Red-naped Sapsucker ©Sam Schmidt
A massive flock of HORNED LARKS, growing to over 4,000 birds, was present in some barren agricultural fields northwest of Knights Landing for most of the month. Unlike most lark flocks in Yolo County, this flock was right off the road on Highway 45, and, with patience, could be scanned for other species amongst the group. On 2/16, a THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR was found and photographed there, a shocking rarity in the county and the first in over a decade (ZP, EMo, JJ). The bird quickly disappeared amongst the masses of larks, and birders went to bed wondering if it would ever be seen again.
The next morning, a few early-birders arrived at the fields and began scoping through the flocks. Not long after sunrise, a stunning CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR was found, this bird already part-way through its molt into breeding plumage (SS, KS). CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR is a fantastic rarity and is the first documented individual in the county since the early 2000’s.
Soon after, a LAPLAND LONGSPUR was discovered (KS, SS). More birders continued to arrive, and another THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR was found (SS). It was thought to be a different bird than the one seen the previous evening based on plumage differences between the individuals. By the end of the day, at least two additional LAPLAND LONGSPURS were spotted as well (m.obs.).
For the next week, there was a near constant presence of birders lined up along Highway 45 in search of longspurs. But, given the size of the lark flock, and the fact that birds would disappear for long periods of time, longspur sightings were few and far between. The situation became something of a “longspur slot-machine” – put in the time and maybe you will get lucky. Most patient birders eventually enjoyed looks at the various longspurs, which represented county birds for many.
Long-time Yolo County birders will remember the famous “Longspur Corner” of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the intersection of two roads in the Dunnigan Hills where CHESTNUT-COLLARED, LAPLAND, and THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS could sometimes be found in winter. This spot, as well as fields along County Line Road, account for nearly all CHESTNUT-COLLARED and THICK-BILLED LONGSPUR records for the county. Since that era, large swaths of the county have been converted to orchards and other agriculture, and all three longspur species have become exceedingly rare.
Another highlight of the month was a striking RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER at West Davis Pond, discovered on 2/22 by a group from the Birdwatching Club at UC Davis (EMa). Representing the eighth county record, this bird was enjoyed by dozens of birders and passers-by over the following days.
February is a wonderful time to look for rare gulls. This month produced at least three GLAUCOUS GULLS at the Yolo County Central Landfill: one continuing first-cycle, one new immature (m.obs.), and one adult on 2/14 (KD, MP). An adult WESTERN GULL was nearby at the County Road 104 Ponds on 2/21 (ZP, EMo, EMa). The second-cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued at the landfill as well.
A singing CASSIN’S VIREO at North Davis Farms on 2/27 was likely a local winterer (JJ), but a singing HOODED ORIOLE on the same date at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve is more likely an early migrant (MP). Also notable was a WESTERN KINGBIRD reported flying over a Davis backyard on 2/27 (RF), weeks earlier than the previously established early spring arrival date.
Continuing birds from January included a VERMILION FLYCATCHER at Wild Wings Golf Course in Woodland, a COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Davis, the MOUNTAIN PLOVERS just south of County Line Road, a HOODED ORIOLE in Woodland, and a LEAST BITTERN in West Sacramento.
Thanks to the following for their reports:
Ethan Matsuyama (EMa), Ethan Monk (EMo), Julian Johnson (JJ), Kirk Swenson (KS), Konshau Duman (KD), Michael Perrone (MP), Rob Furrow (RF), Sean Smith (SS), Zane Pickus (ZP) “Many observers” (m.obs.)
Photos and Audio Recordings:
Thick-billed Longspur: https://ebird.org/checklist/S214191689
Chestnut-collared Longspur: https://ebird.org/checklist/S214168383
Lapland Longspur: https://ebird.org/checklist/S214298428
Red-naped Sapsucker: https://ebird.org/checklist/S215146650
Glaucous Gull: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213361756
Cassin’s Vireo: https://ebird.org/checklist/S215713709
–Zane Pickus