Keep an eye out for mountain birds including Clark’s Nutcrackers. The Sixth State Record Clark’s Nutcracker was documented on the southeast edge of Madison, Wisconsin (photo by Steven Thompson). The First Provincial Record of a Pygmy Nuthatch was observed visiting feeders in Regina, Saskatchewan – just one of the outlying observations of the species as some individuals move beyond their normal range (photo by Annie McLeod).

As late fall presses toward winter, birders should be aware and watch for a number of interesting species that are moving beyond their usual winter ranges – an activity referred to as “irrupting.” Caused by poor seed development among pine trees in many Rocky Mountain and West Coast mountain habitats, such exciting birds as Clark’s Nutcrackers, Pinyon Jays, and Pygmy Nuthatches are delighting birders in locations where they are rarely encountered – even creating new state and provincial records as fall progresses.

The farthest off-course Clark’s Nutcracker sighting created a Seventh State Record for Wisconsin when it was documented by birders on the edge of the capitol city of Madison. And a county first was established when birders found a Clark’s Nutcracker west of the Minnesota capitol city, St. Paul. Other nutcrackers have been reported as far east as south-central Nebraska and west Texas as well as along Pacific Coast lowlands from British Columbia to southern California.

In fact, the First Provincial Record of a Pygmy Nuthatch was established in Regina, Saskatchewan, documented in the provincial capital while it visited feeders. Other out of range sightings of Pygmy Nuthatches were reported from coastal areas along much of the West Coast from north of San Francisco to British Columbia, not to mention east of the Rockies into northern Nebraska.

Pinyon Jays are being documented in lowland areas of eastern Colorado, Idaho, and coastal Washington, plus a flock of 10 Pinyon Jays was reported at a lowland locale near Los Angeles, California. Other western mountain-dwelling birds also appear to be on the move this fall, such as Gray-crowned Rosy Finches and Cassin’s Finches. It will be interesting to see how this irruption plays out during late fall and winter.

You can refer to the original American Birding Association article, authored by Amy Davis, at Clark’s Nutcracker, Pinyon Jay, and Pygmy Nuthatch Irruption 2023 - American Birding Association (aba.org)