From the Co-Presidents
Spring Events and Updates
In the October 2025 issue of the Burrowing Owl, we wrote about the habitat restoration project at the Pacific Flyway Pond (formerly known as North Regional Pond, just north of the Woodland Waste Water Treatment Plant). Now, Yolo Bird Alliance, alongside Yolo County Resource Conservation District, has a big planting day coming up at the pond. We hope you’ll join us for a morning of getting dirty and birding on Sunday, April 19th from 9am to noon. Sign up with a message here and you’ll receive more information on the work day.
The restoration project which is being supported with a $1.6 million grant received by the City of Woodland from the California Wildlife Conservation Board can be found here. The earth moving and construction supervised by the city has largely been completed. Under the leadership of the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, YBA and other local non-profits have been helping with the planting and some upcoming interpretive signage. We’re also pleased to announce that the City of Woodland has posted “No Dogs Allowed” signs at the site. YBA had received several complaints about dogs disturbing nesting birds. Hope to see you on the 19th. The Pacific Flyway Pond is becoming a wonderful amenity for the county. 
Next, a quick update on the CA Breeding Bird Atlas, which is off to an amazing start. YBA Board Member Zane Pickus will be writing short local atlas updates in his regular column below. He’s also the Regional Coordinator for Yolo, Solano and Napa Counties, so he’s the person to contact with your questions if you’re “atlasing” in one of those counties. Similarly, YBA Board member Emmett Iverson is the coordinator for Sacramento, El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras Counties and will be happy to help you. Start by checking out all the resources on the atlas website, and get going.
California Duck Days, the oldest wildlife and wetlands family festival in the state, takes place on Saturday, April 25th at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters in Davis. YBA is a sponsor and will have a table. Please click here to learn about all the terrific activities, and plan to take the whole family out for a fun-filled day. Also, consider coming out to take a two-hour shift at the YBA table by leaving a message here.
–Genevieve Colborn and Ann Brice