Date: 7/15/25 1:01 pm From: Joe Morlan via groups.io <jmorlan...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Northern Pygmy Owls in eBird
On Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:37:26 -0700, "Chuck & Lillian via groups.io"
<misclists...> wrote:
> I have not, however, figured out a way to tell Merlin that on these two ID's, at least, they are in error.
One of the more frustrating failings of Merlin. You can say "That's my
bird" but no way to say that the rail calling from the marsh is not a Bald
Eagle.
Date: 7/15/25 11:40 am From: Chuck & Lillian via groups.io <misclists...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] Northern Pygmy Owls in eBird
Hi Lance, et. al.
I don't have much experience with the Merlin app, but my sessions with it on my Samsung pad lead me to believe that while it may be reasonably accurate in SoCal on songs and clear, sufficiently loud call notes, but on marginally volumed "chip" notes, it stinks. I'm quite sure that no Northern Cardinal lives among the House Sparrows in my backyard bougainvillea bush, and there is no Osprey in my bottlebrush tree. I have not, however, figured out a way to tell Merlin that on these two ID's, at least, they are in error.
This may be part, or all, of your spurious Pygmy Owl report problems. On a side, historical note, when pocket calculators first appeared 60 years ago, they didn't work perfectly, yet people turned off their questioning brains and accepted obviously wrong answers, such 105 - 10 = 10. Brains evolve far more slowly than electronics.
Chuck Almdale North San Fernando Valley
At 09:49 PM 7/14/2025, Lance Benner wrote: >Hi Everyone, > >There have been numerous reports of northern pygmy owls submitted to >eBird from the San Gabriel Mountains recently. Many of these are >supported by documentation and are correct, but some do not have >sufficient (or any) documentation and probably won't be accepted. > >Pygmy owls in Los Angeles County are treated as "rare" in eBird due >to confusion beween their toots with similar sounds made by several >other species: Merriam's chipmunk, lodgepole chipmunk, various >squirrels, northern saw-whet owl, mountain quail, and Townsend's solitaire. > >There have been many instances where observers reported the owls >based on sounds alone without realizing that there are several >possible and common sources of confusion. In some cases observers >have uploaded recordings into eBird that turned out to be squirrels >and chipmunks. > >Consequently, if you think you've found a northern pygmy owl in >southern California, PLEASE document it! If you think you hear one, >try to obtain recordings--your cell phone is probably sufficiently >sensitive to do this, and in most cases, fancy equipment isn't >necessary. If you see a bird, please photograph it and/or provide a >detailed written description of what the bird looks like. > >To address this issue, a few years back I gave a presentation for >Los Angeles Birders on confusing owl sounds in southern >California. The talk includes examples of sounds made by pygmy owls >and the other species mentioned above, shows sonograms, and >discusses techniques to distinguish them. The talk was recorded and >is available online at: > ><https://www.labirders.org/webinars/confusing_bird_sounds.html>https://www.labirders.org/webinars/confusing_bird_sounds.html > >Briefly, the west coast northern pygmy owl male toots are typically >at a frequency (or pitch) of about 1100 Hz, occur at intervals of >roughly 2 seconds, and last 2-3x longer than chipmunk calls, which >are also usually at a higher pitch. There are variations, of >course, such as female pygmy owl toots at about 1300-1500 Hz >(although uncommon), rapid toots, and so on. Pygmy owl toots are >usually at a distinctly slower cadence than those made by northern >saw-whet owls, which are often (but not always) at a slightly higher pitch. > >The Merlin recording app can correctly identify northern pygmy >owls...but it isn't always right! It regularly gets confused by >squirrels and chipmunks, and last I checked, it doesn't do very well >with mountain quail. Thus, if Merlin indicates that you recorded a >pygmy owl, that is NOT sufficient documentation to establish the >identity of the bird. > >Using the Merlin app on a phone will also show a real-time sonogram, >which is really helpful, but unfortunately the sensitivity of Merlin >is not as good as other apps. I recommend using Song Meter Touch >(which also shows sonograms) or Voice Record Pro; both are more >sensitive than Merlin and are free. > >Regards, > >Lance > >Lance Benner >Pasadena >On behalf of Los Angeles Birders
Date: 7/14/25 9:49 pm From: Lance Benner via groups.io <lbenner...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Northern Pygmy Owls in eBird
Hi Everyone, There have been numerous reports of northern pygmy owls submitted to eBird from the San Gabriel Mountains recently. Many of these are supported by documentation and are correct, but some do not have sufficient (or any) documentation and probably won't be accepted. Pygmy owls in Los Angeles County are treated as "rare" in eBird due to confusion beween their toots with similar sounds made by several other species: Merriam's chipmunk, lodgepole chipmunk, various squirrels, northern saw-whet owl, mountain quail, and Townsend's solitaire. There have been many instances where observers reported the owls based on sounds alone without realizing that there are several possible and common sources of confusion. In some cases observers have uploaded recordings into eBird that turned out to be squirrels and chipmunks. Consequently, if you think you've found a northern pygmy owl in southern California, PLEASE document it! If you think you hear one, try to obtain recordings--your cell phone is probably sufficiently sensitive to do this, and in most cases, fancy equipment isn't necessary. If you see a bird, please photograph it and/or provide a detailed written description of what the bird looks like. To address this issue, a few years back I gave a presentation for Los Angeles Birders on confusing owl sounds in southern California. The talk includes examples of sounds made by pygmy owls and the other species mentioned above, shows sonograms, and discusses techniques to distinguish them. The talk was recorded and is available online at: https://www.labirders.org/webinars/confusing_bird_sounds.html Briefly, the west coast northern pygmy owl male toots are typically at a frequency (or pitch) of about 1100 Hz, occur at intervals of roughly 2 seconds, and last 2-3x longer than chipmunk calls, which are also usually at a higher pitch. There are variations, of course, such as female pygmy owl toots at about 1300-1500 Hz (although uncommon), rapid toots, and so on. Pygmy owl toots are usually at a distinctly slower cadence than those made by northern saw-whet owls, which are often (but not always) at a slightly higher pitch. The Merlin recording app can correctly identify northern pygmy owls...but it isn't always right! It regularly gets confused by squirrels and chipmunks, and last I checked, it doesn't do very well with mountain quail. Thus, if Merlin indicates that you recorded a pygmy owl, that is NOT sufficient documentation to establish the identity of the bird. Using the Merlin app on a phone will also show a real-time sonogram, which is really helpful, but unfortunately the sensitivity of Merlin is not as good as other apps. I recommend using Song Meter Touch (which also shows sonograms) or Voice Record Pro; both are more sensitive than Merlin and are free. Regards, Lance Lance BennerPasadenaOn behalf of Los Angeles Birders _._,_._,_
Date: 7/14/25 11:39 am From: Luke Tiller via groups.io <luke.tiller...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pasadena Audubon Society Fall Pelagic - September 28th
Hi all,
After initially being only open to members the PAS Fall pelagic is now open
to booking for non-members. Details of the trip below.
Luke Tiller, Altadena
Sunday, September 28, from 7 am to 4 pm
Location: Dana Point (24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629)
Price: $135 per person
After another successful trip last year we’re excited to announce our dates
for 2025’s dedicated pelagic! We will depart from Dana Point in Orange
County on the Ocean Institute Explorer. This nine-hour trip will help us
connect with species that are harder to see from just your average whale
watch and chartering the boat will allow us to focus specifically on the
birds. Trip report from 2023 here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/158393 and
2024 here https://ebird.org/tripreport/369158
We will be providing expert pelagic tour leaders for this trip to help pick
out interesting species. Birds that might be encountered include a variety
of shearwaters, jaegers, phalaropes, alcids, gulls, and terns. One of our
main targets will be the rafts of storm-petrels that gather offshore in
September which may include both Black, Ashy, and Least. Uncommon and rare
species seen on prior trips have included: Nazca Booby, Red-billed
Tropicbird and Craveri’s Murrelet, with potential for many others.
Please note that all ticket sales are final, except in the event of trip
cancellation. We will, however, allow transfers and do our best to assist
those who need it.
By traveling on their boat, this trip also helps support the non-profit
Ocean Institute, whose work focuses on marine science, environmental
education, and maritime history.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for July 12, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER continued at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park through July 10.
Two WHITE-WINGED DOVES were at the Dominguez Gap Wetlands in Long Beach on July 6.
One BLACK SWIFT was seen along Cobal Canyon Motorway above Claremont on July 6. Late afternoon is the time to look for them.
A SCRIPPSS MURRELET was unusual so close to shore at the Ballona Creek mouth on July 6.
A LAYSAN ALBATROSS was observed offshore south of San Pedro on July 6.
From one to a few CALIFORNIA CONDORS continued to be seen along Ridge Route Road through July 8. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through July 12. It often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course, but may be seen anywhere in the general area.
Several PURPLE MARTINS continued at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through July 10.
Another PURPLE MARTIN was seen from Ridge Route Road north of Castaic on July 8.
AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through July 10. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
-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
Date: 7/6/25 10:56 am From: Jonathan Feenstra via groups.io <feenstra...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Scripps’s Murrelet, MDR, 7/6/25
Perhaps old news, but there is a Scripps's Murrelet in the harbor entrance at Marina Del Rey, about 2/3 of the way out between the two northern jetties.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for July 5, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER continued at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park through July 4.
Small and varying numbers of CALIFORNIA CONDORS (up to five) continued to be seen along Ridge Route Road through July 4. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through July 4. It often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course, but may be seen anywhere in the general area.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 29 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Up to five PURPLE MARTINS continued at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through July 3 and two more were off the Angeles Crest Highway along Barley Flats Road on July 3.
AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through July 4. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
-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
Have you ever wondered why flickers, with their striking colors, look so
different across regions? Or what happens when Eastern Yellow-shafted and
Western Red-shafted flickers meet? Join us as Dr. Aguillon shares her
research on these fascinating “Flicker intergrades” and what they reveal
about genetic diversity and adaptation in bird populations. Using
cutting-edge genomic sequencing, Dr. Aguillon will guide us through the
story of flicker coloration and the exciting science behind it.
This is a unique opportunity to dive deep into bird genetics and explore
what makes these vibrant woodpeckers so distinct. Whether you’re a birder,
scientist, or just curious, this talk will bring the beauty of flickers—and
the science of coloration—into a whole new light!
This webinar will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel
<https://tinyurl.com/2y6efp3f> and will also be recorded for later viewing.
Please use the YouTube link above (alternatively:
https://tinyurl.com/2y6efp3f) which will take you directly to LAB’s main
page, where the live webinar should be visible once it begins at 7pm.
Become a LAB Member! Though our webinars will always remain free and
available to all, members of Los Angeles Birders have access to live
webinars via Zoom, invitations to special LAB-only field trips, priority
sign-up on LAB field trips & events, and discounts on paid LAB programs. To
learn more about membership, please see our website
<https://www.labirders.org/>!
Looking for a past webinar? Don’t forget that a list of all of our
previously recorded webinars <https://www.labirders.org/webinars.html> is
available on our website – which might come in handy if you want to study
up before a field trip, or if you're looking to build your birding skills
from home! Just scroll all the way down, past our upcoming and most recent
online programs and you'll find a list of webinars sorted by category.
These recordings are all viewable via our YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbAhQTFVaeowMCl-sD2e0g> page.
Upcoming Programs
7/6 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field trip)
- FULL
7/11 Birds and Books with Rebecca Marschall (field trip) - FULL
7/26 Mt. Pinos with Spencer Seale (field trip)
8/3 First Sundays at the Huntington with Katy Mann (member-only field trip)
Date: 6/29/25 9:16 pm From: Naresh Satyan via groups.io <naresh.satyan...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Bridge Fire closure lifted; birds in the mountains and offshore
Hi all,
The Angeles National Forest made an abrupt U-turn and terminated the Bridge Fire closure order that was supposed to last until May 2026, and opened up everything as of June 20, 2025: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/angeles/alerts/bridge-fire-area-closure-terminated. That means everything in the Bridge Fire closure area is now open: parts of the high country such as Blue Ridge and the old Baldy trail, Glendora Mountain Road, the Bridge to Nowhere etc. Many of the access roads are still closed (Angeles Crest Highway, Glendora Mountain Road etc) but the forest is technically open.
Today I went on a hike in Cattle Canyon, which starts just below Heaton Flat where the Bridge Fire originated. The devastation due to the fire is extreme in the area, with all the hillsides burned down completely to the ground. I was amazed that they hastened to open up this part of the forest, but of all the things the government is doing that don't make any sense, I will not complain about having access to public lands. Patches of riparian vegetation have survived in the canyon, and I found a few breeding birds. Fire-followers like Lazuli Buntings and Lawrence's Goldfinches were well-represented, but also most of the usual breeding birds. I also found a couple of American Dippers 3 miles up the canyon -- I've been meaning to go look for them in this canyon for a few years, and I was glad to find them there, even after the fire damage to the canyon. eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S255471669
Part of the reason I got a late start on a hot day was because some of us went on a pelagic trip yesterday to faraway San Clemente basin (southeast of San Clemente island), and it was a tiring and somewhat rough ride back. There were relatively few birds until we got south of the island, but we found the usual suspects once we got there. Good numbers of Pink-footed Shearwaters offshore, about a dozen Cook's Petrels, a few Craveri's Murrelets, two Black-footed Albatrosses, and a small number of Ashy and Leach's Storm-Petrels to go with the more numerous Black Storm-Petrels. Trip report is here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/389897
Date: 6/29/25 8:23 pm From: Jon Fisher via groups.io <JonF60...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Los Angeles RBA- June 29 2025
- RBA
* California
* Los Angeles RBA
* June 29, 2025
* CALA2506.29
-Birds mentioned
Inca Dove
Franklins Gull
Brown Pelican
California Condor
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
Burrowing Owl
Purple Martin
American Dipper
Graces Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
California Bird Records Committee (report rarities as appropriate on the rare bird report form): http://www.californiabirds.org/
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for June 29, 2025.
An INCA DOVE was in Lake Los Angeles along Sweetaire Ave. west of 169th Street East on June 28.
A FRANKLINS GULL was at Malibu Lagoon on June 26.
A BROWN PELICAN continued at Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley through June 27.
Up to seven CALIFORNIA CONDORS continued to be seen along the Ridge Route Road through June 27. Google Maps 34.5725, -118.6650
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through June 28. It most often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 26 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Two PURPLE MARTINS were at Chilao Campground near the meadow area through June 24 and two more were along the Angeles Crest Highway at the mile marker 42 pullout on June 22.
Another PURPLE MARTIN was at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh on June 21.
Up to four AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through June 26. Google Maps 34.3506, -117.9077
A GRACES WARBLER continued along the entrance road to Horse Flats Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains through June 22. Google Maps 34.3487, -118.0093
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in Lakewood on June 23.
An INDIGO BUNTING was along the Chaney Trail Corridor above Altadena on June 25. Google Maps 34.2074, -118.1507
-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
Date: 6/24/25 9:25 am From: Nancy Salem via groups.io <nansalem...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Pigeon Guillemot in Belmont Shore
Hello,
A juvenile Pigeon Guillemot was swimming fairly close to shore in Belmont Shore. According to Sibley’s Guide, juveniles are usually seen starting in August. So I was hesitant at first, nevertheless surprised!
Initially seen closer to Rosie’s Dog Beach, then drifted east. Rough coordinates:
Date: 6/22/25 10:47 am From: Al Borodayko via groups.io <adboro...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Swallow-tailed Kite Continues 22 Jun 2025
The swallow-tailed Kite continues this morning, Sunday, at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park. It was in one of the Palm Trees next to the northernmost viewing/fishing platform. It preened for a while, then lifted off, circled and drifted south toward the refinery. It was probably about 8:00 - 9:00AM. Others were there to see it as well.
This is the Los Angeles Rare Bird Alert for June 21, 2025.
A HOODED MERGANSER was at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City through June 17.
A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was observed briefly at the Ballona Freshwater Marsh on June 21.
Up to three BLACK SWIFTS were above Claremont Wilderness Park from June 15-18.
The continuing SWALLOW-TAILED KITE at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City was seen through June 21. It most often prefers the north end of the lake and golf course.
A BURROWING OWL continued at the Fish Docks in San Pedro through June 18 near Harbor Blvd. and West 22nd Street.
Two PURPLE MARTINS were at Chilao Campground from June 15-20 near the meadow.
Up to three AMERICAN DIPPERS continued along the Burkhart Trail below Buckhorn Campground through June 19.
A GRACES WARBLER was along the entrance road to Horse Flats Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains on June 21.
An INDIGO BUNTING was on San Clemente Island (no public access) on June 16.
Santa Catalina Island had a CAPE MAY WARLER, an ORCHARD ORIOLE and a TENNESSEE WARBLER on June 14 in the Thompson Reservoir area and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and a NORTHERN PARULA in Avalon the same day.
-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
Date: 6/19/25 9:42 am From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Claremont "vagrant", Black Swifts
Ahoy, 1. I had a singing uncooperative (is there any other kind?) Fox Sparrow in suburban Claremont at the intersection of Bucknell and Doane this morning. That is one of the few birds that other people have had at Wheeler Park that I have never had up until this morning. Becky Turley had one here vaguely 10 years ago and it's been bothering me ever since. 2. Whenever I walk Duke around 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning, I do not see Swinhoe's White-eyes in the park but I am reliably seeing them when I take him for a walk at 8:00 a.m. they are consistently in a small eucalyptus tree with extensive filamentous red flowers on the immediate west edge of the Vista Elementary School parking lot. (I am sure that everybody who regularly walks their neighborhood or some local park has observed that you consistently get a different set of birds at 6:00 a.m. versus 7:00 a.m. versus 9:00 a.m.) The Allen's Hummingbirds are consistently very aggressive towards the Swinhoe's White-eyes. 3. There will be a Black Swift walk organized by Pomona Valley Audubon Society on Sunday, July 13th. It is held this late on purpose to make sure the weather is horrible and miserable and hot. Info available online. Bring bug spray. Seriously, do not leave home without bug spray. I'm going to do another scouting trip somewhere in the next 4 days. If you want to attend this trip, plan on being there for hours and standing around with no bathroom. It is a steep walk up a dirt road in the heat. https://pomonavalleyaudubon.org/field-trips/ Thomas Geza Miko Claremont, LA County 909.241.3300 " ... there's a relationship between attention span and morality. I think that, if you shorten people's attention span a great deal, you are left with only the attraction of power."--Marcel Ophuls 1978
Date: 6/18/25 5:30 pm From: Luke Tiller via groups.io <luke.tiller...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Tonight's Pasadena Audubon Meeting - Everything you always wanted to know about eBird with John Garrett
Luke Tiller - President, Pasadena Audubon Society.
Everything you always wanted to know about eBird with John Garrett
Every year, birders around the world submit millions of observations to
eBird, helping to create one of the largest biodiversity datasets ever
assembled. In this talk, John Garrett shares how that information is being
used to advance science and conservation—and just as importantly, how
birders can use eBird to sharpen their skills, find birds more effectively,
and contribute to something bigger in the process. We’ll also look at how
data quality is maintained behind the scenes and why your checklist really
does matter.
John Garrett is a Project Coordinator at eBird. His role is focused on
scaling our data quality process as eBird continues to grow; this involves
coordinating eBird’s team of 2000+ reviewers as well as steering and
testing new developments on web and mobile. While he now lives in Ithaca,
NY, he is from Pasadena and occasionally helps review eBird records for Los
Angeles County.
Date: 6/18/25 2:23 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: [LACoBirds] SBVAS pelagic trip: Saturday, August 30
San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a 10-hour pelagic trip to the nearshore waters between Dana Point and Catalina Island on Saturday, August 30, 2025. We will be departing from Dana Point aboard the R/V Sea Explorer at 7:00 AM and returning at 5:00 PM. This extended trip should allow us time to reach and spend some time at the north end of Thirty Mile Bank or the Catalina Escarpment after travelling through Orange County waters. We have a reasonable probability of seeing the following sought-after pelagic species on this trip: Black, Leach’s, Least, and Ashy Storm-Petrels, Long-tailed Jaeger, Craveri's Murrelet, Sabine’s Gull, and Arctic Tern. Additionally, it is a good time of year to find rarer species such as Black-footed Albatross, Red-billed Tropicbird, South Polar Skua, Townsend's Storm-Petrel, and any number of boobies. The cost for the trip is $150 per person. To reserve a space on the trip, email me (see below) with your name and phone number, the number of spaces you want to reserve, and the names of those in your party.
The Sea Explorer is a 65-foot research vessel with plenty of standing room, bench seating on both the upper and lower decks, and an interior salon with limited seating. There is no galley on board, so you should bring your own lunch for this 10-hour excursion. Weather at sea is often cool relative to the mainland, and can be unpredictable. It is recommended that you dress in layers including a light rain jacket for potential sea spray (or even rain). A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential. Bring your binoculars and cameras, but leave your spotting scopes at home. There are a number of over-the-counter preventative seasickness treatments available; consult with your doctor if you think you will need them. They are most effective when taken before you get on the boat; do not wait until you are sick. If you have any questions regarding the trip, please contact Tom Benson: thomasabenson AT aol.com.
