I am not the most experienced birder around, but I have been birding for a long time. I will share what I know, and on occasion ask more experienced birders for advice. This was a page for questions and answers. *****I no longer take questions on this page, but if you do have a question please go to my Facebook page, and message me.***** There are some interesting questions here, but I find a lot of people prefer a private answer. Also I don't like to publish questions with identifying information for safety's sake. Also I do not give specific locations for certain birds like owls, hawks, or eagles because they are often harassed.
Question: Where can I buy bird feeders and bird food in Orange County?
Answer: Some bird feeders and wild bird food can be found in regular pet stores like Petsmart, Petco, and others. Target, Walmart, feed stores, and even some grocery stores. The best selection that I have seen can be found in Wildbird Unlimited. They have locations all over Orange County and the United States.
Question: Where can I buy bird feeders and bird food in Orange County?
Answer: Some bird feeders and wild bird food can be found in regular pet stores like Petsmart, Petco, and others. Target, Walmart, feed stores, and even some grocery stores. The best selection that I have seen can be found in Wildbird Unlimited. They have locations all over Orange County and the United States.
Question: Should I feed the ducks and geese in the park?
Answer: Short answer is no. The reason being that in the park lots and lots of people feed the ducks. It is just too much food. Parks end up with too many birds in one place that simply hasn't got enough food to sustain them. Fouled water from decaying food and too many birds results in algae growth and illness. Plus people feed ducks and geese the wrong kind of food. Breads like sandwich bread, tortillas, bagels, sweets and snacks like donuts, chips, and the like are processed foods that are not nutritious. The birds like those foods--just like you and I would--but it is no better for them than it is for us or our children. Many counties and cities have laws against feeding the birds for just those reasons. For more information, see my posts on Odd Ducks and Carr Park. Please note that feeding squirrels in the park is also prohibited in many parks and is not advisable due to the huge increase in population caused by feeding which can severely affect the delicate balance of nature. Also squirrels that are fed lose their fear of people and can become aggressive.
Question: What is the best way to learn about birds in Orange County?
Answer: I would say the best things to do are
1) Buy a good bird guide. I recommend
National Geographic
Sibley
or
Kenn Kaufman's Guide (Yeah, I know. Some people don't like him, but some beginners do.)
2) Join Sea and Sage Audubon or a chapter near you. Sea and Sage has classes, field trips, and lots of people willing to share their knowledge with you. You can't beat it.
Question: I have a question ...would like to correspond with you directly. Would it be possible for me to get a direct email address for you?
Answer: Unfortunately, I only answer questions through this column or Facebook. Since there are times people may not want to ask questions in a forum such as this or Facebook, but prefer to speak with someone or email them, here are several resources that may be helpful:
Since they manage a lot of nature areas, they often have a lot of good information regarding wildlife.
The premier University program about birds. Located in New York, but you can reach them through their website.
Orange County Bird of Prey Center Focuses on birds of prey.
Pacific Wildlife
Wildlife rescue in south Orange County.
Shipley Nature Center
Nature Center in Huntington Beach.
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife Sanctuary run by Sea and Sage in Irvine.
Sea and Sage Audubon
The local Audubon Society in Central and Northern Orange County. The only Orange County Audubon on the web.
Wildlife rescue in Huntington Beach.
Hope this is of help. If you wish to ask a confidential question, I would be happy to publish the answer.
Question: What happened to the water level in Huntington and Talbert Lakes at Huntington Central Park?
Answer: This is a question I get a lot. In fact, I wondered myself when last year, the water level in all the lakes and ponds at Central Park in Huntington Beach suddenly dropped. "Like someone pulled the plug" one of the docents at Shipley Nature Center said when I asked about it. The answer is in two parts and the parts are related. All the bodies of water in Huntington Central Park are fed by run off from the neighborhood that then sinks into the ground. Whether or not there is water in the park's ponds and lakes there depends on how high the water table is in the aqua filter below the park. During a drought the water level drops, consequently lakes and ponds disappear with only a muddy spot left to mark the spot. However, last year there was suddenly a lot of water even during the drought. But then suddenly as the docent said, the water level dropped "like someone pulled the plug." In a way, someone did. The water district can store water in aqua filters in the area, and last year it did just that in Huntington Central Park. But then the drought got worse and the water district came to get their water. What park goers saw when the water district took their water back was the sudden disappearance of the water in Huntington Central Park. So straight from a docent at Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Central Park, those are the facts behind the strange disappearance of the lakes and ponds in the park.
Question:
I'm wondering who the new birds in my backyard are. They are about the size of a blue bird. They have a brown body, black head and tail with a white tummy. They hop all about and like to kick up the leaves under the bushes. They have a hissing type of chirp sound. They are not bothered by anything, me my dog, even the coyote who came up to the glass fence. In fact they were pretty defensive when they saw him. Do you know what they are? They are cool little birds. Thanks, Steph :)
Answer:
Steph, Thanks for stopping by. My guess on this is the Spotted Towhee if you are out West and the Eastern Towhee if you are back east. Go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Spotted_Towhee_dtl.html See if that is what is in your back yard. There are other birds that kind of match your description, but are either too big or have different behaviors. The Spotted Towhee is usually not this bold, but he sure matches you description in appearance, size, and behavior. Let me know if that is the new bird in your backyard. Happy birding. :o)
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