Yolo Notable Sightings: Mid-to-Late Summer 2019

The biggest mid-summer/early fall migrant surprises were a Glaucous-winged Gull in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on July 4 (SH, BW)—and seen later at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), a female Calliope Hummingbird in the town of Yolo on July 29 (BC, KSe) and a Black-and-white Warbler at the Sacramento Bypass on Aug 10 (MP). An adult male Rufous Hummingbird was just across Putah Creek in Solano County in mid-June, which is an unusual date for this species (MK). 

A Warbling Vireo along Cache Creek at Wild Wings Park on July 14 (BC) is noteworthy, as there are still no breeding records for the county. Brown Creepers in Winters on July 17 and the Sacramento Bypass on Aug 26 (KD) indicate possible continued expansion as a breeder. Dark-eyed Juncos were confirmed breeding at the UCD Arboretum while another was seen along Willowbank Ditch in July (JR, RF). Say’s Phoebes continued nesting in southeast Woodland and possibly northeast Davis (TM, MP).

Fall shorebird migration featured a cooperative Red Knot, found July 21 at WWTP (SHo, MM), which was enjoyed by many. A Dunlin on July 1 at the Davis Wetlands is an early record (JT). A Green-tailed Towhee on Aug 31 at Babel Slough (KS) was the main passerine migrant highlight to date, but September is coming!

Thanks to the following for their reports: Brent Campos (BC), Konshau Doman (KD), Rob Furrow (RF), Steve Hampton (SH), Scott Hoppe (SHo), Manfred Kusch (MK), Tim Magnum (TM), Mark Martucci(MM), Michael Perrone (MP), Jason Riggio (JR), Kristin Sesser (KSe), Kirk Swenson (KS), Jim Thomas(JT), Bart Wickel (BW).

Checklists with Photos:

Red Knot: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58354970

Dunlin: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S57847074

Glaucous-winged Gull: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S58071179

Audio:

Sac Bypass south side Brown Creeper: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59295146

Compiled by Steve Hampton, Davis, CA