By Mary Parsell
We are looking for walk leaders for our monthly El Dorado Nature Center walks. You do not have to be an “expert.” If you are able to volunteer please send an email to Mary at mfp2001@hotmail.com or leave a voice message at (562) 252-5825 (Please note that there is no text message ability on this phone line).
Join leader Donna Bray on Saturday, Feb. 16th, 8:30am at Ralph C. Dills Park in Paramount. This location is along the L.A. River, and has a lovely half-mile walking trail that has been planted with natives. It draws lots of birds and butterflies. Check out the Ralph Dills Park eBird hotspot, 135 bird species observed, see https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1340297. The park is in a residential area, with limited parking, so carpooling is recommended. Those carpooling from the Long Beach area should meet at the usual place, El Dorado Library parking lot on 2900 N. Studebaker Rd, LB 90815, at 8:00am.
The leader (Donna) will meet the group at Ralph Dills Park at 8:30am. The address is 6500 San Juan Street, Paramount CA, 90723.
Directions from Rosecrans Avenue (east off 710 Freeway) go south on Orange Avenue to San Juan St. Proceed to the end of the street and park or find nearby street parking.
Please note heavy rain cancels.
Fall is in full swing and our species counts at both our 2nd Saturday Hellman Lowlands walk and 4th Sunday Zedler Marsh walk are showing it! To see our Facebook page photo gallery of these walks, click here.
Clark’s Grebe, © Cindy Crawford
At the Zedler walk on October 28th we observed 25 species at this little pocket marsh with restored coastal sage scrub uplands, and along the trail to the marsh passing by the channel and Calloway Marsh. Our group included all ages. Our young birders (ages 4 and 9) were great at spotting and counting birds, and really enjoyed “Larry the Snowy Egret” (named by the locals), a rather tame Snowy who came in for a landing twice very close to the group. Highlights included a Clark’s Grebe, a Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper running along a muddy bank feeding and doing the classic “tail bob”, and up close looks at Savannah Sparrow, Say’s Phoebe and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.
Peregrine Falcon © Jerry Millett
November 10th at Hellman Lowlands our birding class attendees along with instructors Charlie Collins and Anne Maben also joined the walk to do some field work, with local Biologist Robb Hamilton also attending. Over 45 species observed! Sightings included hundreds of Canada Geese flying in to the retention basin, two Snow Geese, a Greater White-fronted Goose, a Peregrine Falcon, Cassin’s Kingbirds, Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher numerous Killdeer. We witnessed a Red-tailed Hawk catch and eat a Botta Pocket Gopher.
Belted Kingfisher (female), © Jerry Millett
November 4th we hosted a field trip for Audubon Assembly participants at Los Cerritos Marsh (better known as “Steam Shovel Slough”). We observed large number of Willets, Black-bellied Plovers, Marbled Godwits and Greater Yellowlegs along with the usual Canada Geese, Cassin’s Kingbirds, various sparrow species, Red-Tailed Hawks, Kestrels and others.
Our Hellman Lowlands and Zedler Marsh walks continue in November & December and we always expect great bird sightings this time of year. These two monthly walks are per an agreement with the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA), which El Dorado Audubon is a partner in the LCWA Stewardship Program. Our monthly LCWA 2nd Saturday and 4th Sunday walks will continue in 2019, which we will post on our website once the official 2019 Stewardship Program Schedule is released.
Remaining 2018 Los Cerritos Wetlands Walks are listed below with some adjustments for holidays. If you would like to participate in Christmas Bird Count at Los Cerritos Wetlands leave a voicemail for our President Mary Parsell at 562-252-5825. (To participate in the Christmas Bird Count for other locations, click here to see our CBC article.)
Nov. 25th 3pm to 5pm, Zedler Marsh
Dec 8th, 8am to 10am, Hellman Lowlands
Dec 15th, all day, Christmas Bird Count (various areas including all of Los Cerritos Wetlands)
Dec 16th, 3pm to 5pm, Zedler Marsh (moved to 3rd Sunday in Dec. due to Holidays)
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water. Meet at the Nature Center entrance gate. $7 parking fee (or annual park pass, which can be purchased at the Nature Center Museum).
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water. Meet at the Nature Center entrance gate. $7 parking fee (or annual park pass, which can be purchased at the Nature Center Museum).
**WEATHER NOTICE**
Should Nature Center trails be closed due to muddy trail conditions from recent rain, meet us at the Nature Center entrance gate anyway and we’ll find a dryer place to go birding over at Area II.
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water. Meet at the Nature Center entrance gate. $7 parking fee (or annual park pass, which can be purchased at the Nature Center Museum).
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water. Meet at the Nature Center entrance gate. $7 parking fee (or annual park pass, which can be purchased at the Nature Center Museum).
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water. Meet at the Nature Center entrance gate. $7 parking fee (or annual park pass, which can be purchased at the Nature Center Museum).
Join us for a morning of birding along the beautiful Nature Center trails. Over 200 bird species have been documented at our urban nature park. No prior birding experience is necessary. All skill levels are welcome. Suggest bringing binoculars, field guide, hat, sturdy shoes and water.
Meet at PCH and First Street, border of Seal Beach/LB. Turn inland, park off asphalt. It is one of two chances to enter the locked gated property. This small tidal marsh off of the San Gabriel River is a good place to look for herons, egrets, shorebirds, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, and songbirds. It will be a beautiful walk; help us document the birds! Bring binoculars, water, hat and sun-screen. Closed-toed shoes required. Rain or shine. Sunset is approximately 4:45pm.
To learn more about Los Cerritos Wetlands, please visit our Conservation Page.
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Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford