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Owens Lake Bird Count

By admin

April 19, 2009

Song Sparrow heralds the arrival of dawn

The sun rose over the shimmering water and salt flats with a gentle breeze and a symphony of bird song. Owens Lake was teeming with life throughout the expanse of shallow alkali basins so gingerly dripped with water from the Los Angeles DWP dust control project. For years I have looked out over the seemingly lifeless region with wonder at what was out there... on April 18th during the annual Owens Lake Bird count I found out and what a wonderful surprise! This Important Bird Area truly is one of California's treasures. Posted below are some photos from my day showing what happens when people care enough to try to find solutions to difficult problems. Photos by Alison Sheehey

The reflection of a late snow storm that dusted the Eastern Sierra

As water refilled the dry lake, brine flies hatched reintroducing an important food source for thousands of migrating birds.

Frankin's Gull: the first of this reporter's day of rarities

Two out of range birds that caused excitement for many birders - Lapland Longspurs

Lapland Longspur: a really rare bird

Red-breasted Merganser (a rare ocean going bird)

Black-bellied Plovers

Western Sandpiper

Western Grebe

American Avocet

Least Sandpiper

Black-necked Stilt

White-faced Ibis

Eared Grebe

Cinnamon Teal in flight

Wilson's Phalarope

62,100 birds and 75 species were seen by all of the teams during the bird count.

Sunset at Owens Lake

By admin

April 19, 2009
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