Rarities were hard to come by at coastal hotspots like Point Reyes, but the Sacramento area had a good September, which continued into October. There was a little flurry of Sacramento County Green-tailed Towhees, with the first found along the American River Parkway (ARP) at Sacramento Bar on 9/10. Attempts to refind this bird were unsuccessful, but produced three Olive-sided Flycatchers that afternoon. This latter species is a rare but regular migrant, and seems to be more regularly found in the eastern half of the county than down in the flats, at sites such as Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). Another Green-tailed Towhee was found near the “Accidental Forest” at CRP on 9/18-19, and a third was seen by many near the Gristmill access of ARP from 9/19-23.
Craig Swolgaard photographed this Green-tailed Towhee near the Gristmill Access of the American River Parkway on 9/21/10
This White-winged Dove photographed by Mark Martucci is a first record for Sacramento County
Sacramento County’s first White-winged Dove was seen in a Citrus Heights backyard from 9/16 through at least 9/18. Yolo County produced the lion’s share of rare songbirds this month. Among the most notable reports were of a Red-eyed Vireo on 9/14 at Babel Slough, a Pygmy Nuthatch along Pumphouse Rd near Clarksburg, a Blackpoll Warbler from Babel Slough on 9/27, and a female Baltimore Oriole at the Sacramento Bypass on 9/11. Evening Grosbeaks started turning up in the Valley at multiple sites, especially in early October, but the first reports were of single birds on 9/25 at the UC Davis riparian reserve and near the Gristmill access to ARP on 9/28.
Additional interesting reports included a Snowy Plover and a Sanderling at the Granite Bay boat launch at Folsom Lake on 9/6, a Solitary Sandpiper the same day at CRP, Black Swifts among a large foraging flock of swifts and swallows at Lake Solano on 9/19, a Hammond’s Flycatcher in north Davis on 9/13, and single Brewer’s Sparrows at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 9/4 and Sherman Island on 9/28. Single Yellow-breasted Chats were mist netted at Stone Lakes NWR on 9/15 and 9/22. Pine Siskins were widely reported in fair numbers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches were reported from many sites and in impressive numbers. Finally, testing of shorebirds that died at the Woodland WTP, as reported last month, appears to show the culprit was avian botulism.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With nearly 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: Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Scott Dietrich, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Ron Melcer, Ron Pozzi, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Ed Whisler, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.