Date: 8/31/25 11:51 am From: Howard Friedman via groups.io <howardnfriedman...> Subject: [southbaybirds] A walk in the park: A Day At Vasona
Happy Labor Day all Friends of Birds,
We could not have had better weather for comfort today. Our birding trip was filled with wonderful and amazing displays by birds from start to finish. Our group consisted of experienced, new, and fairly seasoned birders. Our common factor was the level of enthusiasm throughout. We began the day with some of the common birds to our area, the Oak Titmouse, Western Bluebirds and the White-breasted Nuthatch. One of our birders spotted a Pygmy Nuthatch, but no one else had the joy of enjoying the sighting (one for her list!)
We looked along the riparian corridor for early migrants like flycatchers and warblers, but it was very light birding.
Down by the first bridge we found a Black Phoebe flitting about. On the parking lot side of the creek we watched a mix flock of Barn and Violet-green Swallows feeding with some Vaux’s Swifts. The swifts were lifers for some of our group. We doubled back upon hearing a Yellow Warbler calling. While trying to get a visual on the warbler we spotted a Pied-billed grebe and its juvenile getting food. A silent and still Mallard was a surprise going unnoticed while we were watching the grebes.
At the mouth of the lake we observed more grebes with young, some American Coots, and three Green Herons, one being a molting juvenile. The Barn Swallows were very active here. As we moved toward the lake we observed a large flock of feral Rock Pigeons resting. One of our members helped us find 7 different Double-crested Cormorants on the banks and trees on the east side of the lake. More Mallards were resting on the banks near us. Looking out over the lake 50 American Coots mingled with even more Pied-billed Grebes. I was able to find three Ruddy Ducks in the mix. Then a pair of Belted Kingfishers called out and made a spectacular circle around our group. That moment was very intense and fun filled for all.
We walked toward University Ave. to the upper parking lot. Here we found a large flock of House Finches and a few more Acorn Woodpeckers working their granary. A few members of the group spotted a Yellow-rumped Warbler (FOS for all of us), I was able to hear it chipping for several seconds intermittently. As we walked back down to the parking lot we scanned for the Great Horned Owls that bred in the Eucalyptus Trees without finding one of them. Walk strolled back to the cars where we spotted another Hooded Oriole and a Western Tanager. We shared conversation as we made it back to our cars for our farewells.
I want to thank this extremely observant and helpful group for a marvelous day. You all make the trip exciting and fresh. My gratitude to Dan Bloch for his help and keen eyes. I enjoyed sharing the lead work with you. Together we are stronger, but the more the merrier. Days like these keep bringing me back to do these walks.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
