Registration is NOT required for this trip.

Field Trip Leader: Sonja Sorbo

Great Egret, Image by Larry Hickey

This well-hidden hotspot is tucked behind a cement/asphalt plant; its year round water source (Steelhead Creek) feeds into the Sacramento River and is a magnet for birds. During this time of year, it provides habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, oak woodland residents, and lingering migrants.

We’ll meet at the parking lot and spend about 3 hours walking on level terrain on a dirt path for about 1.5 miles. We’ll check the slough and ponds for ducks and shorebirds; possible species this time of year include Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Black-necked Stilt, Least and Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Greater Yellowlegs. This area is a favorite hunting ground for Great and Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons. 

Nearby oak trees and grassland may harbor woodpeckers, goldfinches, sparrows, towhees, Western Meadowlarks, Western Bluebirds, Yellow and Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-billed Magpies, Bushtits, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and possibly Lazuli Buntings.

Of course, open grassland attracts raptors, and several species are possible, including White-tailed kite, Red-shouldered hawk, Red-tailed hawk, and American Kestrel.

Meeting Location: Meet at the parking lot for The Walter S. Ueda Parkway in Rio Linda at 8:30 AM.

Directions: From Sacramento take Highway 99 north, exit east on Elkhorn Boulevard, continue for several miles until you reach East Levee Road; just after this intersection turn right onto Sorrento Road and into the parking lot for Ueda Parkway.

COVID 19 Precautions: All participants, including field trip leaders, must be vaccinated.