A male Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) singing atop a palm frond last spring on Gravatt Drive.
Photo by Alex Pierce
April and May are big months for spring bird migration with an influx of birds arriving in California in April. Fun fact: birds usually begin their long journey 30 to 45 minutes after sunset, with the greatest number of birds in flight two to three hours later (https://birdcast.info/)—hence why we hear bird calls at nighttime.
It’s important to note that bird migration can be affected by weather conditions such as rainy days or light pollution—which can often lead to bird collisions with windows. Try turning off lights in your home between 11p.m. and 6a.m. to help bird species in their migration. A great tool to explore if you’re looking for a place to go birdwatching is BirdCast. This handy online resource shows live bird migration data in different areas of the United States. Check for species arriving in your county this spring or migrating away through the fall.
Some of the species arriving in Claremont Canyon this spring are Warbling Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, and Hooded Oriole—all of which will breed while here. Listen for the spiraling ethereal song of the Swainson’s Thrush (visit audubon.org to hear songs and calls) and watch for the bright yellow orange plumage of the Oriole (above photo).
Among the species leaving for their own breeding grounds are Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Townsend’s Warbler, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. We’ll miss the sparrows scratching in the leaf litter; but will welcome them back in the fall.
Visit Kay Loughman’s wildlife website to see photos of wildlife in and around Claremont Canyon
