Sightings from December 2006
In December, it is typically a rare waterbird or a lingering or vagrant songbird that makes headlines, but this December several owls topped the list. At the very top is a Snowy Owl that was found by a fisherman near Grizzly Island in Solano County. The news got out on 12/30, and hundreds have now seen the bird, mostly from a boat leaving Suisun City. This is the second year in a row that California’s only Snowy Owl has turned up in Solano County (prior to last year, there hadn’t been a Snowy Owl record for the state since 1978). The bird continues through press time. Another notable was a Northern Saw-whet Owl found in Orangevale on the Folsom CBC on the last day of 2006. It was not refound, but several nice photos were taken. A Northern Pygmy-Owl was reported on the 12/2 American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) Count, and a Longeared Owl was found off of Cantelow Rd in Solano County on the 12/17 Putah Creek CBC.
Other December CBC highlights (more details on pages 2, 3 and 7) include an Eastern Phoebe and a Cassin’s Vireo near Winters on the 12/17 Putah Creek CBC. On the 12/30 Sacramento CBC, a female Red-breasted Merganser was reported at Greenhaven Lake, as was a Ruff from the Conaway Ranch, a Western Gull at the Davis Wetlands (DW), and one of the continuing American Tree Sparrows at the Yolo Wildlife Area (not reported since October). Also reported were three “Kumlien’s Gulls,” one adult and two first year birds, at DW. This race is currently classified as a sub-species of Iceland Gull, but is now often considered to be a hybrid between the nominate population of Iceland Gull and Thayer’s Gull. Harder still to classify were two dark swifts that may have been Vaux’s or Chimney Swifts—either species would be an outstanding report for the date. Other highlights of the 12/31 Folsom CBC include the male Red-breasted Merganser at Sailor Bar on the American River Parkway (ARP) that was first reported on 12/9, and an immature Northern Shrike near Folsom High School. This has been an incredible season for Pink-sided Junco reports. In addition to one reported from William B. Pond along ARP on 10/30, there was a well-described bird reported at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 12/5, and another from Folsom on 12/24. Although all Dark-eyed Juncos are considered a single species, there is much to be learned about the movements and relationships of identifiable races. There are many intermediate individuals, so caution is advised.
Other interesting reports include a Marbled Godwit at DW on 12/3, a Ruff on Sherman Island from 12/20 through at least 12/29,a Red-naped Sapsucker at Larchmont Park downstream of Gristmill and south of ARP from 12/8 through press time, a Swainson’s Hawk from Larchmont Park on 12/9, and the continuing immature Northern Shrike near the entrance to Jepson Prairie from 11/30 throughout December. Varied Thrushes were reported in good numbers in the Sacramento area, with 60-70 at CRP most impressive.
Many of these birds were first reported on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click “Listserv” for details. Thanks to all for their reports.
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