6 replies to this topic

[renitiadb]

Just want to confirm some ID - Orange County, Ca, April 24, 2012 - and there are a couple I wasn't sure about:

Cliff Swallow? (This is more of an "in flight" ID because they were all flying around)




Black Phoebe (never seen one so big before!)




Caspian Tern:





Black-necked Stilt:





and what is this? A sandpiper? I couldn't quite identify it - every time I think I've got it I find a reason why I'm wrong:





Thank you!

[guy_incognito]

I think your swallow is a Northern Rough-winged (see the brownish back and smudgy brown on the upper chest), and your last bird is a Greater Yellowlegs. Agree with Black Phoebe, Caspian Terns, and Black-necked Stilt.

[renitiadb]

I kind of assumed the swallow was a cliff swallow because I live in San Juan Capistrano =) but I didn't think it looked right for a Cliff Swallow!

I considered a Greater Yellow Legs but the one I saw was more grey and the Yellow Legs looks more brown. This is right by my house so I will see if I can get a better picture.

And I have a photo of the swallow sticking its head out of the nest . . . let me try and upload it.

[renitiadb]

OK - some more pictures of the swallows:

[creeker]

Mostly Northern Rough-winged, but one Cliff Swallow is peeking out of the mud nest on the right.

[Pat B.]

I kind of assumed the swallow was a cliff swallow because I live in San Juan Capistrano =) but I didn't think it looked right for a Cliff Swallow!

I lived for many years in south Orange County and that's why I knew this wasn't a Cliff Swallow - color is wrong! But, I never saw any other kind there. Now we have several kinds here, but mostly Tree and Barn.

[TheBillyPilgrim]

I think your swallow is a Northern Rough-winged (see the brownish back and smudgy brown on the upper chest), and your last bird is a Greater Yellowlegs. Agree with Black Phoebe, Caspian Terns, and Black-necked Stilt.

Agree with all of these.