Date: 4/25/25 10:56 pm From: Zane Pickus via groups.io <zanep987...> Subject: [centralvalleybirds] Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area shorebirding
Hi all,
The shorebird spectacle at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area has been
incredible in recent weeks. There have been multiple reports of SNOWY
PLOVERS, SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, WILLET, WHIMBREL, and thousands upon
thousands of peeps, dowitchers, and plovers.
This evening I joined Ethan Monk and Julian Johnson and the undoubtable
highlight was a beautiful PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER coming into alternate
plumage. The bird dropped into a rice check full of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS,
SHORT-BILLED DOWTICHERS, and assorted peeps. While the golden-plover left
the area minutes after its arrival, the sheer number of birds in the
rapidly drying fields is impressive. We also had six SNOWY PLOVERS
(possibly continuing from last week), and estimated over 1000 WESTERN
SANDPIPERS.
While the best habitat has been the drying rice checks east of the auto
tour, the wetland unit within the main auto tour loop has become phenomenal
in recent days. Specifically, the number of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS has
increased well into the hundreds, and should be checked frequently. A LEAST
BITTERN was heard singing tonight east of Parking Lot C.
Much of the habitat is drying quickly so I encourage you all to get out
there and see what you can find! It’s always spectacular to witness the
sheer number and diversity of spring shorebirding.
