Allen’s Hummingbird ©Josh Greenfield
As the days grew warmer and the sunsets later, birds were on the move. March is a month of transition in the bird world, marking the conclusion of winter and the beginning of spring. In the past two weeks, our wintering species have thinned out, and the first migrants have arrived. SWAINSON’S HAWKS and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS returned in the past two weeks, and the first BULLOCK’S ORIOLES and WARBLING VIREOS were reported in recent days. As far as rarities, March is typically a slow month, and this year fits the pattern. However, dedicated birders managed to turn up some out-of-range and out-of-season species to keep things interesting.
Winter gull season came to a close with another LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Yolo County Central Landfill, this one a first-cycle, on 3/4 (JG, FF). This brings the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL tally for the winter to at least three individuals. Nearby on 3/17, birders reported a GREATER ROADRUNNER sprinting across County Road 29 and entering the landfill property. This exceptional report was unfortunately not supported by photos, but follows a small handful of roadrunner records around the Davis area in the past few years.
Early returning birds included a couple of CASPIAN TERNS, one at Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant on 3/10 (Sacramento Audubon Field Trip), and another at Bridgeway Island Pond on the same day (JS, MZ, MM, EH). A BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD was reported on 3/10 at Putah Creek Fishing Access #1, but unfortunately was only seen briefly (JG). It would represent the earliest county record by about two weeks, and be one of the earliest spring records for all of California.
A migrant LESSER NIGHTHAWK was well-described at the South Fork Putah Creek Preserve on 3/25 (JCG). Nighthawks on the valley floor are quite rare and always exciting. Sticking with nightjars, a COMMON POORWILL was observed at Audubon Bobcat Ranch on 3/22, where it is one of just a few records for the property (ISC).
At least four SCALY-BREASTED MUNIAS have been frequenting the area around Bridgeway Island Pond. You may know this species, also called the “Nutmeg Mannikin,” from its native range of India and southeast Asia, or from its introduced population on the Hawaiian Islands. More recently, munias have been introduced in California, with established strongholds in southern California and a rapidly expanding population in the Bay Area. How these flashy finch-like birds got to West Sacramento is unclear, but it comes on the heels of random munia reports around the region over the past few years. Only time will tell if this species will continue to expand and become an established part of our avifauna. The Bridgeway Island Pond munias were first reported on 2/25 by an Anonymous eBirder.
In the southeastern corner of the county, ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRDS have returned. At least two males have once again set up shop in a private yard near Clarksburg (TU). The first male was observed on 3/9, with an additional male and a few unidentified female Selasphorus (Rufous/Allen’s) hummingbirds showing up before the month’s end. Birders will continue to eagerly watch these hummingbirds for potential signs of nesting, which would be the first confirmed nesting record for the county.
Some well-known wintering birds departed during the month of March, and still others have stuck around. The RED-THROATED LOON in West Sacramento continued through 3/8, while the YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at Cache Creek Nature Preserve was last seen on 3/3. MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued off of Highway 45 near County Line Road through at least 3/16. A CASSIN’S VIREO continues its stay in north Davis, last reported on 3/30. Last but certainly not least, the ORCHARD ORIOLE at the UC Davis Arboretum continues to be reported frequently, where it has been singing almost constantly.
Thanks to the following for their reports:
Ed Harper (EH), Frank Fabbro (FF), Ian Souza-Cole (ISC), James Castle Gaither Jr. (JCG), Joe Sweeney (JS), Josh Greenfield (JG), Mark Martucci (MM), Missy Zepeda (MZ), Tom Uslan (TU)
Photos and Audio Recordings:
Lesser Black-backed Gull: https://ebird.org/checklist/S163755713
Caspian Tern: https://ebird.org/checklist/S164482478
Allen’s Hummingbird: https://ebird.org/checklist/S164395065
Scaly-breasted Munia: https://ebird.org/checklist/S163938091
Orchard Oriole: https://ebird.org/checklist/S164569979
–Zane Pickus