Yolo Bird Alliance

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-06-13 09:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, June 13th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

No experience necessary. An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools, materials, and resources will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal for an hour. Everyone will then reconvene to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

Members' Memories: Short Stories and Illustrations of Birding during the 2020-2021 Pandemic
2021-05-19 19:00 - 20:30
Backyard American Goldfinch; © Ken Ealy

Yolo Audubon would like to celebrate those who found ways to continue their passion for birding during the pandemic. We invite you to share your photos, drawings and short stories with the Yolo Audubon members. It will take place via Zoom and requires advance registration. (See below.)

Details:

Birding adventures experienced from January 2020 to May 2021 will be accepted. We suggest that you use five to ten photos or drawings, or, if you want to express yourself via the written word, we would love to have short stories or poetry submitted. Please do your best to identify your birds. Each person will be allotted up to ten minutes.

Aspiring participants must submit their entry to Program Chair Ken Ealy at litehawk@sbcglobal.net by May 14 by 5:00pm PDT. The number of people accepted will depend how many people decide to participate. First come, first served.

Ken will prepare a slide show of the photos and drawings, and participants may describe their submittals to the group during the program. Those submitting written short stories or poems may read them. As an alternative, Ken will read the descriptions and stories by prior arrangement.

Participants will be notified of their time slot via the email address used during submission. They will also be reminded to register for the event on Zoom in order to attend the meeting.

We hope you’ll share your memories with us!

Contact Program Chair Ken Ealy at litehawk@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-05-09 09:00 - 11:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, May 9th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

No experience necessary. An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools, materials, and resources will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal for an hour. Everyone will then reconvene to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

The Current Status of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for 2021
2021-04-21 19:00 - 20:30
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area; © Joe Hobbs

Please join the Yolo Audubon Society for the monthly virtual Members’ Meeting when Joe Hobbs, Manager of Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, will give a talk on the current status of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) for 2021.

We, here in Yolo County, are very lucky to have the 17,000-acre YBWA available for bird watching, hunting, fishing, K-12 education programs, walking/hiking and just plain ‘ole enjoyment of nature. Nestled between Davis and Sacramento within the Yolo Bypass, the YBWA is a fantastic mixture of wetlands and upland and home to various species of animals (fauna) and plants (flora). In addition to animals that raise their young here, it is an important feature in the Pacific Flyway serving as a waypoint for numerous bird species migrating from the Arctic and Canada to points further south, as well as those species that spend the winter here.

Joe is the current area manager for California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Joe has been a permanent employee for the Department for 21 years and has been the area manager for the last three years. Prior to coming to the wildlife area Joe worked for 13 years as the Statewide elk and pronghorn coordinator. He has also worked for the Departments Wetland Program, Timber Harvest, and Private Lands Management. Joe has a B.S. and M.S. degree from California State University, Sacramento. His M.S. was on the fall and winter distribution and habitat use of Tule Greater White-fronted Geese in the Sacramento Valley. He enjoys kayak fishing and spending time outdoors.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-04-11 09:00 - 11:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, April 11th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

No experience necessary. An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools, materials, and resources will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal for an hour. Everyone will then reconvene to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

Marbled Murrelets: The Enigma of the Pacific
2021-03-17 19:00 - 20:30
Marbeled Murrelet; © Brett Lovelace

The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small, cryptic seabird with a range extending from northern California up through Alaska. Like other alcids, murrelets forage in the ocean and exclusively inhabit marine environments when not breeding.

Whereas most other alcids nest in large groups near the coast, murrelets typically nest solitarily on the limbs of large trees in forest sites that can be located over 50 miles inland. Unfortunately, this split habitat strategy renders them vulnerable to declines in habitat quality in both oceans and forests. In 1992 Marbled Murrelets were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Challenges associated with capturing murrelets and locating their nests have made them extremely difficult to study. A lack of basic knowledge about murrelet biology has hindered progress on conservation and management.

Dr. Jonathon Valente is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Oregon State University College of Forestry. He is currently working on the Oregon Marbled Murrelet Project, a scientific research effort launched in 2015 to advance our knowledge about basic murrelet biology. Dr. Valente will discuss how their research team is using cutting edge technology to better understand murrelet habitat requirements, movement, and limitations to population growth, as well as how this research will be used to improve management of public and private forest lands.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-03-14 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, March 14th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

NOTE: Clocks advance forward for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 14th. Remember to reset clocks before going to bed to avoid being late!

No experience necessary. An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools, materials, and resources will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal for an hour. Everyone will then reconvene to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

Uganda: Pearl of Africa
2021-02-17 19:00 - 20:30
Shoebill; © Kevin Gusé

Kevin Gusé believes that the combination of primates, big game, and birds makes Uganda a truly unique destination. For example, did you know that Uganda is the most bird-diverse country in Africa, with an official list of almost 1,100 species? Please join Kevin as he recounts the adventures of his group during their trip in July 2019 to the “Pearl of Africa”.

Kevin Gusé has been birding throughout the United States and abroad since receiving a gift membership to (then) Davis Audubon in 1985. He has served on the Davis/Yolo Audubon boards in many capacities (Membership Chair, Field Trip Chair, President and Fundraising Chair) over the years. Kevin continues to lead field trips for Yolo Audubon, sharing his love of raptors, migrants, and mountain birds.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-02-14 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent (from the journaling that she did during last month’s workshop)

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, February 14th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

No experience necessary! An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools, materials, and resources will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

What are Automated Recorder Units and How Can They Assist Ornithologists in the Field?
2021-01-20 19:00 - 20:30
Danielle Fradet, Jacob McCafferty, and Lynette Williams setting up an audio recording unit in a marsh plot at Bird Haven Ranch; photo by Andy Engilis

The Central Valley has undergone massive habitat change in the past century, creating a heterogeneous landscape. Many researchers lack the ability to undertake long-term biological monitoring on restoration projects and to measure long-term success, particularly on understudied private lands. What’s a researcher to do?

To find out, join Yolo Audubon’s virtual January Members Meeting to hear featured speaker, Danielle Fradet, describe one possible solution, Automated Recorder Units, (ARU). Ms. Fradet is the first recipient of the Yolo Audubon Small Grant Program.

Automated Recorder Units can be used to saturate a large landscape with time dependent surveys of birds, thus gathering more data on bird presence than traditional point counts. Ms. Fradet’s study tests if the ARU method can be applied on a smaller scale for long-term monitoring on specific restored sites. Her work was done on a ranch with heterogeneous habitat of rice, wetlands, and riparian systems.

Danielle Fradet is a recent graduate from UC Davis, earning a B.S. in Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology. Danielle grew up in Southern California and first found an interest in wildlife watching Animal Planet on TV. However, she discovered her passion for birds in her first year of college while interning at the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology (MWFB). Today, Danielle works in the MWFB, doing field work with small mammals, birds, bats, and herpetofauna in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2021-01-10 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, January 10th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

No experience necessary! An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

CBC Compilation Program
2020-12-20 19:00 - 21:00
Grasshopper Sparrow at Vesper Corner; © Deb Ford

The traditional Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count Compilation ‘potluck’ will be held online this year. Whether you were able to join the count or not, we invite to join us to watch the returns come in.

Steve Hampton and Area Leaders from the count will provide historical and regional analysis, stories from the day and, most importantly, the numbers. We promise to count every bird!

Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

50th Annual Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count
2020-12-20 00:00 - 23:59
Yolo Audubon will host our 50th consecutive Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 20th. Complete information about the CBC is located here.

Due to the Covid-19 situation, there are some significant changes to the CBC protocols this year.

We will confirm we are actually holding the count on Nov 15, pending local Covid ordinances. Based on current Covid regulations, we are optimistic we will hold the count.Masks or social distancing are required at all times. No carpooling with people outside your bubble. This may limit team sizes, including the number of vehicles. Our primary goal is to cover the usual routes from past years, even if only 1 or 2 people are able to cover a route. No social gatherings before or after the count.Sign-up is directly through an Area Leader only. Contact info for Area Leaders is here. All day-of-count details are arranged by respective Area Leaders. Some areas require more hiking, or more walking, or more birding by car. If you want assistance choosing an area, contact the CBC Organizer and Compiler, Steve Hampton.

This year, our CBC Bird-ID Workshop will be conducted via Zoom on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00pm. Details and a link to register can be found here (coming soon).

The post-CBC Compilation session will also be held via Zoom. Details and a link to register can be found here (coming soon).

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2020-12-13 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, December 13th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. No experience necessary! Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals and observations.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Once you register for the December Nature Journaling workshop, you will be able to attend subsequent ones with the same login information.

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

CBC Bird ID Workshop
2020-12-09 19:00 - 20:30
View from Pleasant Valley Road bridge – the center of the Putah Creek count circle; © Steve Hampton

Always a popular event, Steve Hampton returns to host a Bird ID workshop in advance of our 50th annual Putah Creek Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Steve will share data and trends from previous counts, focusing on climate change and the fire history of the count, as well as provide helpful tips on bird ID.

The CBC is scheduled for Sunday, December 20th. Our 15-mile diameter count circle centers on Putah Creek and is divided into ten different areas, each with its own plan regarding coverage, teams, start time, and method of travel (car, foot, hiking, bike, etc.). Covid-19 protocols are forcing us to change many of our traditional CBC practices. Up-to-date information about the count and contact information for the Area Leaders is here on the Yolo Audubon website.

Steve’s Bird ID workshop will be conducted via Zoom. There is no cost to attend but advance registration is required.

This program was recorded and is available for viewing on the YAS YouTube channel.

Annual pre-CBC Workshop with Steve Hampton

Great-tailed Grackles: What Makes this Adventurous Species Tick?
2020-11-18 19:00 - 20:30
‘Batido’ the Great-tailed Grackle; photo by Corina Logan

Are great-tailed grackles that are on the invasion front and actively expanding the range into new habitat, different in some way from those that are in areas where there have already been many generations of grackles? Did you know great-tailed grackles were originally restricted to Central America, but have rapidly expanded their range north into the U.S.? And, that at this time, the furthest north resident population is in Woodland?

To learn the answers to these and other questions you may have, please join the Yolo Audubon Society on November 18 for the Members’ Meeting via Zoom. Kelsey McCune, PhD will present insights discovered from her research studying grackles in Tempe, AZ, which is the new center of the expanded range, coupled with findings from identical research being done here in California.

Kelsey McCune completed her PhD in animal behavior from the University of Washington in 2018. Her dissertation compared asocial California scrub-jays and social Mexican jays on social behavior, learning ability and personality traits. Currently, Kelsey is a postdoctoral scholar at UCSB, and part of the Grackle Project research group started by Dr. Corina Logan.

You must register (no cost) in advance for this program. It is NOT a requirement that you be an Audubon member to attend. Follow this link to register:

Register for the Program

Zoom limits the number of participants to 100.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Please note: Participants must have the Zoom desktop client downloaded on their computer or on their Apple or Android mobile phone or tablet to access the meeting. An account with Zoom is not necessary to join a meeting.

Visit to learn how to join a Zoom meeting. You may email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2020-11-08 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent at a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, November 8th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. No experience necessary! Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals.

Alison has assembled this list of thoughts, suggested materials, and resources which may be of help:

Click on drawing to view in larger format

Click on drawing to view in larger format

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop on Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Email Alison if you have questions about the workshop.

Behind the Scenes on A National Wildlife Refuge: Preparing for Fall and Winter Migrants
2020-10-21 19:00 - 20:30
Colusa NWR; © Mike Reinhart

Curtis McCasland is the manager of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Refuge Complex consists of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter, and Sacramento River NWR’s. Curt will take us behind the scenes to present what Managers, Biologists, and Technicians do to prepare the wetlands for both the migratory birds and the visitors that come to see them. Participants will learn how the knowledgeable staff work together to incorporate practices to provide food, cover, and safety for migratory birds. In addition, the staff also considers how the habitat will appear to artists, photographers, and birdwatchers. Colusa National Wildlife Refuge will be the primary focus of the presentation.

Preparing fields for winter birds (courtesy C. McCasland)

Curtis McCasland, who attended Humboldt State University and the University of Memphis, is trained as an avian biologist and has a strong background in plant ecology, especially in wetland environments. Utilizing this knowledge, he started his career with the National Wildlife Refuge System at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona, an 860,000-acre refuge with no running water. Besides working in Arizona, Curt has worked in national wildlife refuges in Georgia, supervised refuges in California and Nevada, and the Klamath Basin in Oregon/California. Four years ago, Curt was given the awesome opportunity to manage the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex which includes Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter, and Sacramento River NWR’s. In addition, he and his staff are also responsible for the Steve Thompson North Central Valley, Butte Sink, and Willow Creek Lurline Wildlife Management Areas.

This event was recorded and is now available here on the YAS YouTube channel for viewing.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2020-10-11 09:00 - 12:00
Sketch by Alison Kent

Join Alison Kent on a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, October 11th. The workshop is free and will be conducted over Zoom.

An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. No experience necessary! Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals.

To register for the workshop, follow this link:

Register for Workshop

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Registrants will receive email updates about this online event, as well as periodic email updates about Yolo Audubon’s conservation work and how you can help birds. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Participants must use the Zoom desktop client or mobile app. An account with Zoom is NOT necessary.

Visit to learn more about joining a Zoom meeting, or email Yolo Audubon Program Chair Ken Ealy before the meeting if you need assistance.

The Nature and Geology of the Berryessa Region
2020-09-16 19:00 - 20:30
Berryessa Panorama; © Marc Hoshovsky

Yolo Audubon’s first online program of the year takes you on a virtual tour of the Berryessa Region with Marc Hoshovsky, co-author of the new book, Exploring the Berryessa Region: A Geology, Nature, and History Tour. Marc will give us an understanding of the Berryessa Region, particularly the geological story that has created this fascinating landscape. He’ll explain the formation of features that most people have seen, like the vertical sandstone beds at Monticello Dam, plus others that many haven’t noticed before. Then with this new knowledge, viewers will be taken on a virtual photo tour of the area, enticing them to learn more about its geology, nature, and history.

Marc Hoshovsky is a retired naturalist living in Davis. After spending 30 years working for state government on endangered species habitat conservation, he’s now enjoying using his degrees in ecology and geology, and passion for photography, to help local conservation efforts.

This program was recorded and is now available here on the YAS YouTube Channel for viewing.

Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
2020-09-13 09:00 - 12:00
Join Alison Kent on a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, September 13th. The workshop will be conducted over Zoom.

An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals. Please contact Alison at ali@magpienest.org for a zoom link.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
2020-03-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED***
We hope to reschedule it at a future date.

Kevin Gusé believes that the combination of primates, big game and birds makes Uganda a truly unique destination. For example, did you know that Uganda is the most diverse country in all of Africa for birds, with an official list of almost 1100 species? Come join Kevin as he recounts the adventures of his group during their trip in July of 2019 to the “Pearl of Africa”.

Kevin Gusé has been birding throughout this country and abroad since receiving a gift membership to then Davis Audubon in 1985. He has served on the Davis/Yolo Audubon boards in many capacities over the years including stints as Membership Chair, Field Trip Chair, President and Fundraising Chair. He still leads field trips for YAS today, sharing his love of raptors, migrants and mountain birds.

The program starts at 7:30 p.m., but everyone is invited for refreshments and conversation at 7:00. We meet at the Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street in Davis.

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.

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.

Nature Journaling Workshop at California Duck Days
2020-02-22 09:30 - 12:00 | Yolo Bypass WA Headquarters, 45211 County Rd 32B, Davis
Join Certified California Naturalist and Yolo Audubon board member Alison Kent for a half-day of nature journaling.
We will meet at the Yolo Basin Headquarters (map below) at 9:30 for a short introduction and then head into the wildlife area to study and draw ducks and other birds, plants, insects, and whatever else we find.
All ages and abilities welcome; all you need is something to draw with and something to draw on! The trip will conclude at noon. The fee for this workshop, part of California Duck Days, is $20 for adults, $10 for children.
Register for this workshop here: https://yolobasin.z2systems.com/np/clients/yolobasin/eventRegistration.jsp?event=5611&
A complete listing of all Duck Days field trips is here: http://yolobasin.org/fieldtrips/
