OC Birder Girl

Sunday, October 19, 2008

A Study in White

Filled to the brim with fish and birds.

I went walking one morning at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve before the crowds got there. As the tides go in and out, they form various temporary ponds. This one above was evidently filled with fish. There were 60 plus birds feeding out of this one little pond. Almost all the birds were white: Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, American Avocets in winter plumage. It was quite a sight.

Coming up to the pond at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Look at that crowd!

I have never seen a sight like this before.

In the early morning light.

Study in White from OC Birder Girl on Vimeo.

I came back later on the way out of the Reserve, and they were almost all gone. Like the temporary ponds that form in the tides, the birds come and go depending on the food and the tides. You never know what you will see and when while birding in Orange County. It is an adventure.

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Monday, October 13, 2008

The Santa Ana Winds

Channel 8 Weather man gives brief explanation of Santa Ana Winds

With the Santa Ana winds picking up, I thought I would check out some facts behind the winds.

Brief Explanation from the Weather Channel

If you live in Southern California--especially the Los Angeles, Orange, or Riverside counties, you have experienced the Santa Ana Winds.

The Weather Channel describes Santa Ana Winds this way:

"SANTA ANA WINDS
The hot, dry winds, generally from the east, that funnel through the Santa Ana river valley south of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains in southern California, including the Los Angeles basin...."

Next time you feel those hot, dry winds you might remember more about it. Remember, too, that the Santa Anas often bring some interesting birding our way. Bird in all weather as long as it is safe, and you will find some interesting and even rare birds. Have fun birding in Orange County in all kinds of weather!

External Links and Resources

Meterology Online

UCLA: The Santa Ana Winds FAQ

University of San Diego: Santa Ana

Wind

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Whistling Wintering Wigeons Are Back

Carr Park in Huntington Beach

I went to Carr Park in Huntington Beach with the goal of seeing if American Wigeons had returned. They disappear sometime in Spring to go to their nesting grounds. Neighborhood ponds had become very boring without the wintering waterfowl. Just Mallards and American Coots.

Canada Goose

I saw lots of Mallards, American Coots, and Canada Geese.

Mallards

I looked carefully and saw no American Wigeons.

Keeping an eye on me.

Strange-looking Mallard-Muscovy hybrid?

I saw some strange ducks, but no American Wigeons.

And lots of Mallards.

Then I heard it. I thought. Was that a American Wigeons whistle?

Male and Female Mallard.

I carefully scanned the lake and the edge of the lake. Nothing.

One lone American Wigeons.

I saw one at the far side of the lake. But then I heard more and more whistling. I kept walking around the lake. Then as I rounded the corner, there they were.

American Wigeons at last.

At last. American Wigeons have returned.

Now it really feels like fall. I have missed these whistling Wigeons. The few months without them made the lakes feel really tame. Next on the list of fall and winter migrants: Northern Shovelers and Red-breasted Merganser. The stray Eurasian Wigeon . Who says we don't have seasons in Southern California?

OC Birder Girl Links to Other Parks with Lakes

Greer Park Lake View

Huntington Central Park

Irvine Regional Park in Orange, California

Mason Regional Park

Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa

Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California

Bird Walks and Nature Programs in Orange County

OC Birder Girl Links of Interest

American White Pelicans

Black-crowned Night Heron

Double-crested Cormorant