Perhaps overdue, a first county record Brant was found among a thousand Greater White-fronted Geese at the Woodland/Davis Clean Water Facility on Nov 7 (TE). Enjoyed by many birders for several days, it’s not the only inland Brant this fall; they have also been reported in northern Idaho, southern Idaho, and eastern Arizona. The other significant record of the month was a Pygmy Nuthatch, found Nov 21 in West Sacramento and seen a few days later as well (MS).
Specialty gulls arrived early this year, with a juvenile and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a juvenile Glaucous Gull all discovered on Nov 16 at the Yolo County Landfill (SH, KD, LW). They continue to be seen. A Ruff was there on Nov 21 (SH). A Common Loon was found in the Deepwater Channel in mid-November (CD). A Swamp Sparrow at the usual spot at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area was finally confirmed on Nov 9 (BW) and has grown more cooperative with time. A late Tennessee Warbler was found at UC Davis on Nov 15 (AE, IE). More reports of Red Crossbills, all flyovers, came in. Finally, last month’s star, the Worm-eating Warbler, continues in south Davis.
Thanks to the following for their reports: Chris Dunford (CD), Konshau Doman (KD), Todd Easterla (TE), Andy Engilis (AE), Irene Engilis (IE), Steve Hampton (SH), Mark Sawyer (MS), Kirk Swenson (KS), Bart Wickel (BW), Lynette Williams (LW).
Checklists with Photos:
- Brant: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61252232
- Lesser Black-backed Gull (juv): https://ebird.org/checklist/S61501836
- Glaucous Gull: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61797824
- Ruff: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61637417
- Swamp Sparrow: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61470997
Compiled by Steve Hampton, Davis, CA