Southbound Rufous. (1 Viewer)

Had my 1st yesterday.

Congrats on your first. I've had several come through this month and have been driving the ebird folks crazy trying to decide if they were Allen's or Rufous. I finally got photos showing which was which and ended up with a second Allen's for our county's bird count.

Cool. Years vary here. Also we're often not home when they come through heading south. Home this summer though. I sometimes get an Allen's very early (Feb/Mar). After a positive ID years back - I gave that (ID'ing Allen's thing) up.

I've had 6 species. April is best - though my greatest swarm ever were Southbound Rufous. Hundreds.

Back in the day I spent time at 'Gunsight' 'East-West' passes in King's and Sequoia parks. 12,000 feet on average. The right day would have endless Rufous zipping by - heading south. Through the pass. I just read that their population is dropping a few points a year. I hope it levels out.

Multiple males and females / sub-adults.

Ruby-throated are ramping up in numbers and activity here.
Adult Females tending to glean the poke berry patch for insects, far more than males & juvies