Sacramento NWR: © Diane Colborn
This post-Thanksgiving trip will feature iconic Central Valley wintering birds at two national wildlife refuges. Depending on water conditions, in late November the Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges typically host hundreds of thousands of wintering geese and ducks, as well as many other birds. We will also have good chances of seeing bald eagles and other raptors. We will bird the auto loops at both refuges, stopping at the observation tower in Sacramento NWR and the observation deck at Colusa. Depending on weather, we may take a short trail walk. We will also make a side stop in Maxwell to see if the Vermillion Flycatcher has returned to the cemetery this year.
All participants are expected to be vaccinated. Masks may be required in vehicles depending on preferences of drivers and passengers. Current health guidelines will be followed.
Please bring a lunch and water and dress in layers. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation. Driving time from Davis is approximately one hour each way.
Please contact Diane Colborn at tlcgdc@gmail.com, or 916-764-5796, to register and for details regarding meeting time and location.
by Diane Colborn
We identified 58 species. I just submitted the list to ebird and “shared” it with yoloaudubon. Below is a simple summary of the trip.
The Yolo Audubon Society post-Thanksgiving field trip to Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges on November 27, 2021 had 17 participants who enjoyed clear sunny weather and collectively identified 58 species of birds. Highlights included close up spectacular views of an estimated 100,000 snow geese both on the water and flying overhead. Smaller numbers of Ross’s Geese, White-fronted Geese and Cackling Geese were also seen. Other highlights included drive away views of a Peregrine Falcon, who perched on a telephone pole for photos, and good looks at an immature Bald Eagle who circled overhead. We also saw eight Wilson’s Snipe and had good looks at a Sora, who are more often heard than seen. All in all a beautiful Central Valley Fall day.
Here is the list:
Snow Goose
Ross’s Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pied-billed Grebe
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Sora
American Coot
Black-necked Stilt
Killdeer
Western Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Snipe
Greater Yellowlegs
California Gull
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle (immature)
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Great-horned Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Black Phoebe
Says Phoebe
California Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
American Pipit
House Finch
Goldfinch sp.
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler