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.