Orange County Birding

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mountain Chickadee fledgling and other recent observations (Mission Viejo)

Fri, 25 May 2012 01:52:43 -0500

At the Mission Viejo campus of LePort Schools where I teach, we have a
year-round population of MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES which seem to be attracted to
the several pines in our landscaping there. Today some of the 8th graders
spotted a juvenile bird, and it presented a great opportunity for
observation. We determined that it

[OrangeCountyBirding] White Goose and White Gull

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:59:20 -0500

Yesterday, while doing a brief survey along the Santa Ana River, in extreme s.w. Orange, I had a Ross's/Snow type goose jump out of an isolated pool of water and fly off. This was at the extreme northern end of River View Golf Course (observed from bike trail on west

[OrangeCountyBirding] Huntington Central Park birds 5/23

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:58:03 -0500

Birding the east side of Huntington Central Park today (east of Goldenwest Street) we were surprised to see 2 adult male Townsend's Warbler (need directions to Washington?) and a latish Swainson's Thrush. Other birds included one non-Mallard duck, a gorgeous male Ruddy Duck, 4 Olive-sided Flycatchers, 1 Western Wood-Pewee,

[OrangeCountyBirding] Tern nesting update

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:03:20 -0500

I visited the Least Tern nesting site this morning (in Huntington Beach at the end of the Santa Ana River) and found out that the first chick hatched this week. So far there are over 400 nests. They are currently very active in mating on the beach.

Today I

[OrangeCountyBirding] Warblers At Sea

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:46:03 -0500

Sailing from Catalina to Newport on Sunday on a 41' sailboat we were besieged by warblers. They are not uncommon out there this time of year, but the numbers and their behavior were remarkable. For over two hours we never had fewer than six birds aboard.

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:49:19 -0500

I went out this morning from 6:40am-8:00am to see the Duck. Unfortunately, he decided not to show up!
Sachiko Fukuman
San Clemente

Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Help please...mystery birds off Newport Pier.

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:02:23 -0500

Frequently referred to as "Wharf Swallows" as Barn Swallows nest so often under piers, at least in Calif.
Chuck Almdale
North Hills, Ca.

At 02:30 PM 5/19/2012, jacksnipe1990 wrote:
>Sally & all,
>Your birds were Barn Swallows. I was at the pier about an after after you were there yesterday... and I saw several Barn

[OrangeCountyBirding] Bolsa Chica Mystery Warblers?

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:48:32 -0500

We birded Bolsa Chica on Sunday morning and ran across two birds we presumed to be warblers, but which both have us stumped.

The birds were both gleaning high and deep in a Eucalyptus along the slough. We never got a clear look at the head of either

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck

Sun, 20 May 2012 09:42:44 -0500

The Long-tailed Duck is feeding this morning at 7:30AM at Newport Pier. It is on the east side in line with the surfers just beyond the breakers.

David Campbell
Newport Beach

[OrangeCountyBirding] Re: Help please...mystery birds off Newport Pier.

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:30:23 -0500

Sally & all,

Your birds were Barn Swallows. I was at the pier about an after after you were there yesterday... and I saw several Barn Swallows out over the breakers as you described.

Robert McNab
Laguna Niguel, CA

--- In (email address filtered), "riata4horse" <riata4horse@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Birders, When I was

[OrangeCountyBirding] Help please...mystery birds off Newport Pier.

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:42:08 -0500

Hi Birders, When I was at the Newport Pier yesterday waiting for the Long-tailed Duck to show up I saw a small flock of birds I couldn't identify. They were flying low over the water, in between the waves, staying between the breakers and the shore. They were

[OrangeCountyBirding] Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow (late)

Sat, 19 May 2012 13:30:25 -0500

Hi All,

Today I recorded a Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow on a privately-owned part of Santiago Creek. So far as I know, the only later record for OC (known to be gambelii) was a bird at Huntington Central Park on 20 May 1995. A WCSP of unknown subspecies was recorded in Costa

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck Newport Pier

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:05:04 -0500

Got to the pier at 10 AM. I was about to leave at 10:45 AM when the duck flew in to the end of the pier and began diving. It flew in as if it was coming from the line of breakers just to the west (?) of the pier.

[OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County Spring Count, preliminary results

Fri, 18 May 2012 02:45:21 -0500

Hello all,
This past weekend, Sea & Sage Audubon sponsored the first annual Orange County Spring Count, in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day and the North American Migration Count. Your support of this event was fantastic, thank you for participating. I hope everyone had a good time.

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck at Newport Pier continues

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:33:59 -0500

This morning at the Newport Pier at 6:15 A.M., the Long-tailed Duck continued near the end of the pier, often diving under the pier. There were also several Sooty Shearwater sighted a mile or so off shore as well as many Pacific Loons migrating up the coast.

Steve Morris
HB

[OrangeCountyBirding] Black Swifts over Mason Regional Park

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:22:52 -0500

Today at 8:45 A.M. at Mason Regional Park in Irvine, I observed two Black Swifts for about 30 seconds circling high overhead and then heading north/northwest. No luck with the Orchard Oriole reported here a couple of days ago but there were still a fair amount of Yellow Warblers and

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck still at Newport Pier

Mon, 14 May 2012 02:21:56 -0500

I saw the continuing Long-tailed Duck at about 6 PM this evening.
I got a very poor, but identifiable digiscoped picture, and a lot of pictures of where it was (it kept diving before I could get my camera focused). Eventually it dove under the pier and I never found

[OrangeCountyBirding] Orchard Oriole Mason RP, Fremont Canyon & Others

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:33:28 -0500

I had a first spring (SY) ORCHARD ORIOLE at Mason Regional park this afternoon. It was along the creek just a little East of the entrance kiosk. There were also a bunch of migrants moving through. Also nearby the drake and hen REDHEADS continue at SJWS.

[OrangeCountyBirding] OCSC at Craig Park

Sun, 13 May 2012 16:23:27 -0500

Yesterday, as part of the Orange County Spring Bird Count, I spent most of the day at Craig Regional Park, searching for migrant and breeding birds. Migration was okay by park standards, with the highlights being 2 HERMIT WARBLERS in globular pines at the north end of the park. The

[OrangeCountyBirding] California Gnatcatcher in Fullerton

Sun, 13 May 2012 15:36:13 -0500

A big deal for me; a California Gnatcatcher in Fullerton off Euclid at the entrance to the Robert Ward Preserve. Save Coyote Hills! Bob Houtz

[OrangeCountyBirding] Western-wood Pewee in Anaheim

Sun, 13 May 2012 15:02:15 -0500

I took a stroll through my neighborhood this morning, and had 2 Western-wood Pewees in the back park area of my tract. I also saw a Hermit Warbler, both new neighborhood birds.
Saw a female Western Tanagers and heard some Oriole chatter, but most have moved on.

Good birding

Trish Gussler
Anaheim

[OrangeCountyBirding] Phainapepla

Sat, 12 May 2012 23:31:52 -0500

I had a male phainapepla in my backyard yesterday (Orange Hill area). Being new to SoCal (from Wisconsin) I'm wondering how common these are? Very interesting looking bird, and certainly a first for me.

David Allen Jones
Orange

[OrangeCountyBirding] Birds at Shipley

Sat, 12 May 2012 18:21:06 -0500

Hi,
While searching for and not finding the Yellow-throated Vireo this morning I saw the usual migrants and an Acorn Woodpecker, a Dusky and Hammond's Flycatcher, a Hermit and MacGiillivray's Warbler. It was very birdy there this morning!

Happy Birding!

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Torrance
Tracy

[OrangeCountyBirding] Olive sided Flycatcher

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:58:29 -0500

Yesterday morning, we were hiking across the Fire Rd. in Laguna Beach, and spotted an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a first for me. We were looking for Lazuli buntings, which have been seen there in the last week, but we didn't.

I'll post a pic in the Flycatcher folder

Barbara Harley
Laguna Beach, CA

[OrangeCountyBirding] Harding truck trail on 5/11

Fri, 11 May 2012 22:36:26 -0500

Had a lovely morning walking about 5 miles or so up the Harding truck trail out of Modjeska canyon. Had some great looks at black-chinned sparrows, rufous-crowned sparrows, and lazuli buntings. Saw mostly the same species that Peter Scott reported on Sunday, though I also had several lark

[OrangeCountyBirding] Nesting Elegant Terns?

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:17:57 -0500

So I've been watching the Elegant Terns mate down on Huntington Beach alongside the Least Terns but I never see them nesting in the fenced off area there. Does anyone know where they nest at? Is it possible to get pictures of them nesting around here?

Thanks!

Brian Knott
Huntington Beach

[OrangeCountyBirding] Yellow-throated Vireo in Shipley Nature Center at HCP

Fri, 11 May 2012 13:06:15 -0500

This morning at 8:45 A.M. in Shipley Nature Center at Huntington Central Park, I observed a Yellow-throated Vireo. It was located in the northeast area of Shipley Nature Center and across the channel. From the entrance, take the path to the left and follow to the back of Shipley

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mystery Birds

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:58:35 -0500

I posted a few photos of some birds I saw at Bolsa Chica Wetlands the other day in the mystery bird folder. I'm unsure of the ID's. I will probably be adding a few more to that album within the next day or two as I go through all my

[OrangeCountyBirding] Weekend birding

Sun, 06 May 2012 21:47:18 -0500

Spring, when a young man's fancy turns to love and an old man's fancy turns to the spring migration. Yesterday, in the east side of Hunt Beach Central Park, I saw 3 different Hermit Warblers, one male near the Youth Shelter and a male and female north of

[OrangeCountyBirding] Modjeska Canyon

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:15:42 -0500

I went to Modjeska Canyon Sunday 5/05 looking for a Black-chinned Sparrow. I saw one on the Harding Truck Trail at 33°42.862' N, 117°36.956' , also one at at W33°42.800' N, 117°36.777' W. Saw a Costa's Hummingbird at same location. Numerous rufous-crowned sparrows were present. Also lazuli

[OrangeCountyBirding] Long-tailed Duck

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:03:13 -0500

The Long-tailed Duck was photographed today at Newport Pier.

David Campbell
Newport Beach

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mason Regional Park -Harris's Hawk!

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:27:41 -0500

Today was a good day for migrants today, some interesting passerines included;

2 Yellow Warblers
2 Wilson's Warblers
A bunch of Orange-crowned Warblers
Lots of Common Yellowthroats
1 Black-throated Gray Warbler
3 Townsend's Warblers
1 Hutton's Vireo
5 Warbling Vireos
1 Plumbeous Vireo (nearby @ UTC)
3 Western Tanagers

But the highlight was a very nice looking adult Harris's Hawk circling

[OrangeCountyBirding] Possible Long-tailed Duck

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:08:56 -0500

Today at 10:15 AM I photographed a "possible" Long-tailed Duck. It was found on the west side of the pier just past the breaker line and the line up of surfers. It moved after 10 minutes toward the 28th Street groin (the first stone jetty the the

[OrangeCountyBirding] Laughing Gull at Bolsa Chica Wetlands?

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:10:53 -0500

During my stroll through Bolsa Chica Wetlands yesterday (May 4) around 4 pm, I spotted what appears to be a Laughing Gull. Took a photo that I'll try uploading to the gull folder. However, it's a little blurry because the bird was far out and the wind was

[OrangeCountyBirding] ID Help on Flycatcher Buena Park

Sat, 05 May 2012 11:41:35 -0500

Birders,

In my backyard yesterday I had a visitor I couldn't indentify. I uploaded the picture in the flycatcher folder entitled Empid Flycatcher Buena Park. Not sure if I am looking at a Least's or Hammond's. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin Alcaino
Buena Park

[OrangeCountyBirding] Oso Creek Trail Walk - Mission Viejo

Fri, 04 May 2012 22:51:27 -0500

Highlight of our walk tonight on the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo was a male Western Tananger. I got a couple of nice snaps of him but since they are not rare I didn't post them. They are very beautiful birds. Do they stay in this area

[OrangeCountyBirding] Lazuli Buntings nesting at Craig Park, Fullerton

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:31:34 -0500

The buntings look like they are nesting in a pine tree halfway between the lake and the handball courts. The tree is on the right if you face the deep man-made ravine that faces onto the dirt trail with railings.

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mountain Chickadee: Saddleback College Campus

Thu, 03 May 2012 23:30:01 -0500

(5/3/12) At little before 7 pm, I heard and briefly saw a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE on the Saddleback Community College campus. It was in the pines that surround lot 11. I walked through that area almost daily this past winter and never heard or saw any chickadees, so I

[OrangeCountyBirding] Spring migration!

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:36:16 -0500

Really nothing of note (rarity-wise), but just saying if local birders can get outdoors and look for birds, this would be a great time. From the songs and calls I heard around home before leaving this morning, and from what was seen moving through the Fairhaven Memorial Park/Santa Ana Cemetery

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mile Square Park

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:06:24 -0500

Hi,
Wow, what a great morning at Mile Square Park. Thanks for the great directions. I found the Hermit Warbler and posted (in Warbler album) a good picture I took when he was on the ground. Also saw: Black&Gray Warbler, Townsends,Wilsons,YellowRumped, Western Tanager, Lazuli Buntings, BH Grosbeak,Blue Grosbeak,Cedar Waxwings,Vaux's Swift, and

[OrangeCountyBirding] Craig Park on Sunday

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:31:01 -0500

On Sunday, I went for a quick walk through Craig Park to look for some migrants. They were few and far between, though I went in the middle of the day, so they were probably all resting. I did see a pair of Ash-throated Flycatchers on the weedy hillside east

[OrangeCountyBirding] western bluebird

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:20:27 -0500

Saw a western blue bird at lily king park in Santa Ana today next to the street catching bugs and returning to a sign by the street. Dont remember seeing one here and have lived in the area for about 30yrs. I have seen them in Northern santa ana

[OrangeCountyBirding] Northern Waterthrush

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:21:56 -0500

Present today at Shipley NC at 8:30 was the No Waterthrush. Ask Carol for directions. Don Hoechlin , Hunt Bch

Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Mile Square Park Bathing Birds

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:20:58 -0500

I visited Mile Square Park this morning. Not a perfect day for birding with
the overcast, but still a great day for birding.
I was there between about 10:15 and 12:15.
There were also several other birders, and we were not disappointed.
There were really good numbers of Hermit, Townsend's, WIlson's and a few
Yellow-Rumped

[OrangeCountyBirding] Tanagers and the Mulberry Tree

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:05:03 -0500

Yesterday morning I had several pairs of Western Tanagers in my fruiting mulberry tree (Morus alba x M.rubra). Not sure if they're the same ones that have been in my neighbor's silk oak trees sipping nectar. The tanagers were joined by a Black Headed Grosbeak and the resident Hooded Orioles

[OrangeCountyBirding] Eurasian Collared-Dove

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:30:56 -0500

Hi Again,
The UPS man just delivered my tripod, so I ran out back and shot a few pictures of the Eurasian Collared-Dove I posted about earlier. It turns out there is a pair rather than just one. I posted two photos in the Dove Album.

Barbara
Huntington Beach

[OrangeCountyBirding] Hermit Warbler

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:19:48 -0500

I was at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary this morning (9am-12) and found a Hermit Warbler. It was flitting around the trees where the boardwalk meets the North Loop Trail. He only stuck around for 30-40 seconds but it was enough time to get a great look at him through

[OrangeCountyBirding] Eurasian Collared-Dove

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:13 -0500

Hi,
Finally identified the dovelike calling I've been hearing recently. Spotted on top of a phone pole near my backyard was a Eurasian Collared-Dove. He has been frequenting the pole for the past few days. It is located on La Palma Circle (a cul de sac just off Patterson Ln) in

[OrangeCountyBirding] Mile Square Park Bathing Birds

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:39:57 -0500

Birding at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley Monday turned up 41
species. The "gold mine" for birds was 50 feet east of the bridge
over the ditch near the northwest end of the south lake (enter off
Euclid Ave). Birds were gathering in a tree near the ditch and flying
down

[OrangeCountyBirding] San Joaquin WS--Wilson's phalaropes

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:57:24 -0500

Just got back from a quick lunchtime walk at San Joaquin. Three Wilson's phalaropes are present in Pond D, doing their crazy spinning routine. Also, a spotted sandpiper and a pectoral sandpiper can be seen at Pond C. There's also a few black skimmers and a lot