October's reports didn't quite keep pace with the previous month. None of the unusual warblers and other rare passerines continued. There were still a lot of birds to look through, with waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds the most frequently reported.
Yolo County shorebirds were the highlight. Single Pacific Golden-Plovers were seen at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant on 10/5 and 10/10. On 10/9 a Ruff was found at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA). The bird continued at this location until at least 10/21. On 10/19, a different bird was found at the Davis Landfill. It continued in the area through at least 10/24. A single Ruff was reported at the Davis Wetlands (DW) on 10/30. Two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were found at the YWA on 10/25 through 10/26. On 10/27, a late Wilson's Phalarope was reported from DW and a Franklin's Gull was seen in front of the Davis Landfill. The Franklin's Gull that was first found on 7/1 was last reported on 9/9. This may have been the same individual.
A Red-necked Grebe was found on Lake Solano on 10/21 and continued through 10/28. Two Glossy Ibis were reported from YWA on 10/10, following the well-documented Glossy Ibis from 8/25. Excellent viewing conditions are required to separate this California Bird Records Committee (
An owling trip along Rayhouse Rd in Yolo County on 10/1 produced a Northern Pygmy-Owl and an intriguing report of a calling Spotted Owl—the latter a species not documented in the county. Other interesting reports include a Long-eared Owl at the Sac. Reg. County Sanitation District Bufferlands on 10/29, a Sage Thrasher photographed at a shopping center parking lot on Iron Point Rd in Folsom just north of Hwy 50 on 10/2, a California Thrasher at Mississippi Bar near Lake Natoma (rare in Sacramento County) on 10/8, and a late Wilson's Warbler from the Tall Forest at Cosumnes River Preserve on 10/27. A 10/29 report of over 400 Great-tailed Grackles coming to roost at Laguna Creek in Elk Grove (west of Hwy 99 and east of Big Horn Rd) was by far the highest number recorded locally of a species that first arrived in our area in the mid-90s.
Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details. With nearly 150 reports, it is impossible to list everyone; however, I want to thank the following for reports on the above species and for providing additional information: Brian Acord, Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Kevin Guse, Steve Hampton, Scott Hoppe, Joan Humphrey, David Johnson, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Frances Oliver, Ed Pandolfino, Shawn Petrash, Mary Schiedt, Doug Shaw, Zach Smith, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Dan Tankersley and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.