Peak migration brings colorful bird to Santa Fe
The most exciting time for backyard bird-watching in the Santa Fe area has begun.
There have been an increasing number of reports of western tanagers in the last few days. These gorgeous yellow birds with a red head and black wings have arrived in Santa Fe.
They love suet, suet cylinders, oranges, and will sometimes come to nectar and grape jelly. Many will continue north for nesting, but some will stay in the area all summer. By June, fewer and fewer of these beauties will be visible as they have settled in the treetops to nest.
Black-headed grosbeaks are fairly large black and orange birds that typically come to seed or seed cylinders. Like their cousin the evening grosbeak, look for their thick, powerful bill. They winter south of Santa Fe, but are arriving now to spend the summer here. Evening grosbeaks are also being seen in and around Santa Fe.
Since this is peak migration, the chance of seeing something unusual is very good.
Many will visit backyards, especially if offered a good seed mix, suet, suet cylinders, nectar and oranges, thistle (for lesser goldfinches), and lots of water. Tossing some seed onto the ground might lure some ground feeding migrants, too. Adding a bubbler to a birdbath makes a big difference. The sight and sound of moving water can attract more migrants. Multiple birdbaths in different places can increase the variety of bird activity in backyards, too.
Make sure birdbaths are shallow and have fresh water. All it takes is a vigorous robin or two to empty a birdbath in minutes. They are so enthusiastic about bathing. I love watching them, even if it means an extra trip or two out to refill the birdbaths.
A few of the birds that have been reported in backyards recently: Say’s phoebe, western tanager, bullock’s oriole, black-headed grosbeak, evening grosbeak, broad-tailed and black-chinned hummingbirds, chipping sparrow, whitecrowned sparrow, green-tailed towhee, barn swallow, turkey vulture, summer tanager and cassin’s finch. Many year-round birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and jays are still busy at feeders and birdbaths, but they are joined by an increasing number of spring migrants looking for a snack or a place to bath and drink.
Anne Schmauss is the co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Santa Fe and she loves to hear your bird stories. She is the author of For the Birds: A Month by Month Guide to Attracting Birds to Your Backyard and Birdhouses of the World.