July 2023 was the hottest month recorded on the planet, and that's not just hyperbole. Locally it was hotter than usual, but we didn't suffer the devastating heat that others had across most of the country and parts of California inland. I am grateful that I live near the coast, and that we installed efficient mini-split heat/air conditioning units just a few months ago. I joined the Y and enjoyed the pool to keep cool. My outings were limited to mornings and very local places. I used my art/nature journal at home and in the field and spent an entire day indoors working on a colored pencil drawing of a sunflower.

However, I did get hot under the collar at our local park maintenance. I have noticed trees being taken down throughout Long Beach’s parks. When I went to Wardlow Park, one of my favorites and a hotspot for birds in migration, I was shocked practically to tears. Dozens of  trees have been removed.  This includes the trees that were a favorite of the Summer Tanager, several of the favorite trees of the Oak Titmouse, the trees where I found the Red-faced Warbler a few years ago. The Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and Western Bluebirds would nest in cavities in several of the trees, now gone. Beautiful Sycamores gone. The trees in the center of the park where the Hammond’s Flycatchers perch, gone. All the undergrowth along the channel fence has been cut down. No place for White-crowned Sparrows and California Towhees to hide. In discussions with fellow birders, this has been the case in many of our favorite places.

Apparently, in 2015, an inventory and assessment was conducted that identified 14,000 trees as dead, dying, or in critical condition. Nothing was done at that time. These trees continued to decline further due to a historic drought, disease, and invasive pests. The 2023 budget included one-time Measure A funds in the amount of $1.8 million to address the decline of the park urban forest. So the city is doing everything at once. If you have the money, spend it while you can. If I could wave my magic wand, I would have done the work in sections over time, leaving at least some habitat for birds and wildlife. I also think the city is focusing on using the parks for 'recreation', which to them means sports fields. We will see how this effects fall migration.

So back to what I saw this month. A friend introduced me to a new-to-me local park where we met to photograph insects. It is a more wild area, and I saw some cool stuff. I am reminded that there is always more to see if you look closely. I also coordinated the PV/South Bay Audubon Butterfly/Dragonfly survey. Not as many butterflies this year, but my highlight was a young raccoon and a posing cicada. 

As we try to escape the heat at the beach or on summer vacations, as is usual, fall migration has begun for birds. Shorebirds are returning along the river and shore. An Eastern Kingbird, headed south, came down the wrong coast and showed up at Los Cerritos Wetlands. A Tundra Bean Goose that breeds in Siberia got very lost in migration and showed up locally, making it's way through several local parks. Baby birds are growing up, and there were some other rarities. I saw Magnificent Frigatebirds when I was in Mexico in February. It was quite unusual to see one locally. It was very distant, but there is no mistaking the size and shape.  An Indigo Bunting was by the river. It's name is true to the color of the bird.

Enjoy nature, hydrate, and stay cool!

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Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Local Stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_july-2023

Los Cerritos Wetlands Bird Survey:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/hellman_jun_2023