Although the distinctive Black and White Warbler is a summer resident of the East and Canada, it does make rare appearances in California during spring migration. It is said that a precious few actually winter here. And those lucky few who get to see them here in the Golden State, it's quite a treat, because this is a great looking bird. The bird is on its way up from Mexico, Central America, and South America, where it has been wintering. Were it not for those distinctive stripes, we might mistake them for a nuthatch -- it is known to creep up and down a tree searching its bark for food. Anyway, we're starting to note a few sightings on the listserves (here's one), and we're hoping for more. Here's a map of April-May sightings on eBird:

(photo by Glen Tepke)