Southern California December 2017 (1 Viewer)

Taking advantage of Liz’s holiday work schedule, we flew to Los Angeles for 12 days exploring Southern California. This was our first time as birders in this part of the US although we have traveled and birded west a few times before, most recently to southeast Arizona
(http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=349678).
Locations were selected mainly for their potential for new birds. The inland, desert sites are very hot in the summer months, making winter a potentially more comfortable season to visit. Or not. More on that later.
Raging fires in counties north of LA had us wondering about our timing since our first two days were to be spent in Ventura county where the largest fire in CA history was ongoing. Daily and even hourly, we watched the news on this fire and others in the area. Near departure time, the fires were moving north, taking their terrible, destructive path away from the area we hoped to cover.

Day 1
We rented a sedan from Enterprise, with whom we’ve had good luck, and drove north along the coast towards Oxnard, stopping for a birding break at Malibu Lagoon Park where we released some travel tension by circling a small pond and marsh, seeking a Ridgeway’s Rail that was recently reported. No rail found but the leg stretch was very welcome. We started out our CA list with 16 common species, missing the i.d. of 4 large parakeets flying quickly past. It was nearly dark by the time we reached our Airbnb location so birding that day was limited. Bird list here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41090045

Day 2
An hour birding on the Ventura beach in early morning produced expected species such as Brown Pelicans, Sanderlings, Willets, Western and Herring Gulls and a single Snowy Plover.
We boarded the boat to take us to the Channel Islands (http://islandpackers.com/santa-cruz-island/) and ferried across first to Scorpion Anchorage then Prisoner’s Harbor, where we disembarked. A faint, smoky haze was visible from the massive wildfires in upper Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Species on the way there included the hoped for Black-vented Shearwater, our usual poor view of a flying away Cassin’s Auklet, one Common Murre, a number of Brandt’s Cormorants and the distinctive Heermann’s Gull.
We birded the next several hours with our new friend from LA, Taylor, whom we met on the boat. First bird was the endemic sub-species of the Orange-crowned Warbler. Hearing the Island Scrub Jays was not so difficult but initial views were limited. Sparrows seen included our only second sightings of Golden-crowned Sparrows, which are fairly common wintering birds in California. We had no trouble seeing the endemic and photogenic Island Foxes. After some time on our own, a pair of Nature Conservancy volunteers led us on a hike with better Scrub Jay views along with distant views of the channel. Other notable birds were Acorn Woodpeckers, Spotted Towhees, Hermit Thrushes and a pair of bold Ravens.
Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41099762
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41109636
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41114013

Snowy Plover from the beach and more Santa Cruz Island photos.

Day 3
Our birding day started at Mugu Rock, an easy viewing point for the crashing surf below. A good number of Surf Scoters were diving in the rough waters at base. Many Brown Pelicans flew past, assumed to be the California sub-species since they breed on nearby Channel Islands. One loon dove, never to be seen again.
The Christmas Bird Count was taking place that day and we chatted with four counters that had set up with their scopes. Moving down the coast a few miles, we parked and walked into Sycamore Canyon for some shore bound species. Stepping out of the car, we laid eyes on our first CA Thrasher, in amongst a good number of White-crowned Sparrows and CA Towhees. Walking on several trails until well after the midday hour was enjoyable; various common western songbirds were in good numbers. Exotic Nanday Parakeets sunned in a dead oak paying little attention to a nearby American Kestrel. CA Scrub Jays were abundant, CA Quail scrabbled about and cried “Ah!” in the underbrush, the Oak Titmouse was a bird we hadn’t seen in years, Dark-eyed Juncos of the Oregon race gleaned crumbs around the picnic tables, one Red-tailed Hawk soared overhead and our first hummingbird, an Anna’s, gave us fits trying to catch that shimmering red gorget. The yellow-throated or Audubon’s race of Yellow-rumped Warblers were very common. Meeting a pair of birders doing the Christmas count, we were given instructions on where to look for Wrentit, a true west coast bird. Following those directions, we found them immediately, an engaging species, not shy at all.
Another helpful directive given to us by our friends in Sycamore Canyon was details on finding Bell’s Sparrow, not long split from the Sagebrush Sparrow of the interior deserts. We were warned that the Chumash Trail would be tough and a leg killer it was. 900 feet (275M) up in 3/4 of a mile (1.2K) brought us nice views, laboring lungs and into the habitat of Bell’s Sparrows. The level path in the low scrub of the hillside was fairly exposed to the western sun; birds were somewhat scarce though White-crowned Sparrows, CA Towhees and the Audubon’s race of the Yellow-rumped Warbler kept our interest. We were retracing our steps when Liz spotted our bird, far downslope but showing well. A smartly colored bird; my photo does not do it justice.
A nice view of a Rufous-crowned Sparrow on the steep walk down capped off our late day trek.
Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41138452
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41138308

Sycamore Canyon Hawk and Chumash trail photos.

Day 4
The plan was to travel west, through the heart of Los Angeles county, where potential for gridlocked traffic had us concerned about the progress we would make. As it was, we encountered none of that, allowing time to visit two parks within the county boundaries. The targets here were mostly any exotic species that LA is known for as well as the wintering Gray Flycatcher and the endemic CA Gnatcatcher. I picked two of the many choices hat seemed to have good potential - Peck Rd. Water Conservation Park and Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. Both parks have plenty of fresh water with expected waterfowl. Shovelers, Western Grebes, Ruddy Ducks and American Coots were at both parks. Passerines included Say’s Phoebe, Cassin’s Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, White-throated Swift, Bushtit, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Lincoln’s Sparrow. We completely missed seeing any species we hoped for at either park although the birding breaks in our four hour drive made for an almost leisurely drive. It was particularly breezy, dusty at times, so we’ll use that as an excuse for our bland list.
Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41166815
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41166819

Day 5
Temperatures around 34º (around 1C) greeted us as we parked at Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree National Park. Cactus Wrens were active and we picked out a pair of neatly attired Black-throated Sparrows among the much more common White-crowned. It wasn’t long after looking at a number of CA Scrub Jays that we found several Pinyon Jays, foraging in the Joshua Trees or warming up in the yuccas. Dressed conservatively in muted shades of blue, they were nevertheless a much appreciated sight as we had searched for them in several western states. We watched as three of these birds flew off and joined a large and distant flock of other jays which we would assume to be more of the same species.
That species now on our life list, a good hike was in order. We chose the convenient Panorama trail, a 6.5 mile loop with significant elevation gain. Even in this cold season, there were so many life forms to distract us from moving forward, slow progress was made initially. Then, we arrived at the steeper sections and our footsteps were shortened for another reason. So, nearly 5 enjoyable hours and many photo stops to complete the loop. As expected, we added several bird species. Several Oak Titmice, gray birds in a gray environment, foraged in the gnarled and stunted oak trees which the Scrub Jays also made use of. Bewick’s Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, a woodpecker we judged to be a possible Nuttall’s/Ladder-backed hybrid, White-breasted Nuthatch and Rock Wren were all singles of their species. On the south side of the 5100 foot (1554M) peak, we found a Loggerhead Shrike, hunting lizards in the warming rocks.
Our day ended with a drive and short walk to the Barker Dam area in the park. A small pond was here, providing convenient water to all desert creatures. We found the first Phainopepla’s of the trip on the walk in and Lesser Goldfinches at the water.
Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41186081
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41185996
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41185952

More from our first day at Joshua Tree.

Day 6
We returned to the park the following day with intent to explore the desert further and with faint hopes of finding a LeConte’s Thrasher, ghost bird of the desert. On Park Boulevard at 7 am, we stopped briefly in the middle of a bevy of two dozen Gambel’s Quail. Nearby, at Quail Springs, we birded the desert floor from the parking area down to the dry stream bed with a smallish list of species, certainly no Thrasher.
From there, we continued on a short distance to Hidden Valley, hiking and birding for nearly two hours among the jumble of rocks. A fair amount of sparrows, mostly Black-throated, were in the short grasses. One Brewer’s Sparrows, several White-crowned and a few Juncos added some variety.
By the time we reached Ryan Mountain, a silly urge to take on another steep, rocky mountain came over us and off we went. This was half the length of the Panorama Loop but the same elevation change. if you do the math, the sum equals steep. Few birds heard or seen on this head down, huffer and puffer of a hike. The views were very nice and I frequently would stop to study them at great length. At least, on the way up… The two birds identified were Wrens, Rock and Cactus.
A drive to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden brought us near the end of the day but, leaving the park, we stopped for another short stroll on the very level Boy Scout trail. Fading light and chill stopped us from traveling too far. A Sagebrush Sparrow, the avian twin for a Bell’s Sparrow, was seen on trail’s edge.

Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41205623
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41205663
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41205996

Joshua Tree continued...

Last two from day two in Joshua Tree.

Day 7
Not in our original plans, eBird reports of Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Pinyon Jays in the San Jacinto mountains had us driving there on this chilly morning. At 4400 feet (1341M), Lake Hemet greeted us with 24º temps (-4C) but clear skies and a nearly immediate sighting of a Lewis’s Woodpecker. Before we could park and leave the car, I stopped a man driving slowly past us and made an instant connection with Duncan, whose last name we never knew. He is a wildlife biologist, keen on local birds and knew the birder who had been reporting the woodpeckers. When he found out we were also hoping for the elusive and unlikely Lawrence’s Goldfinch, he had us follow him to a friend’s house where we saw them almost as we exited our car. In the yard were a pair of Lewis’s Woodpeckers, Acorn Woodpeckers and our first Purple Finches of the trip. Lesser Goldfinches and Western Bluebirds crowded the water dish that also attracted White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. No seed required; these birds were after water.
We returned to explore Lake Hemet Road. The lake itself held only Coots but more Lewis’s were sighted. Mountain Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow and Pine Siskin were added to the trip list. Two Red-tailed Hawks and an American Kestrel were noted but the prize find was a small spring behind a utility shed. Like the water dish we’d just watched, this spring drew a constant stream of various birds.
We left around midday, driving back east, looking for and finding the Ramona trailhead, an eBird hotspot. A large flock of Pinyon Jays were in the pines around the gravel parking area but moved quickly away as we exited the car. I caught one brief glimpse of a White-headed Woodpecker moving with them.
A few miles further, the next stop was a brief walk on the breezy, chilly and birdless Pacific Crest Trail, which crossed the highway. We drove on, losing about 4000 feet in elevation to the Coachella Valley, ending up at the Coachella Valley Preserve, home to a stand of the stately CA fan palm. Situated nearly directly over the central section of the San Andreas Fault, as was much of the Coachella Valley, our visit was fortunately not interrupted by the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate having a squabble. After the pines and chill of the mountains, the landscape of tall, shaggy palms surrounded by desert tumbleweeds was a bit surreal. We enjoyed our warm, afternoon ramble before a short drive to Indio where we stayed the night at yet another Airbnb location.

Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41224343
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41224351
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41224359

Two from the Coachella Preserve.

Day 8
The quest for LeConte’s Thrasher continued with our plans to enter Joshua Tree from the south side, exploring the Cottonwood Springs area. EBird reports for the previous three years indicated this was the best site in the area for that species.
Just about every birding adventure has a time when the weather conditions hit a low point and birding takes a back seat to just getting through the day. Today was that day. Strong winds and 37º (3C) waited for us at the parking lot. Apparently inflexible and determined in our goal, we set out on the Mastodon Peak trail, exposed to the rugged conditions. Phainopepla’s and Black-throated Sparrows were the most numerous birds when we could lift our heads to use binoculars. Cresting a rock strewn hillside, the wind gusts were often strong enough to nearly stop us in mid-step. I later conservatively calculated the wind chill to 14º (-10C). Despite paying an exorbitant price, the Thrasher eluded us. We surrendered and crawled stiffly into the car 3 miles (4.8K) later. Once our fingers were working again, we tried in vain for the Thrasher in the nearby campground, giving up easily in the continuing cold.
A drive in the warm car took us deeper into Joshua Tree NP to the Ocotillo Forest. Visions of feeding frenzies of hummingbirds disappeared when we discovered the Ocotillos were not in bloom though, on our hike, we had seen quite a few with flowers.
An insane desire to find a LeConte’s Thrasher took us on a level walk in the desert at Porcupine Wash. The conditions had not improved much; once again, we didn’t last long. Not a bird was seen.
Time for reason to prevail. Driving west and substantially lower through the golf course centered towns of Indio and Palm Desert, we sought out warmth and birds at the San Jacinto Visitor Center and were not disappointed. A pair of Verdins in the dense vegetation and a perplexing Ladder-backed/Nuttall’s Woodpecker tapped upside-down in a low tree. Seed on the ground and hummingbird feeders attracting several Costa’s Hummingbirds were the center of activity at the Visitor’s Center building. A new hummingbird for Liz and only my second sighting, we counted at least four of the Costa’s. A few short trails adjacent to the building had native vegetation planted and labeled, giving us another reason to linger in the relative warmth and calm of the late afternoon.
The shortest day of the year at an end, we picked up Chinese takeout for supper, confident the weather could only get better tomorrow.

Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41241669
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41241645

Day 9
Dark and still breezy, we drove south a short distance to the Salton Sea. Formed by the overflowing Colorado River which, over one hundred years ago, emptied into a low spot in the desert. So low, in fact, that the surface is over 200 feet (61M) below sea level. The water has a high salt content and for now, provides an immense wintering habitat for many ducks and gulls. The surrounding agricultural areas and marshy refuges along the shoreline hold thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. We came for this spectacle and for several other particular species.
We bypassed most of the of the lake’s northeast, hoping to put our time into the more productive southeast section. This end of the lake, down to the Mexican border about 40 miles away (64K), was a grid of agricultural lands, marshes, geothermal plants and even an algae farm. Small towns were set evenly throughout; only the main roads were paved. The entire day disappeared exploring side roads, shorelines, fields and several sections of the Imperial Water District, the company that supplies local famers with water from the Colorado River. It was at one of these sections that we stopped to look at at least 1000 Red-winged Blackbirds and picked out a half dozen Yellow-headed Blackbirds.
Other species seen on these back roads were Peregrine Falcon, Savannah Sparrow, Cinnamon Teal, White-faced Ibis, many Northern Pintails, White Pelicans, Western and Eared Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Sora, Dowitchers, Wilson’s Snipe, Marsh Wrens, Great-Tailed Grackles, American Avocets, Marbled Godwits, Willets, Least Sandpipers and, rare for the area, a single Reddish Egret. In one grassy field, we watched 60 Long-Billed Curlews foraging. Other common species made for great diversity without including our visit to the Sonny Bono NWR.
On the first visit to the Sonny Bono Visitor Center, we did not venture far from the building. The feeders there were attracting Common Ground-Doves and pair of Abert’s Towhees besides the usual White-crowned Sparrows and a few House Sparrows. The first batch of Snow Geese were in an adjacent field. Later, we would call this an “average” size flock of 1500.
After a stop at a site on the Alamo River, we returned to the VC and luckily found that the Burrowing Owls had left their drainpipe burrow to bask in the warming sun. Our only Roadrunner of the trip was seen then; we had expected they would be more common, especially in the desert areas we visited. Driving away, we made an abrupt stop for what I first thought was a Sharp-shinned Hawk but became a “Prairie” Merlin in perfect lighting.
Further on, at the southernmost point of the Salton Sea, is Unit of the refuge. We walked a bit here with another 2000 Snow Geese split into several fields. Sandhill Cranes were there in numbers also. At times, both large birds were in the air together honking and bugling. We had been and continued to hear Rails calling but were only able to see the Soras. A pair of Western Meadowlarks, Say’s and Black Phoebes, a Loggerhead Shrike and a sizable group of 50 Cattle Egrets added to the mix. Raptors were represented by a Northern Harrier and another Peregrine Falcon. Near the end of the day, we watched 10 Wilson’s Snipe in their favorite habitat of mud and sparse grass.
With temperatures reaching 60 degrees (15C), without much in the way of wind, we’d had a very pleasant day.

Some of the bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41249621
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41249872
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41254164
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41254167
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41254150
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41257996
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41257993

Salton Sea continued.

Day 10
Our morning began just a few miles away from our Motel 6 in Brawley. Bird reports led us to some obscure intersection with farm fields that had just the right habitat for wintering Mountain Plovers. We split up out of the car, Liz going west and I, east. In no time, she texted me that she’d found them and I joined her to watch a short grass field scattered with feeding Plovers. Though most were far off, their soft, brown plumage stood out from the short, green vegetation. We estimated 120, nearly the same amount as the 150 Brewer’s Blackbirds I’d seen in the opposite direction.
That set a happy tone for the morning and we returned to Unit One of the Sonny Bono refuge. Snow Geese often hold a Ross’s Goose or two but we did not find any though our efforts at a species we’d seen several times were not prolonged. We spied a juvenile Bald Eagle, thinking Golden Eagle at first, more harriers, a few Green-winged Teal, a Common Yellowthroat and all the birds of yesterday. Our target was the Ridgway’s Rail but none even sounded off for us on this visit.
On our way north to the Visitor Center, we stopped at two unintended locations. The first roadside view held 300 Long-billed Curlews, making our previous count of 60 look inconsequential. At another, a half-dozen Kestrels darted and hovered over a field of what we think were American Pipits but couldn’t quite be certain of our identification.
We reached and walked for a couple of hours around the nearby fields and ponds to a promontory called “Rock Hill”. There was the usual assortment of Snow Geese, ducks, herons and egrets, a flyby Caspian Tern, dowitchers and one Belted Kingfisher. Passerines included a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Song Sparrow, Say’s and Black Phoebes, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Marsh Wrens. Still comparatively warm, we enjoyed the outing.
The day was aging rapidly. With time for one last site, we revisited the Alamo River where we had seen Soras and heard the Ridgway’s Rail. The slowly fading light as evening approached timing was apparently the missing ingredient for being able to actually see the Rail. Standing as still as possible and speaking in whispers, we eventually good views of one and believe there was another close by.

Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41265251
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41279510
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41270326
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41271134
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41279458
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41279822

Late day Salton Sea birds.

Day 11
Another long traveling day scheduled. With multiple birding stops planned, there was no guessing when we might actually reach our coastal destination. North and west we drove, to Borrego Springs and its outskirts, walking two desert locations with visions of LeConte’s Thrashers on our lists. I think in 90 minutes of walking, temperatures in the 30’s (0-3C) and a crystal clear sky, we saw a half dozen birds, none were, sadly enough, the Thrasher. We did see a dried up lake and many steep, mountainous hillsides, reported to hold Bighorn Sheep.
A stop in the town center gave us a White-winged Dove for the trip list. The balance of the morning hours, we visited and ate lunch at the Borrego Springs Visitor Center, just west of the town. As the Center was set in natural desert habitat, Black-throated Sparrows were common. Two Verdins worked the trees, Costa’s Hummingbirds were visiting the Chuparosa blossoms and a covey of 10 Gambel’s Quail worked their way to the small water feature.
Continuing west, we crossed 4000 foot (1219M) high mountains, catching a brief look at a Stellar’s Jay crossing the narrow and winding road, before passing through the picturesque town of Santa Ysabel. Just before Ramona, a brief stop was made at a pond far downslope from the road where Tri-colored Blackbirds were possible. We found some ducks, coots, pelicans and several blackbirds but, even with a scope, could not separate Tri-colored from the Red-winged that came to drink at water’s edge.
The next birding location was on the other side of Ramona at an eBird hotspot called Ramona Grasslands. This was cattle country, approximately 3500 acres (1400H) of flat land surrounded on three sides by low mountains and on the fourth side by the town of Ramona. A nice selection of raptors apparently find this an attractive area and we did fairly quickly spot a beautiful Ferruginous Hawk, only our second ever. Much activity kept the bins and scope active. On a far off body of water, Canada Geese were constantly honking and flying, Western Bluebirds commandeered the fence posts, Savannah Sparrows popped in and out of the short grass by the roadside. We witnessed the bizarre sight of many hundreds of American Wigeons feeding in a cow pasture and seemingly being harassed by a Common Raven.
There were many blackbirds to see. Brown-Headed Cowbirds and European Starlings made up the bulk of what we could identify. There were, however, hundreds more in a lower, unapproachable field that would need to be much closer for any further identification. We drove a mile of Rangeland Road, turning around and parking when a number of the blackbirds perched on the power lines along the road. Out of the car, we were quickly on our first Tri-colored Blackbirds. Not exceptional in appearance, this species has a limited range, mostly confined to northern Mexico and California with some venturing into Oregon and Washington during the breeding seasons. The “third” color, red, shows mainly during the breeding season on the shoulder coverts.
That was birding for the day. The night was just a few miles from the coast, north of San Diego, at a Carmel Valley Airbnb.

Bird lists Here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41292873
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41295525
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41295520

Day 12
We woke on Christmas morning to a change in our itinerary. Reports of a pair of rare birds in San Diego, a mere 45 minutes south, had us headed that way before most of that city were awake and checking under the tree. With help from a Theresa, a San Diego Birding Pal who was able to give us explicit directions, we were on the western edge of the bay before 7am, looking over the water to a series of buoys where a rare Nazca Booby was being seen. Just 30 minutes later, watching Brown Pelicans, Surf Scoters, Willets and others pass us, the Booby magically appeared on the far left buoy. For an additional 30 minutes, after getting scope views, I tried my best to get a photo that might capture that orange bill and the striking black and white pattern. The bird was on the other side of the bay, as much as 4000 feet (1219M) across the water. I did what I could with my five year old Canon SX50 at maximum zoom, getting a very blurry record shot.
Twenty minutes south, at a small school yard adjacent to a small park was a small, fenced field containing more than a dozen Pipits. Some patient birder had gone over those birds and found that one of those Pipits was not an American but a Red-throated. We located the oddity, lost it then found it again with the help of local birder, Dave Povey, who had the good sense to bring a scope as the main field mark, heavy streaking on the back, was not always easy to see.
Dave also made us aware of the presence of Allen’s Hummingbirds. Before long, we picked one out, high in a flowering eucalyptus, Liz’s first and my second. The Christmas presents kept on coming!
Dave proved to be a great connection and so we took his advice to drive a few more blocks south to a park for California Gnatcatchers. Two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers immediately tried to fool us. Not expecting any numbers of raptors, we nevertheless counted 5 Red-tailed Hawks, a Cooper’s Hawk and a Harrier while there. However, after 45 minutes, the Gnatcatcher was not to be found.
Trying to catch up somewhat with our original schedule, we drove back north to San Elijo Lagoon, setting out near noon on trails crowded with others enjoying an outing on the holiday. Birds in the water included Teal, Gadwalls, Widgeons and Northern Pintails. Dozens of small sandpipers flew regularly over the marshes and Long-billed Dowitchers rapidly probed the mud. Bushtits, never alone, scrambled quickly from thick brush to thicker brush. Of course, there were Yellow-rumped Warblers and a few others. We’d been there a full hour before Liz found a pair of Gnatcatchers that we nearly lost but refound and identified as the California variety. The balance of our time at San Elijo was spent scrambling through the narrow slot in the sandstone called Annie’s Canyon (https://www.sanelijo.org/act).
Early afternoon found us on the road, eventually at Mason Park in Irvine, an hour south of LA. This was a typical of the parks we’d visited, an open, grassy picnickers park with a good sized pond and walking trails. The park was fairly active with both people and birds. We found many Bushtits and hummingbirds, a Spotted Sandpiper, hundreds of Coots, some of them looking for handouts and three Japanese White-eyes, a striking exotic. They were active little birds, gone quickly and we failed to photograph them. An established exotic both here and in Florida, a pair of Egyptian Geese waddled apart from the many Canada Geese.
Our celebratory Christmas dinner was canned soup at the Airbnb location in Costa Mesa.

Bird lists here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41303886
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41307965
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41307908
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41316619
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S41316630