Sorry to hijack this thread, but this is as good an opportunity as any to point out to everybody that birds identified by Merlin Sound ID only should not be reported on eBird checklists or otherwise unless independently verified by the birder either visually or through a diagnostic vocalization *in the field*. Unfortunately, Merlin has a bad habit of misidentifying common birds, and there has been a spate of eBird checklists in Orange County lately with multitudes of birds reported with only the comments that they were identified by Merlin, many of which were rarities. Merlin does have its upsides, but I feel that there are too many people who consider its identifications to be the final word or the gospel or whatever you want to call it. They're not. I've run personal tests against it myself and it was pulling out random rarities that I know were not there. This is not to discourage people from using Merlin Sound ID, although I personally am not a fan due to the amount of misuse that I see, but all users of this app should always try to independently verify any bird reported on it for themselves. Scanning the list of birds at the end of a recording and adding them on to an eBird checklist, especially any birds that weren't actually detected in the field by the observer, should not be done and is not how the app was intended to be used.
Thank you, Drew, for taking the ID with a grain of salt. I was recently told by Sherry Meddick that Merlin Sound ID misidentifies Lazuli Buntings as Indigo Buntings nearly every day at her house in Silverado Canyon.

I will now step down from my soapbox...

   
    
     
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Hi all,
Should be noted that the songs of Indigo and Lazuli Bunting are very similar.
Regards, Ed Stonick
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
   
    
     
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Hi Trish,
Multiple stanzas of varying pitches, along with a blue head, literally sounds like a Lazuli Bunting.
regards, Jim Pike HB
   
    
     
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For those interested, a RBNU is still present at Laguna Niguel Regional Park (11:15a). It is feeding in the lower and middle sections of the Live-oaks at the SE corner of LOT I. It even called a little bit. This is the furthest you can drive in the park, past the lake. Very near from where the Am. Redstart was a month ago. Also a few Lazuli Buntings and more common stuff.

Robert McNab
Laguna Niguel

This morning I walked the Harding Truck Trail out of Modjeska Canyon. It was very productive. The big surprise was the number of Lazuli buntings. I've never seen so many at this location before; seems like it may be an irruptive year for them. I clearly saw at least ten, but heard many more, beginning around the Cleveland National Forest sign and continuing thru where I stopped around the two mile marker.

Also of interest were an ash-throated flycatcher, Pacific coast flycatcher, Lincoln's sparrow, rufous-crowned sparrow, black-chinned sparrows (beginning around 1.5 miles up the trail), a Nashville warbler, and finally a Plumbeous vireo, the latter seen right around the entry gate to the trail. It seemed to have a bit of yellow on the flanks so it may have been a Cassin's, but its song more closely matched that of a Plumbeous.

If you plan to go there, try to get there early. The activity there decreased markedly by 11 am.

Charles Baker
Tustin

Hi all:

This morning I visited the Quail Hill Preserve in Irvine, and tallied 20 species in all. The highlights were a white-tailed kite, kiting above the grassy hillside along the south side of the loop trail, and three male blue grosbeaks, in the tall mustard around the SW corner of the loop trail.

Afterwards, I stopped by the El Modena Preserve in Orange (on Cannon Street north of Chapman). There I saw four California gnatcatchers, and five cactus wrens. Two of the wrens appeared to be nesting, ducking continually into the same cactus grove and carrying food.

Yesterday, I took a long hike up the Coal Canyon trail in Chino Hills State Park (south of the 91 freeway). Highlights there included a fair number of Lazuli buntings, in the area where the Coal Canyon Creek (still actively running) passes the main trail head marker; a Merlin, located about midway between the one mile and 1.5 mile markers; a Townsend's solitaire, in the vicinity of the 1.5 mile marker; and two Costa's hummingbirds, near the 2 mile marker. Several black-chinned sparrows were actively singing near the two mile marker, but were too distant to be seen. I did not see or hear any Bell's sparrows there.

Charles Baker
Tustin

I stopped by and talked to the folks at the lake today on my way down the hill. I was told all the trails but one are under four feet of water and that means we won't be seeing them any time soon. Water is still coming in at a higher rate than they can release it so the lake is not going down. The trail that is NOT underwater has a sinkhole with 20-foot-deep sides that has a pipe running through it. They cannot repair the situation, they say, until water goes down and it was estimated this will be 1.5-2mos from now. Yikes.

So ... whatever species you were hoping to find at the lake, you may need to find an alternative.

You can call the office there periodically and see if there's any update: 714-649-9111.

Still nothing significant in the forest that I found other than one single Tennessee Warbler however I did see a pair of Hairy Woodpecker at the bowl area above stream crossing (SC or SX) 5. They were transiting the bowl there and were kind enough to stop almost right in front of me. The area where the woodpeckers visited/nested for a couple years lost most of the standing dead alders downstream of the crossing (SX2) where they and the wrens nested. This is also where the hummers amassed last year in the greatest numbers including Calliope. Above SX5 towards the top of the straight away (the top is the bowl) is where I usually see/hear the Hairy (though often I come up empty handed there) but end of the pavement (3mi from gate) area is also a good area to hear and sometimes see them without leaving the paved road.

Along the roadway, song is picking up as are flowers, but far to go. No hummer amassing anywhere at stream crossings.

The stream crossings are still pretty deep and if you are not driving through them, plan on getting wet feet or wear HIGH hiking boots that are waterproof.

USFS has been giving tickets to people in the paved area w/o parking passes (Big 5 or buy them online here: Cleveland National Forest - Recreation Passes & Permits (usda.gov) ). As well they are ticketing for parking in unmarked spots. Trust me, we have been overwhelmed this year and at one point there were hundreds of cars stuck in a giant traffic jam from the closed gate WAY downcanyon. HOWEVER, you do NOT need a pass to park just inside the gate on the side of the road or to drive in the forest. The pass only entitles you to park in the "improved" paved circle at the gate with the porta potty (which is almost always unusable), picnic table, marked parking stalls and currently closed Visitor's Center. This is the result of a court decision some years ago. The fine for not having a pass is the $5 to get a pass. (!)

Monday I plan on walking the Silverado Motorway (sometimes erroneously called the Bedford Trail and yes, at one time this was a vehicular road that was eventually abandoned due to constant maintenance needs) to see what's up. I hear that the poppies way up are really beautiful. This is a pretty area which in the right conditions has a lot of warblers, lazuli buntings, flycatchers and other migrants. It has a few sections of scree and gets pretty steep in spots so wear appropriate shoes if you intend on walking 1 mile+ up but even if you just go a mile, it can be pretty productive. Go early in the day as the farther you go, the less shade is available until there is no shade. The first big turnout past the first stream crossing on the left is parking next to the trail (which is somewhat hidden and generally a single track) though you can park on roadside there as well. Mountain bikes and hiking only on this trail (no motorcycles and technically no eBikes). Much quieter walk than on Maple Springs and after maybe a quarter of a mile, the trail will parallel a riparian area for a bit. Black-chinned sparrow was found here last year (I did not hear/see it here but I have hearing deficit in one ear) by others and I have found hairy woodpecker in this area and the area near the circle in the past. Last year someone found hairy near the Visitor's Center in the parking lot.

FYI, rattlesnakes are already out in some number and poison oak, while not overgrown yet, promises to be epic. Watch your step.

If you plan on going off pavement up to the seep or beyond, the road isn't any worse than usual which is to say it's never good but not horrible. I was up there last Sunday before the gate opened. I did see some vehicles with parts hanging off yesterday but I see that on a regular basis. YMMV.

Happy birding and be safe out there!

Sherry Meddick
Silverado

Good afternoon all,

The calliope hummer(s) continue at the second creek crossing. There are a few uncommon species there as well. I was able to photograph all 6 species of hummers. I also saw some lazuli buntings, purple finches, male and female hairy woodpeckers and possibly a hammonds flycatcher, to be determined. I'm still going through my pics. I spoke to another birder who went to the end of the pavement, he showed me a picture of a mountain quail. He also stated that the creek was only flowing at half of the rate of the previous day.

At one point there were 9-10 hummers at once. Almost all hummingbird activity ceased by 7:30/7:45am. The area is very dark so photos will be difficult. If you plan on going I would go soon. I don't think the creek will be there much longer.

I just wanted to give everyone a chance to get some needed birds.

Have a good day
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David Ornellas,
Costa Mesa, CA

We had an amazing morning of birds for the Conservancys bird survey today at Harriett Wieder Regional Park. As I arrived at the parking lot, most of the group were already there and had their binoculars pointed at the bushes and eucs across from the playground. Birds were everywhere. We had Hooded & Bullocks Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeak, a Lazuli Bunting, a variety of different warblers, including Nashville, Warbling Vireo, Pac-Slope Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, and a probable Cassins Vireo (to be confirmed by photo), among others. The base of Fishers Gulch was also active, as were other areas. Oh, a Lawrences Goldfinch was also found in a flock of Lesser Goldfinches, in the field just past Fishers Gulch.
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Terry Hill
Huntington Beach

Ryan,
Your bird is a Lazuli Bunting.

Hi Ryan,
I photographed two Blue Grosbeaks, one at the exact spot described, the other by the Shady Canyon bike trail nearby on May 17. I also photographed two female possibly yearling Lazuli Buntings yesterday down by the culverts past the firehouse. Are these Indigo Buntings definitely two different birds from either of mine From the description, at least one should be a singing male.
Thanks! I am headed that way now.

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The migrant wave of birds that Tom Wurster saw at Harriett Wieder on May 9 continued this morning at Bolsa Chica, especially along the Brightwater Trail. Highlights from today include: 40 Vauxs Swifts, 2 Pacific Slope Flycatchers, 4 Western Wood-Pewees, 1 probable Hammonds Flycatcher (pictures being reviewed), 13 Wilsons Warblers, 1 male Hermit Warbler, 4 Lazuli Buntings, 3 Warbling Vireos, 7 Hooded Orioles, 7 Black-headed Grosbeaks (4 together at one point), and 2 Swainsons Thrushes. Also, the Cattle Egret was spotted again today, this time from the far end of the walk bridge, looking way down towards Harriett Wieder where the Cormorants usually stand (in the Inner Bolsa Bay). We had 2,206 Elegant Terns present today, 3 Ridgways Rails, and 3 Reddish Egrets. We even had a little rain; and when it stopped, the birds really became active.
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Terry Hill
Huntington Beach

I birded with my granddaughter, Jasmine Kay, this morning and did not see the Solitary Sandpiper. But it was certainly worth the trip (2 miles) as the birding along the trail yielded many species even though low in quantity. Western Wood-Pewee, Lazuli Bunting, Cassins Vireo, Townsends Warbler and several regulars.
Dick Cabe
Huntington Beach

Greetings,

I spent this morning 7:30 to 11:30, Thursday, on the Harding Truck Trail above Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon.My primary goalwas looking for Black-chinned Sparrows but anything that has DNA is acceptable. Here are some highlights. Just up from the trailhead was a singing House Wren. I saw one Rufous-crowned Sparrow just before the fork that leads down to Modjeska pond/dam. Beyond that for the next 2 miles I saw numerous Lazuli Buntings. It seemed like they were on every bush singing away. The only Black-chinned Sparrow I saw was a bit distant to photograph. The surprise of the day was at a switchback maybe 2.5 miles up the trail. I stopped to listen for sparrows and out pops a male Townsend's Warbler.It lands on a snag in front of me. A few seconds later a male Wilson's Warbler takes it's place. Both left heading south. A chaparral slope is notthe habitat I would expect them to be in. I shoot slide film so nothing to post in photos for now.

Regards, Al Borodayko
Cypress, CA

Was at Gilman Park in Fullerton for a couple hours this afternoon (11:30-2:30). Overall the park was quite birdy, particularly the bathing spot/watering hole/warbler mecca downhill SW from Treeview Lane and the first walkbridge. At around 12:30, a warbler came down to bathe/drink that appeared to be a VIRGINIA'S WARBLER; similar to Nashville with a bright staring eyering, but with a dull gray/white belly contrasting with a brilliant yellow undertail covert. It came down about three times; the last time I managed some bad profile shots (sadly, with a twig obscuring the throat). I didn't see if after about 1:00 PM.

For those who haven't been to Gilman recently, it's my impression that the reeds and grasses just uphill of the bathing spot have been allowed to grow recently, thus obscuring the view a bit from the north. I would recommend standing a little west from the white structure to get the clearest angle of the water. The few times I saw the Virginia's Warbler on the ground, it hung around on the other side of the creek, just after it widens, NOT the narrow part of the stream where most of the warblers were bathing (and which is right now extremely obscured by grasses). This spot is dark due to the overhanging vegetation, so photography will be a challenge.

Other warblers included myriad Yellow, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, a few Black-throated Grays and Nashvilles, a Hermit, and a Common Yellowthroat. Also frequently at the water were at least 3 female/immature type Lazuli Buntings.
EBird checklist with bad photos of the Virginia's here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48159011

Good birding
Samuel Bressler
Fullerton