Date: 5/18/26 11:35 am From: Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Update - California Bird Atlas Update, Big Weekend, and Orange County Statistics
Hi Pete et al,
I was gung-ho about contributing to the Birding Atlas when I first heard
about it, and especially wanted to document non-eBird hotspots. I've become
discouraged after being told that a few of my observations weren't
possible. One example is from a checklist I made at Tijuana Estuary. I saw
a Western Gull carrying nesting material, then it landed in the grassland.
I read that Western Gulls could nest there, so I submitted my observation.
An Atlas person said that gulls only nest on rooftops etc so my observation
wasn't valid. Isn't one purpose of the breeding atlas to perhaps
challenge/change existing information on where birds nest? I don't think
I'm knowledgeable enough about birds and their behaviors to be a valuable
contributor, so I've stopped adding my checklists to the Atlas.
Dawn Hubbard
Garden Grove
On Mon, May 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM Pete Gordon via groups.io <peterandmiko=
<msn.com...> wrote:
> All
>
> I updated the four un-birded areas in Orange County. I discovered that
> when an Atlas block covers two counties, it is listed as part of the county
> with the most area.
>
> Pete Gordon
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> Good evening,
>
> As of May 16, 2026, here are California Bird Atlas (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.
>
> *Save the date for the **Big Weekend*
> <https://www.californiabirdatlas.org/bigweekend>* (June 4–7)*
>
> The Big Weekend will focus on:
>
> 1. recruiting more atlasers (bring a friend!)
>
> 2. expanding coverage (fill in that map!)
>
> 3. spreading the word (share your discoveries!)
>
> 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 must 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. San Clemente NE. These are all private road access only. Controlled
> by Rancho Mission Viejo. Covers Cristianitos Canyon, Blind Canyon, and
> Gabino Canyon.
> 3. Alberhill SW. Blue Jay Campground and Falcon Group Campground
> (closed)
> 4. Sitton Peak NW. Highway 74 from 2 miles past the forest service
> fire station to the county line
>
>
> 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 Science Committee
> Foothill Ranch, CA
>
>
> --
>
>
> *Pete GordonFoothill Ranch, CA*
>
>
>
>
>
