Ask the OC Birder Girl

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: 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:

California Department of Fish and Game

Since they manage a lot of nature areas, they often have a lot of good information regarding wildlife.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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.

Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center

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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Cinnamon Teal--Anas cyanoptera

Male and Female Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teals are year-round residents of Southern California and Orange County. They are a native American species. A cinnamon, reddish-brown duck, it is small in comparison to the Mallard. The Cinnamon Teal male has orange-red eyes.

Notice how big the Mallard looks. This is a normal-sized Mallard, not a hybrid. The photograph was taken at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cinnamon Teals are dabbling ducks. They spend a lot of their time head-down in the water. They come up for air and then, down again into the muddy water. "Just try and get a picture!" they seem to quack. It took me at least six months to get a clear picture of a Cinnamon Teal with its head up. I had their necks, their backs, and their butts, but the whole duck eluded me. How did I finally get the shots? Patience, patience, patience. Birding is a lot like photography. If you want the really good sightings or photographs, you stay and watch and wait. Finally, you will be rewarded.

Most of my pictures looked like this in the beginning.

The bill which you don't see when it is dabbling is reminiscent of the Northern Shoveler. It is big for a smaller bird, and pretty handy, too. So what are these little ducks dabbling for? The Cinnamon Teal eats roots, insects, mollusks, and seeds. It frequently forages in the shallow water , but also on the land. It dabbles on the surface like the Northern Shoveler or head down in the water like the Northern Pintail. Unlike diving ducks, dabbling ducks aren't doing any underwater swimming. They have smaller feet than ducks like Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead Ducks, and Surf Scoters because they don't need built in paddles to propel them beneath the surface. The nickname of "puddle duck" for dabbling ducks is an apt one even if they are found in water somewhat deeper than a puddle. You won't find them in the middle of a lake or deep river. They are in the shallow water dabbling on the surface or just below it for those seeds and roots, mollusks, or insects.

Preening those eye-catching feathers. (Green-winged Teal behind.)

Cinnamon Teals can be found in places with water since that is where they mostly feed. They like marshes, lakes, ponds, estuaries that have food they can eat and shelter. Ponds and lakes or other bodies of water with no vegetation probably won't attract a Cinnamon Teal. It is usually not the sort to be found in a neighborhood park or even a woodsy regional park. They are definitely wilder than the average Mallard or American Wigeon. So where in Orange County would you see Cinnamon Teals?

Cinnamon Teals in a seasonal puddle outside San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Riverside County.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Newport Back Bay, and other areas like those would be the most likely environments. You might also find them along rivers like the Santa Ana River as long as it is location with both food and shelter.

Dabbling in one of the duck ponds at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Notice the black pattern on the back. The female has a similar lighter pattern.

Remember that male Cinnamon Teals are only Cinnamon part of the year. During a brief time from July to September (Sibley) the males look much like the female, but with a warmer brown and the characteristic orange-red eyes. Notice, too, that the Cinnamon Teal male is not all cinnamon, but has a patterned black back.

Pair of Cinnamon Teals

Cinnamon Teals are highly sought after by hunters, but being a small bird and a fast bird with unpredictable turns in flight, they are hard to shoot. Cinnamon Teals cannot be hunted in the Orange County locations listed in this post.

Male and female dabbling in shallow water. Notice the broken eye ring on the female. Notice also that she does not have a red eye.

Ducks in general tend to hybridize, but Cinnamon Teals are well known for hybridizing with Blue-winged Teals, so you may see hybrids in the area. So what do they look like? Well, they are variable. Many look a little bit like both. You might see a cinnamon colored bird somewhat like the Cinnamon Teal with a crescent on its face like the Blue-winged Teal. There are some links below that have pictures of hybrids.

Cinnamon Teals draw attention.

The Cinnamon Teal draws attention wherever it goes. It really is a beauty. Get familiar with all the plumages so you can id it in Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall. Then when you are out birding the OC, you may just see our resident California native, the Cinnamon Teal.



A Male Cinnamon Teal


Compare duck sizes and know what to expect.

Male and female Cinnamon Teal at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Duck Size

Cinnamon Teal 16" long Wingspan 22"

Blue-winged Teal 15.5 " long Wingspan 24"

Green-winged Teal 14 " long Wingspan 23"

American Wigeon 20 " long Wingspan 32"

Northern Shoveler 19" long Wingspan 30"

Northern Pintail 21" long Wingspan 32"

Mallard 23 " long Wingspan 35"

Male Cinnamon Teal at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

OC Birder Girl Links

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Other Dabbling Ducks (Puddle Ducks)

American Wigeon

Mallards

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler--Anas clypeata

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

External Links

All About Birds

Detailed article on the Cinnamon Teal includes photographs, description, range, food, behavior, cool facts, and more.

Animal Diversity Web: Cinnamon Teal

Very detailed information on the Cinnamon Teal including geographic range, photographs, sounds, physical description, habitat, food, reproduction, lifespan, ecosystem roles, conservation status, and more.

Nature Works: Cinnamon Teal

Great information and pictures from New Hampshire's Public Television's Nature Works. Includes diet, range, life cycle, and behavior.

US Geological Survey: Cinnamon Teal

Short, but informative article on the Cinnamon Teal.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Short article about the Cinnamon Teal.

The Great Backyard Count: Totals for Cinnamon Teals

Totals over the years of Cinnamon Teals in California from the Audubon Society. Orange County cities included.

Searchable Ornithological Research Archive

Search Sora for articles about the Cinnamon Teal. There are over 500 articles.

Arizona Field Ornithologists (AZFO)

Take a look at this interesting hybrid and the explanation for it.

Backyard Cam: Cinnamon Teal Hybrid

Pat's Backyard Cam is a great site. Check out this Cinnamon Teal Hybrid, and don't forget to check out the rest of her site at Pat's Backyard Cam.

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Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve sign at the end of San Joaquin Hills Road

This is one of the places I used to frequent when I started birding in Orange County back in the 1980's. We called it Newport Back Bay. The notations in my old birding field guide say "NBB." This is a wonderful place to bird watch with habitats such as open water, mudflat, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh/pond, riparian, and upland (bluffs, cliffs, and mesas). (See the Upper Newport Bay page on its habitats for more information.) The Back Bay road is often closed if it is raining or has rained recently. This is because area streams and nearby community run off flow through the Newport Back Bay on its way to the ocean. When it rains the water starts flowing in quickly, and things can get a bit wet.

There are many ways to enter The Upper Newport Ecological Reserve which is located in the City of Newport Beach, California:

Newport Back Bay as a storm rolled in. I got in the car and on the road just in time to avoid a major soaking. Note: Lots of rain will cause the closure of Back Bay Drive.

How to get to Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in Newport Beach:

1) The most common entrance is from Jamboree. You go south on Jamboree to San Joaquin Hills Road and turn right. Go all the way until it dead ends at Back Bay Drive. You can park on the side of the road on San Joaquin Hills Road. You will be on the East side of the reserve entering in the lower side of Back Bay Drive. You can walk either to the left or the right on Back Bay Drive.

One of a pair of Osprey that nest at Newport Back Bay.

I like to walk left on Back Bay Drive toward the Science Center on Shellmaker and get a look at the Osprey who are usually down at that end. You can also see Kingfishers on the signs across the marsh by the marina. Also common on that end are Red-Tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers , Common Yellowthroats , Brown Pelicans (in fall and winter), Turkey Vultures soaring overhead, Great Blue Herons , Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black Skimmers , American Avocets, Black Phoebes, and much more. (Note that the Science Center is not open to the public except by appointment. You cannot just walk in.) Then I get back in my car, turn right on Back Bay Drive and drive to the midway parking lot which is on the left of Back Bay Drive midway between San Joaquin Hills Road and East Bluff Drive. Then I bird watch a little, get back in the car, and drive to the top of Back Bay. I turn left on Eastbluff Drive and left on Jamboree.

Black Skimmers often sit on the shore just past the midway parking lot. That's an American Avocet front middle (black and white) and a Willet (gray) far right and and a Marbled Godwit (patterned brown) to the left of the Avocet in front of the Black Skimmers.

Then there is second way in to the Back Bay:

Common sight: Turkey Vulture soaring overhead on clean up patrol.

2) South on Jamboree, right on Eastbluff Drive. You will be at the top of Newport Back Bay. Park on the right side of Eastbluff. Walk up the hill toward Back Bay Drive. There is a look out point on the corner of Eastbluff and Back Bay Drive. You can walk down Back Bay Drive. Be careful of the cars and bicycles coming toward you. (The one-way vehicle traffic on Back Bay Drive is slow, but many people are watching the Back Bay and won't be looking at you. Make sure you look out for them. Bicycles can be going either way. Stay on the right side of the road --by the bay--if you are on foot.)

The happy Osprey couple. This is the second year of nesting at the Back Bay.

3) You can go south on Jamboree, right on San Joaquin Hills Road, right on Back Bay Drive, and drive up the whole way--stopping at the parking lot about midway through the drive. You end up at East Bluff Drive. Turn left onto Eastbluff Drive and left onto Jamboree. This is a nice drive for those who don't want to walk that far, but want to see the Back Bay. (Since this section of Back Bay Drive from San Joaquin Hills Road to East Bluff Drive is a one-way street, you cannot enter from East Bluff Drive. Entering from East Bluff Drive would be the wrong way on this one-way street.)

A Red-Tailed Hawk surveying the area near the Muth Interpretive Center off Irvine Avenue.

4) Some people like to walk on the less traveled side of the Back Bay. The good thing about this side is that it is a bit less crowded. There are streams and marsh and riparian habitat and lots of variety on this side. This is--in general-- the drier side of the Newport Back Bay. You will see Common Yellowthroats, White-crowned Sparrows, Black Phoebes, Red-Tailed Hawks that you can get a really good look at, Turkey Vultures, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, Hummingbirds of several kinds, ducks of several kinds, American Coots, grebes, and more. More land birds, but less water birds--especially less shore birds, herons, and egrets. Traveling south on the 55 Freeway, exit on Fair and Del Mar (same exit as Vanguard University). You will drive a short distance to get to Del Mar after you exit the freeway. Turn left on Del Mar and drive for almost a mile. Cross Irvine Avenue. Newport Ecological Preserve is on your right. Look for the parking lot. Stop at the Muth Interpretive Center and get a trail map. Take a little time to look at the great exhibits.

Wintering and resident waterfowl congregating in a water channel in the marsh by Back Bay Dr. Mallard in front, Northern Pintails , an American Coot , and back left are two Green-winged Teals, and in the very back is a Lesser Scaup.

Newport Ecological Reserve is the Upper Newport Bay and the surrounding wetlands and related areas. (A more detailed explanation of the complex Newport Back Bay is below.) Upper Newport Bay includes many types of environments. When you walk on the east side of the Reserve, you will see mostly wetlands and large water areas of estuary. The west side has little streams through the wetlands, and distant views of the estuary section of the Back bay, but mostly riparian and mesa habitats. So what is an estuary you might ask. Well, it is a place where fresh and salt water mix. The Upper Newport Bay combines the fresh water from streams, channels, and other runoff with the ocean currents to produce a nutritious estuary environment for all kinds of wildlife.

Osprey with a fish. It ate for a long time--it was a big fish. You can must see a bit of the tail to the right of the pole.

This Newport Beach estuary is a rich place for all kinds of wildlife from microscopic animals to fish, to osprey, to herons, egrets, ducks, rails, warblers, shorebirds of all kinds, Pelicans, hawks, falcons, coyotes, and a bobcat or two. You never know what you might find here. It is a great place for resident species, for migrants needing a place to stay, and for wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. The Upper Newport Bay is surrounded by marsh, water channels, riparian habitat, and mesa. The variety of habitat draws a variety of wildlife to the reserve. According to the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve website, on any winter day, up to 30,000 birds may be seen at Upper Newport Bay. That's a lot of birds.

Lesser Scaups wintering at the Back Bay. Headed in for a drink and a bath.

The Newport Back Bay is actually two wildlife areas in one. First there is the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve which is the main estuary and surrounding marsh and is managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Later came the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve consisting of 140 acres of bluffs and other land surrounding on the north and northwest side of the original UNB Ecological Reserve. This additional acquisition was county land dedicated as an Orange County Regional Park called Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. The county's Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve (140 acres) and the original state Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve (752 acres) together total 892 acres. In a testimony to cooperation, the City of Newport Beach also assists in preserving and maintaining the Back Bay.

Anna's Hummingbird scanning the area above the Muth Center.

The Upper Newport Bay has many kinds of birds including several kinds of Hummingbirds. This Anna's, shown above was spotted outside the Muth Center. This side of the Preserve has many flowers, and lots of places for hummers to sit and survey the area.

Common Yellowthroat in the habitat near the path down to the Muth Interpretive Center.

Over 90 bird species are listed as common in the Upper Newport Bay with even more that are not common. Common birds include grebes, pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, ducks, vultures, hawks, falcons, rails and coots, plovers, stilts and avocets, sandpipers, gulls and terns, Black Skimmers, pigeons and doves, hummingbirds, owls, swifts, flycatchers, swallows, crows and ravens, bushtits, wrens, kinglets, gnatcatchers, mockingbirds, pipits, shrikes, starlings, warblers, sparrows, blackbirds, and finches. The Upper Newport Bay is one of the premier birding hotspots of Orange County. It is a wonderful place to bird watch. Birders flock here to see birds year round. Check out Sea and Sage Audubon's Monthly Census of Birds at the Upper Newport Bay for more details .

Allen's Hummingbird watching his territory. On the trail from Muth Interpretive Center up toward Jamboree. This hummer is not listed as a common bird, yet it can be seen at Newport Back Bay.

In addition to birds, the Upper Newport Bay is home to at least one Bobcat, several Coyotes, and lots of smaller mammals as well. They have named one Bobcat "Babe." She had babies last year, so you know there are more around than just "Babe." It is illegal to release domestic animals such as turtles or other pets in this wildlife reserve. Domestic animals can endanger the plants, animals, and fish at the Back Bay. Although dogs are allowed on-leash on many trails, they cannot be off-leash at all in the Back Bay. Letting your dog off-leash in the Back Bay can result in hefty fines. In addition, be alert because there are trails that forbid dogs on-leash or off-leash at the Back Bay.

A channel winding through the wetlands.

The Upper Newport Bay has two educational centers. The Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay and the Back Bay Science Center (by appointment only). The Muth Interpretive Center is awesome. It has many displays and lots of multimedia exhibits. The docents are very helpful. Check out my post on the Muth Center for more details. The Science Center is very hands on and very student oriented. The Science Center also tests the water quality in its lab. It is dedicated to research and education. It has scientific displays and activities. Again, the Science Center is only open by appointment. You cannot walk in.

Great Egret fishing in a channel among the grasses.

This is a wonderful place to go birding. There are many habitats and a variety of birds to see in this beautiful place. In addition to birding, many people go walking, jogging, cycling, and skating at the Upper Newport Bay. There are paved roads on both sides of the Upper Bay where these activities are common. The bikes can get pretty fast so stay alert especially on Back Bay.

A view of the marsh.

All of us who enjoy the Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach, California owe a heartfelt thank you to Frances and Frank Robinson and the other citizens of Orange County who fought long and hard to preserve the Newport Back Bay for their generation and the generations to follow. Without those who fought the entities that wanted to develop the Back Bay into another cookie-cutter commercial marina, we would not have this natural treasure today. So when you are at the Back Bay and see Great Blue Herons, the Great Egrets, the Black Skimmers, Red-Tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Brown Pelicans, and the other 200 species that come through this estuary and the surrounding tidal wetlands and bluffs each year, say a silent thank you to those who made sure that we could stand here today. Thank you from all of us.

The wetlands at low tide. A great time for shorebirds to get squiggly goodies out of the mud.


There are many birds to see at various times of year at the Upper Newport Bay. It is a major stop over for migrants and a wintering spot for many herons, egrets, grebes, mergansers, ducks, and many more water birds. See below for a video showing different birds at the Upper Newport Bay.

You Tube Video--Birds of Upper Newport Bay, California

Check out the map below to see how you can get to the Upper Newport Bay for an awesome day of birding in Orange County.

View Larger Map

OC Birder Girl Links

Birds

The Wild Ducks of Orange County

American Avocet--Recurvirostra americana

American Coot--Fulica americana

American Wigeon

Brown Pelicans--Pelecanus occidentalis

Eared Grebe--Podiceps nigricollis

Great Blue Heron--Ardea herodias

Great Egret--Ardea alba

Mallards

Marbled Godwit--Limosa fedoa

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler--Anas clypeata

Osprey--Pandion haliaetus

Snowy Egret--Egretta thula

Turkey Vultures--Cathartes aura

Western Grebes--Aechmophorus occidentalis

Other Wetlands

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve



San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary




Other OC Birder Girl Posts


Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay







External Links



Upper Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends

Official home of Upper Newport Bay. Website of many organizations about Upper Newport Bay.




Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve

County of Orange site about the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Preserve and the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Preserve.


Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

The Interpretive Center at Newport Back Bay. It is a not-to-be-missed educational multimedia experience about the Back Bay.



Back Bay Science Center

The Back Bay Science Center is a wonderful science experience for children. You may visit by appointment only. Many schools have field trips to the center.

Sea and Sage Audubon Monthly Newport Backbay Census

See what the latest stats are for birds at the Newport Back Bay.










For those who asked, this is the camera I am using currently. It is a reasonably priced camera midway between a point and shoot and a more complex manual camera. Check it out on Amazon.com:

Click on the picture above to go straight to Amazon.com and check out the cameras and other great birding equipment.

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