It all started on Dec 11 with an Instagram post among non-birders, clearly showing a Barred Owl perched on a rafter in a barn in south Davis. The post made its way to Emmett Iverson, who immediately recognized the significance of the photo. That evening, he and several others were

Perhaps overdue, a first county record Brant was found among a thousand Greater White-fronted Geese at the Woodland/Davis Clean Water Facility on Nov 7 (TE). Enjoyed by many birders for several days, it’s not the only inland Brant this fall; they have also been reported in northern Idaho, southern Idaho,

We were treated to a late fall mega-rarity, a reasonably cooperative Worm-eating Warbler, a first county record and one of very few for the Central Valley. Despite howling winds, the bird was found Oct 27 in south Davis near Willowbank Ditch (ZP) and was enjoyed by dozens the following day.

September saved its biggest treasures for last, with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper found Sept 28 at the Woodland/Davis Clean Water Facility (SHo). Only the third county record, it didn’t stay more than a few hours before it was flushed by a Peregrine Falcon and never returned. The previous day, a Tennessee

The biggest mid-summer/early fall migrant surprises were a Glaucous-winged Gull in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on July 4 (SH, BW)—and seen later at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), a female Calliope Hummingbird in the town of Yolo on July 29 (BC, KSe) and a Black-and-white Warbler at

With the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area closed due to flooding and water levels high everywhere, spring shorebird migration appeared to be a bust. That changed dramatically when the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant (DWTP) decided to pump out one pond. Acres of mudflats appeared at the height of shorebird migration and

The flooded Yolo Bypass prevented access thru the month, but one enterprising birder still picked out a Ruff from the levee on Apr 21 (AH). It or another one was found eight days later at North Regional Pond in Woodland (KB). The latter bird, seen at closer range, was identified

It was March Madness from day one in Yolo County when a young male Garganey was discovered at Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento on Mar 1 (GE). The finder, Gil Ewing, also discovered the only other Garganey record in the county approved by the California Bird Records Committee, back

A cool February turned up two birds normally found in warmer climes this time of year. The county’s fourth Palm Warbler was found in east Davis on Feb 12 (SS) and has continued through the month. A Costa’s Hummingbird, found Feb 5 in south Davis (BT), has also remained, delighting

The new year provided plenty of cooperative rarities to chase. Most of these are still present through the end of the month. It started on Dec 30, with Mountain Plovers along Hwy 45 just south of the county line (MH, SL). A maximum count of 61 represents one of the

A sprinkling of rarities brightened up December. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found at the Yolo County Central Landfill on Dec 26 and remains present (TE). A Long-eared Owl was photographed on private property near Esparto on Dec 13 (RW). A Lapland Longspur was heard among a thousand Horned

The star of November was a young Northern Shrike, found Nov 15 along Rd 25 near the Conaway Stock Pond (DM). The bird moved to Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant and East Regional Pond (at Farmer’s Central Rd) and was enjoyed by many thru Thanksgiving. A Pacific Loon, photographed Nov 7