Notes about your surroundings

Rare Bird Sightings--Spring migration is in full swing and there have been a number of rare bird sightings of note, according to the Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society.

Several unusually early migrants were seen, including a Hammond’s flycatcher and a black-chinned hummingbird at Huntington Central Park, and a least tern at the Bolsa Chica wetlands. Other early arrivals include an ash-throated flycatcher, a Nashville warbler, a black-headed grosbeak and a black-chinned sparrow.

Unusual swallow sightings include a purple martin at Huntington Central Park, a bank swallow at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and a white-throated sparrow in an Anaheim back yard.

A few black oystercatchers, including a pair seen flying over Little Corona City Beach in Newport, have been seen.

A reddish egret first seen at the Bolsa Chica wetlands last fall appears to be splitting its time between the wetlands and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge.

Several local bird watchers on evening hikes in Silverado Canyon spotted three or four northern saw-whet owls. Only two records of the owls were made in the county in the past 40 years.

Osprey Platform--A special osprey nesting platform has been erected at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve’s Shellmaker Island.

The platform, established by the state Department of Fish and Game, is 4 by 6 feet and provides perching access for the birds.

A bird that primarily eats fish, ospreys can be found at the reserve throughout the year.

Fish and game officials expect a pair of ospreys will set up a nest and perhaps raise young at the platform within the next year.