March 2024

One could argue that March has some of the best birding of the year. There are many fine days and there is as much diversity in the Valley in March as any time of year. Yet, after months of winter, most of us really long for the springtime that won't arrive until mid-April. But March does mean Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles before the month ends. The last of our regular swallows, Purple Martins, arrive--this year on 3/17 at the Sutterville Rd overpass near Sacramento City College. The big Red-breasted Merganser season continued, with at least three seen from Beals Point at Folsom Lake. An early Calliope Hummingbird visited a private yard near Galt on 3/18 and, for another season, a private yard in rural Yolo County to the southwest of Clarksburg hosted Allen's Hummingbirds (eBird Checklist S164419111). Ranging a little farther south than usually covered here, a Broad-billed Hummingbird was found on 3/4 in Stockton (eBird Checklist S163745005) and continued through at least 3/9. This species is extremely rare in California, and is one typically looked for in southeastern Arizona, though one was found in Davis in early 2021.

 Good numbers of expected shorebird species began moving through in migration. A Pacific Golden-Plover was a nice find on 3/19 along Woodbridge Rd. They can sometimes be found among large flocks of Black-bellied Plovers, although those large flocks have been increasingly hard to come by locally in recent years. Mountain Plovers continued in the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, through at least 3/16. A first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was found at the Yolo County Central Landfill on 3/4. A Red-throated Loon, likely the continuing bird from last month, was reported on 3/8 along the Deep Water Channel adjacent to Bridgeway Island Pond, and a Pacific Loon was seen on 3/6 on Folsom Lake from Folsom Point.

 The only site in the area this season with Short-eared Owl reports was along Sankey Rd to the west of Hwy 99. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found (eBird Checklist S164924080) downstream of the Mayhew Drain along the American River Parkway on 3/14 through at least 3/19. The continuing Winter Wren was reported from Putah Creek Fishing Access #1 on 3/3. There were no reports of a more expected Pacific Wren this month. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find on 3/16 in the vicinity of the Tall Forest at Cosumnes River Preserve. The Orchard Oriole found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 quite impressively continued into April. An Orchard Oriole also spent a couple of days during the first week of March along Putah Creek between Davis and Winters. The Ovenbird first found on 1/24 continued at William Land Park through at least 3/10, and the nearby Summer Tanager continued through at least 3/5. 

 The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Brown, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, Adam Kucharek, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Frances Oliver, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Rene Reyes, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Lynette Williams, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2024

February is still winter, but some birds certainly have spring on their minds. Adding to the early-breeding Anna's Hummingbirds and Great Horned Owls, by February, herons, egrets, and cormorants are working on their nests. Tree Swallows are conspicuous by mid-January, but by the end of the month, all of the regular swallows except for Purple Martins had been reported. A Tufted Duck was reported in early February from the Laguna Lakes area of Elk Grove, but apparently didn't stick around. Up to five Red-breasted Mergansers were on Folsom Lake, mostly seen from Beals Pt, continuing in a season with an unusually high number of this locally rare species. The male Costa's Hummingbird in northeast Davis continued from last month through at least 2/5.

The shorebird highlight was the continuing Mountain Plovers in the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line. There was a high of over 140 (eBird Checklist S162232392), but the most impressive report was of 113 on the late afternoon of 2/24 (eBird Checklist S163017598). As darkness fell, about a dozen small groups flew east, calling, as they continued into the darkness. Unbeknownst to most local birders, this traditional viewing site, at least that evening, was not where the birds stayed to roost. Perhaps they continued east over the Sacramento River and into Sutter County. At the old hotspot south of Dixon, a high of 38 Mountain Plovers were reported this month. The only Glaucous Gull was found on 2/10 off Yolo CR 104 to the west of the Yolo Central Landfill (eBird Checklist S161174028), and a Lesser Black-backed Gull was at the same location on 2/5. A Red-throated Loon was reported from 2/16-2/20 on the Deep Water Channel west of the Bridgeway Island Pond and farther to the north on 2/26.

There has been a slight uptick of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker reports in recent years, including one on 2/28 at Cache Creek Preserve (eBird Checklist S163226821). Perhaps more people are looking at sapsuckers more carefully. A Hairy Woodpecker, always a nice find in Sacramento County, was on the south side of Lake Natoma near the Willow Creek access during the first half of the month. A female Vermilion Flycatcher was a nice find at the Williams Cemetery on 2/28, as was a Tropical Kingbird in Suisun City (eBird Checklist S163213813) on 2/24-2/28. A Plumbeous Vireo was photographed (eBird Checklist S160570049) Davis Community Park on 2/3. Tapering off from earlier in the season, there was just one Winter Wren report, on 2/16, from Lake Solano. There were several Red Crossbill reports at the Old City Cemetery in Sacramento during the second half of the month, including a recording (eBird Checklist S161859689) on 2/17 of seven with calls consistent with "type-3" or Western hemlock crossbills (eBirdws/recrtype/); 12 Red Crossbills were also found visiting a Roseville yard on 2/23. A Swamp Sparrow turned up at the Bufferlands on 2/1. Despite moderate flooding and a very skulky bird, five people were able to see it through 2/6. It was seen again briefly on 2/27. On the topic of skulky birds, the Ovenbird continued at William Land Park, as did the Summer Tanager. One of the year's highlights so far was a beautiful male Cape May Warbler found on 2/10 visiting an Elk Grove backyard (eBird Checklist S161169243). It was seen by several visiting birders through 2/12.

The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Theresa Blue, Dan Brown, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Nancy Gronert, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Scott Hoppe, Emmett Iverson, Adam Kucharek, Jeri Langham, Barbara Leary, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Adam Panto, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Dan Williams, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2024

This month produced many interesting reports although local Christmas Bird Count (CBC) compilers noted there were relatively low waterfowl numbers this season. Up to three Red-breasted Mergansers were found throughout the month on Folsom Lake, and one was found on the Sherman Island CBC near Brannan Island on 1/2. More impressive was the report of at least 29 Red-breasted Mergansers (eBird checklist S160083362) on a Lake Camanche boat trip on 1/28. Mid-winter Common Poorwills are very rare, but not completely unexpected. Afterall, they are the only birds known to hibernate. One was found on 1/28 along Yolo County Rd 53 to the west of the Capay Valley. A well-seen and photographed male Costa's Hummingbird (eBird checklist S160274430) spent most of the month in northeast Davis.

Mountain Plover reports were a little more encouraging this winter than in recent years. They continued in the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, with a high of just over 100 reported. A high of 54 at the old hotspot south of Dixon along Flannery Rd was a pleasant surprise after so few have been found there in recent years. Western Sandpipers appear to be getting a bit more common in winter, with three reported on the 1/2 Sherman Island CBC, up to 13 found at the Sacramento Regional WTP, and 21 on 1/20 at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). An adult Glaucous Gull was reported as a flyby near the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway on 1/26 and over the nearby Rosemont neighborhood on 1/28. During the first week of the month, Hill Slough Wildlife Area, south of Fairfield, hosted a Neotropic Cormorant (eBird checklist S157909566). This species is marching north into our area and is already breeding in the southern Central Valley.

Most of the recent news about Burrowing Owls has been bad, so the discovery of six on a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County was a pleasant surprise. This has been a very poor winter for finding Short-eared Owls in the region, and the only reports were of up to three birds along Sankey Rd in Sutter County, east of the Sacramento River. By mid-winter, it became very difficult to find Lewis's Woodpeckers locally. Oddly, one persisted from December at the Orr portion of CRP where they aren't expected. They were mostly absent from their typical, low foothills haunts. It is all the more surprising in a winter season with high numbers of Acorn Woodpeckers at sites on the flats of the Valley (CRP and the Bufferlands, for example) where they are often absent or nearly so.

A Steller's Jay was a nice find on a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 1/29. Earlier in the season they were showing up more widely in our area. At least two different Winter Wrens were reported upstream of Lake Solano along Putah Creek between Fishing Access #3 and Fishing Access #1. Up to three Red Crossbills were at the old Sacramento City Cemetery from 1/21-1/25.

There were surprisingly few Vesper Sparrow reports, with only singles along Robinson Rd, south of Dixon, on 1/14, and along Meiss Rd on 1/20. The Orchard Oriole found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 continued into February. A Bullock's Oriole, very rare in winter, was found on Brannan Island on 1/2. Perhaps the bird of the month was an Ovenbird (ebird.org/checklist/S159709785) found on 1/24 at the WPA Rock Garden in Land Park. Despite how secretive this bird has been, many were able to see it into February, and some were even able to get nice photos. The first-winter male American Redstart found on 12/31 in El Dorado Hills continued into January. A Wilson's Warbler was found on 1/7 along the Lost Slough portion of CRP; they seem to be turning up more often in winter in recent years. The male Summer Tanager that has spent three winters in Land Park in the vicinity of Fairytale Town continued into February.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Ralf Baker, Dan Brown, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Kasey Foley, Robert Furrow, Linda Gal, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Scott Hoppe, Mackenzie Hollender, Emmett Iverson, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Dominik Mosur, Roger Muskat, Adam Panto, Ron Pozzi, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Dan Williams, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

December 2023

Not surprising for a month featuring several of our local Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs), this December produced a lot of interesting birds. There weren't many reports of unusual waterfowl, but up to three Red-breasted Mergansers were found throughout the month on Folsom Lake, both from Beals Pt and Folsom Pt, with two recorded on the 12/31 Folsom CBC. One of the best and most accommodating finds was a Red-necked Grebe seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S155618365) by many from 12/2-12/15 at North Natomas Regional Park--the same site that hosted the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron earlier in the year. A most unexpected report was of a well-seen, small gray swift on the Folsom CBC by an experienced observer as either a Chimney or Vaux's Swift. Vaux's Swifts have been reported from Marin County this season, but are exceedingly rare farther inland in winter.

Mountain Plovers continued in the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line; a high of 122 was reported. The old hotspot south of Dixon along Flannery Rd produced up to six birds on 12/10. These are the only two sites where this species was reported in the entire Central Valley, with the only other sites in the state being Carrizo Plain and just south of the Salton Sea. Marbled Godwits were unusually persistent in small numbers in Yolo County this month, with up to eight at the Yolo Bypass. On the 12/23 Sacramento CBC, an adult and a first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull were found at the Yolo County Landfill. There were up to three Least Bitterns reported at the Davis Wetlands during the first half of the month.

A Tropical Kingbird was photographed at Natomas Regional Park on 12/6, and the first Placer County record of the species was found on the Lincoln CBC at Sun City Lincoln (eBird Checklist S157371203) on 12/28-12/29. The Steller's Jay incursion seems to have tapered off, but two at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 12/2 were apparently just the second occurence at the lower preserve. Four Barn Swallows were found along Desmond Rd on 12/29. Pacific Wren reports were few and far between, which makes continuing Winter Wren reports all the more notable. Probably the same Winter Wren was back for a second winter near the Lake Solano campground, with another detected on 12/26 upstream along Putah Creek at Fishing Access #3. Two Evening Grosbeaks in Davis on 12/9 accounted for the only report of this species this month. A Red Crossbill was photographed (eBird Checklist S157033193) on 12/24 at the old Sacramento City Cemetery, and up to 30 were reported from the Arden Park neighborhood near Carmichael from 12/25-12/26. A Brewer's Sparrow was a nice surprise on 12/30 in the Putah Creek Sinks, south of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and the Orchard Oriole found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 continued into January. A Nashville Warbler found on 12/1 at CRP was unexpected for the season, and a first-winter male American Redstart found on the 12/31 Folsom CBC in El Dorado Hills off Silva Creek Parkway was a first for the count; it continued into January. For three winters now, a male Summer Tanager has wintered in Land Park (eBird Checklist S156965980) in the vicinity of Fairytale Town, first reported this month on 12/12.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Brown, William Clark, Lyann Comrack, Courtney Covington, Jim Davis, Lily Douglas, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Tim Fitzer, Robert Furrow, Linda Gal, Daniel Gillingwater, Joshua Greenfield, Steve Hampton, Kirk Hardie, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Larry Hickey, Scott Hoppe, Mackenzie Hollender, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ed Pandolfino, Adam Panto, Ron Pozzi, Ian Souza-Cole, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Judy Spitler, Kevin Thomas, Vicki Ramsey, John Trochet, Alan Wight, Dan Williams, Lynette Williams, Rick Williams, and Ed Yong. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

November 2023

November is a great time to be in the field. A time for stray water birds, lingering summer residents, and often a few surprises. It is also a time when you get the feel for how the winter season is shaping up. Is it going to be a big finch year? Lewis's Woodpecker year? Rough-legged Hawk year? Unfortunately, the answers to those questions appear to be, "No." There are decent numbers of Varied Thrushes about, still good numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches from the huge influx earlier in the fall, and Steller's Jays are turning up here and there in the lowlands. In terms of stray waterfowl, Beals Point at Folsom Lake produced a Surf Scoter on 11/16 and up to three Red-breasted Mergansers throughout the month, with one of the latter seen from Folsom Point on 11/4. A Greater Roadrunner was a welcome find on 11/25 (eBird Checklist S155199113) in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County along Rd 8.

There were a few notable shorebirds, including up to three Semipalmated Plovers lingering at the Sacramento Regional WTP throughout the month, with one at Staten Island on 11/29. The last stronghold of Mountain Plovers in our area appears to be the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County (eBird Checklist S155432140), just south of the Colusa County line. A high of 69 was reported. One to two Marbled Godwits were found at Beals Point and up to eight were at the Davis Wetlands. There were unusually widespread reports of Western Sandpipers. They seem to be lingering longer, and at more locations, than they were just a few years ago. A Brown Pelican reported flying over Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 11/19, at the tail end of the Central Valley Birding Symposium, was a nice surprise.

Interestingly, while Lewis's Woodpeckers appeared in single digits, if at all, in their usual haunts, Acorn Woodpeckers were widespread on the Valley floor in places they are not typically reported. On 11/6, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found at the Cache Creek Preserve west of Woodland. A Western Flycatcher was found on 11/22 at CRP, and single Cassin's Vireos were reported at CRP and from multiple sites in Davis. Single Red Crossbills were reported from Carmichael on 11/15 and from Davis Community Park on 11/25. A Chestnut-collared Longspur was reported along Latrobe Rd in eastern Sacramento County on 11/1, and a Grasshopper Sparrow was found near the Capay Bridge at Cache Creek on 11/4. The Orchard Oriole found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 continued into December. A late, lingering Yellow Warbler was photographed in Woodland on 11/1. Townsend's Warblers appeared to be more widely reported throughout the region than usual, and a late Wilson's Warbler was found at CRP from at least 11/21-11/25

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Ralph Baker, Max Brodie, Dan Brown, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Maureen Geiger, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ron Pozzi, Tom Pritchard, Steve Scott, Dan Tankersley, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Lynette Williams, and Rick Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

October 2023

The excitement and possibility of September gives way to somewhat milder expectations for October. That said, October is still one of the most pleasant times to be in the field and there is plenty of opportunity to turn up interesting birds. It offers an interesting mix of lingering summer residents while nearly all the typical wintering birds have arrived. It won't be until November when large numbers of wintering waterfowl and raptors settle in, but representatives of most of the expected species do turn up by month's end. Band-tailed Pigeons were reported sporadically on the flats of the Valley. On 10/15, a Greater Roadrunner was seen along Hwy 16 between Rumsey and Guinda in the Capay Valley. This species is increasingly hard to find in our area, where grasslands, rolling hills, and chaparral in the low foothills are filling up with vineyards, orchards, and houses. Common Poorwills have also been harder to find, so one along Latrobe Rd adjacent to Deer Creek Hills on 10/14 was a nice surprise.

Shorebirds were relatively low-key for a month that often holds a surprise or two. A late Baird's Sandpiper continued from 10/11-10/17 at the Sacramento Regional WTP, while Pectoral Sandpipers were reported at several regular locations including Cosumnes River Preserve, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the Davis Wetlands, and the Woodland WTP. The most surprising find among the Charadriiformes came on 10/27 when two Heermann's Gulls (eBird Checklist S153200213 and eBird Checklist S153207345) were among a small flock of California Gulls at the Sacramento County Bufferlands. The birds continued for a few hours, and a handful of people were able to see them, but they flew away in the late afternoon and were not refound. This is a first county record and one of very few records for the Central Valley.

Blue-headed Vireos are extremely rare in California, so the second for our area this fall was a big surprise when it was found and photographed (eBird Checklist S151233525) on 10/1 near Fishing Access #2 on both the Yolo and Solano sides of Putah Creek upstream of Winters. So far this fall it is shaping up to have a decent if not huge invasion of some montane/northern species, with lowland Steller's Jays, decent numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets and Varied Thrushes, and good numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches and Pine Siskins. On 10/24, a Winter Wren was found at the same site where it spent last winter near Lake Solano. Another was found upstream near the Hwy 128 Putah Creek bridge on 10/30. It is odd that this species is turning up more than ever, while the expected Pacific Wren is found less frequently than it was a decade or two ago. An Evening Grosbeak was a nice find at Sacramento Bar along the American River Parkway on 10/3. An Orchard Oriole was found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 (eBird Checklist S151955749), and it continued into November. It can be challenging to separate this species from the much more common, larger and lankier Hooded Oriole, but this bird was seen and photographed by many observers. Warbler migration tapered off by mid-month, and no unexpected warblers were found this October.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Joshua Greenfield, David Hamilton, Denise Hamilton, Cliff Hawley, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Gerrit Platenkamp, Zane Pickus, Steve Scott, Kim Tenggardjaja, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Bart Wickel, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

September 2023

September about tops the list as the most interesting month for birding in our area. This month did not disappoint in terms of rarities, though many noted more slow days in the field than desired and very few days with really high numbers of migrants. There were some interesting shorebirds again this month, but songbird rarities stole the show. Toward the end of the month, many reported flyover Sandhill Cranes, signaling a turn toward fall. A Snowy Plover was a nice find at Staten Island in San Joaquin County on 9/20, and the string of excellent Yolo County shorebird reports continued with a Stilt Sandpiper at the Rd 104 ponds from 9/7-9/20. Pectoral Sandpipers were widely reported, and Solitary Sandpiper reports came from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 9/2, a different CRP location on 9/3, and from the Bufferlands on 9/7. 

A well-photographed Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (eBird checklist S150244482) was an excellent find at Lake Solano on 9/18. A Least Flycatcher at CRP on 9/15 was an excellent find, as was an Eastern Kingbird along the Natomas Main Drainage Canal, north of Garden Hwy and the Sacramento River, on 9/6-9/8. Even more surprising was a well-photographed Blue-headed Vireo (eBird Checklist S149673549) on 9/11 along Putah Creek near the Pedrick Rd Bridge. Two Pacific Wrens reported at Lake Solano on 9/23 were on the early side. Four Evening Grosbeaks on 9/21 at Sacramento Bar along the American River Parkway (ARP) were a real surprise, as was a male Red Crossbill that perched briefly in the top of a dead tree at Willow Hill Reservoir Community Park in Folsom on 9/3. A Lark Bunting was nicely photographed (eBird Checklist S149336417) at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 9/8, and a Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find at Sailor Bar (ARP) on 9/15. A recording of a calling Bobolink was a nice surprise from the Pocket neighborhood of Sacramento on 9/6.

Rare warblers made a good showing this month, with a Northern Waterthrush at YBWA on 9/9, and a Tennessee Warbler at Sacramento Bar (ARP) on 9/24. A Virginia's Warbler, very rare in Northern California, was an excellent find (eBird Checklist S150244482) at Lake Solano on 9/17-9/18. American Redstarts were found on 9/1 near the Pedrick Rd bridge, along Babel Slough from 9/2-9/7, and in North Davis on 9/19. A Northern Parula was a nice find at Lake Solano on 9/6, as was a Chestnut-sided Warbler on 9/19 at Sacramento Bar (ARP). Rounding out the list of rarities, Summer Tanager reports included one at CRP on 9/9, two different birds at CRP on 9/15, and one at William Land Park on 9/26.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Jonathan Eisen, Frank Fabbro, Tim Fitzer, Joshua Greenfield, Mike Guard, David Hamilton, Denise Hamilton, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Jenny Luo, Mark Martucci, Bryce Parker, Zane Pickus, Rene Reyes, Steve Scott, Kim Tenggardjaja, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

August 2023

While still fully in the grips of summer weather, August is prime migration time for shorebirds and many songbirds. Based on scattered impressions, it appears songbird migration was a little slow. Shorebirds, on the other hand, produced some of the best records ever for the area. Snow Geese continued at multiple sites in the region, which, prior to this year, was very unusual. A White-winged Dove (eBird Checklist S147349713) was a surprise on 8/15 on the Solano County side of Putah Creek at Fishing Access #1 between Winters and Lake Berryessa. On 8/17, a Calliope Hummingbird was coming to a feeder in the Rosemont neighborhood east of Sacramento.

There were excellent shorebird reports this month, and shorebirds accounted for the majority of the area's notable finds. A Pacific Golden-Plover was at the Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) Lost Slough Wetlands from 8/19-8/25. A juvenile Hudsonian Godwit was a first for Yolo County (eBird Checklist S147581855) and one of very few records for the Central Valley. It was found at the CR 104 ponds west of the Yolo Central Landfill from 8/18-8/19. A bright Red Knot (eBird Checklist S146345960) was an excellent find at the Woodland WTP on 8/3. Stilt Sandpiper reports came from the Lincoln WTP, 8/15-8/22, and the Robben Rd ponds south of Dixon on 8/23; both reports were of juvenile birds and the dates suggest it could be the same bird involved, but that's only speculation. An adult Red-necked Stint in fading breeding plumage (eBird Checklist S148580342) was an excellent find at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 8/29-30, providing just the second record for the Sacramento area. A Common Tern (eBird Checklist S147809430) was a nice find at the Woodland WTP on 8/21.

A Short-eared Owl flying in the early morning of 8/20 near the Yolo CR 104 ponds was a nice surprise this early in the season. There appeared to be an early influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches late in the month after a couple of years with few reports in the area. A Gray Catbird was a very nice find along Putah Creek, Solano County, near Mace Blvd on 8/31. A Northern Waterthrush on 8/15 was another nice find for Putah Creek Fishing Access #1, and a Northern Parula (eBird Checklist S148176318) was found along Putah Creek near the Pedrick Rd bridge on 8/26-8/27.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Joshua Greenfield, Susan Harrison, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Jasen Liu, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Kirk Swenson, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bart Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

July 2023

More than anything, July is a month to be anticipated for its shorebird migration. It's best to get out early before the heat makes the day uncomfortable and heat shimmer makes it hard to clearly see the birds you are looking for. Songbird migrants begin to trickle through by month's end, and unexpected birds can turn up any time of year. Up to eight Snow Geese spent the month at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP) Bufferlands, with two seen at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Up to 250 Snow Geese were reported to the north at the Sacramento NWR, establishing what must be a local record for the summer. A lingering Canvasback and up to nine Redheads continued through the month at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Among the shorebird highlights was a Marbled Godwit at CRP on 7/28; there were several godwits reported from Yolo County, where the species is more often encountered. A Sanderling was found at the Lincoln WTP on 7/28 (eBird Checklist S145844098), and one was also found at CRP on 7/29. A Snowy Plover was a nice find southeast of Dixon along Robben Rd on 7/1 and 7/2. Among the regular Western and Least sandpipers, a Baird's Sandpiper was reported at the Yolo County Central Landfill Pond, visible from Yolo County Rd 28H. This species is typically found later in the season. Also quite early was a Pectoral Sandpiper along County Rd 104 on 7/31. The only Semipalmated Sandpiper report in July was at the SRWTP on 7/31 (eBird Checklist S146150867). A Solitary Sandpiper was found at the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve from (eBird Checklist S145323754) 7/19 to 7/24.

A Least Bittern family group with at least two young (eBird Checklist S143857055) was seen throughout the month at the Davis Wetlands and accounted for the only reports of this species for the region this month. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron seen for one day in May (5/11) in Natomas was refound at the nearby North Natomas Regional Park on 6/11 and continued through at least 7/2. Songbird migration didn't produce anything unexpected, but did begin to pick up before month's end. While at least two Yellow Warblers continued near the Accidental Forest at CRP, a small breeding outpost for the species in our region, migrant Hermit and Wilson's warblers were reported in the last few days of the month. As early as the second week of July, reports of migrating Western Tanagers were widespread.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Justin Dunbar, Andy Engilis, Jr., Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Jeri Langham, Manfred Kusch, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

June 2023

June can be a challenging month for birding in the Central Valley. It has the lowest species diversity of any month, with migrants and wintering birds leaving us by May, and many not returning until August, September, or later. By the last week of the month, the first of the southbound shorebirds begin to arrive, but real shorebirding doesn't pick up until July. Odd things can turn up, though few did this June. One might be tempted to say June is a quiet month, but that's not quite true. In lusher areas, bird song is quite evident. It is one of the most important times for our local nesting birds as many wrap up their breeding efforts, with some carryover into July. The effects of the record flooding this year persisted, with melt water from the heavy snow pack keeping rivers high, and leaving some sites in the low floodplain partially flooded through the first half of June and beyond.

Least Bitterns continued to be found on surveys at the western tip of Sherman Island, but weren't reported elsewhere in the region. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron seen for one day in May (5/11) in Natomas was found at the nearby North Natomas Regional Park on 6/11 (eBird Checklist S141308493) among a huge nesting colony of Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets (eBird Checklist S141566212), and Cattle Egrets numbering well over 500 total ardeids. It was only a little easier to find than a needle in a haystack, but was reported sporadically into early July. There was no sign reported that it was paired with another night-heron. Aside from one site in Yolo County and a few reports south of Dixon, Burrowing Owls were absent from the region this June. In just the past ten years, this species has gone from uncommon but regular as a summer resident to almost completely absent--quite shocking! We do expect an influx of wintering owls by October. Now to a regionally increasing bird, Peregrine Falcons once again nested at the UC Davis Med Center, producing four young this year.

With multiple wintering Townsend's Solitaires in the Valley earlier this year, perhaps one found on 6/9 at Stone Lakes NWR is a little less surprising than it otherwise would have been. For the first time in more than two decades, Grasshopper Sparrows were unreported from their usual haunts in eastern Sacramento County. On 6/9, up to three Yellow-breasted Chats were singing near Fishing Access #1 (eBird Checklist S141035315) in the Putah Creek canyon, upstream from Winters; a chat was also singing at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 6/21 near where one had been found on 5/30. A heard-only American Redstart was reported near Fishing Access #1 in the Putah Creek canyon on 6/13, and three to four Yellow Warblers were on territory near the Accidental Forest at CRP continuing the local recolonization in the past few years of this small portion of the Central Valley.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Lyann Comrack, Justin Dunbar, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Joshua Greenfield, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Mackenzie Hollender, Jim Holmes, Stanton Hunter, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Tom Pritchard, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Kevin White, and Bart Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

May 2023

May has many faces. The first week or ten days are often the most exciting period for migrant songbirds all spring, if not all year. Migration is highly variable, so some days can be very slow, while others are much better. This month, the large flow of migrants quickly dried up by Mother's Day, though there were a few surprises to come. Melt water from the heavy snow pack kept rivers high, and left some sites in the low floodplain connected to the high Delta waters and with limited access. By the end of the month, reports of migrants had really slowed, though mild temperatures and breezy days made for pleasant if not bird-filled outings. 

A few widely scattered Calliope Hummingbird reports came in during the first eleven days of May. Among the unexpected shorebirds, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, much less expected in spring than in July and August, was found at the Robben Rd ponds, south of Dixon, from 5/13-5/15. A Solitary Sandpiper was found on 5/2 north of Vacaville, near the intersection of Leisure Town and Allendale Rds. An adult Franklin's Gull was a nice surprise on 5/21 at the Robben Rd ponds. A Least Bittern was singing from a marsh at a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve on 5/27; three were found on surveys at the western tip of Sherman Island, though this site doesn't have public access. A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Natomas was an excellent find on 5/11 (eBird Checklist S137129604) at River Birch Park, just east of Truxel Rd at Terracina Dr. It was only seen for one day until almost certainly the same bird was found nearby in June.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl was photographed roosting in a tree in Davis on 5/22 (eBird Checklist S138928769). Slowly but surely, Dark-eyed Juncos are establishing themselves as breeders in the Sacramento area. Two singing males, one with a family group, were found at Willowbank Ditch in Davis. Another was singing at Slide Hill Park, and a pair has nested for four years in a row on the UC Davis campus. Another pair was regularly noted in Sacramento near U and 42nd Streets, and fledged young of this pair were confirmed in June. Single Brewer's Sparrows were found on 5/5 at Sacramento Bar along the American River Parkway (ARP), and from more expected grassland sites along both Michigan Bar and Meiss Rds on 5/13. A Vesper Sparrow was a bit of a surprise at Mississippi Bar on 5/1, with another in more expected habitat along Payen Rd on 5/6. Hoped-for vagrant warblers came in the form of two Ovenbirds, both on the same day, and a Palm Warbler. The Ovenbirds were both found on 5/21, at Bobelaine in Sutter County and along Deer Creek off Latrobe Rd (eBird Checklist S138659807) in El Dorado County. The Palm Warbler was on Rayhouse Rd on 5/7, found during an all-day hike that began before 3 AM along this remote Yolo County Rd. A female-type Summer Tanager was photographed on 5/26 near the Glenbrook Park access to ARP between Howe and Watt Aves.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Michael Barnett, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Kristi Carr, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Robert Furrow, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Karen Richardson, William Rockey, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Kirk Swenson, Kevin Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

April 2023

Many commented that much of this April felt more like March. This has been an uncommonly cool early spring and several low-lying areas remained flooded from the very wet winter. With warming temperatures and bulging rivers expected for the next two months, some of our local sites like Cosumnes River Preserve may not be fully accessible until June or later. In March, Band-tailed Pigeon numbers increased, and for most of April they were quite regular in Sacramento County from about Orangevale east into the low foothills. A flock on 4/4 was photographed at Deer Creek Hills documenting (eBird Checklist S132742463) a staggering 177 pigeons!

It is not that often our region produces rarities of statewide significance. Those records are typically reserved for coastal areas, the ocean, and desert oases. A Ruddy Ground-Dove visiting a rural yard southwest of Clarksburg (eBird Checklist S135193295) was certainly an exception. It was first heard on 4/26, seen and photographed by many on 4/27, but not detected thereafter. A Common Poorwill was found along Babel Slough on 4/26; they seem to be turning up less frequently in migration than a decade ago. An Allen's Hummingbird was found at the same site as the ground-dove on 4/27-4/28; this location has been consistent in recent years for this locally-rare hummingbird species. On 4/13 along Swan Rd in the vicinity of Winship Rd, there was a group of eight Pacific Golden-Plovers and another two about a half-mile away. This general area, south of Dixon, appears to be a local hotspot for this species. There were few Solitary Sandpiper reports this spring, but a long-staying bird was found on 4/15 that continued through the end of the month near LeisureTown Rd at Allendale Rd, off Hwy 505 between Winters and Vacaville. Another was found on 4/26 through the end of the month at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis.

Since the widespread adoption of eBird, locally uncommon Empidonax flycatcher reports are proving to be more common than had been appreciated. Especially in the second half of the month, there were impressive numbers of Hammond's, Gray, and Dusky flycatchers; the report of seven Gray Flycatchers from a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 4/17 deserves special mention. Say's Phoebes are consolidating their status as local breeding birds. A nest with three chicks was found at Marysville High School on 4/19, apparently the first breeding record for Yuba County. Coming off an excellent winter for Townsend's Solitaires, singles were reported at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 4/17 and from Slide Hill Park in Davis on 4/27. A few Evening Grosbeaks lingered from the March invasion, with one in Rancho Cordova on 4/1, four in Elk Grove on 4/2 (eBird Checklist S132498047), and one north of Lake Camanche on 4/7. There were several reported Brewer's Sparrows in eastern Sacramento County, where they are regular, and one at Rossmoor Bar on the American River Parkway on 4/22 where they are less expected. On 4/15, a Black-and-white Warbler was reported singing and briefly seen at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. The Summer Tanager found consistently near Fairytale Town in William Land Park beginning on 3/11 continued through at least 4/14. 

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Gil Ewing, Cliff Hawley, Greg Hemig, Tim Howell, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Barbara Leary, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Nora Papian, Asher Perla, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2023

March is a time of transitions. Migration starts slowly, with waterfowl numbers beginning to decrease and early migrants, like swallows, showing up in force. It's not until at least the second week of April that most of the much-anticipated spring migrants appear, but late March produces the first records of species like Swainson's Hawks, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos, Bullock's Orioles, Wilson's Warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. Many of our wintering birds will remain through April, but most of the Sandhill Cranes and wintering raptors leave before month's end. There was an uptick of Band-tailed Pigeon reports toward the end of the month, with a cresting wave appearing in April.

A Long-eared Owl was found roosting on the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Bufferlands in a planted live oak on 3/30, accounting for just the third record for the property. This species has been designated as sensitive by eBird, so it will no longer show up on publicly viewable eBird maps or produce eBird rarity alerts. This is an understandable step to protect a species that can be swarmed by dozens of birders and photographers on its roost every day, but it is also unfortunate the specific historical information is no longer readily available, not to mention the palpable joy these birds can give (responsible) observers. There were several Short-eared Owl reports from the first week of the month. They came from Yolo County Rd 104 to the west and northwest of the Yolo County (Davis) Landfill, with others along Sankey Rd (eBird Checklist S130054981), Sutter County, between Hwy 99 and the Sacramento River. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found roosting in a planted redwood in Natomas on 3/31 (eBird Checklist S132333231).

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found by those looking for the Summer Tanager (see below) in William Land Park on 3/17; it continued through the end of the month. The Hammond's Flycatcher found last month at Streng Park in Woodland continued, and another was found for much of the month along Babel Slough Rd (eBird Checklist S131892034). The first report for the season of locally declining Purple Martins was near the traditional colony at Sutterville Rd near Sacramento City College on 3/18. The Townsend's Solitaire at Sacramento City College (eBird Checklist S131701342) continued through the end of the month. Evening Grosbeaks in the Gold River neighborhood south of the American River between Sunrise and Hazel Blvds continued from February. There were reports of 20-30 birds, though numbers tapered off by mid-month, and there were scattered reports elsewhere in the region. A Cassin's Finch was a nice surprise in Orangevale on 3/13, and a Clay-colored Sparrow found in February northeast of Lodi along Buck Rd, south of Acampo Rd, continued through at least 3/8. A bright Red Fox Sparrow was at a closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/25, and the Swamp Sparrow at North (Partansky) Pond in Davis continued on 3/2. The Nashville Warbler at CRP, first detected on 1/19, continued through at least 3/12. A stunning male Summer Tanager (eBird Checklist S130761541) was seen consistently near Fairytale Town in Land Park near the Sacramento Zoo beginning on 3/11, continuing into April. It had been seen sporadically on the zoo property earlier in the winter and is almost certainly the same bird that appeared as an immature last winter.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Maureen Geiger, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Leia Hewitt, Mackenzie Hollender, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Daniel Murphy, Frances Oliver, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Alex Single, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2023

While there were breaks in the storms, high water, rain, and winds limited birding activity for good chunks of the month. The expected winter raptors and water birds were in their usual spots, though waterfowl moved a lot, exploiting newly-flooded areas. Early signs of spring came in the form of all the regular swallows (except for Purple Martin, not expected until mid-to-late March) reported before month's end. The Greater Roadrunner found along Rd 81 in the Capay Valley on 1/22 continued through February. Mountain Plovers along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, continued with up to 30 reported through mid-month. The report of 25 north of Flannery Rd, just west of Hwy 113, was a nice surprise. This appears to be the only report this winter in the vicinity of their old stronghold. A first-cycle Glaucous Gull was reported at the Kiefer Landfill on 2/20, while at least one was found throughout the month along Yolo County Rd 104 west of the Yolo County (Davis) Landfill. Up to two Northern Pygmy-Owls were seen and beautifully photographed (eBird Checklist S127776294) along Rayhouse Rd early in the month. The Long-eared Owl wintering in the Wildhorse neighborhood of Davis continued into March, and at least eight were found on a semi-regular roost in a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 2/25.

Lewis's Woodpeckers continued in excellent numbers, and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/26 near the Elkhorn Volunteer Fire Dept (close to the Elkhorn boat ramp) continued into late February. Another was photographed (eBird Checklist S129799760) near Guinda in the Capay Valley on 2/27. A Hammond's Flycatcher (eBird Checklist S127904536) was a nice find at Streng Park in Woodland on 2/8 and 2/27. Two different Cassin's Vireos were reported in Davis and a Plumbeous Vireo (eBird Checklist S128181760) was found on the UC Davis campus on 2/7-2/12. The Townsend's Solitaire at Sacramento City College continued into March, while the bird at the Sacramento City Cemetery continued from December to at least 2/22 (access had been limited because of downed trees), and another was near the UC Davis Med Center on 2/14.

There were scattered reports of Evening Grosbeaks in the region, but most remarkable was a regular flock of up to 25 or more (eBird Checklist S129743490) in a Gold River neighborhood south of the American River between Sunrise and Hazel Blvds. They were first reported on 2/23 and were consistent through at least mid-March. This species is almost never found consistently on the Valley floor, but occasionally as transient, calling flybys. Up to three Cassin's Finches (eBird Checklist S130319394) were found throughout the month in a Sacramento yard, and up to five Lawrence's Goldfinches were found regularly at Phoenix Field. A Swamp Sparrow was seen and photographed at Bridgeway Island Pond (eBird Checklist S127608135) from 2/4-2/19, and another was at North Pond in Davis (eBird Checklist S129328592) from 2/18-2/21. The Bullock's Oriole found in Woodland on 1/25 was seen again on 2/23, and the Nashville Warbler at CRP, first detected on 1/19, appears to be spending the winter at a site without regular public access.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Calvin Carroll, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Lief Gallagher, Maureen Geiger, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Leia Hewitt, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Stephanie Levins, Mark Martucci, Daniel Murphy, Roger Muskat, Chris Ortega, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Eric Pilotte, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Alex Single, Cindra Smith, Sean Smith, Kirk Swenson, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2023

Although the second half of January wasn't particularly rainy, flooding from storms in the first part of the month continued to limit access to places like Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Waterfowl had many options, with standing water well distributed, so they weren't necessarily found in high concentrations at typical locations. Three Trumpeter Swans near the junction of Yolo County Rds 27 and 103 were a nice surprise (eBird Checklist S125953350). Most of the reports of this species in the Sacramento Valley are to the north of the area usually covered by this column. While missed on count day for the Folsom CBC, a male and a female Red-breasted Merganser were on Lake Natoma on 1/4 (eBird Checklist S125436895). A Greater Roadrunner was found along Rd 81 in the Capay Valley on 1/22. This species is becoming increasingly hard to find in the region.

Mountain Plovers continued along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, with up to 45 reported. This has been the only location where they have been found in the Sacramento area this winter. The old stronghold south of Dixon did not produce any reports. A first-cycle Glaucous Gull, always a treat (eBird Checklist S126863575), was found on 1/24 through the end of the month along Yolo County Rd 104 west of the Yolo County (Davis) Landfill. Another Glaucous Gull was at Beals Pt, Folsom Lake, on 1/29. Least Bitterns are hard to find, especially in winter, so a report from Yolo County Rd 25, near Rd 103, is notable. The Long-eared Owl wintering in the Wildhorse neighborhood of Davis continued into February.

Lewis's Woodpeckers have been found in excellent numbers this season, but a report of 288 from an all-day outing to a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County was the most impressive yet. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/26 near the Elkhorn Volunteer Fire Dept (close to the Elkhorn boat ramp) continued into February. Two different Cassin's Vireos were found in Davis and one was also found in Woodland. Typically exceedingly rare (Eastern) Winter Wrens continued from November, with one at the end of Payen Rd, just into El Dorado County, continuing to 1/3, one at the Putah Creek Fishing Access #2 continuing to 1/17, and the one at Lake Solano Park continuing to at least 1/21. Townsend's Solitaires were well-represented in Sacramento, with the one found at the old City Cemetery on 12/24 continuing through 1/2, the bird at Sacramento City College continuing into February, and a third along S Land Park Dr, to the south of Sutterville Rd, found between 1/3 and 1/21. There were scattered reports of Evening Grosbeaks from Fair Oaks, Lincoln, Davis (eBird Checklist S126341731), and Woodland. A Grasshopper Sparrow along Scott Rd, south of White Rock Rd, on 1/1 was a nice surprise, and a Bullock's Oriole in Woodland on 1/25 was even more surprising. A Nashville Warbler, first detected on 1/19, appeared to be spending the winter in a dry area of CRP, and the Summer Tanager that was found east of Slide Hill Park in Davis on 12/6 continued to at least 1/16.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Joseph Atkinson, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Hugh Cotter, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Stephen Fettig, Cliff Hawley, Jeri Langham, Sami LaRocca, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Violet Wu, Bart Wickel, Rick Williams, and Wentao Yang. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

December 2022

This December was another month where there were too many highlights to fully detail them all. Christmas Bird Counts document our common birds as well as unusual finds, and both types of observation are important. Numbers of wintering geese in the Sacramento area continue to climb. This began with increasing numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese in the past 20 years or so, and now increasing, sometimes staggering, numbers of Snow Geese, along with good numbers of Aleutian Cackling Geese (the latter especially at the southern margin of our regularly covered area: Staten Island and Woodbridge Rd in San Joaquin County). Redheads are pretty rare in Sacramento County, so one spending the month and beyond along the American River Parkway (ARP) just downstream of the Sunrise Bridge was a treat. A Surf Scoter was found in the San Joaquin River off Sherman Island on 12/17 where they are semi-regular.

The only Mountain Plover reports in the region were along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, south of County Line Rd, throughout the month. Most reports were under 50 birds, but one was over 100 when something flushed the entire flock. It doesn't appear that any were detected in the former stronghold south of Dixon. It was a good fall for Ruff, and that continued into December with one found along Yolo County Rd 103 on 12/3 (eBird Checklist S124381182), continuing throughout the month. One of the most exciting finds, and a first for Sacramento County, was a Black-legged Kittiwake found from 12/5-12/7 (eBird Checklist S123565633) from Folsom Point at Folsom Lake where it was also seen flying well into El Dorado County waters. Uncommon loon reports were few, so a Pacific Loon seen from Folsom Point on 12/6 and 12/14 is notable. Least Bittern reports, never common, are much rarer in winter. Whether it's because most of them leave the area in winter or if they're just more secretive, it is difficult to say. One was recorded calling (eBird Checklist S124292891) at the Davis Wetlands on 12/19 and another was found at Cache Creek Wild Wings Park on 12/28. 

A Long-eared Owl was found in the Wildhorse neighborhood of Davis during the latter half of the month (eBird Checklist S125152766) and continued into January. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/26 near the Elkhorn boat ramp by the Elkhorn Volunteer Fire Dept also continued into January. A Tropical Kingbird was a nice surprise on 12/16 along County Rd 104 on the Solano-Yolo County line south of Maxwell Ln. Typically any Winter Wren report is notable (the eastern species compared with Pacific Wren; the two were split in 2010), but there were three found this December, continuing from November. One was along the railroad tracks at the end of Payen Rd (eBird Checklist S123078085), just across the Sacramento County line into El Dorado. Another was at Lake Solano Park, continuing into January, and yet another was wintering nearby at the Putah Creek Fishing Access #2. Pacific Wrens are getting increasingly difficult to find wintering in the Valley in the past decade, so it's surprising that these Winter Wrens were found. Other notable reports include a Townsend's Solitaire at the Sacramento City Cemetery on 12/24 (eBird Checklist S124737797) through the end of the month, plus another at Sacramento City College on 12/26 continuing into January. A Cassin's Finch was reported at Sacramento Bar (ARP) on 12/15 and two Red Crossbills were reported at Lower Sunrise (ARP) on 12/20. After a fall with many Tennessee Warblers, one more was found at Cosumnes River Preserve on 12/4. The Palm Warbler along County Rd 104 on the Solano-Yolo County line south of Maxwell Ln continued from 11/26 through most of December (eBird Checklist S123476004). A Summer Tanager was a nice surprise along the bike path east of Slide Hill Park in Davis, beginning on 12/6 and continuing into January.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Bruce Christensen, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Stephen Fettig, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Radha Krishna, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bart Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

November 2022

After the excellent rarities over the past two months, things were bound to return to normal. And mostly they did, though in terms of rarities, this was certainly a better than average November. More importantly, the Sacramento Area and the Central Valley are probably at their iconic best from November through March, with impressive numbers of waterfowl, cranes, raptors, and, of course, sparrows. After all, that is why the Central Valley Bird Club holds its annual symposium each November. Among the expected waterfowl species, two female-type Surf Scoters were found at the Woodland WTP on 11/11 (eBird Checklist S122263717). It seemed possible that a Rufous Hummingbird visiting a feeder in Wilton would spend the winter, but it appears that the last report was on 11/27. A Snowy Plover continued from October at the Woodland WTP through at least 11/12, and a Pectoral Sandpiper at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area was on the late side on 11/13-11/14 (eBird Checklist S122449127).

The only Long-eared Owl report was of a bird being harassed by crows in a West Sacramento yard on 11/7. Two Short-eared Owls were seen on 11/29 along Yolo County Rd 27 between Davis and Woodland. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was a great find at San Marino Park in Davis on 11/10. A Hammond's Flycatcher was reported at the same location and nearby Willowbank Ditch on 11/7-11/9. Vermilion Flycatchers are always a treat in our area, but unfortunately a female photographed (eBird Checklist S122962471) on 11/24 at the Lost Slough Wetlands portion of Cosumnes River Preserve was not refound.

A few Cassin's Vireos were reported lingering into November, and an American Dipper was found at the traditional site along Putah Creek near the Hwy 128 bridge, just downstream of Lake Berryessa, on 11/24 through the end of the month. An Evening Grosbeak was a nice surprise at a Carmichael yard on 11/14. A Northern Waterthrush was an excellent find on 11/6 (eBird Checklist S121987445) just north of Desmond Rd along Franklin Blvd at the bridge over Lost Slough. San Marino Park/Willowbank Ditch in Davis produced another nice find, with an American Redstart from 11/8-20 (eBird Checklist S122259136), and a Palm Warbler was found south of Davis, on 11/26, along Yolo County Rd 104, south of Grasslands Regional Park.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Nicole Barden, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, James Dunn, Frank Fabbro, Joshua Greenfield, David Hamilton, Denise Hamilton, Cliff Hawley, Jeri Langham, Dean LaTray, Andrew Lee, David Lumpkin, Mark Martucci, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Mark Sawyer, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bart Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

October 2022

September 2022 produced a remarkable number of rarities and the trend continued into October. The Woodland WTP hosted a Surf Scoter on 10/6-10/10 (eBird Checklist S120285606) as well as a showy Long-tailed Duck (eBird Checklist S120816484) on 10/16-10/20. Rufous Hummingbird reports typically taper off by October, but one visiting a feeder in Wilton continued all month and into mid-November. Interesting shorebird reports included a Snowy Plover on 10/12, continuing through the end of the month at the Woodland WTP, a Ruff along West Sherman Island Rd on 10/14, as well as a Ruff at Staten Island (eBird Checklist S121372862) on 10/18-10/26; this was a very good fall for Ruff reports.

Long-eared Owl distribution is poorly understood. While uncommon and apparently declining, they are also easy to miss, so one found on 10/21 on private property near Esparto is notable. Also in the Capay Valley area, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (eBird Checklist S121220335) was found on 10/10 on private property near Guinda. A Sage Thrasher was a nice find along Latrobe Rd in eastern Sacramento County on 10/1, as was a Townsend's Solitaire on 10/10 near the intersection of Levee Rd and Hopkins Rd, west of UC Davis. A Lapland Longspur was reported as a calling flyover at Folsom Point on 10/18, and at least one Chestnut-collared Longspur (eBird Checklist S120022442) was found along Michigan Bar Rd on 10/5-10/9. Michigan Bar also produced a Grasshopper Sparrow on 10/6-10/8, a Clay-colored Sparrow (eBird Checklist S120090102) on 10/6-10/7, and reports of single Brewer's Sparrows on 10/1-10/7 from different locations along the road. A Clay-colored Sparrow was also found on private property in Amador County near Buena Vista on 10/10, and a Swamp Sparrow was a nice find on 10/18 at the Elkhorn Slough boat ramp. A Bobolink, with only a few previous Sacramento County records, was seen on 10/7-10/8 (eBird Checklist S120138456) along Michigan Bar Rd just south of the Cosumnes River.

If not following last month's amazing number of rare warblers, this month's list would be even more impressive. A Black-and-white Warbler was a very nice find in the Tall Forest of Cosumnes River Preserve on 10/1. The impressive run of Tennessee Warblers continued with one at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/15-10/17. An American Redstart was found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 10/9. Chestnut-sided Warbler reports included one at the William B Pond access to the American River Parkway on 10/2, one on 10/13-10/15 (eBird Checklist S120715423) at UC Davis, along La Rue Rd by Hutchinson Field, and, finally, one in residential Elk Grove on 10/31, continuing to 11/1.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Frank Fabbro, Robert Furrow, K. Gatejen, Joshua Greenfield, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Scott Hoppe, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Bruce Miller, Ethan Monk, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Zane Pickus, Mark Sawyer, Elliot Schoenig, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Bart Wickel, Rick Williams, Violet Wu, Wentao Yang, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

September 2022

Observing birds ties us to the seasons and makes us more aware of the world around us. At no time is this more true than during the peak of migration. This September produced an outstanding number of rare and unusual reports along with excellent numbers of regular migrants. While shorebird migration tapered off substantially by the end of August, this was one of the busiest Septembers for songbird migrants in recent memory. Calliope Hummingbirds are much more regular in spring, so an individual visiting a yard in Galt from 9/14-21 and another at Upper Sunrise along the American River Parkway (ARP) from 9/19-21 were both notable.

Less expected shorebirds this month included a Snowy Plover on 9/9 at the Woodland WTP, and a Ruff from 9/2-5 along Bogue Rd, west of Yuba City. The early arrival of Lewis's Woodpeckers noted last month was followed by reports of dozens from regular haunts in the low foothills such as near Michigan Bar. A Gray Flycatcher from 9/23-24 at Folsom Point, Folsom Lake, was a nice find for a species much more regular in the spring. A juvenile Black-throated Sparrow, also from Folsom Point on 9/23 (eBird Checklist S119283026), was even more of a surprise. Green-tailed Towhees were reported on 9/10 at Mace Blvd by Putah Creek, on 9/13 from Grasslands Regional Park in Yolo County, and on 9/20 from Babel Slough. A locally very rare female-type Orchard Oriole was an excellent find at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 9/20.

No group of birds symbolizes songbird migration more than warblers. We are usually lucky to have three or four rarities among the regular migrants, but this month was outstanding. Continuing from August, Tennessee Warblers were unusually well represented: one was found from 9/3-9 along Putah Creek near Pedrick Rd, with another at Upper Sunrise (ARP) just downstream from the Nimbus Hatchery on 9/16 (eBird Checklist S118854732). Apparently a different Tennessee Warbler was found at Upper Sunrise on 9/21-22, with another at Rossmoor Bar (ARP) on 9/22. An American Redstart was found at Babel Slough from 9/16-17, while a Northern Parula was seen from 9/2-5 near the Gristmill access to ARP. A Blackburnian Warbler was found at Babel Slough from 9/20-23 (eBird Checklist S119376742), and another was at the Orr Ranch portion of CRP on 9/24 (eBird Checklist S119357310). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was reported on 9/21 at Reichmuth Park (eBird Checklist S119168751), with two found there from 9/22-24, and one continuing through 9/28. A Blackpoll Warbler was reported from Grasslands Regional Park, Yolo County, from 9/13-19, and another was at Upper Sunrise from 9/16-19. And wrapping up this impressive list, a Palm Warbler was found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 9/27-28, and another was seen in an Orangevale yard on 9/28.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Robert Furrow, Linda Gal, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Scott Hoppe, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Ed Pandolfino, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, Bart Wickel, Violet Wu, and Wentao Yang. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

August 2022

Despite the heat, August is one of the best months to experience migration. As it turned out, this August was really active in terms of rare and uncommon birds. Shorebirds continued in excellent numbers from July, and by the end of the month songbird migrants were showing in good numbers and diversity. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Rossmoor Bar along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 8/28 was quite a surprise. This species has declined precipitously in recent decades, so any local observation is a real treat.

Uncommon shorebirds vied with songbirds to get top billing this month. There were so many excellent reports of both, we'll call it a draw. Snowy Plovers are very rare in our area, but are typically found each year. One was at the Woodland WTP on 8/1-7, and another was at the Sacramento Regional WTP (SRWTP) on 8/29-31 (eBird Checklist S117873672). More unexpected was a Ruddy Turnstone at the Woodland WTP on 8/4-7 (eBird Checklist S116511780). SRWTP hosted a Ruff from 8/17-30 (eBird Checklist S117234735 and eBird Checklist S117501313). There are perhaps five records for Sacramento County, and this was just the second for the property, and the first in over 20 years. The first few Baird's Sandpipers started showing up on 8/24, and the first Pectoral Sandpiper was found on 8/30. A Solitary Sandpiper was seen by several observers at Cosumnes River Preserve from 8/27-29, and one was found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 8/27.

Lewis's Woodpeckers are rare on the flats of the Valley and also rare this early in the season, so a few seen toward the end of the month were notable. A Brewer's Sparrow at the Russell Ranch, along Putah Creek between Davis and Winters, on 8/22 was a nice find. Northern Waterthrushes are not found in our area every year, so it was a real surprise to have one along Babel Slough from 8/27-29, and another at Sacramento Bar (ARP) on 8/30. Tennessee Warblers are equally rare around Sacramento, so one at Reichmuth Park from 8/28-8/30 was another excellent find. Also nice was a Blackpoll Warbler at Bridgeway Island Pond near West Sacramento on 8/30 (eBird Checklist S117831838), as was a Summer Tanager along the Humbug Creek Trail in Folsom on 8/31.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Robert Furrow, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michele McCormick, Dana Miller-Blair, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, and Tom Uslan. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.