A SPECIAL REPORT: BIRDS

GOOD NEWS: The recent rains were a boon to birds, because more insects and seed crops improve nesting success, says Sylvia Gallagher of the Audubon Society. . . . Among the migrating birds that will begin nesting in Orange County in the next few weeks are warbling vireos, Pacific slope flycatchers, above, and hooded orioles; year-round residents that nest locally include acorn woodpeckers, black phoebes and California gnatcatchers.