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The image below of the Painted Redstart was taken at Irvine Lake on January 28th, 2016.\u00a0 It has remained in the same immediate location next to the Bait and Tackle Shop for well over a month and is a good species to add to anyone’s life list in the Orange County \/ southern California area area.<\/p>\n
It’s quite easy to find.\u00a0 When at the gate for Irvine Lake, mentioned you’re a birder (there’s a nominal $5 fee), bear left and park to pay the fee inside the store.\u00a0 As you walk out of the shop, bear left.\u00a0 Just past the canopy there’s a patio.\u00a0 The Painted Redstart visits this area often.\u00a0 During this particular visit I had noticed it was content high up in the adjacent pine tree for 10-20 minute intervals after which it would forage in a few of the barren trees as well as the patio floor.\u00a0 It’s quite swift and agile as compared to the Yellow-rumped Warblers in the same vicinity.\u00a0 It was visible both in the a.m., mid afternoon and the image below was taken close to 5pm.<\/p>\n
Also seen this day of note were two Bald Eagles.\u00a0 Normally I’ve been able to spot them in the 2:30-4 pm time frame.\u00a0 If you follow the dirt road toward the dam, scan the upper ridge which is on your left.\u00a0 Of final interest was a Red-tailed Hawk however this was the dark morph variation.\u00a0 See the image below.\u00a0 I’ve posted also a typical Red-tailed Hawk alongside which offers more of the common appearance found in Orange County.<\/p>\n
The staff has informed me that Irvine Lake will be closing permanently at the end of February.<\/p>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/ocbirds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/EOS-7D-Mark-II_03946-Painted-Redstart.jpg\")
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