Malibu Lagoon Field Trip with Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society (SMBAS)

The migrating shorebirds are starting to return in their bright colors. Some of our (U.S. Threatened) Snowy Plover flock, beach residents for the 10 non-breeding months of the year, are back.

Some of the great birds we’ve had in July are: Gadwall, Pied-billed and Eared Grebe, Brown Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Brant, Red-shouldered Hawk, Snowy Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Whimbrel, Dowitcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Western Sandpiper, Heermann’s & Western Gulls, Least, Caspian, Royal & Elegant Terns, Black Skimmer, Anna’s & Allen’s Hummingbirds, Belted Kingfisher, Rough-winged, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Oak Titmouse, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Common Yellowthroat, California Towhee, Savannah & Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch.

Adult Walk 8:30 a.m. – Beginner and experienced, 2-3 hours. Species range from 40 in June to 60-75 during migrations and winter. We meet at the metal-shaded viewing area (see photo below) next to the parking lot and begin walking east towards the lagoon. We always check the offshore rocks and the ocean. When lagoon outlet is closed we continue east around the lagoon to Adamson House. We put out special effort to make our monthly Malibu Lagoon walks attractive to first-time and beginning birdwatchers. So please, if you are at all worried about coming on a trip and embarrassing yourself because of all the experts, we remember our first trips too. Someone showed us the birds; now it’s our turn.

Children and Parents Walk 10:00 a.m. One hour session, meeting at the metal-shaded viewing area (see photo above) between parking lot and channel. We start at 10:00 for a shorter walk and to allow time for families to get it together on a sleepy Sunday morning. Our leaders are experienced with kids so please bring them to the beach! We have an ample supply of binoculars that children can use without striking terror into their parents. We want to see families enjoying nature. (If you have a Scout Troop or other group of more than seven people, you must call Lu (310-395-6235) to make sure we have enough binoculars and docents.)

Directions: Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road. Look around for people wearing binoculars.
Parking: Parking machine recently installed in the lagoon lot: 1 hr $3; 2 hrs $6; 3 hrs $9, all day $12 ($11 seniors); credit cards accepted. Annual passes accepted. You may also park (read the signs carefully) either along PCH west of Cross Creek Road, on Cross Creek Road, or on Civic Center Way north (inland) of the shopping center. Lagoon parking in shopping center lots is not permitted.

Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society (SMBAS) https://smbasblog.com