These two sites just west of the Sacramento River make for an excellent morning of birding in the spring and fall.
The University of California, Davis Arboretum
The University of California, Davis Arboretum has produced excellent rarities (notably Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Red Crossbills) in addition to Red-breasted Nuthatches and Chestnut-backed Chickadees in the appropriate season as well as a rookery of Black-crowned Night-Herons, Snowy Egrets, and Cattle Egrets.
Putah Creek Riparian Preserve
This vital remnant of riparian habitat has become a haven for warblers, flycatchers and other migrating passerines in the spring and fall.
Slide Hill Park
Slide Hill Park has produced numerous interesting finds, including Mountain Chickadee, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak.
North Davis Ponds
When conditions are right at North Davis Ponds shorebirds can allow very close study. It is a good place to look for Short-billed Dowitchers among the common Long-billed Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs among the Greater Yellowlegs.
North Davis Farms
North Davis Farms Road can be excellent in migration with the trees along the road and pond providing excellent habitat.
Willowbank Ditch
Willowbank Ditch is a small park gem that often provides excellent birding, especially in migration.
Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant
The sewage ponds, settling ponds, and levees between them are open to the public during weekday business hours. Birders are welcome to walk the roads around the ponds but must check in at the office and sign a “Contractor and Visitor Orientation Sheet”.
City of Davis Wetlands
The Wetlands are divided into the larger Stormwater and Wastewater Lagoons and seven smaller tracts. When water levels are low in Wastewater Lagoon, check the exposed spits of land for American White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, White-faced Ibis, and gulls and terns, including occasional Bonaparte’s Gulls. Clark’s Grebes, Western Grebes, Eared Grebes, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, diving ducks, including occasional Redheads, are also found in this lagoon.
Yolo Egret and Heron Rookery
This rookery is very active in spring with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and occasionally Great Blue Herons nesting in a large stand of eucalyptus trees on private land.
Woodland Water Pollution Control Facility
The treatment ponds at this location have a fine history of attracting good shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. The peak season for finding rare shorebirds is from July through September, depending on water levels. Good numbers of shorebirds and gulls can be found in the winter, and spring migration can be productive as well.
Dunnigan Hills
This area of beautiful rolling hills lies west of Interstate 5 north of Woodland, crosses I-505 (which runs from Vacaville to Dunnigan), and extends toward the Coast Range to the west. Dotted with cattle and sheep ranches as well as vineyards, field crops and hunting clubs, these hills serve as temporary home to many species of birds in the winter, particularly raptors.
Rayhouse Road
The Blue Ridge area of Yolo County is a rugged mix of steep mountains, oak woodlands, patches of riparian, outstanding vistas, and a sea of chaparral. Early mornings in the spring are best, with opportunities for Common Poorwill and bobcats in the road in the predawn, as well as Mountain Quail, California Thrasher, Bell’s Sparrow, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch.
Lake Natoma
The Nimbus Dam creates a narrow reservoir below Folsom Lake on the American River. It backs up water for nearly six miles, starting just upstream from the Nimbus Hatchery and the Hazel Avenue bridge. Open water attracts many water birds and the surrounding oak woodlands add to the species diversity.
Folsom Point to Sweetwater Creek
The multiple locations described in this section (Folsom Point, Mormon Island Wetlands, Morman Island lake access, Brown’s Ravine, and Sweetwater Creek) can be done as individual short excursions or as a full day of birding, progressing from one stop to the next.
Falcon Crest
Adjacent to Folsom Lake, Falcon Crest sits on a peninsula on the south side of Folsom Lake and consists of pine and oak woodlands, grasslands and extensive lake floodplains. Falcon Crest makes for a wonderful couple hours of birding. If you’d like to combine a trip to Falcon Crest with other stops along the east side of Folsom Lake be sure to check out the Folsom Point to Sweetwater Creek information.
Beals Point
Beals Point is probably the single best location for viewing large numbers of gulls and water birds on Folsom Lake. From 3pm until dusk thousands of gulls flying in to roost on the lake. As many as 14 Common Loons have been recorded just from this site.
Beeks Bight
Beeks Bight offers foothill woodland habitat dominated by interior live oak, gray pine, and blue oak. The spring season provides the greatest diversity. Dozens of migrating and resident hummingbirds can be found feeding on flowers. Granite rock outcroppings prevail throughout and offer excellent habitat for Rock Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows.
Pioneer Express Trail from Rattlesnake Bar
An afternoon hike in this area on a clear day in the middle of January will reward the birdwatcher with sunshine, green foothill grasses, early blooming manzanita and coyote bush, and over 60 common species of birds. This is also the best time of year for sighting Bald Eagles and Osprey soaring along the lake’s shoreline.
Folsom Lake Peninsula
The peninsula between the north and south arm of Folsom Lake is the most remote and under birded portion of the recreation area. Possibilities include California Thrasher, Lewis’s Woodpecker and rarely Bell’s Sparrow. Burrowing Owls have been found sheltering among the rocks on a few occasions.