We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Hawk & Owl Banding Trip

Date: Sunday, April 4, 2004
Time: 8:00AM - 12:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Have you ever watched a hawk or owl chick being banded?  Have
you ever been so close to a raptor chick that you could touch
it? If you are one of those birders who enjoy being in very
close proximity hawks and owls, then the upcoming banding trips
are for you.

Beginning on April 4th, Sea & Sage will be conducting a series
of Hawk & Owl Banding Trips at Audubon California’s Starr
Ranch Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon.  The banding process is part
of a 30+ year study in raptor ecology here in Southern
California. Either Pete DeSimone or Scott Thomas will climb to a
nest or nest box, carefully lower the raptor chicks to the
ground, and then perform the  banding process with the field
trip group in close proximity. Both Pete and Scott have had many
years of experience with avian research with an emphasis on
raptor biology and ecology. Possible candidates for banding
include Red-shouldered or Red-tailed Hawks, or Barn Owls.

Advance reservations are needed for these special trips.
Proceeds will be contributed to the Center for Biological
Diversity which has filed litigation actions against the
operation of wind turbine power production in Altamont Pass.
(Unfortunately, these non-polluting energy sources cause the
death of a tremendous number of migratory birds including
hundreds of raptors at Altamont Pass alone.) Your donation of
$30 or more will go directly to this important raptor
conservation effort.

To make your reservation, select the trip date of your choice,
mail check payable to “Sea & Sage Audubon” to:  Banding
Trips, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612.
Please provide your phone number (in case we need to contact you
at the last minute) and your email address for trip confirmation
& information. For more information on the issue of wind
turbines at Altamont Pass, go to:
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/Programs/bdes/altamont/altamont.html

Nancy Kenyon
Irvine CA
Field Trip Chair for Sea & Sage
kenyon@...
(949) 786-316

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Peters Canyon Regional Park

Date: Sunday, April 4, 2004
Time: 7:30AM - 12:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Peter’s Canyon is another regional park which boasts a
variety of habitats - willow riparian, reservoir, coastal sage
scrub, grassy fields, and rolling hills.  You can expect to see
a number of duck species here, as well as raptors, wrens,
gnatcatchers, warblers and grosbeaks.  This walk will be
cancelled if there has been recent rain;  the park will be
closed since all trails are dirt. DIRECTIONS: From #5 Fwy, take
Jamboree east. Turn left on Canyon View Ave., not far from
Santiago Cyn Rd.  From #55 Fwy, take Chapman east. Turn right on
Jamboree and right again on Canyon View; the park will be on
your left.  PARKING FEE:  Be prepared to pay the $2 parking fee
into the machine if you don’t have a wilderness parks decal.
The regional parks card/pass cannot be used.  WEAR:  Sturdy
shoes with good traction & a hat for sun protection. Bring
binoculars and water.  (This field trip is sponsored by Sea &
Sage Audubon.)

Trip Leaders:  Steve & Marian Alter  949-669-9482

Greetings,

I was at Carr Park in Huntington Beach both AM and late afternnon on
Sunday Apr 4. Breeding and nesting activity on the island are in full
swing. Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets are in High Breeding plummage.
There were also at least three White-faced Ibis. Also flying in and
out were numerous Black-crowned Night Herons and Great-tailed
Grackles. Most were performing their spring rituals of either carrying
nesting material, displaying or mating. It sounded like a jungle out
there.

An interesting side note, I was told by some friends that were already
there approx 5:00 PM, the immature Bald Eagle, numbered 35, flew low
over the island stirring up all the birds and then continued on it's
way. I missed this event by 5 minutes.

Regards, Al Borodayko
Cypress, CA

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Villa Park Flood Basin

Date: Saturday, April 10, 2004
Time: 8:00AM - 11:30AM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Join us as we conduct our first fieldtrip to the Villa Park
Flood Control Basin, which is situated in the east Orange
foothills, between the Villa Park Dam on the north and Irvine
Regional Park on the south.  We will explore the basin’s
fairly extensive riparian and freshwater marsh habitats, which
are associated with the Santiago Creek drainage.  Since 1991,
as many as five or six pairs of Least Bell’s Vireos have
bred in the basin, along with significant numbers of Yellow
Warblers.  Other breeders here of local interest include
Green Heron, White-tailed Kite, Virginia Rail, Pacific-slope
Flycatcher (several territories), Swainson’s Thrush
(sporadic), California Gnatcatcher (a few pairs on adjacent,
scrub-covered slopes), Hutton’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat
(six to ten territories) and Blue Grosbeak.  Depending on
conditions during the time of the trip, we will be walking a
loop trail of approximately 2 to 2 1/2 miles.  it should be
noted that there are no restrooms, water, or other amenities
once we leave the parking area. 

DIRECTIONS: To get to our meeting location, take Chapman Ave.
east from the Newport Freeway, to Irvine Regional Park. 
Immediately after entering the park (just past the entrance
booth), make a left turn at the first opportunity.  After
passing the first parking lot on the left side of this loop
road, we will meet in the second parking along this road, which
will be on the right-hand side.  This is the closest parking
lot to the Villa Park Flood Basin. We will meet at 8 am, and we
should be returning to the cars by approximately 11:30.  This
field trip is sponsored  by Sea & Sage Audubon.  For more
information on this and other Sea & Sage field trips, contact
Nancy Kenyon, field trip chair, at <kenyon@...>

Trip Leader, Doug Willick

As we looked out over the Brea Dam Rec Area early this afternoon, we
were entertained by a wonderfully vocal and visible Bewick's Wren
singing high up in a Euc on the east slope of St. Jude Hospital site.
Across the wooded ravine, high up in a dead "something" tree, an equally
vocal and visible Bullock's Oriole was holding forth.

What a delightful introduction for us to this place. And, to think that
we've driven by on Bastanchury Rd (and Harbor Blvd, in Fullerton) a
million times and have NEVER stopped until today!  Perhaps some of you
are already familiar with this site.

A Cooper's Hawk acted as though he (or she) owned the whole area,
occasionally making short recon flights from its high snaggy perch. One
particular crow always announced the hawk's flight by complaining
loudly.  Apparently this is a happening place, even in the heat of the
afternoon.

We parked at the Fullerton Tennis Center, on the south side of the
hospital, where a trail goes down into the ravine. I understand there
are other entrances, but don't know just where yet. Would like to find a
place where I don't have to climb down/up.

One funny sighting from last weekend... while birding the Santa Ana
River below the Lakeview bridge in east Anaheim, we were just about to
leave when we heard loud hissy honks coming at us. We looked to see what
in the world could be making such a sound, and to our amazement, we saw
two Egyptian Geese flying upstream as hard as they could go, hissy
honking steadily as they flew. I laughed so hard!  They must have been
on their way to Yorba Regional Park where Egyptian Geese are regularly seen.

Have fun birding.

Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Laurel & Emerald Canyons

Date: Sunday, April 18, 2004
Time: 7:30AM - 1:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Sea & Sage will be conducting a bird walk into Laurel and
Emerald Canyons this Sunday, April 18th, led by Bruce Aird.
This beautiful area, which is part of the Laguna Coast
Wilderness, is located in Laguna Canyon off Rte. 133. Though the
area is open to the public on weekends, it can be especially
rewarding for a birder to go in with someone who knows where the
good birds can be found.  This is an outing for people who enjoy
hiking and birding in a wilderness-type setting.

Bruce will take you to a site where Rock Wrens have bred in past
years, he will explore the oak-sycamore woodlands for Western
Scrub-Jays, Oak Titmice, Bewick's Wrens, Bullock's Orioles and
Black-headed Grosbeaks, the grasslands for Rufous-crowned &
Grasshopper Sparrows, the riparian area for Yellow-breasted
Chats, and the woodland areas for woodpeckers.

Meeting time is 7:30 am Sunday morning. Bring your lunch.
We’ll return to our cars around 1:00 pm. Group size limited;
advance reservations required. Trip fee is $25 per person; make
check payable to Sea & Sage Audubon.  This special outing is one
of our chapter’s Birdathon field trips; money raised from
this and our other Birdathon trips will help support our chapter
programs, especially Education and Conservation.  For
reservations, contact Nancy Kenyon.

Trip Leader - Bruce Aird
Trip Coordinator - Nancy Kenyon  (949) 786-3160;  kenyon@...

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Hawk & Owl Banding Trip

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2004
Time: 8:00AM - 12:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Have you ever watched a hawk or owl chick being banded?  Have
you ever been so close to a raptor chick that you could touch
it? If you are one of those birders who enjoy being in very
close proximity hawks and owls, then the upcoming banding trips
are for you.

Beginning on April 4th, Sea & Sage will be conducting a series
of Hawk & Owl Banding Trips at Audubon California’s Starr
Ranch Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon.  The banding process is part
of a 30+ year study in raptor ecology here in Southern
California. Either Pete DeSimone or Scott Thomas will climb to a
nest or nest box, carefully lower the raptor chicks to the
ground, and then perform the  banding process with the field
trip group in close proximity. Both Pete and Scott have had many
years of experience with avian research with an emphasis on
raptor biology and ecology. Possible candidates for banding
include Red-shouldered or Red-tailed Hawks, or Barn Owls.

Advance reservations are needed for these special trips.
Proceeds will be contributed to the Center for Biological
Diversity which has filed litigation actions against the
operation of wind turbine power production in Altamont Pass.
(Unfortunately, these non-polluting energy sources cause the
death of a tremendous number of migratory birds including
hundreds of raptors at Altamont Pass alone.) Your donation of
$30 or more will go directly to this important raptor
conservation effort.

To make your reservation, select the trip date of your choice,
mail check payable to “Sea & Sage Audubon” to:  Banding
Trips, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612.
Please provide your phone number (in case we need to contact you
at the last minute) and your email address for trip confirmation
& information. For more information on the issue of wind
turbines at Altamont Pass, go to:
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/Programs/bdes/altamont/altamont.html

Nancy Kenyon
Irvine CA
Field Trip Chair for Sea & Sage
kenyon@...
949-786-3160

Group,
Last week I sent out the RBA on OrCoRBA on Wed. night as usual, but it
wasn't posted by Yahoo Groups until Thursday.

Last night I again sent in the week's summary....did it again....and
still no sign of it and it's Thursday at 10:30 am.  So.....tried
again.... no sign.  Hmmmmmm....

So testing this website...also including the RBA below.

Joel Weintraub

RBA

* California
* Orange County
* April 14, 2004
* CAOC0404.14

- Birds mentioned
Bald Eagle
Lewis Woodpecker
Black and White Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Gray Flycatcher
Plumbeous Vireo
Summer Tanager

- Transcript
hotline: Orange County, California  date: April 14, 2004;  number:
(949) 487-6869; compilers: Joel Weintraub and Delores Jenisch.
Website and archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OrCoRBA/  Please
send e-mail sightings to both compilers: JWeintraub@... and
djenisch@....    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 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/

Note: We are supplying for many sightings (AT THE END OF THIS REPORT)
links for maps of the area and aerial photos.  Many of these are
general maps.  If we have specific information from GPS readings, we
will alert ou to the fact.  After you go to the link, go to the BOTTOM
of the form and choose aerial photo (and adjust zoom factor) or the
map (where eventually you will adjust the zoom factor).

Observers: Terry Hill, Robb Hamilton, Jeff Chapman, Jimmy Harcrow,
Peyton Cook.

Today, at Huntington Central Park, below the Slater Street Parking
lot, a GRAY FLYCATCHER, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, and female SUMMER TANAGER
were spotted.

Yesterday, an immature BALD EAGLE was sitting on a pole along the
north side of Westminster Blvd. as it runs between the Naval Weapons
Station (between Seal Beach Blvd. & Bolsa Chica).

On Friday a a tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was in an oak tree
along upper Wood Canyon in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.

Also on Friday along the Santa Ana River north of the Lincoln Street
crossing, past the porta potties along the bike path, in the trees
that have the bluebird boxes, a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was seen.

And finally, the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued on the 12th at
Fairhaven/Santa Ana Memorial Cemetery in Santa Ana.

http://stevemorse.org/jcal/map.html?latitude=33:33.120&longitude=-117:43.204
Aliso-Wood Canyon Park Area
http://www.biketrails.com/alisowood.html

http://stevemorse.org/jcal/map.html?latitude=33:42.309&longitude=-118:00.186
Huntington Central Park, East Side, Huntington Beach, General Area
http://members.cox.net/orcorba/hcp2.JPG

http://stevemorse.org/jcal/map.html?latitude=33:43.154&longitude=-117:52.706
Santa Ana Memorial Park, Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana Area

-End Transcript

well i had good day at Bolsa Chica today 04/15/04 lots waders' here
is some of the interesting birds i saw.
Forster's Tern,
Caspian Tern,
Elegant Tern,
Sanderling,juv, pond opposite wooden boardwalk
Red-necked Phalarope, pond opposite wooden boardwalk
Snowy Plover,pond opposite wooden boardwalk
Red Knot,near tide gate
Dunlin,near tide gate
Greater Scaup,F in the large pond next to highway

i hope this helps you guys & girls out.
JOHN MCDONNELL,ALISO VIEJO

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Hawk & Owl Banding Trip

Date: Sunday, April 25, 2004
Time: 8:00AM - 12:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Have you ever watched a hawk or owl chick being banded?  Have
you ever been so close to a raptor chick that you could touch
it? If you are one of those birders who enjoy being in very
close proximity hawks and owls, then the upcoming banding trips
are for you.

Beginning on April 4th, Sea & Sage will be conducting a series
of Hawk & Owl Banding Trips at Audubon California’s Starr
Ranch Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon.  The banding process is part
of a 30+ year study in raptor ecology here in Southern
California. Either Pete DeSimone or Scott Thomas will climb to a
nest or nest box, carefully lower the raptor chicks to the
ground, and then perform the  banding process with the field
trip group in close proximity. Both Pete and Scott have had many
years of experience with avian research with an emphasis on
raptor biology and ecology. Possible candidates for banding
include Red-shouldered or Red-tailed Hawks, or Barn Owls.

Advance reservations are needed for these special trips.
Proceeds will be contributed to the Center for Biological
Diversity which has filed litigation actions against the
operation of wind turbine power production in Altamont Pass.
(Unfortunately, these non-polluting energy sources cause the
death of a tremendous number of migratory birds including
hundreds of raptors at Altamont Pass alone.) Your donation of
$30 or more will go directly to this important raptor
conservation effort.

To make your reservation, select the trip date of your choice,
mail check payable to “Sea & Sage Audubon” to:  Banding
Trips, c/o Nancy Kenyon, 32 Almond Tree Ln, Irvine CA 92612.
Please provide your phone number (in case we need to contact you
at the last minute) and your email address for trip confirmation
& information. For more information on the issue of wind
turbines at Altamont Pass, go to:
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/Programs/bdes/altamont/altamont.html

Nancy Kenyon
Irvine CA
Field Trip Chair for Sea & Sage
kenyon@...
949-786-3160

This morning we found the WHITE Northern Shoveler in a large pond at
the southern end of Bolsa Chica. We scoped it from the perimeter fence of
the recently opened Harriett Wieder Regional Park on Seapoint Ave.

The bird had a very clear, unmottled yellow-orange shoveler type bill,
shoveler body, shoveler behavior, and was in constant company with an
adult male Northern Shoveler...seeming to swim with him, rather than
he with it.  The eyes were dark. The legs and feet were orange. The
entire plumage was bright white with the exception of smudgy tail and
primaries, with only hints of a few very small smudgy areas on the back.

Kaaren Perry said, "It looks like an American White Pelican in a
Northern Shoveler's body."

Other birds of special interest to us were the 3+ pairs of Redheads
in a close small pond; multiple, displaying and vocal Red-winged
Blackbirds in the rushes just below; a hunting American Kestrel over
the yellow mustard field above; noisy, noisy Elegant Terns claiming a
shallow strip in a large pond; and swallows everywhere.

This site is very handy for scoping the birds below. Check it out.

Driving on down to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve parking lot...in
the ponds at the end of the boardwalk we refound several Red-necked
Phalaropes in breeding plumage (saw them last weekend also).  Today,
there were manyf delightful little Snowy Plovers running around with
Semipalmated Plovers.

Our total for the two sites combined was 46 species.

Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County

For your information, regarding the white Northern Shoveler at Bolsa
Chica this morning...

Kaaren has asked me to post this to OrangeCountyBirding for her:

Kaaren Perry wrote:
> Hi Delores,
>
> As I mentioned this morning, I am quite sure that this bird would be
> described as albinistic.  I have a little birding dictionary that
> describes the condition this way:
>
> albinism, color variation caused by an absence or reduction of pigments
> in feathers, including four types: (1)  total albinism, in which all
> pigments are completely absent from feathers. skin and irises: (2)
> incomplete albinism, in which pigment is absent from one or more of the
> feathers, skin or irises, but not all three,(3) imperfect albinism, in
> which all pigments are reduced or at least one pigment:(4) and partial
> albinism, the most common form in birds, in which pigments are reduced
> or absent from the parts of the feathers, skin or irises.
>
> Neat bird!
>
> Kaaren



Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County

Greetings,

Steve Smith, my personal photographer, and I went to Wieder Regional
Park at the south end of the Bolsa Chica wetlands this morning, Mon
Apr 19, and found the white Northern Shoveler at the south end of the
large ponds near the oil company fence at the foot of the bluff. I
posted the photo in the photos folder for your amazement and amusement.

Enjoy, Al Borodayko
Cypress, CA

--- In OrangeCountyBirding@yahoogroups.com, "ocbirding"
<djenisch@a...> wrote:
> This morning we found the WHITE Northern Shoveler in a large pond at
> the southern end of Bolsa Chica. We scoped it from the perimeter
fence of
> the recently opened Harriett Wieder Regional Park on Seapoint Ave.
>
> The bird had a very clear, unmottled yellow-orange shoveler type bill,
> shoveler body, shoveler behavior, and was in constant company with an
> adult male Northern Shoveler...seeming to swim with him, rather than
> he with it.  The eyes were dark. The legs and feet were orange. The
> entire plumage was bright white with the exception of smudgy tail and
> primaries, with only hints of a few very small smudgy areas on the back.
>
> Kaaren Perry said, "It looks like an American White Pelican in a
> Northern Shoveler's body."
>
> Other birds of special interest to us were the 3+ pairs of Redheads
> in a close small pond; multiple, displaying and vocal Red-winged
> Blackbirds in the rushes just below; a hunting American Kestrel over
> the yellow mustard field above; noisy, noisy Elegant Terns claiming a
> shallow strip in a large pond; and swallows everywhere.
>
> This site is very handy for scoping the birds below. Check it out.
>
> Driving on down to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve parking lot...in
> the ponds at the end of the boardwalk we refound several Red-necked
> Phalaropes in breeding plumage (saw them last weekend also).  Today,
> there were manyf delightful little Snowy Plovers running around with
> Semipalmated Plovers.
>
> Our total for the two sites combined was 46 species.
>
> Delores Jenisch
> Fullerton, North Orange County

Very interesting picture. It sure does look like a Northern
Shoveler. However, albinos usually have blue eyes. Perhaps Northern
Shoveler's have a white morph like the mallard??

(forwarding this from Maya Decker.... Joel Weintraub)

Orange County birders might like to know about a Yellow-breasted Chat
that is wheelchair-accessible. He is loudly singing in the area behind
the bathrooms at the Los Trancos parking lot at Crystal Cove State
Park. This is the lot on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway
opposite the road that goes into the Crystal Cove Historic district.
It is the first light just south of where Newport Coast Rd. dead ends
at PCH, south of Corona del Mar. After entering the parking lot, park
near the outdoors information board and then walk down to the
bathrooms that are just 50 feet southeast of the parking lot. You will
probably hear him long before you get there. He often perches up in
the leafless sycamore that is behind the bathroom. Your best vantage
point to see him might be to take the asphalt trail to the left (as
you are facing the bathrooms), and then look back once you reach the
first sycamore on your right. Sometimes he flies over to the bare
trees that are just behind the rangers' offices and meeting room in
the re-locatable that has the wheelchair ramp. These perches bring him
closer still. I think that there is more than one chat there, so keep
your eyes open.

There are many other good birds in that nearby area too: Common
Yellowthroat, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, Blue Grosbeak,
Black-headed Grosbeak, and more. It's such an easy-to-reach spot with
many cooperative birds. The Western Tanagers may well be coming
through soon.

Maya Decker

Group...
Remember to help out this weekend if you are birding in Orange County.

See Message #1245 in our archives for the rules...we came in 6th last
year in the nation and want to do better this time.  Especially needed
are people trying for pelagics from shore, or birders visiting places
like the Blue Jay campground in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Joel Weintraub

Late report from yesterday morning, with highlights from Clark Reg. Park
in Fullerton.

-Nashville Warbler and Warbling Vireo in the Alder trees at the sand lot
play structure next to the lake.
-Male and female Nuttall's Woodpecker calling to each other back and
forth around the lake.
-Singing American Robin in the distance, out over the golf course.
-The slopes on Camel Hill quivering with Lesser Goldfinches. As best as
I could tell, those with their months full of  plant fluff were not the
ones singing.
-Barn Swallows and Northern Rough-wingeds doing serious flying out over
the ball fields.
-Juvenile Cooper's Hawk calling loudly while "tree hopping" down in the
SW corner of the park,  and an adult Cooper's Hawk flying around the
open areas while dodging crows.
-Western Bluebirds
-Chattering and chasing Bullock's Orioles.
-Singing Bewick's Wren near the golf course, at the big "dumpster" area.

Did not find any Great Horned Owls time.

All the Wigeons have gone, leaving behind the small pond of beautiful
water lilies in bloom.

Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County

Hello OC Birders! I want to hear from everyone that went birding in OC between
  7:30 PM April 23 and 7:30 PM April 25.  Of course you went birding...what else
  is there to do on a beautiful April weekend? I've heard from several
  people, and so far the total list looks pretty good. I will also be getting all
  the Sea and Sage Birdathon Team lists So if you weren't on a team, and you
haven't sent me your list...I need to hear from you.
  There are still a lot of birds we haven't logged. So please get your list to me
by
  this weekend.   Good Birding!     Steve Alter


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have uploaded an album with pictures of a bird that comes to my
house just before dusk. He loves to sit high in the dead tree next to
our house. He is not afraid of me or other birds. He was there till
another bird (same kind) came flying in screaming at him. The one
flew after the other. When I have seen this bird fly the wings go out
very quickly, then soar, and go back out again. It was different from
most birds that I have viewed. He is a talkative fellow. I just wish
he would come when the light was better.

Thanks for looking.

Magicquest

Magicquest

We took a quick look at the your mystery bird album.  We're going with
Say's Phoebe.
Interesting description of its behavior.

P.S. What city do you live in?

Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Huntington Central Park

Date: Saturday, May 1, 2004
Time: 7:30AM - 10:00AM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Huntington Central Park is considered by many birders to be one
of the best places in Orange County to find migratory birds. We
hope you will join Lew & Claudia Bird for this morning trip to
look for park residents and spring migrants;  the trip will end
at 10:00 a.m.  DIRECTIONS: We will meet in the Slater Street
parking lot of Huntington Central Park which is just east of the
intersection of Slater and Golden West in Huntington Beach.
From the #405 Fwy, take Golden West south to Slater and turn
left; the park entrance will be on your right.  (This field trip
is sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon.)

Lew & Claudia Bird, Leaders
714-840-9604

Hi group today while driving my school bus in lake forest on osterman
road i saw a Phainopepla fly across the road from some bushes in the
summerwood apts,it was a adult male all black with white patches on
the primaries.also when i returned to the yard later that afternoon i
was walking to my car in the saddleback disrict car park i saw a
Bullock's oriole in the tree next to my car.

JOHN MCDONNELL
ALISO VIEJO

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Big Morongo Preserve

Date: Sunday, May 2, 2004
Time: 7:00AM - 11:30AM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Big Morongo Preserve is a mecca for migratory birds as well as
resident desert species. This willow/cottonwood riparian area,
with a year around stream, surrounded by desert, attracts a wide
variety of birds including the nesting Vermilion Flycatcher,
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gambel’s Quail, Verdin,  and many
more.  DIRECTIONS:  Take the Riverside Fwy. #91  to San
Bernardino Fwy. #10 towards Palm Springs. Drive past Banning and
the Palm Springs exit to #62, the Yucca Valley/Joshua Tree exit
. Drive approximately 7 miles to the center of Morongo Valley.
Turn  right on East Drive across from Rocky’s Pizza, then
take the first driveway to the left, into the  preserve parking
lot where we will meet. Bring a hat, water, snack, and your
lunch.  (This field trip is sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon.)

Bruce Aird, Leader
949-458-1520

Hello OC Birders,
Thanks to everyone who sent me their lists of sightings from last weekend (dusk
Friday April 23 to dusk Sunday April 25).  We have a pretty good list, currently
totalling 215 (that's 7 better than last year).  This is your last chance to get
your sightings included in the Orange County entry in the ABC competition.
In particular, did ANYBODY see one of those Bald Eagles last weekend?  Did
anybody see a Purple Finch or Olive-sided Flycatcher last weekend?

I will finalize the list in the next couple of days, and then post it on the Sea
and Sage Audubon web site.  I'll write to this list to let you know when it is
available.

Good Birding!!
Steve Alter


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Time: 7:30AM - 11:30AM PDT (GMT-07:00)

This park in the southern end of the county is a great place to
see orioles and other spring migrants, as well as a select group
of nesting water birds at the reservoir.  DIRECTIONS:  From the
San Diego Frwy. (#5), south of Laguna Hills, exit on La Paz Rd.
and drive south  toward Laguna Niguel.  Watch for the park
entrance sign on your right,  immediately after crossing Aliso
Creek Rd.  Park entrance fee is $2.  After passing the entrance,
turn left toward  the  “lake,”  otherwise known as the
Sulphur Creek Reservoir.  Bear left past the lake and head for
the back parking lot where we will meet  for this walk.  Bring
binoculars, water and a snack. The outing will end around 11:30.
(This field trip is sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon.)

Maya Decker, Leader
949 -493-5258

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2004
Time: 8:00AM - 12:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Huntington Central is a wooded park  that becomes a migrant
“trap” in the spring and fall.  It also has a wide
assortment of resident birds. There are picnic areas and two
restaurants should you have time to eat lunch there.  Facilities
are available.

DIRECTIONS:  (Thomas Guide 857 H2)  From the 405 exit at Beach
Blvd, go towards Huntington Beach (south) on Beach. Turn right
on Slater. Turn left at the NW Slater Street parking lot (next
to the gas station). The lot is between Gothard and Goldenwest.
(This field trip is sponsored by South Coast Audubon.)

Leader, Gary Meredith
(949) 499-4113

Hello all,
     A few years ago I saw a couple of possible American Oystercatchers on the
jetty  entering Anahiem Bay.  I never reported it because some others were
reported and were told that they were more than likely hybrids.  Where can I
get access to this Oystercatcher Hybrid chart.  I saw an interesting American
type oyster catcher on Santa Cruz island a couple of weeks ago and would
like to try and assess its level of hybridiztion.
Thanks so much,
Gary Peebles
Long Beach ca.

Gary and Orange County Birders:

The Jehl Black/Hybrid/American Oystercatcher Identification Chart is at
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/jehl.txt

--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, Alameda County


> -----Original Message-----
> From: captnpeebs
> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 8:43 PM
> To: OrangeCountyBirding@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Re: oyster catcher Hybrid chart
>
>
> Hello all,
>     A few years ago I saw a couple of possible American
> Oystercatchers on the
> jetty  entering Anahiem Bay.  I never reported it because some
> others were
> reported and were told that they were more than likely hybrids.
> Where can I
> get access to this Oystercatcher Hybrid chart.  I saw an
> interesting American
> type oystercatcher on Santa Cruz island a couple of weeks ago and would
> like to try and assess its level of hybridiztion.
> Thanks so much,
> Gary Peebles
> Long Beach ca.

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

El Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park

Date: Saturday, May 8, 2004
Time: 7:30AM - 12:30PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

This delightful canyon is part of Crystal Cove State Park.
It’s a good place to find Cooper’s Hawk, California
Gnatcatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, Hooded
Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Sparrow and Grasshopper
Sparrow.   Bring:  binoculars, a sack lunch & water in your day
pack. Wear sturdy shoes. DIRECTIONS:   Drive south on PCH to El
Moro Elem. Sch. On the inland side of the hwy, turn left onto
the frontage road & then turn right on the road just north of
the school parking lot; follow it about 1/4 mile back to the
ranger station & parking lot which is not visible from PCH. Park
entrance fee is $5;  the machine accepts only $1 and $5 bills.
We’ll meet in front of the ranger station promptly at 7:30
am.  The outing  will end around 1:00.   (This field trip is
sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon.)


Maya Decker, Leader
949- 493-5258

Have you ever seen a Black-crowned Night-Heron
swimming like a duck?  Well, today was the first
time we have ever seen such a thing, and it seemed
so out of character for the species, as we had
previously seen them, and just a bit humorous.

When we first saw the bird, it was on the wooden
boat dock on the back side of the lake in the
southwestern area of the park.  It was in a
classic motionless crouched pose, peering down
into the water.  After we passed, it flew up into
a nearby small pepper tree at the water's edge.
And that was that, we thought.

After about ten minutes of watching warblers and
whatever, including a particularly lovely
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, in the thicket alongside the
path, we looked back for the heron in the pepper
tree.  We noticed instead what looked like a very
strange gull floating on the water about 25 yards
out.  A quick look through the bins let us know,
to our complete surprise, that it was the Night-Heron!

It stayed out on the water for some time, allowing
us to walk back and scope it.  We thought at first
that it might be standing in shallow water, its
long legs keeping the body up at surface level.
Not the case at all.  It was floating. The body
angle was slightly breast down/tail up, the head
was held up as gulls do, and those feet were
"paddling like a duck."

We were hoping to see it catch a fish, but that
didn't happen while we watched, although we could
see fish jumping out of the water all around the
heron.  The water was, to my eyes, an opaque jade
green, so I wouldn't be surprised if the bird
couldn't even see the fish in the water. Perhaps
they have the mythical "x-ray vision."

Before we left the area, we got to watch the heron
did take flight from the water, going back up to
its tree perch.  Oh, yes, it was an adult.

A real bonus...the honeysuckle is in full fragrance!

Good birding to you all,

Delores Jenisch
Fullerton, North Orange County