Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2023, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which is Bay that is halfway to completion. The channel is now in place, for the most part, but much work remains to complete this ambitious project that will defninitely improve birding opportunities at the lagoon.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub have been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interest for birders on the lagoon trail looking through the chain-link fence. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residences.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, 2023, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding is halfway to completion. The channel is now in place, for the most part, but much work remains to complete this ambitious project that will defninitely improve birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
lagoon.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub have been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interest for birders on the lagoon trail looking through the chain-link fence. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residences.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been have been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. interest for birders on the lagoon trail looking through the chain-link fence. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.residences.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
As of 2021, the lagoon's eBird checklist (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L288881/media?yr=all&m=) stands in the low 200s, with many of the entries consisting of birds passing through that do not occur there regularly. The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration (April-June and August-November), when just about any species might conceivably stop in for a brief rest. The site is popular every day with walkers and dog owners, and on the weekends, especially during summer, many families enjoy swimming and barbequeing on the south side. As early as 8:00 a.m., workers may fire up an annoying leaf blower or mower to maintain a nearby home, park, or the golf course. Consider, as well, that the the lagoon is a small site that does not have great holding power for many species -- especially ducks and shorebirds, many of which remain for only a matter of minutes or hours before moving on during migration. For all of these reasons, birding is best during the early morning hours. A lovely loop trail allows easy access to most of the lagoon and the edge of the golf course, and the whole area can be easily covered in an hour (or two, if the birding is hot). When the open channel is completed in the coming years, and planted with a variety of native plants, the site should become that much more interesting to birders.
During winter, the lagoon typically has a flock of a few dozen Lesser Scaup, sometimes with Greaters mixed in. Other ducks regularly afloat include Mallard, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds provide verve year-round. Because the mudflat habitat is limited, and completely submerged at high tide, shorebirding is similarly limited; Killdeer and Least Sandpipers are the species most often seen, although many others have been recorded with varying frequency. This is not a hot spot for gulls or terns, although during summer you may be lucky to see a Least Tern or two foraging in the shallows. Double-crested Cormorants make use of floating "Christmas trees" that the City of Long Beach sets out during the holiday season, and the platforms also attract Brown Pelicans. You'll typically find at least a few Snowy Egrets and a Great Blue Heron stalking the shoreline, sometimes joined by a Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, or Green Heron. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with some regularity, and occasional Osprey. Typically, a single Belted Kingfisher sets up a wintering territory that it defends from the north shore. Cassin's Kingbirds and Black Phoebes are resident; various other flycatchers occur seasonally. Tropical Kingbird and Vermilion Flycatcher have shown up more than once. Barn Swallows nest under the floating walk-bridge, and various other swallows can be seen during migration periods. Hooded Orioles nest in the palms, while Bullock's Orioles occur primarily in the fall and winter months. Western Bluebirds live around the edges and nest in the open ends of power lines along Appian Way. Other breeding residents include Bushtits, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Orange-crowned Warbler (ssp. sordida), and Common Yellowthroat. Winter brings good numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows, and Audubon's Warblers. If you're looking for non-natives, you may find Egyptian Geese, Mitred Parakeets, Swinhoe's White-eyes, Scaly-breasted Munias, and Pin-tailed Whydahs, along with better-established expats like the Rock Pigeon, European Starling, and House Sparrow.housing.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
As of 2021, the lagoon's eBird checklist (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L288881/media?yr=all&m=) stands in the low 200s, with many of the entries consisting of birds passing through that do not occur there regularly. The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration (April-June and August-November), when just about any species might conceivably stop in for a brief rest. The site is popular every day with walkers and dog owners, and on the weekends, especially during summer, many families enjoy swimming and barbequeing on the south side. As early as 8:00 a.m., workers may fire up an annoying leaf blower or mower to maintain a nearby home, park, or the golf course. Consider, as well, that the the lagoon is a small site that does not have great holding power for many species -- especially ducks and shorebirds, many of which remain for only a matter of minutes or hours before moving on during migration. For all of these reasons, birding is best during the early morning hours. A lovely loop trail allows easy access to most of the lagoon and the edge of the golf course, and the whole area can be easily covered in an hour (or two, if the birding is hot). When the open channel is completed in the coming years, and planted with a variety of native plants, the site should become that much more interesting to birders.
During winter, the lagoon typically has a flock of a few dozen Lesser Scaup, sometimes with Greaters mixed in. Other ducks regularly afloat include Mallard, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds provide verve year-round. Because the mudflat habitat is limited, and completely submerged at high tide, shorebirding is similarly limited; Killdeer and Least Sandpipers are the species most often seen, although many others have been recorded with varying frequency. This is not a hot spot for gulls or terns, although during summer you may be lucky to see a Least Tern or two foraging in the shallows. Double-crested Cormorants make use of floating "Christmas trees" that the City of Long Beach sets out during the holiday season, and the platforms also attract Brown Pelicans. You'll typically find at least a few Snowy Egrets and a Great Blue Heron stalking the shoreline, sometimes joined by a Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, or Green Heron. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with some regularity, and occasional Osprey. Typically, a single Belted Kingfisher sets up a wintering territory that it defends from the north shore. Cassin's Kingbirds and Black Phoebes are resident; various other flycatchers occur seasonally. Tropical Kingbird and Vermilion Flycatcher have shown up more than once. Barn Swallows nest under the floating walk-bridge, and various other swallows can be seen during migration periods. Hooded Orioles nest in the palms, while Bullock's Orioles occur primarily in the fall and winter months. Western Bluebirds live around the edges and nest in the open ends of power lines along Appian Way. Other breeding residents include Bushtits, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Orange-crowned Warbler (ssp. sordida), and Common Yellowthroat. Winter brings good numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows, and Audubon's Warblers. If you're looking for non-natives, you may find Egyptian Geese, Mitred Parakeets, Swinhoe's White-eyes, Scaly-breasted Munias, and Pin-tailed Whydahs, along with better-established expats like the European Starling the Rock Pigeon, European Starling, and House Sparrow.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
As of 2021, the lagoon's eBird checklist (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L288881/media?yr=all&m=) stands in the low 200s, with many of the entries consisting of birds passing through that do not occur there regularly. The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration (April-June and August-November), when just about any species might conceivably stop in for a brief rest. The site is popular every day with walkers and dog owners, and on the weekends, especially during summer, many families enjoy swimming and barbequeing on the south side. As early as 8:00 a.m., workers may fire up an annoying leaf blower or mower to maintain a nearby home, park, or the golf course. Consider, as well, that the the lagoon is a small site that does not have great holding power for many species -- especially ducks and shorebirds, many of which remain for only a matter of minutes or hours before moving on during migration. For all of these reasons, birding is best during the early morning hours. A lovely loop trail allows easy access to most of the lagoon and the edge of the golf course, and the whole area can be easily covered in an hour (or two, if the birding is hot). When the open channel is completed in the coming years, and planted with a variety of native plants, the site should become that much more interesting to birders.
During winter, the lagoon typically has a flock of a few dozen Lesser Scaup, sometimes with Greaters mixed in. Other ducks regularly present afloat include Mallard, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds provide verve. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with regularity, and occasional Osprey. verve year-round. Because the mudflat habitat is limited, and completely submerged at high tide, shorebirding is similarly limited. limited; Killdeer and Least Sandpipers are the species most often seen, although many others have been recorded with varying frequency. This is not a hot spot for gulls or terns, although during summer you may be lucky to see a Least Tern or two foraging in the shallows. Double-crested Cormorants make use of floating "Christmas trees" that the City of Long Beach sets out during the holiday season, and the platforms also attract Brown Pelicans. You'll typically find at least a few Snowy Egrets and a Great Blue Heron stalking the shoreline, sometimes joined by a Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, or Green Heron. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with some regularity, and occasional Osprey. Typically, a single Belted Kingfisher sets up a wintering territory that it defends from the north shore. Cassin's Kingbirds and Black Phoebes are resident, and Western Kingbirds and Say's Phoebes are present resident; various other flycatchers occur seasonally. Tropical Kingbirds and Kingbird and Vermilion Flycatchers have Flycatcher have shown up more than once. Barn Swallows nest under the floating walk-bridge, and various other swallows can be seen during migration periods. Hooded Orioles nest in the palms.palms, while Bullock's Orioles occur primarily in the fall and winter months. Western Bluebirds live around the edges and nest in the open ends of power lines along Appian Way. Other breeding residents include Killdeer, Bushtits, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Orange-crowned Warbler (ssp. sordida), and Common Yellowthroat. Winter brings good numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-crowned Sparrows, and Lincoln's Sparrows, and Audubon's Warblers. If you're looking for non-natives, you may find the Egyptian Goose, Egyptian Geese, Mitred Parakeet, Swinhoe's White-eye, Parakeets, Swinhoe's White-eyes, Scaly-breasted Munia, Munias, and Pin-tailed Whydah, as well as more established Whydahs, along with better-established expats like the European Starling and House Sparrow.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
As of 2021, the lagoon's eBird checklist (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L288881/media?yr=all&m=) stands in the low 200s, with many of the entries consisting of birds passing through that do not occur there regularly. The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration (April-June and August-November), when just about any species might conceivably stop in for a brief rest. The site is popular every day with walkers and dog owners, and on the weekends, especially during summer, many families enjoy swimming and barbequeing on the south side. As early as 8:00 a.m., workers may fire up an annoying leaf blower or mower to maintain a nearby home, park, or the golf course. Consider, as well, that the the lagoon is a small site that does not have great holding power for many species -- especially ducks and shorebirds, many of which remain for only a matter of minutes or hours before moving on during migration. For all of these reasons, birding is best during the early morning hours. A lovely loop trail allows easy access to most of the lagoon and the edge of the golf course, and the whole area can be easily covered in an hour (or two, if the birding is hot). When the open channel is completed in the coming years, and planted with a variety of native plants, the site should become that much more interesting to birders.
During winter, the lagoon typically has a flock of a few dozen Lesser Scaup, sometimes with Greaters mixed in. Other ducks regularly present include Mallard, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds provide verve. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with regularity, and occasional Osprey. Because the mudflat habitat is limited, and completely submerged at high tide, shorebirding is similarly limited. Cassin's Kingbirds and Black Phoebes are resident, and Western Kingbirds and Say's Phoebes are present seasonally. Tropical Kingbirds and Vermilion Flycatchers have shown up more than once. Barn Swallows nest under the floating walk-bridge, and various other swallows can be seen during migration periods. Hooded Orioles nest in the palms. Western Bluebirds live around the edges and nest in the open ends of power lines along Appian Way. Other breeding residents include Killdeer, Bushtits, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Orange-crowned Warbler (ssp. sordida), and Common Yellowthroat. Winter brings good numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-crowned Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrows, and Audubon's Warblers. If you're looking for non-natives, you may find the Egyptian Goose, Mitred Parakeet, Swinhoe's White-eye, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Pin-tailed Whydah, as well as more established expats like the European Starling and House Sparrow.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The lagoon 18-acre lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
As of 2021, the lagoon's eBird checklist (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L288881/media?yr=all&m=) stands in the low 200s, with many of the entries consisting of birds passing through that do not occur there regularly. The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration, migration (April-June and August-November), when just about any type of bird species might conceivably stop in for a brief rest. The site is popular every day with walkers and dog owners, and on the weekends, especially during summer, many families enjoy swimming and barbequeing on the south side. As early as 8:00 a.m., workers may fire up an annoying leaf blower or mower to maintain a nearby home, park, or the golf course. Consider, as well, that the the lagoon is a small site that does not have great holding power for many species -- especially ducks and shorebirds, many of which remain for only a matter of minutes or hours before moving on during migration. For all of these reasons, birding is best during the early morning hours. A lovely loop trail allows easy access to most of the lagoon and the edge of the golf course, and the whole area can be found there. easily covered in an hour (or two, if the birding is hot). When the open channel is completed in the coming years, and planted with a variety of native plants, the site should become that much more interesting to birders.
During winter, the lagoon typically has a flock of a few dozen Lesser Scaup, sometimes with Greaters mixed in. Other ducks regularly present include Mallard, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Allen's and Anna's Hummingbirds provide verve. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks are seen with regularity, and occasional Osprey. Because the mudflat habitat is limited, and completely submerged at high tide, shorebirding is similarly limited. Cassin's Kingbirds and Black Phoebes are resident, and Western Kingbirds and Say's Phoebes are present seasonally. Tropical Kingbirds and Vermilion Flycatchers have shown up more than once. Barn Swallows nest under the floating walk-bridge, and various other swallows can be seen during migration periods. Hooded Orioles nest in the palms. Western Bluebirds live around the edges and nest in the open ends of power lines along Appian Way. Other breeding residents include Killdeer, Bushtits, Lesser and American Goldfinches, Orange-crowned Warbler (ssp. sordida), and Common Yellowthroat. Winter brings good numbers of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, White-crowned Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrows, and Audubon's Warblers. If you're looking for non-natives, you may find the Egyptian Goose, Swinhoe's White-eye, Scaly-breasted Munia, and Pin-tailed Whydah, as well as more established expats like the European Starling and House Sparrow.
Colorado Lagoon is the northernmost arm of Alamitos Bay, where the San Gabriel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. The lagoon was isolated off from the rest of the wetland complex in the 1960s, when 900 feet of open channel were filled in to make way for a freeway that was planned to pass through the area. The freeway never happened -- small miracles -- but the fill remained and became part of Marina Vista Park, and restricted water flow into and out of the lagoon through a long culvert has hampered water quality ever since. As of 2021, this problem is being addressed through a project to re-open a channel to Alamitos Bay, which should create even better birding opportunities at the lagoon and in the new channel.
A narrow band of salt marsh rims the lagoon, with mudflats at low tide that are largest along the southwestern shore. Low-growing coastal sage scrub has been restored on the west and east sides, and bioswales with riparian scrub has been restored along the north side and eastern arm, areas that border on a municipal golf course that can also provide interesting birding opportunities. The southern shore consists largely of sandy beach, and the eastern shore is bordered by a small park and residential housing.
The lagoon is most interesting to bird during migration, when just about any type of bird might be found there.
