Date: 3/23/26 11:27 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Cassin's & Purple Finch comparisons (Laguna Mountains)
For a while now there has been a small to fair number of Cassin's Finches in the Laguna Mountains. In contrast, very few or none are in the Cuyamacas--where one recent report of Cassin's ended up being a Purple. A visit this morning, Monday, to the Lagunas produced small numbers of Cassin's at a total of four sites along Sunrise Highway, where also Purple Finches are present. At two of these sites--the Mile 19 pullout/trailhead and farther north at the turnoff for the Laguna Campground--there were several each of Cassin's and Purple Finches in mixed flocks. And at Mile 19 there were also a couple House Finches present, so we had a Hat Trick of Haemorhous finches there. Anyway, at multiple sites the presence of both Cassin's and Purples provided for a good ID lesson and an opportunity to try to tell the songs apart of the two species (much more difficult than the call-notes).
It has been a rather mediocre season for Townsend's Solitaires this winter, so of note was an individual today at Desert View Picnic Area, a site that has supported this species over the past several years (same individual?).
Paul Lehman, San Diego
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