Wolf Ranch, formally open pasture in Rio Linda, was purchased by the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) and used as a borrow pit and source of fill for the North Area Local Project Levee improvements. Approximately 800,000 cubic yards of soil were excavated, allowing for the creation of a 60-acre wetland complex with five habitat types ranging from open water and wetlands to upland forests. In 1997, SAFCA planted the site with wetland plants and native riparian shrubs and trees. As Wolf Ranch has continued to mature into a sustainable wetland and wooded upland, there has been a significant increase in bird species and diversity, increasing from 58 species recorded in 2001 to 139 species reported in eBird as of April 2024.
Cinnamon Teal, Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Birding the site: From the parking lot, walk around the gate to Sorento Road and head south. Granite Construction Company and a very large commercial parking area will be on your left, behind a cyclone fence. On your right, Steelhead Creek parallels Sorento Road. Check the creek for Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson’s Snipe, and other wading birds and shorebirds. In winter, Savannah Sparrows are fairly common.
At about one-half mile south on Sorento Road, you will see another gate and the wetland restoration area. Follow the wide dirt path around the wetland in either direction—the total distance is about 1.5 miles on flat terrain.
Walking in a clockwise direction, you will eventually come to a drainage ditch along a railroad track. A careful inspection of this area may yield an American Bittern or other wading bird species. Continuing the loop around the wetlands, there are many opportunities for viewing open water and a variety of birds. In the winter look for Double-crested Cormorant, Canvasback, Northern Shoveler, Cinnamon Teal, and other waterfowl. Also keep an eye on the telephone poles and fence posts for Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, and Loggerhead Shrikes. If you look closely in the trees and shrubs, you may also see warblers, kinglets, hummingbirds, and perhaps a Downy Woodpecker or two. Great-tailed Grackles are a possibility here in spring and summer.
Walking past the south end of the wetland you will eventually see the continuation of Steelhead Creek on your left, heading toward Sorento Road and the parking area. The road on the south side of the site is flooded during the winter. The best birding is in winter and spring. eBird Sightings
Directions: From downtown Sacramento, take Interstate 5 for 7 miles north of Highway 50. Take the Highway 99/Highway 70 exit (exit 525B) toward Marysville/Yuba City. In 1.1 miles, exit at Elkhorn Boulevard and go right. Continue 2.9 miles, cross Steelhead Creek, and make an immediate right turn into the parking lot at Elkhorn and Sorento Road. You will see a sign for the Walter S. Ueda Parkway in the parking lot.
Brian Gilmore
Special thanks to SAFCA for their help in writing this guide to Wolf Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.