Tweets,

To date the following West Mexican residents have appeared in the Pacific
Northwest beginning in the fall of 1998, heralded as the "most intense El
Nino" on record. There are probably others; these are the species I know
about.

Brown Booby-confirmed
Crested Caracara-confirmed
American Oystercatcher-possible sighting
Xantus' Hummingbird-confirmed

The origin (wild, ship-assist, or escapee) of these birds is the subject of
debate.

In my mind, we have the elements of a pattern here, particularly when we
note all four are truly vagrants to this region. Any thoughts?

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA