The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is in many respects the best all-around collection of birding sites in the county, drawing birders from far and near. Its attraction for water-oriented birds lies in part from its being the single largest remnant of the natural floodplain of the Sacramento River, often flooding in rainy winters. More important is that its land, water and vegetation are actively and continuously managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to benefit birds.
About 2000 acres are leased to rice growers, and this attracts herons, ibis and other waders in the growing season, thousands of blackbirds of several species around harvest time, and 100,000 or more ducks in winter. The Wildlife Area has been able to draw its normal allotment of water this year, both for rice and for winter flooding—a blessing for the birds, because the overall rice acreage in the Sacramento Valley is smaller than usual.
Much of the Wildlife Area is managed to grow other plants that ducks eat (swamp timothy, watergrass, smartweed), and requires periodic weed suppression, by way of mowing, discing or burning. These treatments also clear the ground so that waterfowl can get access to the seeds they seek. Fields of safflower are grown to provide food and cover for wildlife.
Management also helps nesting birds. A large area of irrigated cattle pasture south of Putah Creek provides food for pheasant chicks, and wide swathes of upland vegetation offer safe nesting sites for pheasants and other birds, including savannah sparrows. Periodic flooding of such areas drives out nest predators, such as raccoons and skunks.
There is much more. If you have questions, contact Joe Hobbs, the manager of the Wildlife Area, at joehobbs@wildlife.ca.gov or 530-757-2431. Also, the Yolo Basin Foundation offers monthly tours of the Wildlife Area. Check here for more information.
Finally, I have a request for our readers. Is there a topic that you want to see covered here? If so, I can chase it down, we can work on it together, or you can research and write a column yourself. Just send me an email – michaelperrone10@yahoo.com.
Snow Geese photo by Mike Reinhart
–Michael Perrone, Conservation Chair