In avian terms, September gives way to October without the page-turning abruptness of the human calendar. The songbird migration continues, but begins to sputter after the first week. Waterfowl numbers build, and reports of our uncommon raptors—Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Merlin—increase. Each fall is a bit different from the one before. This year, Pine Siskins have been widely reported, and Chestnut-backed Chickadees staged a minor invasion of the Putah Creek watershed. Always a favorite, Lewis's Woodpeckers returned in good numbers to the blue oak savanna. To our south, a million or more Tree Swallows staged in corn fields west of Tracy in the latter half of the month, and were gone before the calendar turned to November. They were first detected on weather radar, as a flock this size shows up when it disperses in the morning, and they made a splash in the local news.
Standouts for the month include a Red-necked Grebe at the Winters Sewer Ponds on 10/19, a female Surf Scoter at the Lincoln WTP on 10/27, and a Red Phalarope at the same location on 10/7-8. A Blackpoll Warbler was reported along Putah Creek, west of Winters, on 10/4. The following day, a Chestnut-sided Warbler was found in north Davis. The male Northern Parula found at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 7/26 continued until at least 10/2. A Lapland Longspur was reported at the junction of Brewer and Nicholas Rds in Placer County on 10/15. The most tantalizing report of the month was of one or two Red-throated Pipits. The bird(s) were heard calling on 10/21 as they flew over a Yolo County field near Rds 105 and 29.
Other interesting reports include a rather late Solitary Sandpiper found at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 10/18, Band-tailed Pigeons from Discovery Park on 10/7 and CRP on 10/18, a Northern Pygmy-Owl from southeastern Sacramento County on 10/17, three Common Poorwills from the same location on 10/15 and one at CRP on 10/5, and a Hammond's Flycatcher at CRP on 10/12. A trip up Yolo County's Rayhouse Rd on 10/13 produced two Hammond's Flycatchers, two Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and three Cassin's Finches. A "bold pair" of Pileated Woodpeckers continued at Lake Solano, and an albino Eared Grebe was at CRP on 10/11. Along the American River Parkway, the California Thrasher continued upstream of the Howe access, and a Red Fox Sparrow was found for just one day on 10/12 near the Gristmill access.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" 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: Roger Adamson, Dan Airola, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Phil Robertson, Deren Ross, Jim Rowoth, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, John Trochet, Bobby Walsh, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.