Sightings from October 2006
For all that our area has to recommend it as a birding mecca—abundant waterbirds, Sandhill Cranes, winter raptors, migrant songbirds through the Valley riparian forest, coastal and montane influences—it is not typical for a rarity of continental significance to turn up here; but on 10/25, that is just what happened. A Taiga Flycatcher was found and photographed near Winters along Putah Creek at Fishing Access #2. Not only was this a first state record, but a first for mainland North America. This Asian species, recently split from Red-breasted Flycatcher, was only previously known on this continent from Alaskan islands. As luck would have it, one of the finders, John Sterling, has done ornithological work in Siberia, and is familiar with the species. Folks who were able to drop everything and see the bird on 10/25 were rewarded, as the bird flew back and forth over the creek from Solano to Yolo County. Over 100 others who streamed in from all over the state and beyond the following two days were disappointed; sadly, the bird did not stick around. Nevertheless, it’s a fabulous record. Other species found during the search included Greater Roadrunner (the first for Putah Creek in many years), Northern Pygmy-Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, and American Dipper.
From a rarity standpoint, anything else was bound to play second fiddle. Still, a new species for Yolo County was found on 10/20 when an American Tree Sparrow was mist netted and banded at the Yolo Wildlife Area along the tour loop. Through at least 10/26, many were able to enjoy two of these attractive sparrows. Two American Golden- Plovers were reported along the tour route on 10/24, and at least one continued for a couple of days. Other interesting Yolo County birds included a Band-tailed Pigeon flyover of Slide Hill Park in Davis on 10/11, an Eastern Phoebe near the park on 10/16, and a Blackpoll Warbler in north Davis on 10/6.
Cosumnes River Preserve produced a number of interesting records over the month. On 10/1, the county’s first Ovenbird was reported along with a “Baypoll” Warbler. The latter bird was not seen well enough to determine if it was a Blackpoll or a Bay-breasted Warbler. A Black-throated Sparrow was found on 10/26 and continued through at least 10/28. On 10/29, a late Wilson’s Warbler was found, along with the first Tundra Swans for the season. A Peregrine Falcon was a fairly regular early morning fixture on the microwave radio tower on Bruceville Rd.
Other interesting reports included a Pinksided Junco from William B. Pond Rec. Area along the American River Parkway on 10/30, two American Golden-Plovers from the Lodi Sewage Ponds on 10/6, and Common Poorwills in eastern Sacramento County from Latrobe Rd, Michigan Bar Rd, and Howard Ranch. By 10/14, Mountain Plover reports were coming in from their typical wintering location in the Robinson Rd area south of Dixon. Barn Swallows were unusually abundant well into October, and Golden-crowned Kinglets were numerous and widespread. Finally, there were multiple mountain lion reports from different areas of the Cosumnes River Preserve.
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 the following for their reports:
Roger Adamson, Peter Armstrong, Terry Colborn, Tim Fitzer, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Joan Humphrey, Dave Johnson, Jon Katz, Alan Krakauer, Jeri Langham, Don Marsh, Ron Melcer, Michael Perrone, Sarah Pitzer, Jennifer Rycenga, Mary Schiedt, Stefan Schlick, Don Schmoldt, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Scott
Terrill, John Trochet, Charley Walker, and Sally Walters.
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