Date: 4/1/26 9:32 am From: 'Pete Sole' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] All present and accounted for...
Hi birders,
Well, the last of the neighborhood migrants checked in. In less than
ideal weather, we saw two BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, an adult male, and
what I suspect was a second year male, come to our feeders yesterday
afternoon. That completes the "pentafecta" (April fools word?), of five
migrating bird species that usually breed near our home. In order of
appearance for 2026:
* Allen's Hummingbirds - Unfortunately after an initial appearance in
January, have not seen more individuals.
* Violette-Green Swallows - For a few days, checked out the nesting
boxes we put up.
* Hooded Orioles - Calling most days near the neighborhood palm trees.
* Western Flycatchers - Calling most days.
* Black-headed Grosbeaks - One second year male? ate seed from our
feeders as I typed this.
I guess that the last 4 will likely breed in our neighborhood. The last
4 showed up in March, with the grosbeaks, barely making the month.
In other migrant news, although last night was fairly quiet, we seem to
be tracking bird migration numbers close to, if not slightly above, the
historical average for Santa Cruz (SC) county. It's still early in our
migration season, but for more SC county data, check out Cornell Lab's
Migration Dashboard at:
Oh, and one last migrant note, the numbers of Golden-crowned Sparrows
seems to be dropping, even as the birds molt into more colorful breeding
plumage. Right now, the ones that are still present, look pretty messy.
