Category Archives: Beautification

Join us in Elyria Canyon Park for a night of Moth Watching!!!
The Mt Washington Beautification Committee is thrilled to be participating in a National Moth Week event, albeit a few days early to accommodate the busy schedules of the folks involved.  Retired lepidopterist from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Julian Donahue, will be leading the event on the evening of July 21, 2012 in Elyria Canyon Park.  Julian plans to use a black light and other light sources to attract moths that can be identified, counted and released.  Julian will also provide insight into the life cycles of those moths and how they fit into the ecological environments of the native Black Walnut woodland and coastal sage ecosystems found in Elyria Canyon Park.  Join us for a fun evening.

Do something a little different and take the opportunity to explore nature at night.

April 29, 2012

From left to right: Lynnette, Clare, Bob, Julie and Sean

The work party in Elyria Canyon Park today had a modest attendance, and those who came to work watered plants and put some seedlings into the butterfly garden, including bush lupines and bush sunflowers.  Bunch grass seedlings were also planted in an approximately 10 square foot patch in the meadow near the red barn.  These tender plants will need to be watered with some regularity during the hot summer to ensure that they can survive their first year, but after that, they will need only sporadic care, most significantly weeding to keep non-native plants from competing for precious water.

Stinging Nettles

After much searching, members of the beautification committee eventually located some native stinging nettles.  This is not a plant that is normally available at nurseries, and the committee wanted to introduce the plant into Elyria Canyon Park as part of the butterfly garden since it is a native larval host for the Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, a cheerful dark colored butterfly with bright orange-red bands on each of its wings.   Though there have been Red Admiral sightings in Elyria Canyon Park this season, the fast flying butterflies have proven very elusive and they have not been willing to pose for the camera.  This somewhat tattered specimen was photographed in a private garden on Burnell Drive where they frequently sun themselves in the late afternoon hours.

Red Admiral

April 21, 2012
While on the bird walk hosted by Julian Donahue, folks who were looking at the ground saw this lovely, low growing plant with yellow flowers at the entrance of the park where Elyria Drive dead ends.  Sensing that it might be a native, it was photographed and afterwards correctly identified by Julian, Clare and Lynnette.  Here is Julian’s comment:  ”I’ve now looked closely at Daniel’s photo, and it looks like the flower is a native called Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertifolium). I’ve heard the name mentioned before, but guess I never realized that it belonged to this plant, which isn’t a yarrow at all.”

Golden Yarrow

Six MWHA members who enjoy the wonders of wildlife attracted to the open space we have on Mt Washington joined Julian Donahue for a second bird walk in Elyria Canyon Park.  Several new species that were not spotted the previous week thrilled those lucky enough to see them.

MWHA Bird Walk: April 21, 2012

The first new species spotted by the group was a beautiful male Western Tananger that flew across the Elyria Drive several times.  A second more drab individual was seen in the same area, and it might have been a female or an immature male.  The elusive creatures, though conclusively identified, did not sit still long enough to be photographed or for Julian to view them through the scope.  This photo taken by Kathy shows the group trying to get a better view down the hill into Elyria Canyon Park.

Band-Tailed Pigeon

In the same general area of Elyria Drive as the Western Tananger sighting, the group got to watch a pair of Band-Tailed Pigeons, a native species not to be confused with the introduced city pigeons.  Band-Tailed Pigeons are much larger than the introduced pigeons and they can be recognized by the white band at the edge of the tail.

Bushtit

A pair of tiny Bushtits was seen searching a California Black Walnut tree for insects.  During much of the year, Bushtits travel in flocks that are nearly always heard before they are seen.  They miraculously appear in trees and shrubs where they forage for insects, and then they seem to just as quickly vanish from view, reappearing in some other nearby tree.  Julian noted that during mating season, which is occurring now, the Bushtits stop flocking and they pair up to build a nest and raise a brood.

The group then caught a quick glance at a Lazuli Bunting, but this fleeting view did not allow for any photos.  This taught Daniel a very good lesson.  He had stopped on a nearby bench to remove foxtails from his socks and missed the unusual sighting.

California Thrasher

The final new sighting on this trip was of a California Thrasher that Julian heard and finally located at the top of a hill where it was perched in the top branch of a California Black Walnut tree.  The distinctive downward curving bill immediately identifies this relative of the Northern Mockingbird, another common species that was sighted throughout the walk.  Please try to join us on upcoming MWHA bird walks that have been scheduled to coincide with spring migrations, a time that brings many nonresident species to our neighborhood.  The open spaces and parks that the community has worked so diligently to preserve over the past twenty years provides a perfect habitat for native species and seasonal migrants.  Here is a complete list of the species spotted on Saturday, April 21, 2012 as provided by Julian Donahue.

Account of the 18 Species Observed
Band-tailed Pigeon. Good views of this gorgeous native resident, not to be confused with the domestic pigeon (now known as Rock Pigeon)
Mourning Dove. They’re everywhere, and their mournful song can be heard all over the hill.
Anna’s Hummingbird. Good scope view of a male on his lookout post in the canyon. When he flashed his gorget it looked rose or mauve, although it usually appears orangeish.
Allen’s Hummingbird. Good scope view of a perched bird on Elyria Drive.
Nuttall’s Woodpecker. One seen on Elyria Dr. by Julian at the end of the tour after the group disbanded.
Black Phoebe. This handsome flycatcher was hanging around the house on the corner of Elyria and San Rafael before the group fully assembled.
Western Scrub-jay. Conspicuous and noisy; several perched atop trees surveying their territory.
Common Raven. The common large black bird on the hill; a marvelous vocalist.
Bushtit. They seemed to be all around us on Elyria Drive.
Northern Mockingbird. Several of these gray-and-white songsters hurling their songs to the heavens.
California Thrasher. Great find–a lone bird singing from the top of a tree. Requires brushy habitat, so there may only be one or two of these birds on the hill.
Phainopepla. A male of this slim, crested, black beauty flashed the white patch in his wings as he flew around us.
Western Tanager. Great views of an astonishingly beautiful male as he flew to and from a fruiting mulberry tree on Elyria; this migrant is only passing through, on his way to more northern breeding grounds.
California Towhee. A surprising number of these perky brown residents showed themselves well.
Black-headed Grosbeak. His song drew our attention to this stunner, who just arrived to spend the summer on the hill.
Lazuli Bunting. Barbara spotted a beautiful male that disappeared almost immediately, affording most of us only a brief look.
House Finch. Common, with many males showing their brightly colored breeding plumage, which can be very variable in color.
Lesser Goldfinch. Several at Monique’s thistle-seed feeder, including males in full breeding plumage.

Thank you all for sharing a fine birding day with me. And keep your eyes and ears open!
Julian

Mourning Cloak Suns itself after the Rain
Location:  Elyria Canyon Park, Los Angeles, California
April 14, 2012
After a wonderful bird watching hike, Daniel headed home and spotted this beautiful Morning Cloak after he disturbed it from where it was sunning itself on the path that passes along “dirt” Burnell where four additional lots have recently been purchased and added to the total acerage for the park.  The butterfly landed again and allowed itself to be photographed.  The colors on this individual are so bright, it appears this is a newly emerged individual as opposed to an older individual that passed the winter in hibernation.  The Los Angeles area had two significant spring rains this week, and Saturday was a partly sunny but cool day after the Friday thunderstorms.  Dark butterflies like the Mourning Cloak sun themselves and absorb the heat on cool days.  The Mourning Cloak was the featured butterfly in the January 2012 newsletter.

MWHA Bird Walk with Julian Donahue Saturday, April 14.
Twenty One species of birds spotted!!!!!

MWHA Bird Watching Group

Eight lucky Alliance members, the first folks to sign up, showed up at 9 AM, binoculars in hand, to begin a short walk beginning at the SRF entrance on San Rafael Avenue, down Elyria Drive and into Elyria Canyon Park.  After some preliminary instructions on using the binoculars and birding protocol (never walk in front of the leader) the group set off toward Elyria Canyon Park.

Male Black-Headed Grosbeak

The sightings began immediately as the group assembled on the corner, and the list of species included several hawks, hummingbirds and others, but perhaps the most thrilling sighting was a male Black-Headed Grosbeak.  There was an unfamiliar, especially melodic call coming from a large laurel sumac shrub on the side of the trail.  Neither Clare nor Julian recognized the call, but the group eventually spotted a beautiful male Black-Headed Grosbeak deep inside the bush.  When the sun emerged from behind a cloud and illuminated him, the subtle orange and yellow colors of his breast plumage was positively delightful.  The group lingered at this exciting sighting for about fifteen minutes, as he continued to sing.

Phainopepla feeding on Golden Currant

As the 11 o’clock hour arrived, the group began its walk back, and Clare suggested another trail where she had spotted a Phainopepla several weeks earlier feeding on the golden currant berries.  Since many birds are territorial, especially during nesting season, the group was rewarded with a repeat sighting of the event Clare had witnessed several weeks earlier, a male Phainopepla in the same Golden Currant.

Here is a list of the twenty one species encountered on the April 14.

Cooper’s Hawk. Nice view of one soaring overhead.
Red-tailed Hawk. Good looks at an adult soaring overhead.
Mourning Dove. Several seen and heard; arguably the most common bird on Mt. Washington.
White-throated Swift. Several high overhead, migrating north.
Anna’s Hummingbird. Several, including a nice male flashing his gorget in the sun.
Rufous Hummingbird. One or two, passing through on their way north.
Allen’s Hummingbird. A few of this local resident. Smaller and paler below than Anna’s.
Black Phoebe. One on the corner of Elyria and San Rafael, and Clare heard another one.
[Western Kingbird. A flycatcher, possibly this species, on a quick fly-by overhead]
Western Scrub-jay. Abundant, active, and vocal, if not downright vociferous.
Common Raven. Common indeed. This is the bird most often seen soaring over Mt. Washington (crows don’t soar).
Bushtit. A small flock that Clare spotted, and we called back for closer inspection.
Bewick’s Wren. Daniel spotted one that we called in for a closer look.
Wrentit. Finally found this recent returnee to Mt. Washington, but he wouldn’t sit still for a prolonged look.
Northern Mockingbird. Several seen, including a pair defending their territory on Elyria Drive.  Conspicuous and vocal, singing a medley of songs not to bring joy to our lives, but because its gonads are enlarging.
Phainopepla. A nice male heard, then found, dining on golden currant fruits. One of the few fruit-eating birds, usually preferring mistletoe berries.
[Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler. A brief look at a likely candidate; common here in winter, most have departed by mid-April]
California Towhee. Prolonged look at one in the middle of a lawn; usually in the brush and more difficult to see.
White-crowned Sparrow. Nice looks at this dapper winter visitor; most will have departed by the end of April.
Black-headed Grosbeak. His song gave away the location of this recently-arrived summer resident.
House Finch. Several seen; among the most common birds on Mt. Washington.

March 24, 2012
The Beautification team had a small turnout of volunteers on Saturday, March 24, but they decided to walk around and see what was happening in the park.  First a trip to where the Bunch Grass is growing atop the hill, and the team was also happy to find some Blue Eyed Grass growing there as well.

Black Sage

The Black Sage, Salvia mellifera, a very fragrant native plant is beginning to bloom.  Clare noted that the entire hillside where this plant was growing was once covered in Black Sage, but a fire circa 1997 wiped out much of the native stock.  The beautification committee may begin to propagate Black Sage in an effort to restore its population in the park.  The flowers of the Black Sage are attractive to hummingbirds and many native bees and butterflies.

Golden Currants begin to ripen

The Golden Currant bushes are beginning to set fruit and the fruit is beginning to ripen.  Clare scolded Daniel for eating a currant since he would be depriving birds from their food source.  Moments later a beautiful crested male Phainopepla was spotted picking a ripe currant from a nearby bush.  Golden Currants are named for the color of the blossom.  The ripening fruit turns from green to yellow, red and black.

Wild Cucumber

The seed pods of the Wild Cucumber, Marah macrocarpus, are becoming large and noticeable.  The Wild Cucumber is also known as Manroot because of the large underground tuber that can attain the size of a small human.  These native plants are dormant much of the year, but with winter rains, the vines sprout and can achieve a great length.  Small white flowers are followed by the prickly pods.

California Black Walnut: Male Flowers

The endangered California Black Walnut Trees are currently in bloom, though the blossoms do not resemble the average person’s notion of a flower.  The male flowers are long greenish-yellow catkins that release pollen into the air.

California Black Walnut: Female Flowers

The female flowers are closer to the tips of the branches and they appear red at first.  If the female flowers are fortunate enough to be fertilized, they begin to form the nuts, which is evident in the accompanying photograph.  The nuts will grow in size, with the green covering hiding the shell of the nut inside much like the flesh of a peach covers the pit.  The nuts will begin to drop in mid summer and if conditions are right, the new seedlings will sprout in late winter after passing through a cold period.  The California Black Walnut is an endangered native species and Mt Washington is one of the few southern California locations where the trees can still be found in their native ecosystem.

Bush Sunflower

The Bush Sunflowers still have a few straggling blossoms, though they peaked in February.  Seed heads from flowers produced earlier in the season are getting close to ripening and there are plans to collect the seeds and germinate plants in the nursery so that plants from our local gene pool can be used to repopulate the park.  Bush Sunflowers are popular with pollinating insects like bees and butterflies.

California Buckwheat

The California Buckwheat, Erigonum fasciculatum, has just begun blooming and new blooms can be seen on plants that still contain dried seedheads from last season.  Buckwheat is another plant that is very attractive to pollinating insects.  Buckwheat normally blooms later in the season, though our unusually warm and dry winter may be a contributing factor in the early flowering this year.

Painted Lady Butterfly

After the Beautification Committee completed its brief hike to check on the status of plants above the meadow, Clare returned to the nursery and Sean and Daniel commenced weeding milk thistle.  The sun began to break through and butterflies became more active, including several Painted Ladies that were nectaring from the introduced wild radish.  They did not prove to be especially cooperative once the camera came out and the best photo is one that is partially obscured by grasses.  The Painted Ladies were especially wary whenever the camera approached.

March 24, 2012
Location:  Elyria Canyon Park, Los Angeles, California
The Mt Washington Beautification Committee were thrilled to find this lovely female Jumping Spider, Phidippus johnsoni, while attempting to remove invasive milk thistle from Elyria Canyon Park.  There was a large stand of the thistle on the dirt road leading to the red barn, and while digging the weeds, this bright red spider could not be missed.  Thanks to volunteer Sean Gilleran who grabbed the camera while Daniel held the active arachnid, we are able to post these awesome images.  According to BugGuide,  the Johnson Jumper is “Mostly black with a red abdomen. The male’s abdomen is entirely red, whereas the female’s abdomen has a black mark down the center.”  BugGuide also notes:  “Not harmful to humans, although like all spiders it will inflict a painful bite if provoked, and this species is reported to be more aggressive than other jumpers”, though Daniel is happy to report he was not bitten.  This robust specimen was over a half an inch in length.

More information on the Johnson Jumper can be found on this excellent article by Robert R. Jackson from American Arachnology online.

Sunday March 11, 2012
Butterflies are elusive creatures.  Just try creeping up on one with a camera and you will know what we are talking about.  Today while watering plants for the butterfly garden and weeding out invasive species, Daniel saw a Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui alight a few feet from him, and he lamented not having a camera.

Painted Lady

He returned later in the afternoon and was lucky enough to photograph a Painted Lady nectaring from some of the last blooms on a Bush Sunflower, one of the plants the Mt Washington Beautification Committee has begun planting in the butterfly garden. Interestingly, the Painted Lady, a species that migrates north out of Mexico each year, was profiled in the March issue of the MWHA newsletter.

Common Checkered Skipper

Numerous other smaller butterflies were also seen landing on the Bush Sunflower, including this little Common Checkered Skipper, Pyrgus communis, a species that BugGuide reports from California between June and December on its data page.  Perhaps the weather this year has stimulated an early eclosion as numerous individuals were spotted in various places in the park.

Fiery Skippers

Perhaps the most common butterfly spotted in the park today were the Fiery Skippers, Hylephila phyleus. Since the caterpillars of the Fiery Skipper feed on grasses, the non-native grasses the flourish in our hills during the wet winter and spring conditions provide a rich food supply and populations of Fiery Skippers are far from endangered.  These rapid flying butterflies were feeding from the blossoms of the non-native wild radish that are also a common in fields and parks in southern California.  Read more about the Fiery Skipper on BugGuide.

Fiery Skipper

Sunday, March 11, 2012
This morning, Mt Washington Beautification Committee Co-Chairs Clare Marter Kenyon and Daniel Marlos made an impromptu trip to Elyria Canyon Park to water plants that were put in several weeks ago at the inaugural planting for the Butterfly Garden.  While watering deerweed, California sunflowers and California black walnut seedlings, Daniel noticed some lovely blue flowers he suspected were Blue Eyed Grass.

Blue Eyed Grass

Daniel told Clare he had a surprise for her and he led her to the spot in the area below the road and above Winmar Street.  This heretofore unknown patch of Blue Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum, a member of the iris family, became the focus of the rest of the morning.  Clumps of Blue Eyed Grass were tagged with pink tape and invasive grasses were weeded from around them.

Blue Eyed Grass

Clare explained that this native has been lost in many parts of the park where it once grew wild, and there was a discussion about staking off the area to prevent habitat loss during annual brush clearance.  There was also a discussion about trying to relocate some clumps of Blue Eyed Grass to areas where it once grew.  A future work party should be devoted to this activity.  Since neither Clare nor Daniel thought to bring a camera, a special trip needed to take place later in the day solely to take some photos to document the momentous discovery.  More information on Blue Eyed Grass can be found on the Cal Flora website.