the Pinyon Jay/Nutcracker invasion ; and recent Semi Sandpiper reports
5:30 am
First off, there have been a couple recent reports of Semipalmated Sandpiper(s) at Lower Otay Lake which have generated some further interest by others in looking for them. Be aware that this species is extremely rare after about Sep 5–with almost all fall records between the last week of July and the first week of Sep. Anything after that is exceptional and needs to be photographically documented. These recent reports have no photos, come from two different parts of the lake, and in one case has an incorrect age for what might occur. A truism is that the first step in properly identifying Semi’s in the fall is to be able to properly AGE them. Anyway, be aware that EXTREME caution is warranted.
As just about everyone knows, we are clearly in the midst of a major irruptive movement of Pinyon Jays and Clark’s Nutcrackers. This is a widespread event also in other parts of California and in the Great Basin/Southwest (a likely source region). Most of the activity in San Diego County has been centered in the Big Laguna Meadow area in the Laguna Mountains, between about Pine Valley Road in the north and Water of the Woods at the south. But that’s where virtually all of the birders are going!!!! Be aware that there has also been a report of a flock of nutcrackers near Cuyamaca Peak and just yesterday there was a small flock of Pinyon Jays seen at Lake Cuyamaca. So……FURTHER EXPLORATION IS WARRANTED! Also, observers can help better document this event by–as best as can be done with roving, shifting flocks–carefully counting numbers of these species they see, rather than just making after-the-fact estimates.
All of the observer visitation to this part of the Laguna Mountains since the end of August has resulted in a “Patagonia Picnic Table Effect” in which one rare bird begets more birder visitation which generates another rare bird, which generates yet more visitation, which results in yet more….. In addition to the two celebrity corvids, birders have discovered a host of record early arrivals, including record-early Williamson’s Sapsuckers, record or near-record Cassin’s Finch and Pine Siskin, and several others. Two Red Crossbills were photo’d.
It will be interesting to see what other montane species go on the move this fall and winter. Clearly Red-breasted Nuthatches are. We had a Mountain Chickadee at Jacumba a few days ago. And be aware that a few Evening Grosbeaks have now turned up farther north in Southern California.
Paul Lehman, San Diego