Spring Migration

by Tom and Jo Heindel

Is it possible? Is it time to think of spring migrants already? Not only is it time to think of spring birds but, be advised, that a handful have already made an appearance. On 14 January two Barn Swallows were at Fish Springs; the first January records ever! On 17 January Chris Howard had the first Cinnamon Teal of spring at Furnace Creek Ranch. The same day Earl Gann’s field trip had the first Turkey Vulture of the year and four Tree Swallows were at Tinemaha Reservoir. It has started. Winter often persists in the eastern Sierra until quite late. Visiting southern California birders are often surprised that our trees are still leafless in early April because theirs have been leafed out for a month. Our land bird migration does not have a major push until late April or early May. Our shorebirds, however, have been on the move long before this land bird movement began. Greater Yellowlegs often begin to migrate in February. As a few winter, it may be difficult to determine if a bird is wintering or moving through. If a person is able to bird the same area repeatedly they would know whether the bird had been there through the winter or not. Over the last decade we have February records of fifteen (1993), thirty-nine (1994), and thirteen (1997), for example, where only a few had been seen in December and January trips to the same location. Black-bellied Plovers begin moving through by late March. Our earliest record is 11 March 1996 at Farmer’s Pond, north of Bishop found by Floyd & Sandy Bero. Killdeer begin to reappear in large numbers during March while in the winter they are seen in very small numbers. By late March our first Black-necked Stilts have returned. The earliest Inyo record is 19 March 1995 at Haiwee Reservoir. Similarly, large numbers of American Avocets have returned by the third week of March to brace the still icy weather. By the last of March our first Lesser Yellowlegs and Solitary Sandpipers have returned. By late March or early April our two most common small sandpipers, the Western and Least, are moving through in great numbers. A few Long-billed Dowitchers are moving in February and by mid March in some years may be found by the dozens. While Wilson’s Phalaropes don’t normally appear until mid-April, there is a 27 Mar 1990 record for Bishop. If these regular spring migrants are not enough to get you out to your favorite shorebird area, keep in mind the possibility of finding a truly rare visitor such as Red Phalarope (2 spring records over the last decade), Baird’s Sandpiper (2 spring records over the last decade), and Pectoral Sandpiper (2 spring records over the last four decades)! Where might we find these migrant water birds? Anywhere there is standing water. The best shorebird area in the county is probably Cottonwood Marsh, about ten miles south of Lone Pine (see the ESAS WWW site for a map and photo-Ed.), along the west shore of Owens Lake. A fresh water pond overflows providing birds water to drink and bathe. Other good areas include Tinemaha Reservoir, Nik & Nik gravel ponds, north of Bishop, and Crowley Lake to the north in Mono County. Spring has sprung!