With one major exception, this March was a bit slow. There were few unexpectedly early migrants or amazing wintering finds. Waterbirds and shorebirds were unremarkable. But March does contain multitudes, with all of the usual wintering species along with early migrants and, perhaps, a surprise. By that measure, this month did not disappoint. The more widespread than expected Costa's Hummingbird reports from earlier this winter tapered off, with only the long-staying female that was first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continuing into March and through the end of the month. A male Allen's Hummingbird was found (eBird Checklist S217907268) on private property in Yolo County, to the southwest of Clarksburg, from 3/8 to 3/10.
The highlight was a Barred Owl in East Sacramento, made known to the birding world on 3/29 (eBird Checklist S221627329). The owl had apparently been present for weeks, gracing several yards near the 41st and M St intersection, and photographed with a rat in its talons. When word finally got out, dozens were able to see it. This is the first documented record for Sacramento County, with only one previous record in the Sacramento area (in Davis in January 2020). On 3/29, the owl was perched in a tree set back from the street in a front yard. It was seemingly undisturbed by people looking from the sidewalk, keeping a respectful distance, though it was periodically harassed by American Crows. The owl has not been reported in the weeks that followed. In the 20th century, there was a massive western range expansion of this mostly eastern North American species. Trees planted across the plains in areas that would otherwise have been too open for the forest dwelling species facilitated its expansion into the Pacific Northwest. The first birds reached British Columbia by the 1940s and expanded to California by the late 1970s. A close relative of the smaller Spotted Owl, Barred Owls have been shown to displace Spotted Owls, and are a threat to the declining species. Despite these considerations, a good view of this owl produced wonder among birders and all who saw it in the neighborhood. Sacramento County does have one Spotted Owl record, but that was back in 1989.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/28 at Gibson Ranch Park continued through at least 3/1. Returning Western Kingbirds, as expected, were reported by the third week of the month. Cassin's Vireos are often among the earliest spring migrants, and this year there was one at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis on 3/10 and at the UC Davis Arboretum on 3/24. The first Purple Martins of the season were reported near three different historical colony sites in Sacramento on 3/29. Single Vesper Sparrows were reported from the Howard Ranch on 3/24 and from Michigan Bar Rd, near the intersection with Latrobe Rd, on 3/31. The first Bullock's Oriole of the season, another typically early migrant, was found at a private yard in Wilton on 3/20. A mostly red Summer Tanager, probably a second-year male, was found (eBird Checklist S220738206) on 3/25 along Dry Creek in Roseville. The continuing male Summer Tanager in Land Park near the Sacramento Zoo has not been as consistently reported as it was during the previous two winters, but there were several reports (eBird Checklist S222166580) this year in the latter half of March.
The Sacramento Area as covered here lies 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: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Genevieve Colborn, Justin Dunbar, Gil Ewing, Joshua Greenfield, Erik Groen, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Bryce Parker, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.