Certainly by mid-month, many people were getting out in the field and traveling more widely than they had during the first month and a half of the stay-at-home order for COVID-19. The migration came in fits and starts, with some really high numbers of regular songbird migrants in early May and a few vagrants peppered in, raising excitement levels. A young male Common Goldeneye lingered through at least 5/26 along the American River Parkway (ARP) near Paradise Beach and another young male was reported on the Delta Shores Circle pond, just north of the Bufferlands, on 5/23. Black Swifts are rarely encountered on the Valley floor, and when they are, it is usually during periods of unsettled weather. This May, singles were reported from Sailor Bar along the ARP on 5/13 and 5/25.

Among the shorebird highlights was a Sanderling in breeding plumage at the Woodland WTP on 5/18 (eBird checklist). A Solitary Sandpiper was found at the Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 5/4, and one was found on the same date at the Yolo County Central Landfill Pond. A bigger surprise came in the form of four Red Phalaropes in a flooded field near the Davis Wetlands on 5/18. Least Terns were first noted back at the Sacramento Regional WTP on 5/8, with two pairs attempting nesting; success is difficult, with a high level of predation by Common Ravens,  Swainson's Hawks, and others on the young of nesting stilts and avocets, as well as the terns. Sacramento County's second Glossy Ibis was found along Desmond Rd at CRP from 5/5-7 (eBird checklist).

Among the songbird highlights were typically wintering species found later than usual into spring, including a very late Golden-crowned Kinglet singing at Twitchell Island on 5/21, and a singing brown (female-type) Purple Finch at CRP on 5/12. Unprecedented numbers of Chipping Sparrows were reported in April, but much more surprising was a nesting pair found in a closed portion of CRP in mid-May and continuing into June, establishing the first breeding record for the county and perhaps for the Valley floor. A Brewer's Sparrow was a nice find along the grassland portion of Michigan Bar Rd on 5/25. Good numbers of Yellow-breasted Chats were reported, including one apparently on territory at Sailor Bar. Notable vagrants included a  Tennessee Warbler (eBird checklist) at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 5/9, a  Kentucky Warbler, exceedingly rare for the region, seen by many at Yolo Grasslands Regional Park on 5/27, a male Hooded Warbler at CRP on 5/29, and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak at CRP on 5/16.

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 listserve and in eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Lyann Comrack, Matthew Doyle, Konshau Duman, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Mike Guard, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, James Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michael Novak, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Jason Riggio, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Jim Thomas, John Trochet, Bart Wickel, Dan Williams, Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.