Broad-tailed Hummingbird – First Orange County, CA Record August 19, 2016
At approximately 12 noon yesterday (8/19/2016) Ryan Winkleman told the story of how he was merely planning to walk along the creek at Wilderness Glen Park. Before braving the sun, he opted to rest under the Peruvian pepper trees at … Continued
Oso Reservoir, Rancho Santa Margarita July 30
A late afternoon visit to the reservoir yesterday proved eventful especially with the shoreline visible (typically submerged with higher water levels reducing any possibility of shorebirds). About 7:15pm I noted (11) Long-billed Dowitchers, (4) Semipalmated Plovers, (1) Greater Yellowlegs, (8) … Continued
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – male, visitor #109 July 28 – Barano Walk Trail
In the almost 5 years I’ve been record keeping bird sightings for the Barano Walk Trail here in Mission Viejo, California, this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak has to be in the top 5 coolest and rarest sightings that I am aware … Continued
Great Horned Owl – 6:22pm Daylight on July 12
Just a quick note to mention the Barano Walk Trail in Mission Viejo can produce not only some unique sightings over the years such as an Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Zone-tailed Hawk and a few others, but also Great Horned Owls as … Continued
American Dipper: the lone aquatic songbird
On June 18th, 2016 Mike Sanders and I had opted to travel just outside Orange County to Mount Baldy. This was a 1 hour and 15 minute drive with hopes of locating the American Dipper. Last year in early July, … Continued
The Least Bittern, a secretive marsh species
For myself, and I am sure I speak for many others where this species resides, getting a view or even glimpse is infrequent and can be challenging. Over the past several years my personal encounters have been far and few … Continued
Incoming and Outgoing – April 2 on the Barano Walk Trail Mission Viejo
Hello fellow birders, we’re right at the beginning stages of varies species that will soon be vacating Orange County such as the Sharp-shinned Hawk, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and many others especially waterfowl such as the Canvasback, Hooded Merganser and … Continued
Rare Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) in Mission Viejo / RSM March 25th.
The Northern Flicker is a stunning woodpecker species. They are common in Orange County and can be heard calling and perhaps singing throughout the year though moreso in winter months. They are easily distinguishable with their black polka dot chest … Continued
Breeding Season and Migrants are arriving – March 18
This time of year is when many species (not all such as Lesser Goldfinch or Heermann’s Gull as some examples) begin their mating and you’re likely to hear “songs” and “calls”. If unfamiliar between the two, songs are usually a … Continued
Villa Park Flood Control Basin aka “Magic Basin”
A review of local Hot Spots in Orange County California turned up one that was frequented by many however my pursuit to acquire information on how to get there seemed fruitless. I opted to meet up with Phil Thomas in … Continued