“One member got lifer Red Crossbills at close range almost immediately.” Image by Susan Goodrich
Sierra Valley/Yuba Pass, 8/17
Leader John York reported: Despite a mix-up at meeting place, three intrepid birders and one decrepit leader set off to Yuba Pass, where the birding was less than stunning, but one member got lifer Red Crossbills at close range almost immediately. Moving to the valley floor, the usual suspects for this time of year were showing, though blackbirds were unusually sparse. Another lifer for another member, a Yellow-headed Blackbird made a showing. A Sage Thrasher gave us some decent looks. Sandhill Cranes were heard, then spotted at a distance, and there was a plethora of young coots and gallinules, with an otter hanging around to snack on them when they got big enough to be of interest. Most interesting were long looks at American Bitterns who were acting like tall grass, where there was only short grass. Birding the cemetery road on the way back, Mountain Quail made a good showing for photos and life ticks for two of the group. We had a great day, even if we got blown around a bit.
“We had extended views of perched and soaring Swainson's Hawks.” Image by Chris Conard
Bufferlands, 8/18
Leader Chris Conard reported: On this nice, relatively cool morning, 22 of us enjoyed a walk through riparian habitat at the Bufferlands, followed by a check of the wastewater treatment ponds. Hummingbirds were quite well-represented, with several Black-chinned and Anna's, and even a single Rufous. We had extended views of perched and soaring Swainson's Hawks, a Belted Kingfisher, and brief views of Wrentits. Migrant songbirds included a Warbling Vireo, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Black-throated Gray, and Wilson's Warblers, plus a couple Western Tanagers. Some saw a female Lazuli Bunting, and a female Blue Grosbeak was seen by all, but the male didn't show. At our last stop, we had excellent views comparing Least and Western Sandpipers, a few Spotted Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Black-necked Stilts.
“Two Orange-crowned (Warblers) were in the willows” Image by Ray Rozema
Glenn Hall Park, Migration, 8/22
Fourteen birders, from beginners to very experienced, joined Rodd Kelsey for this morning walk. Warblers were few, but two Orange-crowned were in the willows, as well as a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Black-chinned Hummingbird. A swarm of swallows overhead included Cliff and Barn, and a large flock of returning Cedar Waxwings gave good views. On our way back to the cars most people had a good view of an American Kestrel. Total species count for the morning was 33, mostly usual suspects.
“A Sora strolled into view and gave us excellent looks for a full minute or so.” Image by Craig Swolgaard
Point Reyes, 8/25
Leader Dan Williams reported: Thirteen of us had a terrific day in what turned out to be the East Bay Area where, following the continuing reports of an adult male Ruff, we spent the day at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. Weather was gorgeous, with very clear skies, temps in the 70s to low 80s, and a gentle breeze. Right after our arrival, multiple raptors captured our attention: two White-tailed Kites, a Northern Harrier, a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Cooper's Hawk all gave us great views on the hill above the Visitor Center parking lot. Several White-throated Swifts and one Vaux's Swift, as well as multiple species of migrant swallows wheeled overhead all morning. Fast-paced action continued as we started on the boardwalk trail through the tidal marshes. While looking at a close immature Black-crowned Night-Heron, a Sora strolled into view and gave us excellent looks for a full minute or so. A bit later, a Green Heron flying across the marsh and into some cattails sparked a responsive clacking call from a Ridgway's Rail. Several oinking Virginia Rails capped off our 3-rail day by the bay. Next, we got into the shorebirds, hopeful that the Ruff would still be present on the island it had been photographed on the day before. Unfortunately, that was not to be, but hundreds of dowitchers, both yellowlegs, stilts and avocets, two Forster's Terns, and a surprising variety of ducks including shovelers, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, and two early Buffleheads made a nice variety for us to enjoy. After a lovely picnic lunch, we spent some time in the nectar garden behind the Visitor Center, where a Western Flycatcher, a Western Tanager, a juvenile Chipping Sparrow, a couple of juncos, and several Lesser Goldfinches closed our day out in a most tranquil setting.
“The lake held many Wood Ducks.” Image by Dana J. Miller-Blair
Lake Solano, 9/1
Leader Paul Miller reported: Lake Solano was very birdy! The accessible path along the lake offered great views of birds on or near the water, along with birds foraging in the trees and bushes. We had wonderful views of both Yellow and Wilson’s Warblers throughout the trip. Many warblers were foraging very close to the trail and didn’t seem to mind us. The lake held many Wood Ducks and Common Mergansers. We had both Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers but no Lewis's Woodpeckers yet.
“Highlight was … also hundreds of Cedar Waxwings preening in the sun high in the trees.” Image by Craig Swolgaard
Glenn Hall Park, Migration, 9/5
Leader Rodd Kelsey reported: We had a nice group turnout and everyone enjoyed a nice morning walk. It was a beautiful morning but the day was quite slow for the birds. We had great looks at an adult female Western Tanager. However, none of the other migrant warblers seen on day 1 (Aug. 8) seemed to be around. Highlight was the tanager, but also hundreds of Cedar Waxwings preening in the sun high in the trees and very visible. Great looks. Total was 28 species. Mostly usual suspects.
There were “several “mixed flocks” which included … Chestnut-backed Chickadees… in the huge Live Oaks above us.” Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Lynch Canyon, 9/6
Leader Maureen Geiger reported: Lynch Canyon never disappoints and today was no exception. It seemed the skies were full of raptors all morning with 5 species of raptors showing up and 5 species of warblers as well. While warmer than it has ever been on past trips, 6 of us had a very nice walk to the reservoir running into several “mixed flocks” of migrants which included the warblers, a Warbling Vireo, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, woodpeckers, and undoubtedly other species we did not find in the huge Live Oaks above us. Our search for the Golden Eagles that nest in the big valley was in vain although it was reassuring to know that they fledged one young again this year.
“A few moments later we spotted a Peregrine Falcon coursing through the air before landing in front of us on a power tower.” Image by Chris Conard
Bushy Lake Biodiversity Day, 9/7
Leader Kevin Thomas reported: The onset of biodiversity day had us starting our stroll around Bushy Lake at just after sunrise. We made our way along the trails adjacent to the river documenting our observations of Valley Oaks and Fremont Cottonwoods in iNaturalist. We ran into a nice mixed flock of migrants straight away and had great looks at several Yellow, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, and Black-throated Gray Warblers. The birds were in tune with the feast of insects in the trees as we watched them foraging to refuel for their migration. A few moments later we spotted a Peregrine Falcon coursing through the air before landing in front of us on a power tower. As the morning drew on we felt the oncoming heat but were pleased with the slight breeze that kept us cool. We continued to document species on iNaturalist totaling over 80 plant, mammal, and bird species. We finished the morning listening to CA ground squirrels making their alarm calls signaling the presence of danger. A wonderful morning highlighting the incredible biodiversity that CA has to offer.
Putah Creek, 9/7
Leader Ben Graber reported: We saw lots of Wilson's and Yellow Warblers, a few Orange-crowned Warblers, several Western Tanagers, Nuttall's, Downy and Acorn Woodpeckers, some Wood Ducks, and a family of river otters at Lake Solano.
Nimbus Hatchery, 9/8
A Snowy Egret with a Great Blue Heron was found in the settling ponds at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Image by Mary Forrestal
Participant Mary Forrestal reported: The Biodiversity Day trip to Nimbus Fish Hatchery was led by a last-minute substitute, Brian Gilmore. The 10 of us on the trip were very grateful to Brian for filling in. The trip started down by the dam where participants tried to estimate the number of White-throated Swift flying in and out under the bridge. As we moved down along the path Great Egret flew over the fish runs, a Herring Gull was identified on one of the posts and a Black-crowned Night Heron was seen by some. Brian opened the gates to the settling ponds where a juvenile Turkey Vulture allowed all to note his grey head. A dozen American Crow and one Common Raven were there as well, along with Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and one Snowy Egret. Among the multitude of Mallard, one Northern Pintail was found. Past the ponds and up into the woods, Bushtit, a Western Tanager, White-breasted Nuthatch, and a Yellow Warbler were observed. Back down to the trails along the river, Common Merganser and Wood Duck were seen. As we returned to the viewing platform, things got quite exciting with an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Yellow Warbler, and Warbling Vireo who all hung around long enough for most to see. 49 species were seen in all. You can see the complete eBird list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S194459658.
“Yellow seemed to be the color of the day.” 15 Yellow Warblers were counted on the Putah Creek walk. Image by Rich Howard.
Putah Creek Riparian Preserve, 9/14
Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: The bird activity at Putah Creek Riparian Preserve on this sunny autumn day was enough to make our heads spin. The four of us could barely keep up with what species were where (this was, we all agreed, a great problem to have!). Our three hour effort yielded 47 species. While readying our gear in the parking area, we saw and heard about ten bird species. Our primary goal was to find warblers and other migrants, so we headed down the trail, keeping eyes and ears on high alert mode. We were rewarded with sightings of several warbler species including Wilson’s, Yellow, Black-throated Gray, Nashville, and Yellow-rumped. Yellow seemed to be the color of the day — besides the fifteen Yellow Warblers viewed, one Common Yellowthroat and five Western Tanagers appeared plus a Hooded Oriole family of four.
Down by the creek, we spooked a couple of Wood Ducks while a Green Heron eyed us with suspicion. A pair of Belted Kingfishers played tag up and down the creek. We briefly heard a Warbling Vireo’s sweet song. A female Lazuli Bunting was a pleasant surprise; the buzzy flight call got our attention, and we found her in a nearby tree. Flycatchers competed with warblers for highest number of species — Black Phoebe, Western Wood-pewee, Willow, and Western Flycatchers all contributed to the tally, but the warblers outnumbered them six species to four.
Resident birds were actively pursuing their daily routines; White-breasted Nuthatches and California Scrub-Jays were seen carrying food in their beaks. Western Bluebirds and Robins flocked around the tops of several trees. House Wrens seemed to pop up every few minutes, with ten counted in total. Four Yellow-billed Magpies flew across the creek to spend the day in Solano county. The woodpeckers were not to be outdone — a Northern Flicker, several Nuttall’s and three Downy Woodpeckers announced their presence. Raptors appeared a couple of times, including a vociferous pair of Red-shouldered Hawks. A Red-tailed Hawk answered back, and a Swainson’s Hawk stayed out of trouble, choosing a flight lane high above everyone else.
40+ Yellow-billed Magpies were seen on the River Walk. Image by Chris Conard
River Walk Park, West Sacramento, 9/15
Leader Bill Bianco reported: Ten of us had a good day bucking the wind. Saw small white caps on the river, and plenty of leaf birds. We did manage to see a total of 29 species for our 3 hour walk. Tops were a good group of Cedar Waxwings, Western Bluebird, House Wren, Yellow Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Belted Kingfisher and 40+ Yellow-billed Magpies, to name a few. Had our slow spots but all had an enjoyable morning.