I parked at the dirt lot off Lake Drive, across the street from Hernandez Hideaway, headed out toward the lake, and then rambled south along the western shore.
Cool and overcast initially, but within an hour the air warmed and patches of blue sky appeared. Quiet morning. Not unusual for a Monday. Saw a few mountain bikers on the trail and two fishermen working the far shore.
Water level still low. Much of the lake bed is exposed.
Notes
- Small helicopter hovering over Fletcher Point
- Male Lesser Goldfinches decked out in sharp black caps and bright yellow underparts
- Black Phoebes were busy catching flying insects
- Iridescent blue-green backs of Tree Swallows shimmering in the sunlight
- Paraglider above the ridge on the eastern side of the lake
- Great Blue Heron flew past several yards ahead. They’re much bigger up close!
- Enjoyed watching a Kingfisher scout for fish
Birds Observed
| # | Species | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gadwall (Mareca strepera) | 2 |
| 2 | Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | 2 |
| 3 | Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) | 2 |
| 4 | American Coot (Fulica americana) | 7 |
| 5 | Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | 2 |
| 6 | Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | 3 |
| 7 | Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | 1 |
| 8 | Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | 100 |
| 9 | Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) | 2 |
| 10 | Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | 1 |
| 11 | American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | 1 |
| 12 | Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | 2 |
| 13 | Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | 1 |
| 14 | Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) | 2 |
| 15 | Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) | 4 |
| 16 | Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) | 3 |
| 17 | California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) | 1 |
| 18 | American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | 3 |
| 19 | Common Raven (Corvus corax) | 2 |
| 20 | Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | 25 |
| 21 | Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) | 1 |
| 22 | House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | 5 |
| 23 | Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) | 3 |
| 24 | White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | 3 |
| 25 | Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | 5 |
| 26 | California Towhee (Melozone crissalis) | 2 |
| 27 | Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | 2 |
| 28 | Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | 2 |
| 29 | Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | 12 |
