Reichmuth Park, south of 43rd Avenue, between Gloria and South Land Park Drives, continues to produce wonderful birds, though it was once a much wilder place. Currently, birders are following the Bushtit flocks and dodging Frisbee golfers while hoping to see a Black-and-white Warbler that has been in the park for nearly a month. One of the most astounding birds ever found in the county was a Worm-eating Warbler from January 2018. Last year, a Tropical Kingbird was seen by many. Each of the above rarities was found by regular Reichmuth birder, Andrew Lee. Past highlights have included Plumbeous Vireo, Bell's Sparrow, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Summer Tanager. The oaks, willows, cottonwoods, and even some of the ornamental trees host migrating and wintering birds, and the remaining dense understory provides habitat for the occasional Pacific Wren in winter, along with Purple Finches, Fox Sparrows, and Lincoln's Sparrows.

Tim Manolis began birding the site around 1970, about a decade before the northern half of the park was developed and turf was planted for sports fields. Reichmuth is the family name of a landowner from before the South Land Park neighborhood was developed, and the old name for the site is Munger's Lake, named for an even earlier landowner. The remnant lake is an old oxbow of the Sacramento River from before it was lined with levees, back when the river was allowed to wander. Tim reports that early birding visits were made as much for waterbirds as for the rare songbirds that are now sought there. Just ten years ago, the northern, developed portion of the park would regularly flood in wet winters until more efficient pumping operations, combined with extended drought, made flooding far less frequent.

For decades, the southern half was classified, somewhat informally, as a nature area. In the past five years, and seemingly without any prior public notice, the nature area has been drastically changed for a Frisbee golf course, with clearing and pruning of trees, removal of understory, and widening of "fairways." At times, there have been widespread camping impacts, occasional fires, and feral cat colonies. Some friends have noted the sketchy nature of the site and have been unwilling to visit. Another even found a human body floating in the remnant of Munger's Lake. Recently, Dan Airola contacted the City of Sacramento when he saw unauthorized BMX bike trails being constructed, with major landscape modification. Fortunately the City was receptive to Dan's message of emphasizing the value of the park's habitat. Bill Bianco sent the City a letter on behalf of Sacramento Audubon Society, cataloging some of the impacts to the habitat, and Dan coordinated a site visit with City staff to highlight the importance of the park's habitat to birds and birders. Dan envisions continued involvement, monitoring, and restoration work days (removing invasive plants and leveling BMX jumps and trails). It is important for SAS members to be visible to the City in expressing our concerns and doing some work toward those ends, or other groups will completely hold sway. The natural character of the site is reduced, but still substantial, and it remains a wonderful birding location. To stay informed about the park and to participate in potential habitat work days, contact Dan Airola.

-Chris Conard