Date: 8/21/26 9:24 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule continues at San Joaquin
I havenât seen that others have used this list serve to notify others, so I thought I would include that the bird is being seen again today in the northeast corner of Pond C at the marsh
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 8/21/26 6:59 am From: Kiandra Mitchell via groups.io <Kiandrasm...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Green-tailed Towhee and Solitary Sandpipers at upper Santa Ana River
I just had an adult Green-tailed Towhee and 3 Solitary Sandpipers between Taft and Lincoln, wandering around here (33.8284679, -117.8664039). The towhee took off into Burris Basin but the sandpipers continue.
Date: 8/19/26 9:19 am From: Steve Neely via groups.io <itssteev...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Solitary Sandpiper at San Joaquin Marsh
A Solitary Sandpiper is foraging now on Pond C at San Joaquin Marsh, in the vicinity of 33.66328, -117.84177 - not far from the continuing Purple Gallinule in its favorite spot near the northeast corner of the pond.
Date: 8/17/26 1:40 pm From: borodayko via groups.io <adboro...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule continues at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
I got some photos of the Purple Gallinule this morning, Monday, as well as the Wilson's Snipe at Pond C. I posted one of each in the Shorebirds photo Album.
Date: 8/17/26 9:58 am From: Evonne Muse via groups.io <evonnemuse...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule continues at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Purple Gallinule was out in the open in the WNW portion of Pond C
around 8 a.m. for several minutes, lots of good photos. Wilson's Snipe and
two Soras were in the low vegetation next to the bulrushes in the NE corner
of Pond C. Thank you Shirley and Edana for pointing me in the right
direction!
Evonne Muse
Corona del Mar
On Mon, Aug 17, 2026, 8:52 AM Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> Shirley Reynolds saw the bird around 6:30ish in the NE corner of pond C.
> Around 7:30 it was on the west bank, heading for the NW corner. It
> disappeared, and others are looking.
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
> Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
>
>
> --
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 8/17/26 8:52 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule continues at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
Shirley Reynolds saw the bird around 6:30ish in the NE corner of pond C.
Around 7:30 it was on the west bank, heading for the NW corner. It disappeared, and others are looking.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 8/16/26 11:29 am From: David Ornellas via groups.io <davidornellas...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bank swallow San Joaquin marsh
What looked really good in the field as a bank swallow is possible for a juvenile tree swallow once I looked through my photos at home. I have one photo that looks promising but still not 100% certain. Apologies
--
David Ornellas,
Costa Mesa, CA
Date: 8/16/26 9:44 am From: wagtail1997 via groups.io <orcorba...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Gallinule Present Sunday Aug. 16th: Video
The Purple Gallinule was still at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary this Sunday. It was very photogenic if you waited long enough for it to come out of dense vegetation. I have a short 4 minute video of my trip this morning at: https://youtu.be/xWQkNikiaO4 Joel Weintraub
Irvine, California
Date: 8/16/26 8:29 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule - SJWS
Based on eBird reports, the Purple Gallinule continues this morning again.
On Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 6:55 AM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...> wrote:
> Per Nick Thorpe, the Purple Gallinule continues this morning, August 15,
> on the west side of Pond C.
>
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 7:00 AM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...>
> wrote:
>
>> Loren Wright reports that the Purple Gallinule continues this morning in
>> the northeast corner of Pond C at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
>> Sanctuary in Irvine.
>>
>> On Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 8:56 PM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A juvenile Purple Gallinule was photographed on Pond C of the San
>>> Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine today, first in the morning
>>> around 9:30am and again in the evening around 5pm. If accepted by the CBRC
>>> this would be the first record for Orange County (and its 509th species)
>>> and the 8th for California.
>>>
>>
Date: 8/15/26 5:58 pm From: Linda Renna via groups.io <lrenna47...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule and Ruff
My husband and I took our 12-year-old granddaughter to look for the Purple Gallinule at the San Joaquin Marsh this morning. The Gallinule was in the reeds on the north side of Pond C and very difficult to see. But it finally popped out into the open. That was life bird 200 for our granddaughter. And a lifer for my husband and I. Then after a quick trip to Pond 1 for some pictures of the Black Skimmers we needed for a project, we drove up to Riverdale Park. The group of dowitchers were all resting with their beaks tucked in, making it impossible to find the Ruff at first. But then one of the birds started preening and every now and then the pink and black bill would appear. Not the best look, but close up photos are clear that the bird was the Ruff. Another lifer for the granddaughter.
I would like to thank Ryan for all the work he puts in on the Rare Bird Alert. I'm sure at times he feels like he's not appreciated. So, Ryan, thanks for what you do.
--
Linda Renna
Lake Forest, CA
Date: 8/15/26 5:57 pm From: Lisa Ruby via groups.io <lbruby1...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule update
The Purple Gallinule is currently out in the open at San Joaquin Marsh Pond C being viewed from about here:
33.66366,-117.84120
From what I have heard it's been all over the pond today. It often likes to stay buried in the clumps of low leafy green plants. I saw it earlier today in those plants around the bend to the left along with other birders. For now it's out.
Date: 8/15/26 6:55 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule - SJWS
Per Nick Thorpe, the Purple Gallinule continues this morning, August 15, on
the west side of Pond C.
On Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 7:00 AM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...> wrote:
> Loren Wright reports that the Purple Gallinule continues this morning in
> the northeast corner of Pond C at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
> Sanctuary in Irvine.
>
> On Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 8:56 PM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...>
> wrote:
>
>> A juvenile Purple Gallinule was photographed on Pond C of the San Joaquin
>> Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine today, first in the morning around
>> 9:30am and again in the evening around 5pm. If accepted by the CBRC this
>> would be the first record for Orange County (and its 509th species) and the
>> 8th for California.
>>
>
Date: 8/14/26 10:21 pm From: <tgmiko...> via groups.io <tgmiko...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 14, 2026
It put on quite a show in the late afternoon, actively feeding and walking
the edges of Pond C, and even flying about 30 feet. I think the key to this
bird is to look for it in the mornings and evenings (my first visit today
was in the late morning and I hung out for an hour and a half without
seeing it, so I came back tonight).
Thomas Geza Miko
Claremont CA 91711
909.241.3300
On Fri, Aug 14, 2026 at 6:56 PM Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Tom Wurster immediately pointed out to me that I had mistaken the dates on
> the gallinule, so for the record the bird was found yesterday, August 13,
> and continued today, August 14.
>
> Having said that, there is a bizarre lack of any posts about this first
> county record and rare California bird here on the listserv, on Discord,
> and in the WhatsApp group. I assume it continued all day today and may even
> still be strutting about right now to the delight of many birders, but I
> have no clue because nobody is posting about it. For people who could not
> make it today, I'm sure they would appreciate people sharing early tomorrow
> if it continues for day #3.
>
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 4:31 PM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...>
> wrote:
>
>> For those people still here....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> * California
>>
>> * Orange County
>>
>> * August 14, 2026
>>
>> * CAOC26.08.14
>>
>>
>>
>> This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local
>> events summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
>> capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
>> species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
>> <secretary...>
>>
>>
>>
>> BIRDS MENTIONED
>>
>> *PURPLE GALLINULE*
>>
>> Ruff
>>
>> Northern Fulmar
>>
>> Neotropic Cormorant
>>
>> Little Blue Heron
>>
>> Brewer’s Sparrow
>>
>> Summer Tanager
>>
>>
>>
>> A first-county record juvenile *PURPLE GALLINULE* (OC #509) was found in
>> Pond C of the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine on August
>> 14 and continued in the same pond on August 15.
>>
>>
>>
>> Presumably this same old RUFF has returned again for another summer and
>> has been seen in the Upper Santa Ana River in its usual spots since August
>> 7. If the same bird, which it seems extremely unlikely that it’s not the
>> exact same-looking bird returning to the exact same spot at the exact same
>> time of year every year, then it’s at least 14 years old now, having
>> already been in adult plumage when it first definitively showed up in 2013.
>>
>>
>>
>> A NORTHERN FULMAR was photographed offshore on August 8.
>>
>>
>>
>> NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as
>> well as at Mason Regional Park and the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
>> Sanctuary in Irvine.
>>
>>
>>
>> A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
>> Huntington Beach through August 13.
>>
>>
>>
>> A BREWER’S SPARROW appears to have been photographed in La Bonita Park in
>> La Habra on August 12.
>>
>>
>>
>> A SUMMER TANAGER continued at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain
>> Valley on August 9.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> LOCAL EVENTS
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
>> For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
>> webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
>> https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> None upcoming.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ****************************************************
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Ryan Winkleman
> Rancho Santa Margarita
>
>
>
Date: 8/14/26 8:49 pm From: Gisele Schoene via groups.io <giseleschoene...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 14, 2026
Birders,
The gallinule was present at 5:40 pm, NE corner pond C. Very cooperative, walking on the edge of the pond, great views.
Gisele Schoene
Costa Mesa
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <OrangeCountyBirding...> <OrangeCountyBirding...> on behalf of Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...>
Sent: Friday, 14 August 2026 18:56:31
To: Orangecountybirding <OrangeCountyBirding...>
Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 14, 2026
Tom Wurster immediately pointed out to me that I had mistaken the dates on the gallinule, so for the record the bird was found yesterday, August 13, and continued today, August 14.
Having said that, there is a bizarre lack of any posts about this first county record and rare California bird here on the listserv, on Discord, and in the WhatsApp group. I assume it continued all day today and may even still be strutting about right now to the delight of many birders, but I have no clue because nobody is posting about it. For people who could not make it today, I'm sure they would appreciate people sharing early tomorrow if it continues for day #3.
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...><mailto:<secretary...>.
BIRDS MENTIONED
*PURPLE GALLINULE*
Ruff
Northern Fulmar
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Brewer’s Sparrow
Summer Tanager
A first-county record juvenile *PURPLE GALLINULE* (OC #509) was found in Pond C of the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine on August 14 and continued in the same pond on August 15.
Presumably this same old RUFF has returned again for another summer and has been seen in the Upper Santa Ana River in its usual spots since August 7. If the same bird, which it seems extremely unlikely that it’s not the exact same-looking bird returning to the exact same spot at the exact same time of year every year, then it’s at least 14 years old now, having already been in adult plumage when it first definitively showed up in 2013.
A NORTHERN FULMAR was photographed offshore on August 8.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as well as at Mason Regional Park and the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach through August 13.
A BREWER’S SPARROW appears to have been photographed in La Bonita Park in La Habra on August 12.
A SUMMER TANAGER continued at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley on August 9.
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...><mailto:<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...><mailto:<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: 8/14/26 6:56 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 14, 2026
Tom Wurster immediately pointed out to me that I had mistaken the dates on
the gallinule, so for the record the bird was found yesterday, August 13,
and continued today, August 14.
Having said that, there is a bizarre lack of any posts about this first
county record and rare California bird here on the listserv, on Discord,
and in the WhatsApp group. I assume it continued all day today and may even
still be strutting about right now to the delight of many birders, but I
have no clue because nobody is posting about it. For people who could not
make it today, I'm sure they would appreciate people sharing early tomorrow
if it continues for day #3.
On Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 4:31 PM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...> wrote:
> For those people still here....
>
>
>
>
>
> * California
>
> * Orange County
>
> * August 14, 2026
>
> * CAOC26.08.14
>
>
>
> This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local
> events summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
> capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
> species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
> <secretary...>
>
>
>
> BIRDS MENTIONED
>
> *PURPLE GALLINULE*
>
> Ruff
>
> Northern Fulmar
>
> Neotropic Cormorant
>
> Little Blue Heron
>
> Brewer’s Sparrow
>
> Summer Tanager
>
>
>
> A first-county record juvenile *PURPLE GALLINULE* (OC #509) was found in
> Pond C of the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine on August
> 14 and continued in the same pond on August 15.
>
>
>
> Presumably this same old RUFF has returned again for another summer and
> has been seen in the Upper Santa Ana River in its usual spots since August
> 7. If the same bird, which it seems extremely unlikely that it’s not the
> exact same-looking bird returning to the exact same spot at the exact same
> time of year every year, then it’s at least 14 years old now, having
> already been in adult plumage when it first definitively showed up in 2013.
>
>
>
> A NORTHERN FULMAR was photographed offshore on August 8.
>
>
>
> NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as
> well as at Mason Regional Park and the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
> Sanctuary in Irvine.
>
>
>
> A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
> Huntington Beach through August 13.
>
>
>
> A BREWER’S SPARROW appears to have been photographed in La Bonita Park in
> La Habra on August 12.
>
>
>
> A SUMMER TANAGER continued at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley
> on August 9.
>
>
>
>
>
> LOCAL EVENTS
>
>
>
>
>
> Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
> For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
> webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
> https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> BIRDING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
>
>
>
>
>
> None upcoming.
>
>
>
>
>
> ****************************************************
>
>
>
>
>
> 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: 8/14/26 4:43 pm From: Aaron Jones via groups.io <atj0888...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Harriers at the old Marine Corps Air Base Tustin?
Good afternoon,
In the past couple of weeks on my commute along Edinger Avenue in Tustin, I have noticed what look like Northern Harriers hunting in the grassy area enclosed by Edinger Avenue, Jamboree Road, Moffett Drive, and Tustin Ranch Road. There are at least two, maybe 3.
I have been meaning to stop by (especially in the early-ish morning and the evening) somewhere and take a better look outside the car and with a pair of binoculars. They look like Northern Harriers (long tail, the wings, the low soaring), but they also hover like kestrels. Do Northern Harriers do this? I've not seen them beat their wings and hover in place like a kestrel, but I don't know of what other similar looking birds do this.
Has anyone observed this patch recently or have any other ideas on what birds, other than Northern Harrier (particularly if this behavour isn't a trait of theirs), they might be? If, and when, I get a chance to take a better look, I'll come back to this topic. I have driven past that patch so many times and there's been an interesting array of species, and I hope to make the most of it in the event it's to be built on.
Date: 8/14/26 4:31 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 14, 2026
For those people still here....
* California
* Orange County
* August 14, 2026
* CAOC26.08.14
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
*PURPLE GALLINULE*
Ruff
Northern Fulmar
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Brewer’s Sparrow
Summer Tanager
A first-county record juvenile *PURPLE GALLINULE* (OC #509) was found in
Pond C of the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine on August
14 and continued in the same pond on August 15.
Presumably this same old RUFF has returned again for another summer and has
been seen in the Upper Santa Ana River in its usual spots since August 7.
If the same bird, which it seems extremely unlikely that it’s not the exact
same-looking bird returning to the exact same spot at the exact same time
of year every year, then it’s at least 14 years old now, having already
been in adult plumage when it first definitively showed up in 2013.
A NORTHERN FULMAR was photographed offshore on August 8.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as
well as at Mason Regional Park and the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
Sanctuary in Irvine.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON continued at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through August 13.
A BREWER’S SPARROW appears to have been photographed in La Bonita Park in
La Habra on August 12.
A SUMMER TANAGER continued at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley
on August 9.
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: 8/14/26 7:00 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule - SJWS
Loren Wright reports that the Purple Gallinule continues this morning in
the northeast corner of Pond C at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife
Sanctuary in Irvine.
On Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 8:56 PM Ryan Winkleman <rswinkleman...> wrote:
> A juvenile Purple Gallinule was photographed on Pond C of the San Joaquin
> Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine today, first in the morning around
> 9:30am and again in the evening around 5pm. If accepted by the CBRC this
> would be the first record for Orange County (and its 509th species) and the
> 8th for California.
>
Date: 8/13/26 8:56 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule - SJWS
A juvenile Purple Gallinule was photographed on Pond C of the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine today, first in the morning around 9:30am and again in the evening around 5pm. If accepted by the CBRC this would be the first record for Orange County (and its 509th species) and the 8th for California.
Date: 8/8/26 7:57 am From: Steve Neely via groups.io <itssteev...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Ruff near Riverdale Park
Mavis has relocated the Ruff on the Upper Santa Ana River - across from Riverdale Park, just below the spillway, in the vicinity of 33.85466, -117.81967.
Date: 8/7/26 7:26 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: August 7, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* August 7, 2026
* CAOC26.08.07
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
American Oystercatcher
Guadalupe Murrelet
Sabine’s Gull
Northern Fulmar
Manx Shearwater
Red-footed Booby
Cocos Booby
Masked Booby
Nazca Booby
Blue-footed Booby
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER continued to be reported from the Dana Point
Harbor area in Dana Point this week.
A GUADALUPE MURRELET photographed offshore on August 1 was the first record
for Orange County (#508).
A SABINE’S GULL was photographed offshore on August 3.
NORTHERN FULMARS were photographed offshore on August 1 and August 4.
A MANX SHEARWATER was reported offshore on August 7.
A RED-FOOTED BOOBY was photographed offshore on August 1.
Multiple COCOS BOOBIES were observed offshore this week. Maybe they will
become resident on the oil rigs again? 😊
A MASKED BOOBY was reported offshore on August 3.
A NAZCA BOOBY was photographed offshore on August 2.
A BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY was offshore on August 3.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as
well as at Mason Regional Park in Irvine.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington
Beach from August 1 through August 6.
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: 8/7/26 7:26 am From: Ed Stonick via groups.io <edstonick...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Pelagics on Rare Bird List
Greetings!Are any of the pelagics on the current rare bird eBird being seen from one of the whale-watching boats?If so, when do they go out, and what's the name and location of the boat line?Thanks!Ed Stonick Pasadena, CASent from my Galaxy
Date: 8/4/26 9:03 pm From: Tim Ryan via groups.io <janemarie19...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] American Oystercatcher Dana Point
There was an American Oystercatcher with 5 Black Oystercatchers today,(Tues 8/4),at the Dana Point Headlands.....On the large rocks near the stairway down to Headlands Beach and the Ocean Institute Native Plant Garden...A consistently good spot for Black Oystercatcher....We see them there often...Tim Ryan Capistrano Beach
This group is for everything else that doesn’t go in the rba group. Again, the description has more details.
Take care and happy birding! Feel free to email me with any questions
> On Jun 9, 2026, at 2:32 PM, Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> After thinking about this idea off and on for years, I have finally decided to go ahead and create a WhatsApp group for Orange County. Nearly all other major counties in the state have a group like this. The WhatsApp is NOT meant to be a complete replacement of this listserve. It is instead intended to be a faster, and easier supplement in the field for timely rarity reports. I understand a lot of people may wish to continue using the listserve, and therefore encourage future rare bird reports to be sent here as well as WhatsApp. Please read the group description and guidelines for more important information. If this invite link expires, please DM me at <balbhl...>
>
> https://chat.whatsapp.com/LNBIxXcRX9L4I2ByxHr5W5?mode=gi_t >
> Thanks all and happy birding!
>
> --
> Braxton Landsman
> Ladera Ranch
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 8/1/26 10:33 pm From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Recent offshore Newport Beach reports and first county record GUADALUPE MURRELET
Birders,
I figured I’d make a post about three recent 2 hour whale watching trips I’ve been on out of Davey’s Locker in Newport Harbor, as they’ve been shockingly productive as of late. All of these boats are relatively cheap and only go a couple miles off the coast.
On July 25, the 8:30am boat produced a Manx Shearwater, adult Coco’s Booby, a pair of Craveri’s Murrelets, Cassin’s Auklets, along with excellent numbers (for close to shore) of Black Storm-Petrel, and Black-vented and Sooty Shearwaters. Also present was my only jaeger in the past week or two, a bird that I feel is probably Pomarine.
On July 29, myself and several friends headed out on the 9:00am boat, which again, came through. This time the highlights included a very cooperative Nazca Booby just a handful of miles off of Newport Pier, as well as a slightly uncommon in mid-summer Scripps’s Murrelet. Excellent numbers of Black-vented Shearwaters were present, along with both Sooty and Pink-footed, however no Manx were detected. A handful of Black Storm-Petrels flew around.
Today, August 1 was much slower overall (we went slightly more south towards Crystal Cove SP), and encountered far fewer shearwaters and storm petrels, yet all 3 species of shearwater were still present. The trip was made well worth it, though, with a cooperative (long overdue) first county record GUADALUPE MURRELET at the following coordinates (33.52950° N, 117.90748° W). Photos are up on eBird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S378796004
We were all joking about how I’d seen the other two members off this species complex on previous trips, and how today would have to be Guadalupe. Of course, we never expected this to truly happen and completely flipped out and scared almost everyone on board. I guess Tino Castillo isn’t 100% immune to alcids…
The warm waters of El Niño clearly seem to be having at least some effect offshore locally, with more subtropical species as described above showing up in recent days just a few miles off the coast. Hopefully this trend continues into late summer and fall when longer, dedicated pelagic trips take place.
Date: 8/1/26 8:11 am From: Evonne Muse via groups.io <evonnemuse...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Wandering Tattler continues on jetty at West Jetty View Park
Wandering Tattler present now, 8 a.m., ocean side jetty rocks.
Evonne Muse
Corona del Mar
On Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 9:48 AM Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> The bird that Diane Etchison reported yesterday is alternating between
> sitting on rocks on the ocean side of the jetty, and foraged in the surf.
> Once again there is high surf on the beach and a medium crowd watching
> surfers.
> As I started to leave, the bird flew about 200 feet up coast from the
> jetty where it was foraging at the surfline.
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
> Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
>
>
> --
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/31/26 9:48 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Wandering Tattler continues on jetty at West Jetty View Park
The bird that Diane Etchison reported yesterday is alternating between sitting on rocks on the ocean side of the jetty, and foraged in the surf. Once again there is high surf on the beach and a medium crowd watching surfers.
As I started to leave, the bird flew about 200 feet up coast from the jetty where it was foraging at the surfline.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 7/25/26 10:29 am From: trailgirl888 via groups.io <trailgirl888...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] American Bittern San Joaquin Marsh
I caught a photo of an American Bittern in the SW corner of Pond E. I have been helping other birders trying to find it here. Has not been seen again. Yet. I did not see it fly out however.
Shirley Reynolds
Lake Forest
Date: 7/24/26 11:20 pm From: Lam-Son Vinh via groups.io <lamson.vinh...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bell's Vireo in HCP-East
Sorry for the late post: I found a Bell's Vireo at 5:30 pm Friday at the Northwest corner of the Island, in front of Chuck's Bench.
It was vocal at times and it stayed low in the vegetation.
--
Lam-Son Vinh
Huntington Beach, CA
Date: 7/24/26 7:03 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: July 24, 2026
RIP Guy McCaskie. Thank you for your immeasurable contributions to
California birding, California record-keeping, and California publications.
Thank you also for your patience when I'd be a week (or two? pretty sure I
never delayed past two weeks...) behind on the Orange County NAB
subregional reports, and for covering Orange County's notable records in
the early years before Sylvia Gallagher became our first dedicated county
compiler. For those of you unfamiliar with Guy, here is a good summary of
how he impacted California birding during its revolutionary years after he
moved here: http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/CAwhoGMcC.html. I
encourage all birders to read this short bio, and the others on this page,
to better understand and appreciate the formation of the modern foundations
of California birding.
* California
* Orange County
* July 24, 2026
* CAOC26.07.24
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
American Oystercatcher
Red-billed Tropicbird
Laysan Albatross
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Lucy's Warbler
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER was reported to continue at Dana Point Harbor on
July 24.
A RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD was found dead offshore on July 18.
A LAYSAN ALBATROSS photographed offshore on July 18 was only the 5th record
of this species for Orange County.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued on the upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim as
well as at Mason Regional Park in Irvine.
A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington
Beach from July 22 through July 24.
A LUCY'S WARBLER was in the Nature Area at Mile Square Regional Park in
Fountain Valley on July 19.
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: 7/23/26 2:21 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Some California Bird Atlas results for Orange County (as of 7/22/26)
Hi all:
With nesting bird season drawing to a close in the county, I wanted to give a brief summary of the results for the first year of the California Bird Atlas.
**
**
Due to its high population concentrated in a relatively small area, Orange County was one of the most highly atlased counties this past spring:with 86 of 87 blocks centered in the county being atlased at some point. The one exception, San Clemente NE, is located largely within off-limits areas of Rancho Mission Viejo and Mission Viejo. Additionally, lingering trail and road closures from the Airport Fire leave have left many blocks in the Santa Ana Mountains poorly atlased, including those blocks containing Blue Jay Campground and the Holy Jim Trail.
**
**
135 species have been confirmed nesting in the county. The top ten species confirmed across the largest number of blocks (out of 87 total):
**
**
House finch 68
Black phoebe 60
American crow 57
Western bluebird 53
Song sparrow 53
Lesser goldfinch 50
European starling 49
California towhee 49
Bushtit 48
Northern house wren 45
**
**
The following species are likely/known breeders that have NOT been confirmed in the county this year:
Blue-winged teal - I suspect this species is an occasional breeder in coastal wetlands
Mountain quail - Resident in Santa Ana Mountains, but seemingly no coveys observed
Lesser nighthawk - Fairly common breeder, but nocturnal and nests are very difficult to find; may require nocturnal, off-trail surveys
Northern saw-whet owl - historical resident in Bigcone Springs
Violet-green Swallow - Expected in woodlands of the Santa Ana Mountains and higher foothills
Western warbling vireo - Expected to breed in montane riparian woodlands in Santa Ana Mountains/Starr Ranch
Rock wren - Possible/likely breeders in rocky areas of Santa Ana Mountains, as well as lowland dams.
Purple finch - Expected breeder in montane woodlands in Santa Ana Mountains
Red-breasted nuthatch - A pair summering at Clark Regional Park may have bred the last two years, however no confirmation has been obtained.
Black-throated gray warbler - Likely breeder in high elevation montane woodland
Bell’s Sparrow - Extremely local breeder in Santa Ana Mountains (especially in Coal Canyon and along the Main Divide).
**
**
Additionally, the following species were once probable/confirmed breeders in the county but may no longer do so.
Western meadowlark - This formerly common grassland species may be extirpated as a breeder in the county, but could still persist in remnant grasslands.
Swainson’s thrush - Possible breeder in riparian woodland in our foothills, but lack of recent summer records indicate they might be extirpated.
Belted Kingfisher - Formerly bred in steep banks along rivers and lakes; despite a dearth of recent breeding records in the county, every year we get a few summering.
**
**
A number of species recorded or presumed to be breeders during the Orange County Breeding Bird Atlas (compiled based on data collected in the late 1980s by Sylvia Gallagher) are presumed extirpated (e.g.: loggerhead shrike, willow flycatcher, prairie falcon, tricolored blackbird, yellow-headed blackbird, spotted owl, burrowing owl)
**
**
Blocks
The following blocks saw the most diurnal effort hours during the first year of the atlas:
Seal Beach CE (Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve): 1372
Tustin SW (San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary: 467
Newport Beach SW (Santa Ana River Mouth, Fairview Park, Talbert Park): 454
Seal Beach NW (Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station): 180
Orange CE (Irvine Regional Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park): 170
Seal Beach NE Northside Bolsa Chica, Parkside Ponds, Carr Park): 152
Lake Forest CE (Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Agua Chinon): 152
Newport Beach NW (Mile Square Regional Park): 151
San Juan capistrano CW (Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park): 141
Canada Gobernadora NW (Esencia Sports Park, Riley Wilderness Park): 138
**
**
And here are the blocks with most species confirmed:
Seal Beach CE: 74
Tustin SW: 73
Newport Beach SW: 60
La Habra SW (Clark Regional Park, West Coyote Hills): 57
Black Star Canyon SW (Irvine Lake): 56
Orange NE (Upper Santa Ana River, Yorba Regional Park, Pelanconi Park): 53
Orange CE: 48
La Habra SE (Craig Regional Park, Gilman Park): 46
Tustin SE (Quail Hill Preserve, Turtle Rock): 46
Orange CW (Anaheim Coves Park): 45
**
**
Blocks with fewest diurnal effort hours:
San Clemente NE (Rancho Mission Viejo): 0
Alberhill CW (Santa Ana Mountains-Los Pinos Trailhead): 0.18
Santiago Peak CE (Holy Jim Trail): 1.05
Sitton Peak NW (Santa Ana Mountains along Ortega): 1.75
Newport Beach OE S NW (Corner of Newport Beach): 2.08
Canada Gobernadora NE (San Juan Hot Springs): 2.12
Black Star Canyon CE (Black Star Canyon Road, Mariposa Preserve): 2.27
Alberhill SW (Santa Ana Mountains-Blue Jay Campground/Falcon Group Campground): 2.80
Santiago Peak CW (Ramakrishna Monastery, North O’Neill Regional Park): 1
Sitton Peak NW: 2
Alberhill SW: 4
Black Star Canyon CE: 4
Canada Gobernadora NE: 6
Dana Point CW (corner Dana Point Harbor): 6
**
**
Final Notes
Atlasers in future years should especially focus on those blocks with low levels of effort and species confirmation. These blocks can primarily be found in the central and southern Santa Ana Mountains. With most Airport Fire-related closures scheduled to be lifted next year, this should allow us more opportunities to survey in these blocks.
**
**
Expected breeders that have not yet been confirmed consist primarily of montane riparian/coniferous woodland breeders. But a number of species, particularly in foothill.montane chaparral and scrub, have gone underreported. For example, black-chinned sparrow has only been confirmed in three blocks, despite being an expected breeder across much of the Loma Ridge and Santa Ana Mountains. Similarly, only one confirmed record of lazuli bunting (from early July at Irvine Lake) has been recorded, despite this being an expected chaparral breeder in much of the eastern portion of the county. Finally three, black-chinned hummingbird records have been confirmed in the county, a far cry from the 26(!) blocks where they were recorded in the Orange County Breeding Bird Atlas in the 1980s.* Ditto Bullock’s oriole : 9 confirmed blocks this year vs. 50 in the 1980s. Do these represent a true decline or simply lack of observer awareness? Only time and diligent observation will tell!
**
**
To close on a positive note, the least Bells vireo , a species which was coded as only possibly breeding in three blocks (and confirmed in none) in the 1980s atlas, has already been confirmed as a breeder in 13 of the counties atlas blocks, reflecting this species’ dramatic recovery in response to conservation measures implemented in the county and region. I expect that this surprisingly tolerant and adaptable species will be confirmed in riparian woodland in more blocks as the atlas continues.
**
**
I look forward to another productive and exciting atlasing season in 2027. Hopefully we can both tally many of our “missing†species, and survey our undersurveyed blocks.
**
**
*Annoyingly, block size and locations differ slightly between the Orange County Breeding Bird Atlas and the current atlas effort. However, they are close enough that conclusions can easily be drawn.
**
*Good birding,*
*Samuel Bressler*
*Brea*
*Regional Coordinator, California Bird Atlas*
Date: 7/23/26 9:52 am From: wagtail1997 via groups.io <orcorba...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Fishing Birds Influx at Mason Regional Park, Irvine. Help with fish ID?
Group,
Yesterday and continuing today there has been a major influx of fish eating birds at Mason Lake in Mason Regional Park, Irvine. I took pictures of the fish prey in the bill of Great Egrets this morning and added them to my eBird checklist for the Park (yesterday) under the Great Egret listing at https://ebird.org/checklist/S375107118 The feeding activity was best observed before about 8:30 am. I don't know how many more days this may occur.
I know the lake has mosquitofish, and also green sunfish. But as to the present fish species being eaten, I could use some help. Please respond to me directly.
Joel Weintraub
Irvine
