Braving expanses of urban development, the threatened California gnatcatcher – the bird on EHL’s logo – was sighted near Marina Del Rey for the first time since the 1880’s.

Historically, large numbers of California gnatcatchers inhabited coastal sage scrub across the Los Angeles basin. By the time of listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1993, they were extirpated from Los Angeles County except for the Palos Verdes Peninsula and more inland locations near Whittier and San Dimas.

After birth, gnatcatchers generally disperse less than 3 km, though there is one report of 20 km. “Steppingstones” of habitat are thought to be useful. These birds were discovered on October 23, 2010 at the eastern portion of the Ballona Wetlands complex in patches of scrub-like vegetation, during surveys undertaken by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. The Daily Breeze broke the story.

While the two gnatcatchers may have just been dispersing, we hope that this is the start of permanent and expanded residency for the gnatcatcher in Los Angeles County as lands are restored. A prime candidate is the Baldwin Hills Park, hundreds of acres of former oil fields that are excellent potential habitat.