the weather was warm and it was high tide.

we had 34 species of birds, highlights would be a Pacific-sloped Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, and an immature Hooded Oriole.

we had a little rain and it was very humid.

highlights include 2 downy woodpeckers; 2 hooded prioles (yesterday); wrentits

shorebirds are coming back in good numbers especially at bolsa chica. mostly adults in some form of alternate plumage.

at the marshes there are 2 semi-palmated sandpipers, both are juvenile birds.

there is also a pectoral sandpiper reported from the marshes.

11 birders showed up.

We had 30 species, highglights include a Yelloe-breasted Chat, Western Scrub Jay, 2 Nuttall’s Woodpeckers.

we are now being sponsored by Sea and Sage Audubon, Newport Bay Conservancy, Irvine Ranch Conservancy

After the walk I found out about a Lesser Sand Plover being seen at Harrieot Weider park. I rushed down there and saw it for about 15 minutes before it flew away. It was found yesterday.

All in all in great day to be birding in Orange County!

Yesterday I had the pleaseure to show Bob and Paula around the Irvine Marshes for about 2 hours.

Their daughter booked a tour for Christmas and they finally found time to work it into their schedule.

We had a good morning and had 40+ species. Highlights include Yellow=breasted Chat, Yellow Warblers, Osprey with 2 chicks, many Skimmers.

Two weeks ago we had our 2nd last sunday walk. we had about 40 species but nothing out of the ordinary. 5 people attended. every week it seems to be growing. the next walk at the end of june may have mor than 10 people given the feedback that i have been getting.

i found them on pond 2 at the marshes. if they nest sucessfully it will be a first for orange county!!

also of note, it looks like maybe the Osprey eggs have hatched. both parents were at the nest today and one bird was gently attending the nest.

babies include Canada Goose and American Avocet. also had a spotted sandpiper with spots.

i spent most of the time focused on the Gull-billed Terns, so i missed alot of the other birds around

there were alot of bird migrants. most common migrants were western tanager, black-headed grosbeak, wilson’s warbler; warbling vireo and townsend warbler. i was surprised to see 5 cedar waxwings.

 on sunday i went to the irvine marshes. highlights include ca. quail, bell’s vireo.

baby birds are starting to come out of the nest. american avocet, piede-billed grebe and killdeer all had young about.

will make up for no birding this weekend, next weekend

on Saturday after doing yard work, I volunteered to work the interpretive center at the Muth Center at Upper Newport Bay.

I birded about an hour before my shift started. The weather was hot and strong Santa Ana winds were blowing. There were no to many birds around. I did have 4 species of swallows, Tree, Rough-winged, Cliff and Barn. There were at 2 California Gnatcatchers calling. Hopefully they will nest.

on Sunday I went to the first Sunday walk at South Coast Botanic Gardens on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. I led this walk from the late 70′s to the early 90′s, so I saw alot of old friends. There was a good variety of migrants. Highlights would be the warblers, Hermit, Orange-crowned, Black-throated gray, Nashville. At least 3 Western Tanagers and 1 Black-headed Grosbeak. There were several Hooded Orioles also.

On Saturday I spent a couple of hours at CentralPark, there were a lot of migrants.

Birds of interest:: Nashville Warble, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Yellow Warble, Cedar Waxwings, Wilson Warbler, Warbling Vireo, still some Yellow-rumped Warblers.

On Suday was the first last Sunday walk. Thank you to Carol and Ken for coming.

Highlights included Lazuli Buntings, Wilson Warbler, Blue-winged Teal, California Thrasher.

I hope as word gets out that more will join us.

On Saturday I had the pleasure to show Joanne, Coleen  and Lon around the Irvine Marshes.

We had an enjoyable 2 hours but weather was on the hot side.

Highlights include:

A nesting Osprey pair

Singing Bell’s Vireos, at least 5

2 male Great-tailed Grackles

1 male Northern Harrier

good looks a perching adult Cooper’s Hawk

There are many Tree Swallows and they are using the nesting boxes, there are young birds flying around already.

I enjoyed spending time with them, they were anxious to learn more about the local birds. I am sure they did.

After this I went down to volunteer on the Laguna Beach Shorebird Survey.

My area was the Three Arch Bay area.

I had 1 Wandering Tattler; 2 Surfbirds and 2 Black Oystercatchers.

There was also a Pacific Loon off shore, they are migrating north at this time.

On Sunday I met up with Eric and Ann Brooks and the bird class from the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Once again I found myself at the Irvine Marshes. It wasw a different day so the birds seen was slightly different.

On Saturday we had only one Ash-throated Flycatcher but on Sunday we had 5 – 6 birds.

We had good looks at Yellow Warbler and Bell’s Vireos.

We had 2 racoons swiming in one of the ponds.

The talley for the morning was 55 species

All in all it was a very busy and enjoyable weekend.

Next Sunday is the last Sunday of the month and it is the first last Sunday walk at Upper Newport Bay.

Easter is not the perfect day to start something like this but I am going to keep it scheduled and hope some people show up.