[SBB] Monte Bello Gate 5 5/22/2006

Hello All,

As Bob and Frank found out recently, the little pond has been fairly quiet this spring. This morning, 5/22/2006, a few later migrants were passing though. Two bright, weakly singing Yellow Warblers were unexpected (one by the pond, one at the pullout). A singing Western Tanager was at the roadside. And a summer resident Lazuli Bunting had finally showed up and reclaimed the same territory where they have bred the past 2 years (at least). This LAZB (not LABU; that's a Lark Bunting) was by far the most vocal bird around this morning, singing from the tip-top of one of the few Madrones visible from the pullout (yes Tom, a potential photo-op).

Three Black-throated Gray Warblers were heard from different points in the area this morning. Also a Pileated Woodpecker, a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, an Ash-throated Flycatcher, and a Warbling Vireo.

At Hidden Villa, a female Selasphorus hummingbird has been hanging around in the mornings in the corner of the children's garden nearest to my office for the past week. They are not confirmed breeders here at HV, but why not?

--Garth Harwood