Sightings for August, 2006
Many residents of the Sacramento area dread the heat of August. Birders, however, know that it is also when the first major flush of songbird migrants comes through our area, and it is prime time for shorebirds.
This August was no exception, with good numbers of flycatchers, vireos, and warblers reported—with a few rarities mixed in. The Davis Wetlands (DW) had excellent shorebird habitat for much of the month, with thousands of birds to look through.
Perhaps the species of the month was Rose-breasted Grosbeak — a species with a handful of records for our area turned up three times in August: a male at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 8/6, a male on Babel Slough Rd in Yolo County on 8/16, and a female near the Gristmill Access of the American River Parkway on 8/25. This in addition to the male on 6/21 and a female from 9/9, both at CRP, makes an impressive total for the summer. Rounding out the exceptional songbird reports for the month, a Bell ‘s Vireo was found near Galt on private property on 8/11, and the Indigo Bunting at the Sac Reg. WTP Bufferlands continued from 7/10 to 8/23.
The waterbird of the month was a juvenile Little Blue Heron reported among many herons and egrets of all kinds in the drying ponds at the Yolo Wildlife Area on 8/8. The bird was last seen on 8/9 as it flew away, showing its dark wing tips. A Red Knot was reported from the same location on 8/19.
Shorebird habitat was limited in many areas, owing in large part to efforts to reduce mosquito habitat due to concerns over West Nile Virus. DW produced many of the regional reports, including a Semipalmated Sandpiper on 8/15, 8/19, and 8/27, and several reports of Marbled Godwits and Whimbrels. The only Baird’s Sandpiper for Sacramento or Yolo County came on 8/27 at DW. Flooded agricultural fields were found in Sutter County near the junction of Pleasant Grove Rd and Striplin Rd. This area produced many excellent reports, including a Stilt Sandpiper on 8/14, a Snowy Plover and a Semipalmated Sandpiper on 8/15, and two Ruffs on 8/18. On 8/17, a Semipalmated Sandpiper was reported along Hwy 20 near the town of Colusa.
Another highlight was a juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger reported at Camp Far West Reservoir on 8/28.
Thanks to all who submitted reports for August. The majority of them first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click “Listserv” for details.
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