The month of November was action packed in the Yolo County birding scene. Good weather allowed local birders to get out and as a result a slew of exciting birds were discovered. The undoubted highlight was the discovery of a WINTER WREN at Fishing Access #2 in Putah Creek Canyon on 11/11, which was confirmed a week later on 11/18 (RM, EP). This little wren has proven to be very skulky and has only given fleeting glimpses to the patient birder. However, it has frequently been heard giving its harsh, Song Sparrow-like call notes. Photos and audio recordings have been analyzed and it confirmed this bird as Yolo’s second record. The first, which spent the winter ten years ago in 2012-2013, was only a few miles downstream in Putah Creek Canyon. It has been an impressive year for WINTER WRENS in California, and incredibly, a second bird has been enjoyed by many at Lake Solano County Park during the past few weeks. This bird has stayed strictly in Solano County.
The discovery of the WINTER WRENS brought a large influx of birders to Putah Creek Canyon throughout the month, which led to the discovery of even more noteworthy birds. A drake BARROW’S x COMMON GOLDENEYE hybrid was found in a flock of diving ducks in the upper reaches of the creek. It displayed traits present in both parent species and was well described on 11/11 (RM). In other news, the AMERICAN DIPPER has returned! It was located in its traditional spot, the rapids below the Highway 128 bridge by Monticello Dam, on 11/24 (KS).
Another exciting record is an AMERICAN REDSTART found at Willowbank Ditch in South Davis on 11/8 (FF). This is the latest record of the species in Yolo, and, if it continues to be seen, will represent the first wintering record of a REDSTART in the county. Birders chasing the redstart relocated an adult-male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER on 11/14 (DaH, DeH). One birder at Willowbank Ditch also turned up a WHITE-CROWNED x GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW hybrid on 11/9 (TU). This striking bird showed features of both its parents and was well photographed by many. Additionally, a HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER on 11/7 is a late record for this migratory species (MP).
Looking back to the start of the month, a VESPER SPARROW was seen along County Road 41 in Guinda on 11/6 (ES). This is in the same location where individuals have been found during the past few winters. A day later, a LONG-EARED OWL was photographed in a private yard in West Sacramento (JD). On 11/11, two SURF SCOTERS were found at the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant (JG). These scoters were well photographed as they dove about in one of the southern ponds. Quite rare away from the coast, it is really special to see two individuals in the county together. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER photographed at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area on 11/13 represents one of the latest records to date of this highly migratory shorebird (NB, DL).
The month came to a cheery conclusion with reports of up to 27 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS south of Davis on County Road 104 near Hyde Road on 11/26 (EI). This flock provided wonderful views to those who looked, and may well continue there through the winter. Finally, a PALM WARBLER, just the sixth Yolo County record, was photographed on 11/26 at the location of the Mountain Bluebird flock (BW). It was discovered in photographs after the fact, but may well still be in the area and it is worth keeping an eye out.
Winter Wren
Thanks to the following for their reports:
Bart Wickel (BW), David Hamilton (DaH), David Lumpkin (DL), Denise Hamilton (DeH), Elliot Schoenig (ES), Emmett Iverson (EI), Eric Pilotte (EP), Frank Fabbro (FF), James Dunn (JD), Josh Greenfield (JG), Kirk Swenson (KS), Michael Perrone (MP), Nicole Barden (NB), Roger Muskat (RM), Tom Uslan (TU)
Photos and Audio:
Winter Wren: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122662698
https://ebird.org/checklist/S123231593
American Dipper: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123084041
American Redstart: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122572506
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122448830
White-crowned x Golden-crowned Sparrow: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122156054
Long-eared Owl: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122078316
Surf Scoters: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122263717
Pectoral Sandpiper: https://ebird.org/checklist/S122394525
Mountain Bluebirds: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123165790
https://ebird.org/checklist/S123071423
Palm Warbler: https://ebird.org/checklist/S123071423
Winter Wren
Photo by Ethan Monk
–Zane Pickus