Bolinas Lagoon
2019-10-01 07:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Here’s a chance to see some shorebirds as they migrate south after breeding. During the fall, some birds like Elegant Tern and Heermann’s Gull take advantage of the west coast of California to feed their summer-hatched generation. We’ll be observing this on our tour around Bolinas Lagoon. Other species we may see are shorebirds: Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, Sanderlings, and sandpipers along the beach. Offshore, we’ll be looking for south-migrating species such as Common, Pacific and Red-Throated Loons.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Marketplace Shopping Center, near Big 5 Sporting Goods in Davis. (West Covell & Highway 113; map below)
Bring binoculars, spotting scope if you have one, snacks, lunch and beverages. If you plan on driving, please RSVP to the trip leaders.
This is a middle-of-week, all-day birding trip. We hope you can join us.
Co-leader contacts:
Sami LaRocca [530-908-0288; sami182@wavecable.com]
John Mott-Smith [530-400-7622; johnmottsmith@comcast.net]

The Big Chase
2019-10-06 06:00 - 20:00 | Park-N-Ride (Meeting Place), 26295 Mace Boulevard, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
Please join us for our annual Big Chase field trip. Fall migration should be in full swing and there should be many shorebirds, raptors and passerines to see.
The locations which we visit and the rare birds that we try to see are dependent on what has been reported on the Northern California RBA and local listservs.
We will meet at 6:00 AM in the Park and Ride lot off of Mace Boulevard (northeast of Highway 80 and just down from Ikeda’s Market) in Davis. Bring binoculars, lunch and plenty of liquids and dress in layers. Please be prepared for a full day in the field.
Contact your leader, Kevin Guse, at 916-514-0685 for more details.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants, if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Introduction to Nature Journaling
2019-10-12 08:30 - 12:30 | Yolo Bypass WA Headquarters, 45211 County Rd 32B, Davis
Nature Journaling has increased in popularity recently. Learn to augment your field trip notes with sketches and words that lend a personal touch to your observations in the field. Certified California Naturalist Alison Kent will review different styles, media, tools and will have some of these available for you to try out while she covers some of the basics of sketching in nature. No experience necessary. While birds will be the prime focus, anything in nature is worthy of attention in a nature journal!
Meet at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters (45211 Co Rd 32B, Davis) at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 12—the trip will run until 12:30 pm. The outing will focus on the demonstration wetlands where there will be picnic tables available. Bring binoculars, spotting scope and a hand lens if you have one, paper or a notebook, and a pencil or pen. Watercolors or colored pencils are handy but not essential.
Limited to 25! Please contact Alison Kent to reserve your spot. Strictly first come, first served.

Sparrow Bingo Field Trip
2019-10-26 07:30 - 15:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Fall migration is largely over and the winter birds are settling in. Join Steve Hampton and Michael Perrone for a local jaunt around Yolo County. The challenge: to find as many species of sparrows as possible. As believers in the rule that when you search for one bird, you discover another, expect anything on this trip– the sparrows are just the excuse to get out and about. This will also be a good trip to practice birding by ear. Route to be determined as conditions warrant.
We’ll meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Marketplace Shopping Center (near Big 5 Sporting Goods, 1301 W. Covell, just east of Hwy 113). Bring binoculars, scopes, cameras, snacks, lunch, and beverages. High winds or a significant rainstorm cancel this trip. We will return by 3:00pm.
Contact Michael Perrone at michaelperrone10@yahoo.com for more info.
Last year’s participants enjoyed the novelty of checking off sparrows on a bingo card!
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants, if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders. Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Davis Cemetery
2019-10-27 08:00 - 11:00 | Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road, Davis, CA
Come look for birds and friendly goblins at the Davis Cemetery on this Halloween weekend. The 28-acre cemetery is a National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat. Many species of birds are attracted to this suburban woodland and the historic swale; the cemetery is well known for a large flock of Wild Turkeys. Several species of raptors are regular at the cemetery, including the White-tailed Kite, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Barn Owl. Western Bluebirds, Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Yellow-rumped Warblers also winter at the cemetery.
Birders at all skill levels are welcome. This will be a morning walk. Since it can be wet, sturdy shoes or boots are recommended.
We will meet in the Davis Cemetery at 820 Pole Line Road, Davis (the corner of Pole Line Rd and East 8th St.) at 8:00 AM (we should done by 11:00AM). The main entrance is on the East 8th Street side of the cemetery. There is limited parking in the cemetery; therefore, carpool or bike if you can. We will meet at the mini-parking area on the east driveway (on the right as you enter the cemetery).
Contact the trip leader, Ed Whisler (916-204-0471 [cell phone] or edwhisler@yahoo.com [email]) for more information.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants, if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Lake Solano County Park / Putah Creek
2019-11-02 07:30 - 14:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
On this trip we will visit Lake Solano County Park where Putah Creek runs between Yolo and Solano Counties. We will be looking for resident species as well as those that spend the winter in the area. The oak woodland, riparian habitat and creek can result in bird sightings that include Osprey, Phainopepla, Wood Duck and hopefully several species of woodpeckers. There could be some surprises like Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Bald Eagle.
Meet at 7:30 AM at the parking lot at Big 5 in the Marketplace Shopping Center, in Davis, 1301 W. Covell Blvd. All levels of birders are welcome. Trip will conclude early afternoon.
Bring water, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. We will not be stopping for a designated lunch break. There is some walking on uneven terrain but for the most part it is flat. A $6.00/car fee will be needed for parking at the picnic grounds. Rain and strong wind cancels trip.
Trip leader is Sharon Kirkpatrick. For more info, contact her at (530) 220-3735 (cell) or sckirkpa@gmail.com.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants, if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders. Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Bobcat Ranch
2019-11-03 08:30 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of hiking at Audubon California’s Bobcat Ranch, located in the foothills of the Coast Range just west of Winters. Our fairly easy hike will be roughly two miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of about 235 ft. We will follow the creek north from the parking lot for about a mile. It’s a lovely hike and we should see some good birds.
We will meet in Winters at Steady Eddy’s at 8:30 am, and will be done hiking around 12:00 pm. It may be muddy – come prepared to possibly get dirty if it has been raining. Significant rain on the day, or heavy rain prior to the day of the hike will cancel.
Space is limited to 12 people. Please contact Stan Hunter for more details and to sign up for this hike at stanton.hunter@gmail.com
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants, if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders. Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges
2019-11-09 07:30 - 17:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
We will visit the Sacramento NWR north of Colusa and then the Colusa NWR. Both have driving tours so we will spend most of the time in cars. SNWR has a short walking tour on level ground as well as a very nice visitor center with restrooms. Colusa has a large, accessible observation deck. These two refuges host thousands of wintering waterfowl, as well as resident and migrant songbirds, owls and raptors. Easy viewing for birders. Never disappointing! The rare Falcated Duck has been seen at Colusa in the past.
Bring lunch, snacks, water, layers of clothing, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Rain cancels trip.
Meet to carpool at 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot at Big 5 in the Marketplace Shopping Center in Davis, 1301 W. Covell Blvd. Please plan to contribute to $6 per-car fee at the Sacramento refuge.
More info: Betty Berteaux, (530) 756-1686, birdtrax@dcn.org
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Cosumnes River Preserve
2019-11-16 07:00 - 15:00 | Park-N-Ride (Meeting Place), 26295 Mace Boulevard, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
Cranes, geese, swans, ducks, shorebirds and, of course, lots of sparrows. In the morning, we will leisurely bird the trails through the riparian forest near the visitor center and in the adjacent marsh. After lunch on the deck at the visitor’s center, we will be roadside birding by marshes and fields along Desmond and Bruceville Roads watching all the time for the Peregrine Falcon that frequents a nearby microwave tower.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the Park-N-Ride lot off of Mace Boulevard (map below) for carpooling. Bring your lunch, binoculars and spotting scope if you have one. Dress appropriately for the weather that day which could range from warm and sunny to cool and foggy. Let’s hope for no rain. We expect to finish by midafternoon.
If you have any questions, contact your leader Sid England at (530) 756-7882 or asenglnd@pacbell.net.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders. Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Bodega Bay
2020-01-11 07:00 - 18:00
This all-day trip is limited to 12 participants with priority given to those with some birding experience but unfamiliar with common winter birds of the Pacific coast and/or with birding at Bodega Bay, a world-class birding location.
Harbor mudflats, ocean beach, and rocky headland for ducks, grebes, loons, gulls and shorebirds in one compact area – Bodega Bay, Harbor and Head, and Doran Beach.
Winter weather can be surprisingly good, but be prepared for cold and wet with layers, hat and gloves. Only major wind or rainstorm will cancel the trip. Easy walks and good bird photo opportunities around the harbor.
Contact leader Chris Dunford [530-753-9073; christopher.j.dunford at gmail.com] to reserve a seat and for details of transport options and meeting time/location. From Davis, a two-hour drive each way; you should be back by 6 pm.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Robinson Road: Hawks & Plovers
2020-01-18 07:30 - 15:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
This trip is by reservation only. There will be a maximum of 19 people in 5 cars. Carpooling will be necessary.
Join us for a trip to the pastures of southeastern Solano County to search for overwintering raptors & other winter visitors. We will search fields, perches and farm equipment. Prior trips have seen prairie falcons, merlins, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, rough-legged hawks and mountain plovers. We hope to see these and many more species during this trip.
Beginning birders are welcome. Bring binoculars, water, snacks or lunch (though we don’t stop for this) and layers for winter weather. Please bring a spotting scope if you have one. Rain or high winds will cancel the trip.
Meet at the Marketplace Shopping Center (near Big 5 Sporting Goods, 1301 W. Covell just east of Hwy 113) at 7:30am, returning by early afternoon. This trip involves mostly driving and stopping, little walking is anticipated.
Contact leader Sharon Kirkpatrick at 530-220-3735 or sckirkpa@gmail.com to reserve your spot and your willingness to drive.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Raptor Ramble
2020-01-25 07:30 - 17:00 | Park-N-Ride (Meeting Place), 26295 Mace Boulevard, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
Please join us to try and find as many raptor species as possible in a full day of birding. We will focus on Yolo County, but we may visit adjacent counties as well in our quest.
In addition to the more common species, our targets will include Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon and Rough-legged Hawk.
Bring binoculars, lunch, plenty of liquids and dress in layers. If you have one, a spotting scope would be really helpful. Please be prepared for a full day of birding.
We will meet at the Park-N-Ride Lot near the Ikeda Market in South Davis (off of the Mace Boulevard Exit) at 7:30 AM for carpooling.
Hope to see you there!
Please contact the leader, Kevin Guse, at 916-616-8835 for more details.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

North Davis Ponds Bird Count
2020-02-15 08:00 - 11:00 | Tandem Properties, 3500 Anderson Road, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
As part of the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend, Ed Whisler will lead us on a special North Davis Ponds Bird Count on Saturday, February 15th. This is a great opportunity to be part of a long-standing international bird count sponsored by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
Meet at the Tandem Properties parking lot (3500 Anderson Road) in Davis. Restroom and water nearby. Bring binoculars. Leaders will bring spotting scopes. All ages welcome.

Cosumnes Reserve
2020-02-16 07:00 - 15:00
This is a great time of year at Cosumnes. We will see an abundance of cranes, geese, ducks, and shorebirds. It’s one of the few local places where Ring-necked Ducks are reliable. In the morning, we will spend time along the sloughs and riparian corridors of the Mokelumne River where we can see the many wintering songbirds and other inhabitants of the area. We will also explore the wetlands near the visitor’s center. After lunch on the deck at the visitor’s center, we will discover what can be seen in the marshes and flooded farm fields along Desmond and Bruceville Roads, keeping an eye out for wintering raptors and the occasional Peregrine Falcon. If weather allows and it can be arranged, we will then travel into more inaccessible parts of the Preserve where The Nature Conservancy has implemented a large floodplain restoration project. There you’ll see the evolution of the floodplain with more riparian and open habitat birds.
Meet at 7:00 a.m. for carpooling in the Park-N-Ride lot on the south side of Highway 80 in West Sacramento on Enterprise Blvd (https://goo.gl/maps/a9qpUqUjqe3vr9tb7), just across the Causeway. Bring your lunch, binoculars and spotting scope if you have one. Dress appropriately for the weather that day which could range from warm and sunny to cool and foggy. We expect to finish by mid-afternoon.
If you have any questions, contact your leader, Rodd Kelsey at (916) 662-4085 or roddk@outlook.com.
Please help us welcome Rodd Kelsey as a new trip leader. Rodd is a professional biologist, and works for The Nature Conservancy. He did his graduate work at UC-Davis, working in ornithology and bird ecology. Thanks for volunteering, Rodd!
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip

Napa River at American Canyon
2020-02-25 08:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Adjacent to the Napa River is a restored shoreline walking trail, where tidal fluctuations can be observed. All along the walkway we’ll be enjoying the open vistas looking west toward the wetlands and over the river. We will first walk along a large tidal lagoon looking for resting birds. After a short level walk out to the Napa River, the rising tide will bring foraging shorebirds closer to us.
This time of year, migration of north-bound shorebirds is beginning; routinely seen are sandpipers, godwits, and willets along with ducks, herons and egrets. We will also be on the lookout for surprises.
Plan to meet at 8:00 am at Marketplace Shopping Center, near Big 5 Sporting Goods, at W. Covell & Highway 113 in Davis. Bring binoculars, scopes and snacks/lunch, beverages. After returning to cars, the group will have a lunch in the picnic area before returning to Davis.
Contact co-leaders:
Sami LaRocca [530-908-0288; sami182@wavecable.com]
John Mott-Smith [530-400-7622; johnmottsmith@comcast.net]
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Sutter Buttes, Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges
2020-03-14 08:00 - 17:00
On this trip we will visit the Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges, grasslands around the Sutter Buttes, and, time permitting, the Bobelaine Preserve. We will visit a variety of habitats, including agricultural fields, mudflats, and riparian areas and we will be looking for remaining waterfowl, arriving shorebirds, migrating neotropicals, a variety of sparrows, and owls and raptors. While there will be some walking, viewing will be primarily from different stopping spots on the trip.
Meet at 8 am (Daylight Savings time) at the Woodland Jack-in-the Box parking lot (southeast corner of the intersection of County road 102 and Main Street in Woodland; Google map here). We will carpool from there. This is an all-day trip so bring a lunch, water and snacks. Be aware of the predicted weather on the day of the trip and dress accordingly. Rain or high winds will cancel the trip.
The trip leader is noted bird expert John Sterling. An RSVP is requested but not required. Please provide an email address to johnmottsmith@comcast.net in order that you may be contacted in the event of trip cancellation or other change.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Yolo Farmlands
2020-03-29 07:30 - 13:00 | Park-N-Ride (Meeting Place), 26295 Mace Boulevard, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Mary suggests that you call/text her if you would like ideas of where to bird on your own.

This trip will focus on birds found in Yolo farmlands. It will be primarily a driving tour along the rural roads of Yolo County with frequent stops. The group will look for raptors, waterfowl, birds of open fields, fences and hedges, as well as riparian birds, depending on the route and the weather. Up to 80 species have been seen on previous trips.
The trip will leave from the Davis Park-N-Ride off of Mace Blvd. just east of Ikeda’s. Participants will meet at 7:30 am. Expect to be back by 1 PM. Please bring binoculars, snacks and water. Heavy rain will cancel the trip. For more information contact Mary Schiedt at maryolo1@netscape.net or 530-400-7094.
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Birding Walk at West Pond
2020-04-01 09:00 - 11:00 | Isle Royale Lane, Isle Royale Lane, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
***THE APRIL WALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Closer to the date, we will reassess whether the May walk will be held.
Join us on the first Wednesday of every month. Meet fellow birders at the WEST end of Isle Royale Lane (by the gazebo on the greenbelt). We’ll walk and stand for a couple of hours or longer to spot birds all along the pond.
Bring your binoculars. We’ll share a spotting scope, field guides, and checklists.
Restrooms are open M-F at the UCD Med. Clinic near the north end of the Pond.
Walks begin at 8:00am May-September, and 9:00am October-April.

Springtime at Willowbank Ditch in South Davis
2020-04-04 07:30 - 10:30
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
This walking trip focuses on the wintering and migrating songbirds of Davis. Willowbank Ditch in South Davis has a fantastic mix of mature trees, dense understory, and diverse fruiting and flowering plants. We will watch the lingering sparrow flocks, hope for foraging groups of warblers and flycatchers, and practice learning the songs and calls of an array of local songbirds. Some targets will include specialty winterers like White-throated Sparrow and Red-breasted Nuthatch, as well as freshly arrived migrant warblers. We will also practice thinking from a birds-eye view, discussing habitat, food sources, and tips and tricks for predicting the best spots to find migrating songbirds.

The trip will leave from the junction of Almond Lane and Rosario Street in Davis. There is street parking on streets by this junction, and this intersection has a walking path that leads to the footbridge over the Willowbank Ditch. We will meet at 7:30am and the trip will end around 9:30 or 10am. Expect ~1 mile of walking, although we will never be more than 1/3 of a mile from the meeting spot. Please bring binoculars as well as any desired snacks and water. Heavy rain will cancel the trip. For more information contact Rob Furrow at robertfurrow@gmail.com or 610-715-9123.

Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Mitchell Canyon
2020-04-18 08:00 - 13:00
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Join us on Saturday April 18 for a walk in Mitchell Canyon at Mount Diablo, one of the premier sites for spring migrant birding in the East Bay. The canyon bottom contains riparian habitat bordered by dramatic chaparral-covered slopes. A nice collection of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, vireos, and flycatchers are expected at this time of year, and there’s a chance we will see Calliope Hummingbirds migrating through. A variety of wildflowers should also be present.
We will meet at 8:00 AM at the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center ($6.00 entrance fee). Please wear sturdy shoes for the unpaved trail and bring binoculars, water, and snacks. We will mostly stay along the relatively flat trail that follows the creek, but there is some elevation change. The trip will last until around noon.
The trip leader is Michael Strom (408-505-0328) or masam321 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Please note this trip leaves from Mitchell Canyon Visitor’s Center, Clayton, CA
Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants if stated in the description. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Putah Creek and Gardens at Manfred Kusch’s Home
2020-04-25 07:30 - 13:00 | Marketplace Shopping Center (Meeting Place), 1301 West Covell, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
Tour Manfred Kusch’s birding gardens between Davis and Winters. He has cultivated his home garden and surrounding area, which border on Putah Creek, into a true birding extravaganza. He attracts a wide variety of birds in the gardens and habitat around the house, especially hummingbirds and orioles. The multi-layered vegetation on either side of the creek hosts spring migrants and residents such as grosbeaks, tanagers and a variety of warblers and vireos.
We’ll meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Marketplace Shopping Center (near Big 5 Sporting Goods, 1301 W. Covell, just east of Hwy 113). Bring binoculars, scopes, cameras, snacks and beverages. High winds or a significant rainstorm cancel this trip.
Space is limited; RSVP early. More info: Joe Clemens, jclemens211@yahoo.com (e-mail preferred; phone is 281-900-0808)

Yolo Audubon Society field trips are free and open to the public. Some trips may be limited by number of participants. Car-pooling is encouraged, but all rides are private arrangements between driver and riders.
Heavy rain or high winds may cancel any trip.

Napa River at American Canyon
2021-08-05 07:00 - 14:00
Now is the time in the life of migratory birds when breeding is over; it’s time to go south to winter range. This trip is designed to take you to a place where we can look for some of those shorebirds as they move down the Pacific Flyway looking for a stopover for rest and food. The Napa River at the town of American Canyon provides such a place. We will be timing our fieldtrip to coincide with tidal movements to observe as many shorebirds as possible.

Black-bellied Plover; © Sami LaRocca

Adjacent to the Napa River is a restored shoreline-walking trail, where tidal fluctuations can be observed. First we will walk along a large tidal lagoon looking for resting birds. Following, we will proceed to Green Island via a level-walking trail to the Napa River to observe the rising tide looking for foraging birds as they come closer to us. We will be on the lookout for the expected sandpipers, godwits, willets, and Black-bellied Plovers, some still in breeding plumage. As often happens there may a surprise of a rarity such as seen before … Red Knots still in traces of breeding plumage.

All along the approximate 1-mile level path, we’ll be enjoying the open vistas looking west toward the Green Island wetlands and over Napa River.

Plan to meet at 7:00 am at Edgewater Parking lot in American Canyon; map and directions will be provided to participants who RSVP via email by August 3. [It’s approximately a one-hour drive from Davis.] If you have questions, please use the mobile phone number below to text or email Sami LaRocca. Unless you request otherwise, we will send a email to all who have RSVPd so you will know who else is attending if you wish to coordinate transportation, and for us to facilitate cancellation of the trip if necessary.

Bring binoculars, scopes and snacks/lunch. After returning to the parking lot the group is invited have a lunch in the picnic area before returning to Davis at approximately 2 pm.

Contact for co-leaders:

Sami LaRocca [530-908-0288; sami.larocca@outlook.com]John Mott-Smith [530-400-7622; johnmottsmith@comcast.net]

Bodega Bay
2021-08-21 00:00 - 23:59
All-day trip limited to 12 participants – priority given to those with some birding experience but unfamiliar with common late-summer birds of the Pacific coast and/or with birding at Bodega Bay, a world-class birding location. Harbor mudflats, ocean beach, and rocky headland for pelicans, three species of cormorant, Heermann’s Gulls, Elegant Terns, and shorebirds in one compact area – Bodega Bay, Harbor and Head, and Doran Beach.

Be prepared for cool temperatures, wind, and maybe fog, but can also be surprisingly warm in late summer. Easy walks and good bird photo opportunities around the harbor.

All participants should be vaccinated.

Contact leader Chris Dunford [530 753-9073; christopher.j.dunford at gmail.com] to reserve a seat and for details of lunch, transport options and meeting time/location. From Davis, a two-hour drive each way; you should be back by 6 pm.

Point Reyes Birding
2021-09-18 00:00 - 23:59
Magnolia Warbler (Fall); © Kevin Gusé

Chestnut-sided Warbler (Fall); © Kevin Gusé

This is the annual Terry Colborn Memorial trip to Pt. Reyes. This is an all-day trip limited to 3 vehicles and no more than 12 participants. Fall migration at Pt. Reyes can be spectacular and makes this area a well-deserved birding hot spot. Depending on the weather, the numbers and diversity of songbirds passing through the “Outer Point” can be impressive. In addition to the passerines there are usually plenty of raptors, other migrants, and several species of mammals to enjoy.

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.

Please bring a lunch, plenty of fluids and dress in layers. Be prepared for cool temperatures, wind and maybe fog, though Pt. Reyes can also be warm at this time of year. There will be easy walks and good bird photo opportunities on the trip. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Trip Leader: Kevin Guse.

For reservations contact John Mott-Smith: (530) 400 7622 or johnmottsmith@comcast.net

Bodega Bay
2021-09-19 00:00 - 23:59
Brown Pelican; © JoAnne Fillatti

All-day trip limited to 12 participants – priority given to those with some birding experience but unfamiliar with common late-summer birds of the Pacific coast and/or with birding at Bodega Bay, a world-class birding location. Harbor mudflats, ocean beach, and rocky headland for pelicans, three species of cormorant, Heermann’s Gulls, Elegant Terns, and shorebirds in one compact area – Bodega Bay, Harbor and Head, and Doran Beach.

Be prepared for cool temperatures, wind, and maybe fog, but can also be surprisingly warm in late summer. Easy walks and good bird photo opportunities around the harbor.

All participants should be vaccinated.

Contact leader Chris Dunford [530 753-9073; christopher.j.dunford at gmail.com] to reserve a seat and for details of lunch, transport options and meeting time/location. From Davis, a two-hour drive each way; you should be back by 6 pm.

Sparrow Bingo
2021-10-10 07:30 - 15:00
Fox Sparrow; © Zane Pickus

Fall migration is largely over and the winter birds are settling in. Join Bart Wickel and Zane Pickus for a local jaunt around Yolo County. The challenge: to find as many species of sparrows as possible. To further the fun of this trip, participants will be able to check sparrows off of a bingo card! As believers in the rule that when you search for one bird, you discover another, expect anything on this trip– the sparrows are just the excuse to get out and about. This will also be a good trip to practice birding by ear. Route to be determined as conditions warrant.

The trip is limited to 4 cars. All participants are expected to be vaccinated. Drivers and their passengers will decide whether masks are required while in the vehicles.

Bring binoculars, scopes, cameras, snacks, lunch, and beverages. High winds or a significant rainstorm cancel this trip. The trip will begin at 7:30 am and we will return by 3:00pm.

Contact John Mott-Smith (johnmottsmith@comcast.net) for more details and to reserve a spot.

Lake Solano and Putah Creek
2021-10-30 08:00 - 14:00
Phainopepla; © JoAnne Fillatti

On this trip we will visit Lake Solano County Park where Putah Creek runs between Yolo and Solano Counties. We will be looking for resident species as well as those that come to spend the winter in the area. The oak woodland, riparian habitat and creek can result in bird sightings that include Osprey, Phainopepla, Wood Duck and hopefully several species of woodpeckers. There could be some surprises like Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Bald Eagle.

Meet at 8:00 AM at Lake Solano County Park day use parking lot, on Pleasants Valley Road. There is a $8 fee per vehicle that parks there.

All trip participants should be vaccinated. Federal, state, and local health guidelines will be followed. Trip will conclude early afternoon. Bring water, binoculars and spotting scopes if you have one. We will not be stopping for a designated lunch break. There is some walking on uneven terrain but for the most part it is flat. Beginning birders are welcome. Rain and strong wind cancels trip.

Trip Leader: Sharon Kirkpatrick (530) 220-3735 (cell) or sckirkpa@gmail.com

Davis Cemetery
2021-10-31 08:00 - 11:00
Red-breasted Sapsucker; © JoAnne Fillatti

Come look for birds and friendly goblins at the Davis Cemetery on this Halloween weekend. The 28-acre cemetery is a National Wildlife Federation certified wildlife habitat. Many species of birds are attracted to this suburban woodland and the historic swale; the cemetery is well known for a large flock of Wild Turkeys. Several species of raptors are regular at the cemetery, including the White-tailed Kite, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Barn Owl. Western Bluebirds, Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Yellow-rumped Warblers also winter at the cemetery.

Birders at all skill levels are welcome. Participants are expected to be vaccinated. This will be a morning walk. Since it can be wet, sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. We will meet in the Davis Cemetery at 820 Pole Line Road, Davis (the corner of Pole Line Rd and East 8th St.) at 8:00 AM (we should be done by 11:00AM).

The main entrance is on the East 8th Street side of the cemetery. There is limited parking in the cemetery; therefore, bike or otherwise plan your transportation accordingly. We will meet at the mini-parking area on the east driveway (on the right as you enter the cemetery).

Contact the trip leader, Ed Whisler (916) 204-0471 [cell phone] or edwhisler@yahoo.com [email]) for more information.

Cosumnes River Preserve
2021-11-13 07:00 - 13:30
Sandhill Crane; © JoAnne Fillatti

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.

Sacramento & Colusa Wildlife Refuges
2021-11-27 00:00 - 23:59
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.

Field Trip Report

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 GooseRoss’s GooseGreater White-fronted GooseCackling GooseNorthern ShovelerGadwallAmerican WigeonMallardNorthern PintailGreen-winged TealRing-necked DuckBuffleheadRuddy DuckRing-necked PheasantPied-billed GrebeEurasian Collared DoveAnna’s Hummingbird SoraAmerican CootBlack-necked StiltKilldeerWestern SandpiperLong-billed DowitcherWilson’s SnipeGreater YellowlegsCalifornia GullGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretSnowy Egret Turkey VultureBald Eagle (immature)Northern HarrierCooper’s HawkRed-shouldered HawkRed-tailed HawkGreat-horned OwlBelted KingfisherNuttall’s WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerAmerican KestrelMerlinPeregrine FalconBlack PhoebeSays PhoebeCalifornia Scrub-JayCommon RavenGolden-crowned KingletRuby-crowned KingletNorthern MockingbirdAmerican PipitHouse FinchGoldfinch sp.White-crowned SparrowWestern MeadowlarkRed-winged BlackbirdBrewer’s BlackbirdCommon YellowthroatYellow-rumped Warbler
