With water everywhere, it’s no surprise that most of the noteworthy birds of February were found floating on it. A remarkable four Common Loons were discovered. The first was in the Deepwater Shipping Channel near the Port of Sacramento on Feb 5 and stayed through at least Feb 21 (BS). On Feb 27, two more were found at Lake Solano (SL) and then another up Putah Creek Canyon near the Canyon Creek Resort (KB, JG, and JR). A female Surf Scoter was at the Winters Wastewater Treatment Plan on Feb 3 (KB). Gulls numbers have been remarkably low at the Yolo County Landfill this year, despite, according to the manager, no changes in management. Thus, an adult Glaucous Gull found Feb 11 along the edge of the flooded Yolo Bypass near Rd 155 was a welcome surprise for birders (SH).

Continuing winter visitors include the Townsend’s Solitaire at the Lower Cache Creek Picnic Area on Feb 13 (FF), and the Hooded Oriole and Hammond’s Flycatcher in Davis, both seen by many through the month.
Thanks to the following for their reports: Keith Bailey (KB), Frank Fogarty (FF), Jessie Godfrey (JG), Steve Hampton (SH), Sami LaRocca (SL), Jason Riggio (JR), Ben Sandstrom (BS).

Photo by Steve Hampton
–Steve Hampton