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Click here to go to the rare sightings page.

To view a little stint blog and other videos, click here

The friends of Piute Ponds launched this website in 2008 as a tool to inform the public of activities at the ponds. We privately funded all costs associated with this website and built the pages and the harvest database on our own time. Much time, energy and effort have gone into this project.

When you donate it helps pay the hosting fees and soon we'll be assembling student backpacks for scientific exploration of the ponds by elementary school students. Any contribution to these efforts is appreciated and tax deductible.

What is a Friend?

A friend is one who watches over, shares experiences, values and protects. Check out the Friends of Piute page.

For information about cattle egrets, go to the Bird Highlight page.

There is more to see. . . keep scrolling

 

Roadrunner in Joshua Tree

A roadrunner in a joshua tree sent to us by Sue Liberto on April 5, 2016.

Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier Male — photo by Larry Sansone 2/2/2016

Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier Female — photo by Larry Sansone 1/28/2016

Bufflehead

Bufflehead — photo by Larry Sansone 1/28/2016

Friends of Piute Ponds News

The small group of volunteers who launched and maintained this site are currently embarking in becoming a 501c3 non-profit group. We are seeking volunteer, professional advice from legal experts and financial wizards, writers who like developing by laws, accountants to track all of our non-profit dollars, or a fundraising brainstormer. All talent and skill levels are welcome. If you have no talent, we'll find something for you too. All are welcome, just bring your enthusiasm..

If you are ready to jump in with us as we expand our Piute horizons, email us at volunteer@piuteponds.org.You are welcome to join us any time to give as much or as little as you choose. We meet for dinner (dutch treat) every Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. in Lancaster.

About Piute Ponds

See a video of the ponds by clicking here. Edwards AFB produced a video with interviews of Jon Feenstra and members of the Sea and Sage Audubon Society who were visiting the ponds during a birding tour. Beautiful images and interesting information for any newcomer to Piute Ponds.

Thank you to Ducks Unlimited for all of the time and money spent to enhance and develop these incredible ponds. Hunters, birders, photographers, hikers, students and visitors of all kinds will enjoy this transformation for years to come..

This site is built and managed by volunteers of the Friends of Piute Ponds. We have no affiliation with Edwards Air Force Base. We post information about the base as a courtesy to our viewers and the base.

GreatEgret

Great Egret photographed by Kristin Blatt taken October 2014

Big Piute

Dawn photo of Big Piute by Bob Hardy

Ibis

Ibis in flight shot by Susan Liberto in September 2013.

Check out the map with the new pond names at the bottom of this page.

Commemoration Information

July 12, 2013 was an important day at the ponds. A commemoration celebration acknowledging the 2012 Piute Ponds Wetland Restoration Project and the contributions of Ducks Unlimited, Sanitation District 14, EAFB, Friends of Piute Ponds, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Fish & Wildlife and LaHontan Water Quality Control Board. For more information and to see pictures of the ceremony, click here for the Ducks Unlimited page.

New Photos have been posted on the Birding page (3 of 3)!

Pond Information

Over 250 species of birds have been documented at the Piute Ponds Complex. In 2004 the National Audubon Society designated the Ponds as an "Important Bird Area of California." Piute Ponds is one of a few areas in the state supporting a successful White faced Ibis rookery. Black Crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons breed at the ponds regularly. 

 

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck photo by Pam Vick

Mike San Miguel documented the most southern breeding range extension of Buffle Head at Piute Ponds. For information about Mike San Miguel's influence on birding click here: Mike San Miguel

Piute Ponds is the largest freshwater marsh in Los Angeles County (see aerial photo below). The area supports a diversity of flora and fauna. The convergence of two mountain ranges (San Gabriel to the south and Tehachapi to the north), the Mojave Desert, coastal influence, and beneath the Pacific Flyway provides a mixture of diverse migratory birds

Pond Map piute ponds map

For a clear .pdf file of this new pond map, click here

With permission, these wetlands are open to the public for viewing, birding, hiking, photography and hunting with posession of a special access letter or base hunting permit. See Hunting or Birding page for more information.

click here for special, rare sightings

The ponds and surrounding area are unique within the Antelope Valley and provide a recreational resource for the surrounding communities. The Piute Ponds Complex is designated a Significant Ecological Area (SEA) for Los Angeles County. 

An Alkali Mariposa Lily Conservation area is proposed in the Draft West Mojave Plan and borders the Piute Ponds Complex.

In addition to its ecological value, Piute Ponds is recognized for its recreational and educational opportunities.  The most popular activities at Piute Ponds are bird watching, photography, and waterfowl hunting.  The area is used all year by Branch Elementary School as an outdoor laboratory. Other local schools also use the area for educational purposes.