April - May 2011

Somewhat surprisingly, with an unusually cool and wet spring, there were relatively few unusual finds. Of course there were a lot of birds to see and a few notable reports, but hoped for vagrant songbirds were not among them: not a single vagrant warbler was reported in the Sacramento area. Shorebirds were better represented and Evening Grosbeaks continued through mid-May. Perhaps the most notable birds the storms blew in were Black Swifts, seen over Putah Creek just downstream of Monticello Dam, on 5/15 and 5/17. The other standout report was the return of at least two singing Bell’s Vireos to the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) just south of Parking Lot G.

Black Swift, May 17, 2011, by John Sterling

Evening Grosbeaks, April 17, 2011, by Chris Conard

For additional photos of the Black Swift,
click here 

For videos of the Evening Grosbeaks and additional photos, click here

A gorgeous Red-necked Grebe in breeding plumage at William B. Pond along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 5/5-6 was an excellent find. A Brown Pelican was seen flying over Sacramento near Hwy 50 and 65th St. on 5/28 (on 6/2 it or another bird was found in W Sacramento). Least Bitterns were heard calling at Mather Lake on 5/13, with two heard on 5/14, and at Lake Solano on 5/22. A Merlin on 4/23 at Cosumnes River Preserve was one of the later local reports.

Among the good shorebird finds, six Pacific Golden-Plovers were at the Trestle Ponds northeast of Woodland on 4/18. A Snowy Plover was found at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 4/23, and one was present there from 5/1-3. A high of 13 Snowy Plovers were at YWA, first reported on 4/26, some exhibiting breeding behavior. Ultimately they abandoned the area when the fields where they were foraging dried up. Solitary Sandpipers were widely reported, with an early report from a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 4/3. There were multiple reports at CRP between 4/22 and 5/8, with an impressive high of five on 4/30. Two Willets were present at YWA on 4/27, and up to 10 Marbled Godwits were reported toward the end of April, but the most notable find there was a Red Knot in breeding plumage on 4/26.

For the second year in a row, California Gulls attempted to nest at the Davis WTP. A very usual scene in the Capay Valley on 5/16 involved an adult Western Gull eating a road-killed raccoon. Closer to more typical haunts, and adult Western Gull was also reported from Sherman Island on the same day. A single Least Tern was found at the SRCSD Bufferlands on 5/31, where they have nested for the past three years.Among the uncommon flycatchers, most notable were several Gray Flycatchers, including one at Beek’s Bight, Folsom Lake, on 5/1, CRP on 5/2, along Putah Creek between Winters and Davis on 5/11, and one at Paradise Beach (ARP) on 5/15. The Steller’s Jay that wintered in Curtis Park continued through the end of May. A singing Brown Creeper was along Putah Creek downstream of Lake Solano on 4/27 and an adult was feeding a fledgling at the Lake Solano campground on 5/30 (video here). A Green-tailed Towhee was found at Sailor Bar (ARP) on 5/18, and the Harris’s Sparrow found near the Gristmill access (ARP) on 1/31 was last reported on 4/17. Evening Grosbeak reports continued, with up to 30 along Old Davis Rd near the UCD Wildlife Health Center. They were seen at this location from 4/13 to 5/14, and breeding behavior (copulation and stick carrying) was noted on at least two occasions. Two were reported flying over Orangevale on 5/15.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve. Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" for details. With more than 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dan Kopp, Alison Kent, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Sarah Newton, Frances Oliver, Ron Pozzi, W.L. Rockey, John Sterling, John Trochet, and Daniel Welsh. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2011

After a couple of months with outstanding new records for the region, things were bound to slow down.  This March received nearly twice the average rainfall total and many low-lying riparian areas were flooded and inaccessible, so it is understandable that bird reports were somewhat reduced.  Harbingers of spring, Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles were first recorded on the last day of the month—about a week late for the kingbird.

A gorgeous male Tufted Duck was present at a pond with other diving ducks in West Sacramento from 3/11-3/13.  This pond, just one of many potentially productive drainage ponds in the area, is along Stonegate Ave to the south of Linden Rd.  A few Redheads and a Barrow’s Goldeneye, among other divers, have also been reported there.  A male Greater Scaup at the Ione Sewage Ponds and two male Eurasian Wigeons along Sutter Creek-Ione Rd on 3/25 were very nice finds for Amador County.  A Pacific Golden-Plover, molting into breeding plumage on the latter date, was found at the Sac Reg. WTP on 3/8 and 3/22.

Pacific Golden-Plover with Black-bellied Plovers at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant on March 22, 2011.  Photo by Chris Conard.

Once again, the Yolo gull reports were excellent.  The most notable was a second-cycle Slaty-backed Gull reported on 3/9 at the Davis WTP.  Two or more Glaucous Gulls were regular, along with numerous Thayer’s and Glaucous-winged Gulls, and two adult Western Gulls were reported on 3/25.  The Granite Bay access to Folsom Lake also had some excellent reports, with an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (with different bill features from the Nimbus Hatchery bird of a month earlier) on 3/8, along with a first-cycle Glaucous Gull.  The following day, a second-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported, and, on 3/14, the two birds from 3/8 were reported along with a Kumlien’s (Iceland) Gull.  An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (the Nimbus bird?) was found along the American River at Ancil Hoffman on 3/12, and two adult Western Gulls were reported from the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway (ARP) on 3/10, with one still present on 3/13.

Other interesting reports include the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, found on 2/26 at Serrano and Silva Valley Parkways in El Dorado Hills, continuing through at least 3/12; the Eastern Phoebe, found at a closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 1/4, was refound on 3/27; a Red Fox Sparrow at CRP’s River Walk on 3/13; the Harris’s Sparrow found near the Gristmill access to the ARP on 1/31, continuing into mid-April along with one (then two) Slate-colored Fox Sparrow(s); and the regular Evening Grosbeak reports in Yolo County continued, with reports in the Village Homes area of west Davis as well as one in Woodland on 3/3.  The Central Valley’s first Painted Bunting, found on 2/1 by Cheri Pillsbury in her Stockton backyard was last reported by her on 3/14.  Cheri, a long-time birder and organizer of the Central Valley Birding Symposium, died suddenly on 3/18.

Evening Grosbeaks have been widespread in the region this winter, but especially so in Davis.  Many reports have been of flying birds giving their distinctive calls with very quick views of the birds; however, Susie Nishio was able to obtain the following nice series of Evening Grosbeak photos at UC Davis on February 21, 2011.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve.   Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Airola, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Jim Holmes, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Cheri Pillsbury, John Sterling, John Trochet, and Bruce Webb.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2011

Painted Bunting, 8 Feb 2011, photo by Chris Conard

Harris's Sparrow, 4 Feb 2011, photo by Chris Conard

Following closely on the Central Valley’s first Zone-tailed Hawk (last reported in south Sacramento on 2/7), assuming that report is accepted by the California Bird Records Committee (CBRC, californiabirds.org), a Painted Bunting was found coming to a feeder in Stockton on 2/1.  While just south of the area typically covered by this column, its status as a first for the Valley earns it top billing here.  A female or young male, it continued through press time, being seen and photographed by multiple visiting birders at a private back yard.  Another great backyard bird was a Harris’s Sparrow found near the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway (ARP) on 1/31, continuing through press time and seen by dozens of visitors.

The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull found at the Nimbus Hatchery on 1/9 continued to at least 2/5, and two Western Gulls were at Ancil Hoffman on 2/26.  An adult Glaucous Gull was photographed flying over Rosemont (east of Sacramento) on 2/1.  Impressive Yolo County gulls reports from the Davis Landfill and nearby sewer ponds included up to three Glaucous Gulls and two Western Gulls.  Always on the cutting edge of gull ID, Yolo gull watchers reported a second-cycle Slaty-backed Gull on 2/19 (a CBRC review species), a Kumlien’s (Iceland) Gull on 2/17, and a possible glaucoides Iceland Gull on 2/19 (Iceland Gulls are CBRC review species).

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 26 Feb 11, by Chris Conard

Light morph Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, 13 Feb 11, Dan Scott

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 2/26 and continuing into mid-March at Serrano and Silva Valley Parkways in El Dorado Hills appears to be a first record for El Dorado County.  The annual bird count at UC Davis, run this year on 2/6, produced some good local winter finds.  To the west of campus along Putah Creek, highlights included a Short-eared Owl at a restored grassland site near Stevenson’s Bridge (one of few reports this winter), a Hairy Woodpecker (rare that far into the Valley), and a wintering Yellow Warbler.  Eleven Red-breasted Nuthatches on the UCD campus was also impressive.

A light morph Harlan’s (Red-tailed) Hawk was photographed along I-5 between Elk Grove Blvd and Hood-Franklin Rd on 2/13, and dark morphs included the returning wintering bird at Thornton and Peltier Rds in San Joaquin County and one at Cosumnes River Preserve on 2/12. 

Pacific Loon and Red-necked Grebe, 28 Feb 11, by Chris Conard

Wilson's Warbler, 19 Feb 2011, by Chris Conard

Rounding out a short but busy month was a Red-throated Loon on Folsom Lake, Folsom Point, on 2/11, a Pacific Loon and a Red-necked Grebe at Lake Camanche on 2/28, a Long-eared Owl at Grasslands Regional Park at archery range on 2/19, a wintering Wilson’s Warbler at the Sacramento County Bufferlands on 2/19 and into March, the continuing Curtis Park Steller’s Jay through at least 2/27, a Mountain Chickadee at Larchmont Park and ARP on 2/21, and numerous Evening Grosbeaks in Davis.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Sarah Newton, Cheri Pillsbury, Linda Pittman, Jim Pompy, John Sterling, John Trochet, and Bruce Webb.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2011

After a very wet early winter, much of January was quite dry and pleasant, though periods of heavy fog held sway in the low portions of the Valley.  There were many interesting reports for the month, some spilling over from December and the CBC season.  Topping the list was the Central Valley’s first Zone-tailed Hawk.  It was first seen at fairly close range near Babel Slough Rd on 1/24 as it flew across the Sacramento River into south Sacramento, the site of a couple of additional reports into early February.  The other bird causing a major stir this month was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull found at the Nimbus Hatchery on 1/9, continuing into February.  It was a rather large-billed individual, but otherwise appeared to be a Lesser Black-backed, for just the third or fourth county record.  Another first for the Central Valley came in on 2/1, but we’ll wait until next month for that one.  Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, January 18, 2011, by Ed Harper

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Sage Thrasher, January 16, 2011, by Ed Harper

Two immature Trumpeter Swans were found along Waltz Rd to the northwest of Lincoln on 1/19 and a Eurasian Green-winged Teal was found at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 1/29.  A female Red-breasted Merganser was on Laguna West Lake, south of Laguna Blvd in Elk Grove on 1/3, continuing through at least 1/9.  A Red-throated Loon on Dutch Slough near Oakley on 1/28 was not too far away, as a loon swims, from a bird reported in November at Sherman Island.  On 1/20 a Pacific Loon was found from Beals Point at Folsom Lake along with seven Common Loons.  An adult Western Gull was found on 1/28 along the American River Parkway (ARP) at Ancil Hofmann and a first-cycle Glaucous Gull was at the Davis WTP on 1/29.

Another of the month’s top finds was a first winter Harris’s Sparrow in a yard near the Gristmill Access of the ARP on 1/31.  It continued into February, when it was widely seen and photographed.  A Sage Thrasher was found on 1/4 south of Clarksburg along the South River Rd at Yolo County Rd 142.  It continued through at least 1/19.  On the 1/15 Tall Forest survey at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP), highlights included six Blue Snow Geese, a male Eurasian Wigeon, and a Western Sandpiper (rare in winter).  On 1/22, a Cassin’s Vireo was an excellent find at the Tall Forest, along with a wintering Townsend’s Warbler.  A visit to private land in southeastern Sacramento County on 1/29 produced a rare (for California) “Prairie” Merlin, over 100 Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and an immature Northern Shrike.

Additional highlights included an Eastern Phoebe found at the Orr portion of CRP on 1/4, and the continuing Eastern Phoebe along Garden Hwy north of Radio Rd, found through at least 1/9. The continuing Tropical Kingbird from Davis was last reported on 1/2.  After weeks without a report, the Steller’s Jay in Curtis Park was found again on 1/30.  The Mountain Chickadees at East Lawn Cemetery continued into at least mid-January, and Evening Grosbeaks were widely reported in Davis in addition to a couple of reports around Sacramento. 

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Laura Davis, Jim Dunn, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Brian Gilmore, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dan Kopp, Gary Langham, Jeri Langham, Ron Melcer, Michael Perrone, Will Rockey, Deren Ross, Don Schmoldt, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Jim Tietz, John Trochet, Sally Walters, Bruce Webb, Dan Williams, and Ken Wilson.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

November 2010

Any kingbird after early September is a rare find in the Central Valley.  These two kingbirds were first records for Yolo County. 

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Tropical Kingbird 25 Nov 2010 by Roger Adamson

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Cassin's Kingbird 18 Nov 2010 by Dave Johnson

The Yolo County winter kingbird show got even more interesting:  on 11/20 a Tropical Kingbird was found at North Pond in Davis, and it continued through at least 11/26 ( more pictures at http://radamson.smugmug.com/ ).  While Tropical Kingbirds are rare but regular to the coast in fall, this is perhaps just the third for the Central Valley, and certainly the first for Yolo.  The similar Couch’s Kingbird, with only one documented record for the state, can only be confidently separated by voice.  To remove all doubt, this bird called in response to a fly-by Red-shouldered Hawk. The Cassin’s Kingbird, first found on 10/15 north of Winters at Rds 27 and 88, continued through at least 11/21 (more photos at flickr). 

Sherman Island in extreme southwestern Sacramento County produced some good waterfowl records last winter, and regular coverage has turned up some more good finds.  Sacramento County’s fifth Brown Pelican record was found on 11/29 and continued into early December (the first was in 1976, the second in 2004, and the next two were just last summer—the increase of records in recent times is perhaps tied to this species’ DDT-induced population crash and subsequent recovery).  Also reported during this period was a Pacific Loon flying by on the Solano County side of the river on 11/29, a Red-throated Loon in both counties on 11/30, and a couple of Western Gulls, apparently regular here in low numbers, but rare farther inland.

The invasion by montane species continued with good numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches persisting where conifers are planted, three Mountain Chickadees at the East Lawn Cemetery in Sacramento on 11/15, continuing into December, and a Steller’s Jay in Curtis Park near the Sierra II Center from 11/14 into December.  Other interesting reports include a “Common Teal” (the Old World version of Green-winged Teal) at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 11/28, a female Surf Scoter on Folsom Lake on 11/8 near Granite Bay, a female Red-breasted Merganser on Folsom Lake at Beals Point on 11/21, a female Red-breasted Merganser at the Winters Wastewater Ponds on 11/22 to at least 11/29, a late Wilson’s Phalarope at the Lodi Sewage Ponds on 11/6 through the end of the month, a Western Gull along the American River Parkway (ARP) at Ancil Hoffman on 11/1 and at the Nimbus Hatchery on 11/10, and a very late Warbling Vireo along the ARP upstream of Howe Ave.  A survey of Lewis’s Woodpeckers at Audubon’s Bobcat Ranch near Winters produced an astounding 402 individuals.  This attests to the impressive numbers found this fall throughout our area’s foothill oak woodlands.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Chris Dunford, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dave Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Tim Manolis, Mary Beth Metcalf, Ed Pandolfino, Kathy Parker, Ron Pozzi, Deren Ross, Vance Russell, John Sterling, John Trochet, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

October 2010

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (and Killdeer), 10 Oct 2010, by Daniel Lee Brown

Sabine's Gull, 7 Oct 2010, by Daniel Lee Brown

Sabine's Gull, 7 Oct 2010, by Daniel Lee Brown

Find additional pictures by Daniel Lee Brown here.

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Yolo County was the hotspot for rarities in the Sacramento area, if not Northern California.  Topping the list was a gorgeous and mostly cooperative Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA), seen by many despite its furtive habits from 10/7 to at least 10/16.  A Red-throated Pipit was reported by a couple of parties on 10/20 in the same area as the sandpiper, but was far less cooperative, and a Glossy Ibis was reported on 10/9.  A fairly common bird off the coast on pelagic trips, but a real treat inland was an adult Sabine’s Gull at Woodland WTP from 10/6 to 10/8; a juvenile was at the same location from 10/27-28.  This site held an adult Pacific Golden-Plover for most of the month and a late Bank Swallow on 10/8.  A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in Davis on 10/30, and a first county record for Cassin’s Kingbird was found on 10/15 north of Winters at Rds 27 and 88; it continued through press time.  Rounding out the list are a Chestnut-sided Warbler at Babel Slough on 10/3, a Northern Waterthrush along Putah Creek above Lake Solano on 10/6, and a Green-tailed Towhee at the Yolo Grasslands Region Park archery range on 10/10.

Following a few reports in and around Davis beginning on 9/25, there was a flurry of Evening Grosbeak  reports.  Most came from north Davis and UCD, with the last on 10/28.  There were also several Sacramento County reports into the second week of the month from the American River, Carmichael, and East Lawn Cemetery, as well as numerous reports from low elevation sites throughout the state.  This flurry of reports is unprecedented in the past two decades, and may go in hand with the unusually abundant Red-breasted Nuthatches just about anywhere there are ornamental conifers and in some riparian areas.  Other interesting finds included two Golden-Plovers near Jepson Prairie not identified to species on 10/11, a Willet flying over a Rosemont home (east of downtown Sacramento) on 10/3, two Red Phalaropes flying by at close range at Sherman Island (only the second report for Sacramento County) on 10/25, a bright Red Fox Sparrow at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 10/31, and a calling flyover  Chestnut-collared Longspur at CRP on 10/9.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Jeff Mangum, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Zack Smith, John Sterling, John Trochet, Ed Whisler, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

September 2010

Rarities were hard to come by at coastal hotspots like Point Reyes, but the Sacramento area had a good September, which continued into October.  There was a little flurry of Sacramento County Green-tailed Towhees, with the first found along the American River Parkway (ARP) at Sacramento Bar on 9/10.  Attempts to refind this bird were unsuccessful, but produced three Olive-sided Flycatchers that afternoon.  This latter species is a rare but regular migrant, and seems to be more regularly found in the eastern half of the county than down in the flats, at sites such as Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP).  Another Green-tailed Towhee was found near the “Accidental Forest” at CRP on 9/18-19, and a third was seen by many near the Gristmill access of ARP from 9/19-23.

Craig Swolgaard photographed this Green-tailed Towhee near the Gristmill Access of the American River Parkway on 9/21/10

This White-winged Dove photographed by Mark Martucci is a first record for Sacramento County

Sacramento County’s first White-winged Dove was seen in a Citrus Heights backyard from 9/16 through at least 9/18.  Yolo County produced the lion’s share of rare songbirds this month.  Among the most notable reports were of a Red-eyed Vireo on 9/14 at Babel Slough, a Pygmy Nuthatch along Pumphouse Rd near Clarksburg, a Blackpoll Warbler from Babel Slough on 9/27, and a female Baltimore Oriole at the Sacramento Bypass on 9/11.  Evening Grosbeaks started turning up in the Valley at multiple sites, especially in early October, but the first reports were of single birds on 9/25 at the UC Davis riparian reserve and near the Gristmill access to ARP on 9/28.

Additional interesting reports included a Snowy Plover and a Sanderling at the Granite Bay boat launch at Folsom Lake on 9/6, a Solitary Sandpiper the same day at CRP, Black Swifts among a large foraging flock of swifts and swallows at Lake Solano on 9/19, a Hammond’s Flycatcher in north Davis on 9/13, and single Brewer’s Sparrows at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 9/4 and Sherman Island on 9/28.  Single Yellow-breasted Chats were mist netted at Stone Lakes NWR on 9/15 and 9/22.  Pine Siskins were widely reported in fair numbers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported from many sites and in impressive numbers.  Finally, testing of shorebirds that died at the Woodland WTP, as reported last month, appears to show the culprit was avian botulism. 

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Scott Dietrich, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Ron Melcer, Ron Pozzi, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Ed Whisler, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

August 2010

Reports of good numbers of the expected migrant songbirds were overwhelmed by excellent shorebird reports.  The only rare warbler was a Northern Parula seen and heard by several observers on the Cosumnes River Preserve’s (CRP) Tall Forest survey on 8/22.  A Yellow-billed Cuckoo found on 8/15 at CRP near the Accidental Forest was the first for Sacramento County in several years (a few days earlier, on 8/12, a mountain lion on the river bank was well seen from a canoe near this spot!).  Up to three Yellow-billed Cuckoos were reported from the Sutter NWR off of Hughes Rd from 8/7-20.  Before we delve fully into the shorebird reports, an adult Glossy Ibis reported along Rd 102 southeast of Woodland on 8/27 deserves our attention.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo by Susie Nishio

Yellow-billed Cuckoo by Susie Nishio

Juvenile Snowy Plover 8/28/10 by Chris Conard

There were impressive shorebird reports from multiple sites in the Sacramento area.  A Snowy Plover was found at the Lodi WTP on 8/7-8 and five were at the Sacramento WTP on 8/28.  Marbled Godwits were reported in good numbers from multiple sites, with “dozens” among a Long-billed Curlew flock at Sherman Island on 8/23.  There were Solitary Sandpiper reports from the Lincoln WTP on 8/11 and the Davis Wetlands on 8/29-30.  A Sanderling was found at the Woodland WTP on 8/21, one was at the Sacramento WTP and adjacent Bufferlands on 8/17, and an impressive 15 were reported from Sherman Island on 8/23.  The only Sacramento County  Semipalmated Sandpiper report was a juvenile at the Sacramento WTP on 8/10, but at least 18 individuals were reported in Yolo County this July and August!  Baird’s Sandpipers were widely reported in Yolo County (with up to seven at the Woodland WTP on 8/23), the Lodi WTP and Lincoln WTP, but missed entirely in Sacramento County.  An excellent series of photos of a Baird's Sandpiper from the Lodi Wastewater Treatment Plant by Dan Brown on 8/9/10 can be seen here.  A Pectoral Sandpiper  was at the Woodland WTP on 8/19 and a Stilt Sandpiper was found at the Davis Wetlands on 8/26-28.  The excellent shorebird conditions at Woodland WTP came at a high price, perhaps from a biotoxin in algae:  there were many sick and dead shorebirds among the feeding flocks.

Other highlights included a Least Bittern at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 8/14, the continuing Least Terns at the Sacramento WTP through 8/24, an early Red-breasted Sapsucker at CRP on 8/8, a continuing Bell’s Vireo at YWA into at least the first week of August, a Say’s Phoebe about two weeks early along the American River Parkway near the Nimbus Hatchery on 8/26, and numerous Red-breasted Nuthatch reports throughout the region.  An interesting older report involved a Steller’s Jay found on 6/12 near Elk Grove-Florin and Gerber Rds in south Sacramento.  This distinctive species is rare at low elevations in winter and very unexpected at other seasons.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Chad Aakre, Dan Airola, Peter Armstrong, Dan Brown, Jim Dunn, Todd Easterla, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Scott Hoppe, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Jim Laughlin, Susie Nishio, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Kathy Parker, Ron Pozzi, John Sterling, Kevin Thomas, Mike Thompson, John Trochet, Liz West, Ed Whisler, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

June - July 2010

These are months that many birders choose to skip in the Valley—a good time to go on vacation, to visit the Sierra.  Nonetheless, there are always some interesting reports.  The period is bookended by a couple often highly productive weeks.  Early June is late spring migration, a time when interesting songbirds can be found, and the latter half of July is among the most active stretches of shorebird migration.

While the birding might be considered blasé, it is a most important time for our local breeding birds, and those trying to establish a breeding presence.  The Bell’s Vireos found singing from two separate locations south of Parking Lot G at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) beginning on 4/16 were seen with likely females, but nesting was never confirmed.  California Gulls attempted to set up a colony at the Davis WTP for the first nesting in Yolo County and the first for the Central Valley since the 1920s.  While a high of 76 nests were detected and a few chicks hatched, predators (coyotes, raccoons, Great Horned Owls) ultimately destroyed the colony.  On a happier note, the Least Tern pair returned to the Sacramento Regional WTP for the third year in a row and successfully fledged one chick.  A Turkey Vulture nest was found on the ground in thick vegetation at the Orr Forest of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 6/18.  Nests of this species are rare, or at least rarely found, on the Valley floor.

June songbird highlights were less numerous than in previous years and there were no real standout rarities in July, which often occur, and are not always easy to explain.  This year we had to be contented with two Northern Parulas on 6/3 from the Trestle Pond area east of I-5 near Woodland, an American Redstart along Jefferson Blvd south of West Sacramento on 6/5, a striking male Chestnut-sided Warbler in Loomis along King Rd on 6/11, and a Red-eyed Vireo in Galt on 6/24. 

Photos by Don Baylis.  This male Chestnut-sided Warbler was found in Loomis on 6/11/10.  Like many warblers, it remained partially hidden by vegetation, but its bright colors shone through.

Interesting shorebirds included a Snowy Plover from the Woodland WTP on 7/13 and two adult Semipalmated Sandpipers at YWA the same day, a Snowy Plover, a Solitary Sandpiper, and a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at the Lodi WTP on 7/23, and two Sacramento County Marbled Godwit reports, where they are far less regular than in Yolo:  a pair at Sherman Island on 7/12 and four at the Sacramento Reg. WTP Bufferlands on 7/19.  An early “fall” Wilson’s Warbler was found at CRP on 7/16, and single juvenile Grasshopper Sparrows were found at CRP and along Chamberlain Rd north of Lincoln on 7/17.  An Indigo Bunting was also at CRP on 7/17.  Outside our area but worth a mention was the very unexpected find of a Mexican Whip-poor-will (recently split from Eastern Whip-poor-will) calling and occasionally seen on a ridge above Lake Oroville from 6/26 to mid-July.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 200 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Ruth Baylis, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Dave Feliz, Steve Hampton, Scott Huber, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Tim Ruckle, John Sterling, John Trochet, Ed Whisler, Dan Williams, and David Yee.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible. 

April - May 2010

It is impossible to cover everything from two of the most active months on the avian calendar, but there is no doubt about the highlights of the season, and probably the year.  Bell’s Vireos were found singing from two separate locations south of Parking Lot G at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) beginning on 4/16.  Possible mating activity was reported involving a third bird, but nothing was confirmed.  This species had been a regular member of the Central Valley’s breeding bird fauna prior to being devastated by Brown-headed Cowbird nest parasitism and riparian habitat loss.  Modifications to the environment made the state far more suitable to cowbirds, and Bell’s Vireos were hit harder than any of the native songbirds, becoming rare by the 1920s.  The YWA birds continued through press time, and though there are a lot of cowbirds in the area, it is very encouraging to see the possible return of this species.  Bell’s Vireos successfully bred at the San Joaquin NWR (Stanislaus County) in 2005 after an absence from the region for decades.  Click here for a video by Chris Conard.

Bell's Vireo by Craig Swolgaard 4/16/2010

Painted Redstart by Subhash Chand, May 22, 2010

A Painted Redstart, a gorgeous warbler characteristic of southeastern Arizona, was found in a residential neighborhood in Auburn sometime before birders became aware of it on 5/17.  This very cooperative bird, the loudest and most conspicuous in the neighborhood, was found through at least 5/28.  Painted Redstarts are very rare visitors to far southern California in winter, but this is only the third or fourth record for the northern half of the state, and most unexpected.  Click here for a video by Chris Conard.

With sporadic rain and unsettled weather, one might have expected a lot of grounded migrants.  There were some excellent days, especially in the western half of the Valley, with those east of the Sacramento River wondering where most of the birds were.  Perhaps most astonishing was a morning walk up Rayhouse Rd in the foothills of Yolo County on 5/1.  In addition to nice finds of a Pileated Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker, there were amazing numbers of regular western migrants.  Low estimates were of 40 Western Wood-Pewees, 40 Ash-throated Flycatchers, 125 Warbling Vireos, 150 Townsend’s Warblers, 175 Hermit Warblers, 100 Wilson’s Warblers, and 75 Western Tanagers.  This gives a hint of how many birds migrate through and what a small fraction we actually record.

A partial list will have to suffice for the other highlights, with a female Surf Scoter at the Woodland WTP on 4/20, a Least Bittern at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 5/8, a Ruddy Turnstone at the Davis Wetlands on 5/14, a breeding plumage  Sanderling and Baird’s Sandpiper (very rare in spring) at the Woodland WTP on 5/19, a Ruff at YWA on 4/20-22 and 5/1, a Common Nighthawk along Meiss Rd on 5/28, many Olive-sided Flycatcher and Gray Flycatcher reports (the latter mostly around Davis), Brown Creepers nest building near Lake Solano on 4/14, a Black-and-White Warbler near UCD on 4/14, an amazing 25-30 Chipping Sparrows  near Winters on 4/15, and three to four likely breeding pairs of Dark-eyed Juncos at CRP.  There were two frustrating reports lingering from March.  A male Vermilion Flycatcher was photographed on private property in central Yolo County, but word didn’t get out until after it was gone.  Also, a Gray Catbird was apparently photographed in Carmichael on 3/10, but the photographer wouldn’t give specific details.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 200 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Irene Engilis, Gil Ewing, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Dave Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Linda Pittman, Deren Ross, Don Schmoldt, Susan Schneider, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Sally Walters, Liz West, and Ed Whisler.   Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2010

Not quite winter and not quite spring, March is a month of waiting.  Waiting for the migrants to arrive.  Sure, the swallows are here and the end of the month produces Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles, but the floodgates have yet to open.  The Yellow-rumped Warblers are singing, in their hundreds, and in amazing colors, but most of the others have yet to arrive.  Early migrants, foreshadowing April, included a Warbling Vireo in N Davis on 3/22, a Cassin’s Vireo at Cosumnes River Preserve’s (CRP) Orr Forest on 3/28, and a Wilson’s Warbler at CRP on 3/27.  The first Purple Martin detected in Sacramento was on 3/18.  A Marbled Godwit at Yolo Wildlife Area on 3/31 was a nice find; shorebird migration is building too.

Northern Pygmy-Owl photo from Putah Creek Canyon on 10/25/06 by Chris Conard

This Brewer's Duck (Mallard X Gadwall hybrid) was photographed by Don Marsh in 2/17/2007 at CRP, where one was found on 3/14/10.

A visit to the Putah Creek Canyon between Winters and Lake Berryessa produced two Northern Pygmy-Owls and a Winter Wren on 3/5.  A mountain biking trip up Rayhouse Rd in Yolo County on 3/19, now perhaps permanently closed to vehicles, produced a Pine Siskin (one of the few reports of this irruptive species for the region this winter), a Hairy Woodpecker, and a Sage Sparrow.  The Tall Forest survey at CRP on 3/20 recorded a Merlin, two Peregrine Falcons, an impressive 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, a Western Tanager (which probably wintered locally), and three Purple Finches.  A male Brewer’s Duck (a Mallard X Gadwall hybrid) was found at CRP on 3/14.

Interesting gull reports were way down from last year, which had regional firsts and record numbers for rare species.  Among the few reports this month was a Mew Gull at the Ione WTP on 3/8, where there are few reports of this species in Amador County, an adult Western Gull at the Gristmill access to American River Parkway (ARP) on 3/20, the only one reported for Sacramento County this winter, and an adult Glaucous Gull near Jepson Prairie on 3/3.  Other interesting reports include two Eurasian Wigeons at Lincoln WTP on 3/1, plus the continuing bird at Sailor Bar (ARP).  Two  Short-eared Owls off Yolo Rd 29 on 3/10 stand out among few reports of this erratic species this winter.  Also of note was a Yellow-shafted [Northern] Flicker at ARP at Upper Sunrise on 3/2, the Hammond’s Flycatcher found in N Davis on 1/2 continuing through at least mid-March, and the Plumbeous Vireo at Southside Park continuing through at least 3/6.  A Townsend’s Solitaire was found at the Mokelumne Fish Hatchery on 3/13, where there had been sporadic reports earlier in the season.  A Hermit Warbler was at the Sacramento City Cemetery at Broadway and Riverside on 3/13 and 3/20.  It probably wintered there. A Chipping Sparrow was at the same location on 3/20.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Chad Aakre, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Linda Pittman, Zack Smith, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Liz West, and Ed Whisler.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2010

Southwestern Sacramento County, particularly Sherman Island, is the most remote portion of the county.  It is an hour’s drive from downtown Sacramento.  The report of a male Tufted Duck on 2/16 caused a minor rush to this seldom-birded area.  Since it is adjacent to Suisun Bay and only 25 miles from San Pablo Bay, one would expect a coastal influence.  While the Tufted Duck only remained through 2/17, up to five Surf Scoters were present on 2/17-18, with close to 100 Greater Scaup (quite rare elsewhere in the county), along with dozens of Bonaparte’s Gulls and at least ten Mew Gulls.  Other highlights from Sherman Island included thousands of Greater White-fronted Geese and Snow Geese, with a few blue-morph Snow Geese and fair numbers of Ross’s Geese.  Also impressive was a flock of 500 Yellow-headed Blackbirds—almost all males.

It is no secret that interesting birds can be found in our urban parks and neighborhoods.  A Plumbeous Vireo was found in Southside Park in Sacramento on 2/11 and continued into March.  It was recorded on the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) and birders looking for it also recorded a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Western Tanager.  Following up on a GBBC report of an unconfirmed rarity produced another excellent find:  a Red-naped Sapsucker in south Sacramento from 2/18 through the end of the month. 

Another well-studied bird was a male Eurasian Wigeon at Sailor Bar on the American River Parkway, first found on 2/1.  It continued throughout the month and allowed close approach by photographers. 

This Plumbeous Vireo was found at Southside Park near downtown Sacramento on 2/11 and was observed into March.  This species is closely related to Cassin's Vireo (a regular spring and fall migrant through Sacramento, and breeder in the mountains and nearer the coast).  Plumbeous, Cassin's, and the eastern Blue-headed Vireo were formally considered a single species:  Solitary Vireo.  Plumbeous Vireos lack the yellow and greenish tones of the Cassin's.  They normally breed in the Great Basin mountains, Southwest, and Rockies, but occasionally turn up on the west side of the Sierra crest in fall and winter.  Photo by Linda Pittman (3/6/10)

A few Eurasian Wigeons turn up in the area each winter, but one has never been easier to observe and photograph than the one found on 2/1 at Sailor Bar Park (on American River Parkway), which continued into March.  Photo by Dave Johnson.

There are more reports of interest than space will allow, but a brief rundown includes the apparent Bufflehead X Goldeneye hybrid continuing at Lake Solano, the Red-throated Loon found on the 1/3 Folsom CBC continuing through 2/14, the Long-eared Owl found on 1/16 at Yolo Grasslands Park south of Davis continuing through 2/17, and the Hammond’s Flycatcher found in N Davis on 1/2 continuing into March.  A trip to a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County produced an impressive 8 Ferruginous Hawks, 110 Lewis’s Woodpeckers, 74 Mountain Bluebirds, and 8 Purple Finches.  Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk reports continued, including a rarer light morph on Yolo County Rd 29 near Rd 94.  The first Swainson’s Hawk of the season was near Davis on 2/20.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Subhash Chand, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Dave Johnson, Dan Kopp, Harry Oakes, Ed Pandolfino, Linda Pittman, Dave Quady, Zack Smith, John Sterling, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2010

Several highlights from the local CBCs topped the list for January.  A Red-throated Loon found on the 1/3 Folsom CBC was a first for the count, a first for the lake since 1999, and the first for Sacramento County in many years.  The loon was reported through at least 1/10 at the Mormon Island access near the Sacramento/El Dorado County line and was found again in February.  Another highlight from count day was a juvenile Northern Shrike at Beal’s Point.

The Red-throated Loon and Northern Shrike were found the day after the Folsom CBC and nicely photographed by Daniel Lee Brown on 4 January 2010. Additional CBC highlight shots can be found here: http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Other/Folsom-Xmas-count-birds/10861562_Ng4FU/1/757798481_Cthpd#759709628_syGws

Red-throated Loon

Northern Shrike

Standouts from the 1/5 Rio Cosumnes Count include a Western Flycatcher and a Nashville Warbler from the Tall Forest portion of Cosumnes River Preserve.  A young male Lark Bunting (seen through 1/18 on Riley Rd, south of Dillard Rd) and a Chestnut-collared Longspur were found at the Valensin portion of CRP.  Additional highlights were reported in last month’s CBC summary.

Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawks are getting more scrutiny from local birders, with the bird near Thornton continuing into January, and at least two reported in Yolo County:  one north of Davis from 1/2 into February and another near Zamora on 1/8.  A 1/15 raptor survey in southeastern Sacramento County produced a Rough-legged Hawk, five Ferruginous Hawks, a Merlin, and seven Prairie Falcons.  A Long-eared Owl found on 1/16 at Yolo Grasslands Park south of Davis continued into February.

Other interesting finds include a male Tufted Duck at the Davis Wetlands on 1/16 and a 3rd-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull at the nearby Yolo County Landfill.   A  Common Loon, rare for Yolo County, was found at the Port of Sacramento on 1/22 and continued through at least 1/25.  An outing along Putah Creek on 1/22 to the west of Winters produced some nice finds, including a Hairy Woodpecker and two  American Dippers.  A Hammond’s Flycatcher found in N Davis on 1/2 continued into February.  Two Western Kingbirds at the Prairie City State Vehicle Rec. Area were a big surprise for the early date of 1/21.  A McCown’s Longspur along County Line Rd in extreme northern Yolo County was an excellent find on 1/22.  A Western Tanager was good for winter at CRP on 1/7.  A California Thrasher, rare in Sacramento County, was heard singing across the river from the Gristmill access well into February.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Brown, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Linda Pittman, Zack Smith, Brian Sullivan, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, Ed Whisler and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible

December 2009

Local Christmas Bird Counts and the ARNHA Wildlife Count had a lot of birders in the field.  The biggest highlights of the CBC season came in January (see next month or the CBC summaries), though there were a number of nice finds this December.  One of the most spectacular events reported and nicely photographed was a huge flock of  European Starlings (photos here), in the hundreds of thousands, often pursed by a Peregrine Falcon.  A similarly huge flock was in the Elk Grove area.  In spite of the damage starlings do to our native cavity nesters, these undulating flocks, twisting, breaking apart, recombining, are amazing to behold.

The low foothills of Amador County have been getting more consistent coverage the last two winters.  Highlights this month included two Eurasian Wigeons at Goffinet Reservoir east of Ione, three  Barrow’s Goldeneyes at the Ione WTP, and a Mew Gull at Lake Camanche.  The ducks were reported several times in the first part of the month and the gull was found on 12/3.  The Lincoln WTP produced a nice assortment of moderately rare ducks.  Best was a Red-breasted Merganser on 12/30, followed closely by a Eurasian Wigeon reported on 12/24, missed on the 12/30 Lincoln CBC and found again the following day, and seven Redheads on 12/18.  Two Redheads at Willow Hill Reservoir near Folsom High School on 12/12 didn’t stick around for the Folsom CBC.  The same can be said for a Band-tailed Pigeon in Folsom the following day.  A Band-tailed Pigeon was also found near Ancil Hoffman on the 12/5 ARNHA Count.   A Long-eared Owl was reported the same day from the upper portion of the American River Parkway (ARP).  This is one of the most enigmatic of our regular birds, perhaps equaled in this respect only by Least Bittern.  They are certainly quite rare, but how rare is difficult to judge since they are so easy to overlook.

Bald Eagles are regular at Folsom Lake, increasingly frequent over the upper portion of the ARP, and now not unexpected at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP), Stone Lakes NWR, and the SRCSD Bufferlands.  An adult was at the Bufferlands on 12/14 (an infrequent visitor last winter was only the second record in over 20 years) and, perhaps the same bird, was seen eating a Northern Shoveler at CRP on 12/20.  Ferruginous Hawks were widely reported, but Rough-legged Hawks were few and far between.  A Swainson’s Hawk was seen over Pedrick Rd to the west of Davis on 12/3, but this species was missed on local CBCs.

A Common Goldeneye X Bufflehead hybrid returned for its second winter to Lake Solano, seen here trailing a pair of Common Goldeneyes. Photo by Ed Harper.

One of the more interesting birds was the returning Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye at Lake Solano, first found the previous winter.  A Semipalmated Plover at Staten Island on 12/20 was very good for the season.  An adult Glaucous Gull at the Yolo County Landfill on the 12/27 Sacramento CBC was one of the better finds; others from the CBC include two Brown Creepers (largely absent from the valley this winter), four Townsend’s Warblers, and two Chipping Sparrows, all from the City of Sacramento portion of the count.  Red Fox Sparrows were found on 12/5 at both the ARP near Gristmill and CRP.  White-throated Sparrows were well represented, with continuing reports from ARP upstream of Howe Ave, CRP and the Bufferlands, along with two found in Sacramento on the CBC.  Also of note were much higher than usual reported numbers of Puget Sound White-crowned Sparrows (almost identical to the drab brown, yellow-billed Nuttall’s White-crowned Sparrows seen on trips to Point Reyes and Bodega Bay).

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Chad Aakre, Dave Bell, Dan Brown, Scott Dietrich, Jim Dunn, Andy Engilis, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dan Kopp, Lea Landry, Don Marsh, Ed Pandolfino, Nancy Sage, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, and John Trochet.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

November 2009

The most intriguing report of the month was of an immature Wood Stock on 11/1 flying over the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge.  It was not refound.  On the same day at Lake Natoma, a Common Loon and four Horned Grebes were seen.  At this site and nearby Folsom Lake, both species are regularly found in winter, but extremely difficult to find elsewhere in Sacramento County.  Always a nice find, but especially so in the low foothills of Amador County, a Eurasian Wigeon was seen on 11/28 at Goffinet Reservoir east of Ione.  A Redhead was at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 11/20 during the Central Valley Birding Symposium, and up to three were present at the Sacramento County Bufferlands during the first half of the month among about 2,000 Canvasbacks.

A Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk was reported regularly from the Symposium onward north of Lodi along Thornton Rd, just north of Peltier Rd, to the east of I-5.  Another was reported in Yolo County along Rd 31 to the west of Davis.  One to two Merlins took up residence along the American River Parkway between the Gristmill and Watt accesses. 

There were a number of notable finds at CRP this month.  A well-described Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker on 11/3 is near the top of the list.  We expect lingering Black-throated Gray Warblers  and  Townsend’s Warblers, often through the CBCs, but a Hermit Warbler that persisted at Cosumnes River Preserve through 11/11 was more of a surprise.  There was also a very late Wilson’s Warbler on 11/1.  A Dusky Flycatcher was a very nice find, continuing from 11/7-11.  There were single Swamp Sparrow reports from CRP on 11/11 and 11/13.  At both CRP and the Sacramento County Bufferlands, there were at least four separate White-throated Sparrows at each location.  A White-throated Sparrow was also found at the chronically underbirded Bobelaine Sanctuary on 11/4-7.  Eleven Purple Finches at CRP on 11/13 was a very nice total for the Valley floor.

An American Dipper at a traditional winter location along Putah Creek at the Hwy 128 bridge to the west of Winters.  Photo by Chris Conard on 28 Nov 2009.  This species also showed up on the Mokelumne River this year below the Camanche Dam, where it is less regular.  Dippers occasionally show up in winter elsewhere in the Valley and low foothills, with a handful of reports from the Lower American River, the Cosumnes River at Michigan Bar, Sweetwater Creek near Folsom Lake, and even artificial waterfalls in El Dorado Hills.

An American Dipper returned to its traditional spot along Putah Creek at the Hwy 128 bridge to the west of Winters.  More unusual were regular reports of one to two dippers on the Mokelumne River below the Camanche Dam beginning on 10/24 and continuing through November.  A Townsend’s Solitaire was at the same site on 11/12.  Other interesting reports include a second-year Western Gull at the Davis Wetlands on 11/20 and an early adult Glaucous Gull at the Yolo County Landfill beginning on 11/1.  A late Hammond’s Flycatcher was found at White’s Slough on 11/27, a Sage Thrasher was seen at the nearby Lodi Sewage Ponds on 11/6, and a Grasshopper Sparrow was found along Woodbridge Rd on 11/21--always a good find in winter and anywhere away from the known isolated breeding areas.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Brown, Matthew Dodder, Steve Hampton, Lauren Harter, Dan Kopp, Sami LaRocca, Don Marsh, Jeff McCreary, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Diane Rose, Steve Rose, Jennifer Rycenga, Zach Smith, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, David Vander Pluym, Liz West, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

October 2009

As might be expected, things slowed a bit from last month, with the songbird migration tapering off by the middle of the month.  As most of the warblers and other favorites left us until next April, we were compensated with building numbers of waterfowl, raptors, and sparrows.  But October always holds a few surprises.  This year they included a Chestnut-sided Warbler along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 10/4, a Brewer’s Sparrow at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 10/10, and a  Bobolink along Putah Creek at UC Davis on 10/6.  A female-type Costa’s Hummingbird was a nice find at Wildhorse Golf Course in Davis on 10/18-19.

Another event that must be mentioned is the incredible storm that dumped two to four inches of rain in the Sacramento area on 10/13.  The storm can be blamed for the loss of some nice trees and premature flooding of shorebird habitat, but it also filled wetlands, leading to an early showing of several hundred Canvasbacks and Ring-necked Ducks at the Sacramento County Bufferlands.

On 10/11, an impressive 300+ Turkey Vultures were recorded on a roost in suburban Land Park.  Other highlights included an immature Bald Eagle over ARP on 10/12 near Watt Ave, a Pacific Golden-Plover at the Woodland WTP on 10/28, two Band-tailed Pigeons over Putah Creek near Pedrick Rd on 10/4, a very late Western Kingbird at Wildhorse Golf Course on 10/18, a late Cassin’s Vireo in north Davis on 10/10 and even later at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 10/17, and late Wilson’s Warblers at CRP on 10/18 and YWA on 10/22.

Burrows seem to be a limiting factor for Burrowing Owls in the open areas of the low foothills in eastern Sacramento County.  They rarely breed in these habitats and often winter in culverts (until they flood), among rocks, and even in piles of trash or concrete.  The walking trail from Rancho Seco out to the Howard Ranch has provided another option for them, as they now winter under footbridges along the trail.  Where these owls spend the breeding season is an open question.  Lewis’s Woodpeckers  were reported several times in unusual locations on the Valley floor (they are usually in the blue oak savanna on either side of the Valley).  At more typical sites they were in impressive numbers, with over 100 along Michigan Bar Rd in eastern Sacramento County on 10/25, with some flying 1,000 feet in the air.  An amazing 206 were counted on a survey at Bobcat Ranch near Winters at the end of the month.  See photos below.

Lewis Woodpecker pictures by Ray Rozema.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Airola, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Scott Hoppe, Dan Kopp, Ryan Phillips, Vance Russell, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Jim Tietz, John Trochet, Jonathon Widdicombe, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

September 2009

When most birders think of fall migration, they think of September.  While August has a lot to offer, it doesn’t feel like fall.  October is a great month for birding, but the songbird migrants are slowing a bit, and many of the winter birds are already in place.  So September it is.  And this was a good one.  Topping the list are several excellent songbird migrants from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP).  A Brewer’s Sparrow was a nice find on 9/4 and a Green-tailed Towhee was found on 9/9, but a Northern Waterthrush on 9/14 was even more exciting, and a male Black-throated Blue Warbler in the Orr Forest portion of CRP on 9/15 was exceptional.  Rounding out the Sacramento County warblers was a juvenile/female Hooded Warbler at Glen Hall Park along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 9/19-20.

Yolo County Grasslands Park south of Davis produced a nice list of songbirds as well, with a Least Flycatcher on 9/14, and an Olive-sided Flycatcher, a Gray Flycatcher (extremely rare in fall), and a Dusky Flycatcher on 9/12, along with a Chipping Sparrow.  A thick-billed Fox Sparrow on 9/23 is from a racial group very rarely recorded in the Valley.  A first fall Tennessee Warbler was found in north Davis on 9/28-29 and a Blackpoll Warbler was found at the UC Davis Riparian Reserve on 9/26.

Shorebirds continued in good numbers at Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA), with reports of the possible Red-necked Stint (see last month’s column) continuing through 9/10.  A very rare adult Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was photographed on 9/4.  Nearly all of these rare Asian shorebirds found in the state are juveniles.  It was last reported on 9/9.  Up to a dozen Pectoral Sandpipers were also present, as were Snowy Plovers on 9/5 and 9/24.  A Red Phalarope reported from YWA on 9/9 is a very rare bird inland.   A  Pacific Golden-Plover was found at the Woodland WTP on 9/4 and a juvenile Sanderling was at the Davis Wetlands on 9/11.

A Greater Flamingo was found at the Davis WTP on 9/29; the bird was likely an escapee, but still unexpected and interesting.  A Lesser Nighthawk was rare locally, and getting late in the season, at Slide Hill Park in Davis on 9/6, and more expected was a Common Poorwill on Michigan Bar Rd in eastern Sacramento County on 9/27.  On 9/12 at CRP, an early Short-eared Owl was a nice surprise, along with a Marbled Godwit and a Bank Swallow.  The godwit and swallow are both fairly regular in Yolo County in migration, but quite rare in Sacramento County—the latter becoming increasingly so.  A California Thrasher near William Pond along the ARP on 9/20 was nice find for the Parkway.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Richard Hall, Steve Hampton, Marcel Holyoak, Oscar Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Jeff Mangum, Michael Perrone, Mary Schiedt, Zach Smith, John Sterling, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Katharine Wagner, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

August 2009

Avoided by many because of the heat, August is one of the most productive months of the year.  It rivals September as the peak month of the songbird migration, and is probably the best month of the year for shorebirding.  This August was no exception.  Visits to local riparian forests in the hours just after sunrise were often rewarded with good numbers of migrants.  The report of a possible juvenile Red-necked Stint at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 8/30 sucked up all the oxygen in the local birding community, with folks from throughout the state trying to get a look at it.  This Asian stray has only been recorded about 10 times in the state.  While adults in breeding plumage are pretty straightforward, the identification of a juvenile is tricky business.  If you were lucky enough to see this bird, which was reported sporadically into September, please send photos and written descriptions to the California Bird Records Committee (californiabirds.org).  The bird was found among thousands of Western and Least Sandpipers in partially flooded rice fields just east of the auto loop; also present were one or two Semipalmated Sandpipers and at least one Baird’s Sandpiper.

Possible juvenile Red-necked Stint at Yolo Wildlife Area, 8/30/09. Photo by Daniel Lee Brown. Click on photo for larger version.

Juvenile Least Bitterns at Yolo Wildlife Area, 8/23/09. Photo by Daniel Lee Brown. Click on photo for larger version.

There were at least two family groups of Least Bitterns in the pubic portion of YWA.  One group was seen for nearly the entire month, with at least one adult and five juveniles present.  These were certainly the most viewed Least Bitterns in local history, providing much happiness to those who have struggled to find these marsh skulkers in the past.  Reports of Tundra Swans on 8/18 in Olivehurst and 8/20 in Roseville are absurdly early for a species not typically recorded in our area until late October or November.  A female Redhead at the Gristmill access of the American River Parkway (ARP) on 8/30 was a surprise in both timing and location.  A juvenile Brown Pelican was at the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Bufferlands on 8/4-5, providing only the fourth record for the county.

Additional Semipalmated Sandpiper reports included one from the Sacramento Regional WTP (SRWTP) on 8/3, two at the Woodland WTP on 8/7, and one at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 8/18.  Five Willets were at SRWTP on 8/3, with single Baird’s Sandpipers there on 8/18 and 8/24.  The Franklin’s Gull from last month continued at the Davis WTP through at least 8/6, with that or another also seen at Woodland WTP on 8/5.  Two very early adult Herring Gulls were reported by a very experienced observer from the Gristmill access of ARP on 8/29-30.  Members of the Least Tern family at SRWTP were seen through 8/7.

Notable songbirds included the continuing Red-eyed Vireo at North Pond in Davis from 7/18 to 8/15, and the Northern Parula at the same site from 7/29 to 8/8.   A Dusky Flycatcher was found in north Davis on 8/26, and an out-of-season  Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at CRP on 8/16, with another from Rush Ranch in Solano County around the same date.  Seven Nashville Warblers at CRP is a high total for this species, which is usually more common locally in spring than fall.  An  American Pipit from YWA on 8/18 was very early, and a White-crowned Sparrow  in Fair Oaks on 8/23 was a month ahead of schedule.  Rounding out the highlights, a Summer Tanager was found in Yolo County at Rds 27 and 88, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was in Fair Oaks on 8/18; these species are both now detected annually, where only five years ago they were considered exceptional.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Chad Aakre, Roger Adamson, Chuck Brittain,  Dan Brown, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Jim Holmes, Jeri Langham, Tim Manolis, Michael Perrone, Shawn Petrash, Vance Russell, Kathryn Sanderson, Mary Schiedt, Zach Smith, John Sterling, John Trochet, Dan Williams, Bruce Webb, and Ed Whisler.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

June - July 2009

After an unremarkable spring, what is usually considered to be the slow season was quite interesting, as the list of highlights below will attest.  Migrants are typically few until the shorebird migration really kicks in by mid-July (with the first showing up in late June), but the slow times are often punctuated by a big surprise or two.  One of these came on the first day of June in the form of a singing Ovenbird where Strong Ranch Slough crosses Alta Arden Expressway, just west of Watt Ave.  The bird was heard by many and seen by some through 6/8.  This is only the third record for Sacramento County.

Red eyed Vireo photo by Roger Adamson on 8/8.

Other marquee finds for the period included a Brown Pelican seen flying over I-5 north of Laguna Blvd on 7/6 for Sacramento’s third record (the first was in 1976), and a Franklin’s Gull at the Davis WTP on 7/30, continuing into early August.  A Red-eyed Vireo at North Pond in Davis on 7/18, like the Ovenbird, was easier to hear than see, but gave plenty of opportunities to look as it stayed well into August.  Also at North Pond, a Northern Parula was found on 7/29 and continued into August; another Northern Parula was found in Vacaville on 6/17.  A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was photographed at an Orangevale backyard feeder on 7/8-9, and a male Indigo Bunting was found east of Auburn on 6/4, and stayed long enough, singing vociferously from the hillside above Old Auburn Rd, for many people to see it.

The first “fall” shorebirds for the region, Western and Least Sandpipers, were reported on 6/28, with excellent habitat and numbers noted at Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) in July.  On 7/10, four Willets, eight Marbled Godwits, and two  Semipalmated Sandpipers were found there.  At the Galt WTP on 7/11 there were six Marbled Godwits, which are much harder to come by in Sacramento County than in Yolo.  On 7/24 at the Davis Wetlands, a Snowy Plover and four Willets were found, with another 11 Willets at YWA. 

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Least Tern at Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photo by Chris Conard. Click here photo for video of Least Tern chicks.

Last year, Sacramento County’s first Least Terns attempted to nest at the Sacramento Reg. WTP.  The pair returned this year on 5/29, and succeeded in fledging two young on 7/13.  This normally coastal species has expanded its range in recent years into the Delta at the Montezuma Wetlands in Solano County.  There has been a general positive trend with the protection of breeding colonies in the state:  in 1973 there were an estimated 624 pairs, and by 2006 there were over 6,700—good news on the conservation front is always welcome.  It will be interesting to see if they continue to move inland in the coming years.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo photographed on 7/1 by Steve Abbott. For more on the story, click here.

Other interesting finds include a Yellow-billed Cuckoo that was brought to a wildlife rehabber in Shingle Springs in late June.  Apparently it sustained minor injuries from a house cat.  This species is now very rarely reported in the  Sacramento area, though it does breed in small numbers farther north in the Valley along the Sacramento River.  A White-winged Dove was a nice find north of Lincoln on 7/4.  Red-breasted Nuthatches were found out of season, with one in Davis on 6/7 and at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 7/12.  A White-crowned Sparrow was a real surprise in West Sacramento on 7/8, and a Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler was similarly unexpected at CRP on 6/26.  Once again there was a large White-faced Ibis breeding colony at YWA, visible from the Yolo Causeway, and a pair or two of Dark-eyed (Oregon) Juncos continue to breed at CRP, the only confirmed location in the Central Valley.

 Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Steve Abbott, Roger Adamson, Dave Bell, Tom Cadle, Margaret Crawford, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Dave Feliz, Steve Hampton, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Tim Manolis, Kurt Mize, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Phil Robertson, John Sterling, John Trochet, Bill Wade, Jim Weigand, Dan Williams, Bruce Webb, and Ed Whisler.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible. 

April - May 2009

While April and May only officially cover one season, spring, they encompass much of the avian calendar.  The last of the wintering sparrows and ducks typically leave in the first ten days of May, with shorebird migration pretty much over by then as well.  Songbird migration is a more protracted affair, beginning as early as January with the influx of Tree Swallows, and extending into June with Willow Flycatchers, plus a few late Yellow Warblers and Swainson’s Thrushes.  Mid-May to mid-June is a good window for vagrants, and we had only one to speak of this period, though another surprise will have to wait for the next column.

This Summer Tanager was photographed in north Davis on May 17 by John Sterling. The blotchy red plumage is indicative of a first spring male.

The songbird highlight of the period was a young male Summer Tanager in north Davis on 5/17.  Many observers reported low numbers of migrants until unsettled weather in early May produced some nice mornings with good counts of warblers, Western Tanagers, flycatchers, and vireos.  In late April, when things were slow in the Valley, there were reports of good movements of common western migrants in the foothills.  There was a smattering of Hammond’s Flycatchers reported locally, with the slightly rarer Dusky Flycatcher reported in Davis on 4/20 and Ancil Hoffman Park along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 4/28.  Another was found at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 4/21, where a Gray Flycatcher was also found.  The latter species is a spring-only migrant in the Valley and always a nice find, with others reported at Prairie City OHV Park on 4/22, Reichmuth Park on 4/28, and ARP near Howe Ave on 5/2 and 5/14.

Stilt Sandpiper was found at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 4/13/09 by Ed Harper. It remained there for a second day. Photo by Chris Conard, 4/14/09.

The other highlight bird for the period was a Stilt Sandpiper at YWA on 4/13-14.  A Ruddy Turnstone was another excellent find there on 4/14 and 4/16.  Marbled Godwits were regularly reported from the site, with a high of 9 on 4/19.  Other good shorebird finds include a Snowy Plover at the Sacramento County Bufferlands on 4/26, and Solitary Sandpipers from the same location on 4/20-22, and Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 4/24.

Steller’s Jays were found in several Valley locations this past winter, but one in Sutter County where Riego Rd joins the Garden Hwy on the late date of 5/21 was a real surprise.  Other lingering winter birds included a Varied Thrush on 5/16 at CRP  and  Pine Siskins in Davis through at least 5/12.  Additional notable reports were the returning Least Terns at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (more next month) on 5/29, a Band-tailed Pigeon in the River Park neighborhood of Sacramento on 5/1, good numbers of Calliope Hummingbird reported, with a high of three individuals along ARP downstream of the Nimbus Hatchery on 5/5.  A  Brewer’s Sparrow was reported on the same day and at the same location.  Rounding out the highlights, Olive-sided Flycatcher reports were up slightly this spring, a Vesper Sparrow was along Scott Rd south of White Rock Rd on 4/23, and a local high-count of ten Chipping Sparrows was at Ancil Hoffman (ARP) on 4/9.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With over 200 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information:  Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Frank Gray, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Keith Kwan, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Linda Pittman, Don Schmoldt, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.