Summer may be ending, but to cheer us up some of our smallest and most colorful visitors appear. Plump bright Yellow Warblers pass through fruit trees, picking over the last ripe figs or peaches before they quickly move on south. Watch carefully, for they are gone by mid October. Some of their cousins, the Orange-Crowned and Wilson's Warblers also are passing through, making little flashes of yellow as we move into autumn. A few of the Wilson's will even stay for the winter close to the coast.

Left: A Yellow Warbler poses on a branch (by Ethan Cleveland)

Orioles are starting to take off for warmer locations. Most adult males head south, starting at the end of August, but females and juveniles are the last to leave. They linger until the end of September, building their strength for the long migration to Central America. Keep your oriole feeders out all month until you have not seen a bird for at least two weeks.

In late September, begin watching for our fall migrants, such as Dark-eyed Juncos and White-crowned Sparrows. They'll be around all winter, but it's still nice to see familiar faces showing up at your feeders.

Black-headed Grosbeaks also are leaving, headed to central Mexican and Baja coasts for the winter. All summer they have been regular visitors to your feeders for seeds, and to your lawn and bushes for nuts and berries. Known their distinctive orange and black coats with white spots, you might be surprised to see a big panel of yellow under the wing when they fly.

Right: A Black-Headed Grosbeak enjoys a full feeder

They are here all year and, though breeding is almost over, Hummingbirds are very active and feeding as much as ever. They will stay all winter, if their feeders are full and fresh, and then they'll be ready for nesting, which starts as early as late December, and breeding, which kicks off in January.

Below: A Western Tanager posses dramatically on a pink flower

 

Speaking of bright color, watch your bath and yard for southward migrating tanagers and buntings. The beautiful Western Tanagers have been nearby all summer, but they prefer to nest in cooler forests above 4,000 feet. Now, they are passing through on their way to the Mexican coasts.

The Ballona Wetlands continues to be a magnet for migrating and unusual visitors to our area. The LA Audubon Rare-Bird Alert has identified a Pacific Golden Plover that has been visiting for several weeks, mostly near the salt pan on the south side of Ballona Creek and also along lower Ballona Creek above the Pacific Avenue bridge. These plovers are not unknown as fall migrant visitors, and this one frequently joins the local flock of Black-bellied Plovers. Other frequent visitors, especially to rocky shores, are the Red Knots, stocky speckled-gray sandpipers, often seen along Playa del Rey jetties. As many as three Red Knots have been at the wetlands so far this month. The wetlands are supported by Friends of Ballona Wetlands.