Eyes on the Skies

Sooner or later, most gardeners become bird watchers. They watch as doves eat their freshly sown seed, or as a blue jay digs a hole in the garden bed they’ve just spent hours preparing.

They also get to observe the antics of hummingbirds and see mockingbirds, with a flash of white from their wings, swoop down and scoop up larvae from the garden.

Those with psyllid-infested eucalyptus often see golf-ball-sized birds flitting from branch to branch, but who are those little birds and what are they doing?

When that question arises, some bird watchers become Bird Watchers, invest in a good pair of binoculars and go on bird walks with other “birders,” as they often call themselves. On a bird walk, they’ll soon learn that those little birds in the eucalyptus are called titmice and that they’re eating lerp psyllids. Or that those pesky doves are actually native birds--unlike pigeons--and are called mourning doves for their sorrowful call. Or that hummingbirds don’t just sip nectar, but are extraordinary hunters of insects and spiders.

Eileen Green of Bradbury was on a bird walk at the Arboretum of Los Angeles County in Arcadia for just that reason. “I have all sorts of wild birds in my garden, but on a bird walk I can find out who they are.”

Gardeners can combine their interest in birds and their love of plants by going on a bird walk at a botanic garden. Nearly all the local botanic gardens have walks sponsored by local Audubon Society chapters.

Botanic gardens are an obvious place to look for birds, since they are attracted by the plants and the open space, which is often free of common predators like cats. Most gardens also have large ponds or streams, which add waterfowl and shorebirds to the mix of birds one is likely to see.

Walks start early in the morning when birds are hungriest. “They’re busy foraging and bathing in the morning and are far more visible,” said Karen Johnson, who leads walks at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. Most botanic garden walks begin at 8 a.m. on Sundays, before the gardens are officially open. “Eight’s not all that early for a serious birder,” said Johnson, “but we wouldn’t get many people showing up for a walk at first light, the prime time.” Because the gardens are not yet officially open, there is no garden admission charge, and the walks are free.

On a recent Sunday’s walk at the Arboretum, there are few people to scare off the birds and no noise to detract from their singing, which is especially furious at this time of year, when the birds are breeding. Right now, it’s amazing just how noisy most botanic gardens are early in the morning. To impress the other gender, birds are also putting on their finest plumage and are their most colorful.

“This is a great time of year to be birding,” said Johnson, “because you get the best of several worlds.” She said one can spot resident birds building nests, migratory birds passing though, some winter residents that have not yet left, and--as the weather warms--even a few Neotropical birds that are normally seen in more tropical climates.

A lot of people on bird walks are experienced birders who spot things before the layperson might. “Look, there’s a bluebird sitting on the Rainbird,” is the kind of whispered remark one hears on walks as two dozen binoculars turn in that direction. Bird walks make golf events look downright raucous, since everyone speaks quietly to avoid disturbing the birds.

To identify the birds, you’ll eventually want to get a guidebook. According to Karen Johnson, who also works at the Audubon House in Plummer Park in West Hollywood, which stocks over 2,000 bird titles, the current favorite seems to be the “National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America,” by Jon L. Dunn (National Geographic Society; revised and updated in 1999).

But while you can get by on the walks without a guide--thanks to all the experts--you won’t see much without binoculars. Birders prefer ones that balance magnifying power with a wide enough field of view. Binoculars with a power of 8 or 10 and a field of 42 millimeters, known as a 8x42 or 10x42, are popular with beginners, as they let you see up close but also take in enough area that you can follow birds and keep them visible in the eyepiece.

As a V-shaped wing of geese honked overhead, preparing to land in the lagoon, Lorinda Guyod had her binoculars ready on the Arboretum bird walk. Walks there are held the first Sunday of each month at 8 a.m. ([626] 821-3222 for information) and she comes almost every month because, she says, “Once you see a beautiful bird, you’re hooked.”

At the Arboretum, you’re likely to see some really exotic and colorful birds, like the several kinds of chatty parrots that frequent the grounds. The Pasadena Audubon Society, which sponsors these walks, has a handout that identifies all the kinds of parrots that have been seen here, often in trees that are as exotic and colorful as the birds. In addition, the Arboretum has a bird list, so you can check off your sightings.

Nearby Descanso Gardens ([818] 952-4401), with walks at 8 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, is a hot spot for birding. They even have a bird observation deck overlooking a pond planted to attract birds. The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society has a list of about 120 kinds of birds that have been spotted at Descanso. Cooper’s hawks were recently seen nesting there, and even fish-catching osprey have been spotted.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont ([909] 625-8767) is devoted to native plants and attracts many native birds. Fraser Pemberton of the Pomona Valley Audubon Society volunteers at the garden and leads many of the walks and says they often see 50 to 60 kinds of birds at the height of the spring migration in April and May. He said some native plants are real bird magnets, especially those that have berries, like the toyon. Walks begin at 8 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month.

Another great place to see native birds is at Soka University ([818] 880-6400), nestled deep in the Santa Monica Mountains in Calabasas. They have free Saturday walks on May 19 and Aug. 11, lasting from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., that start at their native plant garden and nursery.

At the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula ([310] 544-1948), they’re counting migratory birds as they pass though California, according to Ollie Coker, who leads the walks there. After wintering in Columbia, Venezuela, Costa Rica and other Central and South American countries, the birds are heading for breeding grounds in the Northwest and Canada. “It’s amazing these little 1-ounce birds have the energy to travel a thousand miles,” said Colker.

So far, they’ve seen many small warblers and a flock of golden-crowned kinglets that roost in the pines. Colker said there are also bright yellow orioles and tanagers feeding in the coral trees, which are covered with glowing red flowers.

Although the UC Irvine Botanic Garden sits on the edge of a wetlands, bird walks there take place across the street in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary ([949] 261-7963), administered by the Sea & Sage Audubon Society. Trude Hurd, director of education at the center, says they have regular free walks every second Sunday at 8 a.m., and that they will even lend people binoculars.

Expect to see wetlands inhabitants, from the red-wing blackbirds and marsh wrens to egrets, herons and ruddy ducks. An exceptional sight recently was a nesting northern harrier, which swoops and dives so aggressively, it got an aircraft named after it. When a northern harrier appears, “you’ve never seen other birds disappear so quickly,” said Hurd.