They’re Here!

Its mid-November and all of Orange County’s Most Wanted birds, except for the Nelson’s Sparrow, are at the Refuge. Here is a recap of birds and what all I’ve been seeing this month:

Wanted Birds

Burrowing Owl, Photo credit: Carolyn Vance

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) – This adorable little owl with the long legs is still in the same place and several times I’ve seen him standing outside his hole.

Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) – Showed off his speed and agility on our Special Birding Tour for Santa Monica Audubon by chasing after a bird at 70+ mph! He landed on a pole, with empty talons, but we all got good looks, as he turned this way and that, showing the brown, narrower face stripe that distinguishes him from a peregrine.

Peregrine Falcons – Speaking as peregrine, as I wrote last month, we have a banded, Migrant Peregrine falcon hanging out on the poles on Signal Rd. On a beautiful, warm November day, our Resident female Peregrine flew in to a nearby pole on Signal, next to our Visitor. They eyed each other, then our Resident went screaming at her. I got to see, and hear, an incredible aerial battle between two top, and really, really, fast, predators! They flew at each other, locking talons, upside down, all the while screaming their displeasure. Right in front of me. Our Resident finally chased the Migrant away then claimed her perch.

Waterfowl – While we have had Canada geese flying in, not nearly in the numbers we have had in prior years. Our duck populations are also low – once again, just a few each of Northern Pintail, Ruddy duck, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Mallard, and Lesser Scaup. However, there are plenty of

Western Grebe, Photo credit: Carolyn Vance

Western Grebes, a favorite of our resident Peregrine Falcon. I finally saw a Brant in 7th St. Pond, as I have only been seeing them out towards Alamitos Bay in the water.

Ridgway’s Rail – the Rail count done in early November tallied 98, down a bit from prior years. However, one rail was heard calling from the north side of Bolsa, so they may be expanding their range. Our Refuge Manager, Rick Nye, is considering adding more nesting platforms for them in that area.

Green Sea Turtles – Since early September, turtles have been seen in Perimeter Pond and Case St. Pond, in addition to 7th St. Pond. We have been seeing them more and more in the other ponds, and less and less in 7th St. We think we may know why. It was discovered that the eel grass, which the turtles eat, is mostly gone from 7th St. Pond. There are on a very few, small patches left. Seems they’ve eaten themselves out of house and home. What will be done about this is still up for discussion.

This Report as of November 20, 2017.