Owens Lake Bird Festival

Fall 2014 Owens Lake “Big Day”
Bird Count: Birds and Big Trucks

By Debbie House, LADWP Watershed Resources Specialist, Bishop Office

Participants in the Fall 2014 Big Day Owens Lake bird count recorded a total of 12,629 birds and 46 different species (Table 1). Almost 82% of all birds recorded were Owens Lake Guild Species, of which 12% were waterfowl, 0.02% diving waterbirds, and 77% shorebirds. Despite the fact that several ponds were temporarily off-line due to the on-going construction of Phase 7A of the Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Project, including some ponds that typically are quite productive, the results of the 2014 Fall count were fairly comparable to fall counts over the last four years (Table 2).

An overwhelming theme of the day was the reminder that the Dust Control Project is manmade, a work zone, and sometimes a construction zone. Phase 7a construction activities were taking place in several cells, affecting traffic and safety across most of the lake. During the morning pre-survey safety briefing all surveyors were instructed to wear hard hats and safety vests throughout the day, were advised of special “haul routes”, and required safety precautions to follow when encountering trucks and large machinery.

With regard to waterbirds, waterfowl numbers were similar to the lowest previous value in 2011 and diving waterbird numbers were also low as only two Eared Grebes were found. Shorebird species richness was high at 18 species and shorebird numbers were higher than that observed last year. Noteworthy sightings for the day include a total of 29 Short-billed Dowitchers, and the number of Long-billed Dowitchers reported (50) represents a high for a Fall Big Day Count. While a few of the Phase 7A cells under construction typically support waterfowl and diving waterbirds, the status of any cell during the count can only partly explain the results obtained during these counts as migratory populations are affected by a multitude of factors.

Phase 7A is water-neutral expansion of the dust-control project area. Some existing dust control ponds are currently “off-line” and are being reconfigured for water savings and improved wildlife habitat. The Owens Lake Habitat Suitability model was used to guide re-design of the cells, and part of the reconfiguration involves the addition of islands of varying design and re-grading of the cells for improved foraging conditions. Phase 7A is designed to be water-neutral while maintaining or enhancing habitat value for all Owens Lake waterbird guilds.

Eastern Sierra Audubon Society Education Committee Chair Mike Prather and LADWP Watershed Resources Specialist Debbie House organized the Fall 2014 Owens Lake “Big Day”. The 19 participants in the census included eight LADWP staff, eight volunteers, and staff from Great Basin Air Pollution Control Board and Inyo County Water Department. LADWP would like to thank Mike Prather, the Eastern Sierra Audubon Society and all who participated in the census.