Speaking of rose-breasted Grosbeaks, I had the opportunity to hike
through Tecolate Canyon in San Diego last month with six avid birders in
search of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a rare bird for that area that had
been spotted that week by one of our group. The narrow canyon was full
of sunshine, blooming bushes, tall trees, and a few too many
photographers. We saw many birds whose names I did not record, but
among them were these that were life-birds for me:

Cliff Swallows,
Hooded Orioles,
Nuttall Woodpeckers,
a Common Yellowthroat,
a Yellow Breasted Chat,
many California Towhees,
a pair of Cooper's Hawks--on a branch near the trail (very impressive),
Black-chinned and Anna's hummingbirds,
Western Gulls,
Wrentits, and
Bushtits.

But, alas!, no Rose-breasted Grosbeak!

Darlene
Cinebar WA