It’s winter on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! While many U.S. states are experiencing snow, Orange County residents get to enjoy comfortable temperatures year-round thanks to our Mediterranean climate. And we’re not the only ones who take advantage of our favorable winter weather.
 
During wintertime, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks experience a substantial increase in bird activity due to seasonal migrations. These migrations are in response to changing weather and availability of food and nesting locations. Winter rains rejuvenate and bring life to the Landmarks, providing an abundance of food and shelter for local and migratory birds.

Many of the raptors seen throughout the developed parts of Orange County were likely born and raised on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.  With plenty of quiet places to nest, and an abundance of food in the springtime, it’s no wonder many raptors decide to raise their young here.  However, nesting season can be a stressful time for raptor families, and they are easily spooked by human activity. 

​The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a diverse group of plants and animals, including over 15 raptor species that can be found nesting in trees, cliffs, and even on the ground. With the spring season in full effect, the Conservancy has partnered with internationally acclaimed Raptor biologist Peter H. Bloom to locate and monitor raptor nests throughout the Landmarks while also documenting egg laying, incubation, hatching and fledging.
 
While many of the raptors spotted throughout Orange County are likely born and raised on the Landmarks, the Red-Tailed Hawk is the most abundant raptor species, mainly found in willows, oaks, eucalyptus, sycamores, cliffs and power towers. Other raptor species and nesters on the Landmarks include the Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Barn Owl, Red-Shouldered Hawk and more.

In the fall, birds really do "fly south for the winter." Luckily the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are far enough south that a large variety of migratory birds make their way here each year and stay for the winter.  After spending the spring and summer further north, they return to ride out the cold months in Southern California’s balmy Mediterranean climate.
 
According to The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, "birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources. The two primary resources being sought are food and nesting locations."

Great egrets are members of the heron family. With white plumage, sharp yellow bills and legs made for wading, they make their homes in warmer climates close to water. They are often found spearing fish in marshy areas, but are also powerful fliers, achieving speeds of up to 25 miles an hour in flight.

The great egret is considered a wildlife conservation success story. During the 19th century, large numbers of egrets were killed for the showy feathers they grow during mating season. The damage this caused to the great egret population has been reversed over time due to strong conservation efforts, including those mounted by the Audubon society, which was originally established to combat the practice of poaching birds for their feathers. Fittingly, the Audubon Society chose the great egret to be its symbol. Today, the great egret is no longer endangered, and can be found in many different parts of the world. We are lucky to have strong numbers of great egrets who call the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks home.
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You can celebrate the good health of the great egret population by joining birdwatching programs offered through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, or by joining any program that takes you out on the land. Great egrets are just one of many bird species who share the land in Orange County’s backyard. 

​Those aren’t turkeys on the Landmarks! Migratory birds are traveling south for the winter, register for a birding program to catch a glimpse of feathered friends on the open spaces.
 
Orange County residents can spot the changing seasons when temperatures start to drop and leaves change color, but there are more traces of fall that often go unnoticed – birds! Many regions in the United States begin collecting blankets of snow this time of year, driving some species to hibernate. However, a variety of bird species travel south to warmer weather, bringing our local habitat to life in the winter season. This gives nature lovers the perfect opportunity to spot migratory birds during activities on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
 
Volunteers on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are continuously working to restore the lands throughout the open spaces, planting native plant life and removing invasive species – and ultimately making the Landmarks a more attractive place for migratory birds and an amazing location for birding! 

Birds make nests in all kinds of places out of all types of materials. But some birds, like the coastal cactus wren, are picky.

The Southern California native cactus wren prefers to construct their nests in old-growth prickly pear cactus and cholla cactus—both of which provide spiky protection from predators.
 
However, recent fires and past land uses including cattle ranching have eliminated much of the mature cactus the birds rely on to nest, which has in turn threatened the local cactus wren population.
 
On the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, groups including the non-profit Natural Communities Coalition, the city of Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy have been working together since 2013 to expand the wren’s habitat, by connecting isolated patches of prickly pear cactus with each other to over time create a larger, contiguous habitat for the coastal cactus wren. One such project includes the Mule Deer Restoration site, located in the Shady Canyon area of the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve. So far, 4,500 prickly pear cactus pads and more than 20 larger, mature cactuses have been planted across more than 2 acres of habitat. Now it looks like those efforts are starting to pay off, as the first signs of cactus wren nests are showing up.

​Discover what species on the Landmarks are endangered or listed as a species of concern, and learn what plants and animals are making a comeback on the open spaces.
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to diverse habitats that include coastal sage scrub, chaparral, valley grassland, oak woodland and riparian forest communities, and within those communities are many species of rare plants and wildlife.  With National Endangered Species Day approaching on May 19, celebrating rare species on the Landmarks is simple with a trip into the great outdoors.
 
While many of the animals on the Landmarks can be elusive and avoid human contact, sightings have been reported over the years during free activities. Discover what plants and animals are endangered or species of concern, and register for a free program to celebrate all the plants and wildlife found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

This year is a leap year, giving us 366 days in 2016 instead of 365. While the Earth takes some much-needed time to completely orbit around the sun, why not make the most of the extra 24 hours? With our unseasonably warm weather and ample sunshine, take advantage of this year’s bonus day by exploring outdoors with your family and friends.

There are plenty of family-friendly programs happening on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. To help choose the best one for your group, the LetsGoOutside.org site lists a “Difficulty Rating” with each activity.

The difficulty rating is based on factors including the activity’s distance, elevation gain, and trail surface to help visitors determine which program is right for them. Activities assigned a Level 1 or 2 Difficulty Rating are often slower paced and a great option to consider when looking to connect with the land while bonding with your family. All programs listed below are a Level 2 Difficulty Rating, making them an optimal outing for nearly anyone in your group. Each activity has a minimum age limit, so check that out on the website as well.

Trained naturalists help interpret the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks for the public in unique, memorable ways.

Spring is quickly approaching, making it the perfect time for those seeking greater appreciation of the outdoors to – as the saying goes – stop and smell the roses. But regardless if wildflowers are in bloom, interpretive programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks provide year-round opportunities for visitors to slow down and connect to the land in unique, memorable ways.

Programs on LetsGoOutside.org are broken up into categories – such as interpretive, hiking & fitness, and stewardship – to help visitors find what they’re looking for when visiting the Landmarks. Interpretive programs focus on helping people enjoy their time outdoors while also learning about nature. So if you’ve learned something new about the Landmarks while out on the trails that leaves you feeling more connected to the land, guess what – you’ve just had an interpretive experience! The National Association for Interpretation defines interpretation as “a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.”

Despite colder weather, there are still plenty of opportunities for bird-watchers visiting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

​Many animals might hibernate for the winter, but this season can be prime bird-watching time for those in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. While birds don’t have to contend with blizzards or snowstorms here, they do employ certain tactics to handle the colder-than-normal temperatures of winter. Avoiding wind and roosting away in small, heat-enclosing spaces are common behaviors exhibited this season, according to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which studies birds and other wildlife. But our feathered friends also battle the cold by hanging out in large flocks for greater protection and eating as much as possible – activities that could keep them out and about (and easier to spot) to the delight of avian enthusiasts.

Whether it’s staying fit, giving back to community or spending time with the family, give your New Year’s resolution a second wind at the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Already slipping on your New Year’s resolutions? You may find the solution out on the trails.

​A study by Franklin Covey showed that 35 percent of people will have already broken those commendable promises by the end of January. If you’re at risk for joining that group, let the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks give your New Year’s resolution a second wind. Year after year, the most popular resolutions include getting healthy, trying something new, giving back to the community, and spending more time with the family; whichever of these resonate with you most, there’s an activity outdoors that can help you still make 2016 your best year yet.

Organizations work together to relocate mature plants to habitat restoration sites.

Did you know that our local coast prickly pear cactus is both a slow grower and a critical component of wildlife habitat? These iconic plants with their large, flat pads and colorful blooms can take a decade to grow just a couple of feet high. Yet mature-growth cactus is the primary nesting site for the coastal cactus wren, a species of special conservation concern in Southern California.

So when residential development was set to begin in the hills near Irvine, a unique partnership among the developer, land manager and conservation groups resulted in more than 100 mature plants being saved and relocated to nature preserve areas within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Not only did this project save plants that were estimated to be 30 years old, the relocated cactus enhanced habitat for the coastal cactus wren in habitat restoration areas.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks provides a perfect backdrop to catch sight of birds that have nested after fall migration.

​While color-changing trees and native plants beginning to leaf might catch the eye of Orange County residents desperate for signs of autumn, there are more clues high in the sky that fall is upon us: birds! October was peak season for fall migration, and luckily the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks’ balmy Mediterranean climate provides a perfect escape from colder temperatures for the large variety of migratory birds making their way south.

Simple activities like weeding and watering make a big impact on healthy habitat.

Birds make nests in all kinds of places. Some carefully arrange sticks and twigs up high in the branches of tall trees. Others make nests out of mud or nest right on the ground. The coastal cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis) makes its home in patches of old-growth prickly pear cactus, which protects it from predators and the elements. Recent fires and past land uses have diminished the number of mature cactus stands in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, so local organizations are working to bring back coastal cactus wren habitat – and you can help.

Winter is a great time to see a variety of birds as they return to Southern California for nesting season.

Did you know that hundreds of bird species are migrating to and through Orange County throughout the year, and that the winter migration period is an especially good time to see a variety of birds in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as they make their way south along the Pacific Flyway Migration that spans the west coast of the Americas?

These regular seasonal movements of bird populations, known as migrations, are in response to changing weather as well as availability of food and nesting locations. Most bird species travel south in the winter in search of more temperate climates.

Learn about the geology and ecology that make the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks so valuable and unique.

As fall begins to change into winter don’t miss the opportunity to explore the changing landscape of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks with hikes geared toward every age and ability level. With a seemingly endless hot season wrapping up, take advantage of great hiking weather as you experience the beautiful geological features and wildlife found in your own backyard.

The diverse bird species of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks reflects local ecological diversity.

From the bulky Brown Pelican spotted easily near the shore to the tiny, endangered California Gnatcatcher hiding in the hills, the variety of birds in the Irvine Natural Landmarks is incredibly diverse. Sometimes you hear them, sometimes you see them, but you might be surprised to learn that there are hundreds of bird species that call Orange County their year-round home.

This diversity of species is possible due to the number of unique habitats found in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Luckily, there are a variety of groups with expert birders who can help you get to know birds that are specific to each area. While any activity on the land is likely to include an appearance by a few feathered friends, there are specific docent-led bird walks coming soon. 

Most activities require pre-registration or reservations, so visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/Activities for more information before heading out on your bird-watching excursion.

Learn about birding or refresh your skills before the birds head south for the winter.

Just like you, birds are enjoying the last weeks of summer, and they’ve earned it. Birds have been busy in spring and summer building nests, having babies, and caring for them. After breeding, the molting season begins. All birds must replace their feathers, or molt, because feathers wear out over time.

As birds grow these new feathers, they are particularly vulnerable. They may not be able to fly as well during this time, and like to lie low and not attract the attention of predators. This may make seeing birds challenging this time of year. Attending a birding program with an expert naturalist will teach you where and how to look for these elusive birds.

Come see these beautiful birds that are making Agua Chinon home for the summer.

Perched on the topmost branch of an elderberry, a shiny black bird turns his head, showing off his crest. Ruffling his black feathers he casts his bright red eyes about the area and calls out with a questioning "Wurp?" to his fellow Phainopepla. Lately, more and more sightings of this uniquely-named bird (pronounced fay-no-PEP-la) have been reported in the Agua Chinon area of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon, an increase which birders and biologists say is as unique as the name.

On behalf of OC Parks, land manager Irvine Ranch Conservancy conducts bird counts throughout areas such as Limestone Canyon, and in just the past few months they have noted a sharp increase in the number of Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)in Agua Chinon, especially around areas of elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Conservancy staff and volunteers counted just 4 individuals in Agua Chinon in April, then in June counted 64 in the same area.

During spring, love is in the air for many local wildlife species. Birds of prey are nesting from January through August, and giving them plenty of space while they rear their young is key to their continued survival. So, how do we know where the raptors are nesting and which trails to avoid? Well, we count the nests across much of the 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

In 2012, nearly 150 raptor territories were surveyed within the Landmarks and adjacent properties, from Newport Bay to Weir Canyon. The survey was conducted by Bloom Biological Inc., which has conducted this survey annually since 2004. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy supports this survey as part of its land stewardship responsibilities.

Bird migration patterns bring an array of colorful species to visit Orange County.

Why do the swallows come back to Capistrano? While legend has it that a miracle was involved, the swallows’ flight pattern is actually the result of much more earthly concerns. The barn swallows are following their instincts to migrate, and are returning from spending the winter in warmer southern locations.

During spring migration, swallows and other species follow the Pacific Flyway, which stretches from Alaska to South America. Along this route, migratory birds search for food and shelter in a variety of habitats, including the temperate Mediterranean climate zone of southern California. According to the National Audubon Society, at least a billion birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway each year.

In the air, the fall migration is in full swing, as migratory birds fly south to ride out the winter in a warmer climate. Birds such as the Cedar Waxwing and the Cinnamon Teal can be seen in flight over Orange County through December.  

There are fall-themed programs coming up across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. More information and registration is available at www.LetsGoOutside.org.

In the fall, birds really do "fly south for the winter." Luckily the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are far enough south that a large variety of migratory birds make their way here each year and stay for the winter.  After spending the spring and summer further north, they return to ride out the cold months in Southern California’s balmy Mediterranean climate.

According to The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, "birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources. The two primary resources being sought are food and nesting locations."

Migration is primarily about nutrition. Birds that nest in the northern hemisphere migrate to where insects are most abundant and where leafy spring growth provides plenty of good nesting opportunities. When these resources wane and the temperature drops, these birds head back south. This pattern is true for the majority of the more than 650 species that nest in North America. Some species take this to the extreme, migrating thousands of miles from the Arctic all the way to South America and back.