What a day. Hansen Dam yesterday was somewhat of a dud(according to eBird, esteemed author Kimball Garrett birded on the same day yet he saw so many including that coveted Blue Grosbeak! Bullock's Oriole as well. Well, BO I did see at SG River West Fork though. Anyway, was in despair lol. Maybe started too late, it was so hot), but today was much more productive.
I did visit Ballona Freshwater Marsh in February, and thought that was all lol. This time consulted various guides more carefully, and it bore fruit; Walked from Del Rey Lagoon Park, and then around the jetties at Playa del Rey-Ballona Creek mouth.
Frankly was hoping for another Tern sightings, but nope. Best go to Bolsa Chica middle bridge to experience the bliss. Summer is practically a season for Terns and Skimmers anyway. Should visit it during the weekends, along with..!
Still, not bad. My find of the day there was definitely Black Oystercatcher! Thought I found one on the farther part of the Lagoon, and indeed it was. Later at the end of the middle jetty at the Playa, finally found a couple, on the left side, so had a close look. It wasn't shy, didn't fly away, thankfully. Some gulls of course, 3 Western Grebes, Snowy Egrets, plus 20 or something Willets near the UCLA yacht club. A Brown Pelican flew by. Did Terns fly by too? Not sure, but don't think so. Swallows maybe. Some Double-crested Cormorants as well. House Finches were at the club lol.
Other species at the Lagoon; Geese, Mallards, Great Egret, Snowy Egrets, No. Mockingbird on the beach right across it, Starlings, Finches.
At the entrance to the jetties, found Crows, Finches, and House Sparrows.
Visited Freshwater Marsh again. Pretty empty compared to February, but found a Coot, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Mourning Dove?, Great-tailed Grackle, and some Brewer's Blackbirds. And the ubiquitous House Finches.
Next, Kenneth Hahn SRA. By that time it was becoming too hot, so just contented myself with exploring the Gwen Moore Lake. Geese, Mallards(including hybrids with Black Duck?), and another bird of the day, Red-shouldered Hawk! Confirmed the specie after consulting various guides afterwards; it was quite loud, heard it first; was perched upon the middle branch of the tree(shaded area).
On the way home, birded Silver Lake Reservoir/Meadows. Not bad at all! At the reservoir itself, 2 Western Grebes, about 10? Canada Geese, Mallards, including 3 batches of chicks, about 15 Gulls, swallows, 1 Black Phoebe, House or Bewick's Wren, No. Mockingbird, House Finches, and 2 Buteos, overall white, on a tree at the NE end of the meadows. Red Tailed? Not sure.
Home internet is quite slow so am having trouble uploading pics; May 31 Upper Newport Bay pics is the latest batch, then followed by Bolsa Chica afternoon, Harriett Wieder, Huntington Central Park(those all in one day lol), then June 1 SG river West Fork(Black Headed Grosbeak and Bullock's Oriole!), Hansen Dam yesterday...ugh.
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