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Sightings from March 2007
March is often a month of waiting—waiting for spring to come. As is often the case in our area, spring-like days make it seem as though the trees should be alive with Neotropical migrants, but most of them are a month away. Still, a few show up early. The first Western Kingbirds arrive mid-month with Bullock’s Orioles about a week later. It is also the month when Swainson’s Hawks arrive, looking for nest sites, and shorebird numbers start to build.
Owls were again at the top of the list this month. The Northern Saw-whet Owl first reported from private property in Fair Oaks on 2/24 returned on 3/26. It was absent the next day, but returned on 3/28. While it was not seen again, a fresh pellet was found on 3/31. Up to three Northern Saw-whet Owls continued to be reported from Ryer Island in Solano County, continuing to at least 3/11.
A little outside of our area, a Great Gray Owl was seen by several observers from late March to early April in Yuba County between North San Juan and Camptonville. It has been reported in recent years from this uncharacteristic location.
There was an intriguing report on 3/29 of a White Ibis flying over west Davis—unfortunately, it was not see again. There are three accepted records from Southern California, but once the identification is established, one must consider if it might have escaped from captivity. A male Summer Tanager was seen and photographed in El Dorado Hills on 3/13—apparently it had been at the same location along New York Creek the previous winter.
Other interesting reports include a Eurasian Wigeon from Howard Ranch on 3/1, and another Eurasian Wigeon along with the continuing Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Davis Wetlands (DW) on 3/4. Four Whimbrels flying over Cosumnes River Preserve on 3/2 were early, as were two Marbled Godwits at Yolo Wildlife Area on 3/27. After a long absence, the Ruff at Sherman Island was reported again on 3/5. An adult Glaucous Gull was reported from DW from 3/4 to 3/12, with another from Jepson Prairie on 3/5, and the adult Western Gull from the Gristmill Access along the American River Parkway continued from 1/16 through at least 3/19. A Band-tailed Pigeon was seen over Davis on 3/5, the male Costa’s Hummingbird in a Rancho Cordova yard continued from 2/17 through 3/9, a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker was reported from Elk Grove on 3/24, and there were two out-of-season Yellow Warblers in Davis (3/14 and 3/18).
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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