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White-eyed Vireo, landbird migration (lack thereof), minor miscellanea
lehman.paul@verizon.net
As of 28 Aug, the White-eyed Vireo continues, and continues singing, at El Camino Cemetery. No surprise. The usual area.
Overall, the migration of western landbirds along the coast has been quite lackluster (an understatement!) the past couple weeks. Hopefully things will improve soon. I am seeing fewer than 5 individual migrants each morning, at a wide variety of sites; and I finally, for example, got my first-of-season Wilson's Warbler on the 26th and first migrant-type Savannah Sparrows on the 27th--which is late for both. Of just minor interest was a migrant Yellow-breasted Chat on Point Loma on 24 Aug (there are few if any August records of migrants, but that has probably more to do with it being difficult to find clearly migrant Chats in fall), and an adult male Western Tanager in Tierrasanta on 25 Aug was in full song for over 5 minutes, which is odd for a migrant in fall. Long-staying Reddish Egrets continue at both the San Diego R. mouth and at the J Street mudflats. --Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Summer tanager
Jim Roberts GMAIL
This morning (8/27/20) at 8:30AM a young male SUMMER TANAGER was present in the habitat just west of the western terminus of Governor Drive in University City. Jim Roberts University CIty
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Lucy's Warbler at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa (8/25/2020)
Eitan Altman
Hi all - this morning Kathryn Wendel and I had a dull (presumably first fall) LUCY'S WARBLER at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa. We actually both saw this bird separately earlier in the morning, I saw it two separate times and was about 75% confident of the ID but never saw it well enough to call it for sure. After Kathryn described her bird, with her impressions matching mine, I felt more confident that my hunch was correct and we met back up at the park later in the morning and she ended up spotting it again in the SW corner by the scrub zone. At this point, although we never got a clean look at the diagnostic rump color, we both had extended views of the bird foraging in the open in good light, and I felt confident enough to report it to eBird and this group. This bird is moving a LOT, as I saw it first in the far SW corner of the park, then again later along the N perimeter (N of the dog park), and then later we had it on the complete opposite end (SW corner). It never vocalized and did not respond to a few playback attempts, and with so many big trees and shrubs around the park it might be difficult to refind. It did seem to be loosely associating with a small foraging flock of Lesser Goldfinches, however. The bird is very pale, appearing basically all whitish below and grayish above, with a pale gray undertail and a blank pale face with whitish lores and a faint white eye-stripe. Eitan Altman San Carlos
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San Diego Botanic Garden--Hooded Orioles still feeding young, FOS Western Tanager, 25 August
Dear San Diego Birders,
This morning I completed our August bird count at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas. Though I found no rarities, I was surprised to see an adult female Hooded Oriole feeding 3 newly fledged young, which-according to the Atlas and the Lehman update, is about a month late for fledging the last of this year's young. Also, there was our first fall Western Tanager (imm. or female), which was right on time, and the fall arrival of wintering Common Yellowthroats. This species has bred in the Garden, but not every year (and not this year), but quite a few occur here in winter. It appears that our breeding Pacific-slope Flycatchers have departed for the season (there is usually a short hiatus after our 'local' Pac Slopes leave and the migrant Pac-slopes pass through).
The Garden was closed to the public today, so only a few staff around--thus it was quiet, and good for listening for bird sound.
For those of you have have not heard, the San Diego Botanic Garden is now open to the public, but only from 10 am to 5 pm (not great for birders I know), and only from Wednesdays through Sundays (no walk-up entry), and through a time-slot reservation and online ticketing system. However, the Garden will be open to the public on Labor Day, Monday Sept 7. There are some closed areas, per the County's orders, mainly the Hamilton's Children's Garden and the Seeds of Wonder Garden, and now many areas have one-way routes for social distancing. The old main gate is closed and now all public entry is off Ecke Ranch Rd, near the intersection of Ecke Ranch Rd and Quail Gardens Drive. For more info on the Garden's current Covid-19 era guidelines, go to https://www.sdbgarden.org/visitor-guidelines.htm .
My Ebird checklist for today is at https://ebird.org/checklist/email?subID=S72808364
Take care and best birding, Sue
Susan Smith
Seiurus Biological Consulting
Del Mar, CA
seiurus@...
-- Susan Smith Seiurus Biological Consulting Del Mar, CA
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White-winged Dove
Nigella Hillgarth
I saw a white-winged Dove with nine Mourning doves this afternoon on the grass in my yard. I thought they were at the edge of their range in San Diego County and much more inland in drier areas. Are they becoming more frequent on the coast? I have attached a link to photo I just posted in Ebird. Nigella Hillgarth La Jolla
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No Bendire's again
Alison Hiers
At the settling ponds this morning there were four of us. No Bendire's, one Crissal seen and one maybe two LeConte's calling. The Crissal was east of the ponds past the berm and popped up at sunrise, didn't vocalize and then disappeared. The LeConte's was heard distinctly by Tuck and a nice fella from Ohio doing a lower 48 big year (he's at 669!) in the south west area beyond the ponds. We thought we heard it again later - about 8:15 vocalizing on the west side along with some quail but about that time a Harrier swooped over and spoiled the party.
Alison Hiers
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No Bendire's Thrasher today
Kerry Ross
The Bendire's Thrasher was NOT seen this morning (that I know of). There were around 7 birders at the WTP setting ponds in Borrego Springs this morning and as far as I know the BETH was not seen or heard. A CRISSLE'S THRASHER was heard several times by a few birders and several LeCont's Thrashers were also present. There were several BLACK-TAILED GNATCATHERS and one BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. There was also a BELL'S SPARROW seen around the area. Keers (as the MAMU says) Kerry Ross Bay Park
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Baird's, White-winged, Vermilion
lehman.paul@verizon.net
Today, the 23rd, there was a juv Baird's Sandpiper at the salt works on S San Diego Bay, perhaps a continuing bird. (The 3 Baird's also continue today at San Dieguito Lagoon--fide B. L. Carlson.) A worn female Vermilion Flycatcher at the Sunset ball fields in the TRV is probably a returning bird from last winter.
On the 21st, there was a White-winged Dove along Monument Road in the TRV. A Marsh Wren in a weedy ditch in the TRV was at a non-breeding site and thus somewhat early for a migrant, or at least a bit early as a post-breeding wanderer from a nesting area not overly far away. Also my first-of-season B-t Gray Warbler, plus several Lazuli Buntings. --Paul Lehman, San Diego
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Location recommendations for photographing shorebirds during fall migration
Yuan Kang Lee
I primarily photograph at San Elijo Lagoon, Torrey Pines Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Penasquitos Lagoon. I'm interested in photographing more shorebirds during fall migration, but I'm not yet familiar with good bird photography locations in the Greater San Diego area. Ideally, I'm looking for locations with a large number of shorebirds where I can get within 50' or so of the birds.
Thank you for your recommendations. -Kang
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Pectoral Sandpiper
Hello
Yesterday, Aug 21 a Pectoral Sandpiper was seen in the middle of the grass area of the westernmost ball fields At Robb Field, in the company of Killdeer. Thanks for the location tip from the kind fellow border that walked down from his location to let us know it was not in the previously reported spot. Reddish Egret and two Black-bellied Plovers on the high tide island in the flood control channel. One of the plovers retained alternate plumage. Two Adult Yellow-crowned Night-herons hunted from the hazardous material containment booms on the east side of the bridge under construction In the channel. Photos available on eBird posts. cheers Michael Martin Oceanside, CA
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San Dieguito Dust Devil Trails - Three Baird’s
King, Dan
There are currently THREE juvenile Baird’ Sandpipers at the subject location, 9:20 a.m. Aug. 22. While the original bird was being watched by others in the western portion of the impoundment, two additional birds were in the northwest corner of the impoundment. Those two birds have now flown in the direction of the original bird, so they are moving around some.
Dan King San Diego
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Bendire's Thrasher
David Povey
Still present Sat. Morning. Dave Povey Dulzura
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Pectoral Sandpiper at San Diego River off Robb Field
Jim Roberts GMAIL
Pectoral sandpiper continued this morning (8/21/20, 9:30AM) in the same spot until the incoming tide chased it deeper into the vegetation. Jim Roberts University City ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: dan jehl <jehlyfish@...> Date: Thu, Aug 20, 2020 at 9:35 AM Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Pectoral Sandpiper at San Diego River off Robb Field To: <sandiegoregionbirding@groups.io> This morning, August 20, 2020, there is an adult Pectoral Sandpiper frequenting the mudflats at the edge of the vegetation towards the east end. It was often hidden but came out enough for a few pictures. Also seen was a fresh plumaged juv. Ruddy Turnstone as well as a juv. Black-bellied Plover (thanks to Paul for getting me on this). The tide is rising now but the birds may hang out for a while longer. Dan Jehl San Diego
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Re: Bendire Thrasher
Chris Spurgeon
Gotcha. Thanks!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Chris Spurgeon La Crescenta, CA
On Aug 21, 2020, at 8:51 AM, dan jehl <jehlyfish@gmail.com> wrote:
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Re: Bendire Thrasher
dan jehl
Gone, we had it after 8 but it gets really hot there. Best light, most regular, And most comfortable at sunrise.
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Dan
On Aug 21, 2020, at 8:33 AM, Chris Spurgeon <chris@spurgeonworld.com> wrote:
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Re: Bendire’s Thrasher
Chris Spurgeon
Ugh. OK then. Setting my alarm for 3AM to make the drive from L.A. Thanks!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Chris Spurgeon La Crescenta
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Re: Bendire’s Thrasher
Justyn Stahl
Chris, Presumably it’s there but with temps over 110F it’s probably hidden, and most people are inside in the A/C then! Certainly easy and cooperative from 0600-0800 lately. Justyn Stahl North Park
On Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 8:33 AM Chris Spurgeon <chris@...> wrote: I notice all of the reports for the thrasher are between 6 and 7 AM. Is it gone the rest of the day?
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Re: Bendire Thrasher
Chris Spurgeon
I notice all of the reports for the thrasher are between 6 and 7 AM. Is it gone the rest of the day?
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Chris Spurgeon La Crescenta
On Aug 21, 2020, at 8:09 AM, Nancy Christensen <nancy.r.christensen@gmail.com> wrote:
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Bendire Thrasher
Nancy Christensen
Continuing this morning at the settling ponds near Borrego Springs. Friday August 22
Nancy Christensen Ramona A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. Chinese Proverb
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Long tailed bird in San Carlos
I’m unsure of ID for bird I saw this morning (8/20), about 9:30am, in my San Carlos neighborhood, a few blocks east of Lake Murray. The bird landed on telephone wire, only stayed less than a minute, Before it flew west. Lighting was poor. Small bird, (smaller than a scissor-tailed flycatcher), tail twice as long as body. White patches on dark wings when flew. Undulating flight. I could not see body color, or beak shape. Nancy Stalnaker
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