This interior-type Sage Sparrow was found by Dan Williams at Sherman Island, in southwestern Sacramento County, on private property. He was able to arrange access for people to see this bird through 11/22. Photo by Linda Pittman on Nov 17, 2011, with additional photos here . Photos by John Sterling are here.
This Winter Wren was found on a monthly bird survey at a closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve on Nov 27, 2011. Image taken from a video by Chris Conard. Additional images and videos of this bird, which include characteristic calls, as well as Pacific Wrens for comparison are here.
Despite decades of observation, it is quite remarkable that new species are added to the state, the Central Valley, and the local counties each year. The most recent example is a bit different, since it was assisted by the 2010 AOU split of “Winter Wren” into three species: Eurasian Wren, Pacific Wren, and Winter Wren (or “Eastern” Winter Wren). Pacific Wren is the regular breeding bird along the coast and in the mountains of California, which regularly winters in small and varying numbers in dense riparian forest at sites like the Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). On 11/27, a Winter Wren (looking and sounding like a bird from eastern North America) was recorded at CRP. This was at a remote site without regular public access, but recordings of the call and video were obtained, which can be viewed at the Web link below. If accepted by the California Bird Records Committee, this would be a first for the Central Valley and one of a handful so far for the state.
Among the best finds of the month were an American Golden-Plover and a Pacific Golden-Plover at the Farmer’s Central Pond of Rd 102, south of Woodland, on 11/4. The former was refound on 11/5. A juvenile sapsucker was seen in downtown Sacramento on 11/2. Only Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are known to retain juvenile plumage into the fall and away from their natal grounds, so it would appear to be that species by default. A Sage Sparrow (interior type) was discovered on private property at Sherman Island on 11/7. Fortunately, limited access was obtained and the bird was seen through 11/22.
In addition to the expected chaparral species, a ten-mile hike up Rayhouse Rd on 11/27 produced 75 Band-tailed Pigeons, four Northern Pygmy-Owls, four Hairy Woodpeckers, 20 Purple Finches, and four Thick-billed Fox Sparrows. The latter birds, of the type breeding in the mountains of California, are rarely detected in our area. Additional birds of note include the continuing Brown Pelican in West Sacramento, a White-winged Dove in Solano County at Birds Landing and Montezuma Hills Rds on 11/17, 65 Band-tailed Pigeons coming to Putah Creek for water at the Hwy 128 Bridge below Monticello Dam on 11/18, a Short-eared Owl along Desmond Rd at CRP on 11/5 (there have been few recent Sacramento County reports), the continuing Black-throated Sparrow in Esparto, an apparent Red Fox Sparrow found singing in north Davis on 11/25 and continuing into December, and at least two different Lapland Longspurs found in a field north of Rd 27, between Rds 102 and 102B, from 11/17 through the end of the month.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve. Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" for details. With over 100 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information: Todd Easterla, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Dan Kopp, Sami LaRocca, Michael Perrone, John Sterling, Zach Smith, Magill Weber, Dan Welsh, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.