![]() 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: Roger Adamson, Paul Buchanan, Dan Brown, Todd Easterla, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Steve Hampton, Ed Harper, Scott Hoppe, Dan Kopp, Gary Langham, Jeri Langham, Cathie LaZier, Ed Pandolfino, Vance Russell, John Sterling, and John Trochet. Many of these reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club Listserv. From February, a nicely photographed juvenile Harlan’s (Red-tailed) Hawk at YWA was present from at least 2/21-24. Pine Siskins were considered abundant in Davis, regular in parts of Sacramento and the ARP, but were absent from CRP and other sites in the low floodplain where they had been regular in the fall. A Red Fox Sparrow was found at CRP on 3/4, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds numbering around 1,500 made an impressive spectacle at the Yolo Wildlife Area (YWA) during the last ten days of the month. A Common Raven nest on the famous Peregrine Falcon microwave tower along Bruceville Rd near CRP adds yet more emphasis to their overwhelming expansion into the heart of the Sacramento area. A well-described Red-naped Sapsucker was found at the Gristmill access to ARP on 3/31. Other interesting reports include single Merlins from the upper ARP on 3/26 and 3/31, a Band-tailed Pigeon visiting a Rancho Cordova yard on 3/1 and about 20 band-tails at the Bobcat Ranch on 3/6. Unfortunately, much of this habitat literally evaporated (or drained) prior to the most dynamic period of the spring shorebird migration in April and early May, when rarities are most likely to be found among the usual suspects. An adult Western Gull at the Ancil Hoffman access to the American River Parkway (ARP) was reported on 3/17 and 3/26.Īn amazing 11,300 Dunlin along with 2,800 Long-billed Dowitchers were at CRP on 3/26. The numbers and late occurrence of the species that was only recently considered very rare are obviously unprecedented. It was stated last month that up to four Glaucous Gulls were found on a single day, but it should be noted that based on plumage characteristics at least seven different individuals were present in February and March. ![]() At least two Glaucous Gulls continued well into April. Documentation of the three species above should be submitted to the California Bird Records Committee (). A second-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull was found on 3/23. There was some debate whether this was a different bird than the one found last month, or just farther advanced into its molt. The putative first-winter Iceland Gull (possibly of the nominate race glaucoides) was found again on 3/23 and 3/28 (see the February sightings for photos of these birds). ![]() The adult Slaty-backed Gull found on 2/27 continued through 3/7. First-of-season reports of Cassin’s Vireo (3/29), Nashville Warbler (3/29), and Wilson’s Warbler (3/25) were slightly early at Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP).Īs noted in last month’s column, some of the marquee gulls at the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant continued well into March. ![]() A few migrants beat the turning of the calendar with March arrivals. Western Kingbirds and Bullock’s Orioles added a splash of color from the south by the last week of March. ![]()
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