Reports from this April and May included many good water birds, excellent shorebirds, a good movement of small flycatchers, but relatively few songbird vagrants. Over 50 Redheads, including more than one brood, were reported by many at the Woodland WTP, while a pair at a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County was found on 5/3 and another pair was at the Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 5/4-7. One of the major highlights of the period was one or two Glossy Ibis reported by many at Woodland WTP from 5/25 into June (eBird checklist). One was seen on a nest among nesting White-faced Ibis.
Shorebirds were reported in excellent numbers highlighted by several unexpected finds. Snowy Plovers were reported along Desmond Rd at CRP on 4/15, and two to three were at the Davis Wetlands on 4/24-25. Very impressive numbers of Semipalmated Plovers were reported from CRP, including an amazing report of 320 on 4/25. Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) reports included a Ruff from 4/17-22, a Stilt Sandpiper on 4/21 and 5/2, and, most impressively, a Marsh Sandpiper from 4/15-21 (with only a handful of state records, this being the third from our area). At least six Solitary Sandpipers were reported throughout the period and region.
A Common Poorwill was a nice find at Mather Lake on 5/12 and a late Lewis's Woodpecker was found along the American River Parkway (ARP) at Willaim B. Pond on the same day. Hammond's Flycatchers were widely reported throughout the region and the period, and single Gray Flycatchers were found at the Sacramento City Cemetery on 4/27, Yolo Grasslands Park on 5/7, a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 5/10, and Babel Slough on 5/11 and 5/16. Dusky Flycatcher reports included singles at YBWA on 4/23, Yolo Grasslands on 4/26, Putah Creek near Pedrick Rd on 4/29, Reichmuth Park on 5/15, and Babel Slough on 5/16. An apparent breeding range expansion by Say's Phoebes included the first confirmed nesting in Yolo County at the Wildhorse Ag Buffer in northeast Davis on 4/25. They were also confirmed nesting in southeastern Woodland, as well as north Stockton.
Plumbeous Vireos were reported near the UC Davis campus on 4/18, at CRP on 4/21, and Putah Creek downstream of Pedrick Rd on 4/22. Two Chestnut-backed Chickadees were seasonally unexpected on 5/6 along Putah Creek downstream of Winters. The only vagrant warbler reported this period was a singing male Hooded Warbler along Cache Creek at Wild Wings Park on 5/21 (eBird checklist). A surprising three Harris's Sparrow reports included singles at Putah Creek Access #3 on 4/3, Julietta Winery in Clarksburg on 4/14, and the Davis Wetlands on 5/7. The Swamp Sparrow that wintered at YBWA was last reported on 4/7. Yellow-breasted Chats were found at several locations on 4/27, including the Sacramento Reg. WTP Bufferlands, the Sailor Bar access to ARP, and Putah Creek Fishing Access #5, plus Yolo Grasslands Park on 5/10. For the fifth year in a row there was a singing Summer Tanager at CRP, with one at the Orr Ranch on 5/20. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak along Putah Creek downstream of Pedrick Rd was a nice find on 4/26, and a few Pine Siskins, reported from several sites, lingered into early May.
The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve and in eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Roger Adamson, Keith Bailey, Kathy Blankenship, Brent Campos, Holly Coates, Lyann Comrack, Farley Cross, Mathew Dodder, Lily Douglas, Leo Edson, Gil Ewing, Frank Fogarty, Deb Ford, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, James Holmes, Joan Humphrey, Paul Hurtado, Logan Kahle, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Tim Ludwick, Mark Martucci, Sara Mayhew, Kurt Mize, Michael Perrone, Sonia Santa Ana, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, John Sterling, Kirk Swenson, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.