Once again shorebirds stole the show. There were good numbers of common migrant songbirds, but with few exceptions, nothing particularly noteworthy. A Brant spotted on Sherman Island was just the second record for Sacramento County. Likely the same bird was being seen near Benicia in the same time window. The first Sacramento County record was also from Sherman Island: 2/10-19/2001.
The bird of the month and most likely the Sacramento Area bird of the year was a Common Ringed Plover found at the Davis Wetlands on 8/19. This was another excellent find by Todd Easterla, a first state record, and one of few records for the Lower 48. This species, just slightly larger and more boldly marked than a Semipalmated Plover, put on an excellent show, calling and even allowing close approach to see that it lacked webbing (“palmation”) between its toes. When a rare migrant is found the day following discovery it is considered good luck, but it is not too unusual when a bird continues for a couple of days. This bird, however, stayed until 8/26, allowing 100+ birders to see it and attracting considerable media attention; though it did disappoint many traveling from outside the area by disappearing just before dozens of birders arrived on Saturday, 8/27.
Common Ringed Plover showing the lack of webbing between toes. Photo by Todd Easterla on 8/20/2011
Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Lincoln WTP. Photo by Linda Pittman on 8/30/2011
Common Ringed Plover (second from right) with two Semipalmated Plovers and a Western Sandpiper. Photo by Todd Easterla on 8/20/2011
Eastern Kingbird at Yolo Wildlife Area. Photo by Linda Pittman on 8/31/2011
An Eastern Kingbird was found at the eastern edge of the Yolo Wildlife Area on 8/30, and was seen by many through 9/1 among dozens of Western Kingbirds. This was only the third Yolo record and the first since 1973. More photos here.
Another excellent find for the month was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Lincoln WTP on 8/29-31. This species shows up along the coast each fall in very low numbers, but this was a first for Placer County and only the second record for the Central Valley. Other good shorebird records include two Snowy Plovers at the Lincoln WTP on 8/8, a Solitary Sandpiper at Sherman Island on 8/15-16, a Solitary Sandpiper and a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 8/6, and a Semipalmated Sandpiper at the Davis WTP on 8/14 and the Davis Wetlands on 8/18.
Brown Pelicans continued to be seen throughout the summer, with four in Contra Costa County near Sherman Island on 8/14. The Lodi Sewage Ponds bird continued from 7/20 to 8/14, and a Brown Pelican was found in West Sacramento on 8/24, continuing into September. A flock including two Arctic Terns and 11 Common Terns over the Davis Wetlands on 8/24 was a first county record for Arctic Tern and the largest flock of Common Terns recorded in the county. Least Terns at the Sac Reg. WTP continued through 8/12 after fledging three chicks. A single adult was at the Lodi Sewage Ponds on 8/7. On 8/20, a Peregrine Falcon was seen catching bats as they emerged at dusk from the Franklin Blvd Bridge near CRP. Swainson’s Hawks were also making an attempt at the bats, but were far less successful. Finally, a cooperative juvenile Brewer’s Sparrow, allowing scope-filling views, was a nice find at CRP on 8/20.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve. Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" for details. With more than 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: Dennis Cavallo, Todd Easterla, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Frances Oliver, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Mary Schiedt, Susan Schneider, John Sterling, John Trochet, Ed Whisler, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.