The first half of the month was more or less a typical March in the Sacramento region, but with stay-at-home orders ramping up in the latter half of the month in response to COVID-19, there was a significant decrease in bird reports from many local hotspots. For the birds, spring was still unfolding, and early spring migrants like Western Kingbirds, Hooded Orioles, and Bullock's Orioles were in place before month's end. Birders too were getting out when they could, reporting the continuing presence of Colusa County's first Garganey, found on 2/26 off of White Rd east of I-5 and continuing into April. A possible Garganey was also reported at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/25 but was not refound, while a male Eurasian Green-winged Teal was reported at CRP on and off throughout the month. A male Costa's Hummingbird was heard calling in north Davis on 3/5, and a male Allen's Hummingbird was reported at CRP on 3/28. An immature Glaucous Gull was seen sporadically in the first half of the month between the Yolo County Central Landfill Pond, adjacent ponds along Rds 103 and 104, and the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA).
A couple of wintering empids were notable for the region. A Hammond's Flycatcher found at CRP on 3/21 was likely the same bird found a few times beginning in early January. A Dusky Flycatcher in north Davis was found on 3/5 through the end of the month. It was seen, recorded calling, and photographed by multiple observers (eBird checklist). The Northern Shrike found on 2/29 at the Colusa Garganey location continued through at least 3/20. An early-arriving Warbling Vireo was found at CRP on 3/27, and an Evening Grosbeak was a nice surprise in Sacramento near 42nd St and U St on 3/9.
While the Vermilion Flycatcher left before March began, the Clay-colored Sparrow first found on 12/27 at Tanzanite Park continued until at least 3/9. A Sagebrush Sparrow was an excellent find along Robinson Rd south of Dixon on 3/3-4 (eBird checklist). A small flock of Vesper Sparrows along English Hills Rd between Vacaville and Winters became more interesting when a banded individual was photographed (eBird checklist). It was later learned that the bird had been banded just south of Tacoma, Washington, and was only the second from the banding project to be reported on the wintering grounds; the first was also found by local birders in the Capay Valley in November 2018. This is important information about the movements of this declining subspecies known as the Oregon Vesper Sparrow . Additional notable reports included the continuing Harris's Sparrow in Woodland, the continuing Swamp Sparrow along the auto tour route at the YBWA, and a Yellow Warbler found at CRP on 3/28 that was quite unexpected so early in the season. A Red-naped Sapsucker found near the Mayhew Drain (downstream of the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway) was found in late February and inadvertently left out of last month's column.
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 and in eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Stuart Angerer, Max Brodie, Holly Coates, Gil Ewing, Douglas Hall, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, James Holmes, Stan Hunter, Emmett Iverson, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Dave Quady, Steve Scott, John Trochet, Dan Williams, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.