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Sightings for December, 2007
Many of the highlights for the month were reported on the local Christmas Bird Counts (CBC). Good weather and few misses of expected species resulted in new high species totals for some counts. There is a detailed summary of each count here.
The Red-necked Grebe first found at Lake Natoma on 11/23 continued through at least the 12/30 Folsom CBC. A Red-necked Grebe was also found on the 12/16 Stockton CBC. A Pacific Golden-Plover was reported on 12/11 at the Woodland WTP. On the 12/22 Sacramento CBC, the Yolo County Landfill produced an impressive list of rare and uncommon gulls: a juvenile "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull (a state review species), two Western Gulls, and an amazing 250 Thayer's Gulls. At the nearby Conaway Ranch was an adult Glaucous Gull. A Western Gull was also found at the Nimbus Hatchery on 12/30.
On 12/24, a Long-eared Owl was found at the Orr Forest of Cosumnes River Preserve, with two found at the same location on 1/3. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was a very nice find in Winters on the 12/16 Putah Creek CBC. The Red-naped Sapsucker returning from last winter to Larchmont Park on 11/9 continued through at least 12/21. Single Red-naped Sapsuckers were also reported on the 12/22 Sacramento CBC (Lewis Park in south Sacramento through at least 12/25), and on the 12/30 Folsom CBC in Orangevale.
An Empidonax flycatcher, possibly a Hammond's, was reported in Land Park on 12/24 and 1/1. A Northern Shrike was found on the 12/20 Marysville CBC. A Northern Rough-winged Swallow near the Nimbus Hatchery on 12/30 was an excellent find for the date. A Northern Parula was found at the Gristmill access to the American River Parkway on 12/1 through at least 12/14. It is likely the same bird photographed at that location on 9/9/07. At Lodi Lake on 12/16, a Nashville Warbler and a Black-and-white Warbler were both excellent finds. Three Western Tanagers was an impressive total on the 12/22 Sacramento CBC. One was found in Orangevale on the 12/30 Folsom CBC. The Green-tailed Towhee found in a Rancho Cordova backyard on 11/25 continued through at least 12/27. Four Lapland Longspurs were found among Horned Larks on the 12/27 Lincoln CBC near the corner of Brewer and Nicolaus Rds. An oriole found on the 12/22 Sacramento CBC and again on 12/24 was either an Orchard or Hooded Oriole. Two pairs of Cassin's Finches were reported on the 12/16 Putah Creek CBC in Mix Canyon
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With over 150 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, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Jim Rowoth, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, John Trochet, Bruce Webb, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.
Chris Conard
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