Southward migration brings back the familiar faces of birds who will be with us all winter. You are most likely to see the White-Crowned Sparrows first, foraging under a bush for seeds that have dropped to the ground. Though they are year-round residents, the streaky Song Sparrows start to fire up their distinctive song in the winter. Chipping Sparrows with their rust-colored caps start showing up at feeders until April, when they return to their pine-forested breeding areas.

Left: A White-Crowned Sparrow already has found some seeds

In the mixed weather of fall, ranging from hot, dry Santa Ana winds to cool days that can be crisp or damp, it's still important to give birds plenty of fresh water.

Beside the White-Crowneds, warblers are the stars of the migration. This month Yellow-rumped Warblers start to show up looking for fresh worms. They will stay all winter, but many are just passing through. Yellow Warblers are pretty but brief visitors, while another bright-yellow bird, the Wilson's Warbler, is seen more often.

Right: A Yellow-Rumped Warbler looks for worms at LA Zoo (Larry Naylor)

Another occasional visitor, the Pine Siskin, often comes to coastal feeders at his time. Close relatives of Goldfinches, they show only a bar of yellow on their wings and otherwise are streaky dark gray and white all over. They can arrive in big flocks, looking for a variety of foods from seeds to catkins to insects. They also like the Goldfinches' favorite, nyjer seed.

 Northern Flickers used to be common year-round residents in Southern California, but, like many woodpeckers, urbanization of their habitat has reduced their numbers during breeding season. Still we can see the bright-red swash on their cheeks that is hallmark of the species from early October through March. East Coast Flickers have yellow swashes, and you may see birds that have hybridized and show some of both colors. Flickers often turn up on tree trunks or the ground looking for ants or other small bugs.

Left: A Northern Flicker shows off its red swash (Larry Naylor)

Malibu Lagoon is one of the best places to see all the shore birds migrating through the area. The Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society, which hosts regular bird walks there, reports seeing 40 Snowy Plovers during its Sept. 22 visit, a very encouraging number for these endangered shore nesters.  

Orionids meteor shower is late October.

The annual arrival of the sumo wrestlers of the seal world is in October, as huge male Elephant Seals stake out mating territory on beaches from Ventura north past Hearst Castle.