Date: 2/12/26 4:22 pm From: vicleipzig via groups.io <vicleipzig...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] possible Black-billed Magpie? in Laguna Niguel
James, Long ago (over thirty years?) there was a Black-billed Magpie in a residential neighborhood in northwest Huntington Beach. Consensus at that time was that it had to be an escapee from captivity (a "pet").
Vic
On Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 08:02:48 AM PST, James Bailey via groups.io <rivierastarsong...> wrote:
Hi all,I may be hallucinating but for parts of the morning while on remote calls at Upper Niguel Ranch Park, I was hearing what sounded strangely like a magpie. At one point the sound came much closer and at least two “laughter” call variants seemed clear to me. I rushed over but the bird was already departing, so no clear look.
One of my meetings picked up the sound in the background, so I will have a recording of poor quality available for review to make sure it wasn’t some weird scrub jay acting up.
The situation occurred around Upper Niguel Ranch Park, generally around the neighbourhood on La Hermosa Avenue. I imagine YBM is quite implausible, so assume it’s probably a pet/ship carry but just in case someone local had interest.I have not heard anything for the past 30 mins.
Cheers,James BaileyLaguna Niguel
