Spring Migration is Underway!

Across the country, spring migration is ramping up as brilliantly colored neotropical migrants, like warblers, tanagers and grosbeaks, begin arriving in our temperate latitudes after having spent the colder months in the balmy and insect-rich tropics. 

One of three Black-headed Grosbeaks that paid a visit to my backyard today!

And this has been an exciting day in the neighborhood indeed!  Even from my own Central Valley backyard, I have been privileged enough to spot a small handful of brilliant migrants already, including a couple of Rufous Hummingbirds, a Bullock's Oriole, a Nashville Warbler (this morning) and, this afternoon, no less than three Black-headed Grosbeaks (two males and one female).


Keep an eye out for extra-brilliant birds passing through in the next few weeks, even if you are only birding in your own backyard!  Yellow Warblers, Blue Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings and Western Tanagers should all be arriving soon!


And, while you're stuck safe at home, I highly recommend watching Birders: The Central Park Effect, which allows watchers to experience spring migration and bird vicariously through a handful of charming characters in New York City.  Also try my favorite birding movie of all time (not that there are a ton of options), The Big Year.  You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll most definitely want to go birding!

And for the readers, pick up a copy of Kenn Kaufman's new book, A Season on the Wind: Inside the World of Spring Migration and dream about the day you finally get to make the pilgrimage to Ohio for The Biggest Week in American Birding (maybe next year).


Happy Migration!

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