July 2022

Shorebirds save July from being a really slow month like June. They are about a month ahead of songbird migrants, and July has a track record of producing some of the most interesting shorebird records each year. Even though it happens every year, it's an amazing spectacle to see these birds coming through our area, with many of the species having bred in the Arctic. The first songbird migrants, such as Warbling Vireos, Wilson's Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, and Western Tanagers were coming through by the end of the month. Back to shorebirds, the most notable finds included a Snowy Plover at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife on 7/22 (eBird checklist S115690333), and one at the Woodland WTP on 7/24. A Stilt Sandpiper was an excellent find at the Woodland WTP on 7/27-28 (eBird checklist S115915662). A Franklin's Gull in breeding plumage was a nice surprise on 7/19-20 (eBird checklist S115410598), also at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.

Detections of secretive Least Bitterns are always a highlight. One was found along the Sutter Bypass west of Bobelaine in Sutter County on 7/1-5, and two were seen at the Davis Wetlands on 7/18. Twelve Burrowing Owls (ages unspecified) on a property without public access southeast of Dixon were reported on 7/7. This month there were only four sites with Burrowing Owls reported in the Sacramento Area, with two locations in Sacramento County and only one site in Yolo County. None of the Sacramento or Yolo sites appeared to have produced any young this year.

On 7/13, an adult Say's Phoebe was found feeding three full-grown juveniles at the Northstar Park in north Davis (eBird checklist S115268697). The species seems to be establishing itself as a local breeder, but there are still just a handful of nests in our area. Up to 200 Common Ravens were reported in early July staging or roosting on high transmission utility towers north of Keifer Blvd, between Sunrise Blvd and Grant Line Rd. These birds appear to be drawn to the area by the Keifer Landfill. As recently as ten years ago, this species was much harder to come by in our area. A Varied Thrush at the William B. Pond access to the American River Parkway on 7/22 by an experienced observer was more than two months earlier than expected. In terms of true songbird rarities, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak was photographed at a feeder in El Dorado Hills; it was first seen on 7/2 and stayed for about four days. And finally, an Indigo Bunting was seen singing along the Sutter Bypass, west of Bobelaine, on 7/1.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Image by Jennifer Schmal

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, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Gil Ewing, Robert Furrow, Josh Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Cathie LaZier, Andrew Lee, Eric Liskay, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Jennifer Schmal, Steve Scott, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, Todd Wills, and Meirun Zhang. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

June 2022

June is a very important time for birds in the Sacramento Area, with many species wrapping up or still in the middle of their annual breeding efforts. That said, it can be a tough time for birders, with uncomfortably warm days and less local species diversity than any other time of year. In many years, we get a late June record of an eastern vagrant warbler or the like, providing an exclamation point for the annual spring migrant. This year, we were not so lucky. Consequently, many birders head to the mountains to enjoy cooler temperatures and species that pass through our area in April and May. Blue-winged Teal continue to be widely reported throughout the year, suggesting they are established to a degree that would have been astonishing a decade ago. A calling Common Nighthawk was a nice surprise in the River Park neighborhood, north of Sac State, on 6/13 (eBird checklist S112879744). An Allen's Hummingbird continued at a private yard southwest of Clarksburg through at least 6/6.

The break in the June doldrums begins around the third week of the month with the arrival of migrating shorebirds. Least Sandpipers and Western Sandpipers are usually among the earliest. A Snowy Plover was a nice find for the area, at the Woodland WTP, on 6/25 (eBird checklist S113789671). A Marbled Godwit was at the same location on 6/22-23, as were three Willets on 6/23; another Willet was found in the Yolo Bypass on 6/27. For only the second time since 2008, a pair or two of Least Terns failed to show up at the Sacramento Regional WTP. A Glossy Ibis reported on 6/3 was an apparent first Yuba County record (eBird checklist S112052831). It was found among a big White-faced Ibis flock along Plumas Arboga Rd, south of Marysville.

Sadly, it appears that Burrowing Owls are nearly extirpated as breeders in the Sacramento Area, with about five known individuals continuing into June. Typically, there is an influx in the fall, with most migrating out of the area by the end of March. After decades of declines and plateaus, numbers in the breeding season have nearly dried up, starting about ten years ago. Habitat loss is certainly a factor, but declines are likely tied to a reduction in prey base because of drought and, perhaps, pesticides such as neonicotinoids (Burrowing Owls are partially insectivorous). A few species of songbirds have a migration pattern lingering into June. These include Willow Flycatchers (last reported on 6/17) and Swainson's Thrushes (last reported on 6/19). Warbling Vireos and Wilson's Warblers were also found into early June. A juvenile Dark-eyed Junco was an interesting find at Sailor Bar on 6/29. A junco pair was reported in Davis throughout the month, and there are previous breeding records for the city. Yellow Warblers continue to breed in small numbers in remote portions of Cosumnes River Preserve, reclaiming their historical breeding territory after decades of absence caused by forest clearing and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds

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, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Leif Gallagher, Cliff Hawley, Liam Huber, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Asher Perla, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

May 2022

May is one of the most exciting times of year for birding, especially the first ten days of the month, with shorebird numbers still good (though rapidly tapering off), and perhaps the very peak of songbird migration. As compared with fall (and late summer) migration, spring songbird migration can come through in just a few quick bursts. This didn't turn out to be a rarity-laden month, but there were still excellent, and some astounding, numbers of migrant songbirds. Redheads are quite rare in the region, but the Woodland WTP is the local stronghold (eBird checklist S110744062), with a high of 30 individuals reported this month. Remarkably, the Long-tailed Duck found last November near the Nimbus Hatchery continued to 5/10. The only Common Poorwill reported was along Rayhouse Rd in Yolo County on 5/13. A male Allen's Hummingbird was photographed at a private residence on 5/8 to the southwest of Clarksburg (eBird checklist S109413002).

The only somewhat unusual shorebird of the period was a Snowy Plover along Desmond Rd at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 5/1. There were continuing good numbers of uncommon migrant Empidonax flycatchers (eBird.org checklist S109052114), especially, Hammond's, but also Dusky and Gray flycatchers in the first half of the month, with multiple Willow Flycatcher reports in the second half of the month; the latter are much easier to find in August and September, while the former three are much easier to find, though still not easy, in April and early May. CRP was the site of some outstanding counts for several species. On a survey of the Tall Forest on 5/7, impressive to astounding numbers included 40 Warbling Vireos, 121 Swainson's Thrushes (likely a local record, and 68 were reported on 5/9), six Yellow-breasted Chats, 40 Bullock's Orioles (which should be on territory at this point, but this high number suggests some movement), 41 Wilson's Warblers, 16 Western Tanagers, and 60 Black-headed Grosbeaks!

In terms of local rarities, a Gray Catbird banded at Stone Lake NWR on 5/6 accounts for just the third record for Sacramento County. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was a very nice find at the South Fork Putah Creek Reserve near Mace Blvd on 5/25 and proved to be the only rare warbler of the month. Finally, the Summer Tanager first reported at William Land Park on 2/16, feeding on bees at hives in Fairytale Town, continued through at least 5/3.

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, Cheryl Cobbs, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Cliff Hawley, Eric Hope, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, Beatrix Treiterer, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, and Stan Wright. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible

April 2022

April is one of the busiest months, and this year did not disappoint. In the latter half of the month, excellent numbers of migrants were reported, especially from the upper portion of the American River Parkway (ARP) and from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Remarkably, the Long-tailed Duck found last November near the Nimbus Hatchery continued into May. A female Hooded Merganser with 4 young found along the River Walk at CRP on 4/19 adds to the growing list of breeding records for this species. A Common Poorwill was flushed on private property in southeastern Sacramento County on 4/27. Calliope Hummingbirds were thought to be quite rare and notable as spring migrants, but as more observers report their sightings to eBird we're learning that the species is uncommon but fairly regular this time of year, particularly from about Rancho Cordova east to the low foothills.

The sighting of a Virginia Rail with five small young (eBird Checklist S108306501) off the wetland boardwalk at CRP on 4/27 was a rare confirmation of breeding by this fairly common, but secretive species. Groups of one, four, and 15 Pacific Golden-Plovers were found in Solano County along Bulkley, Etzel, and Delhi roads south and east of Dixon on 4/15-16; they were found in the same area last year, perhaps indicating a regular migrant passageway. Single Snowy Plovers were found at Folsom Lake near the Granite Bay Boat Launch on 4/17-21 (eBird Checklist S107283877) and CRP off Desmond Rd on 4/24. A Ruff at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 4/17-23 was well-seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S107862578), and among the few Solitary Sandpiper reports for the region this month was one at CRP on 4/24 north of Twin Cities Rd. The only Least Bittern record for the month was from Sutter NWR on 4/23.

Five Lewis's Woodpeckers continued at CRP on the Orr Ranch property as late as 4/25, continuing the presence of this species from this winter on the flats of the Valley floor in a year with good but not staggering numbers in the low-elevation foothills where they are expected. Hammond's, Gray, and Dusky flycatchers, as with Calliope Hummingbird mentioned above, appear to be more numerous than previously thought as they move through our area in spring. Say's Phoebes continue to establish themselves not just as a common wintering species, but as an increasing local nester. A Loggerhead Shrike nest at the Sacramento Regional WTP found on 4/19 containing five featherless young was notable for its location: a pile of tumbleweed blown against a fence. Brewer's Sparrows were reported from two locations along ARP on 4/26, with one at the William B. Pond access, and two at Sailor Bar. A Black-throated Sparrow was an excellent find near the El Manto River access on 4/23, where it was seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S107865207) by many. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find in western Nevada County, just south of Spenceville Wildlife Area on 4/25. Good numbers of migrants at CRP on 4/23 included a locally impressive 18 Nashville's Warblers. Female Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers were seen breaking off small twigs, and were followed closely by a male at CRP on 4/17, and River Bend Park along ARP on 4/13, suggesting breeding behavior. This is quite surprising for a species known regionally as a breeder in montane coniferous forest, but a female seen with three young in southeast Glenn County a few years ago indicates lower-elevation nesting is possible. Finally, the young male Summer Tanager found feeding on bees at Fairytale Town, William Land Park, on 2/16 continued through at least 4/22.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Krystal Coles, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Rob Furrow, Linda Gal, Susan Goodrich, Bob Greenleaf, Kevin Guse, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Jim Laughlin, Cathie LaZier, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Judy Spitler, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bark Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2022

The waiting is the hardest part, or so the song goes. March has many spring-like days, but if you're hoping for spring migration to fully arrive, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. This March there were a few early Warbling Vireos, Cassin's Vireos, and Wilson's Warblers in the last week of the month, but it isn't until mid-April that the first waves of spring migrants reach our area. So we wait. Yet, from a diversity standpoint, March is very rich, with most of the wintering birds (ducks, massive numbers of geese) continuing, augmented by early Neotropical species like Swainson's Hawks, all of the regular swallows, Western Kingbirds (the first reported this year was on 3/12), and Bullock's Orioles having arrived well before month's end. A Common Poorwill singing along lower Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County on 3/11 was an excellent find. Allen's Hummingbirds were found at Brannan Island SRA on 3/5 and at a private residence southwest of Clarksburg on 3/22.

Among the notable shorebirds were lingering Mountain Plovers in ag fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, with at least three continuing through 3/6. A Marbled Godwit on Marcuse Rd in Sutter County, west of Hwy 99, on 3/3 was a bit early for local records, as was another (eBird checklist S105650730) along Desmond Rd at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/26-30. Also on 3/3, a Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle) and a Glaucous Gull (1st cycle) were found at the Yolo County Central Landfill (eBird checklist S104115896). Five Long-eared Owls continued at a traditional roost site since January at a portion of CRP with limited access. Short-eared Owl reports have been fairly limited of late, with one along Yolo County Rd 27, between Rds 103 and 104, on 3/6, and up to three along Sankey Rd, west of Hwy 99 in Sutter County (eBird checklist S104344985) for much of the month.

This March produced an unexpected Yellow-bellied Sapsucker bonanza, with an immature female seen by many at Gibson Ranch from 3/16-23 (eBird checklist S104957211), accounting for the first widely-seen individual of this species in Sacramento County for decades. And then from 3/20-29, a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (eBird checklist S105312382) was seen along Willowbank Ditch in Davis, at San Marino Park. It appears to have been lingering from earlier in the season where views had been inconclusive. The Eastern Phoebe at the southern tip of Tyler Island first found on 12/12 was last reported on 3/5, and the Gray Flycatcher continued at CRP through at least 3/26. The first Purple Martin of the year was found on 3/18 at the Sutterville overpass near Sacramento City College. Reported as a hyper-local point of privilege, a male Phainopepla found on 3/12 during a tour of the Sacramento Regional WTP Bufferlands was a long-overdue new addition to the property's bird list (number 246). Meiss Rd continued to host two Vesper Sparrows, and the young male Summer Tanager found feeding on bees at Fairytale Town, William Land Park, on 2/16 continued through at least 3/16.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Susan Goodrich, Ben Graber, Cliff Hawley, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Jasen Liu, Mark Martucci, Dana Miller-Blair, Nora Papian, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Lynette Williams, and Zachary Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2022

The avian calendar progressed on schedule even though the weather was unexpectedly warm and dry--yet another month without rain. By month's end, Sandhill Cranes were leaving, and early arrivals were here in the form of five regular species of swallows. The first Rufous Hummingbird of the season was reported locally on 2/19. Most notable records for the period were continuing from earlier in the season, including the female Long-tailed Duck found on 11/26 near the Nimbus Hatchery, usually below the Hazel Ave bridge, and continuing well into March. A Common Poorwill was flushed along Meiss Rd on 2/16, providing a nice surprise for the season, or really, any season.

The only Mountain Plovers reported in the region continued in ag fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, at least through the first week of the month. A few interesting gull reports near the Yolo County Central Landfill included an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull beginning on 2/24, and a second-cycle bird (eBird checklist S103857399) beginning on 2/27. A first-cycle Glaucous Gull was first reported on 2/18 (eBird checklist S103534630), and an adult Glaucous Gull was reported on 2/25. One to two Pacific Loons were seen on Folsom Lake from Folsom Point through at least 2/21. The Neotropic Cormorant found on 12/31 along Brannan Island Rd at the junction of the San Joaquin River and Seven Mile Slough continued through at least 2/5; it likely persisted longer, but fewer people were making the long trip after more than a month of residence by this cooperative first county record. Long-eared Owls are very rare locally, but at least ten were found at a traditional roost site in late February at a portion of Cosumnes River Preserve with limited access.

The Eastern Phoebe at the southern tip of Tyler Island continued from 12/12 into March. A Lawrence's Goldfinch spent a week mid-month visiting a Sacramento yard just south of Sutter's Landing, and Meiss Rd produced two Vesper Sparrows in the same area the species was found the previous winter. A young male Summer Tanager first found feeding on bees at hives at Fairytale Town, William Land Park, on 2/16 (eBird checklist S103548804 and eBird checklist S103410208) continued into March. It was mostly cooperative, providing a winter highlight for dozens of birders. This is a rare bird locally, but most records have been of migrants in late summer, and this accounts for one of very few wintering records.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Dan Brown, Aidan Brubaker, Krystal Coles, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Susan Goodrich, Cliff Hawley, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Jasen Liu, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2022

After record-breaking storms in October and December, this January was dry but for a trace, offering many wonderful days in the field despite concern over what the dry weather might bring. Continuing on the Trumpeter Swan theme from last month, a juvenile Trumpeter Swan was found on 1/15 at a portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) not regularly open to the public. Earlier in the month, over 70 were reported among Tundra Swans to the northwest of Oroville (eBird checklist S100687780), north of the area usually covered here, but a remarkable number for anywhere in the state. A male Eurasian Green-winged Teal along Desmond Rd at CRP on 1/9 was a nice find. A Greater Scaup was found on Baldwin Reservoir along the Sacramento/Placer line near Folsom Lake on 1/2, continuing to mid-month; this species is quite rare locally away from the Delta. The female Long-tailed Duck found on 11/26 near the Nimbus Hatchery, usually below the Hazel Ave bridge, continued into February, and a male Red-breasted Merganser was among the Common Mergansers on Lake Natoma for most of the month. A Red-necked Grebe on Folsom Lake was an excellent find, first seen from Folsom Point on 1/2 and continuing for at least a week.

Winter records of Semipalmated Plovers (eBird checklist S100099775) are quite rare, so the one first found at the Sacramento Regional WTP (SRWTP) on 12/20 was notable; it continued sporadically through 1/10. Mountain Plovers continued in ag fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line. A Western Sandpiper was a nice find at SRWTP in the first half of the month, as were two south of Stone Lake NWR on 1/3, and another at CRP on 1/26. One to two Pacific Loons were seen on Folsom Lake from Folsom Point throughout the month. The Neotropic Cormorant found on 12/31 among a group of Double-crested Cormorants along Brannan Island Rd at the junction of the San Joaquin River and Seven Mile Slough continued into February. A Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk was a nice surprise at CRP on 1/3. Long-eared Owls are quite rare locally, but 8-10 were found at a traditional roost site on 1/6 and 1/22 at a portion of CRP with limited access.

A Red-naped Sapsucker was found north of Courtland along Waukeena Rd on 1/3. The Hammond's Flycatcher at Reichmuth Park continued through at least 1/15, and the Gray Flycatcher (eBird checklist S100874445) at CRP continued into February. The Eastern Phoebe at the southern tip of Tyler Island continued from 12/12 into February. A Pacific Wren at Sweetwater Creek was a nice find on 1/2 of a species that is getting increasingly hard to find locally. A small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were reported near the Nimbus Hatchery on 1/1. A Grasshopper Sparrow photographed (eBird checklist S100560759) at the Yolo Bypass was a nice surprise for the location and season, while Chipping Sparrows were hard to come by this winter after being quite regular in recent winters. A Swamp Sparrow was found south of Lambert Rd on 1/3, and another was reported off East Levee Rd on 1/24. Unexpected warblers from portions of CRP with limited access included a Nashville Warbler on 1/3 and 1/26, and the Hooded Warbler refound from November on 1/6 and 1/9. A male Black-headed Grosbeak (eBird checklist S100995673) was quite a surprise near Sacramento Bar along the American River Parkway on 1/18-19.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Lauren Glevanik, Susan Goodrich, Mike Guard, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, John Trochet, Jane Van Kessel, Dan Williams, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

December 2021

Not that long ago, reports of Trumpeter Swans were pretty rare. It now seems that there are always a few about to be found, and fortunately there are some people who are willing to search through tens of thousands of Tundra Swans to find them. On 12/7, there were at least 4 Trumpeter Swans (two adults and two juveniles) at the east end of Sankey Rd in southern Sutter County (eBird checklist S99609884). The female Long-tailed Duck found on 11/26 near the Nimbus Hatchery continued into January. Most views were rather brief as the bird repeatedly dove below the Hazel Ave bridge, spending more time underwater than on the surface. A female-type Red-breasted Merganser from 12/2-9 was a first for the Sacramento County Bufferlands.

With increased reports of Neotropic Cormorants in southeastern California and then into the Central Valley, it was only a matter of time for Sacramento County's first. One of these smaller, relatively longer-tailed cormorants was found on 12/31 among a group of Double-crested Cormorants along Brannan Island Rd at the junction of the San Joaquin River and Seven Mile Slough. It continued in the area and was seen by many into January. A Pacific Golden-Plover found on 12/5 was a nice find at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Out-of-season Semipalmated Plovers included one at Staten Island on 12/2 and one at the Sacramento Regional WTP on 12/20-22. Mountain Plovers continued in ag fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line. On 12/16, two Pacific Loons were found on Folsom Lake, seen from Folsom Point, while Common Loons were surprisingly hard to come by this season.

This month produced a nice assortment of uncommon to rare flycatchers. A Hammond's Flycatcher spent the month at Reichmuth Park (eBird checklist S99721549), and a Gray Flycatcher (eBird checklist S99076368) returned to winter at CRP. A Hammond's Flycatcher was also found at the EC Garden on the UC Davis campus on 12/7-16, and a Dusky Flycatcher (eBird checklist S98764536) at CRP on 12/11 was quite a surprise. The most cooperative rare flycatcher was an Eastern Phoebe at the southern tip of Tyler Island (eBird checklist S99730949), continuing from 12/12 into January. Two Northern Rough-winged Swallows that spent the month at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery were a nice surprise, while Chipping Sparrows were hard to come by after being quite regular in recent winters. The Black-and-white Warbler found at Reichmuth Park on 11/20-21 was refound on 12/4 and continued through at least 12/11.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Cliff Hawley, JIm Holmes, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

November 2021

While much of the month was quite dry, there were flooded areas for waterbirds following the historic late-October storm. This was another month with a good number of interesting reports.

A Trumpeter Swan was found among Tundra Swans along Cornelius Rd in Sutter County on 11/21; and two Trumpeter Swans were found along Poundstone Rd, east of Arbuckle in Colusa County, on 11/28. A "Bewick's Swan," the Eurasian subspecies of Tundra Swan, with extensive yellow at the base of the bill, was found among other Tundra Swans along Hwy 45, north of Knight's Landing and south of the Colusa County line, on 11/22. A male Redhead was a nice bird for Sacramento County at the Bufferlands on 11/15. One of the year's most exciting birds for the area was a female-type Long-tailed Duck found on 11/26 near the Nimbus Hatchery, continuing into December and seen by at least dozens of birders (eBird checklist S98105754 and eBird checklist S98247757).

The first Mountain Plovers of the season were reported along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line on 11/22; up to 65 were reported by month's end. About 30 Mountain Plovers were reported along Flannery Rd, south of Dixon, also on 11/22. A Red-necked Grebe was found and photographed at the Woodland WTP on 11/8-11. The Cassin's Kingbird found on 10/29 at the Davis Cemetery and Arboretum continued through 11/2. A Hammond's Flycatcher, probably the same one that has wintered near the Tall Forest at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) for at least two years, was found again on 11/19. A late Pacific-slope Flycatcher at Mather Lake on 11/19 was also a surprise.

At least two Lapland Longspurs, an excellent find, were photographed and recorded (eBird checklist S97410820) along Latrobe Rd, just west of the intersection with Michigan Bar Rd, on 11/10, and at least one continued to be found sporadically through 11/25; another was found and nicely photographed at Beals Point, Folsom Lake, on 11/12 (eBird checklist S97484219). A Black-and-white Warbler was found at Reichmuth Park on 11/20-21 (eBird checklist S97881436), and presumably the same bird was spotted more regularly in December. A male Hooded Warbler photographed (eBird checklist S98150318) at a normally closed portion of CRP on 11/27 was quite unexpected, but was about the tenth record for Sacramento County, and, surprisingly, the sixth for CRP. A Wilson's Warbler was a nice find for late in the season on 11/17 along Lake Spafford in the UC Davis Arboretum, continuing into December.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Mike Guard, David Hamilton, Denise Hamilton, Cliff Hawley, JIm Holmes, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Leslie Morris, Adam Panto, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Uday Sant, Steve Scott, Katie Smith, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

October 2021

After a birdy September, interesting reports continued into October. The starkness of the multiyear drought was mitigated by unprecedented rains on 10/24, breaking records throughout the region, with over five inches on a single day in Sacramento and even more in nearby locations. Three Surf Scoters at Folsom Lake were quite early in the season for the area, where they are rare at any time except, perhaps, in the Delta. These were seen from Folsom Point on 10/14-15. A Red-breasted Merganser (female-type) was a nice find at the Woodland WTP on 10/31, continuing the next day. There have been very few reports of migrating Common Poorwills the past two falls; the only one this year was seen at Babel Slough on 10/18.

One of the most exciting recent finds was a Broad-winged Hawk (eBird Checklist) that spent the morning of 10/3 up and downstream of the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway. It was a first for Sacramento County and one of very few in the Valley. The only Short-eared Owl report so far this fall was from the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 10/30. Lewis's Woodpeckers continued in good numbers at sites on the flats of the Valley, such as Cosumnes River Preserve, in addition to having good showings at their usual wintering areas in oak woodlands and savanna on the edges of the Valley.

A Cassin's Kingbird was an excellent find south of the Rd 103 Pond on 10/1 (eBird Checklist). It or another was found later in the month, on 10/29 through early November, at the Davis Cemetery and Arboretum. There were a fair number of Hammond's Flycatchers reported this month from multiple locations. An American Dipper returned to its typical location near the Hwy 128 bridge over Putah Creek, west of Winters, on 10/7. The only Evening Grosbeak reported was a flyover from Orangevale on 10/28. A late Grasshopper Sparrow was a nice find, photographed along Meiss Rd on 10/16. A Northern Waterthrush was found along Putah Creek at the Hwy 128 dipper spot from 10/21-23. Magnolia Warbler reports are always a pleasant surprise, and one was found on private property in the small Capay Valley town of Guinda on 10/7 (eBird Checklist). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was found at Elkhorn Regional Park in Yolo County on 10/2-4, with another at Lake Solano Park on 10/6, where a male Black-throated Blue Warbler had been reported on 10/5.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Lisa Bach, Terry Berger, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Diane Colborn, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Eric Pilotte, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, Bart Wickel, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

September 2021

September is probably the most anticipated month on the birding calendar. The possibilities seem endless. Waterfowl are building in numbers, shorebirds are still numerous, Sandhill Cranes are calling overhead, and it is undoubtedly the best time of year to find a rare warbler or other songbird highlight. A Costa's Hummingbird was briefly seen and heard calling at Ancil Hoffman park along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 9/12. The shorebird highlight of the period was a Stilt Sandpiper found on private ag land west of Clarksburg on 9/14 and 9/21 (eBird Checklist). A hatch-year Franklin's Gull continued from last month at the Woodland WTP through 9/2.

Lewis's Woodpeckers were widely reported moving through the flats of the Valley, especially in the last ten days of the month, and good numbers are being reported from their usual wintering areas. A Least Flycatcher found on 9/6 north of the Tall Forest at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) was the first report for Sacramento County in several years. Gray Flycatchers, much more regular in spring, were reported at Sacramento Bar (ARP) on 9/1 and along Elk Slough in southeastern Yolo County on 9/6. A Red Crossbill was reported as a calling flyover at the UC Davis campus on 9/2. Numbers of Brewer's Sparrows continued to be reported at Folsom Point along Folsom Lake. Impressive numbers of Green-tailed Towhees were reported, with up to five along upper Mix Canyon Rd (northwest of Vacaville) from 9/8-9; the species was also found on 9/2 near the Gristmill access to ARP, on 9/4-7 and 9/16 at Reichmuth Park, and on 9/10 and 9/19 along Babel Slough.

There was a particularly good showing of uncommon to rare warblers this month. A Black-and-white Warbler was reported at the Tall Forest of CRP on 9/3, and Tennessee Warblers were reported along the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve (PCRR) upstream of the UC Davis campus on 9/12, at the Elkhorn Regional Park along the Sacramento River on 9/18, and near the Stevenson Bridge downstream of Winters on 9/19. American Redstarts were reported from the PCRR on 9/5-6 and from Paradise Beach (ARP) on 9/12. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was found and photographed (eBird Checklist) along the PCRR from 9/11-14. A Blackpoll Warbler was also found and photographed (eBird Checklist) along the PCRR from 9/12-18, as well as along Babel Slough on 9/17. Finally, a Palm Warbler was reported on 9/9 and again from 9/15-22 at Folsom Point; it seemed unusually skulky for the species and evaded being photographed.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Paul Cordero, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Linda Gal, Cliff Hawley, Davis Hamilton, Denise Hamilton, JIm Holmes, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Barbara Leary, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Zane Pickus, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Gavin Stacey, Kirk Swenson, Craig Swolgaard, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Bart Wickel, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

August 2021

August is one of our hottest months, both in terms of temperature and bird migration. Thankfully, after a very slow spring, the beginning of "fall" migration was more typical in terms of days reported with decent movements of birds. Woodland WTP produced regular reports of up to five Redheads throughout the month, and even a Greater Scaup on 8/17. The first returning Sandhill Cranes were reported from Staten Island on 8/30. A female/immature Costa's Hummingbird was an excellent find at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 8/5.

As is often the case, shorebirds stole the show. A Snowy Plover was found at Sacramento Regional WTP (SRWTP) on 8/9, and Snowy Plover reports from the North Regional Pond near the Woodland WTP came on 8/11, 8/16 (eBird checklist) and 8/19-21. There were good numbers of Marbled Godwits throughout the area, especially in Yolo County, and one at the odd location of William B Pond along the American River Parkway (ARP) on 8/5 is worth noting. Baird's Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, and Solitary Sandpipers were widely reported and too numerous to list individually. A Ruddy Turnstone photographed on 8/16 (eBird checklist) at SRWTP was just the third county record, and one was seen briefly on ag land west of Clarksburg on 8/31; we go many years without any reports of this predominantly coastal species. A Red Phalarope at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 8/8-9 (eBird checklist) was an excellent record for the Central Valley of this most pelagic of the phalaropes. An adult Franklin's Gull was found at Woodland WTP on 8/7-9 and a hatch-year Franklin's Gull was found on 8/31 at the same location. A Brown Pelican seen off Sherman Island on 8/11 in southwestern Sacramento County was a nice find.

A Northern Pygmy-Owl was reported briefly calling at Gibson Ranch Park on 8/14, which is very early for this species to turn up on the valley floor. Very early Merlins were found at Sailor Bar on 8/23 and photographed downstream at Larchmont Park on 8/24. A Lewis's Woodpecker at Sailor Bar along the ARP on 8/31 was a nice surprise, as was a Gray Flycatcher at CRP on 8/10. A Red-eyed Vireo reported at Lake Solano on 8/25 was the only truly rare songbird reported in the area. Keeping on the early bird theme, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet was found at East Portal Park in Sacramento on 8/12. Up to seven Brewer's Sparrows were found at Folsom Point beginning on 8/24, but the report of a very early Sooty Fox Sparrow at CRP on 8/10 was even more unexpected. Finally, Yellow-breasted Chats (eBird checklist) were more widely reported than usual, and always make a nice highlight for any outing.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Sophia Chau, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Marcus England, Bob Greenleaf, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Tim Ludwick, Mark Martucci, Ed Pandolfino, Zane Pickus, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Lucas Stephenson, Mark Stephenson, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, Emily Wells, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

July 2021

As expected for July, many of the highlights came in the form of migrant shorebirds, and by the end of the month, the first of the migrant warblers were being reported. In a summer where water is at a premium, consistent water at the Davis Wetlands and the Woodland WTP produced regular reports of Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Lesser Scaup throughout the month, and even a Greater Scaup on 7/17 at the Woodland WTP. A UC Davis study team captured single Allen's Hummingbirds on 7/23 and 7/30 from a regular study site along Putah Creek between Winters and Davis. Vaux's Swifts are quite rare this time of year, so reports along the American River Parkway from Sailor Bar on 7/13 and from the William B. Pond access on 7/20 were a surprise.

Two adult Snowy Plovers (eBird checklist) found at the North Regional Pond near the Woodland WTP on 7/19 were among the most notable shorebird reports. July Marbled Godwits are fairly regular in Yolo County, but several at Folsom Pt from 7/13-25, and one at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP) on 7/19 were more unexpected. A Baird's Sandpiper photographed (eBird checklist) on 7/31 at Folsom Pt was a little earlier than expected. A Solitary Sandpiper was found at SRWTP from 7/24-26, and several Willets were reported in Yolo County along with one at Folsom Pt on 7/26. Regular Least Bittern reports (eBird checklist), with up to three individuals, came from the Davis Wetlands throughout the month, and two were found at Wild Wings Park at Cache Creek on 7/24. A Prairie Falcon was a nice surprise for the time of year along Meiss Rd on 7/18.

Bank Swallows haven't nested along the American River Parkway for nearly two decades, and now the only site producing good numbers in Sacramento County is Sherman Island, where dispersing birds were found among the swallow flocks toward the end of the month. Rare summer records of Red-breasted Nuthatches came from Davis on 7/1 and 7/23, and from Sailor Bar on 7/18. Dark-eyed Juncos were reported from Davis on 7/5, with two on 7/21, continuing a recent pattern of breeding season records there; oddly, they have been absent the past two years from breeding sites frequented for about two decades at a few sites at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Yellow Warblers continued at the "Accidental Forest" portion of CRP, with the last of the season noted on 7/27. Early migrant warblers included Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, Hermit, and Wilson's warblers. From outside the area typically covered here, but certainly worth mentioning, were two Great Gray Owls coming to water on private property well south of Hwy 50 and east of Placerville.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Penny Bravo, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Scott Hoppe, Emmett Iverson, Robin Kulakow, Adam Kucharek, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Barbara Leary, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Lisa Moraga, Jack Parlapiano, Zane Pickus, Ina Rommeck, Jason Riggio, Jim Rowoth, Uday Sant, Steve Scott, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

June 2021

June is a notoriously slow month for birding around Sacramento, though it is a very important time for local breeders. With the severe drought, early drying out of vegetation, and drying up of local wetlands, there were still a fair number of interesting reports. Up to 40 Redheads were seen at the Woodland WTP throughout the month, representing the only dependable local occurrence of this species in the breeding season. Two male Allen's Hummingbirds coming to a feeder mid-month to the west of Clarksburg made for nice yard birds.

A Snowy Plover at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 6/7-8 was a nice find, as was another at the Sacramento Regional WTP on 6/28. More than 500 Wilson's Phalaropes (eBird Checklist) were seen at the Woodland WTP on the fairly early date of 6/21. Perhaps these early arrivals were there because of the region-wide drought. Thirteen Willets were at the nearby North Regional Pond on 6/19, and nine Willets were found at Beals Pt, Folsom Lake, on 6/18. The Neotropic Cormorant first found at Ellis Lake in Marysville on 5/28 continued into late June. Single Least Bittern reports included one at Cache Creek Wild Wings Park on 6/21, singles from the Conaway Ranch, and reports throughout the month at the Davis Wetlands (eBird Checklist). A Glossy Ibis was photographed along Catlett Rd to the west of Lincoln on 5/29, and there were continued reports on both sides of the Sutter/Placer line through at least 6/4. Only one bird was reported each time, though there could be more than one accounting for these reports.

A first spring male American Redstart was seen singing at a normally closed portion of the Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 6/16, representing the only "Eastern" warbler found in the Sacramento area this spring. Continuing from last year, multiple singing Yellow Warblers were detected at the "Accidental Forest" portion of CRP, and fledged young were seen getting fed by an adult; with the drought and a litany of absences, it's nice for some good news: a native bird beginning to reclaim its former nesting range in the region.

To view photos of some of the highlights, click on the highlighted eBird checklists.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Jane Griffith, Scott Hoppe, Emmett Iverson, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Nora Papian, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Sara Sweet, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Zeke VanZante, and Bart Wickel. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

May 2021

This May continued from last month to combine for a fairly slow spring, perhaps as a result of the persistent drought. No rare warblers were found through 5/31 and there were few reports of days with really good numbers of migrants. Unfortunately, several heron, egret, and cormorant rookeries in the region were abandoned part way through the breeding season. The cause at some sites may be complex, but at others, the early drying up of wetland foraging sites was the leading cause. There were a fair number of Black Swift reports in the latter half of the month, especially along the edge of the Coast Range to the west and in eastern Sacramento County. A few Calliope Hummingbirds lingered into early May, particularly around Mississippi Bar and Lake Natoma.

Among shorebird reports, most notable was a Snowy Plover (eBird checklist) at Cosumnes River Preserve from 5/2-4 and a Sanderling photographed (eBird checklist) at the Woodland WTP on 5/11. A pair of Least Terns was present at the Sacramento Regional WTP from 5/14-28, but they ultimately departed without attempting to nest. A combination of Northern Harriers, Swainson's Hawks, and Common Ravens that preyed on the chicks of American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts likely caused them to leave. A Neotropic Cormorant (eBird checklist) found at Ellis Lake in Marysville on 5/28, continuing into June, was a first for the area and the most northerly record in the state of this rapidly expanding species; ten years from now, this may well be a regular component of the local avifauna. Single Least Bittern reports came from Mather Lake on 5/22 and Wild Wings Park along Cache Creek on 5/2. A Glossy Ibis was photographed (eBird checklist) along Catlett Rd to the west of Lincoln on 5/28, a nice surprise among the White-faced Ibis.

Virtually no Burrowing Owls were reported this May, which may point to a near future where this species will no longer breed locally, but will only be a winter visitor and transient. Say's Phoebes (eBird checklist) are heading in the other direction, with new nesting records from many sites in the past few years, including the first nesting recorded at the Sacramento Regional WTP/Bufferlands this May. After a winter with very high numbers, a few Pine Siskins were reported through the end of the month and into early June. The only rare songbird reported this May was a Black-throated Sparrow photographed (eBird checklist) at Sailor Bar along the American River Parkway on 5/5. One highlight for the month was a fair number of Yellow-breasted Chat reports, both from scattered locations, and more expected sites like Sailor Bar.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Ed Harper, Larry Hickey, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Asher Perla, Michael Perrone, Roger Muskat, Nora Papian, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gaven Stacey, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, Zeke VanZante, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

April 2021

April showers were not forthcoming to ease the drought, and while many complained of a somewhat slow migration, bird activity was far more plentiful than the rain. Migration comes in fits and starts, and all of the regulars were accounted for, with a few days producing impressive numbers. Migrating flycatchers, including uncommon empids, were well-represented among reports. Lingering waterbirds and other wintering species, as well as migrant shorebirds rounded out the list for the month. On the heels of the past two winters with a male Northern Shoveler x Blue-winged Teal hybrid, a male Northern Shoveler x Cinnamon Teal was found and photographed in March, continuing into April at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). One of the two White-winged Scoters that had been present for several months on Folsom Lake near Folsom Point continued through 4/1.

Sacramento County's third record of White-winged Dove (eBird checklist) was visiting seed in a backyard in Sacramento's Tahoe Park neighborhood from 4/14 (and possibly earlier) to at least 4/17. A Common Poorwill (eBird checklist) was photographed on 4/3 along the Laguna Creek Parkway in Elk Grove, with another found on a private ranch in southeastern Sacramento County on 4/21, as well as "a few" from Rayhouse Rd on 4/30. A male Allen's Hummingbird was visiting a yard in rural Yolo County, southwest of Clarksburg, for much of the month. An impressive 12 Pacific Golden-Plovers (eBird checklist) were found in a field along Swan Rd, south of Dixon, on 4/19. A Pectoral Sandpiper, more expected in the late summer and fall, was a nice surprise on 4/19 in Yolo County near the "farmer's pond" along Rd 30; equally unexpected in spring was a reported Semipalmated Sandpiper at CRP on 4/24. Relatively few Solitary Sandpiper reports included singles at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 4/4 and 4/23, and one at CRP on 4/25.

Bald Eagles nested at CRP for the second year in a row. A Hairy Woodpecker at Mississippi Bar was a nice find on 4/28. The continuing Eastern Phoebe was last reported along Cache Creek at Wild Wings Park on 4/5. A Varied Thrush photographed on 4/29 at Reichmuth Park was quite late for the species locally. A Black-throated Sparrow was found near the junction of Michigan Bar and Latrobe Rds on 4/18-20, and another (eBird checklist) was found along Meiss Rd on 4/19. There was a flurry of Brewer's Sparrow reports in eastern Sacramento County from 4/18-21, and the Harris's Sparrow found in February with a crowned-sparrow flock adjacent to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve continued until at least 4/11.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lily Douglas, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Rob Furrow, Ed Harper, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Alvaro Jaramillo, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Stephanie Levins, Tim Ludwick, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Nora Papian, Jim Rowoth, Scott Schlossberg, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gaven Stacey, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2021

This March was another shockingly dry month in the second very dry winter in a row. It's difficult to complain in the face of such great birding weather, but one worries that summer dryness will be here all too soon. There were many reports from the field, though relatively few new finds. That is often the case in March, where it is a great time for birding, with a mix of winter species and early spring arrivals (like swallows, Western Kingbirds, and Bullock's Orioles), but it isn't until the second week in April, and often later, that things begin to really pick up with new arrivals. One of the two White-winged Scoters found earlier in the season continued near the Folsom Lake dam through the end of the month. The cooperative male Broad-billed Hummingbird, found on 1/29 in a private yard in central Davis, continued until 3/3. There were several early reports of single Vaux's Swifts in March, beginning on 3/6, with some impressive confirmatory photos (eBird checklist - S83861893) in the eBird reports.

A Common Poorwill was heard singing from the Placer County portion of Folsom Lake SRA, near Beek's Bight, on 3/26, and one was found in Orangevale on 3/27. Mountain Plovers were regularly reported along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of County Line Rd, with a high of 62 on 3/7 (eBird checklist - S82985221). It is nice to have a consistent location for this species that has become much harder to find locally in the past two decades. A Snowy Plover seen from Desmond Rd at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/27 was a couple weeks early for this locally rare shorebird, and a Least Bittern was recorded singing (through the din of Canada Geese!) at the Davis Wetlands on 3/31--on the early side for this diminutive, uncommonly detected species.

The cooperative Red-naped Sapsucker continued at Rollingwood Bluffs adjacent to Lake Natoma through 3/6. A Hammond's Flycatcher was found on 3/5 and 3/20 on a closed portion of CRP. It probably wintered for the second year in a row, but had been missed on most searches through the winter. A Sage Thrasher found on 3/18 along Robinson Rd continued through 4/1, and a female Cassin's Finch continued in an Orangevale yard throughout the month. The Harris's Sparrow found in February with a crowned-sparrow flock adjacent to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve continued into April. And while a study statistically questioned the validity of the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect, a Green-tailed Towhee (eBird checklist - S82718981) found near the yard that hosted the Broad-billed Hummingbird continued through 3/13, and lent anecdotal support to the PPTE.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brant Brumbeloe, George Chrisman, Konshau Duman, Hugh Harvey, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Rich Howard, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Nora Papian, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Gaven Stacey, Eddie Tache, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2021

After a few storms last month, February shaped up to be another largely dry period in this historically dry winter. Many of the highlights were of birds continuing from January, but more widely seen in February. Also continuing was the pattern of higher than usual winter finch numbers. A male Redhead, rare in Sacramento County, especially in publicly accessible spots, was first detected on Mather Lake on 2/20. It moved around between local water bodies, including Marilyn Evans Pond and the N Mather Dr Wetlands, continuing into March. A Surf Scoter was found on the San Joaquin River off Sherman Island on 2/21, where they show up fairly regularly, and the two White-winged Scoters continued near the Folsom Lake dam. A Red-breasted Merganser and one to two Pacific Loons were also reported continuing near the dam. The Red-necked Grebe (eBird Checklist) found at the Port of Sacramento continued from last month through 2/12, while another was on Lake Solano from 2/1-2.

Allen's Hummingbirds are very rarely found in Sacramento County, but are somewhat consistent in the extreme southwestern portion of the county. A male photographed at Brannan Island SRA on 2/26 (eBird Checklist) fit that pattern. The cooperative male Broad-billed Hummingbird, found on 1/29 in a private yard in central Davis, continued into March. A Pacific Golden-Plover was reported at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 2/16-20, and up to two Lesser Black-backed Gulls were found in the vicinity of the Yolo County Landfill Pond, north of Rd 28H, through most of the month; a first cycle Glaucous Gull was reported from the same location on 2/16. A Least Bittern reported on 2/13 from Cache Creek at Wild Wings County Park was intriguing for a species rarely found locally in winter. Bald Eagles began nesting for the second year in a row on the lower Cosumnes River Preserve, continuing the trend of local expansion. A flock of 8-10 Long-eared Owls at a traditional roost site was found on 2/28 at a typically closed section of Cosumnes River Preserve. They had not been present there earlier this season (dependably unpredictable, this enigmatic species), though this makes three years in a row that they spent at least part of the winter near the same spot; a roost of four was also present on 2/14 on private property near Esparto.

A cooperative Red-naped Sapsucker found on 2/7 at Rollingwood Bluffs (eBird Checklist) on the west side of Lake Natoma continued into March and was enjoyed by many. The Eastern Phoebe, first found on 1/24 along Cache Creek near Wild Wings County Park, continued to mid-month. The Tropical Kingbird found at Reichmuth Park on 1/31 was enjoyed by many as it continued (eBird Checklist), increasingly sporadically, through the end of the month. A Sage Thrasher was photographed near the Bridgeway Island Pond on 2/6. A small flock of Red Crossbills was enjoyed by several observers from 2/6-12 (eBird Checklist) at the Old City Cemetery, and a flock of 12 was found at Elk Grove Regional Park on 2/14 (eBird Checklist). On 2/22, a Harris's Sparrow (eBird Checklist) was with a crowned-sparrow flock adjacent to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, continuing into March near the junction of Levee and Hopkins Rds, where it was enjoyed by many.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Kathy Blankenship, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Holly Coates, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Andy Engilis, Stephen Fettig, Steve Hampton, John Harris, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, Rich Howard, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Chris McAllister, Michael Perrone, Dan Murphy, Nora Papian, Katie Rian, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Gaven Stacey, Kirk Swenson, Eddie Tache, Simon Tache, John Trochet, Bobby Walsh, Rick Williams, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2021

Despite the continuing pandemic, the unfolding season allowed for a good escape into the natural world. Storms arrived, some packing a punch, but seasonal rain totals remain historically low. One of the more interesting birds was a male Baikal Teal shot by a hunter on 1/20 at the Delevan NWR just north of the area typically covered here. While it wasn't a bird we could enjoy in life, the record speaks to possibility; this species of Siberia and eastern Asia has been detected in the state fewer than ten times. The striking male Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler (eBird checklist) continued into February at the Lost Slough Wetlands of Cosumnes River Preserve. One to three Surf Scoters were found on the San Joaquin River in early January off Sherman Island in extreme southwestern Sacramento County. Two White-winged Scoters (eBird checklist) spent the month, starting 1/2, near the Folsom Lake dam, accounting for just the third occurrence of this species in Sacramento County (all since 2017). A Red-breasted Merganser continued, moving between Beals Pt and near the Folsom Lake dam, and a Red-necked Grebe first found on 1/10 exhibited a similar pattern. Another Red-necked Grebe was found in the shipping channel in West Sacramento on 1/27, continuing into February.

One of the most widely enjoyed birds in recent memory was a cooperative male Broad-billed Hummingbird (eBird checklist), found on 1/29 in a private yard in central Davis by brand new birders who then opened their yard to dozens of socially-distanced visitors into February. A very rare but near annual wanderer to Southern California, this species is a great find in the northern half of the state. A Costa's Hummingbird was a nice surprise in Folsom on 1/24. Last month's Black-headed Gull continued at the Stockton WTP through at least 1/17, and the Glaucous Gull near the Nimbus Hatchery continued through 1/6. A Yellow-billed Loon (eBird checklist) was a great find, seen by many from 1/14 through at least 1/24 on the Mokelumne River, near the Tower Park Marina and Hwy 12. Two Pacific Loons continued on Folsom Lake, often near the Sacramento/Placer county line.

An Eastern Phoebe (eBird checklist) found on 1/24 along Cache Creek near the Wild Wings County Park was enjoyed by many into February. A Tropical Kingbird at Reichmuth Park 1/31 also continued, providing the fourth record for Sacramento County and the first continuing bird in a legitimate, public location. A vigorously calling Pacific-slope Flycatcher was a nice surprise at Sherman Island on 1/1, and a Cassin's Vireo was seen in residential Davis from 1/12-24. Up to 40 Mountain Bluebirds were enjoyed by many along the short section of Meiss Rd north of the Cosumnes River. A calling Evening Grosbeak was reported in Elk Grove on 1/2, and in keeping with this finchy winter season, two Cassin's Finches were reported at Rollingwood Buffs near Lake Natoma on 1/13, with up to 25 along Rayhouse Rd on 1/23, and one to two found in an Orangevale yard (eBird checklist) on 1/29 were enjoyed by many visitors into February. And finally, a flock of Red Crossbills was reported in Citrus Heights on 1/8.

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 (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Dan Brown, Aidan Brubaker, Brent Campos, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Will Hemstrom, Isaac Henderson, Adrian Hinkle, Jim Holmes, Emmett Iverson, Augie Kramer, Adam Kucharek, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Lori Markoff, Mark Martucci, Nora Papian, Frances Oliver, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Gaven Stacey, Kirk Swenson, Eddie Tache, Simon Tache, John Trochet, Zeke VanZante, Bart Wickel, Lynette Williams, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

December 2020

Despite the COVID pandemic leading to the cancellation of many local CBCs, there was good quantity and quality of bird reports throughout the region. Very dry conditions have characterized most of the fall and winter, but where the wetlands had water, bird numbers were good. Waterfowl highlights included a male Eurasian Green-winged Teal on 12/15 at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) and the returning hybrid Blue-winged Teal x Northern Shoveler at the Lost Slough Wetlands of Cosumnes River Preserve. A Greater Scaup along the American River Parkway (ARP) upstream of the Mayhew Drain from 12/25 into January was unusual for the region away from Delta. A Surf Scoter was reported off Sherman Island on 12/12, and Red-breasted Merganser reports included one off Beals Pt at Folsom Lake for most of the month, another off Tyler Island on 12/23, and multiples at the Amador County portion of Lake Camanche along with two Red-necked Grebes on 12/22.

The American Golden-Plover found at the Woodland WTP continued through at least 12/19, which is extremely late in the season for this species. A lingering Semipalmated Plover was at the YBWA on 12/5 and the Woodland WTP through 12/15. A little south of the area typically covered here, a Black-headed Gull (eBird checklist) found at the Stockton WTP from 12/5 into January deserves mentioning, along with a Franklin's Gull at the same site from 12/4-15. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found near the Nimbus Hatchery from 12/1-2, and a second-cycle bird was found in the same area on 12/22-27. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was near the Yolo Landfill from 12/7-28. A striking first-cycle Glaucous Gull (eBird checklist) caused a stir downstream of the Nimbus Hatchery from 12/14 into January; a second-cycle bird was near the Yolo County Landfill on 12/27. A Pacific Loon was first found off Brown's Ravine at Folsom Lake on 12/5, and one to two continued off Folsom Point and/or Beals Point into the new year; one to two Pacific Loons were in Amador County waters of Lake Camanche on 12/22.

A calling Northern Pygmy-Owl was reported downstream of the Gristmill access to the ARP on 12/5. A Long-eared Owl was found at Mississippi Bar from 12/10-11, and up to four Short-eared Owls were seen at Sherman Island during the first half of the month. An American Dipper was reported along Sweetwater Creek just upstream of Folsom Lake on 12/4, and the returning dipper continued along Putah Creek near the Hwy 128 bridge downstream of Lake Berryessa. A Sage Thrasher was found on private land from 12/21-23 off Central Ave in Yolo County where it meets the Deep Water Ship Channel. A Townsend's Solitaire was a nice surprise on 12/20 at Sailor Bar. Evening Grosbeak reports included one in Davis on 12/1 and two over Elk Slough in Yolo County on 12/24. One to two Cassin's Finches (eBird checklist) were found and photographed in Davis from 12/3-7, and a Red Crossbill was reported over Rosemont on 12/14. A Black-throated Sparrow continued on private property near Lake Solano and a Lark Bunting (eBird checklist) was found and photographed at the YBWA on 12/30. Unlike recent winters, no unusual wintering warblers were reported this month.

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: Steve Abbott, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Jonathan Eisen, Elias Elias, Andy Engilis, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Jim Holmes, Brad Holtz, Scott Hoppe, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Lindsey Mitchell, Frances Oliver, Adam Panto, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gaven Stacey, Kirk Swenson, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, Zeke VanZante, Ed Whisler, Lynette Williams, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.