rose Kanno, Joy Kaufman, Paula Erde Kayton, Joan & John Keesey, James P. Kenney, Jean & Steve Kerr, Ian N. Kimbrey, Maurice A. Jr. King, Allan & Muriel Kotin, Edie Lah, William J. Layton, Anna Marie Lea, Ellen Lehman, Kinuyo Levin, Pat Lindqvist, Chris Lord, Kathryn W. Madara, Fredricka Martin, Karen Matteson, Ann Mc Garvey, Deborah McFarland, Andre Meade, Betty Medin, Melinda Mendel, John & Deirdre Montgomerie, Eleanor Osgood, Alan Pasqua, Ann & Lucien Plauzoles, Mary Prismon, Maila Putnam, Joan Rakley, Ray & Elizabeth Ray, Carol Rice, Monica & Ren Ridolfi, Jean F. Shank, Lael Shannon, Ms. Margaret Sheehan, Donald P. & Mary P. Smith, Robert W. Smith, Thomas B. Smith, Diana Spurlin, Edwin Stofel, William H. Stone, Sharan Street, Teresa Thompson, Ellen Vahan, Robert Van Meter, John Vanderhorst, Marc Weigensberg, Patricia Wheeler, Nancy Wilding, Elinor Willcockson, Elizabeth Wolf, David G. Youmans, Peter Zimmerman, The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation.
Malibu Lagoon Trip Report: 23 May, 2010
Breakers over outer Malibu rocks (C.Bragg 5/10)
We thought April was a chilly day! It never rains in SoCal in May, but today was our second rainy day this month. OK, it was maybe 1/10 of an inch, but around here, that constitutes a major shower this time of year. Fortunately no rain at the lagoon, but it was very windy, dark clouds threatened in the distance and we never got our jackets off. The surfers were out in great numbers as big breakers were rolling in, but they were a bit blown out at the tops.
Brant (C.Bragg 5/10)
Numbers are definitely dwindling, as usual, heading for our usual low counts of June, the month when we often get the most people who want to look at birds. The swallows and Black Phoebes were very busy catching bugs. Some Mallard ducklings were closely trailing their parents around in the backs of the channels, and one Mockingbird was on the ground, busily hammering a hapless fence lizard into submission. The number of Brant had increased from April’s three to seven, all hanging out near the PCH bridge. In my 30 years of record keeping for the lagoon, this is the first time we’ve had more than three Brant at one time.
Caspian Terns (C.Bragg 5/10)
Out on the mudflat in the lagoon, there were still lots of Caspian Terns. One pair was busy courting: one brought the other a wriggling fish and not long afterwards he had mounted her. Afterwards, he remained standing on her back for what seemed longer than absolutely necessary, as if admiring the view from his lofty perch. Male and female seabirds are identical, so the only way for us to tell what sex they are is by who’s on top. There were also two Elegant Terns but – like last month – their numbers kept growing. I wonder if they might be feeding offshore nearby and come in to rest for a while, or if they’re sen route to a breeding ground farther north.
Plumy Snowy Egrets were in abundance (C.Bragg 5/10)
There wasn’t much birdlife at Adamson House (yes, the gate was open) but we spotted 32 Cedar Waxwings flying around overhead. They finally settled down somewhere across PCH. The end of May seems very late for these birds to still be here. Surprises never cease in the world of birding.
Links to 2009 Bird Counts: July-December 2009
| Malibu Bird Census | |||||
| for 2010 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
| Temperature | 45-65 | 55-61 | 68-80 | 62-70 | 54-62 |
| Tide Height | +.65 | +6.19 | +5.48 | +4.57 | +3.76 |
| Low/High & Time | L:1131 | H:0835 | H:0840 | H:0744 | H:0638 |
| (Black) Brant | 3 | 7 | |||
| Gadwall | 20 | 35 | 16 | 12 | 12 |
| American Wigeon | 12 | 14 | |||
| Mallard | 10 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 18 |
| Northern Shoveler | 4 | 8 | |||
| Green-winged Teal | 7 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Lesser Scaup | 1 | ||||
| Surf Scoter | 35 | 4 | 18 | ||
| Long-tailed Duck | 1 | ||||
| Bufflehead | 6 | ||||
| Red-brstd Merganser | 8 | 5 | 1 | 3 | |
| Ruddy Duck | 30 | 14 | |||
| Red-throated Loon | 1 | 1 | |||
| Pacific Loon | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Common Loon | 1 | 3 | |||
| Pied-billed Grebe | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Horned Grebe | 1 | ||||
| Eared Grebe | 3 | ||||
| Western Grebe | 15 | 6 | 27 | 35 | 1 |
| Brown Pelican | 35 | 81 | 184 | 182 | 124 |
| Brandt’s Cormorant | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Dble-crstd Cormorant | 42 | 21 | 42 | 22 | 7 |
| Pelagic Cormorant | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Great Blue Heron | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Great Egret | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Snowy Egret | 15 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 12 |
| Blk-crwnd N-Heron | 1 | ||||
| Red-shouldered Hawk | 1 | ||||
| Red-tailed Hawk | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Peregrine Falcon | 2 | ||||
| Sora | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| American Coot | 284 | 175 | 92 | 35 | 8 |
| Blk-bellied Plover | 45 | 59 | 25 | 7 | |
| Snowy Plover | 54 | 49 | 25 | ||
| Semipalmated Plover | 1 | 13 | |||
| Killdeer | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |
| Black Oystercatcher | 2 | ||||
| American Avocet | 2 | 2 | |||
| Greater Yellowlegs | 1 | ||||
| Willet | 15 | 15 | 4 | 1 | |
| Spotted Sandpiper | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Whimbrel | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |
| Marbled Godwit | 4 | 17 | 12 | 4 | |
| Ruddy Turnstone | 13 | 11 | 2 | 2 | |
| Surfbird | 3 | ||||
| Sanderling | 85 | 172 | |||
| Least Sandpiper | 21 | 14 | 30 | ||
| Boneparte’s Gull | 2 | 5 | |||
| Heermann’s Gull | 5 | 7 | 4 | 45 | 17 |
| Ring-billed Gull | 55 | 42 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| California Gull | 875 | 45 | 27 | 108 | 95 |
| Western Gull | 45 | 74 | 48 | 105 | 68 |
| Glaucous-wingd Gull | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Caspian Tern | 2 | 30 | 25 | ||
| Royal Tern | 12 | 32 | 1 | ||
| Elegant Tern | 1 | 1 | 47 | 40 | 9 |
| Forster’s Tern | 1 | ||||
| Black Skimmer | 6 | 5 | |||
| Rock Pigeon | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Mourning Dove | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Black Phoebe | 4 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Say’s Phoebe | 1 | 1 | |||
| Western Scrub-Jay | 1 | ||||
| American Crow | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Rough-wingd Swallow | 1 | 3 | 10 | 1 | |
| Cliff Swallow | 2 | 12 | |||
| Barn Swallow | 2 | 8 | |||
| Oak Titmouse | 1 | ||||
| Bushtit | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Bewick’s Wren | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Northern Mockingbird | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| European Starling | 35 | 41 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
| Cedar Waxwing | 20 | 32 | |||
| Yellow-rumpd Warbler | 8 | 4 | 5 | 2 | |
| Common Yellowthroat | 3 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Wilson’s Warbler | 1 | ||||
| Spotted Towhee | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| California Towhee | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Song Sparrow | 3 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| White-crwnd Sparrow | 4 | ||||
| Red-winged Blackbird | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
| Western Meadowlark | 1 | ||||
| Great-tailed Grackle | 1 | ||||
| Brwn-headed Cowbird | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Hooded Oriole | 1 | ||||
| Bullock’s Oriole | 1 | ||||
| House Finch | 12 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Lesser Goldfinch | 4 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Totals by Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
| Waterfowl | 134 | 73 | 70 | 38 | 37 |
| Water Birds-Other | 386 | 289 | 354 | 284 | 148 |
| Herons, Egrets | 20 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 16 |
| Quail & Raptors | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Shorebirds | 251 | 328 | 87 | 73 | 5 |
| Gulls & Terns | 1006 | 209 | 133 | 339 | 216 |
| Doves | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| Other Non-Pass. | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Passerines | 90 | 81 | 53 | 92 | 106 |
| Totals Birds | 1906 | 1000 | 723 | 856 | 548 |
| Total Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
| Waterfowl | 11 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Water Birds-Other | 12 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Herons, Egrets | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Quail & Raptors | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Shorebirds | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 2 |
| Gulls & Terns | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
| Doves | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Other Non-Pass. | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Passerines | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 |
| Totals Species – 90 | 70 | 53 | 55 | 57 | 45 |
Bird Gleanings from “Science News”
Alternative flame retardants leach into the environment
Supposedly safer chemicals are spotted in peregrine falcon eggs in California.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57666/title/Alternative_flame_retardants
***********************
First songbird genome arrives with spring
The genome of a songbird has been decoded for the first time. Zebra finches join chickens as the only birds to have detailed maps of their genetic blueprints.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57818/title/First_songbird_genome_arrives_with__spring
***********************
Pigeons usually let best navigator take the lead
One bird usually leads the flock, but sometimes another gets a turn at the helm.
Make sure you watch the short video.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57997/title/Pigeons_usually_let_best_navigator_take_the_lead
***********************
Dinos molted for a new look
In one species, adolescents appear to have sprouted a new type of feathers as they matured.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/58693/title/Dinos_molted_for_a_new_look
***********************
Archaeopteryx fossil seen in new light
X-ray technique reveals original tissue in the feathers of a primitive bird fossil.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/59062/title/Archaeopteryx_fossil_seen_in_new_light_
***********************
Earliest birds didn’t make a flap
The feathers of Archaeopteryx and Confuciusornis probably were not strong enough to support sustained flight.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/59174/title/Earliest_birds_didnt_make_a_flap
North American Butterfly Association Count Program
SMBAS members:
As birders tend to appreciate all flying things (well…maybe not mosquitoes and houseflies so much) we’re passing this message along to you.
We invite you to join NABA’s Butterfly Count Program so that scientists studying butterfly distribution and population fluctuations will have the benefit of important data from your area. Now is the time to plan a new count – it’s a great way both to help the environment and to have an exciting day in the field with friends who enjoy the natural world.
Butterflies are ideal indicators of the health of the environment because they are exquisitely sensitive to small changes in their world. Yet surprisingly little is known about butterfly population fluctuations and distributions throughout North America. Gathering information about these important pollinators is the goal of the annual Butterfly Count Program organized by NABA, the North American Butterfly Association.
Celebrating its 36th year in 2010, the Butterfly Count Program is a long-term citizen-scientist project, involving almost 500 counts and thousands of volunteers throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Volunteers select a count area with a 15-mile diameter count circle and assemble a group to conduct a one-day census of all butterflies sighted within that circle.
As a result of a variety of unfavorable weather conditions in 2009, many counts recorded declines of as much as 50% in the number of butterflies observed. Participants in the upcoming 2010 butterfly counts will provide important data on how butterfly numbers rebound.
Published annually in the NABA Count Report, count data provide critical information about the geographical distributions and population sizes of the species counted. Increasingly, these data are being used by scientists to help address a wide variety of topics, including the fall migration of Monarchs and the effects of habitat changes on butterflies.
If a count already exists in your area, we hope that you can participate in and facilitate the existing count. [There are five counts in the LA area. Map and contact info. is HERE . CVA] Location of all US counts and contact information for their compilers can be found on the NABA website at www.naba.org/counts/maps08.html.
Sincerely,
Field Trip Report: Solstice Canyon, 8 May, 2010
Caterpillar Phacelia & busy pollinator (L.Johnson 5/10)
Solstice Canyon is one of the prettiest canyons around. Although it is an uphill walk, it is not steep. The first mile or so is paved, permitting wheelchair accessibility. As a result, our resident flowers & butterflies expert Margaret Huffman was able to accompany us and keep us entertained with her encyclopedic knowledge. Leader Jean Garrett kept us moving along, but there was so much to see and hear and smell, that our 3-hour trip stretched out to over four hours.
A very cryptic Fence Lizard (L.Johnson 5/10)
Most of the local chaparral and riparian birds were building nests or hauling food to hungry nestlings or busily singing up a storm. On this warm day, the air was filled with insects which the various flycatchers were happily thinning out. The Black-hooded Parakeets – now resident in nearly all of our Westside canyons – were flying in and out of nesting holes in the sycamores. The numerous small holes in the large granary tree by the bridge was nearly depleted of acorns: apparently the local Acorn Woodpecker clan had used up their stores and would have to rely on insects until the next crop comes in.
We heard at least 3 Canyon Wrens: 2 below the ruined house at the end of the trail, and one above the waterfall which was briefly spotted flying away from its song-perch. Hikers were in abundance on this beautiful day.
Next year we may begin this hike a few hours later in order to maximize the presence of butterflies. Cold-blooded creatures, they don’t really get moving until it’s nice and warm.
Pacific-slope Flycatcher (L.Johnson 5/10)
| Flowering Plants | Bird List | Nos. |
| Black Mustard – I | California Quail | 1+H |
| Black Sage | Red-tailed Hawk | 3 |
| Bristly Mallow – I | American Kestrel | 2 |
| Bull Thistle – I | Mourning Dove | 15 |
| Bush Mallow | Black-hooded Parakeet | 7 |
| Bush Sunflower | White-throated Swift | 7 |
| California Bay | Black-chinned Hummingbird | 3 |
| California Sycamore | Anna’s Hummingbird | 8 |
| California Walnut | Costa’s Hummingbird | 5 |
| Canyon Sunflower | Allen’s Hummingbird | 2 |
| Caterpillar Phacelia | Acorn Woodpecker | 12 |
| Cliff Aster | Nuttall’s Woodpecker | 6 |
| Deer Weed | Northern Flicker | 1 |
| Elderberry | Pacific-slope Flycatcher | 3 |
| Euphorbia Terracina – I | Black Phoebe | 6 |
| Filaree – I | Ash-throated Flycatcher | 5 |
| Fringed Indian Pink | Warbling Vireo | 6 |
| Giant Wild Rye | Western Scrub-Jay | 10 |
| Hummingbird Sage | American Crow | 10 |
| Milk Thistle – I | Common Raven | 3 |
| Purple Nightshade | Violet-green Swallow | 8 |
| Purple Sage | Oak Titmouse | 2 |
| Purple Sage | Bushtit | 6 |
| Sagebrush | Canyon Wren | 1+H |
| Scarlet Pimpernel – I | Bewick’s Wren | 3 |
| Sow Thistle – I | House Wren | 8+H |
| Sticky Monkeyflower | Ruby-crowned Kinglet | 1 |
| Sticky Phacelia | Western Bluebird | 1 |
| White Alder | Wrentit | H |
| White Nightshade | Northern Mockingbird | 2 |
| Wild Cucumber | European Starling | 16 |
| Wild Morning Glory – I | Orange-crowned Warbler | 2+H |
| Yarrow | Yellow-rumped Warbler | 3 |
| Yellow Sweet Clover – I | Common Yellowthroat | 4+H |
| Yucca | Wilson’s Warbler | 3 |
| Total Flowering Plants-35 | Spotted Towhee | 6 |
| I – Introduced | California Towhee | 4 |
| Song Sparrow | 6+H | |
| Butterflies | Dark-eyed Junco | 2 |
| Buckeye | Black-headed Grosbeak | 4 |
| Cabbage White | Lazuli Bunting | 2 |
| California Sister | Red-winged Blackbird | 2 |
| Checkered White | Hooded Oriole | 1 |
| Lorquin’s Admiral | House Finch | 30+H |
| Painted Lady | Lesser Goldfinch | 20+H |
| Pale Swallowtail | Total Birds | 45 |
| Sara Orangetip | H = Frequently heard | |
| Spring Azure | ||
| Western Tiger Swallowtail | ||
| Total Butterflies – 10 |
SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 