HB Trees

Since September 2020 on the last Thursday of each month, birding enthusiasts descend upon the Urban Forest. They use an application called eBird to count all birds they spy during their visit. Here’s what the eBird website says about the impact their efforts have:

“eBird plays an increasingly important and diverse role in applied science and conservation. eBird data contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions and peer-reviewed papers, thousands of student projects, and help inform research worldwide. Applications of eBird data range from research and monitoring to conservation planning, including tangible conservation actions such as site and habitat management, species management, habitat protection, and informing law and policy … we are committed to ensuring that your data will be put to the best use possible for research, conservation, and education.

“eBird data document bird distribution, abundance, habitat use, and trends. Birders enter when, where, and how they went birding, and then fill out a checklist of all the birds seen and heard during the outing.”

Boundaries of the HB Urban Forest survey are: HB Central Park Dog Park and equestrian stables to the north, Edward’s to the east, Ellis Avenue to the south and Goldenwest Street to the west. Bird reports are submitted by lead birder Lena Hayashi.

MARCH BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Barn Swallow

Photographed locally by James Kendall

Check back soon for the March 30, 2023 bird count results.

Spring is quite literally in the air!

The swift flying, aerially acrobatic Barn Swallow is a beloved, time-honored symbol for the arrival of spring throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere. A long distance migrating bird, North American Barn Swallows typically over-winter in South America, reappearing late March and April to breed in the springtime and in summer months.

The high flying Barn Swallow’s most distinguishing feature is its deeply forked tail, along with steel-blue upper parts, chestnut forehead and throat with a slender cinnamon belly.

Barn Swallows are insectivores with a diet compromised mainly of flies, aphids, mosquitoes, gnats and swarming termites. A single airborne Barn Swallow will consume 60 insects per hour and up to 850 per day. They have formed a mutually beneficial relationship with people, using man-made structures for nest placement near water sources while also serving to keep insect populations in check.

The male Barn Swallow returns each Spring to the breeding area, identifying a nesting site and launching into a courtship display that involves singing and circling flight. Barn Swallows are monogamous and typically mate for life. Both parents will diligently feed their hungry nestlings and recently fledged young before they achieve independence and the ability to adroitly catch insects on the wing. They’ll need that essential expertise in order to survive the epically long migration south for the winter, followed by their welcome home return flight here next year.

FEBRUARY BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Turkey Vulture

Photos by Urban Forest birder and photographer James Kendall

The stately Turkey Vulture makes an impactful appearance as it slowly glides in lazy circles high above the Urban Forest on a sunny day. This massive scavenger, with a wing span of six feet, rarely flaps its wings, conserving energy by riding on thermal updrafts of air, holding its broad dark wings in a V formation, known as a dihedral, and gently rocking while surveying the broad expanse below. They rely heavily on their extraordinarily keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They fly low enough to detect the gasses produced by the early process of decay in dead animals and have been known to smell carrion from over a mile away.

As a consummate scavenger, they clean up the countryside one bite of their sharply hooked bill at a time. Once one Turkey Vulture discovers a fresh carcass, others will soon join in, picking the remains clean and thereby helping to keep the ecosystem healthy and disease free. It is vital that carcasses fed upon are free of Rodenticides or other man-made contaminants so that this ecological relationship continues to flourish.

The average Turkey Vulture lives 20 years or more and congregates nightly to sleep in large communal roosts.  In the early morning hours you may see Turkey Vultures sunbathing in a tree with their wings spread out. This is done to increase their body temperature after a cool night.

They will then head out on their far-ranging daily foraging flights after the sun has sufficiently warmed the ground and thermal updrafts of air begin to occur.

Urban Forest Monthly Survey for February 2023 cancelled due to rain.
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JANUARY BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Photos compliments of James A. Kendall

A winter walk through the core, densely tree-filled Urban Forest offers the opportunity to view the diminutive and spritely Ruby-crowned Kinglet that spends its winter months gleaning insects and tiny seeds in the mid to upper canopy of our lush abundant trees and leafy bushes.

This tiny, oval shaped dynamo measures less than 4” and its drab olive coloring offers natural concealment. It does broadcast its presence, though, by its distinctively chattering voice and nervous hyper-active behavior as it flits continually from branch to branch, flicking its wings to startle and devour insects. From this tiny bird, the startling loud ji-dit call directs observers to its obscure location.

Viewing the well-concealed “Ruby Crown” is an astonishing reward for patient observation. An attentive observer will be delighted to see the infrequent, abrupt flashing of bright red crown feathers that pop up menacingly when males display aggressively or excitedly.

Doppelgänger! A remarkably similar looking Hutton’s Vireo resides year-round in the Urban Forest. A practiced eye will note subtle but definitive differences. The vireo has two distinctive white wing-bars whereas the Ruby-crowned Kinglet has one pronounced wing-bar backed by black markings. The vireo’s bill is larger and sturdier and its slower sedate movements contrast markedly against the Ruby-crowned Kinglet’s frenzied, jittery behavior.

It often takes a second serious look, along with attentive listening, to achieve absolute certainty in winter months. It’s a worthwhile challenge that only enhances the pleasure of a brisk-air winter walk through the Urban Forest.

Urban Forest Monthly Survey
January 26, 2023
32 species, 169 individuals observed (unofficial survey)

DECEMBER BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photos by James Kendall

The small, active Yellow-rumped Warbler is our most abundant winter warbler. It flits energetically through the tree canopy and shrubs throughout the Urban Forest from October to April when it then migrates north to coniferous forests in higher elevations to breed in spring and summer months.

True to its name, this warbler always shows a bright yellow rump-patch, earning the colloquial nickname “butter-butt” as it pulses through the trees, announcing its presence with an abrupt “CHWIT!” call.

Our local “Audubon” subspecies displays a distinctive yellow throat patch and yellow side patches in addition to its eponymous yellow-rump. Bright white markings as wing bars, under-tail spots and broken eye-rings help to confirm its identification even as winter plumage lessens the crispness and contrast of its coloration.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler enjoys a remarkably varied diet of insects, seeds and berries allowing it to thrive in very diverse habitats. This winter visitor is attracted to winter-flowering eucalyptus and bright red Toyon berries. Tall elderberry bushes offer a feast of tiny fruit and attracted insects. This diversity of diet has proven to be a veritable super-power for this migrant that can thrive in neighborhood parks, gardens and dense forests where social groups mingle contentedly. They can even be observed in mixed flocks with sparrows and finches foraging on the ground, trees and bushes. A broad flexible diet and gregarious nature have helped to make the Yellow-rumped Warbler one of North America’s most successful and abundant winter warblers.

NOVEMBER BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Hummingbird

The top photo and the other two Allen’s Hummingbirds on the left, as well as the two Anna’s Hummingbirds on the right, are both plentiful year-round residents in the Urban Forest.  Photos compliments of James Kendall

Each day throughout the year, observant visitors to the Urban Forest and its surrounding gardens are treated to the fascinating spectacle of tiny dynamic aerialists that suddenly appear as hovering iridescent jewels as they dart from blossom to blossom, urgently seeking and sipping life-sustaining nectar.

Two species of hummingbirds make this park their year-round home. The Anna’s Hummingbird is recognized by its flash of shimmering magenta at the gorget/throat and forehead contrasting with its shiny green body. That flash of magenta/red and green are unmistakable field marks of the male Anna’s.

Allen’s Hummingbirds present as coppery rufous and green overall. Adult males have a coppery rufous-brown tail, eye patch, and belly that contrasts with their bronze-green back and deep reddish, golden-orange shimmering gorget. The startling jewel-like flash of color at the throat relies on capturing rays of sunlight in order to display its vibrant visual magic. Adult male of the species command this alluring attention-capturing display capacity. The drabber female is in fact the sole intended audience of his vivacious choreographed presentation that artfully combines rapid aerial feats with a vibrantly colorful light show and burst of sound.

Once successfully courted, the female constructs her ingenious tiny cup nest from resilient spider-silk, lichen and leaf matter, a stretchy thimble-like cradle to protect two coffee bean-shaped and -sized white eggs. She will diligently incubate for two weeks before hatching, then nurse the growing nestlings with nectar and insects for three weeks more before they fledge the nest and forage on their own.

Due to our mild coastal climate, Anna’s and Allen’s Hummingbirds can continuously breed year-round in our local parks and yards. Watch for this fascinating spectacle of nature as they busily thrive amidst our flowering trees, bushes and flowering plants cycling throughout the seasons. These airborne jewels act as highly efficient and key essential pollinators as they hover, sip nectar and then zip rapidly from blossom to blossom in this reciprocally beneficial cycle of life.
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Urban Forest Monthly Survey
November 24, 2022
32 species, 259 individuals observed

Thanksgiving Day and this marks the third anniversary of bird surveys at the Urban Forest! 

It started as a beautiful, calm, and sunny morning with temperatures in the 60s. Betty Kanne, the spark that initiated these surveys, as usual was kind enough to record the eBird list and Jim Kendall came with his camera. Jim has captured countless wonderful photos documenting the birds of the Urban Forest since the very first survey in 2020.  We were so happy to have Mark Johnston, a near-by resident of the Urban Forest and excellent birder, return for the count today.  Lastly, Joshua Joun, who rushed to catch up with us, completed the group adding his infectious enthusiasm for birding on this anniversary day.

The Santa Ana winds probably limited the number of species but not until we had time to leisurely enjoy walking and appreciating the labor of love from the many volunteers who have and continue to create this magical Urban Forest.

OCTOBER BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Cooper’s Hawk

This fierce, locally common raptor is known by many different names throughout North America, including the chicken hawk, striker, and flying cross. It is a crow-sized hawk. It is often identified by its proportionally large flat head, long and banded tail feathers, and fierce hunting habits under the canopy of wooded forests where they use their remarkable speed and agility to stalk and ambush elusive prey species. Their long tails act as rudders that allow them to be extremely maneuverable in wooded areas as they careen adroitly through the forest, hunting birds on the wing. While they mainly eat smaller birds, they can also prey on small mammals, including squirrels. The Cooper’s Hawk is a resident, breeding bird that has adapted to flourish in city parks and tree-lined streets with attractively landscaped neighborhoods. Here, it can remain well-concealed in foliage before bursting forth to rapidly seize its favored, unwitting prey of dove-sized birds. Accordingly, a well-stocked backyard bird feeder can unintentionally serve to provide an avian buffet to this keenly vigilant and highly efficient bird of prey. Notice the yellow eyes of the juvenile, and red eyes of the adult Cooper’s Hawks.                                        Photos by James Kendall

Urban Forest Monthly Survey
October 27, 2022
34 species, 434 individuals observed

It was a beautiful day. Sunny, clear, and calm with temperatures in the mid 60’s to begin and 70 at the end!  Surveyors this morning were Lena Hayashi, Betty Kanne (eBirder), Ellen Tipping, Jim Kendall, Dave and Sharon Telford, and welcomed Cheryl Searcy, a first timer at UF. 

         The highlight was the Western Meadowlarks in the open field as we began our survey.  It was exciting to see their return as a few of them landed in the large open field and disappeared, even though they are bright yellow and black.  The pattern on their bodies and reflection from the light camouflage them instantly when they land. As we watched them on the ground, we counted several more meadowlarks.  But, a few minutes later, when something startled them, we counted 50 in the air, a lot more than we detected on the ground!  Such is the fun of birding.

          While surveying, we were able to take time to review and study the various sounds and song of the White-crowned Sparrows and listen to resident Song Sparrows practice their songs.  Winter sounds of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Say’s Phoebes, and of course, Yellow-rumped Warblers filled the air.

We look forward to more winter residents returning to the Urban Forest.

SEPTEMBER BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Hermit Thrush

Fall birding means the welcome return of the secretive Hermit Thrush that revels in its own company diligently rummaging through the leaf litter and forest under-story in search of spiders, ants, earthworms, and insects of all varieties. A favorite winter food includes the red berries fallen from our abundant native Toyon bushes and other fruit bearing winter shrubs. Although favoring the dark, shadowy areas under bushes and trees, listen attentively for its loud, abrupt “TCHUP!” call, revealing its presence only a few feet away! Once there, you’ll behold this ground-foraging small brown bird with a thin dark bill standing out as it nervously flicks its wings and contrasting reddish-brown tail that lifts up-and-down confirming its identification even before revealing its heavily spotted breast. A beady black eye, narrowly ringed in white contributes to a startlingly distinctive appearance. Enjoy this diligent hermit as it over-winters with us and before the springtime draws it to northern, higher elevations for spring/summer breeding.

AUGUST BIRD OF THE MONTH:
California Towhee

Did you hear that? …. Wait! I hear it again. That abrupt, sharp metallic TINK!
That’s the “calling”-card announcement of the California Towhee!

Peer down into the leaf-litter and you’ll see this largish, 9”, dusty-brown, long-tailed bird eagerly shuffling through the ground cover looking for grubs, or briefly perched in nearby bushes. Its drab gray/brown appearance is nicely offset by a rusty/orange patch under-tail and surrounding a thick darkish bill. This successful breeder in our local tree-filled parks will likely have its similar looking mate quite close by, listening intently for that identifying TINK! call and ready to respond. Photos by James Kendall

On a sunny, humid morning with temperatures in the 70s, Lena Hayashi, Betty Kanne (eBirder), Claire Grozinger, Jim Kendall, Dave and Sharon Telford, and Josh Joun counted all the birds we could hear and see for two hours. 

Early on and throughout the morning, we watched flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes fly across the Urban Forest from Lake Huntington to Bolsa Chica. The birds were mostly quiet except for the House Finches, Swinhoe’s White-eyes, and Lesser Goldfinches.  There was a snippet of a song from a House Wren but the other birds only called occasionally.

While under the cool canopy of the Urban Forest, we also discussed our Team name for the BIRD-A-THON weekend coming up for next month to herald the beginning of fall migration.  We are hoping to come up with a fun and catchy name.  Our survey group will kick off the event on Thursday, September 22, at 8:00 a.m.  Our survey will be one week earlier than our usual last Thursday of the month.  Our goal is to raise money for the Urban Forest and to provide more native habitats, especially with California Sagebrush, Artemisia Californica, to entice the endangered California Gnatcatcher to reside in the Urban Forest.  If you can’t join us, please consider a team of your own.  You can bird anytime and any day from Thursday, September 22 to Sunday, September 25, alone, with children, your dog, friends, or family.  Make it a fun event.  Check out the webpage https://hbtrees.org/hb-urban-forest-bird-a-thon/ for more information.  We would appreciate a donation of any amount and all donations are tax deductible.  TAX ID: EIN 33-0815267

Thanks so much!  Enjoy the list and photos below. – Lena Hayashi

August 25, 2022 Observations

34 species , 335 individuals observed

JULY BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Bushtit!

Bottom left is the light-eyed female, and bottom right is the dark-eyed male. At top right, notice the unusual hanging nest that these inconspicuous yet common birds weave.

Bushtits are tiny, long-tailed gray birds that travel in large busy flocks, relentlessly rocketing from one leafy bush or tree to the next, all while keeping up a contestant rapid twittering in order to keep the gang in active motion. These dynamic acrobats often hang upside down as they rapidly glean insects from leafy shrubbery. A careful observation of these frenetically moving dynamos, will disclose that the males have dark eyes whereas the female has a pale yellowish eye providing stark contrast to its tiny gray body.

Bushtits are common year-round inhabitants of urban parks and neighborhoods throughout the West and Southwest. Watch and listen for these diminutive dynamos as they sweep through your own backyard!

JUNE BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Western Bluebird

HB Tree Society names the Western Bluebird
as official mascot & spokesbird of the Urban Forest!

The Western Bluebird was selected because it’s a perfect representative for the Urban Forest. Both entities manifest hope, resilience and renewal in the face of myriad challenges to our natural environment. 

The Western Bluebird came close to entirely disappearing in Orange County in the last century due to destruction of its needed forested environment that was being rapidly urbanized without essential mitigation. An association of concerned birders arose 30 years ago to place customized nest boxes in key parks across the county providing a lifeline for a beloved species on the edge of disappearance in our urban areas. The Southern California Bluebird Club continues this focused mission throughout the southland to great success (see also: socalbluebirds.org).

Likewise, the Urban Forest rose from tiny seedlings planted a mere 20 years ago into a maturing, towering forest in a lush, vibrant environment providing ideal nesting opportunities for the vulnerable Western Bluebird. The Western Bluebird thrives in this forested habitat offering natural crevices for nesting as well as abundant food sources. Urban Forest volunteers supplement tree crevices with customized nest boxes perfectly designed for Western Bluebirds’ breeding success.

     Read more about the Western Bluebird and its new spokesbird status by clicking here.

June 30, 2022, Observations
33 species, 218 individuals observed 

It was a beautiful sunny, clear, and calm morning, rising to 72 or so degrees.  Surveyors were only four – Lena Hayashi, Betty Kanne (eBirder), Sharon, and Dave Telford.  Summer months are typically slow and quiet as breeding season winds down and fledglings depend less on their parents to feed them. 

          One Spotted Towhee continued to sing all morning in and around the corralled area as did several House Wrens.  It was interesting to watch how family groups of Orange-crowned Warblers, Hutton’s Vireos, Bushtits, Swinhoe’s White-eyes, and House Finches kept in close contact with each other. We watched adults trying to teach their young to feed themselves and what looked like siblings just having fun chasing each other. An experience to remember was watching the antics of four Hutton’s Vireos dart about the branches, seemingly chasing each other, almost climbing onto each other, and settling still on the ground to bask in the sun or preen.

          Urban Forest volunteers Phil and Robyn came by with their dog and told us which two House Wren and two Western Bluebird boxes were still active. We dutifully checked them out and were rewarded with activity in or around the boxes.  Without the boxes the volunteers put up, there would not be the success rate of cavity nesting birds in the Urban Forest. We thank and appreciate them.

1. Egyptian Goose

   Number observed: 1

2. Mallard

   Number observed: 1

3. Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

   Number observed: 22

4. Eurasian Collared-Dove

   Number observed: 1

5. Mourning Dove

   Number observed: 3

6. Anna’s Hummingbird

   Number observed: 4

7. Allen’s Hummingbird

   Number observed: 11

8. Killdeer

   Number observed: 1

9. Double-crested Cormorant

   Number observed: 4

10. Great Egret

    Number observed: 2

11. Turkey Vulture

    Number observed: 1

12. Red-shouldered Hawk

    Number observed: 1

13. Red-tailed Hawk

    Number observed: 1

14. Downy Woodpecker

    Number observed: 1

15. Black Phoebe

    Number observed: 2

16. Cassin’s Kingbird

    Number observed: 2

17. Hutton’s Vireo

    Number observed: 4

18. American Crow

    Number observed: 12

19. Northern Rough-winged Swallow

    Number observed: 8

20. Barn Swallow

    Number observed: 1

21. Bushtit

    Number observed: 31

22. Swinhoe’s White-eye

    Number observed: 9

23. House Wren

    Number observed: 7

24. Western Bluebird

    Number observed: 5

25. House Finch

    Number observed: 58

26. Lesser Goldfinch

    Number observed: 7

27. Song Sparrow

    Number observed: 2

28. California Towhee

    Number observed: 4

29. Spotted Towhee

    Number observed: 1

30. Hooded Oriole

    Number observed: 2

31. Red-winged Blackbird

    Number observed: 1

32. Orange-crowned Warbler

    Number observed: 4

33. Common Yellowthroat

MAY BIRD OF THE MONTH:
Goldfinch!
(There’s Gold in them there trees!)

Look-up and be astounded by the beauty of these dynamic songsters as they rapidly flit among the trees, often in the upper canopy and quite often in mixed groups. Active and gregarious they flourish in the company of red-tinged, brown striped House Finches with which they share the characteristic, cone-shaped FINCH bill, so perfectly adapted to crack and eat seeds of many sizes. If you have a back-yard bird feeder, you’ll easily recognize them as familiar friends with a penchant for sunflower and shiny black Nyjer seeds. Springtime brings out the best in these flashy yellow and black acrobats. Male goldfinch transform from a duller winter aspect into their flashy yellow breeding plumage. Females brighten up as well, but keep a toned down look to conceal themselves as they dutifully sit on nests and feed chicks. A male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage is a real showstopper. His bright yellow body, back and face are nicely set off by a spiffy black cap and wings. The male Lesser Goldfinch shows off a bright yellow body but with a dark back and full size black hat. His shiny black wings show a bigger splash of white by way of sharp contrast. Winter, non-breeding males and females, on the other hand, don’t immediately draw your attention. They’re more of a smudgy brown and mustard color, with striped black and white wings. So enjoy the dazzling sunflower yellow of these social dynamos as they dash from tree to bush and back again all spring and summer.

May 26, 2022, Observations
33 species, 232 individuals observed 

It was a beautiful, clear, and calm morning with the temperature in the 60’s.  The sun came out by the time we reached the top of the hill. Surveyors were Lena Hayashi, Dave and Sharon Telford, Jim Kendall, Rick Shearer, and Betty Kanne, who kindly did the eBird list.

          Spring is magical!  The plants and trees seem twice as large and beautiful as they were last month!  The overwhelming songs for the morning were from the House Wrens and their bubbling rapid and musical trills and rattles, could be seen and heard everywhere.  We had fun watching a juvenile perched on a cut log and chirping with its yellowish gape, as it waited for its parent to return with insects. 

          Other vocal birds were the Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Lesser Goldfinches, Swinhole’s White-eyes, and House Finches.  Hummingbirds were also active and enjoying all the nectar available from the bounty and variety of blooming flowers.

Orange-crowned Warblers are small, active song birds characterized by their rapid flitting movement through foliage and their memorable songs in springtime. The sprightly, diminutive Orange-crowned Warbler is a subdued yellow with the added surprise of orange feathers occasionally flashed on its crown when surprised or agitated. While many more strikingly colored warblers briefly migrate through Orange County on their way to northern spring breeding grounds or when returning south for warmer overwintering destinations, many Orange-crowned Warblers are local breeders, building their nests here to raise their young in our own tree-filled parks and backyards. Listen for the distinctive high-pitched staccato trill of the male this spring as he attracts a potential mate. – Photos by James Kendall

April 28, 2022, Observations
33 species, 189 individuals observed 

It was a cool, drizzly morning with the temperature in the 60’s.  Our group was small this morning with Lena Hayashi, Betty Kanne (who was kind enough to eBird), Ellen Tipping, Jim Kendall, and Rick Shearer.

          We were expecting a nice spring count of birds but the cold, wet weather, kept the variety and numbers quiet or away from the Urban Forest. Many singing House Wrens and displaying Hummingbirds were seen and counted as they were last month. A vocal Spotted Towhee, probably the same one that confused us last month, repeated a down slurred note periodically in between his “pweee” song.  Last month he repeated a “whit-like” call, as a flycatcher would do.  This one bird has fooled us two months in a row. Neither of the two sounds were found in any recorded sounds we had for Spotted Towhees. A good lesson in the field.

          We marveled at the transformation of the creek area where the crossing bridge is planned. The plants and artistic placements of rocks, following the row of Sycamore trees, will become a favored path to stroll through in the future. Thanks to all the dedicated and hard-working volunteers. You are all very much appreciated. We also noticed additional bird boxes and hope for cavity nesters, other than House Wrens, to use them this spring!