At about 11:00 am today (Friday) we stopped just past the sign for the Silver
Moccasin Trail, where Shortcut Canyon meets Angeles Crest. A singing male
indigo bunting made a short appearance. He kept on singing, but stayed in the
poodle dog bushes.

Lois Fulmer
Altadena

----- Original Message -----
From: Jonathan Feenstra
To: LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com
Sent: 5/24/2013 9:04:42 AM
Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] San Gabriel Mtns Indigo Buntings and notes

LA Birders,

I've received several emails about the location of Shortcut Saddle on the
Angeles Crest Highway. Unfortunately, I do not have a mile post number, but it's
pretty easy to find on Google Maps by searching for the intersection of Hwy 2
and the Short Cut Pass Road 2N23 (a dirt road, gated but not really marked).
If you're coming from the lowlands up Hwy 2, it's less than a mile past (east
of) the intersection with Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road. It's a big wide spot in
the road. If you're there during the week, watch out for construction traffic.

Jon Feenstra
La Mirada

> From: Jonathan Feenstra 
> To: LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 8:04 AM
> Subject: [LACoBirds] San Gabriel Mtns Indigo Buntings and notes
>
>
>
> LA Birders,
>
> As of late yesterday afternoon the male Indigo Bunting was still present and
singing on the southern slope from Shortcut Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway.
It's been there about three weeks now.
>
> Earlier yesterday morning I found another male Indigo Bunting along the
Angeles Forest Highway near mile marker 9.31. This one was also singing loudly
and easily heard and seen from the side of the highway, or from the big pull-out
a little to the north.
>
> As the penstemons are drying up the hummingbird numbers have dropped, but
there are still multiple female-type Selasphorus hummingbirds hanging around
with the more numerous summer resident Costa's Hummers and the minority Anna's.
Also, last week near Barley Flats an apparent hybrid male Anna's X Costa's
Hummingbird was present.
>
> Warm nights in the past few weeks, including last night, have been great for
listening for migrating Swainson's Thrushes. A noisy flock of Marbled Godwits
heading north over the Angeles Crest Highway at about 11PM was perhaps a little
more surprising.
>
> Jon Feenstra
> La Mirada
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Unsubscribe: mailto:LACoBirds-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LACoBirds
> Listowners: mailto:LACoBirds-owner@yahoogroups.com
>
> For vacation suspension of mail go to the website. Click on Edit My Membership
and set your mail option to No Email. Or, send a blank email to these addresses:
> Turn off email delivery: mailto:LACoBirds-nomail@yahoogroups.com
> Resume email delivery: mailto:LACoBirds-normal@...! Groups
Links
>
>
>
>
>

Still there as of 2pm Friday. 19 miles from ACH and 210 fwy. Mile marker 43.30.
5 miles east of Mt. Wilson road and about 9.7 miles from ACH at Angeles Forest
Highway.

Raul Roa

LA Birders,

I've received several emails about the location of Shortcut Saddle on the
Angeles Crest Highway. Unfortunately, I do not have a mile post number, but it's
pretty easy to find on Google Maps by searching for the intersection of Hwy 2
and the Short Cut Pass Road 2N23 (a dirt road, gated but not really marked).
If you're coming from the lowlands up Hwy 2, it's less than a mile past (east
of) the intersection with Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road. It's a big wide spot in
the road. If you're there during the week, watch out for construction traffic.

Jon Feenstra
La Mirada

> From: Jonathan Feenstra 
> To: LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 8:04 AM
> Subject: [LACoBirds] San Gabriel Mtns Indigo Buntings and notes
>
>
>
> LA Birders,
>
> As of late yesterday afternoon the male Indigo Bunting was still present and
singing on the southern slope from Shortcut Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway.
It's been there about three weeks now.
>
> Earlier yesterday morning I found another male Indigo Bunting along the
Angeles Forest Highway near mile marker 9.31. This one was also singing loudly
and easily heard and seen from the side of the highway, or from the big pull-out
a little to the north.
>
> As the penstemons are drying up the hummingbird numbers have dropped, but
there are still multiple female-type Selasphorus hummingbirds hanging around
with the more numerous summer resident Costa's Hummers and the minority Anna's.
Also, last week near Barley Flats an apparent hybrid male Anna's X Costa's
Hummingbird was present.
>
> Warm nights in the past few weeks, including last night, have been great for
listening for migrating Swainson's Thrushes. A noisy flock of Marbled Godwits
heading north over the Angeles Crest Highway at about 11PM was perhaps a little
more surprising.
>
> Jon Feenstra
> La Mirada
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Unsubscribe: mailto:LACoBirds-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LACoBirds
> Listowners: mailto:LACoBirds-owner@yahoogroups.com
>
> For vacation suspension of mail go to the website. Click on Edit My Membership
and set your mail option to No Email. Or, send a blank email to these addresses:
> Turn off email delivery: mailto:LACoBirds-nomail@yahoogroups.com
> Resume email delivery: mailto:LACoBirds-normal@...! Groups
Links
>
>
>
>
>

Hi Birders

The Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I'm sure many of you will head out
photographing great birds. Everyone is invited to show off their photos at the
Los Angeles Audubon Society monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Debs
Park. We all have our favorite photos that we would love to share. Tonight is
your chance to come in and share fond memories illustrated by a few of your own
photos. Even if you don't have any photos to share, please attend to just enjoy
the show.

A few spaces remain open for the July 4, 2013 long weekend at the Southern
Sierra Nevada Ponderosa Cabin Owl Prowl under the Giant Sequoias. More
information is available on the LAAS homepage

Happy Birding!

Mary Freeman
Glendale, CA
Los Angeles Audubon Society Program Chair and Fieldtrip Leader
http://losangelesaudubon.org

On Wednesday the 22nd at around 2:30 pm, I saw what appeared to be a
red-shouldered hawk sitting on the edge of a building. Not so unusual I know.
What was unusual, was the hawk looked to be entirely a dirty yellowish color.

For anyone wishing to look for this bird, it was in the shopping center(Lowes,
Sizzler) NE of the intersection of the 57 Fwy and Arrow Hwy in San Dimas. More
specifically, it was sitting on the roof of what I believe used to be Vista
Paint, a gray building with a pointed and flat roof directly adjacent to the 57
Fwy.

Keith Condon
Diamond Bar

I don't think that there has been any posting or other announcement about this. 
Tracy Drake posted awhile back that she had observed and documented California
Gnatcatcher - male and female, including singing.

Well, now there is documented breeding. At LA coastal sand dunes - under the
LAX flight path. And this, of course, is good news for the nearby Ballona
Wetlands Ecological Reserve where individuals of this species have been
documented in the past. Here's an article with some of the details.

http://argonautnews.com/playa-del-rey-births-of-gnatcatcher-babies-surprise-and-\
delight-conservationists/

~
Marcia Hanscom
Ballona Institute
The Voice for Nature on the Los Angeles Coast
Playa del Rey, CA

Three interesting (pale headed) Chaetura swifts with swallows at Unión Station,
flying along LA River. Have no idea if Chimney vs Vaux's, as of tonight. Will
look again, tomorrow.

Thomas G. Miko
Http://www.tgmiko.com
Claremont 91711, LA County
Mobile: 909.241.3300
Home: 909.445.1456
Other Mobile: 213.471.6001

This email was written without reading glasses.
Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Hello Guys,

This is Philip, just recently moved to Los Angeles from Taiwan. First of all,
thanks for all your info sharing on the board, I had so much great time this
spring, and able to capture picture more than hundred different birds.

Quick question to ask, is it possible to get close to the salt pan of Ballona
Creek? As far as I know, only area C open for public. Or you only able to look
at it from the bike path cross the creek?

Philip
Los Angeles

Hi Birders

Good message from Kris.

A friend sent a link to the fire follower, "Poodle Dog Bush". The first spring
after the Station Fire, Nick and I surveyed the Crest finding this unusual
plant. Nick actually took some cuttings home to show to our friends. Two weeks
later, Nick had a rash on his arms so bad that his arms looked like raw liver! 
Rangers told me just recently trail maintenance involves removing the plant from
well-used trails but still - be on the look out. We recently the Crest and four
years after the Station Fire, the stuff is is still prevalent! It's pretty
while it's in bloom growing very tall stalks with showy purple flowers.

http://www.pctmap.net/pctdownloads/poodle_dog_bush_warning.pdf

Good Birding!

Mary Freeman
Glendale, CA

- RBA

* California
* Los Angeles RBA
* May 23, 2013
* CALA1305.23

-Birds mentioned

Hooded Merganser
Black Vulture (possible)
Ferruginous Hawk
Merlin
Red Knot
Glaucous Gull
Varied Thrush
Vesper Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Indigo Bunting

California Bird Records Committee (report rarities as appropriate on the rare
bird report form): http://www.californiabirds.org/

Enter your bird sightings on eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird

Hotline: Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert
E-mail reports to: Jon Fisher at JonF60@...
Coverage: Los Angeles County, Ventura County as warranted

-Transcript

This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for May 23.

Quite late was a female HOODED MERGANSER at Apollo Park on May 19.

A possible BLACK VULTURE was seen near the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive
North and Palos Verdes Drive East on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on May 17.

A late FERRUGINOUS HAWK was in the Antelope Valley on May 18 just southwest of
40th Street West and Ave. J-8.

Both a late MERLIN and a VESPER SPARROW were seen along the Angeles Crest
Highway at Aliso Canyon Road on May 16.

Two RED KNOTS were in the Ballona area on May 19, one at Del Rey Lagoon and the
other on the beach south of the Playa del Rey jetty. One continued through May
22 at the Ballona salt pan (upstream from Pacific Ave on the south side of the
Ballona channel).

A GLAUCOUS GULL was reported at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Salt Marsh/Salinas
de San Pedro on May 20. The marsh is just north of the Aquarium parking lot.

A VARIED THRUSH was reported along Bulldog Lateral in Agoura Hills near Lake
Malibu on May 21.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was at Pt. Vicente on May 20.

A male INDIGO BUNTING continues along the Angeles Crest Highway at Shortcut
Saddle just past Upper Big Tujunga Road. It has been singing by the forest
service gate on the south side of Hwy 2, just west of its intersection with the
Pacific Coast Trail. Another male INDIGO BUNTING was near mile marker 9.31, and
viewable from the pullout to the north of that marker.

This report is sponsored by the Los Angeles Audubon Society.

- end transcript

Jon L Fisher
Glendale, CA
JonF60@...

EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

For all events, field trips and announcements, please see our website at
http://www.laaudubon.org

In regards to searching for Indigo Buntings, Black-chinned Sparrows,
Rufous-crowned Sparrows etal in the lower San Gabriel Mtns., I just want to
remind/inform everyone that there is a little known but prominent danger there -
the Poodle Dog Bush.? Friendly name, not so friendly plant.? Contact will
produce a rash similar to Poison Oak - only longer lasting, with more intense
itching.? I know because I now have my second case of the year.

It looks somewhat similar to Yerba Santa with long lavendar flower stalks on a 3
to 5 foot shrub and is now the dominant species in much of the burned areas
between 1000 and 5000 feet elevation.? Bushwhacking should be avoided.

Kris Ohlenkamp
Woodland Hills

Hi Jon,
I don't remember seeing your original post about this (these?) Índigo
Bunting(s). Can you please repeat info about where to look for it(them)???
Tom

Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont
Los Angeles County, California

Http://www.tgmiko.com

Mobile: (909) 241-3300

This email was written on a cell phone, without reading glasses on.

-----Original message-----
From: Jonathan Feenstra 
To: LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, May 23, 2013 15:04:56 GMT+00:00
Subject: [LACoBirds] San Gabriel Mtns Indigo Buntings and notes

LA Birders,

As of late yesterday afternoon the male Indigo Bunting was still present and
singing on the southern slope from Shortcut Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway.
It's been there about three weeks now.

Earlier yesterday morning I found another male Indigo Bunting along the Angeles
Forest Highway near mile marker 9.31. This one was also singing loudly and
easily heard and seen from the side of the highway, or from the big pull-out a
little to the north.

As the penstemons are drying up the hummingbird numbers have dropped, but there
are still multiple female-type Selasphorus hummingbirds hanging around with the
more numerous summer resident Costa's Hummers and the minority Anna's. Also,
last week near Barley Flats an apparent hybrid male Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird
was present.

Warm nights in the past few weeks, including last night, have been great for
listening for migrating Swainson's Thrushes. A noisy flock of Marbled Godwits
heading north over the Angeles Crest Highway at about 11PM was perhaps a little
more surprising.

Jon Feenstra
La Mirada

Thu 23 May

This morning there was a male Green-winged Teal (carolinensis) at the Ballona
Freshwater Marsh with an aluminum band on its left tarsus. My pixel-limited
photos are unable to resolve the band number, but is this limited information
still somewhat useful, and if so, where should it be reported?

Don Sterba
Culver City

LA Birders,

As of late yesterday afternoon the male Indigo Bunting was still present and
singing on the southern slope from Shortcut Saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway.
It's been there about three weeks now.

Earlier yesterday morning I found another male Indigo Bunting along the Angeles
Forest Highway near mile marker 9.31. This one was also singing loudly and
easily heard and seen from the side of the highway, or from the big pull-out a
little to the north.

As the penstemons are drying up the hummingbird numbers have dropped, but there
are still multiple female-type Selasphorus hummingbirds hanging around with the
more numerous summer resident Costa's Hummers and the minority Anna's. Also,
last week near Barley Flats an apparent hybrid male Anna's X Costa's Hummingbird
was present.

Warm nights in the past few weeks, including last night, have been great for
listening for migrating Swainson's Thrushes. A noisy flock of Marbled Godwits
heading north over the Angeles Crest Highway at about 11PM was perhaps a little
more surprising.

Jon Feenstra
La Mirada

Hi Birders

I read an email that passes were not required at the Visitor's Center Parking
lot. However, should you bird anywhere on the Crest, I think a day pass will be
sufficient. I was told by a USFS biologist that man power is low and so many
people visit the forest that citations aren't always given out. Years ago, Nick
and I led an LAAS group to the visitor center, we had forgotten our pass and we
found a pretty little citation on our window. We wrote the number of our pass
on the citation and nothing more came of it. We've seen campground hosts asking
for our permit while camping at Buckhorn even last year. Perhaps the policy has
changed or it's not required for the re-opening but just passing along some
information.

Cheers!

Mary Freeman
Glendale, CA

Hi Birders

If you are attending and supporting the opening of the Chilao Visitor's Center
this coming Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 11:00am, make sure you have an Adventure
Pass. You can purchase one in La Canada at the Sport Chalet at Foothill and
Angeles Crest Highway or the ranger booth and pull-out where the Angeles Crest 
and Angeles Forest Highways intersects. Though the visitor center will emphasize
trees and such, be proud showing you are for the birds!!

Cheers!

Mary Freeman
Glendale, CA

The Red Knot first identified by Jon and others continues on the salt pan south
of Ballona Creek. It is very actively feeding along with a few dozen marbled
godwits and some black bellied plovers.
The Red Knot is a brightly colored male but I have not yet seen the female that
others reported.

James DeBiase
Mar Vista, CA

Sent from my iPhone

Hi Birders

I've been having discussions with the Los Angeles River Ranger District of the
re-opening of the Chilao Visitor's Center on the Angeles Crest Highway this
coming Saturday, May 25th at 11am. It's about 30+ miles on the Crest from the
210 freeway. This little gem has been closed for many years due to budget cuts
to electrical problems. Nick and I have searched owls around the grounds and
we've experienced some great owl encounters! LA Audubon once held regular bird
walks. Please support the grand opening and show how important BIRDING is at
this site. For many years it was the most reliable place to find Mountain Quail
at the feeders and the water drip was a great place to watch montane birds such
as White-headed Woodpecker. On the hillsides, Black-chinned Sparrows can be
found. The drip also offered great photo opportunities. Make a difference -
please attend!

Good Mountain Birding!

Mary Freeman
Glendale, CA

Red Knot continues on the Ballona Salt Pan 5-20-13.

Jonathan Coffin
Inglewood, Ca.

--- In LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com, "jon"  wrote:
>
> There was a Red Knot also on the Ballona salt pan this early evening with the
Marbled Godwits, Whimbrels and a few Black-bellied Plovers
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonebird/8756616724/in/photostream/
>
> Jonathan Coffin
> Inglewood, Ca.
>
>
> --- In LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com, "BarbaraJ"  wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > On today's LAAS monthly birdwalk we had two Red Knots. A
> > winter plumaged bird was found in the lagoon and a breeding
> > plumaged bird was among the dozens of Sanderlings feeding
> > on the beach.
> >
> > A big thanks goes out to Irwin Woldman who led the walk in
> > Bob Shanmans absence and to Louis Tucker that spotted the
> > Red Knot on the beach.
> >
> > Barbara Johnson
> > Los Angeles
> >
>

In wiilows at the small stream that empties into Puddingstone Reservoir, by
bathtoom # 11.
No Blue Grosbeaks, or other migrants. Two Forster's Terns.
Breeding plumage California Gnatcatcher singing out in the open (photos),
Phainopeplas, Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Cactus & Bewick's Wrens, etc. etc. etc.

Thomas G. Miko
Http://www.tgmiko.com
Claremont 91711, LA County
Mobile: 909.241.3300
Home: 909.445.1456
Other Mobile: 213.471.6001

This email was written without reading glasses.
Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

There was a Red Knot also on the Ballona salt pan this early evening with the
Marbled Godwits, Whimbrels and a few Black-bellied Plovers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonebird/8756616724/in/photostream/

Jonathan Coffin
Inglewood, Ca.

--- In LACoBirds@yahoogroups.com, "BarbaraJ"  wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> On today's LAAS monthly birdwalk we had two Red Knots. A
> winter plumaged bird was found in the lagoon and a breeding
> plumaged bird was among the dozens of Sanderlings feeding
> on the beach.
>
> A big thanks goes out to Irwin Woldman who led the walk in
> Bob Shanmans absence and to Louis Tucker that spotted the
> Red Knot on the beach.
>
> Barbara Johnson
> Los Angeles
>

Today at 11:30?am at Del Rey Lagoon I saw what I believe were over 40 Marbled
Godwits.? Below are links the pictures I took.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duran-huezo/8754446773/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duran-huezo/8755571432/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duran-huezo/8755569790/

Manuel Duran
Lomita, CA?

Hi All,

I was surprised to find an adult White-crowned Sparrow in Harbor Park today. 
Unfortunately, when it jumped out of a bush onto the ground I saw the reason
immediately. It had an obviously broken wing dragging on the ground. It was in
and out of the bush at

Lat, Lon: 33.785409,-118.295549.

which is on the north side of the Vermont drain 150 feet southeast of the old
playground.

As can be seen at the link below, they are ordinarily pretty much gone from
the county by the middle of May.

http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=whcspa&getLocations=c\
ounties&counties=US-CA-037&parentState=US-CA&reportType=species&monthRadio=on&bM\
onth=01&eMonth=12&bYear=1900&eYear=2013&continue.x=25&continue.y=5&continue=Cont\
inue

Ed Griffin
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Hi All,

On today's LAAS monthly birdwalk we had two Red Knots. A
winter plumaged bird was found in the lagoon and a breeding
plumaged bird was among the dozens of Sanderlings feeding
on the beach.

A big thanks goes out to Irwin Woldman who led the walk in
Bob Shanmans absence and to Louis Tucker that spotted the
Red Knot on the beach.

Barbara Johnson
Los Angeles

Been keeping an eye on Barn swallows feeding fledglings at Glendale Narrows
RiverWalk Park and the Cliff swallows are building nests right on the apartments
behind the horse ring. Good birding,

Raul Roa
Whittier, CA