“Who is that bird at my feeder? That is a question asked often in April, as many birds that defy bird-identification apps show up at local feeders. These range ­from yearly regulars who migrate through but don't stay, to eastern or southern birds who somehow got misdirected to Southern California. This year a Broad-billed Hummingbird, native to the Sierra Madre in Mexico, caused traffic jams with its appearance in a Glendora neighborhood. One tiny Black-and-White Warbler, which normally migrates from Mexico across the plains states to Canada, apparently made a left turn at the border, winding up at Manhattan Beach. For more rare-bird sightings, check the LA Audubon Blog (https://www.laaudubon.org/blog).

Left: A Black-and-White Warbler pauses on a branch (by Anne Lindgren)

Earth Day is April 22 with an astonishing range of activities . These include a tour of the Los Angeles City Sanitation yards, complete with a chance to explore the huge trash trucks and attend a class on how to compost. For those interested in birds, Courtney McCammon, Urban Ecologist, with LA City Rec & Parks will give a tour of Griffith Park's Bird Sanctuary at 1900 .  Heal the Bay will sponsor a beach cleanup on April 21 and events all day at the Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier. For a list of events visit our Earth Day Page

Project FeederWatch ends this month, https://www.feederwatch.org  This winter bird count is one of the most important to assess the condition of North American birds. If you've been counting, keep up the good work! 

One of our few migrating hummingbirds, the Black-chinned Hummingbird, arrives this month. The brilliant violet of the males' throats shows up only in bright light. Otherwise, they are mostly black (head and tail) or dark green (back and flanks), except for a white collar below the throat. They're here to breed, so you also may see the female, who is grayish with a bit of buff on her flanks. It's always exciting when one of these unusual hummers shows up at your nectar feeder.

Right: A Black-chinned Hummingbird shows off its purple throat

If you are hiking along open fields, such as in the Santa Monica Mountains, you might hear and see a Western Meadowlark. The bright yellow on its throat and breast with streaky black-gray on back and wings, as well as a black “necklace” at its throat, make it easy to recognize. Listen for a sweet short chortle that sounds like it's being played on a tiny flute.

Left: A Western Meadowlark shows off its black "necklace"

Bullocks and Hooded Orioles have arrived. Place your orange-colored nectar feeder out in the open to entice flying orioles to your yard. The Hooded and Bullock's Orioles are common throughout Southern California. However, if you are out in the desert, particularly one with Joshua Trees, you can spot Scott's Orioles. They are jet black on the head and back with lemon yellow underparts.

The Lesser Goldfinches may not be visiting your nyjer feeders, but they will stop in for sunflower seeds and chips. Two wet years have created an abundance of wild thistles, catkins and dandelions throughout the area, so they don't have to visit nyjee feeders to get their favorite foods.

Swainson's Thrushes are unusual, because they migrate at night. April and early may are when you are most likely to see them, hunting bugs along trails in shaded mountain canyons.

Last month we highlighted the arrival of Tree Swallows. This month they begin nesting, particularly in wetland locations where nesting boxes have been provided. The Ballona Wetlands area is prime habitat, nurturing the flying bugs that are their basic food. When you visit the wetlands, watch for the nest boxes on poles, erected by the Friends of Ballona Wetlands throughout the area.

Nectar Recipes:

With both hummingbirds and orioles showing up at feeders, it's important to have the right mix of nectar

Hummingbird nectar: Four parts water to one part white sugar. No red dye, no beige sugar, no sugar substitutes.

Oriole nectar: Mix six parts water to one part table sugar. Orioles also like oranges and berry-grape jelly.