Seasonal Sightings: December 2025

This December was beset by many grim days of fog and cooler than normal temperatures. It seemed to suppress bird activity, certainly visibility, and suppressed birder activity as well. There were still some good finds during the month, but many of the local CBCs took place in difficult weather conditions, leading to low numbers and diversity. A Red-breasted Merganser was seen periodically from 12/7 to 12/17 between the Nimbus Hatchery and lower Lake Natoma. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton in August of 2024 continued through 12/25, but was not seen toward the end of the month--is her long residency over? A Black Rail was heard calling on 12/28 from Sherman Island in the Delta portion of Sacramento County.

The only Mountain Plovers in the region continued to be reported from Flannery Rd, south of Dixon, with a high of 45. A Stilt Sandpiper was photographed (eBird Checklist S289401316) and seen by several birders on 12/20 at Cosumnes River Preserve. It may be the same bird that has been seen in the area sporadically since September. Probably the same Lesser Black-backed Gull that has been reported in recent months was seen on 12/1 at the Yolo County Central Landfill pond, visible from County Rd 28H.  A Red-necked Grebe was a nice surprise at the Port of Sacramento, Lake Washington, from 12/10-12/14. A Least Bittern was heard at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 12/15 and three were detected at Sherman Island on 12/28.

Rough-legged Hawks were more widely reported, especially in eastern Sacramento County, than in most recent years, and Short-eared Owls were also well-represented, most impressively with reports of up to 11 along Meiss Rd.

Lewis's Woodpeckers were found on both sides of the Valley, but reports were of singles or low single-digits, and a Red-naped Sapucker was found along Pleasants Valley Rd (eBird Checklist S289602481), a few miles south of Putah Creek on 12/21. CBC teams found single Hammond's Flycatchers on private property along Putah Creek, south of Winters, on 12/21, and along the Mokelumne River near I-5 on 12/29. An American Dipper continued at the traditional location along Putah Creek at the Hwy 128 bridge. Like Lewis's Woodpeckers, Varied Thrushes were few and far between. A calling flyover Evening Grosbeak on 12/3 was a surprise at Cosumnes River Preserve in a season with very little winter finch movement. A Lapland Longspur was a nice find along Flannery Rd in Solano County on 12/16. A Swamp Sparrow was photographed on 12/28 at a normally closed area of south Twitchell Island, Sacramento County. Another was present for most of the month at Lake Solano. A Nashville Warbler was quite a surprise (eBird Checklist S290618684) at Elkhorn Regional Park on the Yolo side of the Sacramento River on 12/27, and a Pine Warbler found near Larchmont Park (eBird Checklist S288066313) on the ARNHA Wildlife Count, and seen by many from 12/6-12/10, was a first of the Central Valley and one of few records for Northern California.

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: Eddie Bartley, Sylvia Bauer, Peyton Bounds, Brent Campos, Lyann Comrack, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Chris Dunford, Lynette Williams Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Robert Furrow, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Mackenzie Hollender, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Logan Kahle, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Eric McKinley, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Mark Sawyer, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gavin Stacey, Lucas Stephenson, Mark Stephenson, Kirk Swenson, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Noreen Weeden, and Dan Williams. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

-Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: October 2025

October has a bit of everything. Sought-after songbird migrants are still trickling through until at least mid-month, while waterfowl, raptor, and sparrow numbers are building. It is usually a little less dynamic than September, but it is undeniably a great time to be in the field, and the weather is usually pleasant as the fall progresses. Turning to unexpected finds, a Surf Scoter was seen at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on 10/27, and, while hardly unexpected at this point, the female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton in August of 2024 has continued for more than a year. A Common Poorwill was seen on 10/19 during the Tall Forest survey at Cosumnes River Preserve, while another was found at Folsom Point, Folsom Lake, on 10/24. A Black Swift was a nice surprise on 10/3 along the American River Parkway (ARP), near the Mayhew Drain.

Exceptional shorebird reports may well be the theme of 2025, and things didn't slow down this month. Two Pacific Golden-Plovers were seen at the WWTP early in the month, with one continuing for most of the month. At Beale Air Force Base, there were seven Mountain Plovers on 10/20 and a single on 10/21 (eBird Checklist S280703219); and there were up to 11 along Flannery Rd, south of Dixon, beginning on 10/25. An Upland Sandpiper photographed on 9/22 from Knight's Landing was missed during last month's compiling of records. This is an extremely rare wanderer to California. Up to three Hudsonian Whimbrels (as they are now known since the species was split from the Eurasian populations), which are quite rare in the region outside of spring migration, were found at the WWTP during the first half of the month. A first Sacramento County record of Hudsonian Godwit was photographed (eBird Checklist S277704909) on Tyler Island, a Delta island south of Walnut Grove, on 10/6. The Ruff found at the WWTP on 9/28 continued to the end of October. Another was reported at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 10/25-10/31. Pectoral Sandpipers were widely seen in the region, with up to 18 on a single visit reported at the WWTP. A Parasitic Jaeger was an excellent find at Beals Point, Folsom Lake, on 10/17. Additional WWTP notables included a Sabine's Gull on 10/6 (eBird Checklist S277741481), the continuing Lesser Black-backed Gull, and a Common Tern from 10/6 through 10/15.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was an excellent find at Slide Hill Park in Davis on 10/28 (eBird Checklist S281950018), continuing into November. A Tropical Kingbird was found at the EchoWater Facility (formerly the Sacramento Regional WTP) on 10/23 (eBird Checklist S280981827 and eBird Checklist S281005202), accounting for the fifth Sacramento County record and the second for the property. A Sage Thrasher was found on 10/13 along Meiss Rd, and a Grasshopper Sparrow was found on 10/22, very late in the season for this species, at the South Fork Putah Creek Preserve to the south of Davis. A Sagebrush Sparrow photographed (eBird Checklist S279775939) along on Meiss Rd on 10/16 was quite a surprise and one of very few records for the region. A Vesper Sparrow was photographed near the intersection of Yolo County Rds 38 and 106 on 10/10, with another along Meiss Rd on 10/25. There were no rare warblers found this month, but a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a nice discovery along ARP near the Mayhew Drain on 10/3.

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: Lyann Comrack, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Marcel Holyoak, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, James Laughlin, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Collin McKahin, Gary Mele, Roger Muskat, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Mark Sawyer, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Gavin Stacey, Drake Stallworth, Kevin Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: August 2025

As is often the case in August, Yolo County shorebirds stole the show. Songbird migration was generally slow, but a few unexpected finds made things more interesting. Unusual summering ducks continued at the Woodland WTP. These included up to eight Canvasbacks, up to 18 Redheads, and up to two Buffleheads--with one Bufflehead also at Sailor Bar along the American River Parkway. Amazingly, the female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 (and likely before) has continued for more than a year. There were just two reports of Calliope Hummingbirds: one from Fair Oaks on 8/12 and one from Natomas on 8/31.

Among the shorebird highlights was a Snowy Plover found at Folsom Lake, Beals Pt, on 8/2, and Marbled Godwits were reported throughout the month from the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA), Davis Wetlands, and the Woodland WTP--the high count was 13 at the Davis Wetlands. There were multiple Solitary Sandpiper reports in Yolo County, and one during the last week of the month at the EchoWater Facility (Sacramento Regional WTP). A Stilt Sandpiper (eBird Checklist S270761556) was reported at YBWA from 8/30 into September. Baird's and Pectoral Sandpipers were reported from multiple Yolo County shorebird spots, with one each at the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve in Sacramento County during the last week of the month. The bird of the month was the region's second-ever Little Stint. It was found, carefully studied, and photographed from 8/22-8/27 (eBird Checklist S269015910 and eBird Checklist S269115892). Small numbers of Semipalmated Sandpipers were found among the many Least and Western Sandpipers in Yolo County throughout the month, with singles at the Lincoln WTP and the EchoWater Facility. It is interesting to look back and consider that this was thought to be a quite rare species in our region as recently as 30 years ago. Improved optics and digital photography, along with knowing what to look for has made a huge difference. Single juvenile Franklin's Gulls were found at Beals Pt, Folsom Lake, from 8/13-8/14 (eBird Checklist S267097301), and at YBWA from 8/19-8/30. The Neotropic Cormorant found at Lagoon Valley Park on 7/28 continued through mid-month.

There was an early movement of Lewis's Woodpeckers, with singles reported in Folsom, Latrobe Rd, and Babel Slough--all on 8/31. A Gray Flycatcher was a nice find at Gibson Ranch County Park on 8/17. There were scattered reports of Yellow-breasted Chats from local hotspots and a Tennessee Warbler was an excellent find (eBird Checklist S270487874) at Audubon Bobcat Ranch from 8/28-8/29. A Summer Tanager was found on 8/17 in Folsom along Willow Creek, and a female-type grosbeak visiting a feeder on 8/31 in Fair Oaks was photographed (eBird Checklist S271510272) and appears to be a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

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: Steve Abbott, Peyton Bounds, Lyann Comrack, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Gil Ewing, Joshua Greenfield, Kevin Guse, Cliff Hawley, Mackenzie Hollender, Marcel Holyoak, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Julian Johnson, Adam Kucharek, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Mark Sawyer, Samuel Schmidt, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Elliott Steinfels, Kevin Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: June 2025

June is usually one of the slowest months for birding around Sacramento. Wintering species have left and migrants have mostly passed through. Occasionally, a late-moving rarity will appear or an unusual breeder will set up shop. While it can be slow for birders, it is one of the most important months for our local nesting birds, with a lot of breeding activity to see and document. Lingering diving ducks at the Woodland WTP included up to 25 Redheads, with breeding confirmed (eBird Checklist S249631711), and a single Greater Scaup. A Black Swift was a nice surprise on 6/5 at Audubon's Bobcat Ranch (eBird Checklist S247123732) to the west of Winters. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 (and possibly as early as July) continued. In May she fledged two young that were likely fathered by an Anna's Hummingbird. 

Migration does arrive by the end of the month in the form of shorebirds that breed outside of our area. There were building numbers of regular migrants such as Least Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers, and Greater Yellowlegs at local shorebird spots during the last few days of the month. A Snowy Plover was a nice find (eBird Checklist S249377034) at Woodland WTP on 6/11, a Least Tern was at the same location on 6/24, as was a Least Bittern reported from 6/4-6/11. A little north of the area usually covered here, but warranting a mention, was a Roseate Spoonbill photographed on Rd. 57 in Glenn County, southeast of Willows, on 6/9, and flying near Willows on 6/12. This is one of the northernmost records in Western North America, a species not yet recorded in the Sacramento Area as defined by this column, though there were multiple records of an individual just to the south of our area last year. A juvenile Brown Pelican was a nice find at the Stockton WTP on 6/21.

Notable songbird records for the month were few and far between. On 6/27, an Orange-crowned Warbler was seen carrying insect prey in its bill (indicating it was feeding young) at the Orr Forest portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP). This is a rare and sporadic breeder on the flats of the Valley. For at least six years, Yellow Warblers have continued breeding in the vicinity of the Tall Forest at CRP, with at least three pairs near the Accidental Forest, and up to seven singing males west of the Tall Forest this June. At least one nest was documented fledging Yellow Warblers instead of Brown-headed Cowbirds this season. Yellow Warblers were once common nesters in the Central Valley, but were mostly gone by the middle of the last century, likely from a combination of habitat loss and cowbird brood parasitism. Perhaps they are rallying. A male Summer Tanager was reported in the publically accessible portion of CRP on 6/8 and then it or another bird was found on 6/15 near the Tall Forest. It was heard singing and seen sporadically into July.

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: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Chris Henry, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Rondine Mangrum, Mark Martucci, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Sean Smith, Kevin Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.  

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: May 2025

The slow spring migration from April continued into May, though it picked up a bit, in fits and starts. Several diving ducks that lingered at Woodland WTP throughout the month included up to 10 Canvasbacks and 12 Redheads. A pair of Redheads was also reported from the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve during the first half of the month and the Lincoln WTP from 5/19-5/22. Single Common Poorwills were found at the Mace Blvd bridge on 5/7 and at Grassland Regional Park on 5/21 (eBird Checklist S241052527). An Allen's Hummingbird was reported on 5/1 at a private yard west of Clarksburg where this species has been recorded semi-regularly. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 (and possibly as early as July) continued. She was tending two nestlings on 5/11 and they both fledged by 5/18. It is likely the male parent, who plays no part in rearing the young, was a closely-related Anna's Hummingbird. Perhaps plumage details of the maturing birds, if they stick around, will make that clear. This could be the leading edge of colonization by this more desert-adapted species north of its typical range. Other Costa's reports included a male seen on 5/18 in a private yard in the Pocket Area of Sacramento and, a little farther afield, a male at a private yard near Colfax from 5/8 through the end of the month.

Two Snowy Plovers were found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 5/3. Solitary Sandpipers were not as numerous as they were in late April, but reports came from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) from 5/1-5/4, the EchoWater Facility (Sac. Reg. WTP) on 5/4, and YBWA from 5/1-5/8. A Pectoral Sandpiper at CRP on 5/4 accounts for one of very few spring records of this species that is rare but regular in late summer and fall. Three Franklin's Gulls were reported flying over UC Davis on 5/6. A Least Bittern was reported through mid-month from the pond at Stonegate Ave and Hoopa Rd in West Sacramento, from YBWA throughout the month, and from the Davis Wetlands on 5/16. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron that returned for a third year to the large egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron colony at North Natomas Regional Park on 4/16 continued until at least 5/3. 

Reports of Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers were relatively numerous, and there was a smattering of Dusky Flycatcher reports. An adult male Vermilion Flycatcher was a nice surprise (eBird Checklist S234040053) at the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve on 5/6, accounting for Sacramento County's fifth record. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen and mostly heard at Reichmuth Park throughout the month, and another spent the month in central Davis. Grasshopper Sparrows were regularly reported along the eastern stretch of Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County beginning on 4/10 and continuing through at least mid-May (eBird Checklist S237624016). Several Black-chinned Sparrows were found singing (eBird Checklist S239432896) in chaparral northwest of Vacaville where they have been found before, but are a rare surprise. Single Brewer's Sparrows were found at Sailor Bar along the American River Parkway on 5/9, Payen Rd on 5/4 and 5/7, and Meiss Rd on 5/8. A male Lark Bunting was a nice surprise at Jepson Prairie Preserve on 5/17, as was a male American Redstart, found at Reichmuth Park (eBird Checklist S245048586) on 5/31, representing the only rare warbler of the period. 

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: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Tom Baxter, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Rondine Mangrum, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Ed Pandolfino, Adam Panto, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Nico Schnack, Gregg Schwab, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Sean Smith, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Lynne Tweten, James White, Dan Williams, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: April 2025

April is one of the most exciting months on the avian calendar, but this one was different. Most observers reported low numbers of usually common to abundant spring migrants. Nearly all the expected species were reported, but the lack of abundance or really good mornings where birds seem to be everywhere was more than a little alarming. Severe drought in the wintering areas of many of the Western migrants that pass through or breed in our area may explain some of the reduction. Of course, it was still April, and there were many birds to be seen. Unlike songbird migrants, shorebirds were fairly well represented. The waterfowl highlight was a female Red-breasted Merganser seen (eBird Checklist S230123343) on Folsom Lake from 4/26 to 4/27. An Allen's Hummingbird was reported from 4/20-4/21 at a private yard west of Clarksburg. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continued, and there were a fair number of Calliope Hummingbird reports for the region.

Shorebird highlights included a Pacific Golden-Plover at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 4/25 and up to six Snowy Plovers at the same location toward the end of the month. Typically quite rare, Solitary Sandpipers were reported in better than expected numbers toward the end of the month. A Baird's Sandpiper was a rare spring find at Woodland WTP on 4/29. Likewise, single Semipalmated Sandpipers were reported on 4/27 and 4/28 at two different locations of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP), representing rare spring records. A Least Bittern was found on 4/6 at the Lost Slough portion of CRP. There were regular reports throughout the month from the pond at Stonegate Ave and Hoopa Rd in West Sacramento as well as from YBWA. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron returned (eBird Checklist S229858078) for a third year to the large egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron colony at North Natomas Regional Park. It was found on 4/16 and continued into May. A Brown Pelican was a nice find at Sherman Island on 4/25, where they are occasionally found straying into the Delta.

Despite generally poor migrant songbird reports, there were a few notables, including fair numbers of Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers. Just one Dusky Flycatcher was reported (eBird Checklist S230230593), on 4/25, from Mather Lake, and there were surprisingly few of the usually common Western Flycatchers detected. After an absence of reports for two years, Grasshopper Sparrows were regularly reported (eBird Checklist S225048077) along the eastern stretch of Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County beginning on 4/10. There were also multiple Vesper Sparrow and Brewer's Sparrow sightings along Meiss Rd. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find in a Sacramento yard on 4/16-4/19. No unusual warblers were reported, and typically abundant species such as Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, and Wilson's Warblers were reported in ones and twos. The wintering Summer Tanager continued at William Land Park from 4/1-4/8, but was not reported or perhaps sought as it had been in previous three years.

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: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Jan Ambrosini, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Robert Furrow, Joshua Greenfield, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Kelli O'Neill, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Kevin Thomas, Jerry Ting, John Trochet, James White, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: March 2025

With one major exception, this March was a bit slow. There were few unexpectedly early migrants or amazing wintering finds. Waterbirds and shorebirds were unremarkable. But March does contain multitudes, with all of the usual wintering species along with early migrants and, perhaps, a surprise. By that measure, this month did not disappoint. The more widespread than expected Costa's Hummingbird reports from earlier this winter tapered off, with only the long-staying female that was first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continuing into March and through the end of the month. A male Allen's Hummingbird was found (eBird Checklist S217907268) on private property in Yolo County, to the southwest of Clarksburg, from 3/8 to 3/10.

The highlight was a Barred Owl in East Sacramento, made known to the birding world on 3/29 (eBird Checklist S221627329). The owl had apparently been present for weeks, gracing several yards near the 41st and M St intersection, and photographed with a rat in its talons. When word finally got out, dozens were able to see it. This is the first documented record for Sacramento County, with only one previous record in the Sacramento area (in Davis in January 2020). On 3/29, the owl was perched in a tree set back from the street in a front yard. It was seemingly undisturbed by people looking from the sidewalk, keeping a respectful distance, though it was periodically harassed by American Crows. The owl has not been reported in the weeks that followed. In the 20th century, there was a massive western range expansion of this mostly eastern North American species. Trees planted across the plains in areas that would otherwise have been too open for the forest dwelling species facilitated its expansion into the Pacific Northwest. The first birds reached British Columbia by the 1940s and expanded to California by the late 1970s. A close relative of the smaller Spotted Owl, Barred Owls have been shown to displace Spotted Owls, and are a threat to the declining species. Despite these considerations, a good view of this owl produced wonder among birders and all who saw it in the neighborhood. Sacramento County does have one Spotted Owl record, but that was back in 1989.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/28 at Gibson Ranch Park continued through at least 3/1. Returning Western Kingbirds, as expected, were reported by the third week of the month. Cassin's Vireos are often among the earliest spring migrants, and this year there was one at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis on 3/10 and at the UC Davis Arboretum on 3/24. The first Purple Martins of the season were reported near three different historical colony sites in Sacramento on 3/29. Single Vesper Sparrows were reported from the Howard Ranch on 3/24 and from Michigan Bar Rd, near the intersection with Latrobe Rd, on 3/31. The first Bullock's Oriole of the season, another typically early migrant, was found at a private yard in Wilton on 3/20. A mostly red Summer Tanager, probably a second-year male, was found (eBird Checklist S220738206) on 3/25 along Dry Creek in Roseville. The continuing male Summer Tanager in Land Park near the Sacramento Zoo has not been as consistently reported as it was during the previous two winters, but there were several reports (eBird Checklist S222166580) this year in the latter half of March.

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: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Genevieve Colborn, Justin Dunbar, Gil Ewing, Joshua Greenfield, Erik Groen, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Bryce Parker, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: February 2025

Many of the highlights for this February were continuing birds from last month, but there were a few surprises. Even though we have to wait a while for most spring migrants, all the regular swallows had been reported by month's end except for Purple Martins, expected by mid to late March. Waterfowl records didn't include much that was unexpected, though two Red-breasted Mergansers on Folsom Lake early in the month were notable. Three Costa's Hummingbirds continued, with the female that was first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14, an adult male in Davis near Nugget Fields (eBird checklist S213047723), and a male visiting feeders at Heritage Oak Winery in San Joaquin County, north of the Mokelumne River. Another male was found to the west of Lake of the Pines, Nevada County, on 2/24.

A Pacific Golden-Plover was a nice find at Cosumnes River Preserve on 2/10-2/12 (eBird checklist S212988265). This species is reported less frequently in our area than in past decades now that the large Black-bellied Plover flocks they were occasionally found among are much reduced. A Glaucous Gull (1st cycle) was at the Yolo County Central Landfill on 2/12, and it was refound nearby along with an adult on 2/14 (eBird checklist S213326719). Since 11/16, a Pacific Loon has continued on Folsom Lake, seen from Folsom Pt and Beals Pt. Long-eared Owls continued at a semi-regular winter roost on a 2/23 survey of a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve, though only two were detected this month.

Lewis's Woodpeckers numbers vary from year to year. They have been nearly absent from their regular sites in the eastern foothills this winter, but found in good numbers on the Coast Range side of the Valley, especially near Lake Berryessa. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/28 at Gibson Ranch Park continued through February. A Red-naped Sapsucker was an excellent find at Ancil Hoffman Park along the American River Parkway on 2/20, and a Red-naped Sapsucker that was found at West Pond in Davis (eBird checklist S214910911) on 2/22 continued through the end of the month. The immature male Vermilion Flycatcher found on 12/27 at the Wild Wings Golf Course outside of Woodland was reported through 1/11, and then was refound on 1/30, continuing through February. Excellent longspur reports this month included a continuation of reports from Garmire Rd, to the west of the Sutter NWR, where up to six Thick-billed Longspurs were reported through 2/26 (eBird checklist S215630812) among thousands of Horned Larks, and two Lapland Longspurs were found there on 2/17, with one on 2/23 (eBird checklist S215238279). A similarly impressive collection of longspurs were also found among Horned Larks along Hwy 45, south of the Colusa County line. A Thick-billed Longspur was found on 2/16, with a different bird, based on plumage, found the next day. A Chestnut-collared Longspur was found on 2/17, continuing through 2/21, and two to three Lapland Longspurs were found through 2/19. 

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: Dan Airola, Jonah Benningfield, Caitlin Chock, Lyann Comrack, Konshau Duman, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Brian Fitch, Bob Free, Linda Gal, Joshua Greenfield, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Logan Kahle, Rodd Kelsey, Jeri Langham, Rachel Lawrence, Yvette MacDonald, Mark Martucci, Ethan Matsuyama, Ethan Monk, Frances Oliver, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Jennifer Raven, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Sean Smith, Kirk Swenson, Kevin Thomas, and John Trochet. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: January 2025

This January produced quite a few interesting regional records, many of which were found on local Christmas Bird Counts. Hybrid geese (Snow x Canada, Snow x Cackling, Canada x Greater White-fronted) and a hybrid Bufflehead x Common Goldeneye that has wintered along the American River Parkway since 2014, and also periodically found (eBird Checklist S210320917) on a small pond in West Sacramento (first detected there in 2022), accounted for the waterfowl rarities. A Greater Roadrunner continued to be reported in the Dunnigan Hills of Yolo County off of County Rd 6, and on 1/24, a roadrunner was reported on the southeastern side of the Sutter Buttes, accounting for one of very few records of this species from the Central Valley's only mountain range. Three Costa's Hummingbirds continued through January, with the female that was first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 (eBird Checklist S207580115), an adult male in Davis near Nugget Fields, and a molting male visiting feeders at Heritage Oak Winery in San Joaquin County, north of the Mokelumne River. 

Mountain Plovers continued in low numbers along Robinson and Flannery Rds, south of Dixon in Solano County, and off Hwy 45 in Yolo County, just south of the Colusa County line. A Short-billed (Mew) Gull was regularly reported this month at the Nimbus Hatchery and upstream to Folsom Lake, and a Western Gull was seen late in the month at the Yolo County Central Landfill and the nearby Davis Wetlands. A Red-throated Loon was found and photographed (eBird Checklist S208164798) on 1/4 from Twitchell Island on Sacramento County waters of the San Joaquin River. Since 11/16, a Pacific Loon was reported on Folsom Lake, from Folsom Pt and Beals Pt, and two were seen on occasion. Wintering Least Bitterns continued at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, with one found and photographed (eBird Checklist S209794722) mid-month at Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento. Up to six were found on 1/4 and 1/8 at restricted access sites on Sherman Island. Long-eared Owls continued at a semi-regular winter roost on a 1/25 survey of a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve, with only two or three detected after ten were seen the previous month.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found at Gibson Ranch Park on 12/28 continued through January. Another was found, or refound, as there was a record last November, and continued for most of the month near the Hwy 128 bridge west of Winters. A Least Flycatcher was found and photographed (eBird Checklist S208067131) on Twitchell Island at a site with restricted access on 1/4. The immature male Vermilion Flycatcher found on 12/27 at the Wild Wings Golf Course outside of Woodland was last reported on 1/11. A Plumbeous Vireo that was found in November went unreported in December at the Sacramento City Cemetery, but it was found again on 1/5 (eBird Checklist S208197015). A Northern Shrike that was seen on the Bufferlands surrounding the Sacramento Reg WTP on 1/29 was probably the same bird found on 12/2 nearly two miles away. A completed Bushtit nest found on 1/22 in the Putah Creek canyon downstream of the Monticello Dam indicated a very early breeding effort. Closeby, near the Hwy 128 bridge, an American Dipper continued at its traditional haunt on Putah Creek. More surprising was up to two dippers seen throughout the month on a tributary to Folsom Lake to the north of the Rattlesnake Bar access. One to two Red Crossbills were reported at the Sacramento City Cemetery in the first half of the month. A Chestnut-collared Longspur was reported from an area of Sherman Island with limited access on 1/4. Garmire Rd, to the west of the Sutter NWR, produced unusually good longspur finds (eBird Checklist S210120243) on 1/19-1/24, with a Lapland Longspur and up to three Thick-billed Longspurs photographed among a large flock of Horned Larks. A Swamp Sparrow was reported from Sherman Island on 1/4, and a female-type Summer Tanager was found along Elk Slough in Clarksburg on 1/2.

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: Dan Airola, Patricia Bacchetti, Nicole Barden, Maggie Bourda, Lyann Comrack, Lily Douglas, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Theresa Graham, Steve Graham, Joshua Greenfield, Marcel Holyoak, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Rodd Kelsey, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Bruce Mast, Roger Muskat, Frances Oliver, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Chris Swarth, Michele Swartout, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: December 2024

Many months have discernible themes. A big finch invasion, for example. Well, this December wasn't one of those. There were a lot of loose threads and no obvious themes. But there were interesting birds, and among those was a 12/30 record of a Brant, a species rare away from the immediate coast, photographed (eBird Checklist S207209492) at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis. The female-type White-winged Scoter found at Sailor Bar on 11/29 continued until at least 12/7, and one to two Red-breasted Mergansers were regularly reported on Folsom Lake. Any Costa's Hummingbird report is notable, but this month had three. The female first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 has persisted into January. An adult male in Davis near Nugget Fields was found throughout the month, as was an adult male visiting feeders at Heritage Oak Winery in San Joaquin County, north of the Mokelumne River. Common Poorwill records in the winter are a nice surprise, and one was seen and photographed in Folsom on 12/23.

Mountain Plovers continued at their traditional locations, with at least 53 along Flannery Rd, south of Dixon, and up to 70 in ag lands off Hwy 45 just south of the Colusa County line. The persistence of this declining species in the region depends on the preservation of very short grass or bare ground where they spend the winter. Development or crop changes, such as a switch from row crops to orchards, in these areas could lead to the plovers vanishing from our region. Beginning on 11/16, a Pacific Loon was consistently reported on Folsom Lake, and two were seen on occasion. Wintering Least Bitterns were reported from the pond at Stonegate Ave at Hoopa Rd in West Sacramento as well as from the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. At least ten Long-eared Owls were found at a semi-regular winter roost site on a survey of a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 12/28.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found on 12/27 near the Stevenson Bridge over Putah Creek to the west of Davis, and another was found at Gibson Ranch Park (eBird Checklist S206929536) on 12/28 where it continued into January. A Cassin's Kingbird was an excellent find from 12/15-12/17 near the intersection of Locke Rd and McEathron Ln between Vacaville and Winters. More surprising was the state's northernmost record of Thick-billed Kingbird, an excellent find anywhere in the state. This bird was found at Lynch Canyon Open Space Park in Solano County from 12/8-12/13. A Hammond's Flycatcher was a nice find at Ancil Hoffman Park on 12/23, and an Eastern Phoebe found on a regularly closed portion of CRP last month was briefly seen on 12/28. Local Vermilion Flycatcher reports are always welcome, and a female was found along West Butte Rd near the Sutter Buttes on 12/17, continuing through at least 12/19. An immature male first found on 12/27 near the headquarters of the Wild Wings Golf Course west of Woodland was seen by many into January (eBird Checklist S206918518). A Northern Shrike photographed (eBird Checklist S204324779) at the Sacramento Reg WTP on 12/2 continued for a day or two, but wasn't refound. A Swamp Sparrow first detected at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 11/30 continued into early December, and a Tennessee Warbler was a nice surprise along McIntyre Rd on 12/28, south of the Mokelumne River Day Use Area in San Joaquin County. The male Summer Tanager that returned for its fourth winter to William Land Park was first reported on 11/1, with subsequent reports coming from Sacramento Zoo staff through at least 12/21.

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: Steve Abbott, Bruce Christensen, Lyann Comrack, Chris Dong, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Joshua Greenfield, Emmett Iverson, Denali Krampe, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Roger Muskat, Kelli O'Neill, Ed Pandolfino, Wendy Pearson, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Aidan Sinha, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, Dan Williams, Amy Williamson, and David Yee. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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Seasonal Sightings: November 2024

November is officially fall, but it feels like winter in terms of birding. While most wintering species are accounted for, numbers of waterfowl are still building well into December, as are numbers of wintering raptors in our local, and shrinking, open areas. On 11/29, at the Sailor Bar access to the American River Parkway, a female-type White-winged Scoter was a nice find (eBird Checklist S204088015) that continued into December. On 11/16, a coincidental 16 Red-breasted Mergansers were photographed (eBird Checklist S202732270) on Folsom Lake from Folsom Pt. Greater Roadrunners are cherished sightings in our region. One was found along Yolo County Rd 8 in the Dunnigan Hills on 11/8 and again on 11/24. One was also reported along Sand Creek Rd in western Colusa County from 11/16-11/18. Sand Creek Rd is the most consistent location for roadrunners in our area. A female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continued into December, an adult male was reported near Citrus Heights on 11/17, and an adult male was visiting feeders at Heritage Oak Winery in San Joaquin County, north of the Mokelumne River and west of Lockeford, on an 11/24 Central Valley Birding Symposium field trip.

Mountain Plovers returned to the two consistent wintering sites in our area: Solano County along Flannery Rd, south of Dixon, with the first report of 21 on 11/7, and to Yolo County along Hwy 45 just south of the Yolo/Colusa County line, with 15 first reported on 11/28, and more than double that number recorded in early December. Beginning on 11/16, a Pacific Loon was consistently reported on Folsom Lake from both Folsom Pt and Beals Pt. While Burrowing Owls have all but vanished as breeding birds in the Sacramento area in the past ten years--part of the evidence used to officially grant them candidate status as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (a position advocated for by Sacramento Audubon Society and the Central Valley Bird Club, among many others)--there is a considerable influx of wintering birds. This fall, the Bufferlands has hosted at least a dozen Burrowing Owls, which harkens back to totals seen 20 years ago. We can only hope that some will stay to breed, which is possible but perhaps unlikely--the last successful breeding on the Bufferlands was in 2017. About six Long-eared Owls were found at a semi-regular winter roost site on a survey of a normally closed portion of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) on 11/30.

A juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found (eBird Checklist S202508087) on 11/14 at the Hwy 128 bridge over Putah Creek to the west of Winters, and a Red-naped Sapsucker was found along Gates Canyon Rd, northwest of Vacaville, on 11/24, continuing into December. An Eastern Phoebe was found (eBird Checklist S204126087) on a survey of a regularly closed portion of CRP on 11/30. This appears to be the third record for CRP and the fifth for Sacramento County. A Plumbeous Vireo was seen by many (eBird Checklist S203516624) at the old Sacramento City Cemetery from 11/10-11/27. The American Dipper found at the traditional wintering location along Putah Creek, near the Hwy 128 bridge west of Winters, continued through the month. Far more surprising was an American Dipper found on 11/19 from the Virgin Sturgeon Restaurant (eBird Checklist S203042383) along the Sacramento River upstream of Downtown. It was seen and photographed by two birders, and not seen after mid-day on 11/19, although the friendly restaurant staff allowed excellent access. This is not quite the strangest location for a dipper in Sacramento County. In September 1990, one was found at the fountain in front of Wells Fargo along the Capitol Mall at 5th St. It is shaping up to be a good winter for Golden-crowned Kinglets, at least on the Valley floor in places like CRP. Varied Thrushes, by contrast, have been in very low numbers. On 11/24, a Red Crossbill was a nice find at the old Sacramento City Cemetery, and a Swamp Sparrow was found on 11/30 at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in the same canal where one has been found in past years. The Summer Tanager returned for its fourth winter to William Land Park and was photographed on 11/1, though it hasn't been reported again so far this season.

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: Steve Abbott, Jennifer Albright, Dan Brown, Lyann Comrack, Ben DeDominic, Gil Ewing, Stephen Fettig, Maureen Geiger, Joshua Greenfield, Shawn Hayes, Emmett Iverson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Kurt Mize, Roger Muskat, Ed Pandolfino, Wendy Pearson, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Ron Pozzi, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Tom Uslan, and Amy Williamson. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

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