I was disappointed to read that "three experienced Sea and Sage birders" told Ron that American Robins are not found in Orange County. It is so easy to get information about status and distribution of local birds from eBird and from a book called "The Birds of Orange County, CA: Status and Distribution" by Robb Hamilton and Doug Willick. I suggest that every birder here in OC should have the latter book which is available for sale at Audubon House (after it reopens when its safe from the pandemic). Page 47 clearly shows the robin as fairly common in every month of the year. The distribution bar graphs make it very simple to see when a bird is here in the county.
This story reminds us to be careful about who we trust for our source of birding information. Mere membership in Sea and Sage Audubon may not be enough. Be sure to refer to trusted biologists like Robb and Doug for your birding information!
PS To Ron, please let your three friends know that they need to buy this book! :-)

PSS Remember that all purchases from the Sea and Sage Audubon House support our important birding projects.
Trude Hurd Project Director of Education Sea and Sage Audubon Society
      
          

              
                   On Friday, April 10, 2020, 03:25:41 PM PDT, Ron Grabyan  wrote:
              
              

              

               Since we have a slowdown in birding, I am taking this opportunity to address one of my favorite birds, the American Robin.  This bird has been visiting my neighborhood every year between February and July. It leaves usually by early July.  There are several locations in a  mile stretch of greenbelt and homes in the Turtle Rock Glen, Turtle Rock, Irvine, Ca area (near UCI).  Three of the photos were taken in my backyard.  I was told over the last 3 years by 3 very experienced and well-respected Sea & Sage birders that the American Robin isnt found in Orange County, and they have never seen one here.  Since I started photographing birds in 2014, and then became more involved in birding in 2017 by taking several of Sylvias classes, I thought I would photo-document the American Robin in my neighborhood (just 2 miles from the San Joaquin Marsh) for 2018, 2019, and 2020.  They just arrived in the last week for this yearat least the first I had heard or seen them yet this year.  Their call/song is very distinctive and carries a long distancevery soulful. Please see below:
American Robin
Turtle Rock Glen, Turtle Rock, Irvine, CA
Found in 2018, 2019, and 2020 between the months of January and July only.
The following birds were logged into eBird with photos for documentation:

4/10/2020  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222359651  33 38' 46.04" N, 117 48' 53.11" W
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222359681

6/7/2019  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222368451  33 38' 45.71" N, 117 48' 37.95" W

5/30/2019  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222367761  33 38' 40.44" N, 117 48' 32.26" W

4/23/2018  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222366041  33 38' 46.2" N, 117 48' 52.8" W

3/29/2018  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222363301  33 38' 46.2" N, 117 48' 52.8" W

1/30/2018  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/222362361  33 38' 46.2" N, 117 48' 52.8" W

Another typical location for American Robin in this locality is 33 38' 46.04" N, 117 48' 53.11" W (this is very near the corner of Turtle Rock Drive and Starcrest).
I photographed a hooded Oriole there this morning.

The habitat is an Irvine greenbelt with trees, bushes, shrubs and grass.  Typical trees are Sycamore, Pine, Alder, Liquid Amber, English Birch, etc.
Typical bushes are Xylosma and Indian Hawthorne, etc.

Typical Birds in this area are as follows (seen at some time during the year):

American Robin              T urkey Vulture   Pacific Slope Flycatcher 
California Quail               Red-shouldered Hawk   Black Phoebe 
Mourning Dove  Red-tailed Hawk   Cassins Kingbird
White-throated Swift           White-tailed Kite  Western Kingbird
Annas Hummingbird  Great Horned Owl  American Crow
Allens Hummingbird           Nuttalls Woodpecker  Bushtit
Great Egret                  Acord Woodpecker            Northern Mockingbird
Western Bluebird  Cedar Waxwing               House Sparrow
House Finch                  Lesser Goldfinch             W hite-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow                California Towhee  Spotted Towhee
Hooded Oriole  Orange-crowned Warbler       Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler         Black-throated Gray Warbler     House Wren

I am sure others have Orange County localities for the American Robin also......everyone stay safe and virus-free!!!
Ron Grabyan
Irvine, California