Malibu Lagoon

Spent an hour here this morning looking for rarities (and not finding any). The ocean had apparently over-washed the sandbar, smoothing out the slope into the lagoon, and probably improving conditions for shorebirds. A row of about 20 Black-bellied Plover stood at the lagoon's edge, and at least 20 Snowy Plover were scattered from here east, most resting in footprint depressions on sand not washed smooth. I was surprised to could 16 Least Terns here, most roosting with Snowy Plovers, representing a variety of ages, but largely first-year birds. Other shorebirds included Sanderling (30+), Semipalmated Plover (5-10), Willet and Whimbrel. Mallard and Gadwall were again the only ducks still. A couple Western Grebes floated offshore, but nothing else was out there, like a couple weeks ago.

The only landbird surprise was a single Oak Titmouse on the back path. An Ash-throated Flycatcher may have been the same one that has been here since July. A couple Savannah Sparrows called overhead, and more called from the saltgrass/Salicornia "island" of the inner lagoon; these were about the only passerine migrants, aside from dozens of Cliff, Barn and NRW Swallows.