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Malibu Lagoon Monthly Field Trip: Sunday, 24 Nov. 2024
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
It’s ALWAYS the 4th (not the last!) Sunday of the month.
Same as last month: No reservations, no Covid card checks, no fuss, no muss.
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 (213)-522-0062
- For general questions contact Chuck: misclists[AT]verizon.net
Weather: Cool. Temp: 53>60°F, Wind: SW 7>8 mph, Clouds: 86>69%, rain: 38>27%
Tide: Falling: High: +4.51 ft.@ 5:25am; Low: +2.06 ft.@ 11:39am
Lots of migrants and wintering birds and dwindling crowds of humans make it a great day for the lagoon. Usually sunny, sometimes cool, with dolphins dancing in the waves. Forget those Thanksgiving table birds: see your birds here with us.
Some of the great birds we’ve had in November are:
Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific & Common Loons, Horned & Western Grebes, Osprey, American Kestrel, Merlin, Snowy Plover, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Boneparte’s & Glaucous-winged Gulls, Belted Kingfisher, Common Raven, Bushtit, Bewick’s, House & Marsh Wrens, California Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch.
If you arrive early you may chance to see a walk of snites.
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.)
Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cross Creek Road, west of Malibu Pier and the bridge, 15 miles west of Santa Monica via PCH. We gather in the metal-shaded area near the parking lot. Look around for people wearing binoculars. Neither Google Maps nor the State Park website supply a street address for the parking lot. The address they DO supply is for Adamson House which is just east of the Malibu Creek bridge.
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 last year’s trip report: 26 November 2023.
Prior checklists:
2023: Jan-June, July-Dec 2024: Jan-June
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]
Listening to Climate Change: Building Student Advocacy Webinar, today 20 Nov. 2 pm western
[Posted by Chuck Almdale, submitted by Edna Alvarez]
| Listening to Climate Change: Building Student Advocacy WEBINAR Wednesday, November 20 5:00 pm eastern Presented by, Judith Lichtman ’96 PhD and Matthew Suttor In this session, Judith Lichtman ’96 PhD and Matthew Suttor will present their “Addressing Climate Change Through the Music of Bird Murmuration” work in progress. Supported by the Yale Planetary Solutions (YPS) Seed Grant project, their research explores how sound, combined with technologies like artificial intelligence and environmental data mapping, can convey complex information about the physical world. The project engages New Haven Public School students through Music Haven in translating environmental data, such as the flocking patterns of birds and shifting ecosystems, into dynamic musical compositions, offering a novel approach to understanding and communicating climate change. This interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, musicians, and educators empowers students to become Science and Climate Change Communicators, fostering environmental stewardship. Drawing on humanity’s long fascination with the collective movement of animals, such as bird murmuration, the project highlights the potential for performance to enhance our understanding of the environment and inspire environmentally conscious actions. Register for free __________________ __________________ Upcoming Conversations: Environmental, Social and Governance Impact Enters its Adolescence Thursday, November 21, 1 pm eastern Register now The Burning Earth: A History Friday, November 22, 12 pm eastern Register now Climate Change in the American Mind Monday, November 25, 12 pm eastern Register now Yale Alumni Academy Book online or call us at 203-432-1952 Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM ET alumniacademy@yale.edu | alumniacademy.yale.edu View this email online. 232 York Street | New Haven, CT 06511 US |
Malibu Lagoon Monthly Field Trip: Sunday, 24 Nov. 2024
[Posted by Chuck Almdale]
It’s ALWAYS the 4th (not the last!) Sunday of the month.
Same as last month: No reservations, no Covid card checks, no fuss, no muss.
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 (213)-522-0062
- For general questions contact Chuck: misclists[AT]verizon.net
Weather: Cool. Temp: 53>60°F, Wind: SW 7>8 mph, Clouds: 86>69%, rain: 38>27%
Tide: Falling: High: +4.51 ft.@ 5:25am; Low: +2.06 ft.@ 11:39am
Lots of migrants and wintering birds and dwindling crowds of humans make it a great day for the lagoon. Usually sunny, sometimes cool, with dolphins dancing in the waves. Forget those Thanksgiving table birds: see your birds here with us.
Some of the great birds we’ve had in November are:
Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific & Common Loons, Horned & Western Grebes, Osprey, American Kestrel, Merlin, Snowy Plover, American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Boneparte’s & Glaucous-winged Gulls, Belted Kingfisher, Common Raven, Bushtit, Bewick’s, House & Marsh Wrens, California Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch.
If you arrive early you may chance to see a walk of snites.
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.)
Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cross Creek Road, west of Malibu Pier and the bridge, 15 miles west of Santa Monica via PCH. We gather in the metal-shaded area near the parking lot. Look around for people wearing binoculars. Neither Google Maps nor the State Park website supply a street address for the parking lot. The address they DO supply is for Adamson House which is just east of the Malibu Creek bridge.
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 last year’s trip report: 26 November 2023.
Prior checklists:
2023: Jan-June, July-Dec 2024: Jan-June
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]
Zoom Recording: Birds and Plastics, with Myra Finkelstein
The recording of this program from 12 November 2024 is now available online
Exposure and effects of plastic pollution in avian species, with UCSC Prof. Dr. Myra Finkelstein.
Plastic use has exponentially increased over the past several decades, which in turn has resulted in an exponential increase in plastic pollution. Many species are negatively affected by plastic ingestion, although data on the population-level effects of plastic pollution are limited. Dr. Finkelstein will provide an overview of how avian species are exposed and harmed by plastic, with a particular focus on seabirds.
|
Dr. Myra Finkelstein is an Adjunct Professor in the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department at the University of California Santa Cruz. Her research focuses on human impacts to wildlife with an emphasis on contaminant-induced effects. Dr. Finkelstein has contributed significantly to understanding the chronic exposure to lead ammunition as the number one mortality factor for free-flying California Condors. Her research played a significant role in raising awareness of the lead ammunition issue which resulted in the passage of the bill to prohibit the use of lead ammunition for hunting throughout California, the first such law in the nation. Dr. Finkelstein has also led extensive research on plastic pollution and toxicology in marine seabirds, such as the Laysan and Black-footed Albatross. Dr. Finkelstein’s work is part of a new hybrid approach to research using environmental toxicology to inform conservation biology. Join us as we learn more about this important and policy-relevant research.
Franklin Canyon Midweek Bird Walk: 8:30am, Weds. 13, 2024
[By Lu Plauzoles, posted by Chuck Almdale]
We plan to meet at 8:30AM at the parking lot below the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. I believe most navigation systems will recognize that site.
I will scout the area two days before the walk to ascertain the correct route and post any changes on the blog. However, expect to be taking N. Beverly Drive north past the Beverly Hills Hotel from Sunset Blvd. Left at the fork with Coldwater Canyon and then the very narrow Franklin Canyon Drive.
The north entrance from Mulholland Drive and the Tree People site IS CLOSED because of road damage from rainstorms three years ago.
From Santa Monica, please allow 35-40 minutes travel due to early-morning traffic.
Please exercise extreme caution in respecting stop signs on the park road. Intersections are camera-controlled and since this is National Park Service land, photo-enforcement is serious and enforceable. (Like, $300-worth!) Do not expect cellphone reception in this narrow canyon.
We expect to walk down the length of the canyon and come back to the parking structure via the same route. Total approximately 1.75 miles walking. Approximately 2 hours with good looks at warblers and wrens in classic southern California riparian/chaparral habitat, as well as the occasional waterfowl in the reservoir.
Call me for details and questions: 310.779.0966
Lu Plauzoles
Link to Google Map:
SANTA MONICA BAY AUDUBON SOCIETY BLOG 