Warmer weather is finally upon us here in the mountains of Southern California and spring migration is in high gear, with three to four million birds passing over San Bernardino County each night for the past few nights. A nesting colony of Cliff swallows is already sitting on eggs in the mud nests they have plastered on the outlet tower in Lake Arrowhead, while black-headed grosbeaks are singing from treetops as they declare their territory for the season. Other recent spring arrivals include tree swallow, western tanager, and a variety of warblers.
A lot of folks think the first sighting of an American robin is truly the harbinger of spring. Many would be surprised to know that robins occur year round throughout all of the lower 48 states except most of Florida (where they are winter residents but don't breed). Of course, the first bird that heralds the arrival of spring depends upon where you live. Here in the mountains, it's usually Bullock's oriole or the black-headed grosbeak that announces springs arrival.
There are also certain species whose departure indicates the change from winter to spring. Here in the mountain lakes, we can expect some of our most beautiful waterfowl to leave us and make their way north to breed. While ring-necked duck, hooded merganser, bufflehead, and goldeneye make for great winter viewing, they have all departed by now, leaving behind the ubiquitous mallards and coots.
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