Birdathon 2026 at Malibu Creek State Park

Kathy and I regularly lead SFV Audubon’s monthly bird walk at Malibu Creek State Park, and we did so again in April 2026. As in prior years, we dedicated one of our regular spring bird walks to a very special event: Birdathon 2026! The chapter’s major annual fund-raiser for its environmental education programs, Birdathon creates the opportunity for donors to pledge funds for these programs in different ways–not only in a designated total amount, but also by pledging a specified amount per bird species observed by their selected team of birders.

Birdathon always gives Kathy and me an extra added incentive to find as many species as possible at Malibu Creek State Park, and this year was no exception. Fortunately, last year’s terrible fires did not damage habitat at the park.

We arrived at the park shortly before 8 a.m. on April 19. The weather was lovely, initially about 55 degrees Farhenheit with crystal blue skies, and quickly warmed up.

Our count group met at the usual spot in the parking lot, near the park trailhead. Team Barton was an astonishing 30 strong this year, including regulars like Chris and Ruth Tosdevin, Marie Bainbridge, Karen Ellis and Chris Lord as well as some newcomers, including first-time birders like Rick Gruber. Some were chapter members; others not. Their ages ranged from early twenties to retired “senior citizens.” All were eager to hit the paths through the chaparral and riparian oak woodland of this gem of the Santa Monica Mountains.

After introductions, announcements, and safety instructions, we got started. Avian activity was vigorous from the outset. Among our first sightings was a swarm of Cliff Swallows and a family of California Quail, ticked before we could hardly leave the parking lot! Acorn Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher and California Scrub-Jay followed in rapid succession.

We first tackled the fields near the campground, where Spotted Towhees, Northern House Wren, Oak Titmouse and Northern Yellow Warbler sang almost constantly. There, we were treated to outstanding views of Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Western Tanagers. Wow!

As we continued down the trail, we had good looks at a pair of nesting Red-tailed Hawks and found a pair of Northern House Wrens entering and exiting a tree cavity. California Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and White-breasted Nuthatches added to our delight.

We then returned to the trailhead after a brief restroom break, and headed down the path to Crag’s Road. At Las Virgenes Creek, we found a pair of Western Bluebirds carrying food into a tree cavity. A bit further on, descending to the water’s edge at Malibu Creek, we enjoyed stunning views of chattering Red-winged Blackbirds and soaring American Kestrels while ticking off ducks, egrets, and cormorants for our list. American Bullfrogs impressed us with their size and entertained us with their amusing calls.

Stopping briefly at a picnic table along Crag’s Road, we caught ourselves up on the day’s checklist. There, we enjoyed freshly-baked banana bread, courtesy of Chris Tosdevin, while we tallied up the species count. Fortified, we proceeded to the Visitors’ Center, finding a mated pair of Black Phoebes entering and exiting a cavity in a creekside boulder, carrying in food and carrying out fecal sacs.

In under four hours, Team Barton had logged a whopping 56 species! Kathy and I were proud of our team of birders, but most importantly we were pleased to have raised cash for the worthy cause of environmental education. We were also pleased to be able to observe so many breeding behaviors, which we were careful to note with breeding codes in our e-bird submissions in support of the newly organized California Bird Atlas.

For a full list of the birds observed at Malibu Creek State Park during the 2026 Birdathon even, as well as photos of many of the birds we saw, please take a look at our ebird checklist. We also invite you to join us on the third Sunday of any month for our regular bird walk at the park.

– Written by David J. Barton