San Joaquin and Solano Counties
This area is southwest of Sacramento in Solano County. It is especially good birding in the winter, when raptors can be found among the open grasslands, and clusters of eucalyptus and Osage orange trees. This area can be excellent for wintering Mountain Plovers although they are not consistently reliable, and for Loggerhead Shrikes year-round. Traffic is sparse along these quiet dirt roads, which helps make birding pleasant and rewarding. The best times to bird are from October to February, although at times it can be foggy.
Rough-legged Hawk, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Birding the site: Ferruginous Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, White-tailed Kites and Red-tailed Hawks are quite reliable during the winter, although numbers vary year to year. Bald and Golden Eagles are occasionally found especially around the large power lines also frequented by Prairie Falcons. Watch the fields for large flocks of Horned Larks, Long-billed Curlews and American Pipits. Other species found in this area are Say’s Phoebes, Western Bluebirds and Savannah Sparrows. In several recent years, Mountain Bluebirds have also been found. Watch the ponds for wintering waterfowl and geese. Major highlights in this area have been Gyrfalcon and Northern Shrike. Look for Tri-colored Blackbirds in winter flocks in the Birds Landing area. eBird Sightings
Directions: Take Interstate 80 about 19 miles east of Sacramento to the Highway 113 South exit in Dixon. Go south through Dixon for 17 miles to Robinson Road. Drive Robinson Road and explore the many country roads: Creed Road, Goosehaven Road, Flannery Road and McCormack Road. Continue south across Highway 12 and take Birds Landing Road to Shiloh Road.
Tim Fitzer and Maureen Geiger