Yellow-rumped warblers have left the Landmarks after fall migration, leaving room for other seasonal birds such as orioles and blue grosbeaks. Buck Gully, Limestone Canyon and Orchard Hills are ideal areas in the Landmarks to see and hear birds.
Hundreds of native birds call Orange County home year-round, but there are also many migratory species drawn to the warmer Mediterranean climate of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The variety of migratory birds in the Landmarks is incredibly diverse, due in part to the number of unique habitats found here.
International Migratory Bird Day, on May 14, celebrates these birds and highlights conservation efforts made to protect them and the habitats they need to thrive. First started in 1993 and now coordinated by the nonprofit Environment for the Americas, the day is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Hundreds of native birds call Orange County home year-round, but there are also many migratory species drawn to the warmer Mediterranean climate of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The variety of migratory birds in the Landmarks is incredibly diverse, due in part to the number of unique habitats found here.
International Migratory Bird Day, on May 14, celebrates these birds and highlights conservation efforts made to protect them and the habitats they need to thrive. First started in 1993 and now coordinated by the nonprofit Environment for the Americas, the day is celebrated in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
From birding walks aimed at teaching visitors how to identify these important species, to fitness hikes traveling through open space popular with migratory birds, the Landmarks provide the perfect backdrop to catch sight of birds that have nested after migrating. Seasonal bird species that can be seen out in the Landmarks include the Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Bullock’s and hooded orioles (Icterus bullockii and Icterus cucullatus, respectively), lazuli bunting (Passerina amoena), black-headed grosbeak (Pheyticus melanocephalus) and blue grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea). The City of Irvine’s Orchard Hills, Agua Chinon in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve and the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve are prime locations for birders looking to catch a rare glimpse of migratory species. Visitors can also spot native birds such as the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), California quail (Callipepla californica), Western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica) and red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) throughout the entire Landmarks. Look for migratory and native birds during a variety of upcoming guided programs, including:
Visitors to the Landmarks can also look and listen for birds while enjoying self-guided access in Buck Gully and the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon. Enjoy a solitary birding walk at your own pace along designated trails open daily from dawn to dusk (click on the location titles for more information). Make sure to bring binoculars, field guides, and a checklist of local species and migratory birds to make identification easier. You can also print and bring along a copy of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Birds Field Guidefor pictures of native birds commonly seen in the Landmarks.
All guided programs on the Landmarks listed above are free with pre-registration, which closes 4 p.m. the day prior to each activity. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. For more information on these events or to register, click the titles above or search for more upcoming programs at LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
- Adopt a Canyon – Agua Chinon Stewardship (Tuesday, 5/17): Come listen to the song of the black-headed grosbeak – one of the latest migratory birds to be seen in Agua Chinon – while giving back to the land. Remove invasive weeds and plant native seedlings on a weekday morning, an ideal quiet time to see and hear birds.
- Be a Friend to the Cactus Wren (Friday, 5/20): Simple things like weeding greatly improve habitat for the threatened coastal cactus wren. Help this native bird while enjoying the scenery along Mule Deer Trail in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve.
- Better Birding Basics: Migrating Birds (Tuesday, 5/24): Embark on an easy walk in Orchard Hills around an avocado orchard, where the extra moisture from irrigation attracts many migratory birds. Visitors will look for birds while learning how to identify rare species often only seen during this time of year.
- The Birds of Limestone Canyon (Sunday, 5/28): Those new to birding can explore the beautiful oak woodlands of Limestone Canyon and learn more about birds seen in the Landmarks.
Visitors to the Landmarks can also look and listen for birds while enjoying self-guided access in Buck Gully and the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon. Enjoy a solitary birding walk at your own pace along designated trails open daily from dawn to dusk (click on the location titles for more information). Make sure to bring binoculars, field guides, and a checklist of local species and migratory birds to make identification easier. You can also print and bring along a copy of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Birds Field Guidefor pictures of native birds commonly seen in the Landmarks.
All guided programs on the Landmarks listed above are free with pre-registration, which closes 4 p.m. the day prior to each activity. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. For more information on these events or to register, click the titles above or search for more upcoming programs at LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
From left to right, top to bottom: Migratory birds seen in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks include the hooded oriole, lazuli bunting, Western tanager, Bullock's oriole, black-headed grosbeak and blue grosbeak. Photos Courtesy of the Natural History of Orange County: http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/
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