Date: 9/21/26 5:18 pm From: Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] This fall's bird irruptions -- 1972 redux
Birders,
The widespread occurrence (and in some cases massive numbers) of Pinyon Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, etc. this month in California brings to mind the fall of 1972, which veteran (i.e., old) birders will remember well. I was living on the UCLA campus that fall, and had numerous Red-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches, Mountain Chickadees, and Pine Siskins on campus, along with records of Clark's Nutcracker, Red Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak. In his introduction to the Fall Season report in American Birds (now NAB), Guy McCaskie wrote the following:
"Acom Woodpeckers appeared to stage a small invasion of the coast, and Lewis' Woodpeckers invaded the entire Region. A number of the Corvidae irrupted, resulting in many records of Pinon Jays and Clark's Nutcrackers far from their normal ranges, as well as a few records of Steller's and Scrub Jays, Black-billed Magpies and Com. Crows away from areas of normal occurrence. The Region experienced a massive flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches; apparent by a few Whitebreasted and Pygmy Nuthatches, Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets were also involved. Varied Thrushes were much commoner than usual, occurring in many areas where normally absent. The numbers of Evening Grosbeaks found in the eastern portions of the Region were spectacular, and some even occurred west to the coast, indicating an exceptionally heavy flight during October; a few Purple and Cassin's Finches as well as Red Crossbills may have also been involved with this influx."
It remains to be seen how this year's irruptions will play out -- and every irruption year is a bit different. Guy did note in the following (Winter Season) report that the irruptions largely fizzled out after December, which could well happen again this winter. Enjoy it while it lasts, and I would repeat what some others have urged: Explore a variety of areas and go where other birders don't -- that will help paint a more complete picture of what is going on.
