August 2008

August is a great time for birding in the Sacramento area.  Really, it is.  This is known by experienced birders, but is still not widely accepted by most.  Sure, it can be very hot, but it also gets light very early.  The hours before 9am can be pleasant and very birdy.  August is perhaps the most productive month for "fall" shorebirding, though July and September are excellent too.  Songbird migrants, especially in the second half of the month, can be quite numerous.

While this August provided us with many birds, there were only a few rarities found, and most of the best of those were continuing from the previous month.  These included the two Stilt Sandpipers at the Davis Wetlands (DW), which continued from 7/31 to 8/2, and the two Least Terns that attempted to nest (their eggs failed to hatch) at the Sacramento Reg. Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP).  First seen on 6/27, the terns were last seen at the SRWTP Bufferlands on 8/5.  The male Northern Parula found at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 7/26 continued well into September.  A Plumbeous Vireo reported on 8/31 at the South Fork Putah Creek Preserve, just downstream from Mace Blvd, was perhaps the best August-only rarity.  A very early Brown Creeper was a there as well--recall that a nest was found farther upstream on 5/18.  A Green-tailed Towhee, also quite early, was a nice find at the West Pond in Davis on 8/10.

Among the uncommon shorebird finds, the best "haul" occurred at CRP on the morning of 8/5, with a Snowy Plover, two Marbled Godwits (far less common in Sacramento County than Yolo), a Semipalmated Sandpiper, and a Baird's Sandpiper.  An impressive total of 78 Semipalmated Plovers was reported from the Woodland WTP on 8/8.  Single Solitary Sandpipers were reported from private property in eastern Yolo County on 8/8 and DW on 8/10.  Five Willets were at the Davis WTP on 8/10, and an impressive 25 Marbled Godwits were at DW on 8/19—six godwits were also at the Lincoln WTP on 8/19.  Single juvenile  Semipalmated Sandpipers were at the Bufferlands on 8/2 and 8/7.  A Baird's Sandpiper was found at the Lincoln WTP on 8/19, with one to two at the Bufferlands in the second half of the month.

A female or young male Calliope Hummingbird was found on 8/8 after striking a window in Natomas.  This species is more often recorded in spring.  Other interesting reports include a Hermit Thrush thought to be one of the western montane races on the early date of 8/1, and the continuing male Common Goldeneye  along the American River near Gristmill continued into September.  Banded Caspian Terns photographed mid-month at SRWTP proved to be from colonies in Richmond, CA and the Columbia River, OR.  A late report of a Band-tailed Pigeon near Galt on 6/8/08 is one of very few for the Central Valley in summer, and all the more interesting when taken with the Band-tailed Pigeon found along the American River at River Bend (formerly Goethe) Park on 7/2.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With nearly 100 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:  Roger Adamson, Todd Easterla, Gil Ewing, Richard Hall, Steve Hampton, Scott Hoppe, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Cathie LaZier, Shawn Lockwood, Michael Marsh, Ed Pandolfino, Deren Ross, Jo Ellen Ryan, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Gene Trapp, John Trochet, Dan Williams, and David Yee.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

June - July 2008

While often considered the summer doldrums, June and July typically produce a few interesting records.  Sometimes these are in the form of a late migrating vagrant songbird.  A male Bobolink on 6/1 at the Granite Reg. Park in south Sacramento was just the type of record we look for in June.  Harder to explain was a gorgeous Brown Thrasher at the Stone Lakes NWR that was mist-netted on 7/10 and heard singing on 7/11.  Another big surprise was the first recorded Least Terns in Sacramento County.  Two were found at the Sacramento Reg. Wastewater Treatment Plant (SRWTP) on 6/27.  A nest was found on 7/1, though the eggs failed to hatch and the terns were last seen on 8/5.

Shorebirds are always a highlight for the period, with migrants starting to arrive in late June, and building in numbers through July and into August.  The shorebird highlight of the period was of two Stilt Sandpipers, still partially in breeding plumage, with dowitchers at the Davis Wetlands from 7/31 to 8/2.  Another nice surprise was a molting adult male Ruff (sporting a ruff) at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 7/15.  Other shorebird highlights included an adult Pacific Golden-Plover and two Marbled Godwits on Sherman Island near the Antioch Bridge on 7/28.  Up to ten Marbled Godwits were reported from various Yolo County locations.  The Woodland WTP hosted a Snowy Plover on 7/29, a Willet on 7/26, and a  Semipalmated Sandpiper on 7/31.  Single Willets were also found at SRWTP (7/25) and Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 7/30.  A Solitary Sandpiper was found at CRP on 7/27.

Cassin's Kingbirds were reported from two different locations on Sherman Island on 6/26, with one carrying food, indicating a possible nesting attempt.  Unfortunately, they were not refound on subsequent visits.  A male Northern Parula was found at CRP on 7/26 and continued well into August.  Additional reports included a Hammond's Flycatcher in north Davis on 6/6, an immature male Indigo Bunting at CRP on 6/22, a very late Lincoln's Sparrow from Granite Reg. Park on 6/3, and Red-breasted Nuthatches  reported on 7/27 from both CRP and Davis.  The only Bank Swallow report in Sacramento County was one from SRWTP on 7/9, but over 80 were found in July at YWA.

A Band-tailed Pigeon was an interesting find, especially for the summer, at River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park) on 7/2.  There has been continued expansion of White-faced Ibis breeding in the Sacramento area.  A large rookery was visible from I-80 in the tules just south of the Yolo Causeway at YWA.  A "ratty-looking" male Common Goldeneye was found along the American River near Gristmill on 7/27 and continued into August.  At least one Common Nighthawk returned to Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County, as they have since 2005.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With 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:  Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, John Luther, Ed Pandolfino, Ann Pellegrini, Andy Pfeffer, Deren Ross, Mary Schiedt, Stefan Schlick, John Sterling, John Trochet, Charley Walker, Dan Williams, and Stan Wright.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

April - May 2008

For many, April through May is the highlight of the birding year.  Common Western songbird passage peaks from mid-April to mid-May, though the end of May into early June is a good time to look for Eastern vagrants.  Shorebirds tend to peak earlier, with the bulk of the birds having moved on by the second week of May.  In addition to the expected species, there were a few surprises this season.  A Black-and-white Warbler was found along Putah Creek near Stevenson's Bridge on 4/17.  Another  Black-and-white Warbler was seen on 5/24 along with a "fall out" of common Western species at the UC Davis Riparian Reserve.  On 5/16, a gorgeous singing male Hooded Warbler spent the day at the Gristmill Rec. Area of the American River Parkway (ARP).

Additional highlights for the period included a Red-necked Grebe in breeding plumage at the Lincoln WTP on 5/5 and a breeding plumage Franklin's Gull  photographed on 4/5 at the Davis Wetlands.  A Snowy Plover at Beal AFB on 4/29 was a first for Yuba County and a Red Knot in breeding plumage near Dingville (south of Yuba City) on 5/13 was an excellent find.  A Solitary Sandpiper was found on 4/3 at Sailor Bar, ARP, in addition to one at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 4/12, and another at North Davis Farms on 5/8.  On 4/18 at CRP, a Willet and four Short-billed Dowitchers were reported.  Twenty-four Marbled Godwits at Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 5/1 was the high count for the spring.

It was an excellent spring for Gray Flycatchers, with two from Davis, and single birds from Sacramento, CRP, and ARP between 4/19 and 5/3.  At least five were found in the Auburn State Rec. Area on 4/29.  To the south of our typical area of coverage came a report of 62 Gray Flycatchers in the foothills of Madera County on 4/25.  Typically thought of as a rare spring migrant west of the Sierra crest, this is an outstanding report. A Dusky Flycatcher was reported at North Davis Farms on 4/14.  On 4/27, two  Hammond's Flycatchers and one Dusky Flycatcher were found at CRP.

The Green-tailed Towhee first found on 11/25 in a Rancho Cordova backyard continued through at least 5/9.  Another Green-tailed Towhee was seen in a Carmichael yard on 4/18.  On 4/26, a Brewer's Sparrow was found north of the Cosumnes River on Michigan Bar Rd.  On 4/27, two Grasshopper Sparrows were reported along Meiss Rd.  A Harris's Sparrow was found on private property along the Mokelumne River near Lodi on 4/29.  A very late Golden-crowned Sparrow was at the Sacramento County Bufferlands on 5/27.

Other interesting reports included two Brown Creepers taking food to a nest along Putah Creek in Solano County on 5/18, a Calliope Hummingbird in Olivehurst on 4/21, another along Putah Creek on 4/24, and a Sage Thrasher on 5/14 along Thornton Rd to the south of the Lodi WTP.  There was an amazing report of over 300 Swainson's Hawks south of Tracy along I-5 on 5/29.  A very late (possibly injured) Rough-legged Hawk was found in Placer County near Dowd and Waltz Rds from 4/24 through at least 4/26.  A report of 70 Common Yellowthroats at CRP on 4/12 was impressive.  A Hooded Merganser with 11-12 young was reported on 5/5 from Sun City Lincoln Hills where this species has now bred for several years.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.  Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 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:  Ryan Abe, Steve Abbott, Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Subhash Chand, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Irene Engilis, Gil Ewing, Tim Fitzer, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Jon Katz, Dan Kopp, Manfred Kusch, Jeri Langham, Jim Laughlin, Cin-Ty Lee, Tim Manolis, Ed Pandolfino, Andy Pfeffer, Deren Ross, Kathryn Sanderson, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, John Trochet, Charley Walker, Dee Warenycia, Brian Williams, and Dan Williams.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

March 2008

Each March when the spring-like weather arrives, there's a sense of anticipation—if not impatience—for the spring migrants to appear.  We search in vain through flocks of singing and brightly colored Yellow-rumped Warblers for the first of the Neotropical migrants, but it is not until April that good numbers of migrants move through the area.  For the time we must be satisfied with Western Kingbirds and Bullock's Orioles, which arrive in the second half of March.  Yet, nearly every month there is a surprise or two.  For the third year in a row, a gorgeous male Summer Tanager was found in March in El Dorado Hills along New York Creek.  This year, it was first reported on 3/15 and continued for at least 10 days.  The first Pacific-slope Flycatcher of the season was reported from that location on 3/25.  A singing male Western Tanager in fine plumage was a bit early (or perhaps it wintered) on 3/27 at CSU, Sacramento.  Similarly, a Hermit Warbler found on 3/29 was either an early migrant or had spent the winter in the Campus Commons neighborhood across the American River from the CSU.

The two Ruff (a male and a female), first found at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 2/27, continued through at least 3/17—though both were not always found throughout the period.  A Marbled Godwit was found there on 3/15.  An adult Western Gull and two Glaucous Gulls (one adult and one first cycle) were found on 3/4 at the Davis Wetlands.  A Horned Grebe was also present.  This species is rare in our area away from reservoirs in the foothills.  The fortunate observer will spot them coming into breeding plumage just before they leave our area.  On 3/31, three Horned Grebes were reported in breeding plumage at Lake Natoma.

Other interesting reports include at least one Northern Saw-whet Owl found on private land at Ryer Island for the second year in a row.  This year one was first reported on 2/18 and it continued through at least 3/13.  On 3/29, a Vaux's Swift and a Bank Swallow at Cosumnes River Preserve accounted for the first reports of the season for our area.  The first Purple Martins in Sacramento were reported on 3/10.  After a good season for Rough-legged Hawks in our area, the last bird was reported at YWA on 3/20 and 3/27.  Another fairly late Rough-legged Hawk was found at Lynch Canyon in Solano County on 3/22.  An adult Mew Gull was found at the Ione Sewage Ponds on 3/2.  It continued through at least 3/4.  Possibly the same bird was found at Lake Comanche on 3/5 in addition to a Red-throated Loon.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 100 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:  Steve Abbott, Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Paul Buchanan, Subhash Chand, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Dan Kopp, Jeri Langham, Robin Leong, John Luther, Karla Meadows, Ed Pandolfino, Deren Ross, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Dan Tankersley, John Trochet and Liz West.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

February 2008

The report of the month came in the form of two Glossy Ibis in Placer County on 2/16 along Brewer Rd, just to the north of Nicolaus Rd.  This species on the California Bird Records Committee review list has been reported locally several times in the past year.  The first accepted record for the state was as recent as 2000.  A few dedicated birders have been looking very carefully through White-faced Ibis flocks.  The wider application of high quality spotting scopes—in the hands of skilled observers—is a big factor in the increased reports.  There are also many more ibis to look through in recent years.  Just in the past two decades White-faced Ibis have gone from rare to abundant in our area—a little good news for a change!

Continuing on the topic of state review species, presumably the same Emperor Goose reported at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 1/13, flying with a large flock of Snow Geese, was seen again on 2/12.  Other waterfowl reports include at least five Eurasian Wigeons on 2/16 along Pleasant Grove Rd, south of Nicolaus Rd, in Sutter County.  A Eurasian Wigeon at the Sacramento County Bufferlands on 2/20 added to the handful of records for that location, and two Greater Scaup were present there on 2/22. 

Two Ruff (a male and a female) were first found at YWA on 2/27, and continued into March.  This rare species has been amazingly regular at this location.  On 2/7, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported from Beal's Point at Folsom Lake.  This is a state review species, but has been reported more widely in the state in recent years.  It is still an outstanding find away from the coast or the Salton Sea.  At least one first-year Glaucous Gull was found at the Davis Wetlands on 2/16 during the Central Valley Bird Club's winter gulls tour.

Reports of up to ten Short-eared Owls along Yolo County Rd 28H and 103 (west of the landfill) began on 2/10 and continued through the end of the month.  There have been excellent totals of this species throughout the region this winter.  At least one Northern Saw-whet Owl was found on private land on Ryer Island for the second year in a row.  This year it was first reported on 2/18.  Other interesting reports include several Bald Eagle sightings on the upper portion of the American River Parkway, a Greater Roadrunner along Yolo County Rd 95 near Zamora on 2/15, up to 200 Violet-green Swallows foraging along the American River near the Nimbus Hatchery during a break in a storm on 2/24, at least two of the Lapland Longspurs continuing through 2/9 near the corner of Brewer and Nicolaus Rds in Placer County, and a Black-headed Grosbeak found northeast of Davis on 1/21, continuing through at least 2/6, was determined to be an immature male.  The male Cassin's Finch found near Slide Hill Park in Davis on 1/29 continued through at least 2/1, and Lawrence's Goldfinches were found coming to feeders in Rancho Cordova and Fair Oaks. 

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 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:  Steve Abbott, Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Paul Buchanan, Subhash Chand, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Phil Gordon, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Jeri Langham, Robin Leong, Shawn Lockwood, Ed Pandolfino, Jim Pearce, Deren Ross, Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Dan Tankersley, John Trochet, and Bruce Webb.  Thanks to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.

January 2008

Several of the month's highlights were found on the 1/3 Rio Cosumnes CBC, including a Eurasian Green-winged Teal, a locally impressive five Eurasian Wigeon, 70 Eurasian Collared-Doves, two Long-eared Owls, a Hermit Warbler, and a Grasshopper Sparrow.  Over 300 Great-tailed Grackles were reported around Elk Grove—one of the area hotspots for this expanding species.  Scouting trips prior to the count produced a Bald Eagle, a Barn Swallow, and a Yellow Warbler.  A Rusty Blackbird was reported from an Arno Rd dairy on 1/1.  Documentation of this and other state review species should be submitted to the California Bird Records Committee.

Suburban Sacramento County produced a few excellent reports.  A Plumbeous Vireo was found in Elk Grove Park from 1/16 to at least 1/21.  The Land Park neighborhood in Sacramento hosted a Townsend's Solitaire from 1/19 to 1/23 and a Mountain Chickadee from 1/28 to at least 1/30—Brown Creepers, a  Townsend's Warbler, and a Western Tanager were also found by those looking for the locally rarer species.  An unidentified Empidonax flycatcher was found near the Sacramento Zoo on 1/1 (continuing from 12/24).  The Green-tailed Towhee found in a Rancho Cordova backyard on 11/25 continued through January.  

The gull extravaganza continued at the Davis Landfill and Davis WTP.  There were impressive reports throughout the month, exemplified by a 1/10 report of an adult "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull (a state review species), two Glaucous Gulls, and six Western Gulls.  200-300 Thayer's Gulls were reported, adding to the site's reputation as one of the premiere gull watching locations in the state.  The high numbers of Western Gulls (9 were reported on 1/19) may be attributed to storms driving this typically coastal species inland.  An adult Western Gull was also reported from Lower Sunrise on the American River Parkway on 1/15.

There was a spectacular report of an Emperor Goose (a state review species) at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) on 1/13 flying with a large flock of Snow Geese.  Presumably the same bird was seen again on 2/12.  There is one previous record for the county: 1907!  There was a most intriguing report of a Leach's Storm-Petrel flying along Hwy 99 near Stockton on 1/7 after a heavy storm.  A very productive trip to Lake Solano on 1/13 produced reports of a Hairy Woodpecker, a Pileated Woodpecker, five Brown Creepers, a White-throated Sparrow, and 10 Purple Finches. Other good finds included a Red-throated Loon from Comanche Reservoir on 1/5, a Ruff at YWA on 1/19, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Fairfield continuing from 11/18, a dead Long-eared Owl at West Pond in Davis on 1/20, a Pacific-slope Flycatcher at Lake Solano on 1/22, a Black-headed Grosbeak northeast of Davis on 1/21, and up to four Lapland Longspurs continuing near the corner of Brewer and Nicolaus Rds in Placer County.  A male Cassin's Finch was found near Slide Hill Park in Davis on 1/29 and continued through at least 1/31.  This species also staged a minor invasion into the foothills just above the area typically treated in this column.

Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv.   Visit www.cvbirds.org and click "Listserv" for details.  With over 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:  Roger Adamson, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Leo Edson, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Maureen Geiger, Jeff Gilligan, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Scott Hoppe, David Johnson, Alison Kent, Jeri Langham, Laura Look, John Luther, Ed Pandolfino, Deren Ross, Mike San Miguel, Jr., Mary Schiedt, John Sterling, Craig Swolgaard, Gene Trapp, John Trochet, and Bruce Webb.  Special thanks to Steve Hampton for a summary of Yolo County birds and to everyone for their reports—without them, this column would not be possible.