"What's Hot" in Fall 2020; miscellanea

Some miscellanea from today, 14 Sep: A White-winged Dove was at Famosa Slough, a Green-tailed Towhee was at Mission Bay, and I had several each of my first-of-season American Wigeon and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Acorn Woodpecker(s) continue at a "new" coastal site in San Clemente Canyon along Highway 52 just east of I-5.

Now, to WHAT'S HOT in San Diego County in August-early September 2020 (other than the temperatures):

Baird's Sandpiper: excellent numbers continue on the coastal slope, with recent single flocks reported of 17, 15, and 11 birds at three different sites, bringing the coastal total to about 68 birds; plus at least 2 more at Borrego Springs.

Solitary Sandpiper: as expected by the second week of Sep, numbers are tailing off, but the season total since the end of July in the county stands at around 18 birds.

White-winged Dove: they just keep coming and coming. The total west of the mountains now stands at at least 27 birds, a single-season record.

Purple Martin: an all-time record fall season for migrants, with about 46 (!) birds reported, helped along greatly by a record single-flock of 25 seen by Gary Nunn at a site south of his house on 5 Sep, with several other much smaller flocks and singles scattered about by others; plus one at Borrego Springs, where casual.

Brewer's Sparrow: clearly above-average numbers west of the desert to date, with ca. 13+ so far already this season, whereas the full season average is probably only around 4+ on the coastal slope.

Lincoln's Sparrow: a couple record early arrivals followed by well above average numbers during first third of Sep when normally still absent.

Green-tailed Towhee: also clearly above-average since late August west of the mountains, with the total now at around 8 birds, whereas a full season average is only around 5.

–Paul Lehman, San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports