returning Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Tierrasanta

This  morning, Friday, the wintering male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in Tierrasanta has officially returned for its second winter. Same exact favorite tree as last winter: enter West Shepherd Canyon from Clairemont Mesa Blvd. and walk a short distance to the usual favorite area of the Painted Redstart. There is a line of largeish eucalyptus trees on the slope to your left, behind homes up on top of the little hill, some with white flowers and some with pink flowers. The bird likes the top part of the tallest euc with lots of white flowers. It is often sneaky–quietly moving about the branches and flower clusters, much like a wintering tanager or oriole would do. Last winter, it was fairly reliable right after the post-dawn sun started shining directly on the top part of the trees–around 7:00-7:30+ AM. Today, I actually had it at around 10AM, so clearly it will show up sporadically later in the morning as well. Also, for the third time in a row I have MISSED the returning Painted Redstart, so either it has modified its routine or it has succumbed…

–Paul Lehman,  San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports