Birdathon 2009

Yesterday was Birdathon - a 24 hour birding competition to see the highest number of species from midnight to midnight. My team consisted of myself, Vic Leipzig and Neil Gilbert. We birded all over Orange county for an 18 hour period. Beginning at 3:30am we picked up Neil and headed into Silverado Canyon for owls. I knew it would be a good day when our first bird of the competition was a Spotted Owl - a life bird for me! The owl called beautifully for us, and we continued up the canyon in search of owls. As we headed up the canyon we ticked off long-eared owl, great-horned owl, and common poorwill. 

An exciting find of the day while we were trying for sawhet owl was a singing purple finch - a county bird for me. Dawn was showing its colors and we needed to get down to the coast, so we began our descent back down the canyon. Stopping at a pull-out we got out to try sawhet again, and got a green-tailed towhee calling from the bush in front of our feet, another county bird for Leigh. Dawn chorus was getting going as we were leaving the canyon, and we ticked off a few warblers and passerines like ash-throated flycatcher.

We headed to the coast to hit our usual spots in search of pelagics, and other coastal specialties. We did well, only striking out on a few expected species, some of which we would have opportunities for again later in the day. We ran into Bruce Aird, who was heading a rival (hehe) team, who we hopscotched along the next three spots up Laguna Canyon.

The theme of the day seemed to be that we were picking up less common species, at the expense of "sure things". An American redstart at Mason Park was a good find, yet we had no white-crowned sparrows, a winter migrant we were hoping would still be around. All along the weather was nice, cooler and a bit overcast in the morning - good for birding, then sunny but cool. Unfortunately, as we headed into the afternoon, the wind began picking up, and by the time we made it to Huntington Central Park, which is a migrant trap where we'd expect songbirds and other specialties, things had gone dead silent.

We spent the last few hours of daylight getting coastal shorebirds and terns at Bolsa Chica, where we saw yet another Birdathon team. A sweep through Upper Newport Bay, which we had skipped in the morning, provided us the usual rails and a few things we'd missed elsewhere. A few grabs in Irvine, and we headed back inland for a second stab at the crepuscular and nocturnal species before we called it a night.

It was an excellent day of birding, and I enjoyed getting to bird with Neil Gilbert, a transplant in Orange County who has a blog where he will undoubtedly post his version of events. I didn't take my camera out the entire day, too busy birding and driving, so sorry this is a photo-less post. Next year, I may be doing Birdathon in Vermont unless I can find the time to sneak back to the OC ;)

Birding @ UCI

I'm sitting in Aldrich Park at the center of UCI's campus right now. It's sunny, breezy and lovely out, currently 90 degrees. I am hearing lesser goldfinches, the buzz of a selasphorous hummingbird (Rufous or Allen's). House wrens, house finches, and orange-crowned warblers are also calling from the trees above. Western bluebirds have been flying down from the sycamore branch above me to pick insects  off the other benches and the ground. Song sparrows call from the bushes next to me. A Nuttall's woodpecker just called from the eucalyptus grove behind me. It's such a remarkably beautiful day, that it makes me wonder why on earth am I graduating and leaving this gorgeous campus in just 55 short days??!

Sunset Photography Workshop

I went on a photography sunset hike today in Bommer Canyon to get a few tips on good sunset photographs from a professional, Andre Torng, who leads hikes for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Huntington Beach Bird Saturation Survey

Today I helped out with a saturation survey of Belding's Savannah Sparrows at the Huntington marshes. My partner and I had a portion of Brookhurst Marsh. It wasn't a particularly birdy day, and we had members of the public trying to get in to fish and walk around in the protected area we were surveying. A contractor working on the restoration brought his dog in off the leash, which is a huge no-no in an area where an endangered subspecies like the Belding's SAVSPs are nesting, for cryin' out out! Besides the sparrows, our best birds were two semi-palmated plovers - one looked like a juv. 
Anna's Hummingbird
Streeetch!

Two Year Anniversary!

Today is the 2 year anniversary of my blog! I can't believe it's been two years since I started posting =)

Limestone Loop Hike to Dripping Springs

Today I hiked about 6 miles in Limestone Canyon. Nice overcast cool day - perfect for slightly longer distances since you don't overheat as easily. Great day for wildflowers, we had a good variety, despite striking out on my favorite flower, the CA poppy.

Lupins

Chapparal Yucca

Popcorn Flower

I.D.?

Dripping Springs

Common Checkered Skipper

Summer Job

Hey all, I know it's been quiet around here - classes started again at UCI, it's my final quarter at UC Irvine. I graduate in June, scary I know. This summer I will be working on Catalina Island as a Summer Naturalist with the Catalina Island Conservancy. I'm looking forward to the change of scenery, endemic flora and fauna, and doing what I love - leading nature programs.In the next few weeks I'm signed up to help with a few hikes with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and then there's Birdathon at the end of the month, so hopefully I'll be posting more frequently soon.

Vermont Law School

I've decided to accept the scholarship to study at Vermont Law School for my Masters of Environmental Law and Policy. It came down to fit, both financially, and lifestyle wise. I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted to NYU, but they offered me no merit scholarships, and in this economic time, that matters. Cost of living was a huge factor.

Secondly, I felt I would feel more comfortable living in Vermont than the Big Apple. I'm still within weekend visiting distance, which is great, but ultimately I felt the noise and hustle of the city would be overwhelming to live in. I like to go birding, and quilt, and read avidly - often in bed before 10pm - not exactly the closest fit for city living ;)

Third, it was the small versus large school debate. UCI is a large school, and my experience here has been wonderful, but when it came down to it, VLS just was so much more helpful and responsive to every email and question I had, whereas NYU never once responded to any communication I sent - I have to chalk that up to the difference between a large and small institution, but I want to be at the one that took care of my questions quickly and thoroughly.

Lastly, I'm considering continuing on to law school after the masters is completed, and perhaps at that point I'll re-apply to NYU since a J.D. should be from the top institution you are accepted to. Perhaps then they'll offer me some financial incentive as well...

Night Hike in Agua Chinon

Last night I went on a 6 mile night hike up Agua Chinon to the Sinks and Bolero Springs. We began at 6:30pm. I played some tapes of great-horned owl, barn, and western-screech for the participants so they could get a sense for what we would listen for. We began slowly because there were so many great plants and wildflowers to talk about growing near the head of the trail. Continuing up we discussed ticks, the calling towhees, then our first nocturnal bird call - common poorwill. The "poor-WILL" repeated until everyone had heard it, then a booming call from the same direction. Great-horned owl! The GHOW called a few more times then flew silently overhead and landed silhouetted against the hillside in the fading light. We could even pick out ear tufts!

Moments later our first mammal of the night, a small bat, flew overhead. We talked about echo-location and discussed the species possibilities. We continued up the trail. About the time we stopped to check out the first satellite flying overhead, it was time for the first "bush bathroom" stops as well. Satellite spotted and needs relieved, we continued up the trail. Another owl flew overhead, smaller than the first, but still probably a great-horned due to it's size.

As we stood there a large bat flew over, noticeably different than the first one, this was most likely a big brown bat, very cool. The dusk was quickly deepening and we discussed flashlight use as it became harder to see. Venus was visible by this point, and we began picking out familiar constellations like Orion.

As we hiked onward the moon began to become visible, at first just as a glow over the hillside, then a sliver, then it rose and it was so bright and full it cast long shadows out behind us! It was as if someone had flicked on a spotlight, I was glad for my baseball cap to shield my eyes.

We hiked upward, gaining our first view of the sinks, which have been dubbed the "Grand Canyon of Orange County". We headed up to the water trough that has been a frequent stop for local wildlife including the resident mountain lions, bobcats, and even a golden eagle. The chorus of frogs stopped suddenly as we approached, and we discussed the branches sticking out of the water and how we placed them there to allow smaller mammals and rodents to drink safely.

A few of the hikers walked to the edge of the sinks to look down, us sensible (read: afraid of heights) people stayed away from the edge ;) We watched the Hubble as it moved across the sky then blinked into a shadow and disappeared.

Then we headed toward Bolero Springs. This little oak grove held many more frogs, and we ate some snacks and enjoyed the tree cover. We discussed the acorn woodpecker caches we couldn't see but knew were there. 

It was time to head back, and we were halfway through the program. The hike back down was much faster, and we stopped a few times to listen for wildlife, which paid off when our second owl of the night, a western screech owl, called from a distant oak tree. 

We made it back to the parking lot around 10:45pm and everyone quickly said their goodbyes and jumped into cars to warm up and head home. It was a great night hike, full of good wildlife and plenty of exercise, and I fully recommend it in the future.

Birds of the Irvine Ranch: Mountains to the Sea Driving/Hiking Tour

Today was awesome. We birded the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Lands, from Baker Canyon, along Hick's Haul Rd. through Limestone Canyon, and out Hangman's Tree. The weather was fantastic, sunny with puffy white clouds, but with a cool breeze to keep us from cooking on the ridge lines. We had a spread of abilities on the trip, but the interest level was equal across the board, everyone was so happy to be out birding. We started the day off right in Baker Canyon with a Red-tailed Hawk being mobbed by a pair of American Kestrels. We racked up some great species for the brand-new birders, including Oak Titmouse, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Acorn Woodpecker. We headed up along Hick's Haul Rd. where we saw Osprey flying from Irvine Lake, Cassin's Kingbird, and dozens of swallows in a mixed flock of Cliff and Tree. From there we headed over the bridge that crosses Santiago Cyn Rd, and started to get some serious wildflowers, including CA poppies, lupins, telegraph weed, and wild hyacinth or blue dicks.
We continued birding and even stopped for a quick herp - a life species for me, the coast spiny lizard. Hope my photos turned out, I have a backlog of pics to sort through and post from last weekend too! We carried a few harvester ants into the car with us as we continued upwards. On the ridge we stopped for views and saw some Sara Orangetips, Ladies, Cabbage Whites, Western Tiger-swallowtails, and sulphur species. Butterflies are coming out!
The best bird of the day for me was a "porno view" (as my friend Torcuil would say) of a Grasshopper Sparrow. This normally sulky species was perfectly visible low in the mustard on the side of the trail. Unfortunately only our car saw it, but darn did we get a good look! Continuing on the sparrow trend, we caught Song, Savannah, White-crowned and Golden-crowned. A good sparrow day!
We dropped down to Bolero Springs where we had a picnic under the oaks. A Hutton's Vireo called persistently, as did chorus frogs. A flicker called "clear clear" as we munched. Then it was onward, and Dark-eyed Juncos wandered alongside the cars, as we exited the area. Chaparral Pea, a pretty little plant was growing alongside the trail in droves - perhaps it's a fire-follower species?
We exited through a river/creek crossing, and headed back along Santiago Cyn Rd to the staging area where we'd left our cars. It was a beautiful day and everyone felt relaxed and happy. Birding is like a drug for me, with finals and mock trial nationals coming up, I couldn't have asked for a better day to really take the stress right out of me!

Hike in Orchard Hills

Yesterday I went on a naturalist-only hike in Orchard Hills. A new set of trails operated by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy on Irvine Company land. The trails wind through avocado groves, owned and operated by the Irvine Co. Unfortunately, it's illegal to take any =/ too bad, I looove avocado. 

The trails are not open to the public yet, except through IRC hikes, but will eventually be dawn to dusk trails. At the moment the trails are like an obstacle course, trying to figure out which side of the fences to be on at each point (part of the reason it isn't open to the public yet, too confusing!)

There were plenty of wildflowers, blue bells, California poppies, mallows, popcorn flower, two species of lupins, one was likely miniature lupin, the other I'd never seen before, non-natives included filigree or storksbill, and clovers. Plants along the trail included non-native Eucalyptus, also natives like laurel sumac, prickly pear cactus.

Wildflower Hike

The hike this Sunday was great. We hiked 8 miles in Limestone Canyon and along Loma Ridge. The day was overcast so it was cool out. We began by hiking up to the ridge then walked along it until we dropped down into Limestone canyon which we followed until we returned to the parking lot. We saw popcorn flower, Johnny jump-ups, California poppies, fiddle-neck, possibly chapparal pea, and some unidentified but beautiful and fragrant pale purple flowers. We saw non-natives like filigree (also called storksbill).

Wooly Indian Paintbrush

The birds of the day included turkey vultures overhead, a red-tail coming remarkably close on the ridgeline, bushtits, northern flickers, Nuttall's woodpeckers, and oak titmice. I also heard orange-crowned warblers, yellow-rumped warblers, and house finches calling.

I was concerned it would rain, but the entire hike was cool, cloudy, and dry, nice hiking weather. We walked comfortably, and a small group broke off to check out the Sinks, which I had seen the previous day. It was a great hike, and I truly recommend it, I know if it's offered again, I'll be signed up!

California Poppy

Geology Hike to the Sinks

Yesterday I went on a hike to the Sinks in Limestone Canyon. The sinks are a geologic feature where the land has dropped down creating sheer cliff faces. The hike lasted 5 miles and 4 hours and included birds - cactus wrens, olive-sided flycatchers, lesser goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, ect. Included insects like - cabbage whites, ladies, Sara orange-tips, and ladybird beetles. Included flowers and plants like - miniature lupins, fiddle-necks, California poppies, chaparral pea, whorehound, wild cucumber, and gooseberry.

The Sinks

Often called the "Grand Canyon of Orange County"

The sinks from the back

We began the hike with a stream crossing, and returned along a ridge route. The weather was overcast but humid, and by the end of the hike I was certainly wishing I'd brought a bottle of water - silly me, you'd think I'd never hiked before. Today I'm supposed to go on a wildflower hike along Loma Ridge, but the weather seems a bit on the rainy-threatening side, so we'll see how today goes =)

Miner's Lettuce

Chapparal pea against a tree trunk

Bobcat tracks

Native Plant Gardening

When I own my own home, I will have a lovely native plant garden.

A Break From Rain

Well this weekend *fingers crossed* may actually give us a break from this rainy weather! Not that I'm not happy that CA is getting some much needed precipitation, but it'd be great to get outdoors. My cabin fever has been slightly mitigated by the fact that my cousin is teaching me to quilt, however, sometimes you just need to get outside!

I'm signed up for two very exciting sounding hikes this weekend on Irvine Ranch Wildland's property. Saturday will be a geology hike to the sinks in Limestone Canyon. I'm very excited about this since I've heard so many good things about Limestone but I've never had the pleasure of hiking there. The description reads: "Take a moderately strenuous hike to the spectacular cliffs called the Sinks. Learn about the geology of Orange County, the Irvine Ranch, and how this unusual formation originated." Sounds great to me, I love geology, and it's something I haven't studied much beyond my one college introductory geology course sophomore year.

Sunday I'll be attending a wildflower hike on Lomas Ridge. That program's description reads: "Last year the wildflowers along Lomas Ridge trail were spectacular. Depending on rain fall, we hope to have another showy year. We will be traveling up Hick’s Haul Rd. and then climbing to Lomas Ridge. Lomas Ridge has several ups and downs. This is an out and back hike if Limestone Canyon is closed. If the wildflower do not cooperate this year, at least the views from Lomas Ridge are incredible. Although the pace is slow, the distance is approximately 8 – 10 miles depending on the route and the elevation gain 800 – 1000’. Please wear appropriate clothing, carry snacks, and bring enough water for a 4 hour hike. Don’t forget to bring your camera!"
Trust me, I won't, there's nothing worse than forgetting your camera when there are gorgeous panoramic views to be had! To sign up for Irvine Ranch Conservancy's public programs, visit their website at: http://irvineranchwildlands.org/

Hopefully I'll have photos and stories to report come Sunday evening, I look forward to sharing with you all.

Evening Walk in Hick's Canyon

Sunday I went on a hike in Hick's Canyon. This trail is not open to the general public, but is open for certain programs with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. The hike I attended is no longer going to be offered because a newer, better trail is being opened down the road, and that particular hike will henceforth be held there.

Hick's Canyon Trail.

I began my walk a little after 2:45pm, and immediately the trail heads steeply uphill. In the scrubby trees around me, Cassin's kingbirds were calling and chasing each other about. Song sparrows and house finches added their calls to the general hubbub.

At the crest of the first hill is a tiny reservoir filled with water and a few reeds. In this little pond I found a common yellowthroat, and my best bird of the day - a ring-necked duck. These ducks are simple, but deceptively pretty, with subtle facial markings.

Moving on along the trail, lesser goldfinches were piping their plaintive calls, and flying around in large flocks. Ravens overhead croaked as they flew back and forth across the canyon. In the distance a red-tailed hawk circled on the afternoon thermals.

The hills continued, despite the trail being less than 1 3/4 miles, it's a decent workout when you factor in the 4 steep hills you climb to get out, and then back across them on the return trip, phew!

In terms of non-bird life, there were American ladies fluttering across the trails, causing me to look quite ridiculous as I chased after them in hopes of a good shot. Cabbage whites also graced the path, but were far less numerous than the ladies.

Laurel Sumac - a frost indicator plant.

Wildflowers growing along the trail were blue dicks, a simple purplish-blue flower, as well as non-native invasive mustard plants. There was also scrub oak, a single elderberry bush, plenty of lemonade berry looking decidedly burned, as well as another non-native invasive species - artichoke thistle. Yuck.

I spent some time photographing laurel sumac with sunlight filtering through it in the most attractive way, and then headed home along the trail.

Mountain Biking

I'm currently researching an article on mountain biking. The effects mtn bikers have on the environment, both positive and negative. Here's an excerpt from the Sierra Club's website concerning effects of mountain biking, ways to reduce negative effects, and trail etiquette.

Effects:

• Significant soil erosion or significant damage to streams or fish habitat.
  Rutting, impairment of trail drainage, breakdown of trail shoulders, and other forms of damage not correctable using U.S. Forest Service trail maintenance standards and techniques.
  Significant disturbance of plants or animals or their habitat.
  Damage to archaeological, scientific, historical, or other significant resources, including rare natural features of interest for scientific study.
  Danger to the safety of bicyclists or other users because of bicycle speed, steep grades, steep terrain, sharp curves, slippery or unstable trail surfaces, or limited visibility. See Appendix D for design features that can improve safety.
  Significant displacement or annoyance of other non-motorized users.
  

Some Methods to Reduce Bicycle Impacts (not in priority order):

• Walk bicycles in certain areas.
  One-way-only trail sections.
  Speed limits (though these may be difficult to enforce).
  Restrict use by time of day, day of week, week of month, month of year.
  Restrict use by season (e.g. to protect soils or sensitive habitats).
  Separate different types of uses at trail heads and congested areas.
  Party size limits.
  Area permits/licenses, reservations, and trip permits, though these should be instituted only in special situations as a last resort.
  Trail alignment to minimize soil erosion, avoid wetlands, sensitive plant or animal habitat, and sensitive archaeological or cultural features.
  Trail alignment to maximize compatibility with adjacent land use and connecting trail use.
  Natural and artificial design features that restrict bicycle speed, such as barriers and speed bumps, which are not an undue impediment to other non-motorized users.
  Design features that enhance sight distance, e.g. locating the trail away from tall brush.
  Design features that minimize trail erosion: proper grades, turn radii, tread hardening, and drainage control.
  Wide or pull-out sections to facilitate safe passing.
  Design features for user enjoyment: loop trails, scenic destinations, picnic/camp sites.
  Barriers to prevent leaving trail. Block and obliterate (rehabilitate) unauthorized trails.
  

Trail User Etiquette and Education:

• In order to minimize conflicts with other trail users, bicyclists should know and use the established Rules of the Trail: - Ride on open trails only. - Leave no trace. - Control your bicycle. - Always yield trail. - Never scare animals. - Plan ahead.
  Bicyclists should know and follow applicable laws and regulations.
  Bicyclists yield trail to foot travelers, both animal and human. Yielding trail means: slow down, be prepared to stop; establish communication; dismount when appropriate; and pass safely.
  Opportunities to educate users include: audiovisual presentations; public service announcements prepared for television, radio and print outlets; community presentations; production of printed materials such as brochures and posters; information kiosk or trail head signing; trail information hot lines or Internet sites; bicycle patrols; widely distributing maps and guidebooks; and advertising by equipment manufacturers and suppliers that promotes responsible bicycling. Joint activities can provide rider education, trail planning, volunteer trail maintenance, or just plain fun interaction.
  Cross-country bicycle travel off trails is not appropriate.

Do any of you enjoy mountain biking? Do you follow those guidelines for etiquette, and do you consider actions you can take to mitigate any negative impact you have?

Irvine Planeteers

Here's a link to my current article in the New University, UC Irvine's student newspaper. I write the Irvine Planeteers Column.

Fire Hazard

One of the big issues in Orange County is wildfire, especially recently, with the October 2007 California fires. While fire can be a healthy aspect of an ecosystem, when it occurs too frequently, it can have a disastrous effect. Unfortunately, in the last 100 years, over 90% of the fires in Orange County are caused by human activity on roadsides during Santa Ana wind conditions, like the ones this past weekend.

Photo thanks to a google images search
Irvine Ranch Conservancy and the Orange County Fire Authority have a volunteer program called Fire Watch. It's a neighborhood watch program, where during high fire risk conditions, volunteers are called upon to go out and monitor habitat for signs of fire so that the situation can be stopped before it gets out of control. At the Fire Watch website link above, you can sign up to be a fire watch volunteer.

Another way to help on a more personal level is to be mindful of the dangers you pose to the environment on a high risk day. For example, (an a huge personal pet peeve of mine) throwing your cigarette butt out of your car window. Not only is it illegal (littering), but discarded cigarettes and matches can also could land in the dry roadside brush and during windy conditions, it could spark a fire.

Another way humans start fires without meaning to is when you pull off on a brushy roadside instead of an official shoulder. The underside of your car is very hot after extended driving, and if there is sufficient dry brush touching the hot under-carriage, this can acutally start fires as well. A good way to prevent this problem is to pull off on gravel shoulders that are meant for cars, and not on the roadside.

Leigh's News

Good news, I just got my first of what I hope will be multiple acceptances to graduate school programs. This one is a very cool Masters at Vermont Law School. It's a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy, and I'm very excited. While nothing is decided yet, I would be very happy to spend next year earning a degree in gorgeous Vermont - all new east coast birds for Leigh, not to mention the fall leaves changing - lots of colorful pictures in the future if I head there. I'll keep you all posted as the schools begin their notification process and what I ultimately decide to do =)

Also, I officially have a column in the New University, where I will reporting on green issues. Here's a link to the current article I've written.