Wetland bird seasonal abundance and habitat use at Lake Earl and Lake Talawa, California

A study of wetland bird composition, seasonal abundance, and habitat use was conducted on Lake Earl and Lake Talawa in Del Norte County, California from July 1974 through February 1976. Ninety-five species were recorded. Most birds occurred from October to December and during March and April. Diving ducks occurred primarily during fall and winter and were more abundant than surface-feeding waterfowl. Surface-feeding ducks occurred mostly during early and mid fall. Shorebird numbers were highest during spring and fall. The American Coot was the most abundant species recorded. Of all birds recorded, 69% used open water and 11% used flooded or bare mud and sand flats. Sand shores supported the highest densities of birds. Eleven species used six of the seven available habitat types. Freshwater marsh, mud/sandflat, and sand shore habitat types were preferred over other available habitat types. The lakes are an important wetland to migrating birds.