Veteran birder and Sacramento Audubon Field Trip Leader, Darrell Mohr, offers the following suggestion for great local places to bird this October.
Bushy Lake
This area is an easy walk this time of year. At the parking lot, look along the fence on both sides of the road, as well as the drain area. Goldfinches, House Finches, towhees, and phoebes are usually common in this area, as well as White and Golden-crowned Sparrows. As you walk along the paved road watch for blackbirds out in the field. Look up at the power line towers for hawks. When the paved road splits, take the lower trail at the base of the levee. When you get to the lake watch for Great Blue Herons and Wood Ducks. When the lower trail joins the levee road, turn back on the levee road along the fence and check out the trees for warblers and Great Horned Owls. If you find one owl, look closely; the mate may be nearby.
Directions: Park in the cul-de-sac at the south end of Ethan Way, just south of where Hurley Way goes into Gate 12 of Cal Expo.
Wood Duck, Image Chris Conard
Sacramento Bar
On the north side of the river, this is a good site to look for a number of species. In the parking lot, watch the trees and brushy areas for Oak Titmice, Bushtits, towhees, and Acorn Woodpeckers. Cross the bike path and head for the American River. Scan the river for Common Mergansers, Bufflehead, and Common and Barrow's Goldeneye. Don't forget to check the shrubbery; often a warbler will be moving through the bushes. Look overhead for swallows as well as White-throated Swifts. If you hear a raspy bird call, look for a Belted Kingfisher. Check the banks of the river for yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpipers, and enjoy your morning!
Directions: From Highway 50, drive north on Sunrise Blvd.; turn left on Fair Oaks Blvd. and take the first left on Pennsylvania and follow it into the park. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Belted Kingfisher, Image by Ray Rozema
Mather Lake
Mather Regional Park is a gem for finding different species. There's plenty of parking; survey the area when you get out of your car as the parking lot usually has a number of different species. Look for blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, Red-tailed Hawks, and finches. Along the west side of the lake, look for Nuttall's Woodpeckers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Search the tules for Green Heron and Gallinules. Now go back and across the dam; check the overflow for phoebes and wrens. Along the south side of the lake look for Double-crested Cormorants in the trees. Farther down, look for Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Introduced Mute Swans should be swimming in the lake, along with Pied-billed Grebes and American Coots. Watch the field for California Quail.
Directions: From Highway 50 go south on Zinfandel, Exit #17, about 2-1/2 miles. After crossing Douglas Blvd. take the first left into the park area. Use your Park Pass or pay the $5 fee. Enjoy the morning!
Green Heron, Image by Mary Forrestal
Gristmill Recreation Area
This area can be very productive. Drive all the way in to the last parking lot and walk upstream, keeping an eye out for warblers; a number of rarieties have been found at this location. As you go upstream look for Northern Rough-winged Swallows. The trail will end at a fence. Look in the trees for Varied Thrush. The trail ends at a fence; go back along the river and look for Common and Barrow's Goldeneye and Common Mergansers. Scan the bushes for warblers. Farther down look for Red-breasted Sapsucker. On the return walk, take the upper trail where you may find Downy and Nuttall's Woodpeckers and Yellow-billed Magpies.
Directions: From Hwy. 50 exit at Bradshaw Rd. and go north to Folsom Blvd. Go left on Folsom, then right on Butterfield Way, right on Linda Rio Drive and right again on Mira Del Rio Drive, turning left into the signed access for Gristmill Recreation Area. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Barrow’s Goldeneye, Image by Daniel Brown