October 31, 2020 Malibu Bluffs Park and Legacy Park

On this Halloween day I visited Malibu Bluffs Park. There was a fire here on October 9th. I hadn't been back here since then. While I didn't find anything very unusual today, I did document some of the finds in the burn scar. Already there were a few plants sprouting including a morning glory and a narrowleaf milkweed. The burn zone was also being heavily exploited by many, many white crowned sparrows and yellow rumped warblers. They obviously found new seeds and/or bugs in this area. There were also a couple of Marine Blue butterflies flitting around the burn zone. I always am intrigued by what animals continue to use the burned area--for instance, do insects stay in the area because it is their territory or are they finding something in the area to forage on? I couldn't figure out what the marine blues were doing there.

Following my visit to Malibu Bluffs, I stopped at Legacy Park. Again, nothing particularly unique; however I was amazed at the number of green darners..perhaps numbering in the dozens! I saw at least 5-6 mating pairs plus many others flying around. A Cassin's kingbird took advantage of this bounty while I was there, catching one of the dragonfies. I always associate kestrels with dragonflies but for some reason kestrels have been oddly absent from this park the past few years. They used to be regulars here.

Regardless, I'm so glad the city filled the pond as it has attracted a great many ducks that have been absent from the park for some time. I'm hoping it will draw more different species in the coming months.

Julkaistu marraskuu 1, 2020 03:59 AP. käyttäjältä naturephotosuze