Sightings from November 2006
Despite some nice finds, November was bound to be a bit of a letdown after last month’s Taiga Flycatcher and American Tree Sparrows. This November was notable for a number of lingering songbird migrants as well as widespread reports of Goldencrowned Kinglets and Varied Thrushes. Rough-legged Hawks, which had been nearly absent last winter, were well represented.
It was, however, the shorebirds that stole the show. An American Golden-Plover was found on 11/6 at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. It continued for nearly two weeks, and was last found on a Central Valley Birding Symposium tour at nearby Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on 11/17. Unlike the Pacific Golden-Plover, this species is not known to winter in the state, and this individual was unusually late and long-staying. A Pacific Golden- Plover was reported at the Davis Wetlands on 11/5. Mountain Plovers were reported from their usual haunts south of Dixon, and a small flock was found near Hwy 113 and Rd 16 in Yolo County. On 11/8, a Ruff was found at the Yolo Wildlife Area and continued through at least 11/21; in fact, two were present on 11/16, along with a Pectoral Sandpiper. A Marbled Godwit was seen at Stone Lakes on 11/17.
On 11/30, a first-year Northern Shrike was found along the entrance road to Jepson Prairie and it continues through press time.
Other highlights were late migrant songbirds, including a Cassin’s Vireo at Slide Hill Park in Davis on 11/3 and a Wilson’s Warbler at Ambassador Park along the American River Parkway on 11/10. Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) produced near daily reports of Townsend’s and Black-throated Gray Warblers, plus a more remarkable late Hermit Warbler on 11/4. A Cassin’s Vireo was found on 11/23 and a particularly good outing at CRP on 11/24 produced a Yellow Warbler, three Western Tanagers, a Whitethroated Sparrow, and, best of all, a Swamp Sparrow.
Other interesting reports include a Longeared Owl at the Yolo Wildlife Area headquarters on 11/3, an adult Bald Eagle at Lower Sunrise on 11/10, and a single Evening Grosbeak flying over Slide Hill Park on 11/15. A Rock Wren was out of place near the Farm Center at CRP on 11/16-17, and a Red Fox Sparrow was found at CRP on 11/28. An adult Glaucous-winged Gull at CRP on 11/23 was unusual for Sacramento County away from the upper American River Parkway and Folsom Lake. A female Barrow’s Goldeneye reported on 11/26 was also unusual for CRP. A probable first-year Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported at Davis WTP on 11/27. A gorgeous European Goldfinch was found at the Sacramento Regional WTP Bufferlands on 11/8, and three Nutmeg Mannikins were found there on 11/1; both of these species are surely escaped captives.
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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