Sagebrush Sparrow ©Julian Johnson
A fog-filled November was brightened by several exceptional rarities from throughout Yolo County. A SAGEBRUSH SPARROW shocked birders following its discovery along County Road 152 on 11/15 (JJ, ZP). This Great Basin breeder is extremely rare in the Central Valley, and is just the second Yolo County record. The county’s previous SAGEBRUSH SPARROW was a one-observer-wonder northeast of Davis in October 2017, so this sparrow was a “county bird” for everyone who saw it. This SAGEBRUSH SPARROW spent two days in a weedy ditch along the road, and was rather oblivious to birders. A close examination of field marks was required for it to be properly identified, as the species is quite similar to the formerly conspecific BELL’S SPARROW.
An adventurous birder kayaking in Prospect Slough was treated to the “ki-ki-derr” calls of a BLACK RAIL on 11/2 (EP). The discovery inspired groups of intrepid county birders to paddle out to the location themselves, and one team encountered at least four vocal BLACK RAILS in the area (BW, EI, EM, TU, ZP). This was exciting, as prior to this month there were only two accepted records of BLACK RAIL in Yolo County, both of which likely represented fluke occurrences outside of traditional habitat requirements. However, given the large extent of apparently suitable habitat around Prospect Slough and its offshoots, and the amphibious challenge required to access it, there may well be more of these secretive birds waiting to be found. BLACK RAILS are listed as threatened in California, so uncovering new locations where they persist is certainly a cause for excitement.
Other noteworthy finds included a GREATER ROADRUNNER at Taber Ranch Winery and Event Center in the Capay Valley, first reported on 11/2 and observed frequently thereafter (KS). This location hosted what may be the same individual roadrunner a few years back, although birders were unaware of its presence in recent years. An AMERICAN DIPPER, always a treat, was found dancing through the rapids in Putah Creek just below Monticello Dam on 11/8 (KS). This is a traditional location to find dippers in winter.
A PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER was photographed at Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) during a field trip for the Central Valley Birding Symposium on 11/21 (JJ, ZP+). While it is possible this bird is continuing from earlier in the season, it had not been detected by birders for almost three weeks despite regular visits to the site. After consecutive winters with very few reports, BROWN CREEPERS appear to be irrupting into the county this winter. Multiple creepers were reported in November, including a few on the valley floor. Only time will tell if they will remain present through the cold of winter.
As for continuing birds, the RUFF at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area remained until at least 11/4. Both the WWTP LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at Slide Hill Park in Davis were last reported on 11/11. With winter birds settling in, and Christmas Bird Count season around the corner, there are surely more rarities to find in the coming months.
Thanks to the following for their reports:
Bart Wickel (BW), Emmett Iverson (EI), Eric Pilotte (EP), Ethan Matsuyama (EM), Julian Johnson (JJ), Kirk Swenson (KS), Tom Uslan (TU), Zane Pickus (ZP)
Photos and Audio Recordings:
Sagebrush Sparrow: https://ebird.org/checklist/S284825657
Greater Roadrunner: https://ebird.org/checklist/S283366738
Pacific Golden-Plover: https://ebird.org/checklist/S285496113
–Zane Pickus