Date: 6/2/26 8:01 am From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] California Bird Atlas, Pre-Big Weekend update and a challenge
Sorry, a quick correction, the presentation will be this Thursday, June 4th, at 7 PM.
Date: 6/1/26 11:51 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] California Bird Atlas, Pre-Big Weekend update and a challenge
Hi all:
The California Bird Atlas Big Weekend is fast approaching (6/4-6/7) and hopefully everyone's planning on going out and documenting breeding bird activity for the atlas!
As of today, 128 species have been confirmed nesting in Orange County, a result of over 4,500 hours spent atlasing the county. Almost all blocks have been surveyed, the remaining three unsurveyed blocks within the county include the San Clemente NE block, which appears to lie within the private Rancho Mission Viejo property, and the Alberhill SW and Sitton Peak NW blocks, both still impacted by the 2024 Airport Fire. Well done everyone!
It should be noted that effort has by no means been spread evenly across the county. For example, fully 20% of effort (over 900 hours! ) in the county come from just one block: Seal Beach CE, where most of Bolsa Chica and Huntington Central Park are located. Amongst the remaining 86 blocks in the county, many have been surveyed for 10 or fewer hours. While many of these blocks are in harder to reach areas of the Cleveland National Forest or the Irvine Ranch, others host easily accessible birding hotspots. I'd like to highlight three of them for coverage this coming weekend:
1) Laguna Beach NW:
This coastal block contains Buck Gully (good for various coastal sage scrub and chaparral species), Harbor View Nature Park, and San Joaquin Reservoir (good for waterbirds if you have a scope, and CSS species)
Effort so far: 5.75 hrs, 3 confirmed species
2) Canada Gobernadora CE:
Caspers Wilderness Park: Starr Mesa Campground, several trails within the park
Effort so far: 3.00 hrs, 14 confirmed species
Caspers is Orange County's largest park with vast expanses of native scrub, oak woodland, riparian woodland, and other native species that should host a large proportion of our native landbirds. The one checklist in this block was submitted by an experienced atlaser who compiled an impressive list of nesting resident species during a fairly short outing in late April, however now that we're in June, we can expect that our summer migrant species have begun nesting, so it would be great for a second round of surveys here to be completed.
3) Prado Dam SW:
Box Canyon Park, Anaheim Wetlands, Eastside Community Park
Effort so far: 5.22 hrs, 5 confirmed species
This block lies between southern Chino Hills State Park and the Santa Ana River in Yorba Linda, and contains several productive parks along the wildland urban interface. Additionally, the Anaheim wetlands contains potentially suitable habitat for otherwise difficult freshwater wetland species such as common gallinule.
I'll be out of town atlasing in the San Bernardinos, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to check out these blocks (as well as other underbirded blocks in the county) this weekend!
Date: 6/1/26 12:29 pm From: Karen Nguyen via groups.io <nguyen.karen77...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
Hi Aaron,
I used to work for the public health laboratory in Orange County and generally bats would be brought to us at the laboratory by animal control for rabies testing if it was exhibiting unusual behavior (dead, downed, flying erratic or unable to fly etc) and/or found within a populated/enclosed area with humans.
Perhaps a park ranger noticed unusual behavior from a bat or it was reported by a bystander which alerted public health authorities to test it. Testing is a requirement in these situations by public health.
The county healthcare agency will then release a press release to notify that there was a positive rabies case in a bat in case anyone had encountered the bat at the specific location and to seek medical care for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine series.
Date: 6/1/26 11:43 am From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
I thank Aaron and Martin for raising this issue and providing an informative discussion, but as this topic does not relate to birds or birding, this thread is now closed.Tom BensonCo-moderator, OrangeCountyBirding -------- Original message --------From: "Martin Fee via groups.io" <mfee...> Date: 6/1/26 11:34 AM (GMT-08:00) To: <atj0888...>, <OrangeCountyBirding...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine I am pretty certain that the Orange County health care agency routinely performs rabies testing on any sick, injured, and/or dead bat that is found and reported to animal control, in case anyone may have had contact with it.The rate of rabies in these ill/dead bats is significantly higher than in the general bat population of course, because they are not healthy so the likelihood that they might have rabies goes up.And to clarify, any direct contact with a bat (such as touching or picking up a dead or injured bat) carries risk. The “enclosed space” comment refers to a flying bat. Martin FeeNorth TustinSent from the all new AOL app for iOSOn Monday, June 1, 2026, 9:43 AM, Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> wrote:Good morning,
Thank you for the insight. The incident I refer to at Irvine Regional Park can be found on this OC Health Care Agency press release: Bat Found at Irvine Regional Park Tests Positive for Rabies | Orange County California - Health Care Agency
It doesn't state how the bat was found to have had rabies, whether it was by chance, or if it was part of a survey (particularly if the only potential danger of contact is within enclosed spaces). Do you (or anyone else) know more about this, please?
Thank you for your reassurance, also.
-- Aaron Jones,Santa Ana."Nid wrth ei big y mae mesur cyffylog."
Date: 6/1/26 11:34 am From: Martin Fee via groups.io <mfee...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
I am pretty certain that the Orange County health care agency routinely performs rabies testing on any sick, injured, and/or dead bat that is found and reported to animal control, in case anyone may have had contact with it.
The rate of rabies in these ill/dead bats is significantly higher than in the general bat population of course, because they are not healthy so the likelihood that they might have rabies goes up.
And to clarify, any direct contact with a bat (such as touching or picking up a dead or injured bat) carries risk. The “enclosed space” comment refers to a flying bat.
Martin FeeNorth Tustin
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
On Monday, June 1, 2026, 9:43 AM, Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> wrote:
Good morning, Thank you for the insight. The incident I refer to at Irvine Regional Park can be found on this OC Health Care Agency press release: Bat Found at Irvine Regional Park Tests Positive for Rabies | Orange County California - Health Care Agency It doesn't state how the bat was found to have had rabies, whether it was by chance, or if it was part of a survey (particularly if the only potential danger of contact is within enclosed spaces). Do you (or anyone else) know more about this, please? Thank you for your reassurance, also. --Aaron Jones,
Santa Ana.
It doesn't state how the bat was found to have had rabies, whether it was by chance, or if it was part of a survey (particularly if the only potential danger of contact is within enclosed spaces). Do you (or anyone else) know more about this, please?
Date: 5/31/26 6:47 pm From: Martin Fee via groups.io <mfee...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
Hi Aaron
I happen to be an Infectious Disease Specialist, so I’ll take this one.
There is always a very low level presence of rabies within the bat populations in the United States. Bats are the primary source of human rabies in the United States, mainly because it’s not always clear when one may have been bitten or scratched by one (as opposed to say a raccoon).
That being said, the only real potential danger is when there is close contact with a bat, primarily within a home or other building. There’s no risk whatsoever of acquiring rabies, simply observing them flying about in their natural environment. So feel free to participate and enjoy. Hope that helps.
Martin FeeNorth Tustin
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
On Sunday, May 31, 2026, 4:06 PM, Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> wrote:
Good afternoon, In anticipation of the bat walks at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary this summer, what can be said about the bats there and rabies, please? This is in light of a concern that was expressed to me regarding recently reported case of a bat with rabies found at Irvine Region Park. I don’t know the prevalence of rabid bats in Orange County or the relations between bats in Irvine Regional Park, San Joaquin Sanctuary, and other locations in Orange County, hence my question here for anyone who may be better informed. Thank you, and kind regards,--Aaron Jones,
Santa Ana.
Date: 5/31/26 4:06 pm From: Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bats in Irvine
Good afternoon,
In anticipation of the bat walks at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary this summer, what can be said about the bats there and rabies, please?
This is in light of a concern that was expressed to me regarding recently reported case of a bat with rabies found at Irvine Region Park.
I don’t know the prevalence of rabid bats in Orange County or the relations between bats in Irvine Regional Park, San Joaquin Sanctuary, and other locations in Orange County, hence my question here for anyone who may be better informed.
Thank you, and kind regards,
--
Aaron Jones,
Santa Ana.
Date: 5/30/26 8:26 pm From: Sherry Meddick via groups.io <wrennietwoburd64.p4...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Latest USFS update on openings/closures in Cleveland National Forest
Thanks for the correction, Rodger. Interestingly, the MAP shows E. Horsethief closed, though I think it's supposed to show open, whereas west Horsethief remains closed on both the map and the table showing closed areas. I sort of assumed E was open, but you know what they say about assumptions!
Date: 5/30/26 8:17 am From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Northern Parula Huntington Central Park
A silent female type Northern Parula is in the willows at Jack green here (33.7065644, -118.0057604). Looks similar to the bird seen on the 17th but would be a long stay in spring so maybe new.
Date: 5/30/26 8:16 am From: Roger Schoedl via groups.io <rogerschoedl...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Latest USFS update on openings/closures in Cleveland National Forest
Thaks for sharing, Sherry!
To clear up any confusion, the link Sherry provided for the closure area map is for the old closure order (Order #02-25-04).
Main Divide from Santiago Peak south is now open as is the north half of Long Canyon Loop. The area in the far northeast part of the burn area (sections north and east of Main Divide on the eastern slope of the mountains like Horsethief Trail above Lake Elsinore) are now open. Much of the burn area remains closed including birder favorites Blue Jay/Falcon Campgrounds, Holy Jim Trail, Trabuco Canyon, etc.
Also, the condition of parts of the paved part of Maple Springs Truck Trail is poor to say the least. Many potholes have opened. Some sections of road have crumbled badly and a few have given out completely with potholes and dips 1-2 feet deep. Some of the worst parts were recently filled with gravel but I doubt the repairs will last. Still navigable in low vehicles but it is not smooth riding.
Date: 5/30/26 6:58 am From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Red-eyed Vireo continues at Huntington Central Park
The Red-eyed Vireo first reported last evening on discord continues at the east end of island. Silent in my brief observation
Date: 5/29/26 8:29 pm From: Sherry Meddick via groups.io <wrennietwoburd64.p4...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Latest USFS update on openings/closures in Cleveland National Forest
Hello, everyone. Just wanted to make you aware of a Forest Order dated May 28, 2026 which outlines remaining closures in the Cleveland National Forest (CNF) due to the Airport Fire.
If you are on Facebook (I'm not), I understand it is posted there on the Cleveland National Forest site.
Note that the USFS road site (here: Cleveland National Forest | Current Conditions | Forest Service ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/cleveland/conditions ) ) still states, contrary to the announcement, that North Main Divide (3S04) is closed between Ortega Highway (74) and Indian Truck Trail. If you would like to call the Corona office (and note during the busy time of year for firefighters, this office may be closed and is closed regularly on the weekends) to check, the number is: 951-736-1811 though I suspect this contradiction is just that they have not updated their current conditions site yet which happens a lot. Or it could be that the current weather was unpredictable enough to them to close this section. Calling might be the best idea just to be certain.
One newish thing is that one can now drive on North Main Divide (3S04) from Ortega Highway to the very trashed Saddleback Peak area then down to Maple Springs gate (or the reverse). It's a long and bumpy ride. It is about 12.5 miles from the Maple Springs gate to Saddleback Peak and *longer* from Orgeta to the Peak. One may NOT venture off the road in any direction or one would find themselves in no-no zones. The campgrounds and Long Canyon Road etc. remain in the closed area as do all trails.
The North Main Divide (3S04) begins in RIVERSIDE county and is accessible from the 74 past the El Cariso Campground (on the L if you are heading N on the 74). So, the first portion of this forest road is Riverside County. Then it wiggles in and out of Riverside/Orange Counties until after you leave Santiago Peak. This Ortega to the Peak section should be loads of fun to figure out what county you are in:)
This is probably a nice project for the adventurous and there are some really neat sections of this road between Ortega and Saddleback Peak. Because this section only opened a day ago, I assume it isn't trashed yet. I still suggest doing this during the week as weekends are very, very busy and if you can manage it before school is out, all the better. Tuesdays are the best day. I have not been on this opened section yet and do not know its condition. One could always finish the Saddleback Peak to Ortega if one didn't finish the first time (I wouldn't!) and start from Ortega.
Were it me wanting to make this trip, I would START in Silverado about 2am on a Tuesday morning stopping briefly along the way to listen for owls then finally stop at SX8 (end of pavement) to listen for owls then head up the dirt toward the first guardrail after the pavement ends (northern saw-whet has been heard/recorded at this guardrail turnout, for instance, originating from deep in upper Spruce Canyon) then continue the route towards Big Cone Springs and owl the appropriate sections along the way to Big Cone Springs (where the saw-whet has been found many times though this area has been completely trashed now). Be careful at Big Cone Springs as this is also Dead Man's Curve and people crash there all the time on that near-180 degree turn. The time w/ the least traffic in the forest at Maple Springs is between 2:30am to about 5:00am; I did a traffic count at the Maple Springs gate from midnight to 6am for seven days which is how I know this though I have seen exceptions. Then I would start down the Peak to Ortega Section at first light. I include this info because in my own personal experience, it is the time of day that is the stillest/quietest in this very busy forest.
THIS ROAD REQUIRES A HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLE in places. Don't try this trip without an appropriate vehicle, water, good tires, a spare and tools. Even sections of the pavement are nasty in spots. IF brush scratching your paintjob makes you wince, I don't recommend this trip.
Happy birding and best regards,
Sherry Meddick
Silverado
Date: 5/29/26 3:55 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: May 29, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* May 29, 2026
* CAOC26.05.29
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
Pigeon Guillemot
*SOOTY TERN*
*LESSER FRIGATEBIRD*
Neotropic Cormorant
A PIGEON GUILLEMOT was observed flying up the coast in the San Clemente
area on May 25.
A likely *SOOTY TERN* was photographed off of the San Clemente Pier on May
25.
Well what do you know about this one? Last week I mentioned two reports of
a Magnificent Frigatebird around the San Clemente Pier. However, thanks to
the eagle eyes of one Tom Ford-Hutchinson, it was discovered that the bird
was actually a first county record *LESSER FRIGATEBIRD*, which continued
through May 24 around the San Clemente and Dana Point area. It has
unfortunately not been seen since Sunday night. It was also discovered
after the fact that the bird was apparently in the area since at least May
18, having been video’d offshore by the crew of the Reel Fun.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued in the upper Santa Ana River.
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/.
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 Samuel Bressler (<pacificgoldenplover...>) 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.
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. #RBA
Date: 5/26/26 6:50 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] 507
Orange County birders,
All of the Pin-tailed Whydah and Swinhoe's White-eye observations in Orange County in eBird have been re-coded from Provisional to Naturalized. It may take a day or so for the changes to appear in eBird's public outputs. If, after a couple of days, you are seeing erroneous exotic codes for these species on past observations, please let me know. Keep in mind that all new observations of these species will continue to be coded as Provisional until the default setting is changed by eBird administrators during one of their regularly scheduled updates. Until then, new observations will be manually changed periodically.
To give you an idea of how rapidly Swinhoe's White-eyes have exploded in the county, here are the approximate number of observations for select recent years (does not account for shared checklists):
2022 - 80002024 - 120002025 - 170002026 - 9500
Tom Bensonoccasional Orange County eBird reviewer
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 01:40:15 PM PDT, Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> wrote:
All,
Kimball Garrett announced this morning that the CBRC has accepted Pin-tailed Whydah and Swinhoe's White-eye to the California state list. Because Orange County has established populations of both of these species (hahaha 😔), they will also be added to Orange County's list as well. This raises Orange County's total bird list to 507.
https://groups.io/g/CALBIRDS/topic/two_new_naturalized_bird/119499169 --
Ryan Winkleman
Rancho Santa Margarita
Date: 5/26/26 1:40 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] 507
All,
Kimball Garrett announced this morning that the CBRC has accepted
Pin-tailed Whydah and Swinhoe's White-eye to the California state list.
Because Orange County has established populations of both of these species
(hahaha 😔), they will also be added to Orange County's list as well. This
raises Orange County's total bird list to 507.
Date: 5/26/26 1:28 pm From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] No Sooty/Bridled Tern at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Just wanted to let people know that there were several of us who did come to try to see if the Tern (whichever it turns out to be…) made a stop here. We did NOT see it from the observation point past the tern preserve or to and back from the pocket pond area.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 5/25/26 10:24 pm From: Matt Grube via groups.io <mattgrube...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bridled Tern candidate
After sending a few photos in the field, the initial impression was towards Bridled, but after looking at my photos at home, I am favoring Sooty Tern. A few photos are in this checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S346841743
As far as I know, it was never seen again from the pier after it flew by towards the north and out of view at around 3:15 pm.
Date: 5/25/26 9:31 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] An addendum to my post on the frigatebird
Tom,
I don't know anything about the Santa Monica frigatebird report as I don't
see anything in eBird, Discord, or the LACO listserv. That being said, the
OC frigatebird was first observed last Wednesday, May 20. If there was any
doubt, I received photos of the original sighting and verified that the
Wednesday bird was, in fact, the same bird being reported through the
weekend.
On Mon, May 25, 2026, 8:09 PM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Hi Stan,
> There was an Ebird report of a Magnificent Frigatebird seen from Santa
> Monica last week. I still haven’t checked to see if that report clashes
> with when the Lesser Frigatebird was seen off the coast of OC. My initial
> reaction has been that I suspect (with no photos to accept or reject the
> Null Hypothesis) that the Santa Monica bird was, in fact, the OC Leaser
> Frigatebird. In other words, the OC bird could now be at Hussong’s
> Cantina, sipping a Corona, or it could be sitting on a cedar at Big Bear
> Lake.
> Tom
>
> Thomas Geza Miko
> Claremont CA 91711
> 909.241.3300
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2026 at 7:55 PM Stan Walens via groups.io <stan.walens=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>>
>> We all assumed that the bird might have been quartering low over the
>> Trestles area because it was looking for a place to roost.
>>
>>
>>
>> But that is a very hilly area. Frigatebirds are capable of flying all
>> night long, and the bird—well-fed after hanging around fishing boats for
>> days—may have been looking for an onshore wind pushing the air upwards
>> against the hillsides that would enable it to gain altitude.
>> So it may still be around…or it may be hundreds of miles away…..
>>
>> I intend to keep looking for it. Elsewhere, of course.
>>
>> Stan Walens, San Diego
>>
>>
>
Date: 5/25/26 8:09 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] An addendum to my post on the frigatebird
Hi Stan,
There was an Ebird report of a Magnificent Frigatebird seen from Santa
Monica last week. I still haven’t checked to see if that report clashes
with when the Lesser Frigatebird was seen off the coast of OC. My initial
reaction has been that I suspect (with no photos to accept or reject the
Null Hypothesis) that the Santa Monica bird was, in fact, the OC Leaser
Frigatebird. In other words, the OC bird could now be at Hussong’s
Cantina, sipping a Corona, or it could be sitting on a cedar at Big Bear
Lake.
Tom
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont CA 91711
909.241.3300
On Mon, May 25, 2026 at 7:55 PM Stan Walens via groups.io <stan.walens=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> We all assumed that the bird might have been quartering low over the
> Trestles area because it was looking for a place to roost.
>
>
>
> But that is a very hilly area. Frigatebirds are capable of flying all
> night long, and the bird—well-fed after hanging around fishing boats for
> days—may have been looking for an onshore wind pushing the air upwards
> against the hillsides that would enable it to gain altitude.
> So it may still be around…or it may be hundreds of miles away…..
>
> I intend to keep looking for it. Elsewhere, of course.
>
> Stan Walens, San Diego
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/25/26 7:55 pm From: Stan Walens via groups.io <stan.walens...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] An addendum to my post on the frigatebird
> We all assumed that the bird might have been quartering low over the Trestles area because it was looking for a place to roost.
But that is a very hilly area. Frigatebirds are capable of flying all night long, and the bird—well-fed after hanging around fishing boats for days—may have been looking for an onshore wind pushing the air upwards against the hillsides that would enable it to gain altitude.
So it may still be around…or it may be hundreds of miles away…..
I intend to keep looking for it. Elsewhere, of course.
Date: 5/25/26 2:18 pm From: Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bridled Tern candidate
Correction,
Matt GRUBE was the observer, not Matt Sadowski. Matt and Sandy Koonce are looking at the tern now.
Tom Wurster
Garden GRove
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster...>
Sent: May 25, 2026 2:06 PM
To: OCBirding <OrangeCountyBirding...>
Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bridled Tern candidate
Birders,
Within the last hour of so, Matt Sadowski photographed a distant Bridled Tern candidate from San Clemente Pier. It was seen following one of the commercial boats out of Dana Harbor. It was roughly 1 mile from shore when photographed. It disappeared after the first sighting but has now returned to the same fishing boat. For those who are optimistic, it may follow the boat towards Dana Harbor.
Date: 5/25/26 2:06 pm From: Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bridled Tern candidate
Birders,
Within the last hour of so, Matt Sadowski photographed a distant Bridled Tern candidate from San Clemente Pier. It was seen following one of the commercial boats out of Dana Harbor. It was roughly 1 mile from shore when photographed. It disappeared after the first sighting but has now returned to the same fishing boat. For those who are optimistic, it may follow the boat towards Dana Harbor.
Date: 5/25/26 10:50 am From: Stan Walens via groups.io <stan.walens...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Frigatebird Watch
Just the messenger: Nothing from San Diego either, despite many observers at the area where the bird may have gone to roost last evening.
Could be that with this cold overcast, that conditions aren’t right for it to take flight yet.
Also possible that it roosted on or near the the ground, as lessers do, in an area known to host a large pack of coyotes. Let’s hope not.
Date: 5/25/26 12:40 am From: condor262001 via groups.io <condor262001...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Frigatebird eye color
Hi Tom,
While Mark and Chris’ images on the link are excellent wrt identifying the bird as a Lesser I would be hard pressed to agree that they show a red eyeing. It could be there on Mark’s original but they dont show up on my screen.
Since this afternoon I have spent considerable time with my reference books and ebird convincing myself on the Lesser ID, which I think is correct. I will have to say that the best reference book is one by Peter Harrison that shows all five Frigatebirds and seems to show proper illustrations of each species.
The San Clemente bird showed a clear white collar very prominent in Mark’s images. That eliminates Magnificent, Great, and Ascension. That is not the usual ID though as the bird is often not seen from above. The other definitive ID is the white triangular armpit. That is not seen on the Great and Magnificent. Mark and Chis’ images show that as does the only one of mine that I processed.
That leave the Christmas Island Frigatebird that does have an armpit and a collar (although in Harrison it is only partial). But the Christmas Island Frigatebird has much less black on the belly than the Lesser. So everything agrees with a Lesser ID without a need to resort to the eyeing.
By the way the San Clemente Lesser looks very much like the 2025 San Diego bird but also like an Indonesian observation on ebird
Date: 5/24/26 10:45 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Frigatebird eye color
Hi Looking at Mark Scheel's photos in https://ebird.org/checklist/S345970870 I can see the red eye ring (Magnificent--and I think, Great-- have a blue eye ring).
Date: 5/24/26 5:19 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] 505
All,
While looking back through emails just now, I discovered that I had missed the notification that the Swallow-tailed Kite that was reported at Huntington Central Park a year ago tomorrow was accepted by the CBRC as the first record for Orange County. This is number 505 on Orange County's list of birds.
Having said that, should the Lesser Frigatebird be accepted by the CBRC, it would presumably be number 506 for Orange County barring anything else being added to the list first.
Date: 5/24/26 12:44 pm From: Nancy Salem via groups.io <nansalem...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
Date: 5/24/26 10:05 am From: Roger Schoedl via groups.io <rogerschoedl...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
Seen distantly but well straight out from Calafia / San Clemente State Beach.
Date: 5/24/26 9:09 am From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
Please suggest a good location to park and walk to go look for the bird.
Thanks,
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont CA 91711
909.241.3300
On Sun, May 24, 2026 at 7:54 AM Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster=
<earthlink.net...> wrote:
> Birders,
>
> I’ve been alerted that a Frigatebird is under observation from San
> Clemente pier, now, per reports on discord.
>
> Just the messenger
> Tom Wurster
> Garden Grove
>
>
>
> On May 24, 2026, at 7:24 AM, Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster=
> <earthlink.net...> wrote:
>
> Thanks to Tom Fire Hutchinson for alerting OC birding community about
> this Lesser Frigatebird candidate. Other experts have chimed in, and agree
> that the photos are suggestive of this ID, but better images are needed.
>
> If you see any frigatebird, IMMEDIATELY alert the bird community.
> Include location, time, direction of flight - especially if has traveled
> out of sight.
>
> Take photographs if possible.
> Details on plumage will be useful, but don’t labor on this and delay
> posting.
>
> The search area is wide - where is it when it’s not visible from San
> Clemente pier? It may roost on a breakwater, tall boat masts in a harbor,
> or perhaps a higher rocky islet. For starters consider the coast between
> Dana Point and Oceanside, but keep a vigilant eye on the sky anywhere along
> the OC coast.
>
> Good luck,
> Tom Wurster
> Garden Grove
>
>
> On May 23, 2026, at 11:32 PM, thomasf_h via groups.io <thomas.fordhut=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> I’ve seen some ebird reports of Great followed by Magnificent Frigatebird
> for the Frigatebird sp. seen at San Clemente Pier.
>
> Well the bird is certainly an adult female, but some of the photos posted
> this evening appear to show a fully white hindcollar, which would indicate
> the bird is instead a Lesser Frigatebird if true.
>
> Are there any better photos available? Has anyone seen any distinguishing
> marks on the bird?
>
> Tom Ford-Hutchinson
> San Diego, CA
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/24/26 7:54 am From: Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
Date: 5/24/26 7:24 am From: Thomas Wurster via groups.io <wurster...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
Date: 5/23/26 11:32 pm From: thomasf_h via groups.io <thomas.fordhut...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] San Clemente Frigatebird identification; Possible Lesser Frigatebird
I’ve seen some ebird reports of Great followed by Magnificent Frigatebird
for the Frigatebird sp. seen at San Clemente Pier.
Well the bird is certainly an adult female, but some of the photos posted
this evening appear to show a fully white hindcollar, which would indicate
the bird is instead a Lesser Frigatebird if true.
Are there any better photos available? Has anyone seen any distinguishing
marks on the bird?
Date: 5/22/26 5:34 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: May 22, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* May 22, 2026
* CAOC26.05.22
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
Magnificent Frigatebird
Neotropic Cormorant
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Yellow-throated Vireo
Tennessee Warbler
Northern Parula
A MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD was reported in the San Clemente area on May 20,
and again on May 22.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS were reported at Haster Basin in Garden Grove on May
20, the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim on May 21, and Veeh Reservoir in
Laguna Hills on May 20.
A LEWIS’S WOODPECKER was reported from Mile Square Regional Park in
Fountain Valley on May 17.
A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was at Pepperwood Park in Irvine on May 20, and
reported to continue through May 21.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER was photographed on the upper Santa Ana River on May 21.
A NORTHERN PARULA was photographed at Huntington Central Park in Huntington
Beach on May 17.
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/.
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 Samuel Bressler (<pacificgoldenplover...>) 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.
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. #RBA
Date: 5/21/26 11:54 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Yellow-throated Vireo NOT
Just an update. There’s been continuous coverage since 5:30 this morning with NO sighting or vocalization so far.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
>
>>> In a message dated 5/20/2026 8:11:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time, <balbhl...> writes:
>>
>> Second (third?) hand report of a Yellow-throated Vireo found by Uma S at Pepperwood Park in Irvine. Singing 33°42'23.9"N 117°46'01.6"W
>>
>>
>> --
>> Braxton Landsman
>> Ladera Ranch
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 5/21/26 11:47 am From: Nancy Kenyon via groups.io <nancykenyon...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Magnificent Frigatebird
A female Magnificent Frigatebird was sighted flying along the coast over San Clemente Wednesday morning, May 20th. Observer was a park ranger who took a quick photo of it from his cellphone. The photo is rather fuzzy, but it does show the shape of the wings, body and tail, with a blurry white marking on the underside of chest.
This report was sent to me this morning by Laylan Connelly who learned about it from the ranger; that's why this report is 1 day late.
View/Reply Online (#19420) | Reply to Sender | Reply to Group | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [<lists...>] _._,_._,_
Date: 5/20/26 5:31 pm From: Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Introducing BLOCKBOARD: Progress Dashboard for California Bird Atlas
Good afternoon,
Here is the most recent update from the California Bird Atlas Director. I tried out the Blockboard, and it looks like another great tool to use in birding the blocks here in Orange County, or for that matter, within California. There is also a link to register and submit questions for the upcoming CBA Town Hall on May 27th.
Pete Gordon
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Van Pierszalowski via groups.io<http://groups.io/> <van...><mailto:<californiabirdatlas.org...>> Date: Wed, May 20, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Subject: [CALBIRDS] Introducing BLOCKBOARD: Progress Dashboard for California Bird Atlas
To: <CALBIRDS...><mailto:<CALBIRDS...>>
Hi all,
Blockboard:
We are excited to announce the launch of Blockboard, the new progress dashboard for California Bird Atlas (CBA). Blockboard is designed to help atlasers quickly identify which species still need breeding confirmations within each Atlas block. To explore Blockboard, click HERE<https://californiabirdatlas.org/blockboard>.
For a quick introduction, check out this short video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpjVGSaKIaE&t=1s> from Sam Safran, CBA’s Science Director and the creator of Blockboard. The dashboard will update daily (or close to it) as new Atlas data comes in.
CBA Big Weekend:
We’re also getting closer to the first annual CBA Big Weekend (June 4–7, 2026). More than 30 field trips and community events are already planned across the state. You can read more about Big Weekend, browse events, and register your own event HERE<https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/bigweekend>.
Thank you to all 4,173 contributors who have already submitted 108,933 Atlas checklists (!) from 6,526 Atlas blocks. We are so grateful for the California birding community's engagement on this multi-year project.
Date: 5/18/26 9:14 pm From: Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
I was looking at Black Canyon earlier today after reading Peter’s message. It looks great, especially as there’s so much of Orange County I’m yet to explore.
I would have liked to go on the Memorial Day weekend, but as my wife has surgery this week and needs help in recovery, I won’t be able to. However, if there are other ventures up there in future dates, I’d be interested in taking part.
Furthermore, since there’s another four and a half years to go for the atlas, is there capacity for future field trips, group gatherings, or other organised event to tackle these less atlassed areas, particularly on a regular or seasonal basis?
--
Aaron Jones,
Santa Ana.
Date: 5/18/26 8:29 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Following up on Peter's excellent summary here, I'm tentatively planning on hiking up to Black Star Canyon CE on Memorial Day. If you are interested in joining, please let me know! I've never been up there before, but it seems a good spot to document a variety of chaparral and grassland species.
Samuel Bressler
Brea
Date: 5/18/26 6:35 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Hi Dawn:
I'm sorry you had this negative experience. The Atlas runs similarly to ebird proper in how it handles rare or unexpected events. Much as how recording a vagrant species in ebird requires careful documentation (whether in the form of photographs, audio, and/or comprehensive written description), recording unexpected breeding activity (whether out-of-range, out-of-season, or out-of-habitat), requires similar documentation. This sort of QA/QC is essential for maintaining the integrity of the data that will be used for further analysis at the end of the atlas period. Unlike for regular vagrants/high counts on ebird, there are no automatic filters catching these sorts of things, nor are there dedicated reviewers confirming the observations before they enter the data pool. The process is far more ad hoc at this stage.
Regarding gull breeding behavior, while several gulls are known to breed in grasslands (e.g. Franklin's gull), to my knowledge western gull is not one of these species. I just checked the San Diego County bird atlas, which states "Cliff ledges and predator-free islands were the Western Gull's primitive nesting sites. Increasingly, the gulls are now augmenting these with man-made structures, on which they build a rough nest of debris." The atlas map for this species shows breeding activity around San Diego Bay and La Jolla, but not further south. So it's fair to say that a Western Gull nesting in a grassland in the Tijuana Estuary would be unexpected.
None of this is to say that your observation was incorrect; nesting behavior does indeed change over time. And an expected byproduct of conducting a statewide atlas will be documentation of unexpected breeding behavior. It's just that documenting unexpected breeding activity is going to need to meet a higher bar than establishing expected breeding activity.
To the broader community, I strongly, strongly, encourage birders of all skill levels to contribute to the atlas. While the review process is necessarily slower and more ad hoc, it will be five years before a full dataset will be ready for analysis and publication, giving the small but growing review team plenty of time to go through the observations. For less experienced birders and atlasers, taking photos and detailed notes whenever you observe a new nesting species/behavior will be incredibly useful for anyone reviewing your data. And the very real value incurred by recording dozens or hundreds of "expected" breeding species, the Nuttall's woodpeckers, bushtits, Anna's hummingbirds, house finches, Cassin's kingbirds etc. will more than make up for any honest field errors.
For those interested in beefing up their natural history knowledge in preparation for the atlas, I highly, highly recommend Sylvia Gallagher's Orange County Breeding Bird Atlas. This volume was published based on data collected during the 1980s, and includes detailed descriptions of nesting behavior, habitat phenology, along with maps showing breeding abundance and distribution across the county. Obviously Orange County's breeding avifauna has changed a lot in the ensuing decades (goodbye Loggerhead Shrike and Tricolored Blackbird, hello Vermilion Flycatcher and lowland Dark-eyed Junco!) However, a lot hasn't changed; in particular nest placement, microhabitat, and behavior changes a lot more slowly than range. My old copy was falling apart, so I just bought a new one at the Audubon house for ten or fifteen dollars.
Hope this helps, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns about the atlas. I won't be able to address all of them, but can at least point you in the right directions
Good birding (and atlasing!)
Samuel Bressler
Brea
Regional Coordinator, California Bird Atlas
Date: 5/18/26 11:35 am From: Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Hi Pete et al,
I was gung-ho about contributing to the Birding Atlas when I first heard
about it, and especially wanted to document non-eBird hotspots. I've become
discouraged after being told that a few of my observations weren't
possible. One example is from a checklist I made at Tijuana Estuary. I saw
a Western Gull carrying nesting material, then it landed in the grassland.
I read that Western Gulls could nest there, so I submitted my observation.
An Atlas person said that gulls only nest on rooftops etc so my observation
wasn't valid. Isn't one purpose of the breeding atlas to perhaps
challenge/change existing information on where birds nest? I don't think
I'm knowledgeable enough about birds and their behaviors to be a valuable
contributor, so I've stopped adding my checklists to the Atlas.
Dawn Hubbard
Garden Grove
On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko=
<msn.com...> wrote:
> All
>
> I updated the four un-birded areas in Orange County. I discovered that
> when an Atlas block covers two counties, it is listed as part of the county
> with the most area.
>
> Pete Gordon
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Good evening,
>
> As of May 16, 2026, here are California Bird Atlas (CBA) statistics for
> Orange County: 3,842 CBA effort hours in the field. That effort has
> produced data for 95.4% of our blocks (83 of 87) and 116 confirmed
> species. We are 1st in the state for blocks birded, 3rd in effort hours
> behind San Diego and Los Angeles, and 4th in the state for confirmed
> species behind San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino.
>
> *Save the date for the **Big Weekend*
> <https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/bigweekend>* (June 4–7)*
>
> The Big Weekend will focus on:
>
> 1. recruiting more atlasers (bring a friend!)
>
> 2. expanding coverage (fill in that map!)
>
> 3. spreading the word (share your discoveries!)
>
> Host an event for the Big Weekend! A number of atlas-themed field trips
> are being planned throughout the state, but even unofficial outings are
> important. Consider:
>
> Organizing a "birds & beers" meet-up to discuss atlasing;
>
> Lead an owl prowl in your neighborhood to build up our nocturnal effort;
>
> Plan an atlas-focused trip to a remote corner of the county (or beyond!).
>
> If you have a birding buddy who is not using the atlas, encourage them to
> do so, and show them how easy it is to contribute to the growing wealth of
> knowledge we've built in the last 5 months.
>
> If you haven't checked out the Atlas Dispatch, it's available here
> <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-april-2026> and
> features lots of great documentation and media from our active Orange
> County community. Quick reminder: notes and photos matter. You never know
> what may be a first for the state, county, or block, or an unusually early
> or later breeding event.
>
> Not sure what to say? This Breeding Code Commenting Guide
> <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/comments> highlights the key
> things to mention for each code. One quick aside, if you're reading this
> and haven't joined the California Bird Atlas
> <https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/>, what's stopping you? If you're
> already eBirding, you're most of the way there. Once you join the project
> <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home>, it's simply a matter of adding
> breeding codes to your checklist. And now is a *great* time to join us as
> parks and backyard are full of fledglings and active breeders!
>
> There are some new tools to share soon, but for now, this tool
> <https://atlas.calbirds.org/>, which combines the effort map with the
> hotspot map, is an easy way to identify areas in need of coverage.
>
> During May, the challenge is to add effort to unbirded blocks, if
> possible, and bird those blocks that are under birded. We are missing four
> blocks in Orange County, most of which are in areas that are not open to
> the public (Rancho Mission Viejo, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, private land,
> or requiring long walks and elevation gain (unless given vehicle access
> from USFS and OC Parks/Irvine Land Conservancy)). Here are those locations:
>
>
>
> 1. Black Star Canyon CE. To get to this block you must walk up Black
> Star Canyon Road to this GPS 33.789293, -117.664089. If you continue, you
> will get to the Black Star Canyon Waterfall and Mariposa Reserve and the
> historic Indian Village, but that would be a 10-mile round trip hike).
> 2. San Clemente NE. These are all private road access only. Controlled
> by Rancho Mission Viejo. Covers Cristianitos Canyon, Blind Canyon, and
> Gabino Canyon.
> 3. Alberhill SW. Blue Jay Campground and Falcon Group Campground
> (closed)
> 4. Sitton Peak NW. Highway 74 from 2 miles past the forest service
> fire station to the county line
>
>
> Underbirded areas in need of coverage are as follows:
>
>
> 1. Canada Gobernadora NE. San Juan Springs and east of Caspers
> Wilderness Park along Ortega Highway. Most trails closed due to the airport
> fire.
> 2. Lake Forest NW.
> 3. Anaheim NE.
> 4. Anaheim NW.
> 5. Prado Dam SW.
> 6. Yorba Linda SW.
> 7. Black Star Canyon SE
>
>
> Keep in mind that many of the blocks do not have many eBird hotspots.
> Don't let this deter you from birding in the block at local parks, green
> belts, and open space (keeping in mind private property and closed areas)
> and creating a personal eBird location. If it is an area that could be
> birded by others, request that your personal location be added as a new
> eBird hotspot.
>
> We still have 4.5 years to go but now is a great time to do some pioneer
> atlasing in these areas! Find a trail or a city park, or even a short stop
> between home and your main destination for the day, and atlas your heart
> out!
>
> You don’t need to travel far to make an impact. One effective strategy is
> to look at species maps <https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/map/blkpho> and
> target missing Confirmed blocks near home.
>
> Consider building a target list of yet-to-be-Confirmed species for your
> home block and spend extra time watching those species on your next outing.
>
> Thanks for the incredible work so far. Happy atlasing!
>
> Pete Gordon
> Sea & Sage Audubon Science Committee
> Foothill Ranch, CA
>
>
> --
>
>
> *Pete GordonFoothill Ranch, CA*
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/18/26 10:33 am From: Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
All
I updated the four un-birded areas in Orange County. I discovered that when an Atlas block covers two counties, it is listed as part of the county with the most area.
As of May 16, 2026, here are California Bird Atlas (CBA) statistics for Orange County: 3,842 CBA effort hours in the field. That effort has produced data for 95.4% of our blocks (83 of 87) and 116 confirmed species. We are 1st in the state for blocks birded, 3rd in effort hours behind San Diego and Los Angeles, and 4th in the state for confirmed species behind San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino.
Host an event for the Big Weekend! A number of atlas-themed field trips are being planned throughout the state, but even unofficial outings are important. Consider:
Organizing a "birds & beers" meet-up to discuss atlasing;
Lead an owl prowl in your neighborhood to build up our nocturnal effort;
Plan an atlas-focused trip to a remote corner of the county (or beyond!).
If you have a birding buddy who is not using the atlas, encourage them to do so, and show them how easy it is to contribute to the growing wealth of knowledge we've built in the last 5 months.
If you haven't checked out the Atlas Dispatch, it's available here<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-april-2026> and features lots of great documentation and media from our active Orange County community. Quick reminder: notes and photos matter. You never know what may be a first for the state, county, or block, or an unusually early or later breeding event.
Not sure what to say? This Breeding Code Commenting Guide<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/comments> highlights the key things to mention for each code. One quick aside, if you're reading this and haven't joined the California Bird Atlas<https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/>, what's stopping you? If you're already eBirding, you're most of the way there. Once you join the project<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home>, it's simply a matter of adding breeding codes to your checklist. And now is a great time to join us as parks and backyard are full of fledglings and active breeders!
There are some new tools to share soon, but for now, this tool<https://atlas.calbirds.org/>, which combines the effort map with the hotspot map, is an easy way to identify areas in need of coverage.
During May, the challenge is to add effort to unbirded blocks, if possible, and bird those blocks that are under birded. We are missing four blocks in Orange County, most of which are in areas that are not open to the public (Rancho Mission Viejo, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, private land, or requiring long walks and elevation gain (unless given vehicle access from USFS and OC Parks/Irvine Land Conservancy)). Here are those locations:
1. Black Star Canyon CE. To get to this block you must walk up Black Star Canyon Road to this GPS 33.789293, -117.664089. If you continue, you will get to the Black Star Canyon Waterfall and Mariposa Reserve and the historic Indian Village, but that would be a 10-mile round trip hike).
2. San Clemente NE. These are all private road access only. Controlled by Rancho Mission Viejo. Covers Cristianitos Canyon, Blind Canyon, and Gabino Canyon.
3. Alberhill SW. Blue Jay Campground and Falcon Group Campground (closed)
4.
Sitton Peak NW. Highway 74 from 2 miles past the forest service fire station to the county line
Underbirded areas in need of coverage are as follows:
1.
Canada Gobernadora NE. San Juan Springs and east of Caspers Wilderness Park along Ortega Highway. Most trails closed due to the airport fire.
2.
Lake Forest NW.
3.
Anaheim NE.
4.
Anaheim NW.
5.
Prado Dam SW.
6.
Yorba Linda SW.
7.
Black Star Canyon SE
Keep in mind that many of the blocks do not have many eBird hotspots. Don't let this deter you from birding in the block at local parks, green belts, and open space (keeping in mind private property and closed areas) and creating a personal eBird location. If it is an area that could be birded by others, request that your personal location be added as a new eBird hotspot.
We still have 4.5 years to go but now is a great time to do some pioneer atlasing in these areas! Find a trail or a city park, or even a short stop between home and your main destination for the day, and atlas your heart out!
You don’t need to travel far to make an impact. One effective strategy is to look at species maps<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/map/blkpho> and target missing Confirmed blocks near home.
Consider building a target list of yet-to-be-Confirmed species for your home block and spend extra time watching those species on your next outing.
Thanks for the incredible work so far. Happy atlasing!
Pete Gordon
Sea & Sage Audubon Science Committee
Foothill Ranch, CA
Date: 5/17/26 6:04 pm From: Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Good evening,
As of yesterday morning (16 May), here are some of the CBA statistics for Orange County: 3,842 CBA effort hours in the field. That effort has produced data for 95.4% of our blocks (83 of 87) and 116 confirmed species. We are 1st in the state for blocks birded, 3rd in effort hours behind San Diego and Los Angeles, and 4th in the state for confirmed species behind San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino.
Host an event for the Big Weekend! A number of atlas-themed field trips are being planned throughout the state, but even unofficial outings are important. Consider:
Organizing a "birds & beers" meet-up to discuss atlasing;
Lead an owl prowl in your neighborhood to build up our nocturnal effort;
Plan an atlas-focused trip to a remote corner of the county (or beyond!).
If you have a birding buddy who is not using the atlas, encourage them to do so, and show them how easy it is to contribute to the growing wealth of knowledge we've built in the last 5 months.
If you haven't checked out the Atlas Dispatch, it's available here<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-april-2026> and features lots of great documentation and media from our active Orange County community. Quick reminder: notes and photos matter. You never know what may be a first for the state, county, or block, or an unusually early or later breeding event.
Not sure what to say? This Breeding Code Commenting Guide<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/comments> highlights the key things to mention for each code. One quick aside, if you're reading this and haven't joined the California Bird Atlas<https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/>, what's stopping you? If you're already eBirding, you're most of the way there. Once you join the project<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home>, it's simply a matter of adding breeding codes to your checklist. And now is a great time to join us as parks and backyard are full of fledglings and active breeders!
There are some new tools to share soon, but for now, this tool<https://atlas.calbirds.org/>, which combines the effort map with the hotspot map, is an easy way to identify areas in need of coverage.
During May, the challenge is to add effort to unbirded blocks, if possible, and bird those blocks that are under birded. We are missing four blocks in Orange County, most of which are in areas that are not open to the public (Rancho Mission Viejo, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, private land, or requiring long walks and elevation gain (unless given vehicle access from USFS and OC Parks/Irvine Land Conservancy)). Here are those locations:
1.
Black Star Canyon CE. To get to this block you have to walk up Black Star Canyon Road to this GPS 33.789293, -117.664089. If you continue, you will get to the Black Star Canyon Waterfall and Mariposa Reserve and the historic Indian Village, but that would be a 10-mile round trip hike).
2.
Corona South CW. This would be another 12 mile hike up into the Santa Ana Mountains from the North Main Divide Road with a significant elevation gain. Orange County has a small portion of this block near Pleasant's Peak. 3,800 to 3,900 feet above sea level.
3.
San Clemente NE. These are all private road access only. Controlled by Rancho Mission Viejo. Covers Cristianitos Canyon, Blind Canyon, and Gabino Canyon.
4.
San Onofre Bluff NW. Ocean only at about GPS 33.368837, -117.606409.
Underbirded areas in need of coverage are as follows:
1.
Canada Gobernadora NE. San Juan Springs and east of Caspers Wilderness Park along Ortega Highway. Most trails closed due to the airport fire.
2.
Lake Forest NW.
3.
Anaheim NE.
4.
Anaheim NW.
5.
Prado Dam SW.
6.
Yorba Linda SW.
7.
Black Star Canyon SE
Keep in mind that many of the blocks do not have many eBird hotspots. Don't let this deter you from birding in the block at local parks, green belts, and open space (keeping in mind private property and closed areas) and creating a personal eBird location. If it is an area that could be birded by others, request that your personal location be added as a new eBird hotspot.
We still have 4.5 years to go but now is a great time to do some pioneer atlasing in these areas! Find a trail or a city park, or even a short stop between home and your main destination for the day, and atlas your heart out!
You dont need to travel far to make an impact. One effective strategy is to look at species maps<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/map/blkpho> and target missing Confirmed blocks near home.
Consider building a target list of yet-to-be-Confirmed species for your home block and spend extra time watching those species on your next outing.
Thanks for the incredible work so far. Happy atlasing!
Pete Gordon
Sea & Sage Audubon CBA Committee
Foothill Ranch, CA
Date: 5/10/26 8:56 pm From: Cassandra and Xavier via groups.io <xaviandra14...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Oceanic (offshore) warbler fallout
Brenda Sabin and I took the Hammond's Flycatcher and Wilson Warblers to
Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center. Unfortunately, one of the Wilson's
Warblers died before making it back to the shore. The Hammond's Flycatcher
was eager to get out, and we are hopeful it will survive. Still, it was
very sad to see so many passerines exhausted and dying in the ocean.
Cassandra Margitan
Santa Ana
On Sun, May 10, 2026 at 6:22 PM Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> That sounds absolutely terrible. I've had little desire to take a pelagic
> trip due to seasickness, but seeing dead warblers would be awful and
> depressing.
>
> Dawn Hubbard
> Garden Grove
>
> On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Friday 5/8/2026 2055
>>
>> Hi
>> I was fortunate to be on the pelagic organized by Dave Perekstra today,
>> out of Dana Point. He can write about the seabirds and cetaceans.
>> The reason that I am writing this email is to describe the warbler
>> fallout that we had over open water. In this case, the word "fallout" is
>> literally what happened. Warblers were flying towards the boat and they
>> would repeatedly attempt to land, chicken out, veered away from the boat,
>> attempt a second landing, chicken out again, and then finally give up and
>> land on the roof of the boat. Many warblers did not make it and they
>> dropped into the ocean. Randomly the boat would pass a dead migrant
>> songbird floating in the water. Dave was able to reach down into the water
>> and save some of the birds, including a Hammond's Flycatcher. When we got
>> to shore, neither the Hammond's Flycatcher nor the Wilson's Warbler wanted
>> to fly out of his hand and go to the trees to eat (remarkably, there was
>> some big fat moths on the boat and they hand fed the
>> Hammond's Flycatcher while he was inside a tupperware container, and he
>> greedily wolfed it down). Other birds that rested on the boat for a while
>> before leaving included several more Wilson's warblers, a Townsend's
>> Warbler and Western Tanagers.
>> One of the Western Tanagers caught a large moth on the boat and flew off
>> with it.
>>
>> Tom Miko
>> Claremont 91711
>> 909.241.3300
>>
>>
> --
> Dawn Hubbard
> Anaheim
>
>
>
Date: 5/10/26 6:22 pm From: Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Oceanic (offshore) warbler fallout
That sounds absolutely terrible. I've had little desire to take a pelagic
trip due to seasickness, but seeing dead warblers would be awful and
depressing.
Dawn Hubbard
Garden Grove
On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Friday 5/8/2026 2055
>
> Hi
> I was fortunate to be on the pelagic organized by Dave Perekstra today,
> out of Dana Point. He can write about the seabirds and cetaceans.
> The reason that I am writing this email is to describe the warbler fallout
> that we had over open water. In this case, the word "fallout" is literally
> what happened. Warblers were flying towards the boat and they would
> repeatedly attempt to land, chicken out, veered away from the boat, attempt
> a second landing, chicken out again, and then finally give up and land on
> the roof of the boat. Many warblers did not make it and they dropped into
> the ocean. Randomly the boat would pass a dead migrant songbird floating in
> the water. Dave was able to reach down into the water and save some of the
> birds, including a Hammond's Flycatcher. When we got to shore, neither the
> Hammond's Flycatcher nor the Wilson's Warbler wanted to fly out of his hand
> and go to the trees to eat (remarkably, there was some big fat moths on the
> boat and they hand fed the Hammond's Flycatcher while he was inside a
> tupperware container, and he greedily wolfed it down). Other birds that
> rested on the boat for a while before leaving included several more
> Wilson's warblers, a Townsend's Warbler and Western Tanagers.
> One of the Western Tanagers caught a large moth on the boat and flew off
> with it.
>
> Tom Miko
> Claremont 91711
> 909.241.3300
>
>
>
Date: 5/8/26 10:33 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: May 8, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* May 8, 2026
* CAOC26.05.08
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
White-winged Scoter
Franklin’s Gull
Neotropic Cormorant
Western Cattle-Egret
Bell’s Sparrow
Green-tailed Towhee
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER continued in the San Gabriel River mouth between
through May 4.
A FRANKLIN’S GULL was on the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim on May 4.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued along the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim
through May 7.
WESTERN CATTLE-EGRETS were at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington
Beach and at the San Juan Creek Mouth in Dana Point on May 3, as well as at
Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley on May 5.
A BELL’S SPARROW was in the vicinity of the Tecate Cypress area in Coal
Canyon on May 3.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued in residential Dana Point on May 2, while
others were in Chino Hills State Park on May 3 and in Huntington Central
Park East in Huntington Beach on May 5.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS continued at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through May 3, while others were at Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach in Seal Beach from May 3 through May 8.
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was at the western pond at the Fairview Park
wetlands in Costa Mesa from May 4 through May 6.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was at Eisenhower Park in Orange from May 2
through May 5.
A beautiful adult male TENNESSEE WARBLER was at Huntington Central Park
East in Huntington Beach on May 2.
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/.
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 Samuel Bressler (<pacificgoldenplover...>) 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.
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. #RBA
Hi I was fortunate to be on the pelagic organized by Dave Perekstra today, out of Dana Point. He can write about the seabirds and cetaceans. The reason that I am writing this email is to describe the warbler fallout that we had over open water. In this case, the word "fallout" is literally what happened. Warblers were flying towards the boat and they would repeatedly attempt to land, chicken out, veered away from the boat, attempt a second landing, chicken out again, and then finally give up and land on the roof of the boat. Many warblers did not make it and they dropped into the ocean. Randomly the boat would pass a dead migrant songbird floating in the water. Dave was able to reach down into the water and save some of the birds, including a Hammond's Flycatcher. When we got to shore, neither the Hammond's Flycatcher nor the Wilson's Warbler wanted to fly out of his hand and go to the trees to eat (remarkably, there was some big fat moths on the boat and they hand fed the Hammond's Flycatcher while he was inside a tupperware container, and he greedily wolfed it down). Other birds that rested on the boat for a while before leaving included several more Wilson's warblers, a Townsend's Warbler and Western Tanagers. One of the Western Tanagers caught a large moth on the boat and flew off with it.
Date: 5/7/26 7:35 am From: David Pereksta via groups.io <pereksta...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Friday (May 8) pelagic trip from Dana Point
Hi Birders
Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching has a few spaces available for a 6-hour pelagic trip from Dana Point tomorrow. These are small capacity trips that normally fill fast, but we do have a few spots available. The trip leaves at 8:00 am and returns at 2:00 pm. It will focus on Orange County waters and with the time we have, we will be able to get out to several of the interesting underwater features in the area. I expect we may encounter alcids, storm-petrels, phalaropes, flocks of shearwaters, and other pelagic species. Past trips in May have been exciting; 2 years ago we found Orange County's second Tufted Puffin! On another May trip, we experienced a warbler fallout where we were scooping birds out of the ocean as birds were circling the boat on a foggy morning. It is a good time of year to see migrant seabirds in alternate plumage and there is always a possibility of finding something rare. We will aim to get as far offshore as we can and see what we find.
Registration information is available at the following link.
Cheers
Dave PerekstaVentura, CA
https://danawharf.com/whale-watching/pelagic-bird-watching/
Date: 5/6/26 11:16 am From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] California Bird Atlas Survey of Chino Hills State Park
Hi all:
On Sunday, May 3rd, approximately 10 Southern California birders conducted a semiformal survey of 8 different atlas blocks in and adjacent to Chino Hills State Park (six blocks in Orange County, two blocks in San Bernardino County. The goal of the survey was to increase coverage for the atlas, log some new breeding species, and provide a snapshot of bird diversity for the Chino hills in early May. In that we were successful. A survey summary can be seen below, presented as before-after comparisons of effort hours (confirmed species) for each block
Yorba Linda CW (Olinda Oil Trail, Olinda Ridge)
42.83(21) - 47.02(22)
Yorba Linda CE (Gilman Loop, Tank Rd, Olinda Village)
2.77(1) - 10.37(23)
Prado Dam CW (Bane Canyon)
25.03(7) - 29.28(7)
Yorba Linda SE (Telegraph Canyon)
17.32(12) - 23.73(15)
Prado Dam SW (San Juan Hill)
0.63(0) - 1.62(3)
Prado Dam SE (Lower Aliso Canyon, Green River Golf Club)
0.00(0) - 3.00(9)
Black Star Canyon NW (Lower Coal Canyon, Santa Ana River)
11.63(3) - 13.97(4)
Black Star Canyon NE (Upper Coal Canyon)
1.10(1) - 3.53(2)
In total we totaled over 95 bird species, including almost all of the expected breeders and most expected migrants, which is very solid. Some notable species include:
*Bell's Sparrow* : Black Star Canyon NE, an expected species in Coal Canyon
*Black-chinned Sparrow* : both Black Star Canyon blocks, as well as one in Prado Dam CW. The latter record was of a male-female pair, and suggests the possibility of breeding, which to my knowledge has never been confirmed in Chino Hills proper.
*Grasshopper Sparrow:* Prado Dam CW, two countersinging males. Several singing birds have been reported in the San Bernardino portion of the park this spring, but unfortunately we weren't able to turn up any in the OC section (someday).
*Lawrence's Goldfinch:* Yorba Linda CW. Pair in suitable habitat (the only blooming fiddleneck along the entire trail).
We also found some cool vagrants:
*Green-tailed Towhee:* Yorba Linda CE
*White-winged Dove:* Yorba Linda CE
*Yellow-headed Blackbird:* Prado Dam SE
The most glaring miss was *Lark Sparrow*. The Orange County breeding bird atlas (from data collected in the late '80s) confirmed nesting of this species in at least two atlas blocks within the state park. We were not able to find any whatsoever. I don't know why this species has seemingly declined in the park, but it does track well with their absence in comparable tracts of otherwise suitable habitat (such as Limestone).
By contrast, *Rufous-crowned Sparrow* , which in the previous atlas was only listed as "probable" in one block and "possible" in a second block (outside Coal Canyon), was reported by us in four different blocks (outside Coal Canyon), including a Pair in Suitable Habitat in Yorba Linda CE. I have no idea why these birds would seemingly be doing so much better in the region compared to forty years ago, except that perhaps the habitat has shifted away from oak savannah towards chaparral and coastal sage scrub?
The presence of only one *Oak Titmouse* could potentially be explained because eastern Telegraph Canyon (in Prado Dam CW) was not surveyed. But I still would have expected more in Western Telegraph Canyon.
Also notable to me was the relative dearth of *Bullock's Orioles.* Given that most of us were surveying at least partially in oak-riparian woodlands (Telegraph Canyon, Bane Canyon, etc.), and generally away from the wildland urban interface, it seems notable to me that Hooded Orioles outnumbered Bullock's 31-10. Possibly something to keep an eye on in future years.
To close on a brighter note, the tally of over two dozen Bell's Vireos is wild in the best way and supports that ongoing conservation of this endangered species continues to be successful.
Anyway, that's enough for now, here's ( https://ebird.org/tripreport/509112 ) the trip report if you haven't already seen it. Reminder that trip report tallies will be skewed by double coverage and out/return trips, but I found it to be highly interesting regardless. I'll try to arrange something like this again next year, hopefully with a bit more organization and manpower. In the meantime, there are still a few blocks in OC with no atlas coverage, and many with low coverage, so I encourage everyone to get out there and find some nesting birds!
Date: 5/5/26 8:13 pm From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Second hand FRANKLIN’S GULL
While scrolling on inaturslist today I came across an observation from yesterday of a Franklin’s Gull along the Santa Ana River between Lincoln and Glassell. I found the eBird checklist which currently has the bird misidentified as a Bonaparte’s Gull
