Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, 2/22/25

We enjoyed the subtle beauty of drake Gadwall in breeding plumage, *Image by Daniel Lee Brown*

Leader Cliff Feldheim reported: 9 of us spent the morning at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and then 3 of us spent the early afternoon at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge. Although the big groups of waterfowl were not present, we did manage 46 species of birds, and the bright sunny and clear day provided good looks at a number of waterfowl species in breeding plumage. We enjoyed the subtle beauty of drake Gadwall in breeding plumage, as well as the opportunity to have good side by side comparisons of Ross's and Snow Geese. We had distant looks at Bald Eagles, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a Cooper's Hawk. We also enjoyed the bright yellow color of the Western Meadowlarks as they perched a few feet off the ground and sang. After watching a Great Blue Heron struggle with trying to swallow a rather large bullfrog, and a look at a Bittern that quickly disappeared in the vegetation, we stopped at the new Visitor’s Center. We engaged conversations throughout the morning about the management of the area, the conservation of waterfowl and other bird species, and some of the conservation programs currently in place to conserve wetland and grassland habitats. Wrapping up at Colusa, we all agreed we are already looking forward to the waterfowl returning next winter!

Bushy Lake, 2/23/25

American Pipit, *Image by Dana J. Miller-Blair*

Leader Rich Howard with co-leader Dr. Michelle Stevens reported: 18 people gathered at the Cal Expo RV parking lot to start a beautiful morning exploring Bushy Lake. Among them were Dr. Michelle Stevens, ethnoecologist from CSU Sacramento and four of her research and inventory colleagues. A very cooperative Lincoln’s Sparrow perched on a wire fence long enough for everyone to get scope views. The stormwater retention pond below the parking lot had Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Wood Duck, along with the expected Mallards and Canada Geese. The team led us to an open field, where many Meadowlarks fed and sang, and American Pipits flew over. While learning about some of the culturally important plants like White Root Sedge (Carex barbarae), Mugwort, and Soaproot, we found Black-crowned Night Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, and Pied-billed Grebe on the lake itself. An adult Bald Eagle flyover was a thrill, and a White-tailed Kite, American Kestrel, and pairs of Red-tailed Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk put on aerial shows. We learned about the challenges facing the eco-cultural restoration of Bushy Lake and saw success in sighting a River Otter and 35 species of birds. More information about the Bushy Lake restoration project can be found here: https://www.bushylake.com/. Our eBird list can be found at this link: https://ebird.org/checklist/S215098602

North Natomas Regional Park, 03/01/25

Ring-necked Pheasant, *Image by Daniel Lee Brown*

Leader Ben Graber reported: We had perfect weather and a big, enthusiastic group. We saw a total of 41 species. Highlights included a flock of migrating Sandhill Cranes, a pair of Gadwalls, Black-crowned Night Herons, Cooper's Hawks, Savannah Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, and a Say's Phoebe. At the very end of the day, we saw a Ring-necked Pheasant poking its head up from behind a mound of dirt!

Lake Solano County Park, 03/02/25

Scouring the lake near the parking lot revealed a plethora of ducks, including six Hooded Mergansers, *Image by Daniel Lee Brown*

Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: Despite a sketchy weather forecast, nine birders participated in the Lake Solano trip. Our luck held — the sun emerged, and we had great birding conditions. Scouring the lake near the parking lot revealed a plethora of ducks, including six Hooded Mergansers, 77 Buffleheads, 30 Common Goldeneyes, and 5 Wood Ducks. A pair of Snowy Egrets were courting next to the shore, while a Great Egret and Great Blue Heron watched from a safe distance. A Green Heron skulked along the shoreline, seeming to be in a bad mood.

Several raptors caught our attention, including a vociferous pair of Red-shouldered Hawks. A Red-tailed Hawk circled lazily overhead while a Cooper’s Hawk whizzed by at low altitude. A pair of American Kestrels posed in a tall snag. An Osprey tried to look inconspicuous near the top of a large oak tree.

Woodpeckers were abundant in trees along the trail— 25 Acorn, 3 Downy, 8 Nuttall’s, 7 Northern Flickers, and a surprise appearance by a Hairy Woodpecker.

Most of the usual suspects were seen during the hike, including the White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Oak Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Black Phoebe, and Orange-crowned Warbler. The Yellow-rumped Warbler won the prize for the largest contingent of a species, with nearly three dozen individuals noted. Several Phainopepla flitted around in oak treetops, while a pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers caught our eyes down low.

A Rock Wren was briefly seen. *Image by Mary Forrestal*

Our second birding site was a short distance away and was well worth the stop. A Rock Wren emerged briefly, but we were soon distracted by the sight of 22 California Quail scuttling around nearby shrubs. 3 Western Bluebird, 20 Violet-green Swallow, and a couple of White-throated Swift were added to bring our day count up to a total of 64 species.

Point Reyes, 03/08/25

Rounding out the day were a couple of Wrentits. *Image by Chris Conard*

Leader John York reported: Sixteen people from four Audubon chapters spent a gorgeous day at Pt. Reyes. Though not particularly birdy, we made up in quality where quantity fell short. Earthquake Trail yielded 2 Varied Thrushes and 2 White-throated Sparrows. While visiting the Elephant Seals, we viewed Horned Grebe, Common and Pacific Loon, many Surf and Black Scoters, and a Long-tailed Duck. While leaving Chimney Rock, two carloads spotted two Burrowing Owls in the fields along with the elk. Rounding out the day were a pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets and a couple Wrentits.

Folsom Wetlands and Riparian Trails, 03/09/25

We glimpsed two Virginia Rails. *Image by Craig Swolgaard*

Leader Chris Conard reported: We enjoyed beautiful weather and several good finds on this trip to Folsom on paths along Humbug and Willow Creeks. Highlights included Wood Ducks in trees, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, up to five Phainopeplas, and highly vocal resident songbirds. Woodpeckers were active and conspicuous, with good views of Acorn, Downy, and Nuttall's Woodpeckers, along with Northern Flickers. Later in the morning, we glimpsed two Virginia Rails and heard them as well as a couple Soras.

Young Birders at Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, 03/09/25

A lifer for all attendees, the less common Golden-crowned Kinglet was a highlight. *Image by Ray Rozema.*

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Three young birders and one parent met my father and I this morning at the Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary on this sunny morning. We walked a small portion of the Levee trail to get to our trailhead, spotting a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Yellow-rumped Warbler along the way. We saw a Red-winged Blackbird get into an altercation with an American Robin, and we briefly saw a Northern House Wren by a clump of vegetation on the foot of the levee. At the entrance to the Central Trail, we heard, but did not see, a California Towhee making sharp pips! We admired a perched Red-tailed Hawk in a cottonwood. At the beginning of the entrance trail, we watched Golden-crowned Sparrows in the bramble and heard the premating calls and drums of Northern Flickers. We caught glimpses of an elusive Orange-crowned Warbler in a tall bramble patch. A Downy Woodpecker foraged at the tops of a bare tree, providing great looks. The highlight of the trip was a small flock of the less common Golden-crowned Kinglet foraging for tiny insects in the mid-upper levels of the oaks, which were lifers for all attendees. It was a nice challenge to get one of the fast moving, little birds in view, and we were rewarded with great views of the handsome golden crown and olive green back. We also noted the small, subtle tsee calls of the kinglets. Other highlights include watching an energetic group of White-breasted Nuthatches, two sunning Turkey Vultures, and a Spotted Towhee foraging out in the open in the leaf litter. Due to the dense woodland, many birds were noted through sound only, including singing Bewick's Wrens, Wrentits, Wild Turkey, and, briefly, a Hutton's Vireo. Overall, it was a nice morning spent in a well-preserved oak woodland.

The North Lincoln Cemeteries and Byways field trip scheduled for 02/15/25 and the SAS Mindful Accessible Outing at Cosumnes River Preserve scheduled for 02/16/25 were both canceled due to rain.

Field Trip Findings, February 15 - March 9, 2025