April is one of the busiest months, and this year did not disappoint. In the latter half of the month, excellent numbers of migrants were reported, especially from the upper portion of the American River Parkway (ARP) and from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Remarkably, the Long-tailed Duck found last November near the Nimbus Hatchery continued into May. A female Hooded Merganser with 4 young found along the River Walk at CRP on 4/19 adds to the growing list of breeding records for this species. A Common Poorwill was flushed on private property in southeastern Sacramento County on 4/27. Calliope Hummingbirds were thought to be quite rare and notable as spring migrants, but as more observers report their sightings to eBird we're learning that the species is uncommon but fairly regular this time of year, particularly from about Rancho Cordova east to the low foothills.
The sighting of a Virginia Rail with five small young (eBird Checklist S108306501) off the wetland boardwalk at CRP on 4/27 was a rare confirmation of breeding by this fairly common, but secretive species. Groups of one, four, and 15 Pacific Golden-Plovers were found in Solano County along Bulkley, Etzel, and Delhi roads south and east of Dixon on 4/15-16; they were found in the same area last year, perhaps indicating a regular migrant passageway. Single Snowy Plovers were found at Folsom Lake near the Granite Bay Boat Launch on 4/17-21 (eBird Checklist S107283877) and CRP off Desmond Rd on 4/24. A Ruff at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 4/17-23 was well-seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S107862578), and among the few Solitary Sandpiper reports for the region this month was one at CRP on 4/24 north of Twin Cities Rd. The only Least Bittern record for the month was from Sutter NWR on 4/23.
Five Lewis's Woodpeckers continued at CRP on the Orr Ranch property as late as 4/25, continuing the presence of this species from this winter on the flats of the Valley floor in a year with good but not staggering numbers in the low-elevation foothills where they are expected. Hammond's, Gray, and Dusky flycatchers, as with Calliope Hummingbird mentioned above, appear to be more numerous than previously thought as they move through our area in spring. Say's Phoebes continue to establish themselves not just as a common wintering species, but as an increasing local nester. A Loggerhead Shrike nest at the Sacramento Regional WTP found on 4/19 containing five featherless young was notable for its location: a pile of tumbleweed blown against a fence. Brewer's Sparrows were reported from two locations along ARP on 4/26, with one at the William B. Pond access, and two at Sailor Bar. A Black-throated Sparrow was an excellent find near the El Manto River access on 4/23, where it was seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S107865207) by many. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find in western Nevada County, just south of Spenceville Wildlife Area on 4/25. Good numbers of migrants at CRP on 4/23 included a locally impressive 18 Nashville's Warblers. Female Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers were seen breaking off small twigs, and were followed closely by a male at CRP on 4/17, and River Bend Park along ARP on 4/13, suggesting breeding behavior. This is quite surprising for a species known regionally as a breeder in montane coniferous forest, but a female seen with three young in southeast Glenn County a few years ago indicates lower-elevation nesting is possible. Finally, the young male Summer Tanager found feeding on bees at Fairytale Town, William Land Park, on 2/16 continued through at least 4/22.
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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Krystal Coles, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Rob Furrow, Linda Gal, Susan Goodrich, Bob Greenleaf, Kevin Guse, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Jim Laughlin, Cathie LaZier, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Judy Spitler, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bark Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.