Friday, January 25, 2008

Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

James Irvine II for whom the park is named hunting with his dogs.


Irvine Regional Park is one of the oldest parks in Orange County. Even before it became an actual park, German setters from Anaheim used it as a picnic area. It was the German settlers from Anaheim that named it the "The Picnic Grounds" back in the late 1850s or early 1860s. After it was purchased by the Irvine family, it served as their picnic area as well. The park was donated to the county by James Irvine II. (statue above) in 1897. The statue honoring him shows him hunting with his two dogs. The Park is named Irvine Regional Park because James Irvine II gave the park to Orange County. The park is actually in the City of Orange. (See the map at the end of this post to get directions.)



Acorn Woodpecker in one of the many Coast Live Oaks in the park.

The park is filled with old Coast Live Oaks, grassy lawns, and sycamores. Some of the oldest Coast Live Oaks in Orange County grow here. The mature trees give the park a very woodsy, established feeling. The park has many trees and phone poles peppered with holes many of which are stuffed with an acorn.





Granary Tree with holes made and stuffed with acorns by the Acorn Woodpecker

The bark of many of the older trees is scarred by the many thousands of holes up and down the tree thick trunks. The sound of Acorn Woodpecker rings out throughout the park as they drill holes, tend their acorns in the trees, and eat them. Poles and trees filled with acorns by the Acorn Woodpeckers are called granary trees.



Smokey Barbecues fill the park on weekends.

The park has many amenities. Amenities include picnic tables, barbecues, benches, and bathrooms, throughout the 400 plus acre park . It is a great place for a family picnic as the families and smoking barbecues at this park testify every weekend. There is a snack stand where you can go up to the window and order snacks, hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and ice cream. There is even an ATM. The concession stand opened in 1897.


The Recreational section of the lake. The lake was first dug in 1913.
The lake is broken into two separate, but connected sections. One is a more recreational part with large paddle boats for rent. You can still see ducks and other water birds there.


The more natural end of the lake

It also has a quieter protected part of the lake. Because the lake is stocked, it is inhabited by ducks, herons, egrets, Double-crested Cormorants , and American Coots. No paddle boats allowed. Around the lake Peacocks and throughout the park, Peacocks roam, calling loudly.
Peacock walking early in the morning near the lake.
You are more likely to see the Peacocks walking around earlier in the morning. Later they find perches in the trees and on the cages at the zoo. One interesting picture was a Peacock perched on top of the Turkey Vulture Cage.




The little train the winds through the park near the lake.
There are also many things to do at Irvine Regional Park. They have a snack bar, bike rentals, paddle boat rentals, and what looks like a recumbent bike for two. They also have a small train that runs through the park in the area by the lake, plus pony rides, and horse rentals. My little niece loved the horses.




The Orange County Zoo near the Nature Center and the train
And there is a zoo that has animals that would run wild in California like Turkey Vultures, owls, Coyotes, a Bobcat, Porcupine, and Mountain Lions. Most of the animals are also wild in Orange County and in Irvine Regional Park.


A Mountain Lion relaxing in the shade at the zoo.

At least some of the animals in the zoo appear to be animals that cannot make it in the wild. It is a small zoo, but fun.

The Nature Center
The Nature Center is in one of the fine old park buildings built of wood and stone. Inside are displays with animals like bobcats, coyotes, deer, acorn woodpeckers, and more. There are historical and natural history displays. There are interactive displays and docents to help you understand the displays.


Inside the Nature Center
I enjoyed the nature center and so did my five-year-old niece. It is child-friendly, yet interesting for adults as well.




A pathway through a few of the many mature oaks and other trees in the park.

The park has lots of benches to sit and enjoy the park, and lots grass of to lay down a blanket or set up chairs for picnics. The dappled sunlight filtering through the trees as they blow in the breeze will easily lull you into an afternoon nap.




Lots of grass and trees.
Plenty of area for games and running around. It has a family kind of feel.



Places to rest or just watch nature.
Lots of benches make it a nice place to stroll and rest, or sit and talk. This is a great date park, or family park. Great park for kids. Ideal for photographers. This park has something for everyone.

One of the many mature oaks in the park.

The mature oaks attract birds and squirrels. There is a lot of activity due to the oaks. In the park, you may also see deer, mountain lions, bobcats, opossums, raccoons, and lots more wildlife.



Immature Double-crested Cormorant drying its wings after a dip in the lake.

In addition, it is a great birding place in which you are guaranteed to see Acorn Woodpeckers, Wood Ducks , Mallards, and lots of park ducks. You may see Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Audubon Yellow-Rumped Warblers , hummingbirds, Ravens, Western Bluebirds , Ring-necked Ducks, Great Horned Owls, Western Screech Owls, feral parrots, starlings, and more.



A male Wood Duck swimming in the lake.

In addition to the developed part of the park, there are trails to the wilderness area around it. The Villa Park flood basin--which is a popular place for birders--adjoins the park, and other trails wander off into the hills. There are many options for birding since birds are all over the park. You can stand in line at the zoo and watch an Acorn Woodpecker stuff an acorn in one of the many holes in the phone pole by the entrance. Or you can head for one of the less busy sections of the park and see other kinds of birds. It is a great place to bird. Next time you are looking for an interesting place to bird watch, check out Irvine Regional Park.






View Larger Map

OC Birder Girl Links
Bird Walks and Nature Programs in Orange County
Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California
Acorn Woodpecker--Melanerpes formicivorus
Wood Duck--Aix sponsa


External Links


Irvine Regional Park
The official park site.





Irvine Regional Park Trail Map
Print out a trail map of the park.


Annual Regional/Wilderness and County Beach Passes

Information about purchasing annual passes.

















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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns of Orange County


Great Blue Heron Length 46" Wing Span 72"




Great Egret--Ardea alba at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Notice the large orange bill and black legs. Great Egret Length 39" Wing Span 51"








Snowy Egret--Egretta thula at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Notice the black bill and yellow feet. Snowy Egret Length 24" Wing Span 41"




Black-crowned Night Heron--Nycticorax nycticorax --Adult--at
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Black-Crowned Night Heron Length 25" Wing Span 44"




Black-crowned Night Heron--Nycticorax nycticorax--Immature--at Central Park in Huntington Beach Black-Crowned Night Heron Length 25" Wing Span 44"











Black-crowned Night Heron--Nycticorax nycticorax--Juvenile--at El Dorado Nature Center --Black-Crowned Night Heron Length 25" Wing Span 44"




Green Heron--Butorides virescens --Adult--at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Green Egret Length 18" Wing Span 26"



Green Heron--Butorides virescens Immature at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Green Egret Length 18" Wing Span 26"



Rare Orange County Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns










Cattle Egret photo Courtesty of US Fish and Wildlife Serve. Notice the orange bill and black legs. Buffy hightlights in breeding plumage. Cattle Egret Length 20" Wing Span 36"  Photographer Lee Karney.



American Bittern--Botaurus lentiginosus--A Rare Bird photo courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.  Gary Zahm Photographer. 
28" Long, Wingspan 42"


OC Birder Girl Links

About Binoculars
Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Carr Park in Huntington Beach
Central Park in Huntington Beach
Mason Regional Park
Migration--The Pacific Flyway and Orange County
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
Shipley Nature Center
Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay













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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Eurasian Wigeon--Anas penelope--A Rare Bird

I staked this Male Eurasian Wigeon out for at least a half hour to get these pictures.
 
Spotting a Eurasian Wigeon certainly was exciting for me since I had never spotted one before. Knowing what to look for and when to look for it made me take a second look at a flock of American Wigeons taking a nap on Lake Huntington in Huntington Central Park. I knew it was the right time of year--winter. And I knew that they often travel with flocks of American Wigeons. So I took my time slowly scanning the flock of American Wigeons bobbing on the lake. 

Finally, this bird wakes up so I can get a picture of his black-tipped blue bill.

There are a lot more Eurasian Wigeons flying along the flyways on the Pacific Coast than there are on the Atlantic Coast. One reason for that is how close the continents are up by Alaska. Eurasian Wigeons, as you might guess by the name, are common in Europe and Asia. They breed in the northern areas of Europe and Asia. They winter in the southern areas of Europe and Asia, and in northern Africa. It makes sense that they might mix and mingle with our American Wigeons up north by Alaska and Siberia and end up migrating down the Pacific Coast with our American Wigeons. Our American Wigeons also turn up in Asia and in Europe.


Most of the time I spent watching the Eurasian Wigeon, I saw this.


Like the American Wigeon, the Eurasian Wigeon is a dabbling duck. You will see its head go under the water, and its tail end stick up. This is no diving duck. It eats aquatic plants and terrestrial plants. It also eats seeds and occasional insects. It is not uncommon to see it on the grass with the American Wigeon eating plants and roots and insects.


Taking a drink in this fresh water lake.

Eurasian Wigeons are both very similar and very different than American Wigeons. Both have similarly shaped heads with a center stripe on its head and a small blue bill tipped with black. But the Eurasian Wigeon lacks the black patterning on the cheeks, and it has a buff rather than white center stripe. What sets it apart most distinctly is the reddish head. It really stands out in a crowd of American Wigeons.


Back to sleep.

 The confusing this is that Eurasian Wigeons and American Wigeons hybridize often and what indicates a hybrid has been debated by birders for quite a while. Some insist that some or most Eurasian Wigeons have a little green behind the eye while others insist those are hybrids. The most tell-tale indicator of a hybrid seems to be an extended green eye-stripe rather than a small patch, and/or black patterning on the cheeks like an American Wigeon. In addition, the Eurasian Wigeon has gray sides and the American has brown sides. The female has a warmer head color than the American Wigeon and no black border at the base of its blue bill. Since Eurasian Wigeons hang out almost exclusively with their American cousins, it pays in fall and winter to check out any flocks of Wigeons for the Eurasian Wigeons.


All tucked in. Even with its bill tucked in, the reddish head is like a beacon across the lake saying, Eurasian Wigeon!


Eurasian Wigeons can be found in wetlands, lakes, channels, ponds, bays, and community parks with lakes or lawns. Unfortunately, they do not breed here--no records yet. However, many people suspect that on occasion, they do and that we will someday have records of Eurasian Wigeons breeding in North America.


Snoozing.


 In years past, Eurasian Wigeons have also been seen in Orange County at Clark Regional Park, and Carr Park. In general we can say that if you want to see Eurasian Wigeons, look for them starting in October and through March--on occasion as late as April. Definitely check out Upper Newport Bay near San Joaquin Hills Road. Don't forget Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Also check out lakes in parks like Tewinkle, Huntington Central Park, Village Park, Twin Lakes, Carr Park, Clark Regional Park. Most places you see American Wigeons, you may see Eurasian Wigeons. Birding in Orange County during fall and winter is a lot of fun due to the migrants and wintering waterfowl. There are always a few rare birds around. So when you go out birding in Orange County in the fall or winter, keep your eyes peeled for the Eurasian Wigeon and other rare migrants and wintering waterfowl.




OC Birder Girl Links



American Wigeon--Anas americana



The Wild Ducks of Orange County




Odd Ducks




Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve



 
Central Park in Huntington Beach


 
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa



Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

Where a lot of sightings have occurred. Usually just past the parking lot by the Big Canyon spillway.




External Links and Resources



All About Birds: Eurasian Wigeon


Page about the rare bird the Eurasian Wigeon.



Animal Diversity Web: Eurasian Wigeon



Detailed article by students at Michigan State University.




Journal of Field Ornithology: Vol. 63, No. 3, Summer, 1992





Auk: Vol. 107, No. 1, January-March, 1990






Very good detailed article with pictures on distinguishing the female Eurasian Wigeon from the American Wigeon.







Detailed information from the Seattle Audubon Society.






Photos of Eurasian Wigeons.







Great Migration and wintering map with links to other range information and images of Eurasian Wigeons.










Videos of Eurasian Wigeons. Good quality.




Very good close up shot of Eurasian Wigeon.
Ohio Division of Wildlife: Eurasian Wigeon
Short article with no photo, but a nice sound clip.
USGS: Eurasian Wigeon
Short, but helpful Article.



Notice that the Eurasian Wigeon's call, though similar, is different than the American Wigeon. If you familiarize yourself with it, you will have one more clue that a Eurasian Wigeon is in a crowd of American Wigeons.





Telling an American Wigeon and a Eurasian Wigeon Apart
 
American Wigeon x Eurasian Wigeon at Rhododendron Gardens
Interesting discussion on Flicker about whether a bird with green on it is a hybrid or not.
Discussion of American and Eurasian Wigeons and pictures of both and a hybrid Wigeon.
Picture and short paragraph on Wigeon hybrids. From Arizona Field Ornithologists. Also see this picture of an American-Eurasian Wigeon hybrid. Also see their comparison of American and Eurasian Wigeons.
Is a green patch evidence that the bird is a hybrid or do many Eurasian Wigeons have it?
Article with pictures, illustrations, and text about American and Eurasian Wigeons in many plumages.
Picture of male Eurasian and male American Wigeons. See also this picture of a hybrid.




Where have Eurasian Wigeons been seen in Orange County?



(Compiled from the Orange County Rare Bird Alert. Tried my best to get it right --hope I didn't miss anything.)




Weekly Report March 5, 2008 --Tri-City Park in Placentia





Weekly Report February 27th, 2008--Hungtington Central Park West Side

(My sighting--photos above.)




Weekly Report February 20th, 2008--Lake Forest off of Ridge Route between Muirlands and Rockfield 23102 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest




Weekly Report February 13th, 2008--Upper Newport Bay




Weekly Report Nov 28th, 2007--below San Joaquin Hills Road and the Big Canyon area off of Back Bay Drive.




Weekly Report Nov 21st, 2007--Upper Newport Bay the Big Canyon area off of Back Bay Drive.





Weekly Report March 14th, 2007--Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa





Weekly Report March 7th, 2007--Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa





Weekly Report February 21st, 2007--Tewinkle Park in Costa Mesa, northern boundary





Weekly Report February 14th, 2007-- Upper Newport Bay





Weekly Report January 17th, 2007--Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa





Weekly Report January 10th, 2007--Tewinkle Park, Costa Mesa





Weekly Report December 20th, 2006--Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve





Weekly Report December 6th, 2006--Village Pond Park 23102 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest





Weekly Report November 15th, 2006-- Big Canyon area of Upper Newport Bay off of Back Bay Drive







Weekly Report March 1st, 2006--Upper Newport Bay, Big Canyon area (east side)





Weekly Report February 15th, 2006--Lake Forest Golf and Practice Course near the 5th hole in the pond





Weekly Report January 25th, 2006--Garden Grove Community Center...nearby lake





Weekly Report January 4th, 2006--Upper Newport Bay






Weekly Report December 7th, 2005--Upper Newport Bay 4 males and one female






Weekly Report November 30th, 2005--Huntington Central Park East Side






Weekly Report November 23rd, 2005--Huntington Central Park, east side






Weekly Report November 16th, 2005--Upper Newport Bay at San Joaquin Hills Road and Back Bay Drive





Weekly Report November 9th, 2005--San Joaquin Hills Road and BackBay Drive.







Weekly Report November 2nd, 2005--Village Pond Park 23102 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest







Weekly Report October 26th, 2005--"the exit of Big Canyon, Upper Newport Bay"







Weekly Report October 12th, 2005--"an eclipse male EURASIAN WIGEON was at the end of San Joaquin Hills Road in Upper Newport Bay"







Weekly Report March 23, 2005 --Twin Lakes Park in Garden Grove







Weekly Report March 9, 2005--Laguna Niguel Regional Park, "last reported this morning (Wed) along the little stream near shelter #3" AND Upper Newport Bay







Weekly Report February 23, 2005--Laguna Niguel Regional Park near Shelter #7







Weekly Report February 16, 2005--"Upper Newport Bay, as many as 3 EURASIAN WIGEON were seen along Back Bay Drive"







Weekly Report February 9, 2005--Twin Lakes Park in Garden Grove Lampson and Haster





Weekly Report February 2, 2005--Laguna Niguel Regional Park and Twin Lakes Park







Weekly Report January 26, 2005--Upper Newport Bay







Weekly Report January 19, 2005--Village Pond Park
23102 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest






Weekly Report January 12, 2005--Village Pond Park 23102 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest



Weekly Report January 5, 2005--Upper Newport Bay



Weekly Report December 1, 2004--Village Pond Park (Lake Forest)



Weekly Report November 17, 2004--Back Bay Drive and San Joaquin Hills Rd in Upper Newport Bay






Weekly Report November 3, 2004--Upper Newport Bay--" two different EURASIAN WIGEONS were reported, one at the end of San Joaquin Hills Road, the other at the exit spillway of Big Canyon."





Weekly Report October 27, 2004--Upper Newport Bay







Weekly Report October 6, 2004--Laguna Niguel Regional Park







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Willet--Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Willet stretching and showing its flashy wing pattern.



Willets are large sandpipers. Like hawks, the female Willets are larger than the males. The Willet is gray in the winter and has dark barring in Spring. Juveniles are brownish with barring. It has a long, straight, dark bill. They can be described as nondescript. BirdWeb calls it "drab." However, two things about the Willet stand out. Its bold black-and-white wing patterns, and its loud call. It often flies away as it calls and people wonder "What kind of bird is that?!" Then it lands and fades into the background again. I really enjoy Willets. They are methodical in their feeding habits and it is fun to watch them in the pickleweed, in the mud, and on the beaches.



Willet wading in the water

They don't just walk on the mud, sand and pickleweed. They wade right in sometimes. Here is a gray Willet in winter plumage up to his wings in water.


Spring Willet checking out the aquatic snails.

Although Willets mainly eat aquatic invertebrates, they sometimes snag a few fish. They sometimes "plough their bills" through the water to catch small fish. They can be seen eating the little aquatic snails that litter the mudflats.



Willets and Marbled Godwits honker down in the pickleweed on a Breezy day at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

It is not unusual for Willets to hang out with other shore birds or terns and gulls. Willets, Marbled Godwits, American Avocets, and sometimes Black Skimmers can often be seen together at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and Upper Newport Bay.




Willet in one of its favorite places to forage: Pickleweed.


In addition to the beach, the pickleweed is the favorite place to hang out for Willets.









Willet on the Bolsa Chica Footbridge from OC Birder Girl on Vimeo.

This little Willet stayed on the footbridge railing for some time, but got skittish when a group started across the bridge. You can also hear the pigeons under the footbridge.


Willets migrate along the California Coast. They also remain here all year. Willets are listed as abundant at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Fall, Winter, and Spring. They drop in summer to common. From what I have read--other than isolated instances, Willets do not breed at Bolsa Chica or in Orange County or California, but many non-breeding individuals stay in Orange County year-round. If you have a resource that says anything different, please let me know.


Willet on the shore at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Western Willets breed inland. Their nests are hidden in the grass. The fathers play a prominent role, watching over the chicks until they are independent.



Willet getting into deeper water.


When you are out birding in the wetlands or at the beach, look for the nondescript gray bird with the bold wing pattern. Willets make the wetlands fun with their loud call and sudden flying. Once they start calling and flying, you can't miss them. There is nothing like seeing a group of them take off on a flight from one area to another. The reason is often apparent if you look up in the sky. You may see a Northern Harrier flying above.


Autumn colors in the pickleweed. A Willet forages at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.



Willet Foraging by the Bolsa Chica Bridge from OC Birder Girl on Vimeo.




Willet by the Bridge II from OC Birder Girl on Vimeo.





Willet by the Bridge III from OC Birder Girl on Vimeo.




OC Birder Girl Links



Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve



San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay



A Walk at Bolsa Chica



A Windy Walk at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary



Black-necked Stilt--Himantopus mexicanus


Killdeer--Charadrius vociferus


Foraging Spring Willet.

Up close and personal.




External Links and Resources



All About Birds: Willet


Detailed page on Willets.






Animal Diversity Web: Willet Pictures


Good shots of Willets in flight.






Birder's World: Willet



Great shot of a Willet in flight over Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. It appears to be carrying one of the many snails that live at and feed the birds at the Reserve.






BirdWeb: Willet


Good article form Seattle Audubon.


Identification of Willets (Tringa semipalmata)by Cin-Ty Lee

Natura-Aviflora's Cin-Ty Lee's terrific article on differentiating Eastern and Western Willets. Since Lee is a Texas birder, he gets to see both these birds and has some good pointers.


Raising a ruckus. He flew soon after.





Featured Photo: A Leucistic Willet in California


From the Sora archives. Note that no photo is included in the archived edition.

Nesting of the Western Willet in California

Short 1919 article about isolated nesting of Western Willets in Lassen County, California.



Southern Carolina Wildlife: Willet


Nice magazine article.




USGS: Willet


Short, but helpful article.





USGS: The Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds: Willets


Detailed study of grasslands and Willets. Good Bibliography.






VOCALIZATIONS AND BEHAVIOR OF THE WILLET

Very detailed examination of the Willet's vocalization.


WHEN DOES THE WILLET 'PLOUGH' THE WATER TO CATCH FISH?

Short article listed in Sora archive.




Which Willet?



Good article from Ocean Wanderers on differentiating the Eastern and Western Willet.





Nature Works: Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus


Nice article with good information and photos.






Willets in Flight


Post from the blog 1,000 birds. By a birder named Charlie Moores. Great shots and great details regarding identification of Willets in flight.




Willet checking out the water.



























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