Fall Returns to the Ballona Freshwater MarshOur migrating neighbors have started returning to the Ballona Wetlands area for the winter. Each year the ducks, seabirds, long-legged waders, sparrows, and many others start arriving in August, with most coming September though late November. Many of these birds fly over a thousand miles, 300-400 miles a day, over the course of one to three months just to be here! Imagine that! The Ballona Wetlands’ freshwater marsh – located on Jefferson and Lincoln Blvd. -- is an anchor destination for dozens of wintering species. Though the current freshwater marsh is a fraction of Ballona’s original freshwater wetlands, the safety of the mini islands and reed clumps along with the tiny fish, reptiles, insects, invertebrates, and aquatic plants make it a rich, multi-layered ecosystem, constantly circulating the food chain, starting at the low end with the algae and other microscopic creatures living in the marsh. In the spring, the ducks and Bittern shown below head north, where they spend summers breeding and raising their broods. Fortunately, many migrating birds still choose to make this either their winter home base or one of their refueling stopovers on their way to more southern destinations of Mexico, Central, or South America. Some of the most visible species you can spot in the freshwater marsh now through next March are shown. Many birds who winter here can be found in the freshwater marsh, the Del Rey lagoon, the Ballona Creek, and in the marina. Here are some of the wintering birds that stay more in the freshwater marsh than the other locations mentioned. An “*” by the name indicates this is a climate-endangered species
Keywords:
ballona,
bittern,
cinnamon,
duck,
freshwater,
gadwall,
green-winged,
least,
marsh,
northern,
pacific flyway,
ruddy,
shoveler,
teal
Comments
Sara Nichols(non-registered)
Thank you! You made my day! Can you believe this is Los Angeles?
Eugene Nutt(non-registered)
Love dem gadwals
Leslie Oliver(non-registered)
Wow! Thank you! What beautiful birds... and photos! How many of these have you seen return this year? I'm concerned...
Ruth Gonzales(non-registered)
Amazing pictures, Bev-Sue!!!ove your monthly blogs!
Justin St.Denis(non-registered)
Great work! Thank you
No comments posted.
Loading...
|