April is the birdiest month! Newer birders will find that the usually difficult to see wrens and towhees are sitting high and singing! Red-shouldered Hawks are loudly calling and trying out various nests, and Tree Swallows, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Oak Titmice are actively investigating tree cavities. Bushtits are busy at their hanging sock-like nests. Larger tree cavity nesting birds such as Common Mergansers and Wood Ducks are sometimes seen circling the wooded areas looking for nesting sites.
Almost anywhere along the American River Parkway is good birding in this season. Some suggested birding spots are as follows:
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway
Sailor Bar is at the south end of Illinois Avenue, off Winding Way just west of Hazel. Park in the last parking lot on your left, just before the boat launch parking area. Check the riverside trees for Bullock's Orioles. Upstream is a good area to find the elusive Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and you have a view across the river of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Downstream you may find Great Blue Herons nesting, Phainopepla, and California Quail are often found here. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Bullock’s Oriole, Image by Daniel Brown
Bucks Creek Trail/Serrano Parkway, El Dorado Hills
An easy walk along this riparian habitat will turn up resident and migrating species such as woodpeckers, wrens, bluebirds and warblers. Common Gallinules are usually easy to view here and in this varied habitat, there is always the possibility of unusual finds. Access is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Silva Valley Parkway and Serrano Parkway. To reach this spot, exit Hwy 50 at Exit 31, Silva Valley Parkway, and turn left. Follow the Parkway about a mile to the first stop light, make a U-turn and immediately park along the Parkway.
Common Gallinule
Glenn Hall Park, Paradise Beach
The willow covered sand bars in this area are good for migrants and resident breeding birds, wrens, towhees, and other small passerines. Crossing the levee from the parking lot, you can follow several trails, all leading to the riverfront. Be aware that much of the area is very sandy. From H Street (north side of Sac State University), take Carlson Ave north till it crosses Sandburg and dead ends into the park.
Spotted Towhee, Image by Chris Conard
Gibson Ranch, Elverta
This county park, a former ranch, has varied habitats. Drive to the very last parking lot and you can access the wooded trail along Dry Creek. Walking either way you should find a variety of birds. Elsewhere in the park there is also a small lake and several picnic areas with mown grassy areas and shady trees. This would be a good trip for families; you may want to take a lunch! It's located at 8556 Gibson Ranch Road in Elverta, just north off Elverta Road west of Watt Avenue. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
House Wren, Image by Chris Conard
Watt Avenue Access, American River Parkway
Entering the park, turn right and park in the last parking area on the left. Walking upriver along the foot-of-the-levee trail, you will find many small paths going down to the riverbank. Coyotes den in this area and you are quite likely to see one. The wooded area is good for all the small passerine birds and after about a mile the river widens and develops channels flowing around a couple of islands. A little further on bear left across a small footbridge and keep left along the river channels. This is a good area for Wood Ducks. The park is located on the south side of the river off LaRiviera Blvd. under the Watt Avenue overpass. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Image by Daniel Brown
Cathie LaZier, empid77@gmail.com