Sightings for September 2006
Of the several excellent reports this month, shorebirds and other waterbirds stole the show despite limited habitat. Many wetland areas remained dry because of West Nile Virus fears. The first Sandhill Cranes of the fall were not reported until after mid-month— a week or two later than usual.
The bird of the month was a juvenile Hudsonian Godwit that was well described at the Davis Wetlands (DW) on 9/1. This species is very rare in California, with fewer than 30 records accepted by the California Bird Records Committee, and with only one previous Central Valley record. Unfortunately, it flushed and was not refound. A close second was a Longtailed Jaeger that was carefully studied and photographed at DW on 9/15. Also at DW were two Ruddy Turnstones on 9/7, and a Common Tern that was found on 9/3. Surprisingly, five Common Terns were reported the following day (one adult and four juveniles). A Golden-Plover, thought to have been a Pacific Golden-Plover, was found with Black-bellied Plovers on 9/7 at the Davis WTP.
A Tennessee Warbler was reported on 9/9 and 9/10 along Putah Creek in Solano County near the Mace Blvd bridge. A female American Redstart was found at the same location on 9/25. A Brewer’s Sparrow, a species that often turns up a few times n our area each spring and fall, was reported on 9/10 at Yolo Wildlife Area, and a Green-tailed Towhee was found at the Lake Solano Campground on 9/30.
Among the excellent numbers of common western migrants at Cosumnes River Preserve, a Dusky Flycatcher was reported on 9/1. A female Rose-breasted Grosbeak was found in the Tall Forest on 9/9, and a Solitary Sandpiper was found along Franklin Blvd near the Lost Slough boardwalk parking area on 9/5.
Other good reports for the month include an American Redstart at Ambassador Park along the American River Parkway on 9/2, and a Hairy Woodpecker at the Willow Creek Access of Lake Natoma on 9/21.
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, Ona Alminas, Pat Croft, Mike Curry, Ryan DiGaudio, Tanner Easterla, Todd Easterla, Tim Fitzer, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Joan Humphrey, Dave Johnson, Jon King, Jeri Langham, Sami LaRocca, Jim Lomax, Ron Melcer, Roger Muscat, Michael Perrone, Jim Rowoth, Mary Schiedt, Stefan Schlick, John Sterling, Patti Sutch, Dan Tankersley, and John Trochet.
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