Date: 1/7/26 2:14 pm From: James Pike via groups.io <jimpike444...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] eurasian wigeon pair
Perhaps already reported, for the first time this winter, I spotted the Eurasian Wigeon pair together in the pocket pond adjacent to Wintersburg channel. Year six for this female?
Date: 1/5/26 2:33 pm From: Clark Snodgrass via groups.io <ccsnodgrass...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Summer Tanager continues at Harper Park (pict)
The Summer Tanager continued at Harper Park in Fountain Valley today mid day
Was present and cooperative but high in the sycamore trees
I did not see the Baltimore Oriole but a fellow birder there today stated it had been there yesterday in the sycamores as well
Tanager pict at the link
https://www.flickr.com/photos/137464283@N06/55025045387/in/dateposted-public/
Date: 1/4/26 8:13 pm From: Vincent Baker via groups.io <bakerv1996...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Chestnut-sided Warbler (Gibbs Park), American Redstart (Haven View Park); 1/4/2026
Hi birders,
This morning during the coastal Orange County CBC, my dad and I found an immature/female chestnut-sided warbler in the large Tipu tree just north of the playground at Gibbs Park ( 33.7200265, -118.0355832) and a male American Redstart in the tall Ash trees at Haven View Park ( 33.7293355, -118.0445351). The chestnut-sided was pretty cooperative and allowed good looks from <5 feet away; the redstart on the other hand was incredibly flighty and hyperactively foraging in the upper canopy of ash trees. We saw these birds before the rain really started pouring down on us. Both should be first records for these hotspots.
Date: 1/3/26 1:01 pm From: Trish G via groups.io <trishrg62...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Yellow-crowned Night Heros Seabridge park
There are currently one adult and 5 juvenile. Immature subadult yellow crown night herons for a total of six at seabridge park in huntington beach in the location where the Common Eider was a couple years ago. You won't even need to get out of your car to see these guys. 33.727343,-118.072580
Date: 1/3/26 11:39 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: January 3, 2026
* California
* Orange County
* January 3, 2026
* CAOC26.01.03
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
American Oystercatcher
Laughing Gull
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Tropical Kingbird
Hammond's Flycatcher
Western Flycatcher
Plumbeous Vireo
Townsend's Solitaire
Clay-colored Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Grace's Warbler
An AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER or hybrid was seen off of the Ocean Institute
part of Dana Point Harbor on December 31.
A LAUGHING GULL was off of Newport Pier on January 2.
The new trash birds NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS continued around the county this
week.
Two immature LITTLE BLUE HERONS continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
in Huntington Beach this week. Apparently the adult bird was not seen.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through January 3.
At least one WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through January 2. One was reported from
adjacent Harriett Wieder Regional Park on January 3.
BALD EAGLES were reported from Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington
Beach, Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological
Reserve in Newport Beach this week.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was reported from the Esencia Sports Park in Rancho
Mission Viejo on December 28.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at the Olinda Ranch Neighborhood Park
in Brea on December 28.
A TROPICAL KINGBIRD was at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington
Beach from December 30 through January 1.
A HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER was in residential Fullerton on December 27.
A WESTERN FLYCATCHER was on the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo on
December 28.
PLUMBEOUS VIREOS were at La Palma Park in Anaheim, Riverdale Park in
Anaheim, and residential Fullerton on December 27.
A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was at West Coyote Hills Tree Park (weird name) in
Fullerton from December 27 through December 29.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued in residential Buena Park through December
28.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continued at Aldrich Park at UC Irvine on December
27.
A VESPER SPARROW was at the Brea Sports Park in Brea on December 28.
Male BALTIMORE ORIOLES were at Mason Regional Park in Irvine on December 30
and at Harper Park in Fullerton on January 2 and 3.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS continued at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine on December 27 and at Rancho Serrano Park in Lake Forest on December
30.
A male AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park East in
Huntington Beach through January 2. A presumed immature male was across the
street at HCP West on the same day, and another bird was at Buffalo Hills
Park in Newport Beach also on January 2.
A NORTHERN PARULA continued at Huntington Central Park West in Huntington
Beach through January 2.
A GRACE'S WARBLER was at Memory Garden Memorial Cemetery in Brea from
December 27 through January 3.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman or to Samuel Bressler (
<pacificgoldenplover...>) separately for consideration to be mentioned
in the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. I don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed if it has not been photographed, nor can the continuing presence
of any given bird for those who choose to chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
It is recommended that you refer to that website immediately prior to
engaging in any field trip to confirm that trips are still occurring. #RBA
Date: 1/3/26 9:27 am From: David Ornellas via groups.io <davidornellas...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Baltimore Oriole Harper Park Huntington Beach
Good morning all,
The Baltimore Oriole and male summer tanager continues at 33.6911991, -117.9787857 . At the top of the nearly bare sycamore tree. The Oriole flew out and then returned about ten minutes later, foraging out of dried and cupped leaves.
--
David Ornellas,
Costa Mesa, CA
Date: 1/1/26 3:16 pm From: Tom Benson via groups.io <thomasabenson...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] MARBLED MURRELET report from southern Orange County
On Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 02:50:26 PM PST, Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> wrote:
Birders, I found an inat observation of a misidentified Scripps’s Murrelet that is actually a MARBLED. This, if the location is accurate, would be a first record for Orange County. Unfortunately the observer has obscured the location so I do not currently know exactly where this bird was seen, if it’s chasebale, etc etc. To add to the confusion, there is no date, it just says “December 2025”. I have commented asking the observer for a date and exact location. If/when I receive these things I will post here
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/332803712
Date: 1/1/26 2:50 pm From: Braxton Landsman via groups.io <balbhl...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] MARBLED MURRELET report from southern Orange County
Birders,
I found an inat observation of a misidentified Scripps’s Murrelet that is actually a MARBLED. This, if the location is accurate, would be a first record for Orange County. Unfortunately the observer has obscured the location so I do not currently know exactly where this bird was seen, if it’s chasebale, etc etc. To add to the confusion, there is no date, it just says “December 2025”. I have commented asking the observer for a date and exact location. If/when I receive these things I will post here
Date: 12/31/25 2:37 pm From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Puente-Chino Hills Christmas Bird Count Results, 2025
All:
The 2025 Puente-Chino Hills Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday, December 27th in ideal weather conditions, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, clear skies, and little to no wind. These conditions came on the heels of a massive storm that dropped nearly 5 inches of rain on the region from December 24th-26th; as a result, most of the trail systems through the Chino Hills and Santa Ana foothills were closed, including in Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Weir Canyon Nature Preserve, Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, Powder Canyon, and most of Chino Hills State Park. Additionally, the large amounts of rain meant that the upper reaches of the Santa Ana River had unusually high water volume and flow velocities, reducing habitat for most waterfowl and shorebird species.
Despite these setbacks, the 2025 count smashed the prior record for species diversity on a single count, with a total of 155 species (plus 4 ABA non-countable species) observed over the course of the day. The prior record had been 146+3. Twelve new species for the count were observed, and a wide variety of unusual to rare overwintering species were found or relocated.
For those who wish to review an (almost) final count list, a trip report can be found here: Puente-Chino Hills Christmas Bird Count, 12/27/2025 - eBird Trip Report ( https://ebird.org/tripreport/452535 )
Of particular note were 11(!) warbler species, five of which were new for the count. For comparison, our previous high count for warbler species was 6.
We did not miss many expected species, but the easiest ones were bald eagle (count week) and long-billed dowitcher (difficult following high flow events along the river). Diving ducks were mostly absent, as common goldeneye (present during count week at Walnut Canyon Reservoir), canvasback, hooded merganser, and common merganser were all absent on count day. This is also the first year we have missed wood duck; this species has gradually become quite difficult in this part of the county in recent years. Other notable misses included a count week Vesper Sparrow at Brea Sports Park, northern yellow warbler, green heron, and Wilson’s snipe.
Ironically, the trail closures might have helped increase our species count, as it concentrated efforts in a number of smaller parks that otherwise might not have been covered as intensively. Furthermore, the sports fields within the regional and city parks were closed to recreation and thus lightly trafficked, meaning that they were more heavily used by sparrows, waterfowl and other birds.
Numbers of many species were lower than last year, particularly those found in chaparral and scrub areas that were not accessible (e.g. California quail, California thrasher, wrentit). It was also a poor year for many sparrow species, particularly rufous-crowned sparrow (only 5, vs. 14 last year), Lincoln’s sparrow (only 18, vs. 28 last year), and chipping sparrow (39, vs. 145 last year). On the other hand, the 392 dark-eyed juncos observed were almost double last years count, and the 991 cedar waxwings reported was a genuinely remarkable total. Last year’s 413 Swinhoe’s white-eye was the highest tally across the entire United States, so this year’s increase to 662 means we will likely retain this distinction. It’s remarkable to think that the first count recorded only 2!
As every year, Yellow-rumped Warbler was the most abundant species on the CBC, with 3016 recorded; this reflects a modest decrease from last year’s 3513 species..Other abundant species included house finch (2312), Canada goose (1181), white-crowned sparrow (1152), and American crow (1014). Twenty-one species were represented by a single individual.
I look forward to seeing you at next year's count!
Date: 12/28/25 8:56 am From: Samuel Bressler via groups.io <pacificgoldenplover...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Grace’s Warbler continues, Memory garden cemetery, Brea
Hi all:
the grace’s found yesterday by sasha cshill and collin silva at the memory garden cemetery is still present here:
(33.9337218, -117.9032665)
Fairly cooperative, hanging out with other warblers.
keep in mind this is a cemetery so be respectful.
Date: 12/27/25 2:31 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] North American Birds update
All,
I would like to announce that with the completion of Orange County's Fall 2025 report, I am now stepping away from my role as our *North American Birds* subregional report author. Sam Bressler has graciously agreed to take over in my place. Orange County's dedicated reports go back nearly 50 years, when Sylvia Gallagher began writing them in 1979. Doug Willick took over for her in 1985, and I took over for Doug in 2018. Sam now becomes our fourth author and I am confident that with his strong interest in status and distribution and promoting countywide birding, particularly underbirded inland areas (like me!!!), he will do a great job.
I will still continue to write weekly rare bird alert reports for his benefit. If you are used to emailing rarity reports to me you can continue to do so if you prefer and I will forward them to Sam as I think appropriate, but otherwise I would encourage notable observations, primarily those not on eBird, to be sent to Sam at <pacificgoldenplover...> moving forward.
Date: 12/27/25 7:35 am From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: December 27, 2025
* California
* Orange County
* December 27, 2025
* CAOC25.12.27
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Prairie Falcon
Eastern Phoebe
Plumbeous Vireo
White-breasted Nuthatch
Clay-colored Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
A NEOTROPIC CORMORANT continued on the Upper Santa Ana River in Anaheim on
December 25.
LITTLE BLUE HERONS continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach this week.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through December 25.
At least one WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological
Reserve in Huntington Beach through December 25.
BALD EAGLES were reported from Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and the Lower
Santa Ana River in Huntington Beach this week.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was present again at Rancho Serrano Park in Lake Forest
on December 22.
A PRAIRIE FALCON was reported from Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange on
December 21.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in Huntington
Beach through December 25.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO was at Emery Park in Fullerton on December 22.
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH at Sea Terrace Community Park in Dana Point on
December 21 was a good bird for coastal patches.
A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was in residential Buena Park from December 24 to
December 25.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continued at Solana Park in Rancho Santa Margarita
on December 22 and at Aldrich Park at UC Irvine on December 25.
A BALTIMORE ORIOLE continued at Emery Park in Fullerton on December 22.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued at Rancho Serrano Park in Lake Forest
on December 22.
A TENNESSEE WARBLER continued in the tipu trees along Arroyo Vista in
Rancho Santa Margarita from December 14 to December 20, while another was
reported from the Harvard Community Athletic Park in Irvine on December 2.
A male AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park East in
Huntington Beach through December 20.
A NORTHERN PARULA continued at Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach
on December 25.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman or to Samuel Bressler (
<pacificgoldenplover...>) separately for consideration to be mentioned
in the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. I don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed if it has not been photographed, nor can the continuing presence
of any given bird for those who choose to chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
It is recommended that you refer to that website immediately prior to
engaging in any field trip to confirm that trips are still occurring. #RBA
Date: 12/20/25 4:40 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: December 20
* California
* Orange County
* December 20, 2025
* CAOC25.12.20
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
Red-necked Grebe
Neotropic Cormorant
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Western Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Plumbeous Vireo
Grasshopper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Bell's Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Green-tailed Towhee
Black-and-white Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Black-headed Grosbeak
A RED-NECKED GREBE continued at the Sunset Aquatic Marina in Seal Beach in
the vicinity of the boat ramp through December 19.
LITTLE BLUE HERONS continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach this week.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through December 20.
A WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through December 20.
BALD EAGLES were reported from Huntington Central Park and Bolsa Chica
Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, as well as at Talbert Regional Park
in Costa Mesa this week.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was reported from Rancho Serrano Park in Lake Forest on
December 20.
A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at Olinda Ranch Neighborhood Park in Brea
from December 14 through December 18.
A WESTERN FLYCATCHER was at Serrano Creek Park in Lake Forest on December
14.
An EASTERN PHOEBE continued at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in Huntington
Beach through December 20.
A PLUMBEOUS VIREO was at Pittsford Park in Lake Forest on December 14.
Another was reported from Rancho Serrano Park in Lake Forest on December 20.
GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS continued at Quail Hill in Irvine this week as well as
at Irvine Regional Park in Orange and Limestone Canyon.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were at Solana Park in Rancho Santa Margarita and
at Aldrich Park at UC Irvine on December 19.
A BELL'S SPARROW was in the usual Coal/Fremont Canyon spot in the Santa Ana
Mountains on December 14.
A VESPER SPARROW continued at Irvine Lake on December 14.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was at Talbert Regional Park in Costa Mesa on
December 15.
A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE returned to Emery Park in Fullerton on December 11.
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER continued at Huntington Central Park in
Huntington Beach on December 19. Another was reported from Rancho Serrano
Park in Lake Forest on December 20.
TENNESSEE WARBLERS were at Huntington Central Park West on Huntington Beach
and at George Bellis Park in Fullerton on December 18.
A male AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park East in
Huntington Beach through December 16.
A NORTHERN PARULA continued at Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach
on December 18.
A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was at Aldrich Park at UC Irvine on December
15.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
Date: 12/20/25 1:01 pm From: Lam-Son Vinh via groups.io <lamson.vinh...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bals Eagle continuing in Huntington Beach
Continuing Bald Eagle ate a duck in the oilfield at the end of Graham St. Afterwards, she flew to Vella Park
at the end of Rivergate and perched on tall eucalyptus.
--
Lam-Son Vinh
Huntington Beach, CA
Date: 12/19/25 12:58 pm From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Two Bald Eagles over Aurora Park, Mission Viejo
They were both to the north east of the park. They disappeared when I looked down to write this.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 12/19/25 12:51 pm From: Cassandra and Xavier via groups.io <xaviandra14...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Bald Eagle Near HWRP
I saw a *Bald Eagle* at 9:21 AM during today's monthly survey of Harriett Wieder Regional Park. It was perched on an electrical cabinet in the oil field (west of the SCE Slater Substation). The GPS coordinates of its perch are (33.6926955, -118.0221333). Sighting confirmed by co-surveyor Darrell Wilson. For photos of the Bald Eagle, please visit our eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S289213192.
--
*Cassandra Margitan*
Santa Ana
Date: 12/19/25 11:35 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] White-throated Sparrow at Solana Park, Rancho Santa Margarita
That should be re-found it. Darn autocorrect!!
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
> On Dec 19, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Edana Salisbury <edanasal...> wrote:
>
> I refilled it on the other side of the chain-link fence with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows. It has come and gone a couple of times, but I haven’t seen it in about 10 minutes.
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
> Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
>
>> On Dec 19, 2025, at 10:40 AM, Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> wrote:
>>
>> I heard and then saw the bird for a brief moment here: 33.648817, -117.619098 between the basketball court and the chain-link fence, above the parking lot in the bushes. I have not been able to get a photo, but I’m going to keep looking.
>>
>> Edana Salisbury
>> Buena Park
>> Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
>>
>>
>> --
>> Edana Salisbury
>> Buena Park
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
Date: 12/19/25 11:15 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] White-throated Sparrow at Solana Park, Rancho Santa Margarita
I refilled it on the other side of the chain-link fence with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows. It has come and gone a couple of times, but I haven’t seen it in about 10 minutes.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
> On Dec 19, 2025, at 10:40 AM, Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> wrote:
>
> I heard and then saw the bird for a brief moment here: 33.648817, -117.619098 between the basketball court and the chain-link fence, above the parking lot in the bushes. I have not been able to get a photo, but I’m going to keep looking.
>
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
> Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
>
>
> --
> Edana Salisbury
> Buena Park
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 12/19/25 10:40 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] White-throated Sparrow at Solana Park, Rancho Santa Margarita
I heard and then saw the bird for a brief moment here: 33.648817, -117.619098 between the basketball court and the chain-link fence, above the parking lot in the bushes. I have not been able to get a photo, but I’m going to keep looking.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 12/17/25 10:54 am From: Cassandra and Xavier via groups.io <xaviandra14...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Eastern Phoebe Seen at HWRP
I saw the *Eastern Phoebe* at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in the open meadow, between the parking lot and Fischer's Gulch. It has been in proximity to a Say's Phoebe and a Black Phoebe (chasing the BLPH) at different times. Last seen at 9:50 AM perched on the tall snag by Fischer's Gulch, above an American Kestrel, at GPS location (33.6849331, -118.0251648). Was also seen near (33.6849208, -118.0240323) and (33.6850366, -118.0243575) moments earlier. Confirmed by Brian Bleecker, Betty Kanne, and Ari Boehm.
--
*Cassandra Margitan*
Santa Ana
Date: 12/16/25 5:37 pm From: Clark Snodgrass via groups.io <ccsnodgrass...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Eastern Phoebe continued this afternoon and Harriett Wieder (Pict)
As reported over the past several days, the Eastern Phoebe continued this afternoon at Harriett Wieder Park
the bird was hanging in general proximity with the other trifecta phoebes (as Edana called them !) at variou spots on the hillside on the twigs in good viewing condition
i saw the eastern with the others around 2 - 230 pm today. (which had good sun)
photo at the link
https://www.flickr.com/photos/137464283@N06/54988121297/in/dateposted-public/ Clark SnodgrassHuntington Beach
Date: 12/16/25 11:03 am From: Jody Graham via groups.io <jgraham...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] American White Pelican at Carr Park
Many American White Pelican have been congregating at Carr Park in
Huntington Beach yesterday and today. Lots of great feeding and
preening activity.
Happy birding!
Jody InchaustiHuntington Beach
Date: 12/16/25 9:25 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Eastern Phoebe at Harriet Weider Park continues
Date: 12/16/25 9:22 am From: Edana Salisbury via groups.io <edanasal...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Eastern Phoebe at Harriet Weider Park continues
I first saw the bird at approximately the same coordinates as given by Jasmine Kay - 33.684583, -118.024185. It kept flying down slope a few yards at a time until a Cooper’s Hawk flew through, and it speedily went to the area across the road from the northwest end of Fishers Gulch. The last I saw, it was in the tallest bare-limbed tree.
I, too, have the trifecta of Phoebes.
Edana Salisbury
Buena Park
Sent from my iPhone and possibly autocorrected incorrectly ....
Date: 12/14/25 8:17 pm From: Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Guy Outside Disneyland
"Wouldn't it seem reasonable that since this guy's been around for years, and that I'm sure many people over the years have reported it to animal control, that animal control hasn't seen anything significant enough to take them from this man out of "cruelty"?? I'm not saying it might not just be so, but if nothing has ever been done before, are we not just bugging animal control for nothing??"
I don't live life by the philosophy that speaking up about something is only worth it when it doesn't inconvenience anyone else. I'd like to think that birders feel the same.
Date: 12/14/25 7:11 pm From: Dawn Hubbard via groups.io <britomart73...> Subject: Re: [OrangeCountyBirding] Guy Outside Disneyland
We've seen that guy at the Harbor entrance on and off over the course of
many years. Because he's not technically on Disneyland property, there's
nothing they can do. You could try calling OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848
to report neglect/abuse. Unfortunately, many people have observed that the
birds seem distressed and not well cared for.
Dawn Hubbard
Garden Grove
On Thu, Dec 11, 2025 at 11:18 PM j.palian via groups.io <j.palian=
<icloud.com...> wrote:
> Hello everyone!
>
> For the past few weeks outside Disneyland, me and my family have noticed a
> guy standing at a street light with two macaws and a cockatoo. On many
> occasions, we have seen him, forcing the birds onto people to take photos
> and ask for money. We’ve seen him outside for periods as long as six hours
> up until past midnight, and I was wondering if anything could be done to
> help the birds, especially with the possibility of animal abuse.
>
> Jerar Palian
> - Foothill Ranch
>
>
>
The Eastern Phoebe continues this morning at Harriett M. Wieder, in the same general area as it was reported yesterday. Relatively vocal, enough so for a recording, and exhibits much of the same behavior as the other two species, obligingly perching on top of the dead plants. Didn't appear for me until about 15 minutes after I arrived, around 10:40, but has been out and about since then. Thanks to Jasmine Kay for finding it!
Date: 12/13/25 1:37 pm From: Ryan Winkleman via groups.io <rswinkleman...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Orange County RBA: December 13
* California
* Orange County
* December 13, 2025
* CAOC25.12.13
This is the Orange County, CA weekly Rare Bird Alert (RBA) and local events
summary. California Bird Records Committee (CBRC) review species are
capitalized and marked with asterisks below. All documentation of review
species should be forwarded to the CBRC secretary, Tom Benson, at
<secretary...>
BIRDS MENTIONED
Black Scoter
Red-necked Grebe
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Western Cattle-Egret
Bald Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Bell's Vireo
Plumbeous Vireo
Grasshopper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Baltimore Oriole
American Redstart
Black-headed Grosbeak
A BLACK SCOTER was at the Sunset Aquatic Marina in Seal Beach in the
vicinity of the boat ramp on December 10.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was at the Sunset Aquatic Marina in Seal Beach in the
vicinity of the boat ramp from December 7 through reportedly December 13.
LITTLE BLUE HERONS continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach this week.
A TRICOLORED HERON continued at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach through December 12.
Up to two WESTERN CATTLE-EGRETS were at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach from December 10 through December 12.
BALD EAGLES were reported from Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in
Newport Beach, Los Alamitos Retarding Basin in Seal Beach, and Huntington
Central Park in Huntington Beach this week.
ZONE-TAILED HAWKS were reported from residential Mission Viejo and from
Lower Round Canyon in Irvine on December 8.
An EASTERN PHOEBE was at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach
on December 13, in the area between the parking lot and Fisher's Gulch.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD was photographed at Huntington Central Park in
Huntington Beach on December 7.
A Bell's Vireo at Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton on December 7 was
certainly a surprise.
PLUMBEOUS VIREOS were at Bart Spendlove Memorial Park in Mission Viejo on
December 8 and George Bellis Park in Fullerton on December 12.
Two GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS continued at Quail Hill in Irvine this week.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were in residential Orange from December 10 through
December 13 and at Serrano Creek Park in Lake Forest on December 13.
A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE returned to Emery Park in Fullerton on December 11.
A male AMERICAN REDSTART continued at Huntington Central Park East in
Huntington Beach through December 12.
A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was at Sea Canyon Park in Dana Point on
December 8.
LOCAL EVENTS
Note: We will no longer be listing individual trips on this weekly email.
For a complete up-to-date list of current field trips, please visit the
webpage on Sea and Sage’s website:
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/.
The Orange County RBA and events summary is produced weekly by Ryan
Winkleman. Sightings of rare birds can be posted to the OrangeCountyBirding
listserv, emailed directly to Ryan Winkleman (<rswinkleman...>),
and/or submitted to eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird). Any supporting
details (descriptions, photos, audio recordings, etc.) of rare sightings
that are not already disclosed on the listserv or on eBird should also be
emailed to Ryan Winkleman separately for consideration to be mentioned in
the current quarterly report for North American Birds.
Those sightings that are included in this summary generally include those
that are considered rare (regionally or seasonally) for Orange County based
on "The Birds of Orange County: Status and Distribution" (Hamilton and
Willick), "Birds of Southern California" (Garrett and Dunn), and/or more
contemporary changes in local or regional status and distribution. Rarities
that regularly or seasonally occur at a particular location, such as
annually wintering rarities on Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, may or
may not be included in this digest, but reports of these same species
occurring at other, atypical locations throughout the county may be
included. We don't include hybrids, subspecies, introduced or exotic birds,
or in most cases and for no real reason, geese. All bird reports are vetted
to the extent possible prior to each publication, but in the interest of
sharing information, the accuracy of any given report cannot always be
guaranteed, nor can the presence of any given bird for those who choose to
chase after them.
Information on upcoming local events can be viewed on the Sea and Sage
Audubon website (http://www.seaandsageaudubon.org/). Sea and Sage Audubon
is based out of the Audubon House at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in
Irvine. They sponsor a number of public field trips, special birding
events, conservation lectures, and social gatherings throughout the year.
Information regarding upcoming local events should be considered accurate
at the time of this posting. However, for the most current information
please refer to the field trip list on the Sea and Sage Audubon website at
https://seaandsageaudubon.org/field-trips/. It is also recommended that you
refer to that website immediately prior to engaging in any field trip to
confirm that trips are still occurring. If you know of additional upcoming
events that are not sponsored directly by Sea and Sage Audubon, please
email Ryan Winkleman for inclusion. #RBA
Date: 12/13/25 8:50 am From: Jasmine Kay via groups.io <jkay042...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Eastern Phoebe HWRP
All,
There is an Eastern Phoebe at Harriett Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach. Sallying in the grasses between the parking lot and the gulch, about 33.68472° N, 118.02420° W. Technically a Phoebe trifecta, but I’m assuming people only really care to hear about this one..
Date: 12/11/25 11:18 pm From: j.palian via groups.io <j.palian...> Subject: [OrangeCountyBirding] Guy Outside Disneyland
Hello everyone!
For the past few weeks outside Disneyland, me and my family have noticed a guy standing at a street light with two macaws and a cockatoo. On many occasions, we have seen him, forcing the birds onto people to take photos and ask for money. We’ve seen him outside for periods as long as six hours up until past midnight, and I was wondering if anything could be done to help the birds, especially with the possibility of animal abuse.
