A major rarity here, this appears to be the first record for Santa Clara County. These colorful, flashy, fast moving little firecrackers are typical of pine/oak montane woodlands in Arizona and Mexico. Unlike the better known American Redstart, males and females are identical in this warbler which is classified in a separate genus. This one is presumably the more northerly nominate subspecies. Another race to the south has less white in its wings and tail. It was first found here 28 September by Ellyn Corey & Meg Barron after which it was seen regularly up until 27 October. It then went missing until showing up in the exact same location 18 December and continuing through today. It remains uncertain if the bird actually left this area or if it was just overlooked during the period it was missing. Unless the bird is calling or foraging actively it can be surprisingly easy to miss.
