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Bird Survey – May 2021

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Bird Survey – May 2021

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Urban Forest Monthly Survey
June 24, 2021
34 Species

Sharon and Dave Telford, Jim Currie, Lena Hayashi, Barbara Wasbin, Betty Kanne, Jim Kendall, Mark Johnston, and Brenda Sabin (pictured above), enjoyed a slightly overcast, but pleasant, clear and calm day with temperatures in the 60s when they set out in May to count all the birds they could see and hear.

The majority of migrants have now passed through this part of the Pacific Flyway, as evidenced by the drop in the number of species from last month’s survey high of 48, to 34 this morning. The growth and expansion of habitat in the Urban Forest has provided these birds more acreage to find rest and food sources, and to better ensure their success along their journey to reach their nesting grounds.

For us, now is the time to enjoy the absolutely beautiful blooms of countless plants, flowering shrubs and leafed out trees in the Urban Forest.  The forever hard-working volunteers must feel so much satisfaction in seeing the fruits of their labor during this season. The colors are brilliant and the experience enchanting.  The surveyors couldn’t be more content while counting and studying the resident and visiting birds of the Urban Forest.

The most vocal nesting birds that can be heard throughout the Urban Forest are the House Wrens, California Towhees, Spotted Towhees, Common Yellowthroats, American and Lesser Goldfinches and the non-native Swinhoe’s White-eyes. A Bushtit, mouth filled with fluff and other nesting material, was seen which means a nest is in the making in a nearby tree. The site of the Lesser Goldfinch nest we saw a female sitting on two months ago is now empty and we hope the chicks fledged successfully. Laura, a UF volunteer, will be happy to know the bluebird box she put up was observed with a male and female Western Bluebird going in and out to feed their young. Many Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds were doing their characteristic mating displays and the sound of hummers flying was everywhere! Flycatchers were plentiful.  We had 5 Ash-throated Flycatchers, a Western Wood-Pewee, 4 Pacific-slope Flycatchers, 7 Cassin’s Kingbirds and 5 Western Kingbirds, and 7 of our familiar Black Phoebes. We also had 5 Warbling Vireos and a Cassin’s Vireo.

What a joy it was to walk through the Urban Forest in the spring, to be outside and in nature, and see plants and animals celebrate this time to reproduce and show off their beauty. What could be better? Many thanks to Brenda Sabin for keeping the eBird list, Jim and Dave for their photos, Sheila Holliday for posting the results and list, and of course Jean Nagy and her crew!

Checklist S89462341

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Main details
Thu 27 May 2021 8:02 AM
Location Huntington Central Park–Urban Forest
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Additional details

People

Owner Lena Hayashi

Other participating eBirders

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Effort

Protocol:  Traveling
Complete
Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?Yes Learn More
  • Observers:  9
  • Duration:  3 hr
  • Distance:  2.09 mi

Totals

34
Species Observed
294 individuals
7
Species with Photos

Observations

  1. Mallard

    Number observed:  12

    Media

    Mallard - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    Mallard - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  2. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

    Number observed:  18
    Exotic: Naturalized

  3. Mourning Dove

    Number observed:  4

  4. Anna’s Hummingbird

    Number observed:  14

  5. Allen’s Hummingbird

    Number observed:  23

  6. Double-crested Cormorant

    Number observed:  4

  7. Great Egret

    Number observed:  1

  8. Turkey Vulture

    Number observed:  2

  9. Cooper’s Hawk

    Number observed:  2

    Media

    Cooper's Hawk - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    Cooper's Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Cooper's Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Cooper's Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  10. Red-shouldered Hawk

    Number observed:  1

    Media

    Red-shouldered Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Red-shouldered Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Red-shouldered Hawk - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  11. Downy Woodpecker

    Number observed:  1

    Media

    Downy Woodpecker - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  12. American Kestrel

    Number observed:  1

    Details

    female

  13. Black Phoebe

    Number observed:  3

  14. Cassin’s Kingbird

    Number observed:  2

  15. American Crow

    Number observed:  7

  16. Tree Swallow

    Number observed:  1

  17. Barn Swallow

    Number observed:  1

  18. Bushtit

    Number observed:  9

  19. Swinhoe’s White-eye

    Number observed:  7
    Exotic: Provisional

  20. House Wren

    Number observed:  10

    Details

    Observed two active nest boxes, one with bird flying into box to feed (photo) in butterfly garden

    Media

    House Wren - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    House Wren - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    House Wren - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    House Wren - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    House Wren - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    House Wren - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  21. European Starling

    Number observed:  1
    Exotic: Naturalized

  22. Western Bluebird

    Number observed:  4

    Details

    male and female observed entering and exiting box feeding young

    Media

    Western Bluebird - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    Western Bluebird - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    Western Bluebird - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Western Bluebird - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Western Bluebird - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    Western Bluebird - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  23. Scaly-breasted Munia

    Number observed:  2
    Exotic: Naturalized

  24. Pin-tailed Whydah

    Number observed:  1
    Exotic: Provisional

    Details

    female

  25. House Finch

    Number observed:  95

    Details

    many including young fledged birds

  26. Lesser Goldfinch

    Number observed:  27

  27. Lawrence’s Goldfinch

    Number observed:  2

    Details

    Pair seen, photo of male. Information has it that they nested in the UF and are now working on a second clutch

  28. American Goldfinch

    Number observed:  7

    Details

    Fledgling in a small tree during our observation, neither parent came to feed it. Photos to follow

    Media

    American Goldfinch - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    American Goldfinch - Lena Hayashi
    © Lena Hayashi Macaulay Library
    American Goldfinch - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library
    American Goldfinch - James Kendall
    © James Kendall Macaulay Library

  29. Song Sparrow

    Number observed:  8

    Details

    singing

  30. California Towhee

    Number observed:  11

    Details

    calls and song

  31. Spotted Towhee

    Number observed:  1

    Details

    Unusual vocalization- clear, tonal and fairly long whistle-like note followed by usual pweee ending. Initially thought it was from two different birds but when it flew away, it continued with the two sounds from another location. Syrinx capable of two sounds almost simultaneously…

  32. Hooded Oriole

    Number observed:  1

  33. Orange-crowned Warbler

    Number observed:  3

    Details

    singing

  34. Common Yellowthroat

    Number observed:  8

    Details

    song and calls

Exotic species

Exotic species flags differentiate locally introduced species from native species.
Naturalized: Exotic population is self-sustaining, breeding in the wild, persisting for many years, and not maintained through ongoing releases (including vagrants from Naturalized populations). These count in official eBird totals and, where applicable, have been accepted by regional bird records committee(s).
Provisional: Either: 1) member of exotic population that is breeding in the wild, self-propagating, and has persisted for multiple years, but not yet Naturalized; 2) rarity of uncertain provenance, with natural vagrancy or captive provenance both considered plausible. When applicable, eBird generally defers to bird records committees for records formally considered to be of “uncertain provenance”. Provisional species count in official eBird totals.
Escapee: Exotic species known or suspected to be escaped or released, including those that have bred but don’t yet fulfill the criteria for Provisional. Escapee exotics do not count in official eBird totals.
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Lena Hayashi

Lena Hayashi is a passionate birder and an integral part of the birding community in Huntington Beach, California. For years, she has dedicated herself to tallying bird counts at Shipley Nature Center. In the fall of 2020, Lena expanded her birding endeavors by spearheading monthly bird surveys in the Urban Forest.

Through these surveys, Lena and the other participating birders photograph and document the presence and abundance of bird species in the area. This data is then shared publically via eBird, for researching trends and patterns in bird populations and migration.

Her dedication to bird conservation has earned her respect among fellow birders and conservationists alike. By sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with others, Lena inspires individuals of all ages to connect with nature and become stewards of their local ecosystems. Her efforts serve as a reminder of the importance of citizen science and community involvement in preserving the rich biodiversity of Huntington Beach and beyond.

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