Vermilion Flycatcher ©Steve Abbott
December closed out the calendar year with a diverse flurry of rare birds in Yolo County. The month kicked off with a surprising report of a LONG-TAILED DUCK that was shot by a hunter at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 12/4 (per EM). This bird was reported to the hunter check station and coincidentally showed to a group of birders who happened to be at the YBWA that day. There are five prior records of LONG-TAILED DUCK in Yolo County, with the previous record from October 2022. Another fantastic waterfowl record was a BRANT that was seen briefly at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis on 12/30 (KO). This was a shocking find in many aspects, most notably that this lost goose stuck around for mere minutes before flying out of sight. This is a second county record.
The star of December from the perspectives of many local birders was an immature male VERMILION FLYCATCHER at Wild Wings Golf Course. It was found on 12/27 and continued to be seen through the end of the month (BC). This striking flycatcher put on a show for the dozens of birders who went to see it. While there are only three prior records for the county, this species seems to be in the process of a rapid northward range expansion, and it felt like only a matter of time before Yolo County had additional records. There have been additional VERMILION FLYCATCHERS elsewhere in the Sacramento Valley this winter, with records from Glenn, Butte, and Sutter counties.
The Vermilion was found as a part of the Woodland/Davis Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which also produced a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER on the same date (KS, SS). The sapsucker was on a private stretch of Putah Creek west of Davis, and is the third individual in the county this year – that may be a record! Other noteworthy birds on Woodland/Davis CBC were a group of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and a SWAINSON’S HAWK, both outside of Woodland (SSA). The Putah Creek CBC on 12/15 produced a “YELLOW-SHAFTED” NORTHERN FLICKER on Audubon Bobcat Ranch (JG). A different “YELLOW-SHAFTED” NORTHERN FLICKER was photographed in the Dunnigan Hills on 12/11 (JG). A “RED” FOX SPARROW, typically the more eastern subspecies group, was reported from Elkhorn Regional Park during the Sacramento CBC on 12/21 (AB, CH, LG).
The year came to a close with the discovery of at least two NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS at Babel Slough on the night of 12/31 (JG). With relatively few county records, and none from established winter roost sites, this report was quite intriguing. Unfortunately, multiple attempts to locate these birds on subsequent nights came up empty, so it appears these birds are gone or at the very least unchaseable.
LEAST BITTERNS, formerly a rare bird any time of year in the county and exceptionally so in the winter, continue their increase in winter abundance. One was heard frequently from a pond in West Sacramento beginning 12/2 (FS). At least two additional birds have been reported from the YBWA as well, confirmed on 12/18 (m.obs.). All of these LEAST BITTERNS have been heard giving a loud, harsh “KAK-KAK-KAK” call that seems to be a more frequently heard vocalization in winter.
A drake GADWALL x MALLARD hybrid, also known as a “BREWER’S DUCK,” was found on 12/24 at the North Area Drainage Pond (AK). This interesting hybrid was photographed extensively, documenting its interesting mix of traits from both parent species. Speaking of duck hybrids, the returning COMMON GOLDENEYE x BUFFLEHEAD hybrid continues to be seen at its favored pond in West Sacramento. Winter 2024-2025 marks the eleventh year that this hybrid has returned to the region. It was the subject of a recent article in the Central Valley Birds journal.
A handful of birds continued their winter stays from the previous month. These included the brilliant male COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD in Davis, the SWAMP SPARROW at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, and the MOUNTAIN PLOVERS south of County Line Road. The highest number of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS reported this winter is 70 birds, on 12/11 (JG).
Thanks to the following for their reports:
Aidan Brubaker (AB), Atharva Kaprekar (AK), Bruce Christensen (BC), Cliff Hawley (CH), Ethan Matsuyama (EM), Joshua Greenfield (JG), Kelli O’Neill (KO), Kirk Swenson (KS), Linda Gal (LG), Sean Smith (SS), Sonia Santa Anna (SSA)
“Many observers” (m.obs.)
Photos and Audio Recordings:
Brant: https://ebird.org/checklist/S207209492
Vermilion Flycatcher: https://ebird.org/checklist/S206918518
“Yellow-shafted” Northern Flicker (Dunnigan): https://ebird.org/checklist/S205124193
“Yellow-shafted” Northern Flicker (Bobcat Ranch): https://ebird.org/checklist/S205563289
Northern Saw-whet Owls: https://ebird.org/checklist/S207417637
“Brewer’s Duck” (Gadwall x Mallard hybrid): https://ebird.org/checklist/S206574589
–Zane Pickus