This area is primarily open grasslands interspersed with oaks. There are a few small creeks that normally dry up in the summer. The area is of particular interest from the first fall rains until the water dries up (normally in June).
Birding the site: While traveling through the grasslands, watch the fences for Savannah, Vesper (rare) and Lark Sparrows, House Finches, Purple Finches (uncommon, winter), Western Meadowlarks, Northern Mockingbirds, Horned Larks, American Pipits, Western Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds (rare, winter), Western Kingbirds (spring, summer), Say’s Phoebes (winter and increasingly more common year-round), Loggerhead Shrikes, and American Kestrels.
In the open country you should continuously scan rocks, posts, trees and the skies for birds of prey. Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and Turkey Vultures are common. In winter, Merlins, American Kestrels, Rough-legged, Red- shouldered, Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s and Ferruginous hawks are occasionally seen, as are Golden and Bald eagles. Prairie Falcons and White-tailed Kites are seen on most trips.
Watch for Black Phoebes near and under bridges (they often nest there). In any of the clusters of trees along the streams during spring and fall, watch for migrating warblers like Black throated Gray, Wilson’s, Nashville, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped. You may also find Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Golden-crowned Kinglets (rare), White-breasted Nuthatches, Bushtits, Brown Creepers (rare), Bewick’s Wrens, and Oak Titmouse.
Loggerhead Shrike, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Special finds during winter in this area are Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Phainopeplas. The trees along the entire route should be watched, but especially in the first 2.5 miles from White Rock Road. There are a few dirt pullouts, and a large paved pullout 2.0 miles from White Rock Road. The area by the first bridge should also be watched for Rock Wrens, California and Spotted Towhees. Acorn Woodpeckers are generally common along the entire route, but Nuttall’s and Downy Woodpeckers are also often seen. Although they have not been seen recently, the marsh on the left, 2.4 miles from White Rock Road, used to have nesting Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the cattails. When there is open water there, you may find American Coots and ducks.
The second large bridge, Carson Creek, is usually excellent when there is a lot of water in the stream. Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe are seen often. Many spring migrants might be seen: Lazuli Buntings, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos, Western Tanagers, Wilson’s, Yellow, MacGillivray’s and Nashville Warblers. This has been the most dependable site for Lewis’s Woodpeckers in recent years.
At 5.5 miles, Scott Road crosses Deer Creek. In high water, the stream flows over the road. This area usually has Tree Swallows in spring and summer and is sometimes very productive in migration. Watch for traffic. There is very limited parking.
eBird Sightings - north end, Carson Creek crossing, Deer Creek crossing (Scott Rd--south)
Directions: Head east on Highway 50 to Prairie City Road exit (21 miles from downtown Sacramento at Interstate 5). Turn right and head south until the road dead ends at White Rock Road. Turn left (east) on White Rock Road and continue to Scott Road and turn right (south). Follow this road until it dead ends at Latrobe Road, where you can continue into the next section.
Bruce Swinehart