Observing birds ties us to the seasons and makes us more aware of the world around us. At no time is this more true than during the peak of migration. This September produced an outstanding number of rare and unusual reports along with excellent numbers of regular migrants. While shorebird migration tapered off substantially by the end of August, this was one of the busiest Septembers for songbird migrants in recent memory. Calliope Hummingbirds are much more regular in spring, so an individual visiting a yard in Galt from 9/14-21 and another at Upper Sunrise along the American River Parkway (ARP) from 9/19-21 were both notable.
Less expected shorebirds this month included a Snowy Plover on 9/9 at the Woodland WTP, and a Ruff from 9/2-5 along Bogue Rd, west of Yuba City. The early arrival of Lewis's Woodpeckers noted last month was followed by reports of dozens from regular haunts in the low foothills such as near Michigan Bar. A Gray Flycatcher from 9/23-24 at Folsom Point, Folsom Lake, was a nice find for a species much more regular in the spring. A juvenile Black-throated Sparrow, also from Folsom Point on 9/23 (eBird Checklist S119283026), was even more of a surprise. Green-tailed Towhees were reported on 9/10 at Mace Blvd by Putah Creek, on 9/13 from Grasslands Regional Park in Yolo County, and on 9/20 from Babel Slough. A locally very rare female-type Orchard Oriole was an excellent find at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 9/20.
No group of birds symbolizes songbird migration more than warblers. We are usually lucky to have three or four rarities among the regular migrants, but this month was outstanding. Continuing from August, Tennessee Warblers were unusually well represented: one was found from 9/3-9 along Putah Creek near Pedrick Rd, with another at Upper Sunrise (ARP) just downstream from the Nimbus Hatchery on 9/16 (eBird Checklist S118854732). Apparently a different Tennessee Warbler was found at Upper Sunrise on 9/21-22, with another at Rossmoor Bar (ARP) on 9/22. An American Redstart was found at Babel Slough from 9/16-17, while a Northern Parula was seen from 9/2-5 near the Gristmill access to ARP. A Blackburnian Warbler was found at Babel Slough from 9/20-23 (eBird Checklist S119376742), and another was at the Orr Ranch portion of CRP on 9/24 (eBird Checklist S119357310). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was reported on 9/21 at Reichmuth Park (eBird Checklist S119168751), with two found there from 9/22-24, and one continuing through 9/28. A Blackpoll Warbler was reported from Grasslands Regional Park, Yolo County, from 9/13-19, and another was at Upper Sunrise from 9/16-19. And wrapping up this impressive list, a Palm Warbler was found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 9/27-28, and another was seen in an Orangevale yard on 9/28.
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 listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Robert Furrow, Linda Gal, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Scott Hoppe, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Ed Pandolfino, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, Kevin Thomas, Bart Wickel, Violet Wu, and Wentao Yang. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.