Female Allen's Hummingbird in a blooming Japanese Cherry Blossom tree, South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes, March 9 2013.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, also in a Japanese Cherry Blossom tree, March 9 2013.

Quite a few birds were attracted to the pollen and insects in the South Coast Botanic Garden's blooming Japanese Cherry Blossom trees on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Here's a female Downy Woodpecker investigating...

And another view of the female Downy Woodpecker at a Cherry Blossom bloom.

On January 13, 2013, during Martin Byhower's birdwalk at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City, Steve Dexter was the first to spot what has been posiitively ID'd as an extremely rare (for the western US in general and California in particular) Blue-headed Vireo. As the Cassin's Vireo can be much more commonly found here, and can look somewhat similar, there was some question as to which Vireo it was, but these photos clearly show what to veteran southern California birder Todd McGrath are the telltale markings -- "the bright yellow underparts, blue gray head color, strong delineation between the green back and blue gray cap plus the nice even separation of the the throat from the head color all point to [Blue-headed Vireo]".

Therej was no doubt in Steve Dexter's mind what he was seeing -- he saw the bird, and remarked "Blue-headed Vireo!" immediately, NOT Cassin's. Here's another photo.

And another angle of the Blue-headed Vireo...

The Blue-headed Vireo with a snack...

You really can't have too many photos of KMHRP's Blue-headed Vireo as he's so rare -- and who knows how long he'll stick around...

And again...

Back to more usual suspects seen at the Harbor Park birdwalk on Sunday, January 13, 2013, here's a Black-throated Gray Warbler seen in the area known as "The North End Willows", bordering Pacific Coast Highway.

Great-horned Owl, Saffo's Rest, Rolling Hills, CA, January 1 2013.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Purple Canyon Trail, Rolling Hills, CA, January 1 2013.

Hermit Warbler, Rolling Hills, CA, November 4 2012.

The male Green-winged Teal is still at Averill Park in San Pedro; it's been there for over a year. November 10, 2012.

Adult Cooper's Hawk, Angels Gate Park, San Pedro, CA, December 27 2012.

Golden-crowned Sparrow, Madrona Marsh, Torrance, CA, December 31 2012.

Lincoln's Sparrow, Madrona Marsh, Torrance, December 27 2012.

White Wagtail, Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro, CA, December 9 2012.

I found this male Mandarin Duck at Averill Park , a suburban park here in San Pedro, November 10 2012. Mandarins are an "exotic" species of duck, usually escapees from zoos or collections, and therefore not a "countable" bird under ABA rules. Still, they're infrequently seen here in the Los Angeles area; the closest one to me prior to this was at the Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, nearly 30 miles away. I NEVER thought I'd see one here in my home town, but there he was...

A female Northern Harrier appears for awhile at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City, CA, on November 11, 2012.

A Black-throated Gray Warbler with a insect snack, Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, November 11 2012.

A male American Kestrel fluffed-up in the morning sun, Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, November 12 2012.

A female Dark-eyed Junco of the "Oregon" subspecies, Highridge Park, Palos Verdes, CA, November 10 2012.

On October 27, 2012, while out birding with Martin Byhower, friend, mentor, and bird guide in Los Angeles' South Bay, we surprised this out-in-the-open Common Poorwill that was lying motionless off a path along the Harbor Park Golf Course. I think we surprised him as much as he surprised us!

Brown Creeper at the suburban Alondra Park, Lawndale, CA, October 20 2012.

On October 14, 2012, during the birdwalk led by Martin Byhower at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City, birdwatchers observed an rariity for the area -- a male Scarlet Tanager, pictured here. He may be a "First Fall" bird, as he's marked with whitish edges on his wingtips, and a black patich on his coverts. He'd been first spotted by Darren Dowell the day before, who posted his find on the LaCoBirds listserve.

As if seeing the Scarlet Tanager at Harbor Park weren't enough, we were also treated to this Black-and-White Warbler, which is listed in National Geographic's "Field Guide to Birds of North America" as "rare in West south of breeding range; occurs mostly as a migrant, but a few winter too, especially in CA."

On September 29 2012 I discovered this Northern Waterthrush, once again at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, in the area called "the Vermont storm drain". Nat Geo's Field Guide to Birds of NA describes it as being "a rare migrant in CA and the Southwest, where a few may winter."

Sunrise on Christmas Bird Count morning, Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro, CA, December 26 2010. After seeing this, we knew it was going to be a special day!

Nashville Warbler, Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve, Torrance, CA, April 14 2012.

Another look at the Madrona Marsh Nashville Warbler.

Myrtle Warbler, Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve, Torrance, CA, April 14 2012.

Male Wood Duck, Madrona Marsh in Torrance, CA, April 14 2012.

Great-horned Owl fledgling, South Coast Botanic Garden, April 6 2012.

The sibling to the Great-horned Owl fledgling in the previous photo, South Coast Botanic Garden, April 6 2012.

A Spotted Towhee singing, South Coast Botanic Garden, April 6 2012.

A rare-for-the-area Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, San Pedro, CA, January 8 2012.

This male Green-winged Teal has been at San Pedro's Averill Park for over a year now, seemingly content to hang-out with the Mallards and feral Geese. This photo was taken in late February 2012.

Hanging a Western Bluebird nestbox sometimes isn't that easy! The trick is to place it where it's unlikely to be bothered by human or animal predators. Sometimes that means further up a tree, so it's a good thing that the San Pedro Kingbirders has two 15-year-olds, Jose Sandoval and John Astorga, who are pretty agile -- and fearless.This photo was taken at Averill Park in early March 2012.

Juvenile Cooper's Hawk, South Coast Botanic Garden, March 5 2011.

This adult Cooper's Hawk accompanied the juvenile Cooper's in the above photo, South Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verdes, March 2011.

Red-breasted Sapsucker, Peck Park Canyon, San Pedro, CA, January 10 2012.

Male California Gnatcatcher in breeding plumage (black cap), Shoreline Park, Palos Verdes, CA, June 7 2011.

Male Hooded Oriole across the street from my condo at Angels Gate Park, San Pedro, May 24 2011.

California Gnatcatcher, Shoreline Park, Palos Verdes Peninsula, February 5 2011.

Eastview Park, an urban "dog park" here in San Pedro, right behind a Coco's restaurant off a main avenue. A group of us "discovered" Western Bluebirds here, so we we'll be putting up Bluebird nest boxes to encourage them to stay. This scene of the park (the Bluebirds "hang around" in the trees near the playground) was taken on January 5, 2011, right after a storm dumped rain and snow on the Southland. That's Mount Baldy in the center background.

Stalking a wild creature at the above park, Eastivew Park, San Pedro, January 15 2011. From left to right, my birding partners and friends David Ellsworth, John Astorga, and Jose Sandoval, the "San Pedro Kingbirders." So what was this fierce animal they were fixated on? Check out the next 2 pics... :o)

This White-throated Sparrow, rare for our area, has been seen at Eastview Park here in San Pedro since January 9th, 2011; this was taken on January 15. It "hangs out" with a small group of White-crowned Sparrows, foraging along the eastern fringes of the park. As you can see, it's actually quite accommodating to photographers/birders; a group of us were able to get within 20 feet of it.

A closeup of the White-throated Sparrow, Eastview Park, San Pedro, January 15 2011.

Say's Phoebe, Eastview Park, San Pedro, January 12 2011.

The resident Say's Phoebe, Eastview Park, San Pedro, January 12 2011.

And here's one of those Western Bluebirds at Eastview Park, a brilliant male, taken December 24, 2010.

Red-naped Sapsucker, Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, Harbor City, December 11 2010.

Cedar Waxwing gorging on Toyon Berry, Eastview Park, December 25 2010. Eastview Park is a postage stamp-sized area that has seen some interesting birds lately, including Say's Phoebe and at least 2 pairs of Western Bluebirds, the only (so far) reliable Western Bluebirds in San Pedro.

Leucistic Black Oystercatcher, Royal Palms State Beach, San Pedro, CA, December 24 2010.

Female Orange Bishop, at the Navy Fuel Supply Depot, a relatively-pristine area in San Pedro that's off-limits to most citizens as it's an area that can only be visited with written permission in advance. December 23, 2010.

Northern Shovelers in nearly-winter light at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, Harbor City, December 11 2011. I opened-up the aperture so I could get both the Mr and Mrs in focus. ISO 400, f/14, 1/500 sec @ 700mm, using the 7D/500 f4 plus 1.4xTC .

Young Townsend's Warbler foraging in a juniper tree at Rancho Vista School near the top of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, December 11 2010. Notice the difference in the lighter black face markings on this one, as opposed to the Townsend's in the next photo.

Townsend's Warbler on the ground, foraging for flying termites. An amazing sight my friend David Ellsworth and I were privileged to witness on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 behind the gates of Rolling Hills here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This was along the main road, near the intersection with Buggy Whip Lane. Taken with the Canon 7D/500 f4 on the BushHawk.

A Black-throated Gray Warbler, on the St Johns' Canyon Road behind the gates at Rolling Hills on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, December 7 2010. This guy was foraging on the ground (when he wasn't acting like a flycatcher) during the Termite Invasion seen in the previous photo. The event gave us quite a few photo-ops!

A Red-breasted Nuthatch in the pine trees at Highridge Park, Palos Verdes Peninsula, October 24 2010. The park is in an area that's the highest point on the peninsula, so many high-elevation birds can be found here.

I will be supplying scenics so the viewer can get a "feel" for the layout and environment of the different areas on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay where I find the birds. First off, here's Highridge Park located near the top of Palos Verdes Peninsula. I first heard of this park when a local birder posted a sighting of a rare-to-the-area Wilson's Snipe here in one of the muddy soccer fields. By the time I arrived here in late-afternoon there was no trace of it, but the park still held some pleasant surprises, and it's now on my list of Places to Visit.

Red-breasted Nuthatch, October 24 2010. There has been a minor "irruption" of RBNs here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Red-breasted Nuthatch with a snack, October 24 2010.

Dark-eyed Junco portrait, Highridge Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, November 25 2010.

A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk in the trees, though out-in-the-open, at Highridge Park, November 25 2010.

Say's Phoebe, Highridge Park, November 25 2010.

A male Townsend's Warbler in a pine tree at Highridge Park's parking lot, November 2 2010.

Another view of the Townsend's Warbler at Highridge Park, November 2 2010.

Another look at the Red-breasted Nuthatch at Highridge Park, PVP, October 24 2010.

Dark-eyed Junco of the Oregon subspecies, Highridge Park, Palos Verdes Peninsula, October 21 2010. I'd gone to the park to investigate a rare-to-the-area WIlson's Snipe seen there in the morning, but instead came upon DE Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. According to Martin Byhower, DE Juncos are "locally common" in this higher-elevation area of the Peninsula.

Behind the gates at Rolling Hills, an exclusive enclave at the top of Palos Verdes Peninsula, is an area that's vastly underbirded due to its limited access to the public. But what birds you might find if you're lucky enough to be able to make it through! Ruby-crowned Kinglets are ubiquitous, but the REAL prize are Golden-crowned Kinglets. And here is one, on the main road near Buggy Whip Lane.

Another look at the Golden-crowned Kinglet up in Rolling Hills.

The scene at Shoreline Park, 7am on December 12, 2010. That's the upper trail, with Catalina Island and a lone container ship in the background. Shoreline Park, a special place, is home to (as seen in the next few photos) Cactus, Bewick's, and House Wrens,and California and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, among others.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow at Ocean Trails near Shoreline Park, December 12 2010. The local expert birders were unsure if these Sparrows, who spend most of the year here along the coast, would winter her also. This and the following photo clinched it. They do!

Rufous-crowned Sparrow vocalizing, Ocean Trails Palos Verdes, December 12 2010.

Now THIS is the kind of bird that would love to have Rufous-crowned Sparrow for breakfast...an adult Cooper's Hawk. Ocean Trails, Palos Verdes, December 12 2010.

A front view of the very accomodating adult Cooper's Hawk, Ocean Trails, Palos Verdes, December 12 2010.

The Coastal Cactus Wrens are coming back! Shoreline Park Palos Verdes, September 22 2010.

A Coastal Cactus Wren in evening light, Shoreline Park, Palos Verdes, September 22 2010.

In April/May 2010 the Coastal Cactus Wren pair made a nest and had a nestling, successfully raising it. Here's one of the parents taking off for more food after feeding its ravenous youngster.

Here's one of the Coastal Cactus Wren parents waiting its turn to shuttle food in to its nestling, April 29 2010.

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Shoreline Park, September 25 2010.

The endangered California Gnatcatcher has returned to the Palos Verdes Peninsula after long years of absence as its native habitat of coastal sage as been restored. Shoreline Park, Palos Verdes, September 14 2010.

A House Wren in morning light. It's a resident in the same area of Shoreline Park as the Coastal Cactus Wrens. Taken September 25 2010.

One of the signs that the restoration of the native vegetation is working to attract the native birds is the return of the California Gnatcatcher, seen here at Shoreline Park, August 22 2010.

A California Gnatcatcher successfully snares food, Shoreline Park, August 22 2010.

A juvenile Cooper's Hawk patrols above the canyon of Shoreline Park, September 26 2010.

A ubiquitous Mourning Dove but in morning light with a cacti background at Shoreline Park, April 29 2010.

A Rufous-crowned Sparrow, considered "uncommon" in David Sibley's "Field Guide to Birds of Western North America", Shoreline Park, October 9 2010.

A resident Spotted Towhee, Shoreline Park, October 3 2010.

Another look at the Spotted Towhee, Shoreline Park, October 3 2010. Usually they're skulking deep in the underbrush, so it was a real treat to see this one in full, unobscured view.

A singing resident Bewick's Wren, in the same area of Shoreline Park as the House and Cactus Wrens, October 9 2010.

A young Coastal Cactus Wren tries its signature trill, Shoreline Park, Sept 22 2010.

Another look, early-morning this time, of one of the Coastal Cactus Wrens at Shoreline Park, October 9 2010. How they can perch on that spiny cactus I do not know...

A visiting Thick-billed Fox Sparrow at Shoreline Park, October 9 2010.

He's battered, worn...and rare for our area. On September 22 2010 I spotted this fellow along Gnatcatcher Trail at Shoreline Park. I sat on it for about a month, then sent it in to local bird expert Kevin Larson, who replied, "Holy Smokes, its a Black-throated Sparrow". For some reason it's missing some of its throat patch, and its worn wing coverts and tail mark it as a probable adult. Kevin said he'd found only 3 fall records of Black-throated Sparrow here in the last 16 years and slightly more records for spring.

This is a rarity for the Peninsula, a Black-throated Sparrow, very worn and weary-looking. Local bird expert Kevin Larson says "nocturnal southbound migrants often overshoot the coast and come back to the nearest point of land," which may have happened here. Shoreline Park, September 22, 2010.

A White-crowned Sparrow, a good sign fall migration is in full-swing, Forrestal Nature Reserve, Palos Verdes, October 12 2010.

California Gnatcatcher, Forrestal Nature Reserve, May 29 2010.

The California Gnatcatcher is constantly flicking its tail. It has a call that's somewhat "kitten-like," a mewing that rises and falls. Forrestal Nature Reserve, May 29 2010.

A Song Sparrow of the California Coast variety, Forrestal Nature Reserve, October 10 2010.

Another California Gnatcatcher. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are also found on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, but can be distinguished from Californias by, among other markings, the underside of the tail; as can be seen here, the California has almost all-black outer tail feathers, whereas the Blue-grays are mostly white. Forrestal Reserve, October 12 2010.

Another look at the California Gnatcatcher, Forrestal Reserve, October 12 2010.

And here's a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Forrestal Reserve, October 12 2010. You can see the difference between the Blue-gray and the previous California.

The early-morning scene at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, aka Harbor Park, aka Machado Lake, Harbor City, CA, November 27, 2010. Quoting directly from Mitch Heindel's "The Birds of Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park" -- "This area [including the neighboring Wilmington Drain] contains the greatest diversity of bird species recorded of any like-sized area in Los Angeles County. Over 330 species are included in the list here, known to have occured."

The view of Machado Lake from another angle, with the early-morning mist rising.

Early-morning sun filters through the mist, December 12 2010.

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, known acronomically as KMHRP, or simply Harbor Park, or Machado Lake (named after one of the local Hispanic landowners in the late 1800's) has, according to Mitch Heindel in "The Birds of Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park," "the last and largest remaining natural freshwater lake with surrounding tule marsh, and willow riparian forest within over a thousand square miles of Los Angeles." Unfortunately, KMHRP also has a sad recent history of habitat degradation, with non-native birds, fish and snakes pushing out the native species. But all that should change when a general habitat "cleanup" begins in August 2011. But it's still a fascinating and exciting bird spot in a heavily-urban area. For instance, here's a Red-naped Sapsucker that according to local bird expert Kevin Larson has been returning to winter at KMHRP since the first time between November 11 2007 and February 17 2008. As you can see in this photo, it drills holes into the Red Willow tree and feeds on the sap and insects attracted to it. Other birds are attracted to the sap seeping from the holes it makes, including Yellow-rumped Warblers and Allen's and Anna's hummingbirds. This photo was taken on October 17, 2010.

Here's the KMHRP-wintering Red-naped Sapsucker from another angle seeing the intricate feather pattern on its back. Also taken October 17,2010. My thanks to Martin Byhower, local bird expert, guide and a primary mover in the effort to clean up KMHRP, in informing me that the Red-naped Sapsucker had returned for its 4th straight winter.

A good look at just some of the four years'-worth of holes drilled by the Red-naped Sapsucker --- and a Red-breasted Sapsucker, which also has been wintering at KMHRP.

The Red-naped Sapsucker set against the leaf canopy of one of three Red Willow trees in the park, October 17 2010.

As I mentioned earlier, the Red-naped Sapsucker has a partner in Red Willow drilling. Here's a closeup of the Red-breasted Sapsucker, also spending the winter at KMHRP. According to Martin Byhower, the Red-naped and Red-Breasted may be a couple as they've been known to hybridize where their range overlaps.

The Red-breasted Sapsucker at a freshly-drilled site, October 17 2010.

According to Martin Byhower, the Red-naped is a female (Sibley's guide shows the female with a white patch on its throat under the bill, whereas the male's throat is all-red) while the Red-breasted might possibly be a male. October 17, 2010.

Here's a photo of the Red-breasted Sapsucker, well, sucking out sap, October 17 2010.

There's a female Red-tail Hawk living across the street on the Kaiser Hospital campus; she's been there since at least 2004 and you can see her perched on the tall aerial of the main hospital building off Vermont Blvd. I've worked at Kaiser since 1978 and have "followed" her for the last 5 years. In a fit of anthropomorphism, I named her Mina (short for Wilhelmina, a take on WWI Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm/Kaiser Hospital) and in 2005 I observed, and photographically chronicled, her and mate "Willie" successfully raise 3 "hawklets" at a nest on a building ledge on campus; the gallery is here -- http://www.lonewolfephotos.com/The-Red-Tail-Hawks-of-Kaiser . On October 21, at KMHRP across the street from Kaiser, I caught her in the morning sun. She's become the "emblem" -- to me, at least -- of Kaiser Harbor City. She uses the park as a rich source of food.

It was a banner day at KMHRP on Sunday, Octobert 17, 2010, with so much going on that there was something of interest seemingly everywhere you looked. The park has a small group of Canada Geese that were probably dropped-off by someone, so it was exciting to see this "wild and free" flock flying-in for a rest at the lake.

Here's a tranquil near-water-level perspective of the wild Canada Geese with a Cormorant in the background, October 17 2010.

Now HERE is an interesting bird...A Cackling Goose. It looks like a small Canada Goose, right? In fact, according to Wikipedia, it's known "colloquially (and incorrectly) as Lesser or Small Canada/Canadian Goose in North America," but "in July 2004 the American Ornithologist's Union's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature split the two into two species, making Cackling Goose into a full species with the scientific name Branta hutchinsii." And there are up to 5 subspecies of Cackling Goose; Kevin Larson says this one may be of the "minima" race, though it's hard to tell for certain from this angle. Again taken October 17, 2010.

A male Belted Kingfisher scoping things out at the spillway on the southeast end of KMHRP's Machado Lake, October 10 2010. There have been two Kingfishers spotted there recently, both probably males, engaging in aerial duels. It's been speculated they're battling for territorial rights.

On June 12 2010 I spotted this Least Bittern in the reeds along the western shore of KMHRP's Machado Lake. Martin Byhower says it's a bird that hasn't been seen at the park in recent years, and this sighting might signal a return of sorts.

During the summer KMHRP has both Hooded and Bullock's Orioles, adding a splash of color to the scenery. Here's a Bullock's male taken June 12, 2010.

On October 12 2010 there occurred at KMHRP what Martin Byhower memorably termed an "Egret Phenomenon". Here's his post at Yahoo's Los Angeles County Birds' website --
"Some locally-unusual birds seen by participants at the monthly (Second Sunday) walk at KMHRP/ Machado Lake are below. Remarkable, however, was the sight of at least 135 Great Egrets on the water primrose (Ludwigia sp.) Islands in the lake and on the shoreline. When the entire group became airborne, it was reminiscent of sights I recall from the Salton Sea or in the tropics and subtropics. Large number of other Ardeids (Snowy Egret, BCNH) and smaller numbers of others in the family (GBH and Green Heron) are there as well. Photographers might want to check this out. Accompanied by larger than usual numbers of Pied-billed Grebes and Double-crested Cormorants, I believe they are feasting on the unusually high numbers of bullfrogs, crayfish, and mosquitofish in the lake at this time. (Maybe also the thousands of small koi and goldfish that I watched a group of Vietnamese Buddhists release there a few weeks ago after a ceremony on the lower dam.)"
It was hard to capture the frenzy photographically, especially when using a 500mm prime lens, but this photo gives a hint of the scene.

Great Egrets over KMHRP's Machado Lake taken seconds after the previous shot. It really was a memorable scene.

A Green Heron on a pipe near the boathouse at KMHRP, October 10 2010. Water primrose, an invasive aquatic perennial, creates the complimentary background to the Greenie.

There are scads of American Coots at KMHRP but only one Common Moorhen that we know of, and here it is in the water primrose near the spillway, October 10 2010.

The willows at the north end of KMHRP is a good place to find Warblers and Vireos such as this Plumbeous Vireo from October 10 2010.

One of the joys of KMHRP is the return of the Western Bluebirds. In October 2008, folks at PV/South Bay Audubon launched the Bluebird Nest Box Project. The 2010 breeding season saw 30 Bluebirds fledge according to the PV/South Bay Audubon Western Bluebird webpage at http://www.pvsb-audubon.org/bluebirdproject.html . Here's a colorful male Bluebird perched on a park sign, taken October 10 2010.

A paved walking path around most of KMHRP's Machado Lake makes the surrounding area accessible to most everyone, but there are places in the back area near Harbor College that are more secluded and can turn up interesting things such as this touseled Snowy Egret in a seasonal pool at the lower wetland, taken August 15 2010.

A Great Egret skims above the rushes in KMHRP's lower wetland, August 15 2010.

Female Red-breasted Merganser, Royal Palms State Beach, San Pedro, December 24 2010.