March 2024

One could argue that March has some of the best birding of the year. There are many fine days and there is as much diversity in the Valley in March as any time of year. Yet, after months of winter, most of us really long for the springtime that won't arrive until mid-April. But March does mean Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles before the month ends. The last of our regular swallows, Purple Martins, arrive--this year on 3/17 at the Sutterville Rd overpass near Sacramento City College. The big Red-breasted Merganser season continued, with at least three seen from Beals Point at Folsom Lake. An early Calliope Hummingbird visited a private yard near Galt on 3/18 and, for another season, a private yard in rural Yolo County to the southwest of Clarksburg hosted Allen's Hummingbirds (eBird Checklist S164419111). Ranging a little farther south than usually covered here, a Broad-billed Hummingbird was found on 3/4 in Stockton (eBird Checklist S163745005) and continued through at least 3/9. This species is extremely rare in California, and is one typically looked for in southeastern Arizona, though one was found in Davis in early 2021.

 Good numbers of expected shorebird species began moving through in migration. A Pacific Golden-Plover was a nice find on 3/19 along Woodbridge Rd. They can sometimes be found among large flocks of Black-bellied Plovers, although those large flocks have been increasingly hard to come by locally in recent years. Mountain Plovers continued in the fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, through at least 3/16. A first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was found at the Yolo County Central Landfill on 3/4. A Red-throated Loon, likely the continuing bird from last month, was reported on 3/8 along the Deep Water Channel adjacent to Bridgeway Island Pond, and a Pacific Loon was seen on 3/6 on Folsom Lake from Folsom Point.

 The only site in the area this season with Short-eared Owl reports was along Sankey Rd to the west of Hwy 99. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found (eBird Checklist S164924080) downstream of the Mayhew Drain along the American River Parkway on 3/14 through at least 3/19. The continuing Winter Wren was reported from Putah Creek Fishing Access #1 on 3/3. There were no reports of a more expected Pacific Wren this month. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find on 3/16 in the vicinity of the Tall Forest at Cosumnes River Preserve. The Orchard Oriole found at the UC Davis Arboretum on 10/11 quite impressively continued into April. An Orchard Oriole also spent a couple of days during the first week of March along Putah Creek between Davis and Winters. The Ovenbird first found on 1/24 continued at William Land Park through at least 3/10, and the nearby Summer Tanager continued through at least 3/5. 

 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 Brown, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Jr., Gil Ewing, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, Adam Kucharek, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Frances Oliver, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Rene Reyes, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Lynette Williams, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2023

March is a time of transitions. Migration starts slowly, with waterfowl numbers beginning to decrease and early migrants, like swallows, showing up in force. It's not until at least the second week of April that most of the much-anticipated spring migrants appear, but late March produces the first records of species like Swainson's Hawks, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos, Bullock's Orioles, Wilson's Warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. Many of our wintering birds will remain through April, but most of the Sandhill Cranes and wintering raptors leave before month's end. There was an uptick of Band-tailed Pigeon reports toward the end of the month, with a cresting wave appearing in April.

A Long-eared Owl was found roosting on the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Bufferlands in a planted live oak on 3/30, accounting for just the third record for the property. This species has been designated as sensitive by eBird, so it will no longer show up on publicly viewable eBird maps or produce eBird rarity alerts. This is an understandable step to protect a species that can be swarmed by dozens of birders and photographers on its roost every day, but it is also unfortunate the specific historical information is no longer readily available, not to mention the palpable joy these birds can give (responsible) observers. There were several Short-eared Owl reports from the first week of the month. They came from Yolo County Rd 104 to the west and northwest of the Yolo County (Davis) Landfill, with others along Sankey Rd (eBird Checklist S130054981), Sutter County, between Hwy 99 and the Sacramento River. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found roosting in a planted redwood in Natomas on 3/31 (eBird Checklist S132333231).

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found by those looking for the Summer Tanager (see below) in William Land Park on 3/17; it continued through the end of the month. The Hammond's Flycatcher found last month at Streng Park in Woodland continued, and another was found for much of the month along Babel Slough Rd (eBird Checklist S131892034). The first report for the season of locally declining Purple Martins was near the traditional colony at Sutterville Rd near Sacramento City College on 3/18. The Townsend's Solitaire at Sacramento City College (eBird Checklist S131701342) continued through the end of the month. Evening Grosbeaks in the Gold River neighborhood south of the American River between Sunrise and Hazel Blvds continued from February. There were reports of 20-30 birds, though numbers tapered off by mid-month, and there were scattered reports elsewhere in the region. A Cassin's Finch was a nice surprise in Orangevale on 3/13, and a Clay-colored Sparrow found in February northeast of Lodi along Buck Rd, south of Acampo Rd, continued through at least 3/8. A bright Red Fox Sparrow was at a closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/25, and the Swamp Sparrow at North (Partansky) Pond in Davis continued on 3/2. The Nashville Warbler at CRP, first detected on 1/19, continued through at least 3/12. A stunning male Summer Tanager (eBird Checklist S130761541) was seen consistently near Fairytale Town in Land Park near the Sacramento Zoo beginning on 3/11, continuing into April. It had been seen sporadically on the zoo property earlier in the winter and is almost certainly the same bird that appeared as an immature last winter.

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: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Maureen Geiger, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Leia Hewitt, Mackenzie Hollender, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Daniel Murphy, Frances Oliver, Nora Papian, Michael Perrone, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, Alex Single, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2022

The waiting is the hardest part, or so the song goes. March has many spring-like days, but if you're hoping for spring migration to fully arrive, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. This March there were a few early Warbling Vireos, Cassin's Vireos, and Wilson's Warblers in the last week of the month, but it isn't until mid-April that the first waves of spring migrants reach our area. So we wait. Yet, from a diversity standpoint, March is very rich, with most of the wintering birds (ducks, massive numbers of geese) continuing, augmented by early Neotropical species like Swainson's Hawks, all of the regular swallows, Western Kingbirds (the first reported this year was on 3/12), and Bullock's Orioles having arrived well before month's end. A Common Poorwill singing along lower Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County on 3/11 was an excellent find. Allen's Hummingbirds were found at Brannan Island SRA on 3/5 and at a private residence southwest of Clarksburg on 3/22.

Among the notable shorebirds were lingering Mountain Plovers in ag fields along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line, with at least three continuing through 3/6. A Marbled Godwit on Marcuse Rd in Sutter County, west of Hwy 99, on 3/3 was a bit early for local records, as was another (eBird checklist S105650730) along Desmond Rd at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/26-30. Also on 3/3, a Lesser Black-backed Gull (2nd cycle) and a Glaucous Gull (1st cycle) were found at the Yolo County Central Landfill (eBird checklist S104115896). Five Long-eared Owls continued at a traditional roost site since January at a portion of CRP with limited access. Short-eared Owl reports have been fairly limited of late, with one along Yolo County Rd 27, between Rds 103 and 104, on 3/6, and up to three along Sankey Rd, west of Hwy 99 in Sutter County (eBird checklist S104344985) for much of the month.

This March produced an unexpected Yellow-bellied Sapsucker bonanza, with an immature female seen by many at Gibson Ranch from 3/16-23 (eBird checklist S104957211), accounting for the first widely-seen individual of this species in Sacramento County for decades. And then from 3/20-29, a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (eBird checklist S105312382) was seen along Willowbank Ditch in Davis, at San Marino Park. It appears to have been lingering from earlier in the season where views had been inconclusive. The Eastern Phoebe at the southern tip of Tyler Island first found on 12/12 was last reported on 3/5, and the Gray Flycatcher continued at CRP through at least 3/26. The first Purple Martin of the year was found on 3/18 at the Sutterville overpass near Sacramento City College. Reported as a hyper-local point of privilege, a male Phainopepla found on 3/12 during a tour of the Sacramento Regional WTP Bufferlands was a long-overdue new addition to the property's bird list (number 246). Meiss Rd continued to host two Vesper Sparrows, and the young male Summer Tanager found feeding on bees at Fairytale Town, William Land Park, on 2/16 continued through at least 3/16.

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 listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Frank Fabbro, Susan Goodrich, Ben Graber, Cliff Hawley, Liam Huber, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Jasen Liu, Mark Martucci, Dana Miller-Blair, Nora Papian, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Cameron Tescher, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Lynette Williams, and Zachary Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2021

This March was another shockingly dry month in the second very dry winter in a row. It's difficult to complain in the face of such great birding weather, but one worries that summer dryness will be here all too soon. There were many reports from the field, though relatively few new finds. That is often the case in March, where it is a great time for birding, with a mix of winter species and early spring arrivals (like swallows, Western Kingbirds, and Bullock's Orioles), but it isn't until the second week in April, and often later, that things begin to really pick up with new arrivals. One of the two White-winged Scoters found earlier in the season continued near the Folsom Lake dam through the end of the month. The cooperative male Broad-billed Hummingbird, found on 1/29 in a private yard in central Davis, continued until 3/3. There were several early reports of single Vaux's Swifts in March, beginning on 3/6, with some impressive confirmatory photos (eBird checklist - S83861893) in the eBird reports.

A Common Poorwill was heard singing from the Placer County portion of Folsom Lake SRA, near Beek's Bight, on 3/26, and one was found in Orangevale on 3/27. Mountain Plovers were regularly reported along Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of County Line Rd, with a high of 62 on 3/7 (eBird checklist - S82985221). It is nice to have a consistent location for this species that has become much harder to find locally in the past two decades. A Snowy Plover seen from Desmond Rd at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/27 was a couple weeks early for this locally rare shorebird, and a Least Bittern was recorded singing (through the din of Canada Geese!) at the Davis Wetlands on 3/31--on the early side for this diminutive, uncommonly detected species.

The cooperative Red-naped Sapsucker continued at Rollingwood Bluffs adjacent to Lake Natoma through 3/6. A Hammond's Flycatcher was found on 3/5 and 3/20 on a closed portion of CRP. It probably wintered for the second year in a row, but had been missed on most searches through the winter. A Sage Thrasher found on 3/18 along Robinson Rd continued through 4/1, and a female Cassin's Finch continued in an Orangevale yard throughout the month. The Harris's Sparrow found in February with a crowned-sparrow flock adjacent to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve continued into April. And while a study statistically questioned the validity of the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect, a Green-tailed Towhee (eBird checklist - S82718981) found near the yard that hosted the Broad-billed Hummingbird continued through 3/13, and lent anecdotal support to the PPTE.

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 I want to thank the following for their reports: Max Brodie, Aidan Brubaker, Brant Brumbeloe, George Chrisman, Konshau Duman, Hugh Harvey, Jim Holmes, Scott Hoppe, Rich Howard, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Nora Papian, Zane Pickus, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Steve Scott, Gaven Stacey, Eddie Tache, John Trochet, and Lynette Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2020

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.

March 2019

This March will surely be remembered for decades as the month of the Garganey (eBird checklist). A male of this small, Eurasian-breeding duck (a California Bird Records Committee review species) was seen and photographed by hundreds in West Sacramento from 3/1-20. It was initially found at Bridgeway Island Pond, where it often continued, but was also seen fairly regularly at a nearby wetland near the intersection of Southport Parkway and Jefferson Blvd. Bridgeway Island Pond has been locally famous for its inexplicably high numbers of Blue-winged Teal (at times over 200), but this find put it on the national map. One to two Surf Scoters continued off of Sherman Island E Levee Rd from early January through at least 3/3, while the cooperative male White-winged Scoter first found on 12/13 near the Nimbus Hatchery continued through 3/31 (it was apparently not seen in April). Male Costa's Hummingbirds were reported from Rancho Cordova on 3/24 and Citrus Heights on 3/25.

An immature Glaucous Gull has been reported sporadically this season in Yolo County, including on 3/8 at the Woodland WTP. The Red-throated Loon found along the Deep Water Channel between Bridgeway Island Pond and the turning basin on 2/27 was reported into the first week of March, while the Pacific Loon found last December on Folsom Lake between the dam and Folsom Point was last reported on 3/10. A Long-eared Owl roost in a private orchard along Putah Creek between Davis and Winters continued with at least five birds present in March. A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers was seen off of Young Wo Circle along Lake Natoma through the end of the month. This is the only site in Sacramento County where this is species is somewhat expected, and only there since 2013.

Another major regional highlight was an immature female Vermilion Flycatcher found along Bruceville Rd, between Twin Cities and Desmond Rds, from 3/9-15 (eBird checklist). It was seen by many, moving between private land and the Cosumnes River Preserve, and often perched cooperatively along the roadside fences. This is only the third Sacramento County record (the others coming from 1983 and 2004). A somewhat early Cassin's Vireo was at Slide Hill Park in Davis on 3/24, while another was found at Marriott Park in the Pocket area of Sacramento on 3/30, along with a well-photographed Plumbeous Vireo (eBird checklist). The bright male Tennessee Warbler photographed in a north Davis yard on 1/25 continued through at least 3/11 along the greenbelt in the vicinity of Elk Place and Falcon Ave. A drab Blackburnian Warbler was reported in north Davis 3/1, but was not refound despite considerable effort. The same goes for a Black-and-white Warbler reported at Granite Regional Park on 3/29. The Palm Warbler first reported on 2/12 near Covell Blvd and Pole Line Rd in Davis continued through at least 3/15.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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: Dan Airola, Max Brodie, Leo Edson, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Ed Harper, Terry Hodapp, James Holmes, Afton Kern, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Jean Leonatti, Mark Martucci, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Chris Ronshausen, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, John Sterling, Michelle Swarthout, Craig Swolgaard, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2018

March gives us the first taste of spring, with some of the early-arriving Neotropical migrants in place before month's end. All of the regularly occurring swallows, includingPurple Martins, arrived by mid-month and were scouting or building nests. The first Western Kingbird was reported on 3/16, and Bullock's Orioles arrived a week later. Lingering from February, a Red-necked Grebe continued at Lagoon Valley into April. Three Ferruginous Hawks continued near Plainfield Elementary School through 3/16. Interesting shorebird reports included a Pacific Golden-Plover  (eBird checklist) throughout much of the month at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and a Ruff was at the same location on 3/10. Most surprising was a Baird's Sandpiper at the Woodland WTP (eBird checklist) on 3/22-23, one of very few spring records and apparently the earliest by far.

Early March produced several reports of a calling Long-eared Owl about a mile and a half up Rd 53 from Guinda in the Capay Valley. A "group" of Long-eared Owls spent the winter in an olive orchard along Putah Creek downstream of Winters. The status of this secretive species in our area is poorly understood. On 3/23, an impressive six Northern Pygmy-Owls were detected calling in Bray Canyon at Bobcat Ranch, on the north side of Hwy 128 and the Putah Creek Canyon.

A Cassin's Vireo was found at Bray Canyon on 3/23, and photos are still being evaluated of a "Solitary Vireo" reported as a Plumbeous Vireo on 3/31 along Arcade Creek near American River College.  On 3/11, a pile of feathers was all that remained of the Sage thrasher first found on 2/8 in a Davis yard, illustrating the vulnerability of out-of-range birds, if not all birds. The Northern Waterthrush continued along Putah Creek near the Hwy 128 bridge through at least 3/8, and the Palm Warbler first found at the Woodland WTP on 11/24 was reported through 3/21. A male Lawrence's Goldfinch visiting a Natomas feeder on 3/10 was a nice find for the Valley floor, away from typical breeding locations in the low foothills.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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: Roger Adamson, Keith Bailey, Holly Coates, Lily Douglas, Gil Ewing, Frank Fogarty, Kevn Guse, Steve Hampton, James Holmes, Joan Humphrey, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Tim Ludwick, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, John Sterling, Kirk Swenson, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2017

While there were breaks in the weather, the historically wet season continued to produce a lot of rain and flooding. It's fitting that many of the notable birds for the month were water birds. Among the most interesting ducks of the season was a male Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Cosumnes River Preserve from 3/5-7 (eBird checklist). The male Tufted Duck found on the San Joaquin River along W. Brannan Island Rd continued through at least 3/11 (eBird checklist). A female Surf Scoter was found on Putah Creek near Fishing Access #4 from 3/4-19, and a female Red-breasted Merganser was found on Lake Natoma on 3/23. A Common Loon was downstream of Fishing Access #4 on 3/13.

A pair of Bald Eagles were seen nesting at Lake Natoma throughout the month, continuing the local expansion of this species. A Snowy Plover was an early surprise on 3/22 at Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento, and an adult Slaty-backed Gull was photographed at the Scally Rd landfill off Hwy 12, east of Fairfield, on 3/5. Up to 10 Short-eared Owls (eBird checklist) were reported along Metro Air Parkway between Elkhorn Blvd and Elverta Rd, and up to seven Long-eared Owls were found on private property in an olive orchard between Davis and Winters. A Merlin of the locally rare prairie subspecies was a nice find along Michigan Bar Rd on 3/9.

Before the month was over, Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles were getting established on their breeding grounds and the first Pacific-slope Flycatchers  and Warbling Vireos were being reported. A very early or wintering Cassin's Vireo  was found in north Davis on 3/5. At least five Steller's Jays were found at Fishing Access #1 along Putah Creek on 3/13. Surprisingly early Swainson's Thrush reports by experienced birders came from Davis on 3/11 and the American River Parkway (ARP) near the Gristmill access on 3/17. A hybrid White-crowned X Golden-crowned Sparrow (eBird Checklist) was photographed at the west end of Rd 27 north of Winters on 3/18. Up to three White-throated Sparrows continued along the ARP between Howe and Watt Aves, and the wintering Red Fox Sparrow at the same site continued through 3/9.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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: Keith Bailey, Terry Colborn, Lily Douglas, Bob Ellis, Gil Ewing, Stephan Fettig, Frank Fogarty, Steve Hampton, Terry Hodapp, David Hollie, James Holmes, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Roger Muskat, Jason Riggio, Mark Sawyer, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, Charley Walker, Chris Wills, and Terry Wills. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2016

After much-needed rain early in the month, spring-like weather returned as we transitioned into April. By mid-month, some of our summer staples were returning, with many reports ofSwainson’s Hawks scouting nest sites, returning Western Kingbirds, and both Hooded Orioles and Bullock’s Orioles. Reports of unusual species, as if often the case for March, were few, but the real standout was an Emperor Goose  (eBird checklist)  seen by many on distant (for most) Twitchell Island in southwest Sacramento County from 3/9-27. There are a few previous reports of this species, but this is the first in the county that was widely seen and photographed among the large flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese and Aleutian Cackling Geese. Up to four Surf Scoters continued on the San Joaquin River near Sherman Island, with reports on 3/12, 3/20, and 3/22.

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was photographed at the Yolo Central Landfill Pond along Rd 28H on 3/4 (eBird checklist). A Flammulated Owl was reported calling in Elk Grove on 3/29 near Kloss Park. This is an intriguing report, since there are few Central Valley records and the report is about a month early, but the call is distinctive and the observers are very experienced. At least three Short-eared Owls continued in the ag fields along Yolo County Rd 30 northeast of Davis through much of the month; these were the only reports of this species in the Sacramento Area in March.

A Cassin’s Vireo at the Yolo Grassland Regional Park was a little on the early side on 3/30, as was a Warbling Vireo on 3/21 along Putah Creek to the west of the UC Davis campus. One-to-two Steller’s Jays continued north of the Cosumnes River along Michigan Bar Rd into April. AWilson’s Warbler at the Regional San Bufferlands on 3/29 was a little early. After numerous reports in February, nine Evening Grosbeaks continued in north Davis until at least 3/12.


The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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:  Roger Adamson, Kathy Blankenship, Lily Douglas, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Nancy Gronert, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Terry Hodapp, James Holmes, Jeri Langham, Jim Lomax, John Luther, Ed Pandolfino, Jim Rowoth, Mark Sawyer, Steve Scott, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Jim Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2015

Spring-like and mostly dry weather characterized the period, exacerbating the regional drought, and appeared to cause several unusually early arrivals of Neotropical migrants. Perhaps the bird of the month was a Black Rail found at the Stone Lakes NWR Blue Heron Trails on 3/11, a fairly new managed emergent marsh wetland. As remarkable as the find was, it is equally remarkable that this secretive species was refound numerous times through 3/27, prompting one to wonder just how many individual Black Rails were involved. Movements between coastal/Delta populations and those in the Sierra foothills are not well understood or documented. Was this bird (or birds) moving to or from the foothills or looking for new breeding sites? A calling Least Bittern was reported from the same location starting on 3/11 and continued into April.  

Notable waterfowl included a Redhead at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) from 3/4-6 and four Surf Scoters on the San Joaquin River from Staten Island on 3/1. While Rough-legged Hawks were difficult to find this season, one was found on private land beyond the end of Payen Rd on 3/15-24. Single Pacific Golden-Plovers were reported at the Lodi Sewer Ponds on 3/12 and Colusa NWR on 3/29. A Marbled Godwit was found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 3/24-26, and two were found along Abel Rd between Williams and the Colusa NWR on 3/30-31. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was a nice surprise near the Granite Bay Boat Ramp of Folsom Lake on 3/12. 

An early calling Common Poorwill along the lower portion of Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County was reported on 3/1. There were few reports of Short-eared Owls this winter, so one to two at Sherman Island on 3/1, and one on Waltz Rd in Lincoln on 3/4 are worth mentioning. A male Calliope Hummingbird visiting a feeder was photographed in Fair Oaks on 3/31, and the male and female Hairy Woodpeckers along Lake Natoma, downstream of Young Wo Circle, continued through at least 3/19. 

One of the most intriguing reports of the month was an Ash-throated Flycatcher at River Bend Park along the American River Parkway, nearly a month early, on 3/3; a bird on 3/25 from the Tall Forest at CRP would be considered quite early in a typical year. A Warbling Vireo on 3/29 at CRP was the first report for the season. Steller’s Jay reports continued to be widespread, including two in the town of Sutter on 3/9. A Townsend’s Solitaire was reported near the Nimbus Hatchery on 3/16, and a Wilson’s Warbler at CRP on 3/28 was on the early side. Two Brewer’s Sparrows  were found on Meiss Rd on 3/29 (photos on flickr). An interesting bird that looked remarkably like a Clay-colored Sparrow was found nearby (photos on flickr), but most who looked at the photos believe it is a boldly marked Brewer’s Sparrow. A Thick-billed Fox Sparrow at Grasslands Regional Park in Yolo County from 3/5-19 was unusual for the Valley floor. An early Bullock’s Oriole was found at Michigan Bar on 3/15, and a female Evening Grosbeak was heard and then seen in Carmichael on 3/12. 

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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: Keith Bailey, Bruce Deuel, Leo Edson, Gil Ewing, Tim Fitzer, Steve Hampton, Cliff Hawley, Stanton Hunter, Logan Kahle, Afton Kern, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Frances Oliver, Ron Pozzi, Jim Rowoth, Mark Sawyer, John Sterling, John Trochet, Amy and Daniel Welsh, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2014

March is an interesting month with a mix of winter and spring.  The swallows arrive in force and the first of the colorful migrants, Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles, are seen while thousands of ducks and geese remain.  Shorebird numbers build and the last of the Sandhill Cranes leave as Swainson’s Hawks arrive. Perhaps the most notable waterfowl report was the Red-breasted Merganser found on the American River near the Gristmill access on 2/22 that continued through March and into April.  ANorthern Goshawk reported near the Old Salmon Falls Bridge at Folsom Lake on 3/23 was one of few for the area in recent years.

Among the notable shorebird reports were three Snowy Plovers near the Granite Bay boat ramp at Folsom Lake on 3/29.  Early Solitary Sandpipers were reported from both the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area and the Sacramento County Bufferlands on 3/25. The adult Slaty-backed Gull (a state review species) and adult Lesser Black-backed Gull reported from the landfill south of Dixon at Hwy 113 and Hay Rd last month continued through 3/4, and a second-cycle Slaty-backed Gull was reported at the Davis WTP on the same day.  An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull found near the landfill on Ostrom Rd southeast of Beale Air Force Base on 3/5-6 was a first Yuba County record.  A first-cycle Glaucous Gull at the Davis WTP continued through much of the month and it or another was at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 3/22.

A Common Poorwill was calling along Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County on 3/24.  The male Costa’s Hummingbird that wintered along Putah Creek between Davis and Winters continued through the month, while a male Calliope Hummingbird was at the same location on 3/30.  A Hairy Woodpecker was reported at Lake Natoma near the Young Wo access on 3/26, and a male Yellow-shafted Flicker was at the same location on 3/5.  An early singing “Solitary” Vireo (probably a Cassin’s) was at CRP on 3/23, and an early Wilson’s Warbler was reported in east Davis on 3/28.  SingleBlack-throated Sparrows were found and photographed, with one at Yolo County Rd 16 and Ridge Cut Slough, east of Rd 102, from 3/5-21, and the other at Rancho Murieta from 3/16-17.  Other interesting reports included a Vesper Sparrow on Payen Rd on 3/30, the continuing Swamp Sparrow along Putah Creek near the Pedrick Rd Bridge on 3/7, the continuing Harris’s Sparrow in north Davis off of Cortez Ave, twoRed Crossbills over east Davis on 3/28, and several early reports of Lawrence’s Goldfinches in the last week of the month along Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County.

View fullsize

Black-throated Sparrow at Rancho Murieta, on 3/16/2014

View fullsize

Photos by Gary Fregien

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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:  Dan Airola, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Tim Fitzer, Gary Fregien, Cory Gregory, Steve Hampton, John Harris, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Sami LaRocca, Jim Laughlin, Eric LoPresti, John Luther, Mark Martucci, Tristan McKee, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Ron Pozzi, John Sterling, Michael Strom, Craig Swolgaard, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2013

This was another atypically dry month, but with some excellent waterfowl reports.  A Tule (also known as Taiga) Greater White-fronted Goose was among a group of the expected Pacific Greater White-fronted Geese along Woodbridge Rd on 3/22.  This distinctive sub-species is rarely seen away from the Sacramento NWR complex.  An interesting pictorial on Tule Geese may be found here .  The male Eurasian Green-winged Teal reported at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 2/27 continued through at least 3/4 (eBird checklist).  More than 350 Greater Scaup on the San Joaquin River near Sherman Island on 3/10 exceeds last month’s impressive totals.   One male and two female Surf Scoters were found on the Sacramento River upstream of Sherman Island on 3/9; seven males were on the San Joaquin River from Sherman Island Levee Rd on 3/10, with four continuing on 3/12. 

An adult Northern Goshawk flying low and calling over Davis near Covell and F St on 3/24 was an exceptional observation on the flats of the Valley.  The good season forRough-legged Hawks continued with one at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/27 and with 3/30 producing one on Latrobe Rd and two or three on Meiss Rd. 

The most notable shorebird report of the month was a Snowy Plover found at the Woodland WTP on 3/14.  An early Whimbrel was at the Sacramento Reg. WTP on 3/7 and continued for several days among Long-billed Curlews. An impressive 72Mew Gulls were found at Sherman Island on 3/10.  An adult Western Gull was near the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway (ARP) on 3/17.  This species is regular at Sherman Island, but six there on 3/10 was an unexpectedly high total.  Two adult Glaucous Gulls were at YBWA on 3/2, with a single adult on 3/4. 

Two Common Poorwills calling at the lower end of Latrobe Rd in Sacramento County near Stone House Rd were detected on the early date of 3/30.  The Red-naped Sapsucker found along Hwy 128 from 2/13-20, just east of the Hwy 128 bridge below Monticello Dam, was seen again on 3/11.  A Townsend’s Solitaire in a backyard across the American River from Gristmill on 3/24 might be the same bird that was detected at Gristmill from 2/2-13.  A Chestnut-collared Longspur at CRP on 3/23 accounted for the only longspur report in the area.  The continuing Harris’s Sparrowin N Davis was seen on 3/10, though not again for the rest of the month, but it did turn up again in April.  Four Red Crossbills at McKinley Park on 3/7 continued this excellent season for the species around Sacramento.  On 3/11, four Evening Grosbeaks were found in Orangevale, with two continuing on 3/19.  

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ 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 eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports:  Ben Abramovitz, Kari Bauer, Dan Brown, Chris Dunford, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Steve Scott, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2012

As winter transitioned into spring, with the mass arrival of Swainson’s Hawks, Western Kingbirds, and six species of swallows, as well as the departure of Sandhill Cranes, most of the notable rarities were Yolo County gulls (see below). Red-breasted Mergansers were reported from the Wildhorse Golf Course in Davis, with a male on 3/22, and William B. Pond on the American River Parkway (ARP), with a female on 3/31. Beal’s Point at Folsom Lake produced three species of loons on 3/19. Along with the regularly occurring Common Loon, a Pacific Loon was in Placer County and a Red-throated Loon was near the Sacramento/Placer line; the latter, probably the same bird reported sporadically since December, continued on 3/24. The Brown Pelican first found in West Sacramento on 8/24/2011 continued through at least 3/25.

Most of the month’s gull reports came from the Yolo Landfill and Davis WTP. Perhaps most striking was an apparent adult Iceland Gull present from 3/9 through at least 3/16; an apparent second-cycle was reported on 3/1. An adult Slaty-backed Gull was photographed on 3/9 (this and the former species are on the California Bird Records Committee review list—please submit photos and other documentation: californiabirds.org). The Landfill and WTP have been so productive in recent winters that multiple reports of adult Western Gulls and Glaucous Gulls this month are now expected. A first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was photographed on 3/30. Moving away from Yolo, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gullwas found and photographed at Folsom Lake (Granite Bay) on 3/28 and continued into early April.  All photos below by Todd Easterla from Davis WTP.

Slaty-backed Gull adult (dark mantle, reddish eye orbital, with a smallish, straight bill), 9 March 2012

Slaty-backed Gull adult (dark mantle, reddish eye orbital, with a smallish, straight bill), 9 March 2012

Lesser Black-backed Gull, first-cycle, 30 March 2012

Other notable reports include two Snowy Plovers at Folsom Lake (Granite Bay) on 3/30, a Semipalmated Plover at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 3/14-15, perhaps continuing from February (2/26). The continuing Black-throated Sparrow near Esparto was refound on 3/11, and the Harris’s Sparrow in north Davis continued into April, while the Harris’s Sparrow found on Desmond Rd at CRP was last reported on 3/3. White-throated Sparrows were widely reported, with three consistently found along ARP upstream of Howe Ave.

The Sacramento Area is roughly defined as lying between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000’ contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo Counties are included. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve and eBird. It is impossible to list everyone, but I want to thank the following for their reports: Roger Adamson, Ben Azar, Chris Dunford, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Cory Gregory, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Ron Pozzi, William Rockey, John Sterling, John Trochet, Bruce Webb, Magill Weber, and Dan Welsh. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

View fullsize

Indigo Bunting, Aug 13. Photos by Manfred Kusch

View fullsize

Indigo Bunting, Aug 13. Photos by Manfred Kusch

March 2011

After a couple of months with outstanding new records for the region, things were bound to slow down.  This March received nearly twice the average rainfall total and many low-lying riparian areas were flooded and inaccessible, so it is understandable that bird reports were somewhat reduced.  Harbingers of spring, Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles were first recorded on the last day of the month—about a week late for the kingbird.

A gorgeous male Tufted Duck was present at a pond with other diving ducks in West Sacramento from 3/11-3/13.  This pond, just one of many potentially productive drainage ponds in the area, is along Stonegate Ave to the south of Linden Rd.  A few Redheads and a Barrow’s Goldeneye, among other divers, have also been reported there.  A male Greater Scaup at the Ione Sewage Ponds and two male Eurasian Wigeons along Sutter Creek-Ione Rd on 3/25 were very nice finds for Amador County.  A Pacific Golden-Plover, molting into breeding plumage on the latter date, was found at the Sac Reg. WTP on 3/8 and 3/22.

Pacific Golden-Plover with Black-bellied Plovers at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant on March 22, 2011.  Photo by Chris Conard.

Once again, the Yolo gull reports were excellent.  The most notable was a second-cycle Slaty-backed Gull reported on 3/9 at the Davis WTP.  Two or more Glaucous Gulls were regular, along with numerous Thayer’s and Glaucous-winged Gulls, and two adult Western Gulls were reported on 3/25.  The Granite Bay access to Folsom Lake also had some excellent reports, with an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (with different bill features from the Nimbus Hatchery bird of a month earlier) on 3/8, along with a first-cycle Glaucous Gull.  The following day, a second-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported, and, on 3/14, the two birds from 3/8 were reported along with a Kumlien’s (Iceland) Gull.  An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (the Nimbus bird?) was found along the American River at Ancil Hoffman on 3/12, and two adult Western Gulls were reported from the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway (ARP) on 3/10, with one still present on 3/13.

Other interesting reports include the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, found on 2/26 at Serrano and Silva Valley Parkways in El Dorado Hills, continuing through at least 3/12; the Eastern Phoebe, found at a closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 1/4, was refound on 3/27; a Red Fox Sparrow at CRP’s River Walk on 3/13; the Harris’s Sparrow found near the Gristmill access to the ARP on 1/31, continuing into mid-April along with one (then two) Slate-colored Fox Sparrow(s); and the regular Evening Grosbeak reports in Yolo County continued, with reports in the Village Homes area of west Davis as well as one in Woodland on 3/3.  The Central Valley’s first Painted Bunting, found on 2/1 by Cheri Pillsbury in her Stockton backyard was last reported by her on 3/14.  Cheri, a long-time birder and organizer of the Central Valley Birding Symposium, died suddenly on 3/18.

Evening Grosbeaks have been widespread in the region this winter, but especially so in Davis.  Many reports have been of flying birds giving their distinctive calls with very quick views of the birds; however, Susie Nishio was able to obtain the following nice series of Evening Grosbeak photos at UC Davis on February 21, 2011.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserve.   Visit cvbirds.org and click "Listserve" 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, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Jim Holmes, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Cheri Pillsbury, John Sterling, John Trochet, and Bruce Webb.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2010

Not quite winter and not quite spring, March is a month of waiting.  Waiting for the migrants to arrive.  Sure, the swallows are here and the end of the month produces Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles, but the floodgates have yet to open.  The Yellow-rumped Warblers are singing, in their hundreds, and in amazing colors, but most of the others have yet to arrive.  Early migrants, foreshadowing April, included a Warbling Vireo in N Davis on 3/22, a Cassin’s Vireo at Cosumnes River Preserve’s (CRP) Orr Forest on 3/28, and a Wilson’s Warbler at CRP on 3/27.  The first Purple Martin detected in Sacramento was on 3/18.  A Marbled Godwit at Yolo Wildlife Area on 3/31 was a nice find; shorebird migration is building too.

Northern Pygmy-Owl photo from Putah Creek Canyon on 10/25/06 by Chris Conard

This Brewer's Duck (Mallard X Gadwall hybrid) was photographed by Don Marsh in 2/17/2007 at CRP, where one was found on 3/14/10.

A visit to the Putah Creek Canyon between Winters and Lake Berryessa produced two Northern Pygmy-Owls and a Winter Wren on 3/5.  A mountain biking trip up Rayhouse Rd in Yolo County on 3/19, now perhaps permanently closed to vehicles, produced a Pine Siskin (one of the few reports of this irruptive species for the region this winter), a Hairy Woodpecker, and a Sage Sparrow.  The Tall Forest survey at CRP on 3/20 recorded a Merlin, two Peregrine Falcons, an impressive 9 Lesser Yellowlegs, a Western Tanager (which probably wintered locally), and three Purple Finches.  A male Brewer’s Duck (a Mallard X Gadwall hybrid) was found at CRP on 3/14.

Interesting gull reports were way down from last year, which had regional firsts and record numbers for rare species.  Among the few reports this month was a Mew Gull at the Ione WTP on 3/8, where there are few reports of this species in Amador County, an adult Western Gull at the Gristmill access to American River Parkway (ARP) on 3/20, the only one reported for Sacramento County this winter, and an adult Glaucous Gull near Jepson Prairie on 3/3.  Other interesting reports include two Eurasian Wigeons at Lincoln WTP on 3/1, plus the continuing bird at Sailor Bar (ARP).  Two  Short-eared Owls off Yolo Rd 29 on 3/10 stand out among few reports of this erratic species this winter.  Also of note was a Yellow-shafted [Northern] Flicker at ARP at Upper Sunrise on 3/2, the Hammond’s Flycatcher found in N Davis on 1/2 continuing through at least mid-March, and the Plumbeous Vireo at Southside Park continuing through at least 3/6.  A Townsend’s Solitaire was found at the Mokelumne Fish Hatchery on 3/13, where there had been sporadic reports earlier in the season.  A Hermit Warbler was at the Sacramento City Cemetery at Broadway and Riverside on 3/13 and 3/20.  It probably wintered there. A Chipping Sparrow was at the same location on 3/20.

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:  Chad Aakre, Dan Airola, Dan Brown, Steve Hampton, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Linda Pittman, Zack Smith, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Liz West, and Ed Whisler.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2009

After a wet and stormy February, a very spring-like March brought with it a compliment of spring arrivals and breeding activity from resident species.  As expected, our regular swallows were busily scouting nesting sites by the first week of the month, aside from the much rarer and later-arriving Bank Swallow.  The first Purple Martin of the season was visiting the Roseville Rd colony on 3/11, with another martin seen flying at the Bobcat Ranch near Winters on 3/29, far from a known nesting site. 

View fullsize

The City of Sacramento is the only place Purple Martins persist in the Central Valley. In the past 4 years their numbers have declined by 52%. SAS contributes to an ongoing monitoring and conservation program led by Dan Airola (for more info click on the photo). Martin pair at the Sutterville colony. Female scratching and exposing band on leg. Photo by Chris Conard.

Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles added a splash of color from the south by the last week of March.  A few migrants beat the turning of the calendar with March arrivals.  First-of-season reports of Cassin’s Vireo (3/29), Nashville Warbler  (3/29), and Wilson’s Warbler (3/25) were slightly early at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP).
 
As noted in last month’s column, some of the marquee gulls at the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant continued well into March.  The adult Slaty-backed Gull found on 2/27 continued through 3/7.  The putative first-winter Iceland Gull (possibly of the nominate race glaucoides) was found again on 3/23 and 3/28 (see the February sightings for photos of these birds).  There was some debate whether this was a different bird than the one found last month, or just farther advanced into its molt.  A second-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was found on 3/23.  Documentation of the three species above should be submitted to the California Bird Records Committee (californiabirds.org).  At least two Glaucous Gulls continued well into April.  It was stated last month that up to four Glaucous Gulls were found on a single day, but it should be noted that based on plumage characteristics at least seven different individuals were present in February and March.  The numbers and late occurrence of the species that was only recently considered very rare are obviously unprecedented.  An adult Western Gull at the Ancil Hoffman access to the American River Parkway (ARP) was reported on 3/17 and 3/26.
 
An amazing 11,300 Dunlin along with 2,800 Long-billed Dowitchers were at CRP on 3/26.  Unfortunately, much of this habitat literally evaporated (or drained) prior to the most dynamic period of the spring shorebird migration in April and early May, when rarities are most likely to be found among the usual suspects.  Other interesting reports include single Merlins from the upper ARP on 3/26 and 3/31, a Band-tailed Pigeon visiting a Rancho Cordova yard on 3/1 and about 20 band-tails at the Bobcat Ranch on 3/6.  A well-described Red-naped Sapsucker was found at the Gristmill access to ARP on 3/31.  A Common Raven nest on the famous Peregrine Falcon microwave tower along Bruceville Rd near CRP adds yet more emphasis to their overwhelming expansion into the heart of the Sacramento area.  A Red Fox Sparrow was found at CRP on 3/4, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds numbering around 1,500 made an impressive spectacle at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) during the last ten days of the month.  Pine Siskins were considered abundant in Davis, regular in parts of Sacramento and the ARP, but were absent from CRP and other sites in the low floodplain where they had been regular in the fall.  From February, a nicely photographed juvenile Harlan’s (Red-tailed) Hawk at YWA was present from at least 2/21-24.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With over 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:  Roger Adamson, Paul Buchanan, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Scott Hoppe, Dan Kopp, Gary Langham, Jeri Langham, Cathie LaZier, Ed Pandolfino, Vance Russell, John Sterling, and John Trochet.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2008

Each March when the spring-like weather arrives, there's a sense of anticipation—if not impatience—for the spring migrants to appear.  We search in vain through flocks of singing and brightly colored Yellow-rumped Warblers for the first of the Neotropical migrants, but it is not until April that good numbers of migrants move through the area.  For the time we must be satisfied with Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles, which arrive in the second half of March.  Yet, nearly every month there is a surprise or two.  For the third year in a row, a gorgeous male Summer Tanager was found in March in El Dorado Hills along New York Creek.  This year, it was first reported on 3/15 and continued for at least 10 days.  The first Pacific-slope Flycatcher of the season was reported from that location on 3/25.  A singing male Western Tanager in fine plumage was a bit early (or perhaps it wintered) on 3/27 at CSU, Sacramento.  Similarly, a Hermit Warbler found on 3/29 was either an early migrant or had spent the winter in the Campus Commons neighborhood across the American River from the CSU.

The two Ruff (a male and a female), first found at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 2/27, continued through at least 3/17—though both were not always found throughout the period.  A Marbled Godwit was found there on 3/15.  An adult Western Gull and two Glaucous Gulls (one adult and one first cycle) were found on 3/4 at the Davis Wetlands.  A Horned Grebe was also present.  This species is rare in our area away from reservoirs in the foothills.  The fortunate observer will spot them coming into breeding plumage just before they leave our area.  On 3/31, three Horned Grebes were reported in breeding plumage at Lake Natoma.

Other interesting reports include at least one Northern Saw-whet Owl found on private land at Ryer Island for the second year in a row.  This year one was first reported on 2/18 and it continued through at least 3/13.  On 3/29, a Vaux's Swift and a Bank Swallow at Cosumnes River Preserve accounted for the first reports of the season for our area.  The first Purple Martins in Sacramento were reported on 3/10.  After a good season for Rough-legged Hawks in our area, the last bird was reported at YWA on 3/20 and 3/27.  Another fairly late Rough-legged Hawk was found at Lynch Canyon in Solano County on 3/22.  An adult Mew Gull was found at the Ione Sewage Ponds on 3/2.  It continued through at least 3/4.  Possibly the same bird was found at Lake Comanche on 3/5 in addition to a Red-throated Loon.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 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:  Steve Abbott, Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Paul Buchanan, Subhash Chand, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Robin Leong, John Luther, Karla Meadows, Ed Pandolfino, Deren Ross, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Dan Tankersley, John Trochet and Liz West.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.