Date: 5/17/26 6:04 pm From: Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Good evening,
As of yesterday morning (16 May), here are some of the CBA statistics for Orange County: 3,842 CBA effort hours in the field. That effort has produced data for 95.4% of our blocks (83 of 87) and 116 confirmed species. We are 1st in the state for blocks birded, 3rd in effort hours behind San Diego and Los Angeles, and 4th in the state for confirmed species behind San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino.
Host an event for the Big Weekend! A number of atlas-themed field trips are being planned throughout the state, but even unofficial outings are important. Consider:
Organizing a "birds & beers" meet-up to discuss atlasing;
Lead an owl prowl in your neighborhood to build up our nocturnal effort;
Plan an atlas-focused trip to a remote corner of the county (or beyond!).
If you have a birding buddy who is not using the atlas, encourage them to do so, and show them how easy it is to contribute to the growing wealth of knowledge we've built in the last 5 months.
If you haven't checked out the Atlas Dispatch, it's available here<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/atlas-dispatch-april-2026> and features lots of great documentation and media from our active Orange County community. Quick reminder: notes and photos matter. You never know what may be a first for the state, county, or block, or an unusually early or later breeding event.
Not sure what to say? This Breeding Code Commenting Guide<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/news/comments> highlights the key things to mention for each code. One quick aside, if you're reading this and haven't joined the California Bird Atlas<https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/>, what's stopping you? If you're already eBirding, you're most of the way there. Once you join the project<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/home>, it's simply a matter of adding breeding codes to your checklist. And now is a great time to join us as parks and backyard are full of fledglings and active breeders!
There are some new tools to share soon, but for now, this tool<https://atlas.calbirds.org/>, which combines the effort map with the hotspot map, is an easy way to identify areas in need of coverage.
During May, the challenge is to add effort to unbirded blocks, if possible, and bird those blocks that are under birded. We are missing four blocks in Orange County, most of which are in areas that are not open to the public (Rancho Mission Viejo, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, private land, or requiring long walks and elevation gain (unless given vehicle access from USFS and OC Parks/Irvine Land Conservancy)). Here are those locations:
1.
Black Star Canyon CE. To get to this block you have to walk up Black Star Canyon Road to this GPS 33.789293, -117.664089. If you continue, you will get to the Black Star Canyon Waterfall and Mariposa Reserve and the historic Indian Village, but that would be a 10-mile round trip hike).
2.
Corona South CW. This would be another 12 mile hike up into the Santa Ana Mountains from the North Main Divide Road with a significant elevation gain. Orange County has a small portion of this block near Pleasant's Peak. 3,800 to 3,900 feet above sea level.
3.
San Clemente NE. These are all private road access only. Controlled by Rancho Mission Viejo. Covers Cristianitos Canyon, Blind Canyon, and Gabino Canyon.
4.
San Onofre Bluff NW. Ocean only at about GPS 33.368837, -117.606409.
Underbirded areas in need of coverage are as follows:
1.
Canada Gobernadora NE. San Juan Springs and east of Caspers Wilderness Park along Ortega Highway. Most trails closed due to the airport fire.
2.
Lake Forest NW.
3.
Anaheim NE.
4.
Anaheim NW.
5.
Prado Dam SW.
6.
Yorba Linda SW.
7.
Black Star Canyon SE
Keep in mind that many of the blocks do not have many eBird hotspots. Don't let this deter you from birding in the block at local parks, green belts, and open space (keeping in mind private property and closed areas) and creating a personal eBird location. If it is an area that could be birded by others, request that your personal location be added as a new eBird hotspot.
We still have 4.5 years to go but now is a great time to do some pioneer atlasing in these areas! Find a trail or a city park, or even a short stop between home and your main destination for the day, and atlas your heart out!
You don’t need to travel far to make an impact. One effective strategy is to look at species maps<https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/map/blkpho> and target missing Confirmed blocks near home.
Consider building a target list of yet-to-be-Confirmed species for your home block and spend extra time watching those species on your next outing.
Thanks for the incredible work so far. Happy atlasing!
Pete Gordon
Sea & Sage Audubon CBA Committee
Foothill Ranch, CA
