The Cosumnes River Preserve has an array of important valley floor bird habitats including wetlands, floodplains, agricultural land, and rare valley oak riparian. Birding at the interface of these habitats provides a unique opportunity to view a diverse list of species with relative ease. We will follow the flat and well-maintained walking trails through these habitats to view woodpeckers, raptors, wetland birds, wintering sparrows, ducks, geese, and shorebirds. We will also bird the agricultural fields along Desmond Road which is renowned for Sandhill Cranes.
Expect two to three hours of walking in the preserve plus standing for shorebird viewing. This trip welcomes all levels of birding experience, especially beginners. Please bring binoculars, plenty of fluids, and dress in layers for cooler temperatures expected at this time of year, especially in the morning. We expect to finish in the early afternoon. We will not have a planned lunch break, but if you want to enjoy your lunch at the preserve, there are picnic tables at the visitor center good birding-while-eating opportunities. Bathrooms available at the visitor center.
We will depart at 7:00am from the Park & Ride behind Ikeda’s in Davis. Please arrive beforehand and carpool when possible. All participants are expected to be vaccinated. Masks are not required while out of doors but may be required in vehicles depending on preferences of the driver and passengers. Federal, state, and local health guidelines will be followed.
Trip Leaders: Ryan Janke (rhjanke29@gmail.com), Sonjia Shelly, and Zane Pickus.