new Hepatic, W-t Sparrow, high winter W. Tanager total

A difficult-to-pin-down adult male Hepatic Tanager is in Tierrasanta for its second winter in a row, but unfortunately it is on private property; so, thank goodness for the cooperative, long-staying, accessible female at N. Clairemont Park. A White-throated Sparrow is in Nestor. A male Black Scoter at the Imperial Beach Pier is presumably the same bird that was there during the Bird Festival. Continuing adult male Summer Tanager in Nestor, and at least 2 of the 3 Vermilion Flycatchers continue at the Sunset ball fields in the TRV, although they should be departing any day now.

In a moment of idleness, I decided to total up the number of Western Tanagers reported this winter in the county, using eBird reports and my own notes. Was thinking this could be close to a record season, Dec-Mar. Here's what I've come up with so far. If you know of any others, please let me know. Note that a few of the usual wintering tanager hotspots, such as Coronado/North Island (0), Greenwood/Mount Hope Cemeteries (1), and Tierrasanta (1), have been poor this year. This list is generally from south to north.

CURRENT TOTAL 65.

TRV, Monument Road: 2

TRV, Hollister Street: 1

Howard Lane Park: 1

Nestor Park/Leon Avenue: 3

Sunnyslope Park: 3

Fenton Pond: 1

Chula Vista residential: 1

Good Shepherd, Bonita: 2

Rohr Park: 1

south SD: 2

Mount Hope Cem.: 1

Balboa Park, w. side (lawn bowling area): 12

Balboa Park, Zoo: 1

Balboa Park, near SDMNH: 2

Balboa Park, Switzer Cyn: 1

Balboa Park, Morley/FloridaXUpas: 1+

Balboa Park, north edge (Marston Cyn) and vic.: 3+

Presidio Hills/Presidio Park: 2

Wing St. Canyon: 2

Bay Park: 1

Lakeside: 1

La Mesa area: 3

Tierrasanta: 1

Kearny Mesa Park: 1

Villa La Jolla Park: 1

Ranch Santa Fe (North/West Ln): 4

San Dieguito Park: 1

Crest Drive, Encinitas: 1

SD Botanic Garden: 3

Leucadia residential: 1

El Arbol, s. Carlsbad: 1

Kit Carson/Canyon Road, Escondido: 3

Buddy Todd Park: 1
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports