We always get a few 'eastern' vagrants in MTY in late May. This year a male Indigo Bunting frequented the campground at Andrew Molera SP over the final two weeks of the month, and attracted many birders (photo above © Blake T. Matheson). On 31 May, Chris Hartzell reported it was apparently paired with a female Lazuli Bunting with an active nest.

At least five different Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were present over this period, including this singing male at Big Sur R. mouth 29 May (© D. Roberson) . In Pacific Grove a male Rose-breasted was counter-singing with a male Black-headed for several days, and both had females in tow. Photos of the P.G. grosbeak and more on the Big Sur Indigo are on Bill Hill's web site.

Also in Pacific Grove, a male Olive-sided Flycatcher appeared on territory on 24 April and had attracted a mate by late May. This is the same territory where a pair fledged 3 young last summer, the first proven nesting in Pacific Grove. I presume it is the same male returning Olive-sided below was at Big Sur R. mouth 29 May].

An excellent spring wader was this female Ruff in partial alternate plumage at a restricted area near Salinas. Found by Kent Van Vuren on 22 May, it was still present the next day for this digiscoped shot (left © D. Roberson).

At the time of the publication of Monterey Birds, 2d ed. (2002) there were no records of spring migrants in MTY, but the author opined that one "seems likely to occur in a future spring migration."

Sometimes even the most common resident species can be surprising. That surely was the case this May with this singing Spotted Towhee on territory along the Rocky Ridge trail in Garrapata SP. The wings, tail, flanks and legs look very typical, but for some reason this bird confused some — it was even reported as a 'possible Snow Bunting' — and entertained many on this oft-used (but steep) hiking route.

Perhaps this photo will help explain what the fuss was all about (photo 15 May © Paul Keel).

Blake Matheson & I visited the site at mid-afternoon. While the owls were hidden inside the nest hole a fair bit of the time, they were very precocious and curious when looking out at the world. One of them couldn't quite figure out what I was, and turned his head upside down to get a better view (above right). When it finally figured me out, it gave what can only be called a "bitter beer face" (left).

We stood very quietly at all times, and made no effort to annoy the young owls. I would hope that all other visitors would use good birding ethics, and don't touch the tree nor try to entice (bother) the owls with calls or tapes. They've got enough problems figuring out the world as it is . . .

UPDATE: the two youngsters fledged on 20 May, and were seen sitting at a day roost not far from the nest for a day or two thereafter. Photos of the fledged owls are on Bill Hill's website.

During the short time they were in the nest and known to the public, a good many visitors enjoyed their presence. A fine 2-minute video by Marcel Holyoak is posted to YouTube.

This photo (right) was with flash right at dusk on 16 May (© D. Roberson). The adult male could be heard calling nearby.

An unexpected bonus for Brian Sullivan while buying a house in Carmel Valley in March was the discovery of two young male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the back yard at random times. This one was still present 13 Mar (© D. Roberson).

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