Because I spend most of my time on land management, I wanted to learn more about perceived bird declines. With many of you showing interest and concern about missing birds, I was driven to a deeper dive and heres
what I found, info Im sure many are aware of:

1.
See attached papers there have been serious bird population declines:

2019 Science paper: net loss approaching 3 billion birds, or 29% of 1970 abundance

2021 research indicates insect and associated insectivorous bird declines

2.
Some bird populations are doing great of course, but serious declines in many others as some of you all have observed. Since several of you mentioned absence of or fewer orioles, I hit the eBird trend analysis page again:

Bullocks Oriole
-30% throughout much of SoCal (2007-2021)
https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/bulori/trends-map

But Hooded Oriole populations show an increasing trend 2007-2021
https://science.ebird.org/en/status-and-trends/species/hooori/trends-map

Sandy DeSimone, Ph.D.
Director - Research, Education and Land Management
949.858.0309

Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary
100 Bell Canyon Rd
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
www.starr-ranch.org

It looks to me like a bird was here for a while, but all the feathers almost looks like it was predated
I was looking for a bird with gray feathers. Could it be a California Thrasher
DeeDee

      
      
          
              
              
                   On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 02:42:16 PM PDT, DeSimone, Sandy  wrote:
              
              

              

              

All  one of our young Starr Ranch field assistants, Rocio Dominguez-Romo, was out in a grassland fighting weeds this afternoon, and she sent me these two photos
and asked if this is a birds nest. Looks strange to me. No nest structure, feathers dont look to me like a Grasshopper Sparrow (weve had a couple of nesting pairs some years in this site). Anyone have an idea what Rocio saw Thanks for your help. Sandy
DeSimone

Sandy DeSimone, Ph.D.
Director - Research, Education and Land Management
949.858.0309

Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary
100 Bell Canyon Rd
Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
www.starr-ranch.org


   
    
     
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Hi all! Odinn and I just saw a Baltimore Oriole at MSP high in a tree in the parking lot north of the archery range (here
33.7265097, -117.9391692). Also observed Bullock's and Hooded Orioles at the same time.

Michael Layton
Costa Mesa

Early this evening (3/31/2023) three FOS orioles visited my backyard: an adult male Bullock's Oriole, and an adult male and female Hooded Oriole. Unfortunately, I had yet to put out my nectar feeder, so they did not linger. I have since made up a batch of sugar water, and hung up the nectar feeder in the backyard. Hopefully, the orioles will return tomorrow. I still need to purchase grape jelly and dried meal worms, which they also love eating.
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Sue Foster
Laguna Niguel

FOS Hooded Oriole (mature male) today at our backyard jelly feeder. Very skittish as they usually are until they start to have kids to support and they get more bold. Nice to see this flash of bright color on this gloomy afternoon.

John Newlander
Laguna Beach

We had our first Hooded oriole, a male, on the 16th. He has been a regular visitor to my hummer feeders. I have oranges out but no jelly yet as Smart & Final had none at all. He is calling from our huge Bird of Paradise in the back yard awaiting the arrival of the ladies.
My resident House Wren is constantly calling next to the birch box he fledged four chicks from last summer. Also of note, my Bluebirds are checking out their box again in the palm tree.
Spring is definitely here!
Debbie Hanson Yorba Linda

      
      
          
              
              
                   On Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 01:03:57 PM PDT, Braxton Landsman via groups.io  wrote:
              
              

              

               I had my FOS Hooded and Bullocks Orioles yesterday at Russel Cook Park in San Juan Capistrano. All birds were adult males, 3 Bullocks and 1 Hooded, all in the same two eucs.
On Mar 18, 2023, at 12:56 PM, DeeDee via groups.io  wrote:

Wow! There must be many coming all at once! Everyone keep your eyes open!

DeeDee Gollwitzer
On Mar 18, 2023, at 12:54 PM, Pete Gordon  wrote:

Good afternoon

FOS in our yard, Hooded Oriole, adult male, arrived at our jelly feeder just a few minutes ago. Spring is here. Welcome home.

Pete Gordon
Foothill Ranch, CA

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--
Pete Gordon
Foothill Ranch, CA

--
Braxton Landsman(BAL Land from eBird)
Ladera Ranch

balbhl@...

Wooohoo! Thanks for sharing Steve!
I have never seen a flock migrate, but if they appear like this and spread out, it would be interesting to know how many were together.

DeeDee Gollwitzer Laguna Hills

   
    
     
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I saw one at Aurora Park yesterday.
Good birding,
Steve Sosensky

Mobile@...

818-522-5261
   
    
     
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Inspired by all of the oriole postings, I checked out my oriole feeder here in Irvine and just saw a FOS female Hooded Oriole! Thanks all for the heads up!
Phyllis Anderson Irvine, Ca.

I had my FOS Hooded and Bullocks Orioles yesterday at Russel Cook Park in San Juan Capistrano. All birds were adult males, 3 Bullocks and 1 Hooded, all in the same two eucs.

   
    
     
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I heard orioles travel here in flocks. Can't wait to see them in lake forest.

Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android

Wow! There must be many coming all at once! Everyone keep your eyes open!

DeeDee Gollwitzer

   
    
     
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Good afternoon

FOS in our yard, Hooded Oriole, adult male, arrived at our jelly feeder just a few minutes ago. Spring is here. Welcome home.

Pete Gordon
Foothill Ranch, CA

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Pete Gordon
Foothill Ranch, CA

Greetings Everyone,
I had my first male Hooded Oriole come to one of my Hummingbird feeders just now!
I have a friend who just saw one in Laguna Beach also!
Here is a quick photo I took through the kitchen window. Click on it to blow it up.
Southern California - USWildlifeImages

So glad they are back!
Cheers,
DeeDee Gollwitzer Laguna HIlls

The season of American Robin abundance reached our street in Capo Beach this week.....Counted 11 in our yard today eating juniper berries....33 years in Capo;first time we've had Robins in our yard....Also had our 1st Hooded Oriole of the year this afternoon...Tim Ryan Capistrano Beach