International Migratory Bird Day is May 11, the first of two migratory-bird days this year, in order to include both the northern and southern hemispheres in the event. The second is Oct. 5. One of this year's featured species is the American Kestel, a beautiful small raptor that is native to Southern California, including the Channel Islands. Though they are here all year, the population swells in winter as Kestrels migrate in from colder areas. Their primary diet is large insects, though they will take the occasional lizard or rodent, which is congruent with the theme of Migratory Bird Day, “Protect insects; protect birds.”

Left: Three juvenile American Kestrels almost ready to fly

Moving water is a real magnet for some non-seed eating migrants.

Provide fruit like orange halves and apples for tanagers, orioles and grosbeaks.

Listen for unusual bird calls as a clue to find different birds visiting your backyard.

Orioles and grosbeaks are nesting.

House Finch young are fledging.

Most American Goldfinches are moving to higher elevations to breed.

Peak breeding season for Anna's and Allen's Hummingbirds.

Calliope Hummingbirds arrive in the high mountains.

Costa's and (occasional) Black-chinned Hummingbird breeding season on the coast.

Most shorebirds are gone; the last of the Willets leave.

Avocet and Black-necked Stilts are nesting in coastal wetlands.

Least Terns arrive at their selected beach nesting sites.

Mockingbird singing fades as pairs form.

Eta Aquarids meteor shower is early-May.