Except for a stormy period mid-month, this February was mostly dry, allowing for many sunny days in the field. On 2/28, a smattering of Red-breasted Mergansers were reported from different access points at Camanche Reservoir in San Joaquin, Amador, and Calaveras counties. A Greater Roadrunner continued along Yolo County Rd 81 off of Hwy 16 in the Capay Valley. Allen's Hummingbirds were found at a few Delta locations, starting on 2/7, including on the northeast portion of Sherman Island. At least two displaying males were found at Korth's Marina (eBird Checklist S298932311) on Brannan Island Road on 2/7, continuing through at least 2/15.
Up to two Pacific Golden-Plovers (eBird Checklist S301213390) were among Black-bellied Plovers at the Lodi (White Slough) WTP in the latter half of the month. This has long been a regular location for the species, though they have been harder to find in recent years as much of the surrounding ag lands have been converted to orchards and other less suitable crops for open country birds. A Ruff (eBird Checklist S304787944) was seen by many at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP), beginning on 2/28 and continuing into March. A Stilt Sandpiper found on 2/7 at CRP is likely the same bird that has been seen in the area sporadically since September. Two Red-throated Loons were found on Folsom Lake, seen from Folsom Point and elsewhere on the lake, beginning on 1/29 and continuing through at least 2/20.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found at Gibson Ranch County Park on 1/26 continued through 2/18, and a Pileated Woodpecker was a nice treat, seen (eBird Checklist S302879640) by many observers at Lake Solano throughout February. One of the two Tropical Kingbirds found last month at Bridgeway Lakes Community Park in West Sacramento continued through at least 2/1. A Sage Thrasher was along Rd 104 at the Solano/Yolo County line on 2/12 (eBird Checklist S301999213) and was seen by many through the end of the month. A spectacular male Orchard Oriole was found (eBird Checklist S298920588) in Courtland on 2/7 and continued through the end of the month. A Swamp Sparrow was seen and photographed (eBird Checklist S303399468) at Lake Solano during the last week of the month and a Green-tailed Towhee was found on 2/7 at Folsom Lake College. Wintering Northern Yellow Warblers are very rare, but were detected on 2/1 at the Lost Slough portion of CRP and at Bridgeway Island Pond mid-month. The Summer Tanager that has wintered in Land Park since early 2022 continued at the Sacramento Zoo.
The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Cello Caruso-Turiello, Lyann Comrack, Sammy Cowell, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Anis Ehsani, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Kasey Foley, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Karene Liu, Donna Marciano, Mark Martucci, Eric McKinley, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Tom Pritchard, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gavin Stacey, Michele Swartout, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Daniel Welsh, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.