Sightings for June 1 to July 31
In the Sacramento area, June and July are typically considered the doldrums. It is true that there are many uncomfortably hot days with fewer birds to look at than in spring, fall, or winter; however, every year a few interesting songbirds show up. Highlights this season included a singing Yellow-throated Warbler in north Davis from 6/6 to 6/9, a first year male Summer Tanager from the Fremont Weir on 6/12, a singing Lark Bunting south of Dixon from 6/16 to 6/19, a Red-eyed Vireo from Ancil Hoffman Park along the American River Parkway on 6/19, and a singing Indigo Bunting found at Cosumnes River Preserve on 7/7 and continuing into August. A singing Hooded Warbler was reported in Davis on 6/18, though it was not seen.
Many are surprised to learn that fall shorebird migration begins in late June and builds to full strength in July. There were some wonderful finds this year. At the top of the list was a Curlew Sandpiper found at Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 7/29 and seen by many through 7/31. An adult Red Knot was found at the Davis Wetlands (DW) on 7/16, a Snowy Plover was found at the newly reopened Woodland Sewage Ponds on 7/20, and one was reported the same day from the Davis Sewage Ponds. A Solitary Sandpiper was at YWA on 7/20. Marbled Godwits were regularly reported in Yolo with a high of 36 at DW on 7/13. An impressive 54 Willets were reported at DW on 6/24.
Another highlight was a breeding condition Franklin's Gull found at DW on 7/1 and continuing into August. It was seen by many at the wetlands and nearby flooded ag lands along Rd 25. By the end of the month it was molting out of breeding plumage. An adult Least Tern was found at DW on 7/7 and an adult Common Tern was at DW on 7/26 and 7/27.
An adult Least Bittern was seen feeding a juvenile at YWA on 7/8 for the first confirmed breeding in Yolo County. Other notable reports included 30 Redheads at DW on 6/24, and the continuing Common Nighthawks, likely breeding, along Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County. Other rare local breeders included a family group of Dark-eyed Juncos found at CRP's Orr Forest on 6/29, and an adult Orange-crowned Warbler with a stub-tailed juvenile on 6/30, also near the Orr Forest. Dark-eyed Juncos were first found breeding at CRP in 2000 -the first confirmed for the Valley -and the above report is the best evidence to date for Orange-crowned Warblers breeding at CRP.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With over 250 reports, it is impossible to list everyone. However, I want to thank Steve Hampton for his summary of Yolo County birds, and the following for reports on the above species and for providing me with additional information: Roger Adamson, Laura Davis, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Dave Feliz, Maureen Geiger, Joan Humphrey, David Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Ed Pandolfino, Michael Perrone, Terry Ronneberg, Mary Schiedt, Doug Shaw, John Sterling, Fritz Steurer, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports. Without them, this column would not be possible.