Field Journal 4

March 17, 2023
Start time: 12:15 PM
End time: 2:30 PM
Location: Malibu Creek State Park, CA
Weather: sunny, no clouds, low 60s, light breeze, mid humidity around 50%
Habitats: large creek bed, mountains, valleys, wildflowers, fire-resistant vegetation: Redwoods, chaparral, arroyo willow, and California bay laurel

At Malibu Creek State Park there was an abundance of bird species as springtime has started to emerge in all forms. The superbloom has just started in southern California - a time when wildflowers (especially poppies) begin to bloom, and coincides with the very beginning of migration season for birds. Many hawks and birds with high slotted wings were seen overhead circling, sometimes in groups of up to 10. They were too high in sky to determine their species, but in close-up pictures slotted primary feathers were clear. This group circling occurs so that they can stay on the thermals and continue to soar without having to use energy flapping. Other birds were very loud and communicative through calls and songs. As March is the start of migration season, this calling may have been an attempt to gather birds together to migrate in a large group.

The plumage between two woodpeckers observed share some traits but look vastly different. Acorn Woodpeckers have a red crest, white eyes, black bill, back, wings, and breast, white throat and stomach, and a black and white face. Their red crest may prevent this species from being preyed on as red is often a threatening or dangerous color in the animal kingdom. Their black and white bodies allow them to get lost in tree bark as a well as the sky when looking at them. On the other hand, Lewis's Woodpeckers have a red/pink breast, stomach, and face, shiny green back and wings that looked blue in my observation, a black beak and cap, and a grayish throat. Their shiny back and feathers obscure wavelengths and cause their wings and back to have different colors depending on the angle and light under which they are being observed, and when it does look green, it is a similar green to trees and grasses. This can be confusing for possible predators, so it may be an adaptation against predation from above. Their plumage color pallet reflects that of the Ponderosa pines in which they usually find a home. This likely allows them to camouflage into these trees so they can catch flying bugs with stealth (they are a flycatcher despite having woodpecker in the name). These woodpeckers both have plumage to keep them hidden yet are vastly different in coloration.

The Double-crested Cormorant was observed standing on a sandbar in the creek then swimming downstream. Alone, this Cormorant seemed to be resting. Malibu Creek State Park is an interesting location for the Double-breasted Cormorant, as the Santa Monica mountains are described as being non-breeding grounds and migration locations for this fowl (All About Birds). This bird may have been resting up before starting its migration to the northern US or southern Canada for breeding season, or it could've been resting early into its migration to its summer home.

Spishing was not very effective on many birds in Malibu Creek. Many were waterfowl who did not seem to care at all, woodpeckers stopped for a moment then flew off or continued their activities, and the smaller song birds seen quickly ran off the path. Some spishing made some wrens and sparrows stop and stare for a while but no birds ended up nearer because of this action. Wrens and sparrows would stop in the underbrush or on branches to listen to the spishing, but no reactions were exactly had.

Posted on 19 March, 2023 01:15 by evostal evostal

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 12:46 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 12:59 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:17 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:19 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 02:21 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:22 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 02:00 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:00 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:30 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

No photos or sounds

What

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Observer

evostal

Date

March 17, 2023 01:00 PM PDT

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