Date: 3/15/26 10:29 am From: Ryan Phillips <norcalbirding...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Migration Musings
Good timing as I was going to post that I had my FOS WESTERN WARBLING VIREO
yesterday (rare on eBird by a day!) at Glenwood Reserve (West trails) and
today at the same location my FOS WESTERN FLYCATCHER and now 3 WESTERN
WARBLING VIREOS. In the past couple weeks a huge influx of ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Townsend's Warblers are in full song now as they
prepare for departure.
So, definitely migration is on for arrivals returning. Breeders/residents
are busy singing.
With this heatwave the activity and movement us going to change quickly!
Enjoy this fun and exciting spring time. My favorite time of the year as I
know most like fall vagrant season.
Good Birding,
Ryan
*Ryan Phillips* ǀ Owner and Guide
Personal and Group Birding Excursions in Northern California and Beyond
"Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes
and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?"
- Sir David Attenborough
On Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 10:01 AM 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
> Hi birders,
>
> Last night I checked Cornell's Birdcast Migration resources, and was
> happy to see the beginnings of bird migration movement. Specifically, we
> had a small bump of activity early in the evening, the second small
> migration bump of the season. ( For those that are curious about the
> data, see the Santa Cruz county migration dashboard
> at: https://dashboard.birdcast.org/region/US-CA-087 )
>
> My guess at this point, is that the migration activity is mostly birds
> starting to leave, rather than arrive. But we've already had a number of
> migrant species return. Three of five migrant species that I track, that
> breed in my neighborhood, have already shown up; an early male Hooded
> Oriole, multiple Violette-green Swallows, and one Allen's Hummingbird.
> In the coming weeks I'll be looking for more of the same as well as,
> Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Western Flycatchers, which have already
> landed in other parts of the county.
>
> Still present Golden-crowned and some White-crowned Sparrows, as well as
> Yellow-rumped Warblers are molting, before they migrate to their
> breeding grounds. In the case of the Golden-crowned Sparrows, they breed
> in Alaska and Canada. Both, molting into breeding plumage and migration
> flight, have very high energy requirements. So most species molt before,
> or after arriving on their breeding grounds. Very few species molt into
> breeding plumage and migrate at the same time. Those that do so, usually
> molt at a temporary stop, before continuing on their journey, but even
> then, there are exceptions.
>
> Hermit Thrushes are still present, but in the coming weeks, they too
> will leave our coast. Some heading as far north as Alaska, while perhaps
> a small number, make a much shorter flight to the Santa Cruz mountains
> to breed.
>
> Migration, one of the wonders of the natural world.
>
> Pete Solé
>
> appreciating migrants in Soquel, CA
>
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