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.