Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

The Mono Basin’s top ten May birds

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

This post was written by Sandra Noll, Birding Intern in 2014, 2015, & 2016.

Late spring and early summer is a great time for birding in the Mono Basin, as species migrate through, arrive for nesting season, and display courtship behavior. The “top ten” monthly bird round-ups are back, selected from birding encounters within a half-hour driving radius of the Mono Lake Committee headquarters in Lee Vining. Including a wider variety of habitats provides increased opportunities to observe and appreciate the beautiful plumage and fascinating behaviors of local birds!

Photo by Sandra Noll.
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak perched near the Mono Lake Committee in Lee Vining. Photo by Sandra Noll.

Drumroll please…. The top ten bird encounters for May 2015:

1–3: Most colorful (and prolific this month)—Western Tanager, Bullock’s Oriole, and Black-headed Grosbeak
4: Most unusual—Rose-breasted Grosbeak
5–6: Most numerous migrants—Wilson’s Warbler and a variety of Empidonax flycatchers (especially Gray and Dusky flycatcher)
7: Hopefully returning to nest for a second year—Lewis’ Woodpecker

Lewis' Woodpecker . Photo by Erv Nichols.
Lewis’ Woodpecker checking out last year’s nest tree at County Park. Photo by Erv Nichols.

8: Most iconic—California Gulls continuing their long history of nesting at Mono Lake

California Gulls. Photo by Sandra Noll.
California Gulls in courtship display on the shore of Mono Lake. Photo by Sandra Noll.

9: Loudest and most numerous—Brewer’s Blackbird

Brewer's Blackbird showing some attitude. Photo by Erv Nichols.
Brewer’s Blackbird showing some attitude. Photo by Erv Nichols.
A newly-fledged American Dipper waits for a feeding at the stream's edge. Photo by Sandra Noll.
A newly-fledged American Dipper waits for a feeding at the stream’s edge. Photo by Sandra Noll.

10: Personal favorite—American Dipper chicks

Wishing you interesting bird encounters wherever you are and hoping you’ll join us for a bird walk sometime this season.

Mono Lake Committee Birding Interns Sandra Noll and Erv Nichols and Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve Ranger Dave Marquart lead free bird walks at County Park every Friday and Sunday morning from 8:00am to 10:00am. Meet us at the park and remember to allow extra time for the road construction between Lee Vining and County Park.