Roseville Riparian Corridor, Linda Creek 5/16
Female Wood Duck with three chicks, Image by Dana J. Miller Blair
Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: After several days of 90 degree heat, the Delta breeze came in and produced a lovely cool morning. Eight birders spent four hours enjoying nice looks at resident and migrant birds (43 species total). There was a lot of resident activity, with families of Black Phoebes and White-breasted Nuthatches out and about. We got lucky and discovered a family of Wood Ducks, with three babies closely following their mama. Both Bewick’s and House Wrens were singing from various perches in the woods, while House Finch, Oak Titmouse, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee, California Scrub Jay, American Robin, and Lesser Goldfinch contributed to the chorus. Acorn Woodpeckers seemed to be everywhere, and a couple of Nuttall’s Woodpeckers gave us good looks. This riparian area supports summer nesters such as Ash-throated Flycatchers and Bullock’s Orioles — we had quick glimpses of both. Meanwhile, migrants were in rather short supply. We viewed several Wilson’s Warblers and a Warbling Vireo early in the morning, but it wasn’t until a couple of hours later that we finally saw Townsend’s and Hermit Warblers. We had fantastic looks at the birds when they dropped down to eye level to forage. Competing for our attention was a Black-headed Grosbeak in a large oak tree and several California Quail skimming over a field. A bit farther down the trail, we noted a Dusky Flycatcher sallying about amidst a group of House Finches. We discovered two mulberry trees which had attracted a Black-headed Grosbeak, Cedar Waxwings, and several Western Tanagers. While they greedily feasted on berries, a Red-shouldered Hawk gracefully winged its way over the oaks. Three species of Swallow whizzed back and forth overhead — Tree, Cliff, and Northern Rough-winged.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, 5/18
Female Common Mergansers, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Sue Darst, co-leader with Maureen Geiger, reported: Assisted by Effie Yeaw naturalist Hannah Steurer, a group of six adults and children enjoyed a lovely late-morning walk through the nature area. We were treated to 20 species, including the usual suspects: Acorn Woodpecker, Turkey Vulture, and European Starling. In addition, we recorded Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bewick’s Wren, and House Wren. The river area offered views of Mallards and Common Mergansers. A walk through Effie Yeaw at this time of year would not be complete without glimpses of deer, Western Fence Lizards, and Pipevine Swallow-tail Butterflies and Caterpillars.
William Pond Park, Beginning Birder walk, 5/19
Bald Eagle, Image by Larry Hickey
Larry Hickey, co-leader with Jane Van Kessel and Nancy Kapellas reported: At the William Pond section of the American River Parkway 12 of us enjoyed good birding on a beautiful late spring morning. Yellow-billed Magpies were loud and abundant, along with large numbers of Canada Geese and Acorn Woodpeckers. We saw four species of swallows, a pair of Pied-billed Grebes chasing each other, Western Kingbirds and a Bullock's Oriole. Highlights were nesting Red-shouldered Hawks with babies in the nest, and nesting Great Blue Herons with young. At the open water part of the park we saw a group of River Otters, and on our way back watched a Bald Eagle soaring overhead.
Garcia Bend, 5/25
Yellow-billed Magpie, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Susan Goodrich, co-leader with Ben Graber reported: Ten enthusiastic birders braved the nippy morning air at Garcia Bend Park in south Sacramento, and were richly rewarded with some great bird sightings. We started the morning sharing a little history of the area, sighting the Miwok as the original stewards of the land, then acknowledging the Portuguese dairy farmers and Asian settlers in the area. From there it was a walk south along the Sacramento river levee, with its view of the riparian landscape and the Sacramento river. The overhead sky proved to be a landscape in itself as we observed Green Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, Great, Snowy and Western Cattle Egrets, Double-crested Cormorants, a kettle of Swainson’s Hawks, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, White-tailed Kite, American Kestrel, and three Osprey, all flying overhead at different times throughout the morning! The iconic Yellow-billed Magpies accompanied us with their constant chatter, as Tree, Northern Rough-winged, Cliff and Barn Swallows skimmed the river. As we headed toward the Sacramento Water Tower, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Hooded Oriole, and a surprise Cassin's Vireo made themselves known! Despite the overcast conditions, a lot of good spotters helped us see and hear a lot of good birds on a very pleasant morning of birding along the Sacramento River.
Cosumnes River Preserve, 5/26
Leader Cliff Feldheim reported: We had a nice morning walk with 11 birders that varied in their experience from beginners to advanced. We observed 30 species of birds while walking along portions of the River Walk and Wetlands Walk trails. We discussed the history and management of the Preserve while also identifying some of the common plants, looking at river otter slides and trying to identify the species of turtles we were observing.
Crystal Basin, 5/30
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Co-leaders Phyllis Wilburn and Maureen Geiger reported: Crystal Basin was, as always, a winning trip! Seventeen of us hit the usual sites and found many of the expected “best” birds that are targeted on this trip. Long, excellent looks at a male and female Calliope Hummingbird and, in that same area, an Olive-sided Flycatcher and Mountain Quail calling, several Fox Sparrows singing, a MacGillivray’s Warbler heard but not seen, and a Townsend’s Solitaire seen by a few lucky birders. Yellow Warblers were well seen. Other great birds were a Dusky Flycatcher at the Big Hill Lookout (not withstanding the awesome view from there) and close views of a Sooty Fox Sparrow. Later, near the Ice House campground, Hermit Warblers, Warbling Vireos and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Heard but not seen was a Hammond's Flycatcher. All in all, a great day in the field with like-minded folks.
Deer Creek, 6/2
Golden Eagle, Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Chris Conard reported: A group of ten had a good trip along Deer Creek, walking a little over a mile, one-way, downstream from Latrobe Rd. There were some lingering wildflowers on this nice, sunny morning. Bird highlights included a distant pair of Golden Eagles (both flying and perched) and a Swainson's Hawk. Vying for bird-of-the-day was an actively singing, calling, and foraging Willow Flycatcher. We had many Ash-throated Flycatchers, and a couple of Western Kingbirds in addition to a pair with a nest at our meeting location in El Dorado Hills. Lark Sparrows showed well, including a streaky juvenile, and we had several looks at Rufous-crowned Sparrows, including one carrying food for likely nestlings. The flashiest birds of the day were several Lazuli Buntings, singing vociferously and allowing scope views.
Indian Grinding Rocks State Park, 6/8
In 2023 Pacific-Slope Flycatchers were renamed Western Flycatcher, Image by Larry Hickey
Leader Cliff Hawley reported: The trip was very nice. All the usual suspects were singing and carrying food. Bullock's Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Wood-Pewees, and Western Tanagers among them. We also had a pair of Western Flycatchers and a pair of Pacific Wrens in the little creek area at the back of the park. It was a good sized group of 10 participants as well as myself and Keli who works at the park. Here's a link to the eBird checklist. https://ebird.org/checklist/S180184269
Indian Grinding Rocks State Park, 6/8
Leader Cliff Hawley reported: The trip was very nice. All the usual suspects were singing and carrying food. Bullock's Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Wood-Pewees, and Western Tanagers among them. We also had a pair of Western Flycatchers and a pair of Pacific Wrens in the little creek area at the back of the park. It was a good sized group of 10 participants as well as myself and Keli who works at the park. Here's a link to the eBird checklist. https://ebird.org/checklist/S180184269