Mary Alderson of Laguna Beach has given...

Mary Alderson of Laguna Beach has given us a good start in our search

for birds. Alderson gave her 2003 bird sightings from Upper Victoria

Beach, all from her garden area.

May 19 -- California Quail, male and female

May 30 -- Hooded Oriole, male

May 31 -- California Thrasher

June 2 -- Hooded Oriole, male and female

June 2 -- Spotted Towhee

June 30 -- Coopers Hawk (Observed making a kill)

July -- Coopers Hawk; Mouring Dove (2+); Northern Mockingbird

(Nesting pair); California Thrasher; European Starling; Spotted

Towhee; Hooded Oriole (male and female); House Finch (males and

females)

July 14 -- Male Hooded Oriole chasing two butterflies

The following is a list of some of the birds that can be found in

the Laguna area throughout the year.

California Towhee -- A medium sized brownish-gray bird with a

rusty patch under its tail. It moves by hopping, feeds on the ground,

and has a sharp metallic chink call, which it utters frequently.

Northern Mockingbird -- A medium sized gray bird with a long dark

tail and white patches on its wings which flash when its flying.

Mockingbirds aggressively protect their young after they’ve fledged

from the nest by swooping on any cats, which happen to be nearby.

They also sing all night long to keep other birds from encroaching on

their nesting territory.

House Finch -- A smallish brown bird with a beautiful warbley

song. The male has a reddish head and bib; the female has no red.

Both have streaked underparts. They often nest close to people’s

houses.

Mourning Dove -- A medium sized gray bird with a small head, plump

body, and long pointed tail. It has a rosy wash on its underparts and

black spots on its wings. It feeds on the ground and is slow to take

off. Its song is a mournful Oowoo-woo-woo-woo. It often nests in

planter boxes.

Anna’s Hummingbird -- A tiny bird with a long thin beak, shiny

green back, and a brilliant crimson head and throat. The female has

little or no red. It sips nectar from brightly colored flowers and

has a very squeaky song.

Bushtit -- A small grayish brown bird with a long tail. It feeds

on insects, often on the underside of leaves, moving through the

shrubbery in flocks of 30 or more.

Black Phoebe -- This medium sized bird has a black head, breast,

back and tail, and white belly. It is a flycatcher. Phoebes often sit

on a low perch and swoop down to the ground to catch insects,

returning to the same perch. When it calls Phee-bee, his tail bobs.

American Crow -- Large glossy black bird. Often walks around on

the ground. Makes a loud raucous Caw-Caw. Found in groups of three to

50. Very intelligent. Will eat most anything. Not afraid of people.

House Sparrow -- Small brownish bird with non-streaked breast;

male has black bib and white patch on side of head. Gregarious. Fees

on the ground. Quick to find food in picnic areas.

Lesser Goldfinch -- Small yellowish bird with black and white or

gray back; male has black crown. Gregarious. Has plaintive Tee-yee

call.

Wrentit -- A perky little brown bird with long tail that is often

cocked, and a light eye, found singly or in a pair. Lives on the

hillsides and in the canyons. Secretive. Has song like a bouncing

ball. Eats small berries and insects. Mates for life.

The Coastline Pilot is seeking bird sightings from novice and

veteran birders. Let us know about your bird sightings each week.

Write us at P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at

coastlinepilot@ latimes.com or fax us at 494-8979. Give your name,

city of residence, the description of the bird and when it was

spotted.