Recent Sightings

Yolo Notable Sightings: October 2018

November 1, 2018

October opened with another first county record, unfortunately in the form of a roadkill. A deceased Magnolia Warbler was found on Mace Blvd near Putah Creek on Oct 3 (AE). It now resides in the UC Davis collection. This was somewhat offset by the county’s first chaseable Vermilion Flycatcher, found

Eastern Kingbird @ Putah Creek, © Erica Rutherford/John Colbert

Yolo Notable Sightings: September 2018

October 17, 2018

September’s flurry of notable sightings had birders scrambling most of the month. The action started on the evening of Aug 31 when a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found at the flooded shorebird fields at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (SH). Dozens of birders enjoyed this rare visitor, only the county’s second, for

February 2017 Sightings

March 7, 2017

With water everywhere, it’s no surprise that most of the noteworthy birds of February were found floating on it. A remarkable four Common Loons were discovered. The first was in the Deepwater Shipping Channel near the Port of Sacramento on Feb 5 and stayed through at least Feb 21 (BS).

January 2017 Sightings

February 15, 2017

The new year opened with record rainfall and plenty of birds to chase. Topping the list were at least four Trumpeter Swans, found Jan 5 among Tundra Swans along Rds 111 and 112 north of Knight’s Landing (TE). These represent an overdue first county record. Birders also enjoyed as many

October opened with another first county record, unfortunately in the form of a roadkill. A deceased Magnolia Warbler was found on Mace Blvd near Putah Creek on Oct 3 (AE). It now resides in the UC Davis collection. This was somewhat offset by the county’s first chaseable Vermilion Flycatcher, found Oct 20 at the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant (JT). Unfortunately, the bird disappeared by mid-morning the following day. The only previous record for this species was photographed by landowners in 2010.

A Least Flycatcher was found Oct 21 at Wild Wings Park along Cache Creek (BC). Slightly more cooperative were three early Lapland Longspurs at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on Oct 14 (RF) and a late American Redstart north of Knight’s Landing on Oct 29 (SH). These birds all played hide-and-seek from birders for several days. The most cooperative rarity of the month was an American Golden-Plover, first found Oct 20 at YBWA (SHo).

A Costa’s Hummingbird was heard-only multiple times and audio-recorded in south Davis for several days starting Oct 18 (RF). Also noteworthy were two sparrows: a Grasshopper Sparrow found by a Yolo Audubon field trip on Oct 20 at “Vesper Sparrow Corner” west of Winters, and a Brewer’s Sparrow at YBWA on Oct 28 (MB, NP).

Finally, a juvenile American White Pelican found in West Sacramento was banded in July at Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho (SA).

Thanks to the following for their reports: Stuart Angerer (SA), Max Brodie (MB), Brett Campos (BC), Andy Engilis (AE), Rob Furrow (RF), Steve Hampton (SH), Scott Hoppe (SHo), Nora Papian (NP), Jim Thomas (JT).

Checklists with Photos:

Vermilion Flycatcher: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49341063

Least Flycatcher: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49344824

American Redstart: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49506098

American Golden-Plover: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49505049

Compiled by Steve Hampton, Davis, CA