Many of the notable birds this month were found on or continued from the local Christmas Bird Counts. After decent rains in December, this January was mostly dry, and the disconcerting pattern continued through press time. Notable waterfowl were headlined by the apparent return of last winter's Garganey to Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento; it was reported from 1/3 through the end of the month, though still mostly in eclipse plumage. One of the more striking birds found was a male hybrid Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler seen and photographed from 1/3 into February. The female/immature Red-breasted Merganser first found downstream of the Nimbus Hatchery on 12/17 continued sporadically through at least 1/10. A Band-tailed Pigeon was found in the Pocket/Greenhaven area of Sacramento on 1/1, and Sacramento County's second record of White-winged Dove was found on 1/24 among dozens of Mourning Doves and Eurasian-Collared Doves coming to seed along Meiss Rd to the west of Dillard Rd through the end of the month
It has been a good winter for Western Sandpipers in the Valley, and five were found on Sherman Island on 1/26. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported along Yolo Rd 104 on 1/1, and an adult Slaty-backed Gull (eBird checklist) was photographed at the same location on 1/31. A Barred Owl found on private property in south Davis was reported publicly on 12/11. It turned up again on 1/12, where it was seen and photographed (eBird checklist), but became tangled in a net at a fish pond on 1/13 and was taken to the UC Davis Raptor Center. Because this expanding species is a threat to Spotted Owls, it will likely remain in captivity. A wintering flock of Long-eared Owls was found on private land near Sloughhouse, with a high of 15 or more birds reported. A Common Poorwill found on a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 1/15 was a nice surprise so early in the season.
The Tropical Kingbird first found along Sherman Island East Levee Rd on 11/23 continued through at least 1/11. The young male Vermilion Flycatcher, becoming increasingly bright red, first found at Tanzanite Park in Natomas on 10/30 continued into February. There was a good showing of wintering Empidonax flycatchers at Cosumnes River Preserve. A Hammond's Flycatcher was found in the Tall Forest on 1/2, while a Gray Flycatcher (found 1/4: eBird checklist) and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher (found 12/29) were found on public trails and continued into February. The Plumbeous Vireo reported in Winters on 12/8 continued through at least 1/6. The Clay-colored Sparrow found on 12/27 at Tanzanite Park continued into February. Additional notable reports included up to 45 Mountain Bluebirds along Meiss Rd west of Dillard Rd (first found on 1/15), two Lawrence's Goldfinches (much harder to find in winter) on 1/15 on a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County, the continuing Swamp Sparrow along the auto tour route at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and the continuing Worm-eating Warbler in southeastern Davis, first found on 10/27 at San Marino Park and continuing through at least 1/13.
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 and in eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Ben Graber, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, James Holmes, Emmett Iverson, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Ronan Nicholson, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, Lucas Stephenson, Mark Stephenson, Thomas Tinsley, John Trochet, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.