The map of Irvine Regional Park can be found online here: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Irvine_Regional_Map.pdf

Entry fee for park is $3.00 Monday - Friday

Expect good warm weather but consider bringing a light sweater / jacket in event it gets windy. Bring water, a hat, lightweight flashlight and wear long sleeves / pants to avoid the bugs.

Directions:

• From Interstate 5 south, take Jamboree North (left turn at end of off-ramp). Stay on Jamboree and it dead ends into park.

• As you pay the kiosk attendant, ask for a map to the park, maps are free to all visitors

• At first opportunity after the entrance kiosk, turn left and park in Lot A

Plans for the evening:

• Lot A borders Sycamore Hill where Lark Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Sapsuckers, and Pine Siskins are sometimes found. If people are late we may bird this area a short time (15-20 minutes) to wait for late arrivals

• Drive to Lot D and park. We will look for the Lewis's Woodpecker that has been reported here frequently, and recently in the Sycamores near the stables. This beautiful red-faced, pink bellied bird is often seen chasing off Acorn Woodpecker & Lesser Goldfinch.

• Next we drive to Lot T where we may see Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls and can hear a captive Western Screech Owl's bouncing ball behind zoo fence. There is GHOW nest very near here that with three Owletts that have not yet pledged.

• Lot P is next stop. We walk from there East and North along the closed road and look east near sunset where Lesser Nighthawks have been seen recently. The nighthawks are usually found flying into park from across the visible 241 toll road bridge and then fly along the hillside ridges. I photographed a few birds last year but is easier to see in the bins than to get a usable photo.

• From Lot T to Lot P we can sometimes hear Common Poorwill and California Quail from the dry creek.

Jim McNamara leads.