This September had many of the typical rhythms of the transition from late summer to fall. Waterfowl numbers began to build, Sandhill Cranes were heard and seen, and most of the sparrows and other winter birds were recorded by the end of the month.

Newer birders might be surprised to learn that August in Sacramento can be the best of times.

Yes, it is summer. It's hot. But July can be one of the best times of year for shorebirds. The last few days of the month also usually hold the first in a wave of songbird migrants.

By June, much of the migration season has wrapped up. It is a very important time for local breeding birds, with many young birds just leaving their nests.

May starts in spring but despite the official seasonal designation, it has a summertime feel by the end.

After a hot March nearly devoid of rain, a couple of large storms brought cooler weather and led to an ultimately respectable seasonal rain total for the region, albeit one with odd timing.

March 2026 was almost completely dry, with many sunny, unseasonably warm days more typical of June than March.