disappearing Dickcissel, Plumbeous, miscellanea

On Monday morning, I was looking through the Horned Larks at the north end of the Fiesta Island dog run when a calling (flatulent) DICKCISSEL flew right over my head (close enough to see the yellow wash on the breast), heading well to the ENE. I do not know whether it bothered to land in the middle section of Fiesta Island or continued on and on and on…  There really isn't any particularly good habitat for this species currently in the western part of the island, so there isn't any particular spot one could even choose to start looking….

October is "Violet-green Swallow Migration Month," and today's 30 birds at San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar was a good count for the immediate coast. Speaking of swallows and relatives, there have been lots of Barn Swallows around the past several days, with 200+ yesterday in the Imperial Beach area. Also widely scattered small numbers of Vaux's Swifts, as well as larger numbers over downtown.

On Sunday the 14th, there were TWO REDDISH EGRETS viewed simultaneously at the Tijuana River mouth. And a PLUMBEOUS VIREO was at the new "Southcrest Trails Park" in south San Diego, near where I-5 & 15 meet. This is somewhat of a 'dodgey' location which I would NOT recommend for the lone female birder, or for anyone with squeamish tendencies!

–Paul Lehman,  San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports