Date: 2/23/26 12:28 pm From: Cassandra and Xavier via groups.io <xaviandra14...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Distressed pelican at San Joaquin
Thank you Charles for calling animal control. If you can, please call *Wetlands
and Wildlife Care Center* at *(714) 374-5587* to notify them about
the pelican. While they can't pick up the pelican from the field, they do
rehabilitate pelicans and animal control can drive the pelican to their
facility.
More info: https://www.wwccoc.org/found-an-animal.html
Thank you for taking the time to help,
Cassandra Margitan
On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 11:24 AM Charles Baker via groups.io <baker2575=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> Hi all:
>
> This morning at San Joaquin my wife and I came across an American white
> pelican with a Rapala-type fishing lure stuck in its beak. The pelican was
> on Pond B, near the usual roost of the yellow-crowned night heron (the
> night heron was also present at the time). As we were leaving, an Animal
> Control officer arrived to assist the pelican. I'm not sure how the
> officer planned to capture the bird, since it was situated a fair distance
> from shore, but hopefully he knew what he was doing and was successful in
> his efforts.
>
> Also of interest were three Northern Pintail ducks on Pond E.
>
> Here's a link to the unfortunate pelican and his night heron neighbor.
>
> Charles Baker
> Tustin
>
> Poor pelican | American white pelican with fishing lure in i… | Flickr
> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/50296680@N06/55112406671/in/dateposted/> >
>
>
Date: 2/23/26 11:24 am From: Charles Baker via groups.io <baker2575...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Distressed pelican at San Joaquin
Hi all:
This morning at San Joaquin my wife and I came across an American white pelican with a Rapala-type fishing lure stuck in its beak. The pelican was on Pond B, near the usual roost of the yellow-crowned night heron (the night heron was also present at the time). As we were leaving, an Animal Control officer arrived to assist the pelican. I'm not sure how the officer planned to capture the bird, since it was situated a fair distance from shore, but hopefully he knew what he was doing and was successful in his efforts.
Also of interest were three Northern Pintail ducks on Pond E.
Here's a link to the unfortunate pelican and his night heron neighbor.
Date: 2/23/26 8:48 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Rose-breasted Rosebeak at Riverdale Park
Jason Ketcham saw the bird, and we were able to follow it through the tree before it flew into the bushes in the Kaiser lot where we lost it.
It was in the same tree as reported yesterday by Amanda Gaskin.
33.853924, -117.818552. Large euc with two trunks that start at base.
Edana Salisbury and Jason Ketcham
Buena Park and Orange
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 2/21/26 11:59 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: February 21, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* February 21, 2026
* CAOC26.02.21
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
“American” Oystercatcher
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Bell’s Vireo
Plumbeous Vireo
Vesper Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
An AMERICAN-type OYSTERCATCHER continued along the coast, this time at Dana
Point Harbor, through February 19.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued along the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim
this week, as well as at Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia and Centennial
Regional Park in Santa Ana.
At least one immature LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through February 21.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 21. Another was reportedly continuing in
the lower Santa Ana River on February 14.
A WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 15.
A BALD EAGLE continued on the coast at Huntington Central Park in
Huntington Beach on February 20.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was over Irvine Regional Park in Orange on February 21.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin
through February 21.
A wintering BELL’S VIREO continued at the Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton
on February 14.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO continued at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin through
February 18. Another was at Centennial Regional Park in Santa Ana on
February 17, another was at Killefer Park in Orange on February 14, and
another was at Woodbury Community Park in Irvine on February 18. Btw, Loren
Wright is really knocking it out of the park finding rarities at little
hole-in-the-wall places in North County. More people should be covering
neighborhood parks and areas that are getting little to no coverage.
VESPER SPARROWS continued at Irvine Regional Park in Orange through
February 15. Another was in Limestone Canyon on February 14.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE continued at Pepperwood Park in Irvine through February
18, while another continued at Emery Park in Fullerton on February 19.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was reported from residential Laguna Beach on
February 14.
A NORTHERN PARULA continued at Manzanita Park in Cypress on February 21.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued at Rossmoor Park in Rossmoor on February
20.
A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER continued at Brenner Park in Buena Park
through February 21.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
Sylvia Gallagher’s Learning More California Land Birds Workshop will be
starting in March. Registration doesn’t open until March 2 so I will post
the link when it gets closer!
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
Date: 2/18/26 8:42 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Black-throated Green Warbler continues at Brenner Park in Buena Park
The bird was out in view in the same ficus tree where it has been seen in the past – last tree east along the sound wall when coming from the west. 33.855573, -118.025887
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
at Irvine ranch historic park/katie wheeler library. Found on Friday, revisit today. Still there.
On right side of the property once you enter the gate. Open till 5pm today.
Spotted a Black-and-White warbler foraging in our pineapple guava bush that is right outside our kitchen window. Observed within about 2 to 3 feet for about 2 minutes. Clear black-and-white warbler markings with white median head stripe and typical nuthatch style of foraging. My phone or camera were not handy at the time.
Date: 2/14/26 2:54 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: February 14, 2026
Happy Valentine's Day!
* California
* Orange County
* February 14, 2026
* CAOC26.02.14
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Phoebe
Tropical Kingbird
Plumbeous Vireo
Grasshopper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Scott’s Oriole
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued along the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim
this week, as well as at Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia and Centennial
Regional Park in Santa Ana.
At least one immature LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through February 13, with one report of both
immature birds together again.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 13.
A WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 13.
A BALD EAGLE continued on the coast at Huntington Central Park in
Huntington Beach on February 9.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin
through February 13.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued still at Overlook Park/Harriett Wieder Regional
Park in Huntington Beach on February 12.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 11.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO continued at Bart Spendlove Memorial Park in Mission
Viejo on February 8, while another continued at Tustin Heritage Park in
Tustin through February 14 and yet another was at Columbus Tustin Park in
Tustin on February 8.
Multiple wintering GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS continued at Quail Hill in Irvine.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continued at O’Neill Regional Park in Rancho Santa
Margarita through February 12, while another continued in residential
Orange on February 14.
A VESPER SPARROW was reported from Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach on February 13.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE continued at Pepperwood Park in Irvine through February
13, while another was at Bart Spendlove Memorial Park in Mission Viejo on
February 7 and 8.
A SCOTT’S ORIOLE continued at the Ramakrishna Monastery in Trabuco Canyon
through February 8.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued at Gibbs Park in Huntington Beach
through February 9.
An immature female PINE WARBLER continued at Good Shepherd Cemetery in
Huntington Beach through February 8.
A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was at Brenner Park in Buena Park on
February 13 and 14.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
Sylvia Gallagher’s Learning More California Land Birds Workshop will be
starting in March. Registration doesn’t open until March 2 so I will post
the link when it gets closer!
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
Date: 2/14/26 10:29 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Black-throated Green Warbler at Brenner Park,Buena Park
This morning at around 8:20, Jason Ketcham signaled us that he had the bird in the large ficus where Jonathan Rowley initially saw it. We lost it, although even I could hear at least two of its calls. At about 850 or so it returned to the top of the same tree where we saw it at the very top a couple times and before it disappeared again. There are still several of us here looking.
By the way, the tree involved is more on the west side of the park. Coming from the West most tree along the sound wall and going east, it is the huge one just before a large break with only sound wall and one tiny little tree showing. 33.855709, -118.025932
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 2/13/26 6:10 pm From: JonathanRowley via groups.io <jonathan.james...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Probable Black-throated Green Warbler
This morning and around midday again, there was a bird that I think is most likely a Black-throated Green Warbler at Bremmer Park in Buena Park. The bird has not been cooperative as a rule, and I link to my initial checklist below for my notes...
Date: 2/13/26 5:07 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Using eBird to plan a trip
This topic is not about birds or birding in Orange County, so I have closed this thread. If you have suggestions for the original poster, please reply directly to him and not to the listserv. Thank you.Tom BensonCo-moderator, OrangeCountyBirding -------- Original message --------From: "David Ornellas via groups.io" <davidornellas...> Date: 2/13/26 4:52 PM (GMT-08:00) To: <OrangeCountyBirding...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [CALBIRDS] Using eBird to plan a trip Hi Chuck,Just use chatgpt. I just asked it to find me probable locations for a prothonotary wabler at the end of April in Omaha. Just follow up with verification but this is a really good way to get started. You can give dates and locations and it will plan an itinerary for you. If you really want to go all out you can link your ebird life list then tell it to plan a trip in Omaha to maximize species you have not seen before by location. It can generate a PDF with tick boxes for species. It will list each one and can even generate habitat and behaviors. If you were just to respond "yes" at the end it would pull all the live/recent accounts (in chatgpt). here is the output:Here’s a solid likely list of eBird hotspots and good birding places where you could realistically expect to find Prothonotary Warbler in late April around Omaha, Nebraska — note that in Nebraska this species is a rare but regular spring migrant in the Missouri River Valley and reports tend to cluster in riparian, bottomland forest, and wooded wetland habitats. �Birds of Nebraska +1🌳 eBird Hotspots & Top Birding Areas (Omaha Metro & Nearby)Fontenelle Forest – Classic hotspot for warblers and bottomland forest species; prothonotary warblers have been reported here. �eBird hotspot likely: “Fontenelle Forest” (check eBird for latest L-codes & recent sightings)WikipediaNeale Woods Nature Center – Adjacent wooded preserve north of Omaha with good migrant songbird activity (part of Fontenelle Forest system). �eBird hotspot: check “Neale Woods”WikipediaChalco Hills Recreation Area – Mixed woods and wetlands just outside Omaha; may attract migrating warblers in April. �eBird hotspot: “Chalco Hills Recreation Area”Learn Bird WatchingZorinsky Lake Park – Large urban park with wetlands and wooded edges which often host spring migrants. �eBird hotspot: “Zorinsky Lake Park”WikipediaLocal Urban Green Spaces – Small wooded parks like Towl Park and Walnut Grove Park in Omaha see warblers during migration, according to local birders. �eBird hotspots: search these namesReddit🐦 Broader Habitat Spots (Worth a Side Trip)If you’d like to broaden the radius around Omaha for a targeted prothonotary search in late April–early May:Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge – River woods and side channels along the Missouri; excellent for migrants.Check: eBird hotspot “Boyer Chute NWR”DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (IA) – Just across the river from Omaha with floodplain forest that attracts warblers.Check: eBird hotspot “DeSoto NWR (Iowa)”📍 Tips for Prothonotary Warbler SeasonTiming: Prothonotary Warblers in Nebraska are most likely right around late April into early May — so your timing is great for migration. �Birds of NebraskaHabitat: Aim for bottomland forest, wooded wetlands, and river edges with standing water/roots — that’s where they forage and nest.Timing of day: Bird activity (especially warblers) peaks early morning or late afternoon.If you want, I can pull current eBird “recent sightings” lists for each of these hotspots for Prothonotary Warbler (with maps of observations) to give you a live sense of where they’re showing up this spring — just let me know!Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer -- David Ornellas,Costa Mesa, CA
Date: 2/13/26 4:52 pm From: David Ornellas via groups.io <davidornellas...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [CALBIRDS] Using eBird to plan a trip
Hi Chuck,
Just use chatgpt. I just asked it to find me probable locations for a prothonotary wabler at the end of April in Omaha. Just follow up with verification but this is a really good way to get started. You can give dates and locations and it will plan an itinerary for you. If you really want to go all out you can link your ebird life list then tell it to plan a trip in Omaha to maximize species you have not seen before by location. It can generate a PDF with tick boxes for species. It will list each one and can even generate habitat and behaviors. If you were just to respond "yes" at the end it would pull all the live/recent accounts (in chatgpt). here is the output:
Here’s a solid likely list of eBird hotspots and good birding places where you could realistically expect to find Prothonotary Warbler in late April around Omaha, Nebraska — note that in Nebraska this species is a rare but regular spring migrant in the Missouri River Valley and reports tend to cluster in riparian, bottomland forest, and wooded wetland habitats. �Birds of Nebraska +1🌳 eBird Hotspots & Top Birding Areas (Omaha Metro & Nearby)Fontenelle Forest – Classic hotspot for warblers and bottomland forest species; prothonotary warblers have been reported here. �eBird hotspot likely: “Fontenelle Forest” (check eBird for latest L-codes & recent sightings)WikipediaNeale Woods Nature Center – Adjacent wooded preserve north of Omaha with good migrant songbird activity (part of Fontenelle Forest system). �eBird hotspot: check “Neale Woods”WikipediaChalco Hills Recreation Area – Mixed woods and wetlands just outside Omaha; may attract migrating warblers in April. �eBird hotspot: “Chalco Hills Recreation Area”Learn Bird WatchingZorinsky Lake Park – Large urban park with wetlands and wooded edges which often host spring migrants. �eBird hotspot: “Zorinsky Lake Park”WikipediaLocal Urban Green Spaces – Small wooded parks like Towl Park and Walnut Grove Park in Omaha see warblers during migration, according to local birders. �eBird hotspots: search these namesReddit🐦 Broader Habitat Spots (Worth a Side Trip)If you’d like to broaden the radius around Omaha for a targeted prothonotary search in late April–early May:Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge – River woods and side channels along the Missouri; excellent for migrants.Check: eBird hotspot “Boyer Chute NWR”DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge (IA) – Just across the river from Omaha with floodplain forest that attracts warblers.Check: eBird hotspot “DeSoto NWR (Iowa)”📍 Tips for Prothonotary Warbler SeasonTiming: Prothonotary Warblers in Nebraska are most likely right around late April into early May — so your timing is great for migration. �Birds of NebraskaHabitat: Aim for bottomland forest, wooded wetlands, and river edges with standing water/roots — that’s where they forage and nest.Timing of day: Bird activity (especially warblers) peaks early morning or late afternoon.
If you want, I can pull current eBird “recent sightings” lists for each of these hotspots for Prothonotary Warbler (with maps of observations) to give you a live sense of where they’re showing up this spring — just let me know!
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
Date: 2/13/26 3:40 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [CALBIRDS] Using eBird to plan a trip
Ken,
I wholeheartedly disagree:
1. Lots of people are not on Facebook for various reasons. Some of them
ideological.
2. This is another symptom of the extreme balkanization of bird
communications on the internet. This burger who lives in another state does
not have the ability to reach out and join various groups on WhatsApp or
Discord. The only way you can join those groups is first you have to find
out what the heck the name of the group is, and then you have to find
somebody who's willing to let you join the group, and that assumes that
you're able to find somebody to reach out to and ask them to let you know.
I can tell you stories of groups one County over that wouldn't let people
in my County join their group. How do you think they're going to treat
somebody from another state?
Tom Miko
Claremont 91711
909.241.3300
"We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben
Edwards
On Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 3:02 PM Ken Burton via groups.io <shrikethree=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I think this is a question for the eBird community discussion group on
> Facebook, not CALBIRDS.
>
> Ken Burton
> McKinleyville
>
> On Fri, Feb 13, 2026 at 2:07 PM chuck schussman via groups.io <cschussman=
> <icloud.com...> wrote:
>
>> Hi, I am planning a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Can eBird be used to
>> identify the best places in or around Omaha to find a particular species? I
>> am hoping there is another way to do this other than just clicking on all
>> the flags on the range map... I am imagining that what I want is some way
>> to display a list of all of the sightings of a particular species in a
>> particular county, sorted by location and then by date. Is something like
>> that possible? How do you all use eBird to plan a birding trip?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Chuck Schussman
>> Tustin, California
>>
>>
>>
>
>
About halfway down the page, you will find a link to a video for Steve's presentation to the San Diego Field Ornithologists on how to use BirdView.
Jamie M. Chavez Santa Maria, CA
On Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 2:07 PM, chuck schussman via groups.io <cschussman...> wrote:
> Hi, I am planning a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Can eBird be used to identify the best places in or around Omaha to find a particular species? I am hoping there is another way to do this other than just clicking on all the flags on the range map... I am imagining that what I want is some way to display a list of all of the sightings of a particular species in a particular county, sorted by location and then by date. Is something like that possible? How do you all use eBird to plan a birding trip? > > Thanks! > Chuck Schussman > Tustin, California > >
Date: 2/13/26 1:58 pm From: chuck schussman via groups.io <cschussman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Using eBird to plan a trip
Hi, I am planning a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Can eBird be used to identify the best places in or around Omaha to find a particular species? I am hoping there is another way to do this other than just clicking on all the flags on the range map... I am imagining that what I want is some way to display a list of all of the sightings of a particular species in a particular county, sorted by location and then by date. Is something like that possible? How do you all use eBird to plan a birding trip? Thanks! Chuck Schussman Tustin, California
Date: 2/12/26 4:22 pm From: vicleipzig via groups.io <vicleipzig...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] possible Black-billed Magpie? in Laguna Niguel
James, Long ago (over thirty years?) there was a Black-billed Magpie in a residential neighborhood in northwest Huntington Beach. Consensus at that time was that it had to be an escapee from captivity (a "pet").
Vic
On Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 08:02:48 AM PST, James Bailey via groups.io <rivierastarsong...> wrote:
Hi all,I may be hallucinating but for parts of the morning while on remote calls at Upper Niguel Ranch Park, I was hearing what sounded strangely like a magpie. At one point the sound came much closer and at least two “laughter” call variants seemed clear to me. I rushed over but the bird was already departing, so no clear look.
One of my meetings picked up the sound in the background, so I will have a recording of poor quality available for review to make sure it wasn’t some weird scrub jay acting up.
The situation occurred around Upper Niguel Ranch Park, generally around the neighbourhood on La Hermosa Avenue. I imagine YBM is quite implausible, so assume it’s probably a pet/ship carry but just in case someone local had interest.I have not heard anything for the past 30 mins.
Cheers,James BaileyLaguna Niguel
Date: 2/12/26 3:38 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] [LACoBirds] The Merlin/Red-winged Blackbird mystery (solved?)
Wow! Thanks for sending this, David!
Tom Miko
Claremont 91711
909.241.3300
"We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben
Edwards
On Thu, Feb 12, 2026, 10:41 AM David Barton <dagnabbit1956...> wrote:
> There has been a study on touching on this subject by researchers at the
> University of North Texas. See
> https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11264047/#:~:text=Utilizing%20the%20Merlin%20Bird%20ID,31%25%20of%20false%20positive%20identifications.
>
> Their conclusion: "Utilizing the Merlin Bird ID application, we found an
> average accuracy rate of ~81.3%, with mockingbirds contributing ~31% of
> false positive identifications."
>
> David Barton
> Sherman Oaks, CA
>
> On Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:31:26 AM PST, <tgmiko...> via
> groups.io <tgmiko...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
> This morning, while walking Duke on our daily bird tour of Wheeler Park I
> heard some Red-winged Blackbirds. I did not see any. I also heard and saw
> Starlings. There were no Red-winged Blackbirds. A light bulb went on over
> my head. This weekend I was a cattle lot in the Antelope Valley, where
> there were many hundreds each of Starlings, Brewer's, and Red-winged
> Blackbirds. I suspect that Merlin "hears Red-winged Blackbirds everywhere"
> because it is hearing Starlings imitating Red-winged Blackbirds.
> Last Friday while looking for the Scott's Oriole in Orange County I stood
> there and watched a Northern Mockingbird imitate Cassin's Kingbird and
> White-breasted Nuthatch, and Merlin identified them as said species. I
> wonder if looking at the spectrograms would detect any difference between a
> Mockingbird and the species that it is imitating?
> Up until now I had always assumed that there would be something on the
> spectrogram that gives it away but now I suspect that not to be the case.
> Tom
>
> Tom Miko
> Claremont 91711
> 909.241.3300
> "We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben
> Edwards
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/12/26 10:23 am From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] The Merlin/Red-winged Blackbird mystery (solved?)
Hi, This morning, while walking Duke on our daily bird tour of Wheeler Park I heard some Red-winged Blackbirds. I did not see any. I also heard and saw Starlings. There were no Red-winged Blackbirds. A light bulb went on over my head. This weekend I was a cattle lot in the Antelope Valley, where there were many hundreds each of Starlings, Brewer's, and Red-winged Blackbirds. I suspect that Merlin "hears Red-winged Blackbirds everywhere" because it is hearing Starlings imitating Red-winged Blackbirds. Last Friday while looking for the Scott's Oriole in Orange County I stood there and watched a Northern Mockingbird imitate Cassin's Kingbird and White-breasted Nuthatch, and Merlin identified them as said species. I wonder if looking at the spectrograms would detect any difference between a Mockingbird and the species that it is imitating? Up until now I had always assumed that there would be something on the spectrogram that gives it away but now I suspect that not to be the case. Tom
Tom Miko Claremont 91711 909.241.3300 "We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben Edwards
Date: 2/12/26 8:28 am From: James Bailey via groups.io <rivierastarsong...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] possible Black-billed Magpie? in Laguna Niguel
Hi all,
I may be hallucinating but for parts of the morning while on remote calls
at Upper Niguel Ranch Park, I was hearing what sounded strangely like a
magpie. At one point the sound came much closer and at least two “laughter”
call variants seemed clear to me. I rushed over but the bird was already
departing, so no clear look.
One of my meetings picked up the sound in the background, so I will have a
recording of poor quality available for review to make sure it wasn’t some
weird scrub jay acting up.
The situation occurred around Upper Niguel Ranch Park, generally around the
neighbourhood on La Hermosa Avenue. I imagine YBM is quite
implausible, so assume
it’s probably a pet/ship carry but just in case someone local had interest.
I have not heard anything for the past 30 mins.
Date: 2/9/26 8:22 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Hermit Warbler continues in Tustin at Beneta Way and Prospect
Although I couldn’t find it yesterday, the Bakers warbler is still here - around 33.751409, -117.821654.
The pine tree it was in is across the channel from 17802 Lucero Way. I followed it as it hopped around in one tree for quite a while before I lost it.
Still looking.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 2/8/26 12:34 pm From: Vincent Baker via groups.io <bakerv1996...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Hermit Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo near Columbus Tustin Park (2/8/2026)
Hi bird enthusiasts,
My dad and I checked out a line of pine trees running along a flood control channel near my old middle school. I had a brown creeper here in 2022 while doing a nesting bird survey, so I’ve always suspected this green space can get interesting migrants, but I rarely get a chance to check.
Today was no exception as we had yet another Tustin Plumbeous Vireo (after seeing the continuing PLVI at Tustin Heritage Park) hanging out in those pines, as well as a nice Hermit Warbler near the west edge of the greenbelt (near the intersection of Beneta Way and Prospect Ave). Also several Band-tailed Pigeons in the pines, though those are expected for this area. No creeper today.
Highly encourage more local birders to check this place out; I'm sure there are other good migrants that have and will continue to winter in this area. Just note that the nearby gym and softball fields are very active today so there's lots of activity/not a lot of parking.
--
Vincent Baker
Long Beach, CA
Date: 2/8/26 10:06 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Brown Creeper at Gilman
I re-found the bird that was reported yesterday by Caleb P. It was about here.:
33.9025985, -117.8777044)m in a set of three trees on the south side of the creek when I was on the north side. . I know the bird is shown as being infrequent, but I have found it difficult to find in the past, so I thought I would report it.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 2/6/26 6:40 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: February 6, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* February 6, 2026
* CAOC26.02.06
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
American-ish Oystercatcher
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Phoebe
Tropical Kingbird
Plumbeous Vireo
Grasshopper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Scott’s Oriole
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
An AMERICAN-ish OYSTERCATCHER continued at Crescent Bay Point Park in
Laguna Beach on February 1.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued along the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim
this week, while more were at Haster Basin in Garden Grove.
At least one immature LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through February 4.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 6.
A WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 4.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin from
February 1 through February 6.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued still at Overlook Park/Harriett Wieder Regional
Park in Huntington Beach on February 5.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through February 5.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO was at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin from February 1
through February 6, while another was at Heritage Park in Santa Ana on
January 31.
Multiple wintering GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS continued at Quail Hill in Irvine.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was hanging around the playground at O’Neill
Regional Park in Rancho Santa Margarita from February 1 through February 6.
A VESPER SPARROW continued at Bommer Canyon in Irvine on January 31 by the
Cattle Camp, while another continued off of the Horseshoe Trail at Irvine
Regional Park in Orange on the same day.
A SCOTT’S ORIOLE was at the Ramakrishna Monastery in Trabuco Canyon from
January 31 through February 6.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER was at Tustin Heritage Park in Tustin from February 1
through February 3.
An AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park West in
Huntington Beach through February 2.
A NORTHERN PARULA continued at Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach
through February 5.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued at Gibbs Park in Huntington Beach
through February 4.
A very drab immature female PINE WARBLER continued at Good Shepherd
Cemetery in Huntington Beach through February 5.
A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK continued in residential Laguna Beach through
February 5.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
Sylvia Gallagher’s Learning More California Land Birds Workshop will be
starting in March. Registration doesn’t open until March 2 so I will post
the link when it gets closer!
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
Date: 2/6/26 11:31 am From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Scott's Oriole yes Friday 2/6/26
https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S298426618 Hi Trish et al
My cell phone reception was bad up there and I wanted to actually write
more details. Everything you need is in the eBird report, above. The bottom
line is that you can arrive two hours before the monastery opens and find
a safe spot to park without blocking any of the roads up there and hang out
and have a chance at the bird before they open the gates.
Tom (I have been driving, so only answering your email, now)
Tom Miko
Claremont 91711
909.241.3300
"We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben
Edwards
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026, 11:04 AM Trish G <trishrg62...> wrote:
> Hey Tom,
>
> Do you have coordinates for this bird?
> Where is the best place to park to see this bird?
>
> Thanks
>
> On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 9:41 AM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> It was in eucalypti along the road into the monastery, in the last
>> hundred yards before the gate to the monastery.
>>
>> Tom Miko
>> Claremont 91711
>> 909.241.3300
>> "We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get
>> promoted."--Ben Edwards
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 2/6/26 11:04 am From: Trish G via groups.io <trishrg62...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Scott's Oriole yes Friday 2/6/26
Hey Tom,
Do you have coordinates for this bird?
Where is the best place to park to see this bird?
Thanks
On Fri, Feb 6, 2026 at 9:41 AM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> It was in eucalypti along the road into the monastery, in the last hundred
> yards before the gate to the monastery.
>
> Tom Miko
> Claremont 91711
> 909.241.3300
> "We lose a rifle and get punished. They lose a war and get promoted."--Ben
> Edwards
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 2/5/26 5:49 pm From: Lam-Son Vinh via groups.io <lamson.vinh...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Summer Tanager in HCP-East
A female Summer Tanager flew into the sycamore behind the Bandstand along with a couple of Bullock's Orioles at around 4pm. It later flew toward the eastern side of Talbert Lake.
--
Lam-Son Vinh
Huntington Beach, CA
Date: 2/1/26 9:14 am From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Tustin heritage park rarities
A thorough check of Tustin heritage park this morning produced a presumably continuing Plumbeous Vireo, as well as a new Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and yet another new Tennessee Warbler, my 5th in the past 6 weeks
Date: 1/30/26 4:56 pm From: Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: January 30, 2026
Hello all,
Regarding Neotropic Cormorants, I've been looking for them ever since I moved here a few years ago. And I deem them my nemesis bird (along with Sora, but that's another challenge). I've looked for them following reports and by my own intuition, but they always evade me. Any suggestions, please, on what time of days is best for them? I understand there are regular haunts, but I keep dipping.
Thanks for all insights,
--
Aaron Jones,
Santa Ana.
Date: 1/30/26 3:30 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: January 30, 2026
Pretty sad when there are no listserv posts at all for 2 weeks! I guess
everybody was just speechless at my amazing last RBA post???
* California
* Orange County
* January 30, 2026
* CAOC26.01.30
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
American x Black Oystercatcher
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Zone-tailed Hawk
Western Flycatcher
Plumbeous Vireo
Grasshopper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
American Redstart
Pine Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER OR HYBRID OR WHATEVER was present along the coast
again this week between Dana Point and Laguna Beach.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued along the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim
and at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.
At least one immature LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through January 29.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through January 29, while another one continued in the
Santa Ana River adjacent to the Talbert Nature Preserve on January 25.
At least one WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through January 28.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was beautifully photographed with expert precision above
my house in Rancho Santa Margarita on January 29.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO continued at Pepperwood Park in Irvine through January
27. Another was at Schweitzer Park in Anaheim on January 24.
Multiple wintering GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were at Quail Hill in Irvine on
January 26.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continued in residential Orange on January 28.
A VESPER SPARROW was at the glorious Bommer Canyon in Irvine on January 29,
roundabout on the southwest side of that big old doveweed field.
A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE continued at Pepperwood Park in Irvine through
January 28.
A male AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park East in
Huntington Beach through January 26, while another male continued at Haven
View Park in Huntington Beach on January 28. A female was at Serrano Creek
Park in Lake Forest on January 27.
A very drab immature female PINE WARBLER continued at Good Shepherd
Cemetery in Huntington Beach on January 25.
A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was in residential Laguna Beach on January 27 and
28.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
Sylvia Gallagher’s Learning More California Land Birds Workshop will be
starting in March. Registration doesn’t open until March 2 so I will post
the link when it gets closer!
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
