Date: 9/8/26 4:01 am From: Robert van de Hoek via groups.io <robertvandehoek...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Clark's Nutcrackers
Hdllo All. Why does this behavior occur of a "montane push" as to any theories?Clark's Nutcracker showed up in September approximately 100 years ago, circa 1930 on Santa Cruz Island.Reported in an article in CONDOR by Ralph Hoffmann - here is a AI Google summary and more can be found ISLAPEDIA and the actual Condor article too.Could these Clark's Nutcracker possibly fly south across the Santa Barbara Channel to Santa Cruz Island and is this a periodic pattern at lower elevations?There are pine trees on Santa Cruz Island that could serve as food source if the vagrancy were to occur?" Famed ornithologist and naturalist Ralph Hoffmann documented an early historical record of the Clark's Nutcracker on Santa Cruz Island in September 1920 (The Condor 22(5):187)."Roy - Robert van de Hoek, Sylmar - Los Angeles, CA
On Monday, September 7, 2026 at 07:55:28 PM PDT, Craig Prater via groups.io <craig.prater.sb...> wrote:
Following up on Jim's message, we arrived about at La Cumbre Peak 30 mins after the Clark's flew off to the west. On our way back homr we checked every stand of pine trees accessible on East Camino Cielo from La Cumbre Peak back to the 154 and didn't the Nutcrackers. So it's an interesting question where they go from La Cumbre Peak.
Craig
-------- Original message --------From: "Jim Hodgson via groups.io" <jimhodgson...> Date: 9/7/26 7:26 PM (GMT-08:00) To: Santa Barbara Birding <main...> Subject: Re: [sbcobirding] Clark's Nutcrackers
Hi all, following up on Hugh’s post from this morning, a group of 5 of us had a flock of 34 Clark’s Nutcrackers flying west over the peak. We were unable to relocate them after that. Also seen in the vicinity of the peak and including an area of pines to the west of the peak were all 3 nuthatches and a Mountain Chickadee was heard. It’s looking like there might be some sort of montane push happening. Along with the afore mentioned birds also seen were 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers, Western Wood Pewees a Stellar’s Jay and a Northern Pygmy Owl being mobbed by the locals. It seems to be an area worth watching.
Good birding all,Jim HodgsonSanta Barbara
On Sep 7, 2026, at 9:18 AM, Hugh Ranson via groups.io <zonetail1...> wrote:
I just had a phone call from Peter Gaede. He and a few others are at La Cumbre Peak and just had a flock of 34 nutcrackers fly over heading west. They might have landed and they're currently trying to find them
Hugh RansonSB
