As the list of species below attests, August is one of the most exciting months for bird migration. This August was severely impacted by major fires in the region, particularly in the Vacaville and Winters areas, where many lost their homes from fires sparked by an intense lightning storm, rare for our region. Subsequent air quality was historically bad, making time in the field unhealthful or at least a lot less enjoyable than it otherwise would be. Of course, while many of us have a choice to be outside, nothing stops migration, and interesting birds kept moving through the area. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the Sutter NWR on 8/26 (eBird checklist) was a very nice find. The only Least Bittern of the month was reported at Cache Creek Wild Wings Park on 8/9
Topping the list of shorebird reports for the month was a Stilt Sandpiper reported on 8/13 at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Single Semipalmated Sandpipers were found at the Arbuckle WTP on 8/8, the Woodland WTP on 8/16, the Sacramento Regional WTP (SRWTP) on 8/19-21 (eBird checklist), CRP on 8/23, and the Linda WTP in Sutter County on 8/28. Solitary Sandpipers were found along Woodbridge Rd on 8/1-2, East Catlett Rd on 8/25-26, and the Linda WTP on 8/28. Least Terns were last recorded for the year at SRWTP on 8/6, with an adult and fledged young tern perched together.
This "fall" appears to be shaping up as having a regionally strong migration of Green-tailed Towhees throughout the state and beyond, with local reports in a Davis yard on 8/26, a West Sacramento yard on 8/30, continuing into early September, and at Boulder Ridge Park near Loomis on 8/31. Vagrant warblers are perhaps the most valued currency of the season. Highlights included a Black-and-White Warbler on 8/23 on the Solano County side of Putah Creek (ebird checklist) near the Pedrick Rd bridge, continuing into September, and a female-type Hooded Warbler nearby also on 8/23. On 8/27, an adult male American Redstart was found at Paradise Beach; others searching found a female of the same species on the same day. A Northern Parula was seen by several observers at Ancil Hoffman Park on 8/27-29, and a Canada Warbler was reported on 8/26 at Gibson Ranch County 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 listserve (cvbirds.org) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, Colin Dillingham, Sid England, Jim Gain, Lief Gallagher, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Mark Martucci, Gary Mele, Frances Oliver, Asher Perla, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ryan Rickman, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Judy Spitler, Lucas Stephenson, Eddie Tache, Simon Tache, John Trochet, Sally Walters, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.