Michael Perrone ©Ann Brice
We’re finally getting some interesting weather as we come to the end of the waterfowl season. Garrett Spaan, the General Manager of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, says that the Wildlife Area has closed, and the youth hunt scheduled for this weekend has been canceled. There’s a veterans’ hunt scheduled for Feburary 10-11, which also may be canceled especially if the Fremont Weir overtops. Be sure to check on the Yolo Basin Foundation website before going out.
A better possibility for February birding is on the 24th from 6:45am to 1pm at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Called a “Big Sit,” this event is organized by Yolo Audubon with partners Yolo Basin Foundation and the Birdwatching Club at UC Davis. The premise is simple: You come when you want and for as long as you want. We’ll be sitting/standing in Parking Lot C and will count all birds seen from there during the official hours. This is meant to be a fun, low-key day, and all levels of birders are welcome. We’ll provide binoculars for those who don’t have them. Winter birding events are always at risk of bad weather. A postponement will occur if the Wildlife Area is closed due to flooding, or if heavy rain is projected on the day of the Big Sit. Please check back on the Yolo Audubon Society’s website and Facebook page for more details, or contact Zane Pickus, zanep987@gmail.com, for the latest information.
In other news, Bart Wickel reports that the final Christmas Bird Count report is now available here. Many thanks to Bart and our 89 participants for all their hard work.
Cache Creek Conservancy invites all nature photographers to participate in their second annual photo contest.
— Ann Brice, President