Silver Lake Birds

Text and photos shared by Michael Perry. Find more of his magical images on his pixelfed feed here.

How To See The Astonishingly Cool Birds at the Silver Lake Reservoirs

The Silver Lake Reservoirs Complex provides irreplaceable habitat for local and migratory birds alike. Over 200 different species have been photographed and identified on citizen science sites iNaturalist and eBird; and there are many more yet to be documented.

On any quiet morning you can see and hear a dozen or more unusual species, without any equipment or special training. Learning to identify only one kind of bird is a great way to begin - then, as you search for your favorite (for me, it was the Acorn Woodpecker) you will inevitably notice many others. A great way to find birds is to listen for an unfamiliar bird call, then stealthily approach its source. Look up in the trees, down in the bushes, and in the chain link and barbed wire fencing, where they often perch.

A free app like Merlin can teach you the name of most birds, from either a photo or a sound recording.

Since many birds nest on the ground, this dog-free park is an especially valuable resource for the most vulnerable species, which have experienced widespread destruction of their historical breeding grounds and migratory stopovers, and predation from domestic pets.

an allen’s hummingbird considering the nectar potential of some mexican sage. photo by Michael perry

**The Tiny Warrior, aka Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)**

Weighing about the same as a U.S. dime, the Allen’s Hummingbird will fiercely defend its territory, mostly from other hummingbirds, but they have also been seen attacking hawks and falcons, many times their size! In direct sunlight, the iridescent orange and red throat glints and shines like a precious jewel. When mating, the male will fly in a 25 foot fighter-pilot arc like a swinging pendulum, before a high-speed dive from a hundred feet in the air to impress the female Allen's Hummingbirds. Look for them in patches of blooming flowers, collecting nectar.

THE GOTH CARDINAL

aka PHAINOPEPLA NITENS

The Goth Cardinal, aka Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

The name Phainopepla comes from the Greek for “Shining Robe,” and this regal creature, with its glossy black feathers and fiery red eye, is found only in Mexico and the American Southwest. Search for phainopepla in the dense trees at the north end of the Silver Lake Meadow.

ACORN WOODPECKER

aka MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS

The Colorful Hoarder, aka Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Everything about this clown-looking bird is epic. They live in polygynandrous breeding collectives of up to 15 individuals - think of it as a free love bird commune. Then there are the acorns - they devote enormous time and energy to collecting acorns, which they traditionally store in trees (called a granary), but also in metal sign posts, empty barbecues, hollow walls, abandoned cars, anything that will hold them, tens of thousands of acorns at a time. Why? Perhaps as a back-up food source, which is strange, since they primarily eat insects, sap and fruit. Or, perhaps, the same reason humans like to gather gold and diamonds. The granary pictured here is in nearby Fern Dell, but you can easily find Acorn Woodpeckers in the tall trees at the north end of Silver Lake Meadow. Fun fact: Woody Woodpecker’s call was patterned on the Acorn Woodpecker’s distinctive laughing sound - when you hear that, look around!

(More bird photos coming soon!)

Local and Migratory Birds at the Reservoirs

The 2020 Master Plan, and its associated documents, is full of information about the birds that live here, and those that visit. It also analyzes the existing situation and suggests modifications and improvements to support these birds and all of our wildlife. Here is what the associated Biological Resources Report says about bird migration (link here, excerpt from page 7). We are working now to increase the vegetation cover and food resources around the Reservoirs now, and towards adding the needed wetland habitat in the near future.

Pacific Flyway
The Pacific Flyway is one of four major North American migration routes for birds, especially waterfowl, and extends from Alaska to Mexico. In California, wetlands provide critical habitat for millions of migratory birds. Areas with open water and vegetation provide cover and food resources. The SLRC is along this migratory route and is a stopover for migratory birds, but habitat in the SLRC is limited by the lack of food resources. Because wetland vegetation and fish are absent within the SLRC, this area does not provide enough resources that are essential for many migratory birds.