APOLLO PARK, LACO CA – Callyn Yorke 2019-2024

BIRD SURVEYS OF APOLLO PARK, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA 2019- 2024 Callyn Yorke

20 November 2024 (34 Species)

Weather: Fair; 51°F; winds calm.

Time: 1024-1210 hrs.

Area Covered: One clockwise, walking survey on perimeter paths and fence lines. About 50 visitors and fishermen in the park, a few of them with leashed dogs. Some aircraft noise from the adjacent Fox Field.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), and Cackling Goose (1- cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

• Feral Rock Pigeon 22 greg. on main beach and utility lines, s.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 1 in flight to tamarisk, w.
• Snow Goose 2 – cont. (in fresh, bsc. plmg.) with GRLG and MALL, main beach, s.
• Ross’s Goose 1 – cont. with GRLG and SNGO, as noted above.
• Canada Goose 50 greg. on lawns, ne.
• Cackling Goose 1 with CAGO on lawn, se.
• Gray-lag Goose (domestic wild type, albinistic and hybrid) 65, greg. on land and in lakes; vocal when approached by people with or without food handouts, ne, s.
• Swan Goose 2 greg. a pair on shore with GLGO.
• Muscovy Duck 3 (m,f) on shore and in shallows, ne, s.
• Gadwall 2 (m,f) greg., a pair dabbling near shore, ne.
• American Wigeon 1 (f) on shore, then swimming in open water, s.
• Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) most in shallows and/or on shore, ubiq..
• Mallard (domestic and hybrid 40 (m,f) in shallows and on shore, ubiq..
• Eared Grebe 1 diving near shore, s.
• American Coot 175 greg., ubiq..
• Killdeer 4 greg., pairs on ground, n, e.
• Spotted Sandpiper 1 in low flight to shore, s.
• California Gull 5 (ad., C1, C2) greg. on main beach, s.
• Ring-billed Gull 3 (C1, C2); one C2 with an unusually short, thin bill, initially mistaken for a member of the Short-billed/ Common Gull species complex (photo).

• Double-crested Cormorant 7 (ad, imm) greg. individuals and small flocks resting on isles; swimming/diving in shallows, ne, se.
• Great Blue Heron 3 individuals standing on shore of islands, ne, se.
• Black Phoebe 4 sallying to ground from low limb and fence perches, sw, e.
• Say’s Phoebe 1 sallying from fence, w.
• Common (Northern) Raven 6 greg. vocal, pairs in pines and in flight around park, ubiq..
• Horned Lark 12 greg. a largely cohesive flock flying low around the park, s.
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 foraging in dry foliage of a deciduous tree, se
• House Sparrow 20 (m,f) greg. vocal, on main beach, s.
• American Pipit 2 individuals foraging, then flushed from lawns, se.
• Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 16 (m,f) greg. on ground and lawns beneath pines, ne, e, se.
• Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 2 foraging on ground with DE(O)JU, e (photo).

• Dark-eyed (Pink-sided) Junco 1 foraging on ground wuth DE(O)JU, e.

• White-crowned Sparrow 26 (80 % ad.; imm) greg. pairs and small flocks on ground and lawns throughout.
• Bell’s Sparrow 2 greg. a pair on chain-link fence in ne corner.
• Western Meadowlark 7 greg. a largely cohesive flock on lawn, se.
• Red-winged Blackbird 6 (m, bsc. plmg.) greg. vocal, on main beach with BRBL and HOSP, s.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 22 (m,f) greg. vocal, small (5 -10 individuals), disjunct flocks foraging with RWBL on lawns and main beach, w, s.
• Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f) greg. vocal (calls) foraging in a wide variety of vegetation at all foliage heights, ground, lawn to canopy, ubiq..

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4 November 2024 (37 Species)

Weather: Fair; 50°F to 60°F; wind W 1-2 mph.

Time: 0732-0938 (PST)

Area Covered: One clockwise, walking survey on perimeter paths and fence lines. About 25 visitors in the park, many of them with leashed dogs. Some early morning aircraft noise from the adjacent Fox Field.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Wood Duck (1 – cont.), Northern Harrier (1) and Great-Horned Owl (1 – cont.).

BIRDS NOTED

• Feral Rock Pigeon 5 greg. on main beach, s.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 2 greg. on lawn, swc.
• Snow Goose 2 – cont. (in fresh, bsc. plmg.) with GRLG and MALL, main beach, s.
• Ross’s Goose 1 – cont. with GRLG and SNGO, as noted above.
• Canada Goose 30 greg. on lawns, ne.
• Gray-lag Goose (domestic wild type, albinistic and hybrid) 65, greg. on land and in lakes; vocal when approached by people with or without food handouts, ne, s.
• Swan Goose 2 greg. a pair on shore with GLGO.
• Muscovy Duck 2 (m) on shore and in shallows, ne, s.
• Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) most in shallows and/or on shore, ubiq..
• Mallard (domestic and hybrid 60 (m,f) in shallows and on shore, ubiq..
• Wood Duck 1 – cont. (f) in shallows with MALL and AMCO, main shore.
• Eared Grebe 2 (bsc. plmg.) diving near shore, ne, sw.
• Western Grebe 7 greg. a pair swimming and resting in open water, ne, se.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 2 (f) greg. active inside Chinese Elm foliage, swc.
• American Coot 80 greg. on and near shore, ubiq..
• Killdeer 2 on lawn, se.
• Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging on concrete shore, se isle.
• Northern Harrier 1 (m) flying low, nw over adjacent saltbush field, n.
• Great Horned Owl 1-cont. in subcanopy of favored pine on ne isle.
• Double-crested Cormorant 12 (ad, imm) greg. individuals and small flocks resting on isles; one swimming/diving in shallows, ne, se.
• Great Blue Heron 1 standing in shade of pine on ne isle.
• Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm. 2nd yr.) in shrub at edge of isle, ne.
• Black Phoebe 2 sallying to ground from low limb perches, sw, e.
• Say’s Phoebe 1 sallying from fence, s.
• Common (Northern) Raven 12 greg. vocal, pairs in pines and in flight around park, ubiq..
• Horned Lark 20 greg. a largely cohesive flock flying to and from adjacent field, s.
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7 individuals and pairs foraging in pines, deciduous trees and salt cedar, w, nw, e.
• European Starling 8 greg. vocal, on ground and in pines, nw.
• House Sparrow 25 (m,f) greg. vocal, on main beach and in parking lot, s.
• American Pipit 2 flushed from lawns and concrete shore, se.
• Dark-eyed Junco 20 (m,f) greg. on ground and lawns beneath pines, ne, e, s.
• White-crowned Sparrow 40 (ad., imm) greg. foraging on ground and lawns, nwc, nec, s.
• Bell’s Sparrow 16 greg. foraging on ground and lawns; drinking from puddles outside of park at the fence line, nwc, nec, s.
• Savannah Sparrow 6 with BESP, drinking from a puddle outside of the park fence line.
• Western Meadowlark 1 (bsc. plmg.) on lawn with WCSP, w.
• Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m, bsc. plmg.) greg. vocal, foraging on lawns and bare ground in msf with BRBL.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 20 (m,f) greg. vocal, small (5 -10 individuals), disjunct flocks foraging with RWBL on lawns and bare ground.
• Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 25 (m,f) greg. vocal (calls) foraging in a wide variety of vegetation at all foliage heights, ground, lawn to canopy, ubiq..

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8 October 2024 (44 Species)

Weather: Fair; 55°F to 78°F; winds calm.

Time: 0720 – 1010 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park, using the perimeter pathways and along the fence lines. About 60 people were in the park during the survey – several with leashed dogs. A volleyball game was in progress in the northwest section. Otherwise, birds appeared little disturbed by human activities in the park.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Cackling Goose (1 – cont.), Wood Duck (1 – cont.), Vermilion Flycatcher (1), Clay-colored Sparrow (1), Golden-crowned Sparrow (1), Vesper Sparrow (2).

BIRDS NOTED

• Snow Goose 2 – cont. (in fresh, bsc. plmg.) a pair foraging on lawn, then swimming in the lake, ne.
• Ross’s Goose 1 – cont. with GRLG and SNGO, as noted above.
• Cackling Goose 1 – cont. foraging on lawn with CAGO, ne.
• Gray Lag Goose (domestic wild type, albinistic and hybrid) 65, greg. on land and in lakes; vocal when approached by people with or without food handouts, ne, s.
• Swan Goose 2 greg. a pair on shore with GLGO.
• Muscovy Duck 6 (all hybrids – mostly with MALL) on shore and in shallows, ne, s.
• Gadwall 1 (f) dabbling near shore, ne.
• Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) most in shallows and/or on shore, ubiq..
• Mallard (domestic and hybrid (m,f) in shallows and on shore, ubiq..
• Wood Duck 1 – cont. (f) foraging on lawn with MALL and CAGO, n.
• Eared Grebe 1 (bsc. plmg.) diving near shore, se isle and mainland.
• Western Grebe 2 greg. a pair swimming and preening in open water, ne.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 12 greg. on utility lines, s.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 7 greg. foraging on ground and lawns, se.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 2 (f) greg. active inside Chinese Elm foliage, swc.
• American Coot 60 greg. on and near shore, ubiq..
• Killdeer 3 vocal, in flight, low over lakes, n.
• Spotted Sandpiper 1 (bsc. plmg.) foraging on concrete shore, s-central.
• Double-crested Cormorant 8 (ad, imm) greg. individuals and small flocks resting on isles; one swimming/diving in shallows, ne, se.
• Great Blue Heron 1 standing on se island with DCCO.
• Cooper’s Hawk 1 (imm.) perched on exposed outer limb of dead pine, nwc.
• Northern (RS) Flicker 1 flushed from ground to pines, se.
• Black Phoebe 2 sallying to ground from low limb perches, sw, e.
• Vermilion Flycatcher 1 (f) sallying from low limb on dead tree to shoreline herbaceous cover on se isle (photo).

• Common (Northern) Raven 10 greg. vocal, pairs in pines and in flight around park, ubiq..
• Horned Lark 9 greg. a largely cohesive flock on shore in short, herbaceous ground cover, flushed into flight across the lake, s-central.
• Tree Swallow 4 greg. in flight briefly over lake and shore, 10 -30 ft. agl., s central.
• Violet-green Swallow 2 in msf with TRSW as noted above, though flying apart and a few feet beneath those birds.
• European Starling 8 greg. vocal, in msf with RWBL and BRBL, in pines, nw.
• House Sparrow 20 (m,f) greg. vocal, on main beach and in parking lot, s.
• Chipping Sparrow 1 (bsc. plmg.) greg. foraging on lawn with CHSP, GOCS, BESP, nwc.
• Clay-colored Sparrow 1 ID: Similar to nearby CHSP but showing a distinct buffy auricular, contrasting with pale supercilium and lack of a complete eyeline extension into lores (partly obscured by grass in image below); foraging on lawn with CHSP, GOCS and BESP, nwc (photo).

• White-crowned Sparrow 18 (ad., imm) greg. foraging on ground and lawns, nwc, nec, s.
• Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 (ad. bsc. plmg.) 1 foraging on lawn with CCSP, CHSP and BESP, nwc.
• Bell’s Sparrow 22 greg. foraging on ground and lawns; drinking from puddles outside of park at the fence line, nwc, nec, s.
• Vesper Sparrow 1 flushed from a pine to the lawn with a WCSP, s.
• Savannah Sparrow 1 with BESP, drinking from a puddle outside of the park fence line.
• Lincoln’s Sparrow 2 individuals foraging on lawn and at puddles outside of the park fence line with BESP, nwc, s.
• Western Meadowlark 3 (bsc. plmg.) greg. shy, readily flushed, a pair foraging on the lawn, nec; an individual on lawn, s (photo).

• Red-winged Blackbird 60 (m,f; imm; bsc. plmg.) greg. vocal, foraging on lawns and bare ground in msf with BRBL, throughout.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 40 (m,f) greg. vocal, small (5 -10 individuals), disjunct flocks foraging with RWBL on lawns and bare ground; flushed to pines by approaching people and dogs.
• Orange-crowned Warbler 2 in elms and salt cedars, swc; in deciduous shrub on isle shore, ne.
• Common Yellowthroat 2 (m,f) greg. a pair foraging in a deciduous shrub on isle with nearby YEWA and YRWA, ne.
• Yellow Warbler 6 (f) greg. individuals and pairs (all females/imm.) foraging in saltbush and deciduous trees; adjacent pines on isles and mainland, ne, se (photo).

• Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 (m,f) greg. vocal (calls) individuals and pairs active in pines and deciduous trees throughout.

BIRDS FOUND OUTSIDE APOLLO PARK THIS MORNING IN TRANSIT (1000-1015 hrs.)

• Red-tailed Hawk 1 (ad) perched on utility pole around 90th St. W and Ave. G, north side.
• Prairie Falcon 1(ad) perched and consuming the remains of a pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) on a utility pole; flushed to a similar perch on adjacent utility pole, around 100th St. W and Ave. G, north side (photo).

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20 September 2024 (41 Species)

Weather: Partly cloudy to heavy overcast from a thunderstorm moving in from the northwest; light rain by 0920 hrs. 69°F to 72°F; wind W, WNW 5- 10 mph.

Time: 0820 – 0930 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park, using the perimeter pathways and along the fence lines. About 70 people were in the park during the survey, including several fishermen and multiple pedestrians with leashed dogs. Aircraft noise from the adjacent Fox Field was intermittently disruptive. Eastern shorelines had abundant windblown trash. Brush consisting mostly of Russian Thistle (Salsola sp.), along the southern fence line outside the park, which had been used for cover by sparrows and other birds, was being cleared with a tractor.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Wood Duck (1 – cont.), White-faced Ibis (2), Great Horned Owl (1- cont.), Western Wood Pewee (5), Willow Flycatcher (1), Western Flycatcher (3), White-crowned Sparrow (12), Vesper Sparrow (1), Savannah Sparrow (2), Lincoln’s Sparrow (3), Yellow-headed Blackbird (3), Yellow Warbler (6), and Black-throated Gray Warbler (4).

BIRDS NOTED

• Snow Goose 2 – cont. with GLGO on lawns, then swimming with other ducks and geese to the main beach for food handouts.
• Ross’s Goose 1 -cont. staying in close proximity of SNGO and GLGO, as noted above.
• Canada Goose 60 (ad.) greg. mostly habituated birds, mainly foraging on grass; occasionally entering the water and coming ashore to be fed by visitors.
• Gray Lag Goose (wild-type, albinistic and hybrid) 50; 42 of the wild-type counted while swimming across the lake to the main beach for handouts; some birds evidently mistaking my camera for a food bag.
• Swan Goose 4 swimming separately from GLGO toward the main beach.
• Muscovy Duck 2 (m,f) on shore, s-central.
• Gadwall 2 (f) swimming near shore, ne.
• Mallard (wild-type) 80 (m,f) on shore and in shallows throughout; wary and readily flushed to open water when approached.
• Mallard (domestic, hybrid, albinistic) 120 (m,f) phenotypic variants in pairs, apparently consisting of mixed genetic heritage.
• Pied-billed Grebe 1 – cont. swimming in open water, sw.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 12 foraging on main beach with ducks and geese, s.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 2 on ground with large flock of BRBL, e.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 1 (f) alighting in elm at 15 ft. agl, swc.
• American Coot 25 loosely greg. in shallows around the lake.
• Killdeer 2 greg. vocal, a pair on shore, ne.
• Spotted Sandpiper 2 (bsc. plmg.) individuals walking on shore, ne, central.
• Double-crested Cormorant 7 (ad., imm) greg. resting on island shores; swimming near shore ne, se.
• Great Blue Heron 2 individuals standing on shore, w-central, ne.
• White-faced Ibis 2 greg., a relatively tame pair foraging at the shoreline of the main beach, surrounded by ducks, sw (photo).

• Great Horned Owl 1 imm. – cont. resting in same location – in a mature pine on ne island, where it was observed during the previous survey of 15 September, 2024.
• Western Wood Pewee 5, sallying to lawn and bare ground from fence and low pine limbs throughout; occasionally observed showing intraspecific aggression toward a nearby bird.
• Willow Flycatcher 1 alighted in pine at about 10 ft. agl in swc.
• Western Flycatcher 3, individuals sallying from fence and lower and mid-level limbs of pines, swc, nw (photo).

• Black Phoebe 6 (ad, imm) vocal, individuals sallying to lawns from fence and low pine limbs throughout.
• Common (Northern) Raven 16 vocal, greg. pairs in flight to and from pines throughout.
• Barn Swallow 8 greg. flying 1 – 40 ft. agl., back and forth over lake and pines, se, sw.
• Bewick’s Wren 1 active in msf with WCSP and BESP on and near the ground in a salt cedar clump outside the fence line, nwc.
• European Starling 35 (ad., imm) greg. small, mobile flocks foraging on lawns in msf with BRBL and RWBL, throughout; larger flocks in flight w over lake, s.
• House Sparrow 20 (m,f) greg. mostly seen on the main beach with BRBL and other birds foraging on handouts.
• House Finch 8 (m,f) greg. vocal in pines and garden with WCSP, swc.
• White-crowned Sparrow 12 (ad., imm.) greg. on ground in garden and weedy fence margins with BESP, swc, nw, ne.
• Bell’s Sparrow 8 greg. on ground beneath pines and salt cedar on fence lines, nwc, nec.
• Vesper Sparrow 1 alighted on a low pine limb, flew back to saltbush scrub outside of park, sec.
• Savannah Sparrow 2 greg. a pair foraging on ground and lawn beneath pines, sec.
• Lincoln’s Sparrow 3 greg. foraging on ground and lawn beneath pines and salt cedar outside of fence, nwc (photo).

• Yellow-headed Blackbird 3 (m, f, imm) vocal, greg. on main beach with BRBL and RWBL, sw.
• Western Meadowlark 5 greg. a cohesive flock flying w at about 30 ft. agl., w.
• Red-winged Blackbird 30 (m,f, imm) greg. occasionally vocal, small flocks foraging on ground and lawns, msf with BRBL and EUST throughout.
• Brown-headed Cowbird 2 (imm) following large flock of BRBL, foraging on ground and lawns throughout.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 220 (m,f) greg. large, highly mobile flocks foraging on ground and lawns throughout; msf with less numerous EUST and RWBL.
• Yellow Warbler 6 (f) individuals and pairs foraging 10-20 ft. agl in pines with BTYW, e.
• Black-throated Gray Warbler 4 (m,f) individuals and pairs foraging 8 – 30 ft. agl. in pines, msf with YEWA and WWPE, e (photo).

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15 September 2024 (36 Species)

Weather: Fair with hazy skies from Ridge Fire in the San Gabriel Mts. to the southeast; 73F to 75F; wind W 15- 20 mph.

Time: 0839-1010 hrs.

Observers: Dạ Thảo Lê Nguyễn and I.

Area Covered: We walked once around the lake on the perimeter paved paths; Da Thao in a counter-clockwise route while I took a clockwise route. One other birder-photographer, Ashley, was present. About 60 or so other visitors were in the park, some with leashed dogs. Air traffic noise from Fox Field was prevalent during the first half of the survey. Increasing winds also interfered somewhat with finding birds.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Cackling Goose (1 – cont.), Wood Duck (1), Great Horned Owl (1), Savannah Sparrow (1) and Yellow-headed Blackbird (2).

BIRDS NOTED

• Snow Goose 2 – cont. in msf with ducks and geese being fed on main beach, s.
• Cackling Goose 1 – cont. with CAGO foraging on grass, n.
• Canada Goose 60 greg. several flocks on land and shore throughout.
• Gray-lag Goose (domestic and hybrid) 30 greg. in msf with MALL and other geese, s.
• Swan Goose (domestic) 5 with GLGO and MALL, s.
• Wood Duck 1 (f, trans. bsc. plmg.) on main beach with MALL, s (photo).

• Gadwall 5 (m,f) greg. swimming near shore, ne, e.
• Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) greg. in water and on shore, ubiq.
• Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 greg. in water and on shore, ubiq..
• Ruddy Duck 7 (m,f- bsc. plmg.) greg. a cohesive flock in open water, w.
• Pied-billed Grebe 1 (imm) in open water, sw.
• Western Grebe 1 (ad.) swimming near se island.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 10 greg. on main beach with ducks and geese being fed, s.
• Anna’s Hummingbird 1 (f) hovering and aerial-hawking around pines, ne.
• Selasphorus sp. landed on pine snag overhanging salt cedar, nw.
• American Coot 20 greg. individuals and pairs in shallows around the lake.
• Killdeer 1 vocal (unseen) n.
• Spotted Sandpiper 3 (bsc. plmg.) individuals on island and mainland shorelines around the lake.
• Double-crested Cormorant 3 (imm) individuals perched on snags and shore, ne, s.
• Great Horned Owl 1 (imm) perched near the trunk at about 15 ft. agl in an island pine, ne.
• American Kestrel 1 being pursued by two BRBL in flight, about 50 ft. agl overhead, w.
• Western Wood Pewee 4 greg. a pair and individuals sallying to lawn and bare ground from fence to pines and from an island pine limb at about 5 – 8 ft. agl., nw, ne.
• Black Phoebe 4 individuals on fences and low pine limbs throughout.
• Loggerhead Shrike 1 (ad) on the fence, then flying to saltbush scrub outside the park, n.
• Common (Northern) Raven 12 greg., vocal, pairs in pines and flying to and from the park, throughout.
• Horned Lark 25 greg. flying low over main beach and into adjacent saltbush scrub outside the park, s.
• House Sparrow 10 (m,f) greg. on ground in msf with BRBL, FRDO, and ducks on main beach, s.
• House Finch 6 (m,f) greg. vocal, in pines and flying in from adjacent saltbush scrub, w, n.
• Bell’s Sparrow 10 greg. pairs and trios on ground beneath pines; on fence and in adjacent saltbush scrub, n, ne.
• Savannah Sparrow 1 (ad) alighted briefly on shore, e.
• Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 (m) greg. a pair with BRBL and imm. RWBL in an alkaline herbaceous patch at edge of se island (photo).

• Red-winged Blackbird 12 (f., imm) greg. foraging on ground with BRBL in piles of decomposing pine needles and lawn cuttings, n; an immature with BRBL and YHBL on se island.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 40 (m,f, imm) greg. highly mobile flocks foraging on lawns and bare ground throughout.
• Orange-crowned Warbler 1 in salt cedar, sw.
• Yellow Warbler 1 (f) foraging in elm foliage, 8 -15 ft. agl, sw.
• Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 vocal (calls -unseen) in pines, e.
• Wilson’s Warbler 1 flew from pines to elm, sw.

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23 August 2024 (35 Species)

Weather: Fair; 68F to 75F; wind WNW 10-14 mph.; mostly a full moon and clear night skies this week.

Time: 0817- 1110 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked once around the park in a clockwise direction; the central area was only partially surveyed visually. About 40 walkers, some with leashed dogs, were present during the survey. I met Dan Byrne on the east side, and we birded the remainder of the park together. Frequent air traffic at Fox Field occasionally was loud enough to obscure bird vocalizations.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Long-billed Dowitcher (2), Black-necked Stilt (4), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Cackling Goose (1 – cont.), Nuttall’s Woodpecker (1), Western Flycatcher (1), Loggerhead Shrike (2), and Lazuli Bunting (1). Warblers were conspicuously absent.

BIRDS NOTED

• Snow Goose 2 (ad) – continuing, greg. a pair on lawn with GLGO (photo); later swimming with about 40 GRGO to main beach for handouts.
• Ross’s Goose 1 (ad) – continuing; on lawn with nearby SNGO and GLGO (photo); joining above flock in swim to the main beach.

• Cackling Goose 1 molting; presumably a continuing bird, with large flock of CANG and a few GLGO, SWGO on lawn, n (photo).

• Canada Goose 75 greg. at least three separate, large flocks of 20 or more birds; most foraging on lawn grass throughout.
• Graylag Goose 50 (domestic wild-type and albinistics) greg. often in msf with CNGO and SWGO, throughout.
• Swan Goose (domestic wild-type and variants) 4 greg. with other geese on lawn, n.
• Muscovy Duck 2 (m,f) greg. in msf with MALL on shore, s-central.
• Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) greg., ubiq..
• Mallard (domestic and variants) greg., with and/or separate from wild types, ubiq..
• Feral Rock Pigeon 12 greg. on main beach and flying around park.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 4 greg. pairs in pines and on utility wires, s.
• Mourning Dove 8 greg. pairs and trios in flight over adjacent fields and on utility poles.
• American Coot 4 individuals swimming near shore, ne, s.
• Black-necked Stilt 4 greg. on s shore with LBDO (photo).

• Killdeer 2 greg. on shore, se.
• Long-billed Dowitcher 2 (bsc. plmg.) greg. a pair on shore staying close to BNST, then flushing with them, s (photo).

• Spotted Sandpiper 2 (bsc. plmg.) individuals preening and foraging on shore, s-central
• Double-crested Cormorant 10 (ad., imm) greg. a small flock in dead tree on s island; other individuals on ne islands; none seen in water.
• Black-crowned Night Heron 1 (imm) in pine tree, ne island.
• Red-tailed Hawk 1 flying 15-25 ft. agl over adjacent field toward pines on fence line, n.
• Cooper’s Hawk 1 flying 10 ft. agl over same field as earlier RTHA, and into pines, n.
• Nuttall’s Woodpecker 1 vocal (unseen) in pines, nw corner.
• Western Flycatcher 1 ID: conspicuous, concentric white eye-ring; fairly broad bill with pinkish mandible; sallying to lawn and bare ground from fence and lower pine limbs, se corner. Moving to higher perches in pines when followed (photo).

• Black Phoebe 8 (ad., imm) sallying to ground, lawns and shorelines throughout. An immature bird captured a large dragonfly at lakeside (photo).

• Loggerhead Shrike 2 one on a bordering fence in ne corner (photo); another seen on a distant shrub in adjacent saltbush field, sw.

• Common (Northern) Raven 10 pairs highly vocal, e.g. in sw corner with pines where the birds were nesting recently; flying around park and over adjacent saltbush fields.
• Horned Lark 60 vocal, greg. large flocks on and around main beach; drinking at shoreline; flushed and flying s and se.; smaller flocks on bare ground outside of fence line, s, se.
• Cliff Swallow 12 greg. seen only once, around 1045 hrs. circling lake over main beach at 15 – 60 ft. agl., s.
• European Starling 20 vocal, greg. foraging in msf with BRBL, RWBL and BHCO on lawns and bare ground throughout.
• Northern Mockingbird 1 on saltbush in field adjacent to ne corner fence.
• House Sparrow 22 (m,f) greg. foraging on bare ground and lawns, s.
• Bell’s Sparrow 6 greg. pairs on lawns, drinking from puddles; perched on fences, nw, e, s (photo).

• Red-winged Blackbird 8 (m,f) foraging on lawns with mobile flocks of BRBL, EUST, throughout.
• Brown-headed Cowbird 6 (imm) greg. foraging on lawns and bare ground with BRBL, e.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 80 (m,f) greg. vocal, foraging in large, mobile flocks on lawns throughout.
• Lazuli Bunting 1 (f) flew from puddle to shaded fence beneath pine, ne (photo).

____________________________________________________________________

3 June 2024 (33 Species)

Weather: Fair; 78F; wind WSW 5 – 15 mph.

Time: 0805-0950 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked once around the park in a clockwise direction; the central area was only partially surveyed visually. About 30 walkers, joggers and cyclists were present in the park during the survey. A few leashed dogs with them. A least ten Eastern Fox Squirrels were in the park; several dozen red-eared slider turtles and one softshell turtle were basking on the island concrete shores.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Ross’s Goose (1 – cont.), Cackling Goose (1 – cont.), Lesser Nighthawk (1), Pacific Slope Flycatcher (1), Willow Flycatcher (1), Gray Flycatcher (1) and Red Crossbill (3).

BIRDS NOTED

• Snow Goose 2 greg. resting in the shade of a pine near the shore, ne.
• Ross’s Goose 1 resting next to the two SNGO.
• Canada Goose 130 at least three, large cohesive flocks on shore and swimming, n, e, s.
• Cackling Goose 1 on shore with CAGO that were being fed; the CKGO was not seen taking food (photo).

• Gray-lag Goose (domestic, including hybrids and albinistics) 35 greg. at least one pair with goslings, ubiq..
• Swan Goose (domestic) 12 greg. in msf with GLGO, ne.
• Muscovy Duck (domestic, including mallard hybrids) 6 pairs resting on shore, e, central.
• Mallard (wild-type) 80 greg. pairs and small flocks on shore and further inland throughout.
• Mallard (domestic, including hybrids and albinistics) 60 (conserv. est.) greg. ubiq..
• California Quail vocal (unseen) in dense rabbitbrush field bordering the north fence line.
• Feral Rock Pigeon 3 greg. on shore, s.
• Eurasian Collared Dove 4 vocal on lawn and shore, s.
• Mourning Dove 2 greg.. flying over tamarisks, w.
• Lesser Nighthawk 1 in flight, 25 ft. agl. from rabbitbrush border of airfield, southward over the park, nw.
• Black-necked Stilt 1 foraging in shallows, s shoreline (photo).

• Spotted Sandpiper 1 vocal in flight, s.
• Double-crested Cormorant 8 including one on a nest at about 12 ft. agl in an island pine, ne.
• Great Blue Heron 3 including one adult in alt. plmg. attending a nest about 15 ft. agl in an island pine, ne (photo).

• Black-crowned Night Heron 8 (ad) individuals on shore and in pines, ne, se.
• Western Wood Pewee 1 on fence, nw.
• Willow Flycatcher 1 vocal (calls) in a tamarisk bordering the northwest fence.
• Gray Flycatcher 1 sallying to grass from fence, ne (photo).

• Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 at mid-level in a mature tamarisk bordering the west fence line.
• Black Phoebe 4 sallying from low pine limbs and fences, ubiq..
• Say’s Phoebe 2 flying low and alighting on a fence, nw.
• Northern Raven 20 vocal, greg. pairs calling repeatedly and swooping low over me as I approached their presumed nest sites in pines, sw, se (photo).

• Horned Lark 2 flying low over adjacent alkali salt bush field, s.
• Swainson’s Thrush 1 flushed from tamarisk to adjacent fence, nw (photo).

• European Starling 30 (ad., imm.) greg. vocal, adults with youn on lawns and flying between pines, ubiq..
• House Sparrow 40 (m,f) vocal, greg. around buildings, in shrubs and on lawns, ubiq..
• House Finch 15 (m,f) vocal, greg. pairs and small flocks on lawns and in pines, ubiq..
• Red Crossbill 3 (m,f) vocal, greg. in pines, nw, n.
• Bell’s Sparrow 5 (ad., imm.) greg. pairs on ground, lawns and in rabbitbrush, n.
• Brewer’s Blackbird 8 (m,f) greg. vocal, foraging on lawns, n, e.

______________________________________________________________

9 April (Easter Sunday) 2023 (36 Species)

Weather: Fair; 56F to 69F; winds calm.

Time: 0902-1105 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked once around the park in a clockwise direction, using paved pathways and shaded fence lines. Increasing numbers of visitors began arriving by 0930 hrs., many with leashed dogs. By 1030 hrs. the parking lot was full, along with most of the park benches and paved pathways. Some people were running their dogs along the northern fence line, flushing birds to the adjacent fields outside the park.

There were multiple cordoned off areas where excavations and other maintenance work had been initiated. The stagnant lake waters were pea-green with heavy algal growth and accumulated trash on the shorelines. In addition to numerous introduced bird species (e.g. gray-lag goose, swan goose, Muscovy duck, domestic mallard, feral rock pigeon and Eurasian collared dove), I counted at least one-hundred exotic red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta), mostly adults (up to about 40 cm in carapace length) and juveniles, basking together on the sloped, concrete shorelines of the lake islands, i.e., northeast and south. One Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) was seen on the ground beneath pines in the northern section of the park. Helicopters and other aircraft were flying to and from the adjacent Fox Field.

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 3 (ad.) greg. on shore and flying to the main beach, ne, s; Canada Goose 35 (conserv. est.) greg. pairs on islands (at least one bird on a ground nest, ne island) and flying around the park (hence difficult to obtain an accurate count); Domestic Gray-lag Goose 35 (including hybrids) greg., mostly on shores, ne, s; Swan Goose 10 greg. vocal, on shore, ne; Muscovy Duck 5 (m,f) greg. on shore, ne; Gadwall 4 greg. pairs swimming near shore, ne, se; Northern Shoveler 2 (m,f) greg. a pair swimming near shore, ne; Mallard (wild type) 80 (m,f) greg. pairs and individuals on shore, apparently nesting on islands and swimming throughout; Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 greg., as above, with two hybrid-type males ‘baptizing’ a wild-type male mallard, as though attempting to mate with it, ne; Feral Rock Pigeon 3 on main beach, n; Eurasian Collared Dove 16 greg., vocal, pairs in trees and on ground throughout; Mourning Dove 6 greg., vocal, pairs in trees and flying around park perimeter, n, s; American Coot 40 greg. pairs and trios swimming throughout; Whimbrel 2 greg. a pair flying over lake and alighting on island shore, s; Greater Yellowlegs vocal in flight, s; Spotted Sandpiper 1 on island shore, ne; Ring-billed Gull 45 about half of the birds in alt. plmg; ad, imm, resting on shore, s, se; California Gull 15 (ad, several in alt. plmg., imm) in msf with RBGU on shore, s, se; Double-crested Cormorant 10 greg. resting on islands, swimming; one adult apparently on a nest in a guano-covered pine within a traditional (abandoned?) heron rookery, ne; American White Pelican 5 greg. resting on islands, ne, s; Black-crowned Night Heron 2 (ad, imm) in pines of traditional island heronry, but no evidence of nesting observed, ne; Empidonax sp. agile, smallish with an eye-ring, cf. hammondii) 1 sallying from low pine limbs and fence line, n; Vireo sp. cf. cassinii, seen briefly with RIKI in low to mid level of pines along fence line, n; Common (Northern) Raven 12 vocal, greg. pairs and individuals circling above the park and perched in pines throughout; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10 greg. some with sustained crown patch visible when interacting with conspecifics; in deciduous and evergreen trees throughout (photo).

American Robin 4 (m,f) greg. foraging on ground beneath pines, n; House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal on ground around buildings and lawns, ne; House Finch 8 (m,f) greg. vocal, in pines and on ground, n; Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 65 (conserv. est.) (m, alt. plmg., f, imm) vocal (calls), greg. mostly affecting pine foliage throughout; Black-throated Gray Warbler 2 (m) in pines with YRWA; Orange-crowned Warbler (cf. celata subsp.) 3 in pines with YRWA, n; Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 10 (m,f) greg. on lawns and beneath pines, n; White-crowned Sparrow 2 (ad) on ground and flushed to fence, ne; Bell’s Sparrow 1 bathing on island shore, ne; Savannah Sparrow 1 vocal, brushy field adjacent to fence line outside of park, ne; Brewer’s Blackbird 12 (m,f) greg. vocal, males occasionally displaying, while foraging on lawn, se; Great-tailed Grackle 3 (m) vocal, greg. in pines at main beach, s.

9 May 2022 (61 Species)

Weather: Fair; 45F (wind chill about 10F); wind WNW 10 – 18 mph; gusting to 25 mph.

Time: 0658 – 1205 hrs.

Area Covered: Initially, I walked a counter-clockwise route on the park perimeter pathways, followed by a 20-minute break in a parked car; a second survey was made by walking a reversed, clockwise route on the park perimeter pathways, resulting in the addition of 17 bird species. Cold NNW winds reduced the activity and detectability of most birds, many of which were aggregated on the east (leeward) side at the fence line. Swallows were abundant and conspicuous, actively foraging above the SE lake and eastern fields of saltbush (Atriplex spp.). The interior section of the park was covered at a distance with a 10 x 42 binocular. About 70 park visitors were variably present during the survey; several with leashed dogs and all staying on paved pathways. Several fishermen were on the shorelines. Air traffic was absent on the adjacent Fox Field runways. There was evidence of recent clearance of vegetation on islands where waterfowl and herons nest. The west fence line is apparently now a park dump site with pine-mulch mounds and brush piles covering grass and bare ground. Apollo Park was closed recently for maintenance, May 1-7.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Aleutian Cackling Goose (continuing?) and White-winged Dove (photos).

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 4 (ad) greg. one consorting with a much larger, albinistic domestic GLGO, s; Cackling Goose 1 on and near shore, approaching me with a vocal mixed flock of CAGO and GLGO apparently seeking food handouts (photo).

Canada Goose 80 (est.) several with 15-25% grown goslings, vocal, greg., ubiq; Swan Goose 3 greg. with GLGO, s; Graylag Goose (including hybrids) 30 greg., ubiq., esp. s.; Gadwall 3 (m,f) greg. (pair), flying and near shore, s, ne; Mallard (wild type) 90 (m,f) greg., paired on islands (nests recently removed?); Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 60 (m,f) greg., ubiq.; Muscovy Duck 3 (m,f) greg. on shore, s; Aythya sp. (c.f. collaris) f – imm. molting remiges and rectrices with grayish base to head feathers, partial feather crest giving a pointed head appearance, broad black bill with pale gray subterminal band, resting on shore, s (photo).

California Quail 2 (m,f) vocal, greg. on ground in saltbush field, ne; Feral Rock Pigeon 5 greg. on shore, s; Eurasian Collared Dove 12 greg., vocal, ubiq.; White-winged Dove 1 on ground in clearing along fence line, flushed to pines, e (see photo above); Mourning Dove 8 vocal, greg. – pairs, ubiq.; Vaux’s Swift 1 flying alone, back and forth above the lakes, 70- 150 ft. agl; American Coot 4 on and swimming near shore, e, s; Black-necked Stilt 1(alt. plmg.) shy, flying to island and main shores, se, ne; Killdeer 2 vocal, one briefly staying low in short vegetation (no nest found), individuals on lawns, n, se; Spotted Sandpiper 10 (alt. plmg.) pairs foraging shorelines and bare ground on islands, ubiq.; Bonaparte’s Gull 1 (imm) in flight, 50 -100 ft. agl. above lake and pines, apparently not landing anywhere in park, w-central; Ring-billed Gull 20 (70% imm C1, C2) greg. on beach and fishing dock, s; California Gull 18 (80% imm. C1, C2, C3), greg. on shore and open water, s; Herring Gull 1 (C1-2) with elongated, culmen deformity, on shore with CAGU and RBGU, s; Double-crested Cormorant 16 (ad., alt. plmg; imm) greg. on se island, diving near shore elsewhere, ubiq; American White Pelican 2 greg. on se island; Great Blue Heron 2 individuals on shore, se, ne island; Great Egret 2 (alt. plmg.) evidently on nest (s) in pines on nne island; Black-crowned Night Heron (ad. alt. plmg.; imm) in pines, ne island (active nests ?); Western Wood Pewee 8 individual migrants apparently maintaining temporary territories, sallying from fence, low pine branches, e, w; Willow Flycatcher 1 sallying at edge of low-mid level of pines, se; Hammond’s Flycatcher 1 interior, lower level of pines, n; Gray Flycatcher 2 individuals sallying out from mid-low level pines and junipers, n; Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 active in interior subcanopy of pine, nw; Black Phoebe 1 flying low from fence into tamarisk grove, nw; Say’s Phoebe 1 sallying from fence and brush piles, e; Western Kingbird 1-2 briefly vocal (calls), sallying from low pine branch to lawn, w; Warbling Vireo 2 individuals in pines, loosely associated with WIWA, n, w; Northern Raven 8 vocal, greg. one pair repeatedly calling loudly as I approached an apparent nest in a pine, s; California Scrub-Jay 1 ? seen distantly, briefly atop a saltbush briefly with a NOMO nearby, se; Horned Lark 3 (alt. plmg.) on ground in saltbush field, e; Tree Swallow 2 flying low over lake in msf with BASW, CLSW, RWSW, s, se; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4 pairs flying low over lake in msf with other swallows (see above); Cliff Swallow 8 greg. in msf over lake with other swallows; Barn Swallow 30 (alt. plmg. including one imm. or possible Eurasian type with whitish undersides) gregarious, mostly low over lake and in adjacent saltbush field, se, e; Northern Mockingbird 2 vocal in saltbush field, e; European Starling 20 vocal, greg. on lawns with BRBL and RWBL e; House Sparrow 25 (m,f) vocal, greg. on and near buildings throughout; House Finch 6 (m,f) vocal greg., individuals harvesting seeds from low growing herbaceous plants, one with nest material, e, w; Orange-crowned Warbler 1 active in pines, e; MacGillivray’s Warbler 1 partially concealed in juniper with WIWA, n; Yellow Warbler 2 (m – alt. plmg.) active in pines with WIWA, e, se; Townsend’s Warbler 1 (m) active in subcanopy of pines with WIWA, se; Wilson’s Warbler 20 (conserv. est.) (m,f) loosely greg., highly active in pines throughout, esp. e, se; White-crowned Sparrow (gambeli) 1 ad. on lawn and in pines, nw; Western Tanager 3 (m) on ground and in pines, e; Lazuli Bunting 1 (m) alighted in low, ruderal patch outside of fence line, ne; Red-winged Blackbird 3 (m) on lawn with EUST and BRBL, se; Western Meadowlark 1 vocal (repeated song – unseen) saltbush field, e; Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 f – imm on lawn with BRBL, se; Brewer’s Blackbird 16 (m,f) pairs on lawns, e; Great-tailed Grackle 10 (m,f) vocal, greg., on shore and lawns, e; Brown-headed Cowbird 4 (m,f) greg., vocal in flight, on lawns with BRBL, e.

12 March 2022 (33 Species)

Weather: Fair; 58F to 62F; wind WNW 1-2 mph.

Time: 1021 – 1146 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a counter-clockwise route around the park, including the interior pathways, excluding the southeast corner (surveyed with a 10 x 42 binocular from a distance). About 150 park visitors, many with leashed dogs. Air traffic was moderately frequent at the adjacent Fox Field. About 20 fishermen on shorelines. Excavation project along west fence line. Sheriff’s cruiser parked in the central area.

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 5, greg.; Canada Goose 80 (est.) ubiq, greg.; Swan Goose 6 greg.; Graylag Goose 30 (including hybrids), greg., mostly s; Muscovy Duck 2 (m,f), greg.; Gadwall 6 (m,f) greg. pairs; Mallard (Wild Type) 120 (m,f); Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 greg.; American Wigeon 1 (f) on shore of ne isle; Northern Shoveler 350 (est.) greg. dabbling throughout; Hooded Merganser 7 (1 m; 6 f) greg, ne isle and shallows; Ruddy Duck 16 (m,f) greg. resting in open water; Pied-billed Grebe 2 in open water; Eared Grebe 1 diving near shore, s; Feral Rock Pigeon 2, greg., s; Eurasian Collared Dove 14 greg. – pairs, vocal; American Coot 200 greg., ubiq; California Gull 4 on s beach; Ring-billed Gull 16 (ad, C1,C2,C3), greg. on s beach; American White Pelican 3 greg. on se isle; Double-crested Cormorant 16 (60% in alt. plmg.) greg., se isle; Great Blue Heron 1 (ad) on nest, 20 ft. agl in pine tree, ne isle; Black Phoebe 1 sallying from tree, se isle; Northern Raven 20 greg. circling park 20-100 ft. agl; Barn Swallow 1 flying 20 ft. agl over lake, w; Ruby-crowned Kinglet active at mid to lower level in pines, w; Hermit Thrush 1 on ground, sw corner; House Sparrow 25 (m,f) greg. vocal, ubiq. around buildings; House Finch 4 (m,f) greg., vocal, w; Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 20 (m,f) vocal (calls) ubiq., esp. in pines and on lawns; Red-winged Blackbird 3 (m) vocal, greg. on lawns with BRBL; Brewer’s Blackbird 12 (m,f) greg. on lawns; Great-tailed Grackle 5 (m) vocal, greg., s, e; Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 1 on ground and in pines.

2 February 2021 (33 Species)

Weather: Fair; 67F, winds calm.

Time: 1000-1210 hrs

Observers: Dan Byrne and I

Area Covered: We walked a counter-clockwise route around the park, primarily on the perimeter pathways and western fence line. Several people were feeding the waterfowl on the main beach. Others were walking with dogs, including one couple with an unleashed dog wandering freely behind them. I advised them of the leash law, which is posted in the park and presumably enforced by the LA County Sheriff. To that, the owner defiantly replied, “There is no law around here” and continued to allow the dog its freedom to roam unleashed around the park for at least another hour. As a result, we were unable to bird along the eastern fence line, where there are usually a number of ground-dwelling species.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose (1 – cont), Snow Goose (2 – cont.), Hooded Merganser 7, Greater Yellowlegs (1), American White Pelican (9), Pink-sided Junco (2) and Slate-colored Junco (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (ad. – cont) on the main beach with other geese being fed; Snow Goose 2 -cont. a pair on the main beach with other geese; Canada Goose 30 gregarious, small flocks scattered around the park in the water and land; Domestic Swan Goose 1 with other domestic geese on the main beach; Domestic Gray-lag Goose 25 (including albinistics) gregarious – mostly on main beach with other waterfowl being fed; Muscovy Duck 3 (m,f) on shore, se; Gadwall 5 (m,f) gregarious on and near island shores, se, ne; Mallard (wild type) 50 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous in and near water; Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 25 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous but mostly on or near the main beach; Northern Shoveler 20 (m,f) gregarious, dabbling in thick, algal surface waters, se, ne; Hooded Merganser 7 (m,f) gregarious – two pair resting on shore, taking to water as we approached, se, ne; Ruddy Duck 7 (m,f) resting in open water, se; Pied-billed Grebe 4 swimming in open water and near shore throughout; Eurasian Collared Dove 8 gregarious, flying and on shore, se, ne; American Coot 50 gregarious, ubiquitous in shallows; Greater Yellowlegs 1 vocal in flight over lake, s; Spotted Sandpiper 1 on island shore, se; Ring-billed Gull 5 (ad) gregarious on main beach; California Gull (90% ad.) gregarious, most on main beach with waterfowl being fed; Double-crested Cormorant 20 (ad, imm) gregarious on island shores and swimming in open water; American White Pelican 9 gregarious, 2 small flocks resting, preening on islands, se, ne; Great Blue Heron 2 resting on islands, se, ne; Black Phoebe 3 sallying to ground from fence and low pine limbs throughout; Northern Raven 15 gregarious, circling above the park; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 calls (unseen) pines along w fence line; House Sparrow 5 gregarious, around buildings, s, e; Buff-bellied (American) Pipit 1 on ground beneath pines, ne; House Finch 3 vocal in pines, s; Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler 3 active in and around outer pine foliage, e; Savannah Sparrow 1 flushed from ground to lower limb of a pine, se; Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 20 gregarious, foraging beneath pines, ne island, w fence line; Dark-eyed (Pink-sided) Junco gregarious – a pair foraging with Oregon Juncos on ground beneath pines, w fence line; Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 1 gregarious with Oregon Juncos on ground beneath pines, ne, w fence line; Red-winged Blackbird calls (unseen) in pines, s; Brewer’s Blackbird 18 (m,f) gregarious, foraging on ground, s; Great-tailed Grackle (m,f) vocal, gregarious on shore, ne.

8 January 2021 (34 Species)

Weather: Mostly sunny and with some high clouds; 30F to 44F. winds calm.

Time: 0750-0900

Area Covered: I walked a counterclockwise route around the entire park along the fence line. Several parties with leashed dogs were present; some dogs lunging at flocks of ducks resting on shore. Overall, the park was comparatively quiet, probably due to freezing air temperatures.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Greater White-fronted Goose ( 1- cont.), Snow Goose (4), Hooded Merganser (3), American White Pelican (5), Red-breasted Nuthatch (3), Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco (4), and Pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco (2).

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 – cont. swimming with several domestic GLGO near island, ne; Snow Goose 4 (3 ad, 1 posssible imm.) gregarious on shore in north-central area; Canada Goose 60 gregarious, several small flocks feeding on lawns, swimming near shore throughout; Domestic Gray-lag Goose 30 (including albinistics), gregarious, ubiquitous; Domestic Swan Goose 3 gregarious on and near shore of ne island; Muscovy Duck 3 (m,f) gregarious on shore, s; Gadwall 5 (m,f) pairs and individuals resting on shore and swimming near shore, s; Mallard (wild type) 120-180 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous; Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 40 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous; Northern Shoveler 8 (m,f) gregarious, mostly swimming in open water, n, ne; Hooded Merganser 3 (1 m, 2 f) gregarious, diving in open water, s, n; Pied-billed Grebe 5 diving in open water, se, n; Feral Rock Pigeon 6 gregarious on shore, sw; Eurasian Collared Dove 20 vocal, gregarious, several foraging on sandy shore, ubiquitous; American Coot 120 (conserv. est.) gregarious, ubiquitous; Killdeer 1 on shore, s-central; Spotted Sandpiper 1 foraging on concrete shoreline with much debris, se; Ring-billed Gull 3 (ad, imm) on island, se; California Gull 10 (ad, imm) most resting on island, se; Double-crested Cormorant 16 (ad, imm) gregarious, most resting on shore of islands, se, ne; American White Pelican 5 (ad, imm) gregarious, resting on shore of island, ne; Great Blue Heron 1 standing on island, ne; Great Egret 1 resting on shore, s-central; Black Phoebe 4 vocal, sallying to ground from fence and low limbs of pines, ubiquitous; Northern Raven 12 vocal, gregarious – pairs flying around park and perched in pines, ubiquitous; Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 vocal, one pair foraging on ground covered with pine needles, perching on fence and then pine trunks, n, w (photo).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 vocal (unseen) in pines e; House Sparrow 10 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, foraging on lawns (dead grass) with DEJU and WCSP, ne; Buff-bellied (American) Pipit 3 individuals foraging on concrete shoreline and beach, s, se, n; White-crowned Sparrow 16(ad, imm) gregarious, foraging with DEJU on lawns, ne; Dark-eyed Oregon Junco 20 (m,f) gregarious, vocal (calls), foraging on lawns with WCSP, ne; Dark-eyed Slate-colored Junco 4 (m,f) gregarious on lawns with other juncos and WCSP, ne; Dark-eyed Pink-sided Junco 2 gregarious, foraging with other juncos and WCSP, ne; Red-winged Blackbird 4 (m) gregarious with large flock of BRBL, s; Brewer’s Blackbird 60 (m,f) gregarious, flying from se island tree perch to lawns, s-central; Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m) vocal, n;

8 July 2020 (23 Species)

Weather: Fair; 67F to 72F; wind WSW 0 – 5mph.

Time: 0625- 0755 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked a clockwise route once around the entire park, including the interior, on the lawns and paths. More than 100 people were in the park; many with leashed dogs (one being run along the fence lines). Most of the visitors stayed on the paved paths; relatively few wore face coverings.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included Great Blue Heron (4 juveniles) and Tricolored Blackbird (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 3 (1 imm) – cont. gregarious on shore, central; Canada Goose 90 (one nearly full-grown juvenile), gregarious, vocal, ubiquitous; Domestic Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids) 40 (several goslings following adults, gregarious, ubiquitous; Muscovy Duck 5 (including hybrids) gregarious, s; Mallard (wild type) 60 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous; Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 (m,f) a few hybrids in pairs, ubiquitous; Feral Rock Pigeon 2 on ground, s; Eurasian Collared Dove 6 vocal, individuals and pairs, s; Mourning Dove 1 in tamarisk, w; Ring-billed Gull 1 (C2) resting on main beach (photo).

Killdeer 1 vocal, running on lawn, w; Double-crested Cormorant 6 (ad, imm) most resting on shore (photo), one imm. swimming and frequently diving, e, s.

Great Blue Heron 6 (2 ad, 4 juv.) gregarious – juveniles standing on or near nests on upper limbs of NE island pines; apparently the first documented record of this species reproducing successfully in Apollo Park – photo).

Black-crowned Night Heron 5 (all juveniles) individuals standing on island shores, beneath traditional nesting colony pines ne; Black Phoebe 3 (ad, imm) vocal, sallying to ground and lawns from low pine limbs, w, nw; Western Kingbird 1 vocal (unseen) sw; Common (Northern) Raven 16 (ad, imm) vocal, gregarious in family groups of 3 – 5 individuals on ground and in pines; European (Common) Starling 3 foraging on ground with nearby BRBL, e; House Sparrow 30 (m,f) vocal gregarious, ubiquitous around buildings; House Finch 10 (m,f imm) vocal (calls) gregarious, ubiquitous; Red-winged Blackbird 9 (m,f) foraging on shore and lawns, se; Tricolored Blackbird 1 (m) trans. bsc. plmg. foraging on lawns with RWBL; Brewer’s Blackbird 20 (m,f) gregarious, vocal, foraging on lawns shore, ubiquitous; Great-tailed Grackle 12 (m,f, imm) foraging on ground and shore, ubiquitous.

6 May 2020 (38 Species)

Weather: Fair; 65F, wind WSW 10-17 mph.

Time: 0723-0945 hrs.

Area Covered: Initially, I walked a clockwise route around the entire park on perimeter paths and lawns. Following a ten-minute note-taking break, I walked the west fence line, returning through a grove of mature tamarisk outside the western boundary of the park. Large numbers of visitors, many with dogs began arriving by 0830 hrs.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2), Cattle Egret (1), and Red-breasted Nuthatch (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 2 -cont. (ad, imm), s; Canada Goose 60 gregarious, ubiquitous, with at least five separate ground nests on islands, ne; Domestic Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids) 25 gregarious, ubiquitous; Swan Goose 4 two pair on islands, ne, se; Muscovy Duck 2 (m,f) a pair evidently at a ground nest adjacent to restroom building, s; Gadwall 1 (m) s; Mallard (wild type) 50; (domestic and hybrid) gregarious, many pairs 40, ubiquitous; Ruddy Duck 2 (f), se; Eurasian Collared Dove 12 vocal, mostly paired, s; Mourning Dove 2 ne; Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, ne; Black-crowned Night Heron 12 (ad – alt. plmg., imm) apparently nesting in pines on islands, ne; Cattle Egret 1 (ad) foraging on island shore, ne (photo).

Killdeer 1 vocal, sw; Spotted Sandpiper 5 (alt. and trans. alt. plmg.) on shorelines, e; Ring-billed Gull 20 (ad. C1, C2) gregarious, on shore s; California Gull 3 (C1, C2) gregarious, on shore, s; Double-crested Cormorant 10 (ad, imm) gregarious on island shores, se; American Coot 20 scattered around edges of lake; Western Kingbird 3 vocal in pines, sw; Western Wood Pewee 1 sallying to lawn from pines, w; Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1 in pines, sw; Black Phoebe 1 near shore, nw; Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 vocal, flying from tamarisks into adjacent field, nw; Warbling Vireo 1 in pines, sw; Common (Northern) Raven 10 vocal w, n; Swainson’s Thrush 1 vocal (calls) on ground and fence, w; European (Common) Starling 4 on lawn, w; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 taking insect larvae from beneath loose bark, while foraging on mid-level main trunk of a pine, ne (photo).

House Finch 12 (m,f) vocal, pairs in tamarisks and pines, w; House Sparrow (m) s; Western Tanager 3 (m, f) in pines, w, n; Black-headed Grosbeak 2 vocal, n; Yellow Warbler 1 in pines, sw; Townsend’s Warbler 1 (m) in pines, e; Wilson’s Warbler 10 (m,f) in pines and shrubs, w, n; Brewer’s Blackbird 6 (m,f) on lawns, w; Great-tailed Grackle 2 (m) vocal, s.

7 April 2020 (47 Species)

Weather: Overcast; 43F winds calm; heavy rains in the Antelope Valley region during the past two days.

Time: 0803-1140 hrs.

Area Covered: Initially, I walked a counter-clockwise route around the entire park on perimeter paths and lawns. I met Dessi Sieburth (DS) briefly on north side, who mentioned seeing a Golden-crowned Kinglet in the northwest corner (I was subsequently unable to find the bird). Following a twenty-minute note-taking break in my car, I walked a reverse (clockwise) route around the park, adding several more bird species to the survey list. Counting the birds that DS found in Apollo Park this morning, which included sixteen species which I did not observe (DS – 7 April 2020 eBird), combined with my list (including five species DS had not observed), our total was 63 species. There were the usual disturbances to birds in the park this morning, i.e. numerous dogs, joggers, vehicles and aircraft noise from the Fox Field runway.

BIRDS NOTED

Greater White-fronted Goose 1 (ad.) – cont. s; Snow Goose 3 (1 imm) – cont.? s; Canada Goose 60 gregarous (many paired), vocal, ubiquitous; Domestic Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids) 30 gregarious, ubiquitous; Domestic Swan Goose 2 s; Muscovy Duck 6 (m,f) gregarious on shore, s; Gadwall 4 (m,f) , se, ne; Mallard (wild type – m,f) 80 gregarious, ubiquitous; Mallard (domestic and hybrid – m,f) 50, most in s and se; Common Merganser 1 (f) swimming in open water se (photo).

Hooded Merganser 1 (f) open water, se; Ruddy Duck 1 (f) open water, se; Pied-billed Grebe 2 diving, open water, s, se; Western Sandpiper 2 on shore, se; Least Sandpiper 15 gregarious, on shore, se Spotted Sandpiper 2 (1 alt. plmg.) on shore, se; Ring-billed Gull 12 (ad – alt. plmg., 1 imm) gregarious, vocal, s; California Gull 2 (imm. – C1, C2), s; Great Blue Heron 1 (alt. plmg.) on shore, ne (photo).

Black-crowned Night Heron 5 (alt. plmg.) most in pines on island, ne; American Coot 120 gregarious, ubiquitous in lakes; American White Pelican 1 flew in and alighted on lake, se; Double-crested Cormorant 10 (ad), gregarious, s, ne; Eurasian Collared Dove 8 gregarious, s; Black Phoebe 3 sallying from low limbs on pines, w, n; Say’s Phoebe 1 vocal, flying over adjacent field, e; Pacific Slope Flycatcher 1 in pine, nw (photo).

Hammond’s Flycatcher 2 on fence, nw, n (photo).

Cassin’s Vireo 1 in pines, ne (photo).

Common Raven 6 vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30 flying back and forth over lake, e; Barn Swallow 1 with NRWS, e; Tree Swallow 20 in msf with NRWS, e; Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8 gregarious, pairs active in pines throughout; Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (lutescens) in pines, sw; Yellow-rumped (A) Warbler (m,f – most males in alt. plmg.) 30 gregarious, ubiquitous in pines and on lawns (photo).

Black-throated Gray Warbler 4 (m,f) in pines, e; Common Yellowthroat 1 (f) in shrubs along fence line, nw; Chipping Sparrow 10 (alt. plmg.) on ground beneath pines, n (photo).

White-crowned Sparrow 1 on ground in ne corner; Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 20 on ground and lawns, nw, n; Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 1 on ground with Oregons, nw; Lawrence’s Goldfinch 2 vocal in pines, n; House Finch 2 vocal, w; House Sparrow vocal, s; Brewer’s Blackbird 2 on ground , w; Red-winged Blackbird 2 (m, imm) on ground with BRBL, w; Great-tailed Grackle 8 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, s; Bullock’s Oriole 1 vocal, n;

20 September 2019 (36 Species)

Weather: Fair; 52F to 75F; winds calm.

Time: 0810-1015 hrs.

Area Covered: I walked the perimeter and through the central section of the park. Numerous people with dogs; one running loose (unleashed) chasing waterbirds on the shoreline.

Birds of seasonal and/or distributional interest found today included, Snow Goose (2), Greater White-fronted Goose (1 – cont.) and Sabine’s Gull (1) and Common Tern (1).

BIRDS NOTED

Snow Goose 2 (probably continuing birds) on main beach, s; Greater White-fronted Goose 1 -cont. with domestic geese, s; Canada Goose 80 gregarious, ubiquitous; Domestic Gray-lag Goose (including hybrids) 35, gregarious, mostly in s and e; Muscovy Duck 5 (m,f) gregarious, s; Mallard (wild type) 120 (m,f) scattered around shores and islands; Mallard (domestic and hybrid) 50 (m,f) gregarious, ubiquitous, most near s shore where frequently fed by visitors; Gadwall 3 (f) gregarious, swimming and resting near shore, e; Pied-billed Grebe 1 diving in open water, s; Eurasian Collared Dove 4 gregarious, on beach and in pines, s; Mourning Dove 3 s; Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 (f) around deciduous trees, sw; American Coot 30 loosely gregarious, ubiquitous; Killdeer 1, s; Sabine’s Gull 1 imm flying around and alighting on main lake (photo).

Common Tern 1 flying low, dipping bill into water, alighting on shore of main beach s (photo).

Great Blue Heron 1 on shore, e; Snowy Egret 1 on shore, se; Western Wood Pewee 2 on fence, w, n; Black Phoebe 2 gregarious, vocal, w, n; Say’s Phoebe 1 vocal on fence, w; Northern Raven 3 in pines, sw, n; House Wren 1 vocal, adjacent field, n; European Starling 8 on ground and lawns with BRBL,w, e; House Sparrow 30 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; House Finch 6 (m,f) vocal, gregarious, ubiquitous; Orange-crowned Warbler 2 in pines, sw, n; Wilson’s Warbler 1 in pines, w; MacGillivray’s Warbler 1 vocal (unseen) outside of park on fence line, n; Bell’s Sparrow 8 gregarious on ground and lawns beneath pines, n, e; White-crowned Sparrow 3 (ad, imm) gregarious, fence line, ne; Lincoln’s Sparrow 1 on ground, ne; Savannah Sparrow 2 brushy area near fence, ne; Brewer’s Blackbird 70 (m,f) gregarious, on ground and lawns throughout; Red-winged Blackbird 6 (m) gregarious, foraging on ground with BRBL; Great-tailed Grackle 3 (m,f) vocal, flying low across park, s.