Malibu Lagoon plays host to a colorful array of migrant birds every winter, whether making their winter homes or simply resting on a longer journey south.
A late December visit to the lagoon during an Audubon Society outing yielded great bird watching opportunities for full-time residents and seasonal visitors.
Among them was a red-throated loon—a rare winter migrant to the lagoon according to Audubon Society member and Topanga resident Chris Tosdevin who supplied photos of the birds. In the summer, Tosdevin said, the loon breeds on lakes and ponds in Arctic tundra. Other winter visitors included Royal Terns and a Green-winged Teal, the smallest duck native to the United States.
Red throated loon in winter plumage
Green-winged Teal