By Jon Fisher
BOTS- December 2020
While much about the fall and early winter of 2020 was typical, much was not. The pandemic not only continued unabated but its intensity was on the rise. From a purely self-interested point of view, birding continued to be mostly unaffected. A truly ugly fire season thankfully exited with a whimper rather than a bang. Cooler temperatures finally arrived, but were accompanied by little precipitation.
Given La Nina conditions this year, lack of rain was hardly unpredictable. By late December, a typical year would have given us about four inches of rain; this year, most areas were below a tenth of an inch. A late December storm made up a small part of the deficit, but the expected absence of precipitation through the winter will ultimately affect bird habitats and breeding success. Partially ephemeral watercourses such as the San Gabriel River support fewer birds in dry winters.
Looking at the plus side, this was something of a blessing in disguise. Extensive rain would have created havoc throughout and below the extensive burn areas, in addition to the already huge losses of habitat.
On another positive note, we were not left wanting for good birds. For anyone wishing to chase rarities, it was indeed an impressive and enjoyable fall. And for those wanting to make their own discoveries, there was plenty of opportunity. A few very good vagrants were yard birds; the rest were found in all corners of the county.
The remarkable number of vagrants that were found was in no small part related to the ever-increasing number of birders in the county and also to the ease with which rarities can be documented and sightings reported and verified; largely on eBird but also through iNaturalist and various Facebook groups.
A number of Christmas Bird Counts have already taken place and additional notable birds were detected through birding efforts in various count circles. The only irruptive species much in evidence were Pine Siskins, with above average numbers noted in the lowlands.
Very rare in the county were six Trumpeter Swans at the Piute Ponds on Edwards AFB on December 3 (Chris Dean). More expected were two Tundra Swans at Quail Lake on November 10 (Dan Maxwell) and one at the Piute Ponds on November 20 (Jane Stavert, Amy Worrell). Four were at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera on November 29 (Michael & Jan Long) and another was picked up for rehab in Santa Monica on December 3 (Austin Sipes). Rounding out sightings were another four at Malibu Lagoon on December 3 (Gary Moore, Celeste Jones). The actual number of individuals accounting for these records is almost certainly less than the aggregate total of sightings.
A Long-tailed Duck was along the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach from November 13-December 15, with no fewer than four present there on December 15 (Richard Barth, Jeff Boyd).
Rare inland were two Surf Scoters at Quail Lake on November 2 (Chris Dean). Up to two Black Scoters were at Dockweiler State Beach in El Segundo from November 9-25 (Richard Barth). Another was along the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach from November 13-20 (Richard Barth, Jeff Boyd). About a half dozen White-winged Scoters were also recorded over the period.
Once more regular in in the county during winter, a single Vaux’s Swift was at Griffith Park on December 17 (Becky Turley) and fourteen were near downtown Los Angeles on December 7 (Kimball Garrett).
A Broad-billed Hummingbird visited a yard feeder in Pasadena from November 20-December 13 and was one of few ever recorded in the county and the first this Mexican species recorded in several years (Tom Mills).
Sandhill Cranes included one flying up the Los Angeles River in Long Beach on November 11 (Jeff Boyd) and three others over the Piute Ponds on November 21 and perhaps the same three there again on December 19 (Mark & Janet Scheel).
Red-necked Grebes were on Lake Palmdale on November 14 (Kimball Garrett) and at the Ballona Creek mouth on December 8 (Kevin Lapp).
Following a spate of sightings over much of the year, the only American Oystercatcher reported was a continuing bird at Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro through November 4.
Along lower Ballona Creek in Playa del Rey, the wintering Pacific Golden-Plover continued through December 18. Small numbers of Mountain Plovers were in the east Antelope Valley at 50th Street East and Avenue N with up to sixteen present from October 31-December 19 (Mark & Janet Scheel). This vulnerable and declining species, as one might expect, is becoming more difficult to find locally.
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at or in the vicinity of Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia on November 14-December 19 (Darren Dowell), at Malibu Lagoon from November 17-18 (Ryan Terrill), at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds in Pico Rivera from November 30-December 15 (Chris Dean) and at Quail Lake from December 6-20 (Mark & Janet Scheel). This European gull has been increasing in the New World, first in the northeast, later throughout the continent and now in Los Angeles County. As birders become more familiar with this species and its identification, records should continue to increase.
A Neotropic Cormorant continuing at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas through October 23 and one at Peck Road Park in Arcadia from December 12-20 (Dessi Sieburth) were the only ones reported. This follows a banner year for this species in which seventeen were reported, though undoubtedly at least some of these were the same birds at different locations.
Unusual inland was a long-staying Pacific Loon continuing at Quail Lake through December 14.
An American Bittern was at the Piute Ponds from October 23-December 25 (Julie Rush). This species is quite rare in the county, largely due to a lack of suitable habitat. One can only imagine how many bitterns a wetland-riddled Los Angeles basin and coastline would have supported historically.
A Little Blue Heron found at Cabrillo Beach on October 26 continued there through December 26 (Bobby Trusela).
Yellow-crowned Night-Herons persisted in the Ballona area, with one to two birds seen at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh and on the Ballona Creek mouth breakwater through December 2.
On November 8, a Masked Booby flew past Pt. Vicente (Graham Montgomery). Interestingly this was the only booby recorded during the period at a time when their incursions into more northerly latitudes are becoming more frequent.
Seven California Condors south of Pyramid Lake on December 13 was a notable concentration (Naresh Satyan).
Broad-winged Hawks were at Banning Park in Wilmington on November 1 and at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Rolling Hills Estates from December 4-22, with the latter likely to winter (both Johnny Ivanov).
Once virtually unheard of in winter, records of Swainson’s Hawks in that season are increasing. Late birds were along the Los Angeles River in Long Beach on November 6 and at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach on November 10 (Joyce Brady) and east of Three Points on November 20 (Naresh Satyan). Two more were at Hansen Dam on November 15 (Luke Tiller, David Bell) and single birds were in the east Antelope Valley from November 22-23 (Graham Montgomery) and in Pasadena on November 24 (Luke Tiller). Potentially wintering was one at Hansen Dam on December 25 (Jon Fisher).
At least two Zone-Tailed Hawks were in the San Gabriel Valley area, with reports including one continuing in Monrovia through November 12, one at the Los Angeles County Arboretum on November 6 (Catherine Hamilton) and another in Altadena on November 17 (Sarah Ngo).
Rare for the county was a “Harlan’s” Red-tailed Hawk in the Ballona area from December 16-24 (Kevin Lapp). There have been but a half dozen records of this subspecies in the country over the past decade.
Also very scarce in the county was a Rough-legged Hawk at Quail Lake from December 13-24 (Kimball Garrett, David Bell). Records over the past decade can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
A Long-eared Owl was captured for rehabilitation in Malibu Creek State Park on November 15. Though considered rare in most of the county, due to its retiring nature this owl is probably more common than records would indicate.
Short-eared Owls were at Madrona Marsh in Torrance on October 27 (Sara Boscoe), at different locations in the east Antelope Valley on November 22 (Mark & Janet Scheel) and on December 20 (David Bell) and at Peck Road Park in Arcadia on November 23 (Dessi Sieburth).
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were at Rancho Sierra Golf Course in the Antelope Valley from October 23-24 (Chris Dean), at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Rolling Hills Estates from November 19-December 19 (Manuel Duran, Alejandra Cedillo), at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia on December 5 (Darren Dowell) and along Zuma Creek on December 20 (Dessi Sieburth, Frank & Susan Gilliland).
A Nuttall’s x Ladder-backed Woodpecker was in Juniper Hills from November 10-December 24 (Kimball Garrett). Ladder-backed Woodpeckers rarely wander from their desert haunts, but Nuttall’s are found with regularity in the Antelope Valley. Hybrids in this area are rare but noted occasionally.
Northern Flickers appear on most bird lists from October through March, but rare subspecies often pique birders’ interest as much as any other unusual bird. As such, Northern “Yellow-shafted” Flickers were at Stephen Sorenson Park in Lake Los Angeles on October 23 (Kimball Garrett), at Castaic Lagoon on October 29 (Jeffrey Fenwick), at Tierra Bonita Park in Lancaster from December 18-19 (Alex Coffey), at Henrietta Basin in Torrance on December 19 (Calvin Bonn) and at the Sepulveda Basin in Van Nuys on December 26 (Rebecca Marschall).
Pale “Prairie” Merlins were at the Hansen Dam spreading basins on November 7 (Brad Rumble) and at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena on December 13 (Darren Dowell). A “Black” Merlin – the county’s rarest subspecies- had returned for another winter to the Bette Davis Picnic Area in Glendale as of November 23 (Jon Fisher) and remained in the area through December 12.
A Dusky-capped Flycatcher returned for a second winter to Heartwell Park in Long Beach and was seen there from December 9-26 (Kim Moore, Becky Turley). Ash-throated Flycatchers were at Madrona Marsh through December 22 and at Willow Springs Park in Long Beach from December 9-26 (Brad Dawson).
Very rare was a Great Crested Flycatcher found at Columbia Park in Torrance on October 24 (Kiera Carvalho). How rare? This was the first county record since 1998. The few birders who rushed to see this bird the day it was found were in luck. To the chagrin of many others, this prized vagrant had vanished by the following morning.
Also a great county rarity was a Brown-crested Flycatcher returning for a second winter at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Rolling Hills Estates. It was first observed on November 30 and reported through December 18 (Johnny Ivanov). Another was discovered at Michigan Park in Whittier on December 25 (Eddie Monson).
Tropical Kingbirds continued at Entradero Park in Torrance through December 26, at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City through December 3 and at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach through December 13.
The Thick-billed Kingbird that spent the past seven winters at Horsethief Canyon Park in San Dimas was back for another encore appearance as of December 8 and was reported there through December 24 (Keith Condon).
Late Western Kingbirds were at Whittier Narrows in South El Monte on November 29 (Layton Pace), at Madrona Marsh in Torrance from December 16-18 (Johnny Ivanov) and at Rynerson Park in Lakewood on December 25 (Lindsay & John Fitch). A closely-related Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was at Central Park in Westchester on November 30 (Don Sterba).
The Greater Pewee at Rustic Canyon in Pacific Palisades was reported only through October 30. But it has proven difficult to locate and will likely remain through the winter.
It was a good period for late and/or wintering Empidonax. An above average seven Hammond’s Flycatchers were detected, but far less expected at this time of year was a Dusky Flycatcher at Stephen Sorenson Park in Lake Los Angeles from November 22-December 23 (Dessi Sieburth, Frank & Susan Gilliland). With over twenty recorded, Gray Flycatchers were downright common at a time of year when the vast majority have headed south. In addition, seven Pacific-slope Flycatchers were found. Whether these numbers are an aberration, a result of climate change or a function of increased coverage is difficult to know; at least with such limited data.
An Eastern Phoebe returned for a second winter along the Los Angeles River in Glendale as of November 4 and reported there through December 24 (Greg Slak). Another was at the Rolling Hills landfill from December 2-20 (Manuel Duran, Alejandra Cedillo) and one was at Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley on December 19 (Kris Ohlenkamp).
While on the subject of flycatchers, at least three dozen Vermilion Flycatchers were recorded in November and December. A decade ago, the number for the same period was ten percent of that. The recent expansion of this species into the coastal slope of the county has been dramatic.
A Bell’s Vireo at the South Coast Botanic Gardens from December 16-29 (Teresa Palos) was noteworthy, as there are few winter records of this species in the state.
Remarkable was a Gray Vireo at Stephen Sorenson Park in Lake Los Angeles on November 20 (William Tyrer). This species is a rare, infrequent and local breeder in the county and is about equally rarely encountered as a migrant.
Becoming quite scarce after October, Cassin’s Vireos were in Juniper Hills in the Antelope Valley on November 10 (Kimball Garrett), at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood from November 2-December 7 (Merryl Edelstein), at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale on December 2 (Dessi Sieburth) and at the San Gabriel Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds from December 6-9 (Corey Husic).
Quite interesting was a Verdin at Alta Vicente Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes from November 17-19 (Manuel Duran, Alejandra Cedillo). This is one of very few coastal slope records of this typically desert species. Interestingly, there are three recent records from this general area in the past five years.
A Pacific Wren was in Little Santa Anita Canyon above Sierra Madre from December 19-21 (Lance Benner).
San Clemente Island had a Red-throated Pipit from October 23-29 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers). Another- accessible to the remainder of county birders- was at Heartwell Park in Long Beach from December 11-17 (Johnny Ivanov).
A japonicus American Pipit was at the Ferraro Soccer Fields in Glendale from December 16-23 (Andrew Birch). Very few of this Asian subspecies occur on the west coast in fall.
Lapland Longspurs were at Colorado Lagoon in Long Beach from December 11-13 (Robb Hamilton), on San Clemente Island from October 23-29 and again on November 29 and a Chestnut-collared Longspur was there on October 24 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers).
Grasshopper Sparrows were at Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale on November 15 (Frank & Susan Gilliland), at Triunfo Creek Park in Westlake from December 20-22 (Mark & Janet Scheel) and at Leo Carrillo State Park on December 22 (Graham Montgomery).
Clay-colored Sparrows continued in well above average numbers, with close to twenty detected during the period.
A “Red” Fox Sparrow was at Griffith Park from December 11-13 (Brad Rumble).
Swamp Sparrows were at Castaic Lagoon from November 3-26 (Cal Yorke) along the Los Angeles River in Glendale from December 1-23 (Andrew Birch), with two confirmed there on December 23 (Ryan Terrill), and at Quail Lake from December 6-13 (Mark & Janet Scheel).
A “Large-billed” Savannah Sparrow was at a favored location- the Ballona Creek mouth jetties- on October 24 (Lock Kilpatrick). Though this subspecies is quite rare in the county, this has been a reliable spot for them over the years.
At least eight Dark-eyed “Pink-sided” Juncos and over a dozen Dark-eyed “Gray-headed” Juncos were present over the period. Both subspecies were present in higher than usual numbers.
A great find was a Dark-eyed “Red-Backed” Junco at Domenic Massari Park in Palmdale from November 6-8 (Kimball Garrett). Though very similar to the Gray-headed form, the distribution of Red-backed is more southerly, and there are subtle morphological differences. Not only was this a first county record, but only the second for the state.
A Harris’s Sparrow was on San Clemente Island on November 16 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers), while about a dozen White-throated Sparrows were present during the period. About ten Green-tailed Towhees recorded over the period was an above average number.
Ubiquitous in spring and summer but rare in winter, Hooded Orioles were at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino from December 7-19 (Dorian Charnis) and near Wheeler Park in Claremont on December 25 (Tom Miko).
Other orioles of note included a Baltimore Oriole at the South Coast Botanic Garden from December 10-20 (Johnny Ivanov) and six Scott’s Orioles. Four of the latter were on the coastal slope and two were in the Antelope Valley where less expected in winter; one at Pearblossom Park in Pearblossom on December 18 (Kimball Garrett) and another in Llano on December 25 (Ruth Gravance).
A Rusty Blackbird San Clemente Island from November 29-December 29 was the only one reported (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers).
Two Bobolinks continued at Santa Fe Dam through November 3, with at least one lingering through November 18. Surprisingly, this location produced the only Bobolinks of the fall.
A Northern Waterthrush was along Medea Creek in Agoura Hills from November 5-24 (Dan Cooper), while eight Black-and-white Warblers were noted during the period. A Tennessee Warbler was on San Clemente Island on October 24 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers).
A Lucy’s Warbler continued at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia through October 27 and others were on San Clemente Island on October 25 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers), at the Rio Hondo Spreading Basins in Pico Rivera from November 26-27 (Larry Schmahl) and in Highland Park on November 27 (Mayer Otto).
Nashville Warblers are common migrants but very scarce by November. Single birds were at the Piute Ponds from November 10-12 (Chris Dean), at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City on November 13 (Matt Felperin), at Peck Road Park in Arcadia through November 14 and at Heartwell Park in Long Beach from December 12-26 (Larry Schmahl).
One of the rarest of winter warblers was a MacGillivray’s Warbler near Wheeler Park in Claremont. It was first seen on December 6 and reported through December 19 (Tom Miko).
American Redstarts were at Wheeler Park in Claremont on October 25 (Tom Miko), at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail in Lakewood on November 29 (Christine Jacobs) and at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach from December 20-24 (Calvin Bonn).
A Bay-breasted Warbler was on Santa Catalina Island on October 24 (Tom Benson) and about a dozen Palm Warblers were recorded over the period, while the Piute Ponds hosted a Black-throated Green Warbler from October 29-30 (Chris Dean).
A Canada Warbler, likely injured, was in Sun Valley from late October through November 3 (Betina Loudermilk).
Returning for a second winter to Inglewood Park Cemetery was a Painted Redstart first seen on December 12 and present through December 24 (John Chapple).
Summer Tanagers were at Wardlow Park in Long Beach through December 24, continuing at the Village Green Condominiums in Los Angeles through October 25, at Veteran’s Park in Sylmar on November 11 (Mickey Long), at American Gold Star Manor in Long Beach on November 16 (Richard Barth) and at Madrona Marsh on November 24.
Late and potentially wintering Black-headed Grosbeaks were in Glendora from November 25-December 10 and in Pasadena from November 7-December 7 (Frank & Susan Gilliland). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at Horsethief Canyon Park in San Dimas on December 10 (Keith Condon). Rare at this time was a Blue Grosbeak along the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach on December 1 (Richard Barth, Jeff Boyd)
Late Lazuli Buntings were on San Clemente Island from October 24-27 (Justyn Stahl, Nicole Desnoyers) and in the Sepulveda Basin on November 4 (Candice Byers). Always a good find was a Painted Bunting at Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach from November 8-10 (Manuel Duran). Due to their attractive plumage, sighting of males of this species raise the possibility of an escaped cage bird, but this female-type bird was most likely a genuine vagrant.
After such a great November and December for birds, we must remind ourselves that many of the vagrants encountered as well as our common resident species are at risk.
Given the very real concern about declining bird numbers, we as birders are in a unique position to make contributions that can aid and support conservation efforts.
Citizen science in the form hundreds of birders in Los Angeles County are documenting the changes in avifauna that are occurring over time. I can’t think of any other area where it is possible for amateurs to add to the scientific record, and while doing what they most enjoy to boot. Without eBird, this would be next to impossible. To that end, submitting complete field lists with accurate species counts and identifications is essential.
Coming up soon-- early spring migrants. Turkey Vultures and Rufous Hummingbirds, Sage Thrashers and swallows are among the earliest and all will be in evidence by February. Waterfowl will also start heading north and the amazing cycle and spectacle of spring migration will play out. The spring and fall migration periods are the highlights of the year for most birders and an excellent time to be in the field.