Haha, well to clarify, I meant that I was probably the last “OC birder” (if I still qualify) to look for the Purple Gallinule for the first time, not that I’m the last one to see it. It seemed pretty comfortable, so I hope it stays for a good long while and returns every year for the next 14 years just like the amazing Ruff of the Santa Ana River. I remember the first time I chased that Ruff – I was with the *original* OC Birder himself, Doug Willick. I hope you come back and visit soon Doug, and we can all have a little reunion party with the Ruff.
And also so you can be the last OC birder to look for the Purple Gallinule.
Cheers to all,
Linette Davenport
Now in Barstow, CA
From: <OrangeCountyBirding...> <OrangeCountyBirding...> On Behalf Of gbani1978 via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2026 4:36 PM
To: <OrangeCountyBirding...>
Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Purple Gallinule Continues
Well Linette, you may have been the last person to go see the Purple Gallinule but I still haven’t seen it! Not that I wouldn’t LOVE to see it and add it to my OC list (a pretty nifty record for the county!), but being 1,335 miles away, and having them as fairly common summer residents as close as 150 to 200 miles away, I probably won’t make it out there. But that’s sure a real cool bird for y’all. I see lots of birders have gotten some great pics of the bird.
Anyway, using this as an excuse to say “hi” to Linette and all my other “old friends” from Orange County. I’m often envious at this time of year when I see the cooler temps in coastal SoCal, especially since it’s often hitting triple digits for a good portion of the summer here in the Texas Hill Country. But lately at least it sounds like Orange County hasn’t been all that much cooler than it is here. Hope things cool off soon!
Hope everyone’s doing well and enjoying the birds of Orange County.
