Here is a summary of the second annual Puente-Chino Hills Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday December 31st, 2022. I would like to thank all of the volunteers who braved the elements in order to make this count a success.This is the first time (including the 2021 official and 2020 trial counts) the count has produced over 140 species.
Weather:
Temperature ranged between 51 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather was overcast throughout the day, and a handful of mid-morning showers brought 0.16 of rain during the count period. This rain discomfited counters, reducing visibility and making optics and equipment difficult to use, but did not appear to impact bird diversity and abundance. However the birds did not seem to mind, as healthy bird numbers and diversity were found at most locations, apart from a handful of sites that were visited during when precipitation was heaviest. By early afternoon conditions had markedly improved, and the few birders continuing to count enjoyed this overcast and cool but dry weather.
Inclement weather during the week before the count meant that trails within Chino Hills State Park were closed on the day
Participants:
Sixty birders participated in this years count, a sizable increase from last years 43. This meant that, with a couple of exceptions, almost all routes were able to be covered prior to the expected afternoon rains (which largely failed to materialize). Birders ranged in skill level from beginners to experts; many reside within or near the circle, but others traveled from as far away as Ventura and San Diego counties to take part.
Results:
With all checklists (to my knowledge) submitted,our provisional species tally stands at 143 species (plus 5 non-countable exotics: Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, Muscovy Duck, Swinhoes White-eye, and Pin-tailed Whydah). This is an increase on last years 137 (a total which included exotics). Yellow-rumped Warbler was the most abundant species tallied on the count, with 1846 individuals (compared with 1131 last year). 1000+ counts were also posted for American Coot (1255), Mallard (1032), House Finch (1022), and White-crowned Sparrow (1002).
Of special note were an incredible 731 American Robins widely distributed across the count circle. This compares to only 12 during last years count, an increase of over six thousand percent!
In comparison, 19 species were represented by a single individual on the count.
Highlights
Highlights of the count included:
Snow Goose: 3 at Tri-City Park in Fullerton
Cackling Goose: 1 at Anaheim Coves park
Eurasian Wigeon: 3 (singles at Walnut Canyon Reservoir, along the Santa Ana River between Yorba Linda Blvd. and Imperial Hwy, and at Pearson Park
Canvasback 13
11 at Arnold Reservoir, Los Angeles County
2 at Anaheim Lake
Common Goldeneye: 4 along Santa Ana River between Yorba Linda Blvd. and Imperial Hwy
Hooded Merganser: 7 (6 at Coyote Hills Golf Course, 1 at Santiago Oaks Regional Park)
Wilsons Snipe: 5 at the Associated Road wetlands
Lesser Yellowlegs: 1 along Santa Ana River between Lincoln Ave. and Taft Ave.
Ferruginous Hawk: 1 at Vellano Park, San Bernardino County
Bald Eagle: 2 along the Santa Ana River between Imperial Hwy. and Tustin Ave.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Red-naped Sapsucker: 1 at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Lewiss Woodpecker: 1 at Rolling M. Ranch in Chino Hills State Park San Bernardino County
Loggerhead Shrike: 1 at Arnold Reservoir
Mountain Chickadee: 1 at Pelanconi Park
Golden-crowned Kinglet: 2 at Hiltscher Park, Fullerton
Grasshopper Sparrow: 1 along the Olinda Oil Museum Trail
Pink-sided Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at Craig Regional Park
Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco: 1 at Craig Regional Park
White-throated Sparrow: 4 (singles at Craig Regional Park, near Panorama Nature Preserve, in Weir Canyon Nature Preserve, and along Overlook Trail, San Bernardino County)
Bullocks Oriole: 1 along Dominguez Ranch Trail, Yorba Linda
Black-throated Gray Warbler: 1 at Tri-City Park
Yellow Warbler: 1 at Riverdale Park
Western Tanager: 1 at Juanita Cooke Trail, Fullerton
Notable Misses:
Greater Roadrunner (possible in Chino Hills or Santa Ana foothills, but uncommon)
Mitred Parakeet (usually roosts near Orange Metrolink Station, but did not show on Friday)
Mountain Bluebird (possible in Chino Hills grasslands)
Purple Finch (possible in woodland in Chino Hills)
Great-tailed Grackle (guess someone will have to be on afternoon cruising food court parking lot duty next time)
A trip report of the CBC can be found here . I hope to see you all at next weeks count, hopefullyin much better weather!

Good birding,
Samuel Bressler
Fullerton