This weekend.... the 19th for the San Juan Capistrano Christmas Bird Count.....
the 20th for the NE (Inland) County

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* December 16th, 2009
* CAOC09.12.16

- Birds mentioned

Eurasian Wigeon
Snow Goose
Red-necked Grebe
Cassins Vireo
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Greater White-fronted Goose
Merlin
Reddish Egret
American Bittern
Green-tailed Towhee
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Northern Fulmar
Vermilion Flycatcher
White-winged Scoter

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: December 16th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Dave Gilbert?, Monte Taylor, Diane Zarins, Joel Weintraub, Travis
Cooper, Paul Strauss, Gary Meredith, Doug Willick, Neil Gilbert, Jim Pike, Chuck
Nichols, Richard Thunen, Robert McNab, Jim Roe, Brendan Crill, Richard Thunen,
Kirsten Winter

There were no reports this last week of the BAR-TAILED GODWIT at Upper Newport
Bay.  The bird has frequented, at low tide, the area around the outlet of San
Diego Creek below the Jamboree Street crossing.  We want to keep track of
sightings of this bird and its condition (the bird has developed a limp), so
keep them coming.

EURASIAN WIGEON: One reported from Bolsa Chica Preserve (10th, 14th), and one
along Cabot north of Crown Valley (13th).

SNOW GOOSE: Monarch Beach Golf Links (13th).

RED-NECKED GREBE: (15th, 16th) Dana Point Harbor.... seen today off of Puerto
Place in channel with boat launching ramp.

CASSINS VIREO: Fairhaven Memorial Park (15th)

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER: Mile Square Park in pines near a bathroom and
playground (10th, 14th) and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE close to Edinger.

MERLIN: possibly one of the rarer races ("suckleyi") at Santiago Park in Santa
Ana (14th)

REDDISH EGRETS: 4 at Bolsa Chica as well as two AMERICAN BITTERN (14th).

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: Along Santa Ana River bike path between Gisler and Adams in
Costa Mesa near white monument stand that lacks a plaque (13th).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on private property in Lemon Heights and a RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCH (13th).

NORTHERN FULMAR: (12th) off of Headlands, Dana Point (and one dead bird found on
Strand Beach, Dana Point, on the 15th.

VERMILION FLYCATCHER: along bike path next to Shady Canyon, east of Bonito
Canyon in grassy area near bridge across the bottom of Bommer Canyon.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER: (10th) off of Balboa Pier.

-End Transcript

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS START IN TWO WEEKENDS.  December 19th for the San Juan
Capistrano Count and the 20th for the northeast count.  See:
http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/BirdInfo/BirdCounts/CBC/CBCbirdcounts.htm

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* December 9th, 2009
* CAOC09.12.09

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Ferruginous Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Eurasian Wigeon
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
Ross Goose
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Pine Warbler
Greater Scaup
Common  Goldeneye
Thayer's Gull
Golden Eagle
Mountain Blueird
Gray Flycatcher
Nashville Warbler
McGillivary Warbler

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: December 9th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Monte Taylor, Joan Rubin, Gary Meredith, Robert McNab, Tom Wurster,
Brian Daniels, Jim Pike, Leo Ohsutki, Jay Keller, Bruce Aird, Steve Sossensky,
Gjon Hazard, Neil Gilbert, Maxine Dougan, Jeff Cowell, Trish, Susan Monroe, Dr
Chuck, Robb Hamilton, Travis Cooper, Doug Willick.


A BAR-TAILED GODWIT, first found on Oct 31st at upper Upper Newport Bay, was
seen at least through the 5th.    The bird frequents, at low tide, the area
around the outlet of San Diego Creek below the Jamboree Street crossing.  We
want to keep track of sightings of this bird, so keep them coming.  On the 26th
it was noted to us that the bird was limping.  Otherwise, its feeding and flying
well.  If the bird is seen in real difficulty, the Wetlands & Wildlife Care
Center in Huntington Beach (714 374-5587) will attempt a rescue, but right now
rescue is not indicated.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK.. 12/6... Alton and Irvine Blvd in lone tree.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK...12/8... over Mission Viejo around La Paz and Geronimo.

EURASIAN WIGEON male near Muth Center of Upper Newport Bay 12/4.  Another male
Eurasian Wigeon returning to winter in Lake Forest, small park on Ridge Route a
block west of Muirlands.

Geese spending the night on Huntington Lake at Huntington Central Park this last
week, and leaving before 7 am for parts unknown:  immature and adult ROSS'S
GOOSE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, along with
hundreds of Canada Geese.

Scoters.... thousands off of Huntington Beach.... within flock a male BLACK
SCOTER near the mouth of Bolsa Bay outlet and a female Black Scoter near Warner
Street end of Bolsa Chica State Beach, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER near Bolsa Chica
inlet and another near Warner.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET at Laguna Niguel Regional Park 12/6.

PINE WARBLER returning to Estancia Park in Costa Mesa to winter. 12/5

GREATER SCAUP downstream from Hamilton crossing of Santa Ana River and female
COMMON GOLDENEYE 1/4 mile upstream from Pacific Coast Highway 12/5

THAYER'S GULL 12/5 at Bolsa Chica Preserve, and another at Doheny State Beach
12/8.

GOLDEN EAGLES: pair on radio towers on abandoned El Toro Marine Base (off of
Pusan Way) 12/5 and another pair over San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary on 12/4

Female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD 12/4 at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

GRAY FLYCATCHER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, MCGILLIVARY WARBLER within Featherly Park 
Wilderness Area, Upper Santa Ana River/Yorba Linda Area.... no parking onsite.

-End Transcript

This just came over OrangeCountyBirding...

Hi All. I'm monitoring work on skimmer island in Upper Newport Bay. At 12:40
today I heard a two parted squee-deep call, looked up and saw a wagtail-shaped
bird flying over in undulating flight. I lost it below the horizon over by the
Muth Center area. I'm stuck here until 3:00, but if you are in the area it could
be worth checking from the boardwalk/bridge down to the area southwest of Muth.
Robb Hamilton (via phone)



Also.... no reports of Wood Stork.  Report today of Bar-tailed Godwit in usual
place.

Group.... busy week.

A possible Harris's Hawk was reported..... by a non-birder.  This species is
used by falconers..... and we didn't include it on the weekly summary but you
should be aware of it.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* December 2nd, 2009
* CAOC09.12.02

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Wood Stork
White-throated Sparrow
Mountain Bluebird
Reddish Egret
Green-tailed Towhee
Eurasian Wigeon
Burrowing Owl
Black-headed Grosbeak
American Bittern
Cackling Goose
Plumbeous Vireo
Cassins Vireo
Common Murre
Hammonds Flycatcher
Hooded Merganser
Snow Goose
Northern Waterthrush
Vermilion Flycatcher
Least Bittern


- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: December 2nd, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Barbara Reber, Jim Royer, Nick Armstrong, John Fitch, Scott Thomas,
Doug Willick, Monte Stinnett, DeeDee McGann-Gollwitzer, Robert McNab, Justin
Wood, Susan Munson, Jim Hardesty, Jane Cupples, Bob Packard, Tim Maas, Joan &
Brett Rubin, James Probst, Rolly Throckmorton, Chuck Nichols, James Meneely,
Brian Daniels, Jim Pike, Neil Gilbert, Jeff Keen, James McKay, Paul Strauss,
Joel Weintraub, Tony Brake, Trish, Alex Viduetsky, Kathy Robertson, Dwight
Mudry, Martin Meyers, Nancy Feagans, Dan Lee.


A BAR-TAILED GODWIT, first found on Oct 31st at upper Upper Newport Bay, was
seen at least through today.    The bird frequents, at low tide, the area around
the outlet of San Diego Creek below the Jamboree Street crossing.  We want to
keep track of sightings of this bird, so keep them coming.  On the 26th it was
noted to us that the bird was limping.  Otherwise, its feeding and flying well. 
If the bird is seen in real difficulty, the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in
Huntington Beach (714 374-5587) will attempt a rescue, but right now rescue is
not indicated.  A male EURASIAN WIGEON is also in the area of the Godwit.

A WOOD STORK, perhaps a one day wonder, was seen yesterday afternoon and this
morning at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and in San Diego Creek.  The bird flew
off towards the south.  We would like to find out the first finder of this bird.
Also at the Sanctuary is a continuing female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD at Pond C, a male
VERMILION FLYCATCHER on the island on Pond 1, and a BURROWING OWL near the dirt
parking lot.  A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was in a flooded area on the 26th.  LEAST
BITTERNS were heard calling today at the south ends of Pond 1 and Pond B.

A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was found on the 29th around eucs by the tennis courts
at Laguna Niguel Regional Park.

A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was at a feeder on the 30th in Laguna Beach.

A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was found along the boardwalk by the Muth Center on the
30th.

A continuing AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on the 29th at Bolsa Chica Preserve just
north of the boardwalk.  REDDISH EGRETS continued in the large bay.

CACKLING GEESE were reported from Huntington Lake in Huntington Central Park,
Village Pond Park in Lake Forest

Yorba Regional Park had two PLUMBEOUS VIREOS on the 28th, Fairhaven Memorial
Park a CASSINS and a PLUMBEOUS ON THE 29TH

A dead COMMON MURRE was found on Strand Beach in Dana Point on the 1st.

A HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER was seen on the 27th near Barton Spendlove Park in
willows and pines along the railroad tracks.

HOODED MERGANSERS were seen last week in the Como Channel between Harvard and
the Peters Canyon Creek, Peters Canyon Creek downstream from Warner, Forbes Road
south of Crown Valley, and San Diego Creek upstream from Michelson.

SNOW GOOSE today at Sand Canyon Reservoir.

-End Transcript

The Stork was refound this morning in San Diego Creek by the entrance to the
sanctuary.  Later, it took off in the direction of Mason Regional Park.

Hopefully the bird will return to San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge.... but other
places in the area are also possibilities.

(info courtesy of Doug Willick)

Picture courtesy of Monte Stinnett (copyrighted), via Al Borodayko.

Link to photo at RBA auxillary website photos/misc:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Al is going to put the photo up at OrangeCountyBirding Yahoo groups as well.

Barbara Reever (sp?) reports that a Wood Stork flew in to the San Joaquin
Wildlife Sanctuary, Pond D (?) today.  Several people are reported to have seen
it, including photographers.

Obviously would like more details.

Happy Thanksgiving.  The RBA is on vacation mode the next few days.  Anyone on
the list can post to the entire list..... people trying to join will not be
allowed in during this period of time.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* November 24th, 2009
* CAOC09.11.24

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Greater White-fronted Goose
Mountain Bluebird
Zone-tailed Hawk
Hooded Merganser
Gray-headed Junco
Reddish Egret
Painted Redstart
Lewis Woodpecker
Green-tailed Towhee
Hermit Warbler
Hairy Woodpecker
Zone-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: November 24th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: BJ Donald, Bob & Cynthia Kaufman, Gary Meredith, Maxine Dougan,  Jim
Roe, Rick Shearer, Neil Gilbert, Alex Viduetsky, Jim Pike, Doug Willick, Joel
Weintraub, Richard Thunen, Jeff Ritterson, Monte Taylor, Denny Geiler, Sachi
Fukuman, Valerie Wheeler, Irene Horiuchi, Carol Lynn Holdner, Trude Hurd.

A BAR-TAILED GODWIT, first found on Oct 31st by Neil Gilbert at upper Upper
Newport Bay, was seen at least through 11/22.    The bird frequents, at low
tide, the area around the outlet of San Diego Creek below the Jamboree Street
crossing.  We want to keep track of sightings of this bird, so keep them coming.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on 11/21 at Casper's Regional Park at Drip #2.  Also
reported is a GRAY-HEADED JUNCO at Caspers Park seen regularly at both faucets.

MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary reported from 11/21 through
11/24... on the hawk perch at Pond C.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on 11/22: 1 Reddish Egret....

HOODED MERGANSERS reported from Craig Regional Park (11/22), Forbes Road
drainage (11/21), San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (11/24), and Aliso Creek
(11/21)

Immature male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER near the tennis courts of Dave Robins
Park near Mason Regional Park and an adult male SUMMER TANAGER at the
red-flowering eucs (11/22).

PAINTED REDSTART  11/20 and 11/21 along Maple Springs Road a mile or two past
the end of the pavement in the second cluster of conifers where the road turns
to the left (Upper Silverado Canyon).  Also along this road two LEWIS
WOODPECKERs.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (3) at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley (11/21)
at the small pond on the golf course.

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE at Castaway Park in Newport Beach at the edge of the houses
near the flagpole. (11/21)

HERMIT WARBLER 11/20 at Tewinkle Park in Costa Mesa.  Another on the 24th in a
private development in Dana Point and another in Orange..

HAIRY WOODPECKER male at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.... 19th around shelter # 
6  , and 24th around shelter # 8.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK on the 19th over Portola and Bake.

GOLDEN EAGLE on the 21st at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

-End Transcript

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* November 18th, 2009
* CAOC09.11.18

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Red-necked Grebe
Sage Thrasher
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Large-billed Savannah Sparrow
Black and White Warbler
Wilsons Warbler
Huttons Vireo
Greater White-fronted Goose
Mountain Bluebirds
Zone-tailed Hawk
Hooded Merganser
Gray-headed Junco
Vesper Sparrow

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: November 18th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Jeff Ahrens, Ed Griffin, Karly Moore, Sandy Koonce, Ed Stonick, Jeff
Ritterson, Brendan Crill, Brian Daniels, Leo Ohsutki, Pat & Dick Cabe, Joel
Weintraub, Jim Roe, Terry Hill, Doug Willick, Joyce Waterman, Neil Gilbert,
Steve & Marian Alter, Joan Rubin, Robert McNab, John Fitch, Paul Klahr, Ellen
Lamb, Len Gardner, Steve Sosensky, Bruce and Greg Aird, Barbara Johnson, Jessica
Griffiths, John McKeever

A BAR-TAILED GODWIT, first found on Oct 31st by Neil Gilbert at upper Upper
Newport Bay, was seen at least through 11/18 (today).    The bird frequents, at
low tide, the area around the outlet of San Diego Creek below the Jamboree
Street crossing.  We want to keep track of sightings of this bird, so keep them
coming.

Huntington Central Park:  east side, 11/15 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, immature
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER near fenced garden, HERMIT WARBLER (amphitheater area
11/16)

Bolsa Chica Preserve:  at least two REDDISH EGRETS reported from last week,
along with LARGE-BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROW above the boardwalk.  Also a RED-NECKED
GREBE was seen far down the new bay on the 14th.  SAGE THRASHER east of the
Tidal Gates (11/16)

California State University Fullerton Arboretum: 11/15 BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
female type, two WILSON'S WARBLERS, and two HUTTON'S VIREO

Upper Santa Ana River: 11/15 by Orange-Olive RR crossing, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED
GOOSE.  Also a flock of 20 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS reported on the 15th upstream from
the 91 Freeway Bridge.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK 11/15 over Mission Viejo near La Paz and Olympiad.

HOODED MERGANSER: one male near Forbes Road below Crown Valley 11/14 (birds in
this area are skittish), and one male at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton in
lake on 11/17.

GRAY-HEADED JUNCO on private property (Starr Ranch) on the 13th.

VESPER SPARROW on private property on the 14th.

-End Transcript

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* November 11th, 2009
* CAOC09.11.11

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Reddish Egret
Large Billed Savannah Sparrow
Plumbeous Vireo
Greater White-fronted Goose
Hermit Warbler
Red-naped Sapsucker
Tennessee Warbler
Cackling Goose
Yellow Warbler
Clay-colored Sparrow
Eurasian Wigeon
Zone-tailed Hawk

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: November 11th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Tom Newhouse, Pete Hanrheh?, Valerie Wheeler, Martha Slowicka, Gary
Meredith, Maxine Dougan, Neil Gilbert, Doug Willick, Terry Hill, Jessica
Griffiths, Jeff Keen, Shirley Reynolds, Lidia Seebeck, Christopher Taylor, Jim
Pike, Bruce Aird, Robert McNab, Steve Sosensky, Jim Hecht, Dennis Vollmar, David
Campbell, Ronald Holland, Chuck Almdale, Lucy Lee.

A BAR-TAILED GODWIT, first found on the 31st by Neil Gilbert at upper Upper
Newport Bay, was seen at least through 11/7.    The bird frequented, at low
tide, the area around the outlet of San Diego Creek below the Jamboree Street
crossing.  If you have more recent sightings (either negative or positive),
please alert the RBA.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park: GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS near shelter #10. (11/8)

Irvine Regional Park: BROWN CREEPER 11/10 on north side of park near fenced-in
horseshoe rings.

Bolsa Chica Preserve:  2 REDDISH EGRETS and 1 LARGE BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROW on
the 9th.

PLUMBEOUS VIREO: Santiago Park Nature Reserve (9th), Santiago Hills Park (8th),

Upper Santa Ana River/bikepath between Glassell and Orange-Olive, GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, HERMIT WARBLER. (8th)

RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: Santiago Park Nature Reserve (9th), Arroyo Elementary
School (8th),

TENNESSEE WARBLER: Greer Park (7th)

CACKLING GOOSE and YELLOW WARBLER at Carr Park on the 7th.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW on the 4th and 5th below the dam at Laguna Niguel Regional
Park.
Dennis Vollmar

Male EURASIAN WIGEON: 11/11 Tustin Ranch Golf Course.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK over Irvine on the 7th.

-End Transcript

Just to let the group know...

Bar-tailed Godwit reported early this morning.... same general vicinity but when
flushed flew down the bay.  Late this afternoon another sighting of the bird on
the car dealer side of the Jamboree crossing of San Diego Creek.

Today, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, below the dam, CLAY COLORED SPARROW  (Lucy
Lee) with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows.

Group,

The Bar-tailed Godwit discovered by Neil Gilbert we consider to be a first
county record.  There is an out of print book by Charles Sexton and George Hunt
called "An Annotated Checklist of The Birds of Orange County California"
published by UCI in 1979 that reports a sighting of a Bar-tailed Godwit on Sept.
2 and 9, 1962 at Upper Newport Bay and published in American Field Notes 17(1),
1963 p. 68.  Sexton and Hunt put this record at the back of their book under
"Hypothetical Species" and noted that Small in his book on California Birds did
not include the record.  This "record" is not mentioned in the Hamilton and
Willick book on "The Birds of Orange County California, Status and Distribution"
but is mentioned in the California Bird Records Committee tome on "Rare Birds of
California" in their category of "Not submitted" (thus not evaluated).

I've been asked how long the Godwit will stay.... and have included in this RBA
some pertinent information.  Please keep sending in your sightings, even if we
are not daily updating the status of the Godwit.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* November 4th, 2009
* CAOC09.11.04

- Birds mentioned

BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Eurasian Wigeon
Pectoral Sandpiper
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Plumbeous Vireo
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden Eagle
Green-tailed Towhee
American Bittern
Summer Tanager
Large-billed Savannah Sparrow
Reddish Egret
Hairy Woodpecker
Orchard Oriole
Painted Redstart

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: November 4th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Neil Gilbert, Joel Weintraub, Paul Strauss, Richard Cabe, Denny
Geiler, Jim Roe, Doug Willick, Robert McNab, Ed Stonick, Ruby Gardner, John
Thomlinson, Terry John, Carolyn Raynesford, Les Redpath, Nancy Kenyon, Pat and
Dick Cabe, Bob Schallmann, John Garrett, Dan Emory, Steve & Marian Alter, Phil
Martinez, Rolly Throckmorton, Linda LeRoy, Matt Warren, Tom Benson, Jeffrey
Cowell, Bruce Aird, Andy Birch, Dee Foster, Valerie Wheeler, Chuck Almdale,
Nathan Moorhatch

A BAR-TAILED GODWIT was found on the 31st by Neil Gilbert at upper Upper Newport
Bay.  The bird frequents, at low tide, the area around the outlet of San Diego
Creek below the Jamboree Street crossing.  It was still there as of today..  The
bird has been well photographed.  Also in the same general area a male EURASIAN
WIGEON (10/31), and a worn PECTORAL SANDPIPER (11/1).

Immature male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (11/3,4) at Huntington Central Park, east
side, by amphitheater and north side of "island" area.

PLUMBEOUS VIREOS: 11/2 Santiago Park Nature Reserve Santa Ana in large sycamores
on s side of creek, 10/30 (1) and 10/31 (2) Santa Ana River biketrail about 300
yds downstream of RR bridge crossing at Orange-Olive Road, 10/29 in west half of
Fairhaven Memorial Park.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS: 11/2 in residential area in eastern Orange near
intersection of Lakeview and Santiago Canyon.

GOLDEN EAGLE: Mason Regional Park 10/31 apparently the same bird reported as a
Bald Eagle feeding at the park on the 27th.

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE: 10/31 at Castaway Park, small tree past the location of the
park information kiosk.

AMERICAN BITTERN: 10/31 over old salt dike at Upper Newport Bay.

SUMMER TANAGER: 10/31 Laguna Niguel Regional Park near the tennis court at the
creek.

AMERICAN BITTERN, 3 LARGE-BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROWS, REDDISH EGRET at Bolsa Chica
Preserve (10/31).

Male HAIRY WOODPECKER, 10/31 at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.... no specific
location given.

Private Residential Areas or Restricted Areas:  ORCHARD ORIOLE, PAINTED
REDSTART.

Added Note:  How long will the Godwit stay in Orange County?  Let's answer this
by looking at (accepted) records shown in the "Rare Birds of California" book. 
Note there are no December records.  I chose only records for October and
November.

27 Oct to 30 Nov 1972 Bolinas Lagoon
04 to 27 Nov 1981 Coronado SD
26 Oct to 1 Nov 1992 Bodega Harbor
2 Oct to 21 Oct 1995 Abbotts Lagoon
2 Oct 1998 Alviso and Coyote Sloughs

So please keep sending in sightings to the RBA.

-End Transcript

I've posted a photo courtesy of Bruce Aird of the Upper Newport Bay Bar-tailed
Godwit showing the rump pattern.

The direct link to the photo on the auxillary RBA photo website is:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/BruceAird.jpg

I'm posting a request from Jim Pike.....

I have added a picture to the OrCoRBA auxillary website of the barred tail, but
probably little of the rump is shown.

Bird was still being reported today.... from the "lower" area.... north side of
bay, off of Bayview Ave.... hike west to the "excavated" area where shorebirds
are hanging out at high tide.

Hi,

Questions are being raised as to which subspecies is involved with the
recently-discovered (thanks, Neil) Bar-tailed Godwit at Newport Backbay. The
three recognized subspecies of Bar-tailed exhibit geographical variation across
their range, with the northern Eurasia-breeding lapponica having a mostly white,
lightly-barred back, rump, and underwing, and the Alaska and eastern
Siberia-breeding L.l.baueri showing a browner, well-barred back, rump and
underwing. Menzbieri of central Russia is intermediate in appearance. Baueri is
believed to be responsible for most of the California records, although two
records involved birds "with mostly white rumps that exhibited other marks
typical of menzbieri and lapponica" (CBRC 2007). I will soon post two photos of
the Orange County bird (see 'OC godwit'), one showing its mostly white rump and
the other showing its relatively lightly-marked axillars (ie, the long feathers
closest to the body). Pyle (2008) has depictions of two axillar feathers for
both the lapponica and baueri subspecies, illustrating the range of variation
even within Bar-tailed subspecies, as the "western populations average fewer and
smaller black markings than eastern populations". I judge the axillars of the OC
bird to be more similar in appearance to lapponica than baueri, but, given its
range, lapponica would be a long shot. However, menzbieri is a consideration, as
is the western population of baueri (ie, the eastern Siberia-breeding
"anadyrensis"). So, after this long-winded/worded introduction, I'm asking that
photographers that may have obtained photos of the underwing, rump and,
especially, the back, please post them to the group. Feel free to use the 'OC
godwit' folder. Maybe someone will get lucky from the Jamboree St. bridge and
get a good pic of the (white? dark?) back in flight.

thanks,
Jim Pike
Huntington Beach

Group

Arrived at upper Upper Newport Bay around 10 AM.  High tide, not a shorebird in
sight.  Damn......  Parked on East Bluff Drive, and walked down Jamboree along
the bike path to the overlook area of the outlet of San Diego Creek.

Other birders there, none of us had seen the bird, but we knew it had been seen
earlier.  It turns out the Godwit had flown down the bay, and was on a muddy
area on the north side of the bay well below us but giving views for earlier
birders.

As the tide receded, we started to see shorebirds..... lots of Godwits but not
what we wanted.  Then, the bird flew in from the lower area.  First it was on
the north side/mud spit below the outlet of San Diego Creek, and then flew
across and landed 40 feet below us on the south side of the outlet.  Gave fine
views. Many birders by then were there and all satisfied.   When I left about
12:15 the bird had flown up the creek, but was still visible.

I took a number of photos with my super-zoom camera..... and I put two of them
where anyone can see them on the auxillary website:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/
One of the photos shows the two Godwit species in the same frame.  The photos
have only been cropped.

Enjoy

Joel Weintraub
Dana Point, CA

birders,

I just got a call from John Garrett saying the BAR-TAILED GODWIT is still
present this morning at Upper Newport Bay. Apparently it moved ~3/8 of a mile
towards East Bluff Drive along the edge of the bay.

cheers,

Neil Gilbert
Orange

Also:
male Eurasian Wigeon at Upper Newport Bay...same general area... (Steve & Marian
Alter)

Green-tailed Towhee.... Castaway Park... on Saturday.... samll tree past the
location of the park information kiost

Golden Eagle (apparently not the Bald Eagle reported) at Mason Regional park a
few days ago.

A tentative juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit.... by Neil Gilbert..... today... at
Upper Newport Bay..... where Jamboree crosses.... outlet of San Diego Creek.

Confirmation desired.  Would be a County Record.

Nearby parking at Bay View Way.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* October 28th, 2009
* CAOC09.10.28

- Birds mentioned

Painted Redstart
Black and White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Parula
Tennessee Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Gray Flycatcher
Reddish Egret
Large-billed Savannah Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: October 28th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Bruce Aird, John Fitch, Les Redpath, Vic Leipzig, Doug Willick, Neil
Gilbert, Robert McNab, Susan Steele, Jim Pike, Terry Hill

10/28:
Mason Regional Park: PAINTED REDSTART SE end of park, walkway by the apartments,
where trail splits and crosses creek.  Also today female BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
in alder tree near playground next to riparian area.

10/26:
Upper Santa Ana River downstream of RR bridge crossing where Orange-Olive Road
terminates (accessed from Riverdale between Tustin and Glassell), YELLOW-SHAFTED
FLICKER.
10/25:
Upper Santa Ana River between Glassell and Orange-Olive, hatch year BLACKBURNIAN
WARBLER female.  Also BALTIMORE ORIOLE hatch-year male and RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER.

10/25:
Laguna Niguel Regional Park: NORTHERN PARULA and TENNESSEE WARBLR below dam, and
GRAY FLYCATCHER same area.

10/25:
Huntington Central Park: BALTIMORE ORIOLE in island area.

10/23:
Bolsa Chica Preserve, 3 LARGE-BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROWS loop trail and 2 REDDISH
EGRETS.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET: residential area in eastern Orange (10/26) and at
Huntington Central Park island area 10/24.


-End Transcript

Today:
John Fitch called in a PAINTED REDSTART at Mason Regional Park... SE end...
walkway by the Apartments.... where trail splits and crosses creek.... Redstart
moving rapidly to the north.

Also today at Mason... a female BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER in Alder tree near
playground next to riparian area (this morning... Les Redpath

This species is a California Bird Records Review Species.

Seen this afternoon at the Environmental Nature Center of Newport Beach by Doug
Willick.  The Center is open on Saturday (closed on Sunday) from 8 to 4.  (Note:
tomorrow is also the pancake breakfast and book sale at Sea & Sage Audubon).

The Vireo was towards the back side of the nature center.  The single trail
forks...and the path to the right leads to a small pond.  The bird was in a
flock of warblers, in the small willows, and the flock eventually moved towards
larger trees near the homes (and the bird lost).  Bird was silent until pishing
brought out a scolding call.

No summary went out to Birdwest this week.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* October 21st, 2009
* CAOC0910.21

- Birds mentioned



- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: October 21st, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Jim Roe, Doug Willick, Jim Pike, Robert McNab, Robb Hamilton, Steve &
Marian Alter, Cynthia Herrera, Bob Schallmann, Brian Daniels, Vic Leipzig, Joel
Weintraub

10/21
Mile Square Regional Park Fountain Valley AMERICAN REDSTART (adult female?) due
west of 1st baseball diamond off main entrance in small oaks along golf course
fence.

10/20
Santiago Park Nature Reserve Santa Ana AMERICAN REDSTART (first year male type)
s side of creek about 150 yards west of RR bridge crossing east end of park.
Huntington Central Park "creek-crossins" west of "island" (east side of park)
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET in eucalyptus trees.

10/19
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary Irvine 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (one seen on the
17th)

10/17
Laguna Niguel Regional Park, TENNESSEE WARBLER in grove below the dam
Upper Santa Ana River bike trail 300 yds above Glassell, MAGNOLIA WARBLER
(continuing?)

10/16
Upper Santa Ana River bike trail 250 yds south of Lincoln Avenue.... first year
female VERMILION FLYCATCHER.
Bolsa Chica Preserve/Anaheim Bay: REDDISH EGRET

10/14,15
Bolsa Chica Preserve, above boardwalk, 3-5 LONG BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROWS

Last week:
Restricted property of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach: SHORT-EARED OWL,
FERRUGINOUS HAWK, REDDISH EGRET, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE

-End Transcript

Not included in the weekly summary was a report of a MOURNING WARBLER at Laguna
Niguel Regional Park.  This is a California Bird Records Review species and from
the description from John Nolley it appeared to be "iffy"..... thus not included
in the summary.

There also were some records of Plumbeous Vireo in the county not included on
this week's RBA.  An immature male VERMILION FLYCATCHER was photographed on the
Bolsa Chica "Mesa" on the 3rd (outside of the present week's coverage) but
mentioned here.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* October 14th, 2009
* CAOC0910.14

- Birds mentioned
Worm-eating Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Parula
American Redsatrt
Black-and-white Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Lucy's Warbler
Ross Goose
Tropical Kingbird
Vermilion Flycatcher
Baltimore Oriole
Lark Bunting
Bobolink
Gray Flycatcher
Reddish Egret
Rose-breasted Grosbeak


- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: October 14th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Irene Horiuchi, Doug Willick, Kathy Parker, Neil Gilbert, Sandra
Remley, Elsa Weber, Brian Leatherman, Leo Ohsutki, Pat Cabe, Brian Daniels,
Terry Hill, Robert McNab, Jim Pike, Dick Cabe

WORM-EATING WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER at west side (west of Huntington
Lake) Huntington Central Park on the 10th.  OVENBIRD at Huntington Central Park
first found on the 8th in "island area" and refound on the 10th.
NORTHERN PARULA at Turtle Rock Nature Center (10th), at Mason Regional Park
(immature female, 11th), at Laguna Niguel Regional Park (10th)
AMERICAN REDSTART at Mason Regional Park (11th) and also there a BLACK AND WHITE
WARBLER (11th).  Another American Redstart (male also) at Huntington Central
Park (east) on the 8th.
MAGNOLIA WARBLER Upper Santa Ana River between Glassell and Orange-Olive RR
crossing 10/11.
LUCY'S WARBLER on the 8th on west side of Huntington Central Park west of Lake.

ROSS'S GOOSE 10/14 at Twin Lakes Park, Garden Grove.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD 10/14 reported Upper Santa Ana River downstream of the
Railroad Bridge, PECTORAL SANDPIPER below Lincoln Bridge.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER 10/11 on fence eastern edge of archery range at Mile Square
Park.  On the 10th an orangy BALTIMORE ORIOLE was east of the lake at Mile
Square Park.
Villa Park Dam dry holding area: LARK BUNTING 10/10, BOBOLINK (10th), GRAY
FLYCATCHER (11th)
REDDISH EGRET at Bolsa Chica Preserve 10/10
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (female, 10th) at Huntington Central Park (NE corner).

-End Transcript

This is a third hand report....

A possible, but not really seen well before it disappeared..... Hudsonian Godwit
this morning at Bolsa Chica Preserve... apparently from the overlook near the
boardwalk.

So, rather than just ignore this and sit on it, I'll mention it if you are in
the area.... just check out the Godwits you see.

Obviously, further information desired....

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* October 7th, 2009
* CAOC0910.07

- Birds mentioned
Harlequin Duck
Ovenbird
American Redstart
Blackburnian Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Pectoral Sandpiper
Tennessee Warbler
Plumbeous Vireo
Greater White-fronted Goose
Large-billed Savannah Sparrow
Reddish Egret
Golden Eagle
Cacklin Goose
American Bittern
Northern Parula
Solitary Sandpiper

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: October 7th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Jon Dunn, Pat and Dick Cabe, Debbie Hanson, Nathan Moorhatch, lidia
Seebeck, Jim Roe, Dave & Sharon Telford, Brendan Crill, Robert McNab, Matt
Warren,  Doug Willick, Neil Gilbert, Jeff Allison, Steve Smith, Sam Hung, Al
Borodayko, Brian Leatherman, DeeDee Gollwitzer, Chuq Von Rospach, J Leslie
Redpath, Wayne Gochenour

HARLEQUIN DUCK female: Dana Point Harbor towards entrance, seen at late
afternoon on Oct. 1st and 2nd.... looked for in the morning of the 2nd and 3rd
without success.

Huntington Central Park: OVENBIRD 10/7 east side, adult male AMERICAN REDSTART
east side island,

Upper Santa Ana River: 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPER downstream from Lincoln (10/4)....  
one reported 10/7 south of Lincoln.  BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 10/4 downstream from
Imperial Highway in small Jacaranda Trees.  VIRGINIA'S WARBLER 10/4 in large
tamarisk tree between Lincoln and Glassell along bike path.

Laguna Niguel  Regional Park: TENNESSEE WARBLER on 10/4 where both creeks meet
at the north end.  PLUMBEOUS VIREO continuing at the park (10/3).

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE: a pair, perhaps the same one, seen at San Joaquin
Wildlife Sanctuary (10/2, 10/4), Upper Newport Bay (10/1), Mason Regional Park
(10/2).

Bolsa Chica Preserve: LARGE BILLED SAVANNAH SPARROW on the 3rd along levee trail
north of the wooden bridge.  One REDDISH EGRET reported on the 6th.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary: pair of GOLDEN EAGLES again reported on the 3rd
over San Joaquin Golf Course (Culver and Harvard), also on the 2nd CACKLING
GOOSE, AMERICAN BITTERN, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPER.

Yorba Linda Regional Park: NORTHERN PARULA on the 4th.

Irvine City Hall/San Diego Creek:  PECTORAL SANDPIPER and SOLITARY SANDPIPER on
the 1st.

-End Transcript

Jon Dunn and I believe Brian Daniels went looking for the Blue-footed Booby late
this afternoon at the Dana Point Harbor..

No Booby..... but a female Harlequin Duck was detected in the harbor from the
vantage point of the island...west side....

Also... there is a dead bird in the water near the end of the jetty that Brian
feels is not a gull..... would be interested in it's identity.

RBA

* California

* Orange County
* September 30th, 2009
* CAOC0909.30

- Birds mentioned
BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER
Zone-tailed Hawk
Yellow-throated Vireo
Brewers Sparrow
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Plumbeous Vireo
Black and White Warbler
Mountain Chickadee
White-winged Dove
Golden Eagle
Pectoral Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Baltimore Oriole
Red-naped Sapsucker
Bobolink
American Redstart

- Transcript

hotline: Orange County, California  sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon
date: September 30th, 2009;  number: (949) 487-6869; compiler: Joel Weintraub.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/
Please send e-mail sightings to:   JWeintraub@....
To receive our  RBA updates  (whenever issued) subscribe to: 
OrCoRBA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com by sending a message with Subscribe as the
subject.

Send reports on California Bird Record Committee Review Species sightings to:
Guy McCaskie,  Secretary,  California Bird Records Committee   P. O. Box 275
Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 The species in caps on the bird mentioned list (if
present) are all Review Species; the committee would appreciate documentation on
their occurrence in Orange County. There is a website for discussing
birds/birding in Orange County California.

Please visit:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrangeCountyBirding.  Radio Codes
for Birders in Orange County: channel 11 subcode 22 (national code).  We have a
new accessory website that has recent photos of rarities (when submitted)  and
maps of some birding spots in the County, including a map of Huntington Central
Park showing the "local" names for birding areas at:
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/

Observers: Robert McNab, Doug Willick, Gjon Hazard, John Fitch, Brian
Leatherman, Monte Taylor, Kaaren Perry, DeeDee Gollwitzer, Trude Hurd, Jeff
Ritterson, Pat and Dick Cabe, Lew Hastings, John Garrett, Jim Roe, Rolly
Throckmorton, John Thomlinson, Jeffrey Cowell, Jim Hecht, Steve Sosensky, Bruce
Aird, Neil Gilbert, Joel Weintraub, Tom Miko, Robert Waters, Brian Daniels.

BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY:  first detected the late afternoon of the 24th by Robert
McNab.  Seen on Friday through Sunday.  No reports since Sunday and today, not
on usual rock at the Dana Point Harbor from 2 pm through 5:25 pm.  Don't know if
still around.  The bird was using the same rock on all days:  outer jetty, past
the fog horn/sign tower.... last large top rock before the jetty slopes into the
ocean.  Best viewing would be from the island (Dana Dr)... west end parking....
and looking over 1200 ft of water towards end of jetty.  Scope recommended.  If
the Booby is again seen, please inform the RBA.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER:  first detected on the 26th by Doug Willick and seen
through today.  Directions: along the Santa Ana River biketrail (which parallels
the south side of the river), and ranges anywhere from about 100 feet to well
over 400 yards downstream (i.e., west) of the Glassell crossing of the SAR. 
Also along this stretch of the Santa Ana River: SOLITARY SANDPIPER.  Above
Glassell in the streambed were a BREWER'S SPARROW, female YELLOW-HEADED
BLACKBIRD, and PLUMBEOUS VIREO.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO:  probable continuing bird, Laguna Niguel Regional Park,
shelter #3 by creek.  (9/27)  Also in vicinity a BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK: seen over Yorba Regional Park on the 29th flying east.  Also
in the park were MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES and a PLUMBEOUS VIREO (first found on the
28th).

WHITE-WINGED DOVE: on the 30th over Pacific Coast Highway near Crystal Cove
State Park.

GOLDEN EAGLES: A pair around Mason Regional Park to San Joaquin Wildlife
Sanctuary (9/29).

PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 9/30 at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary; 9/26 Harriet Wieder
Regional Park (Bolsa Chica Preserve); 9/26 Santa Ana River below Lincoln

BALTIMORE ORIOLE: Reported from Huntington Central Park, Jack Green Area on the
29th.

RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER: on the 28th at Santiago Park Nature Reserve located off 900
E Memory Lane in NE Santa Ana.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER: 9/26 in puddle across from Fairview Park; 3 at Peters Canyon
Regional park 9/25; off of Harriet Wieder Park 9/26

Also at Harriet Wieder Park a flyover BOBOLINK, and AMERICAN REDSTART in the
gulley (9/26)

-End Transcript

1. Blue-footed Booby continues, Dana Point Harbor, top of jetty...last large
flat rock on outer jetty (past fog horn/sign tower) before jetty slopes into
ocean.  Best viewpoint, free parking, on Island...Dana Dr... make left after
bridge and park at far parking lot.  Look 1200 ft over water to end of long
jetty.  Scope recommended.  Sunday sightings:  Gjon Hazard at 7:30 AM, Jeffrey
Cowell (10:15 AM), John Thomlinson (12:15 PM-13:00 PM)

2. Great Crested Flycatcher continues... seen today.... Doug Willick's
information:  immediately west of the Glassell Street crossing of the Santa Ana
River, to about 250 yards west of the small porti-potty, a distance of almost
1/4 mile. One can park just south of the SAR, at the corner of Glassell and
Riverdale, and walk up to the River and access the bike trail on the west side
of Glassell. Morning hours seem to be best, although the bird was seen fairly
late in the evening on Saturday.  Beware... there are Ash-throated Flycatchers
in the area.  Photos are posted on OrangeCountyBirding by Doug and also by Jim
Hecht.  Solitary Sandpiper in the streambed near the Porta-Potty.

3. Yellow-throated Vireo, refound today at Laguna Niguel Regional Park by Robert
McNab.  Foraging around shelter #3 around the creek.  Vireo later seen today by
Gjon Hazard and he notes a Black and White Warbler in the same area.

1. John Hazzard had the Blue-footed Booby at it's favorite rock about 7:30 am in
the  Dana Point Harbor.

2. Great Crested Flycatcher continues today (that's rare, they are usually one
day wonders)...same spot as reported previously as well as Solitary Sandpiper
below the Porta Potties.  (Robert McNab, 10 am report).