Best were the half a dozen Golden-crowned Kinglets, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, 03/15/25
Leader Marueen Geiger reported: Bobelaine is always lovely, and this morning was no exception. Nine of us walked to the Rivers' Lookout and saw a total of 42 species on a cool, overcast morning with no rain. Best were the half a dozen Golden-crowned Kinglets not far from the turn into the Overlook Trail. Always nice to see. The rivers were both very high and flowing very fast.
Young Birders UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, 03/15/25
Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Four young birders and three parents met my father and I outside of the Academic Surge Building at UC Davis.
At the Museum: Once inside the Museum lab, a tray of Corvid specimens from all of the country (and one from Asia) was displayed on a table in front of us. We learned from Andrew Engilis about each Corvid species included in the specimens, as well as some examples of the type of research for which specimens at the museum are used. We also got to examine specimens of Western Gulls, each specimen representing a different age cycle of gull, and through the activity, we learned all about how to identify a gull's age. Then, led by undergrad interns, we explored one of the collection rooms, where we got to view specimens of any bird species we requested! Some of our favorite specimens included a Rough-legged Hawk prepped with its wing out, and giant Golden Eagle, many small hummingbirds, Ruddy Duck, an Emperor Penguin head, Bald Eagle, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, and Black Rail. We also got to observe the extraordinary array of owl sizes from the owl specimens at the museum, from the tiny Elf Owl and Boreal Owl to the enormous Great Gray. We even got to gently pet the specimens. Visiting the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology was an incredibly special and enriching experience. After touring the specimens, we sat down for a presentation by officers of the UC Davis Birdwatching Club. They talked about their club, its field trips, and the other local bird centric organizations that we can get involved with. From them, we learned about ornithology classes at UC Davis and what it's like to be an undergrad student participating as a field assistant in exciting hands-on research projects.
Very quickly we spotted two Orange-crowned Warblers foraging in shrubbery. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
At the Arboretum: Led by Zane Pickus, one of the officers of the UC Davis Birdwatching Club, we walked over to the Davis Arboretum to go birding! Very quickly we spotted two Orange-crowned Warblers foraging in shrubbery, and Western Bluebirds perched atop light posts. A few Yellow-rumped Warblers in full breeding plumage were gorgeous, sporting brilliant yellow breast patches and crowns, and striking black chests. Nuttall's Woodpeckers called and flew overhead. American Crows frequently carrying nesting materials flew over us as they passed from tree to tree. A female Anna's Hummingbird put on a show for us when it was hovering in the air below a bridge in an effort to catch gnats. In the small lake we enjoyed both wild and domesticated Mallards, Canada Goose, and a surprising female Common Merganser. Our First of the Year Northern Rough-winged Swallow flitted overhead. Two California Scrub Jays foraged for seed on the dirt slope, and we watched a bright male American Robin pull out a worm. Cooper's Hawk was also a highlight. We heard many Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a Hermit Thrush, and a Northern House Wren.
Cosumnes River Preserve, 03/16/25
We also observed multiple species engaging in courtship and nest-site prospecting behaviors, including pairs of Western Bluebirds attending nestboxes. Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Jason Talbott reported: I was joined by two SAS members, Mary and Jane, and Mike, a volunteer at CRP. In just over three hours, we covered two miles, walking multiple trails of the preserve. From the main parking lot, we made a counterclockwise loop along the wetland boardwalk, crossing Franklin Blvd. and continue along the Lost Slough trail back towards the visitor center. Clear skies and a light breeze gave way to overcast skies and a moderate wind gusting from the south. Waterfowl abundance and diversity remains relatively high, although most of the earliest migrants (especially Northern Pintail) are gone. Passerine and near-passerine activity started off strong but quickly tapered as wind speed increased, except for the more forested portions of the Lost Slough trail, where many birds foraged on the bevy of insects attracted to the budding vegetation. We also observed multiple species engaging in courtship and nest-site prospecting behaviors (spring is almost here!), including pairs of Western Bluebirds and Tree Swallows attending nestboxes. We tallied 72 species in total. The complete eBird checklist can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S219829113.
Camp Pollock, 03/19/25
Hermit Thrush, Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Bill Bianco reported: Our group of 8 took a leisurely walk around Camp Pollock and viewed a total of 26 species. We started out with the unusual site of seeing a male Peacock perched at the top of a large cottonwood tree by the meeting hall. Had nice sighting of many Western Bluebirds and Yellow-rumped Warblers. A few that were also seen: Hermit Thrush, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern House Wren, and California Towhee. We finished up overlooking the large pond west of Camp Pollock and saw the Bald Eagle nest with the white eagle head showing just above the nest. Also saw a male Wood Duck on the pond. Enjoyable trip for everyone.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 03/21/25
Great Horned Owls actively sitting on their nest! Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Molly Shea reported: Our group had a great time exploring the nature trail along the American River next to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. We saw 48 species over the course of the walk, and it was clear that spring was in the air! Many birds were nesting – we saw nesting material being carried by a Red-tailed Hawk, as well as both Great Horned Owls and Great Blue Herons actively sitting on their nests! Other species included Common Mergansers, White-throated Swifts, Green Herons, Tree Swallows, a Belted Kingfisher, and a White-tailed Kite!
Unusual Parts of the Cosumnes River Preserve, 03/22/25
Highlights included foraging groups of Dunlin now sporting their black bellies for breeding season. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Rodd Kelsey reported: We had a beautiful, cool early spring morning with a great group of eleven nature enthusiasts. We were on the hunt for early spring migrants and overwintering birds who were still around, and it turned out that wintering birds were the main show. We saw a total of 68 species of resident and winter birds with fantastic looks at many of them. Highlights included Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, foraging groups of Dunlin now sporting their black bellies for breeding season before they head to their breeding grounds on the far western and northern edges of Alaska. We also had great looks at Yellow-rumped Warblers coming into breeding colors, American Avocets developing their rusty necks for breeding, Black-necked Stilts, Northern Harrier, and a few White-tailed Kite, which are great to see these days given how rare they are becoming. All in all, a great morning.
Beginning Birder Walk, William Pond Park, 03/23/25
Highlights included a pair of Ruddy Ducks on the open water. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Larry Hickey reported: Thirteen of us enjoyed a beautiful spring morning at the William Pond part of the American River Parkway. Yellow-billed Magpies were active and occupying their nests right by the parking lot and a Red-shouldered Hawk landed nearby offering excellent views in perfect morning light. Many birds were actively singing and calling all morning long, Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons were in their nests at the rookery, and the Acorn Woodpeckers and European Starlings were active in and around their nesting cavities. Highlights included a pair of Ruddy Ducks on the open water, two Bald Eagles - a juvenile and a full adult – appeared to be very interested in a nearby Great Blue Heron nest and two American White Pelicans gave us excellent views as they soared directly over us.
Hidden Falls Regional Park, 03/25/25
A close look at a small flock of Lark Sparrows near the parking lot was a nice treat. Image by Larry Hickey
Leader Peter Perrine reported: Four of us enjoyed a beautiful spring morning at Hidden Falls Regional Park outside Auburn. Birds were active and actively singing, building nests and preparing for the breeding season. As always, we heard more than we saw, but we were able to get good looks at a number of the usual suspects, including many Yellow-rumped Warblers, Bushtits, Oak Titmice, Lesser and American Goldfinches, and Dark-eyed Juncos. A close look at a small flock of Lark Sparrows near the parking lot was a nice treat, and a pair of Black Phoebes building a nest on a vertical cliff next to Raccoon Creek was enjoyed by us all. Best sighting though was of a pair of Golden Eagles, the female sitting on a nest (thanks to a passing hiker for the tip!), that capped a good day birding in beautiful oak woodlands. We ended the morning with 35 species. All in all, a most enjoyable trip.
Feather River Parkway, 03/29/25
One of the youths had just celebrated his birthday and had requested a gift of birdwatching from his friends.
Leader Jane Taylor reported: A small group of young adults recently attending U.C. Davis joined four of us club birders for this outing on a cool, clear morning. One of the youths had just celebrated his birthday and had requested a gift of birdwatching from his friends. We took off on sandy trails through this winter-flooded urban Yuba City Park adjacent to the Feather River, featuring cottonwood and willow trees and blackberry brambles but, unlike Bobelaine, no oaks. We were treated to a variety of species, some winter remainders like Yellow-rumped Warblers, White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets; waterbirds like Greater Yellowlegs, Double-crested Cormorant and Wood Duck, and spring arrivals like Common Yellowthroat and various swallows. Highlights included a Bald Eagle flyover, a Red-tailed Hawk near a nest, Northern Rough-winged Swallows; and the squeals of delight from the young folks trying out binoculars for the first time. They enjoyed close-up views of the blue of the California Scrub-Jay, the red of the Spotted Towhee’s eye, and the scarlet hind-crown of the male Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Minor drawbacks were dogs off leash that likely scared away quail and the restrooms’, mentioned in the trip announcement, being locked. Many thanks to Mary Forrestal who shared binoculars as well as bird lore and an e-bird list with the group, making it a memorable birthday for the young man and his friends. We tallied 42 species, mostly familiar to birders, in a morning’s walk.
Mindful Accessible Outing - Cosumnes River Preserve, 03/30/25
CANCELLED
SAS Field Trip: Deer Creek via El Dorado Trail, 04/05/25
Black-throated Gray Warbler, Image by Ray Rozema
Leader Jason Talbott reported: We began our trip at 7:00 from the pullout along Latrobe Road, and over the course of five hours, we covered 3 miles walking on and along the railroad tracks. We started this out and back hike with cool and calm conditions (43°F and no winds) and finished much warmer (64°F) with a slight, swirling breeze. Overall bird numbers were lower than my last visit a week prior, but the diversity of species was slightly higher. Smaller passerines moved in tight flocks along the creek's edge, with long sections in between flocks of minimal activity. The prime edge habitat and transitional zone just before and after the large bridge proved once again to be the best spot of this walk and gave us a few of the trips highlight birds (a pair of Black-throated Gray Warblers, Bullock's Oriole, multiple Rufous-crowned Sparrows, and a nice dark-morph Swainson's Hawk). I was joined by seven keen birders, including John, Tim, Claire, Alexa, Jane, Ajay and Keith. I learned Keith had recently become the executive director of the Hawaiian Audubon Society and enjoyed speaking with him (and all participants) about birding in this area. We tallied 51 species, including:
Canada Goose - 6, Wood Duck - 2, Mallard - 5, Common Merganser - 3, California Quail - 2, Wild Turkey - X (heard only), Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1, Mourning Dove - 3, Anna's Hummingbird - 3, Killdeer - 3, Great Blue Heron - 2, Turkey Vulture - 5, Cooper's Hawk - 1, Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2, Northern Harrier - 2, Red-shouldered Hawk - 1, Swainson's Hawk - 1, Red-tailed Hawk (calurus/alascensis) - 1, Belted Kingfisher - 1, Acorn Woodpecker - 5, Downy Woodpecker - 3, Nuttall's Woodpecker - 1, Northern Flicker - 2, American Kestrel - 2, Black Phoebe - 3, Western Kingbird - 1, California Scrub-Jay - 4, Common Raven - 2, Oak Titmouse - 15, Tree Swallow - 5, Violet-green Swallow - 2, Barn Swallow - 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 10, White-breasted Nuthatch - 2, Rock Wren - 1, Northern House Wren - 7, Bewick's Wren - 2, European Starling - 10, American Robin - 6, House Finch - 2, Lesser Goldfinch - 6, White-crowned Sparrow - 12, Golden-crowned Sparrow - 1, Rufous-crowned Sparrow - 4, Spotted Towhee - 2, Western Meadowlark - 4, Bullock's Oriole - 1, Red-winged Blackbird - 4, Brown-headed Cowbird - 3, Brewer's Blackbird - 8, Yellow-rumped Warbler - 15, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) - 10, Black-throated Gray Warbler - 2
Sacramento River: Garcia Bend Park to the Infamous Water Tower, 04/06/25
We started with a Cooper's Hawk. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Ben Graber reported: We had great weather and an outstanding day of birding. Our group was very enthusiastic and very diverse in their birding experiences. We started with a Cooper's Hawk and a pair of Osprey building a nest, just as we were leaving the parking lot! We also had migrating flocks of Snow Geese and White-faced Ibis. Other highlights included a Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Herons, Orange-crowned Warblers, and a Cassin's Vireo.