SAS Field Trip: Unusual Parts of the Cosumnes River Preserve, April 12, 2025
We observed notable numbers insect-gleaning Yellow-rumped Warblers. Image by Ray Rozema
Leader Rodd Kelsey reported: Eight of us spent the cool, beautiful morning exploring vibrant habitats of the Cosumnes River Preserve, including wetlands, riparian corridors, agricultural fields and upland edges. The bird activity was great, with a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and early-season songbirds—many in full spring plumage or beginning to sing on territory. Spring migration seems to be starting a little late this year, with very few spring migrants or arrivals for the breeding season from the south. Over nearly four hours, we observed a total of 66 distinct species, including notable numbers of migrating shorebirds, Swainson’s Hawks, and insect-gleaning Yellow-rumped Warblers.
SAS Field Trip: Pine Hill/Kanaka Valley, April 13, 2025
Highlights included good views of many Wrentits, including one a few feet away from us. Image by Chris Conard
Leader Chris Conard reported: Seventeen of us had an enjoyable walk on a beautiful day, with good views of the Sierra and a very full Folsom Lake, plus a nice complement of wildflowers and specialized plants found at Pine Hill Preserve. The birding was a little slow, with migrant warblers and flycatchers mostly absent. Perhaps we were a few days early for them. Highlights included good views of singing Bell's Sparrows, distant California Thrashers, a closely perched Violet-green Swallow, many Wrentits, including one a few feet away from us, Anna's Hummingbirds and Lesser Goldfinches doing flight displays, and heard-only Hutton's Vireos, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeak. https://ebird.org/checklist/S225344208
Beginning Bird Walk, April 13, 2025
Juvenile Bald Eagle, Image by Ron Storey
Leader Larry Hickey reported: Eleven beginning birders and Keith, a special guest from Audubon of Hawaii were treated to a wonderful spring morning of birding at the William Pond part of the American River Parkway. Red-shouldered Hawks were busy building and occupying a nest right near the parking lot where we gathered at the beginning of the trip, much to the dismay of Yellow-billed Magpies who were trying to establish nests in the same area. Great Blue Herons were in their nests at the rookery, but were increasingly hard to see as the cottonwood trees are now nearly full of leaves. We had another excellent raptor day with good sightings of a White-tailed Kite hunting directly overhead, and an early Swainson’s Hawk. We had good views of a few Golden-crowned Sparrows just before they leave for their long migration and a cooperative Western Kingbird who recently arrived. The highlight for the group were the Bald Eagles – one juvenile and four full adults - soaring overhead for several minutes.
Young Birders Club Field Trip: Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, April 13, 2025
At the bridge, we got to observe a colony of Cliff Swallows at their mud nests, which was very cool! Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Two young birders and one parent met my father and me at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve this morning. We heard and saw a California Towhee singing in the parking lot. We headed down into the thick wooded path along the creek, hearing and seeing multiple Northern House Wrens, and energetic White-breasted Nuthatches. A Spotted Towhee sang from an exposed perch in the bramble. We also noted a Downy Woodpecker on a dead snag. Tree Swallows were everywhere! We even saw one peeking its head out of a nest box. A pair of Western Bluebirds we observed displayed extremely territorial behavior towards a Black Phoebe, chasing it all around the vicinity of a nest box we assumed belonged to the bluebird pair. We also noted two Bushtit nests hanging from trees! Towards the afternoon, we saw Swainson’s Hawks drifting above the preserve and noted their multicolored faces. A Western Kingbird calling from the top of an oak was also a highlight, and a lifer for the two attendees. At the bridge, we got to observe a colony of Cliff Swallows at their mud nests, which was very cool! The wind made it very hard to find spring warblers, but it was a fun morning of birding nonetheless.
SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, April 16, 2025
Further up into the Sweetwater Creek drainage we saw Hutton's Vireos. Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Richard Barbieri reported: With only a small group of five people we walked the lower drainage to start with views of Wood Ducks, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows as highlights. Further up into the Sweetwater Creek drainage we saw Hutton's Vireos, Western Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, and heard an abundant amount of Wrentits. Total species for the morning was roughly 40 species.
SAS Field Trip: Traylor Ranch Bird Sanctuary, April 19, 2025
We heard our first California Thrasher about 20 minutes into the walk, and while this bird never came into clear view, two California Thrashers were soon found perched above the blackberry bushes. Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Mary Forrestal reported: With several very new birders and multiple seasoned birders, this group of 14 enjoyed a beautiful morning at Traylor Ranch Bird Sanctuary. The trip started off well with Western Bluebird, Western Kingbird, crowned-Sparrows, California Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, and Northern Mockingbird all seen as we collected in the parking area. Progressing along the trail, Acorn Woodpecker and Tree Swallow put in their first appearances. California Quail were next, scuttling along in front of us. We heard our first California Thrasher about 20 minutes into the walk, and while this bird never came into clear view, two California Thrashers were soon found perched above the blackberry bushes. Whimbrel were another exciting find, individually at first and then a group of six flying across the field. It was a lovely day for raptors as well, with several Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, a Swainson’s Hawk, a White-tailed Kite, and finally a Cooper’s Hawk after most of the group had left for the morning. A great-big thank you to Timothy Jackson for keeping our eBird list. You can see that complete list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227098928.
SAS Field Trip: Effie Yeaw Nature Center, April 20, 2025
We watched Tree Swallows fly into cavities to feed their young. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Rachael Cowan reported: On a mild Saturday morning 12 participants, many of which were American River College students satisfying a zoology course field trip requirement, met me in the courtyard at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. The space was filled with bird chorus as all were paired with binoculars for a tutorial focused on a Black Phoebe. We spent some time in the village tracking Yellow-rumped Warblers in the canopy of an alder. Lesser Goldfinches joined in to allow for comparison and birders were patiently focused on the bright yellows of each species. Soon the Western Bluebirds grabbed our attention as they flew into one of the nest boxes and triggered loud begging cries from nestlings. This became a theme of the day as we watched Tree Swallows and Oak Titmice fly into cavities to feed their young. We heard a number of Brown-headed Cowbirds and had a good look at one through a scope as I shared their energy saving practice of depositing their eggs in the nests of other species, much to the wonderment of the group. By this time, we observed a number of species flying over, American Crow, Canada Goose, a pair of Wood Ducks, and darting Mourning Doves. Next the Acorn Woodpeckers naturally drew fanfare when all learned how the extended family network of caching acorn and defending territory is unique and necessary to survival. Many were busily flycatching and delivering food to young while others were vocalizing in competition with the European Starlings. We had good looks of both species in the scope, until I heard the first Ash-throated Flycatcher of the season. We soon found a pair working their way up an Interior Live Oak.
On our way to the river, we spotted a Northern House Wren in a collection of downed branches. Image by Mary Forrestal
On our way to the river, we spotted a flock of Bushtits and found a nice mix of White-crowned Sparrows, California Towhees, and a Northern House Wren in a collection of downed branches. As we approached the river, we had a really nice look at both a Turkey Vulture and a Red-tailed Hawk soaring and discussed all the visual features that can help distinguish the two in poor lighting conditions. We turned our sight to the river where we found a pair of Mallards and fleeting glances of a singular diving male Common Merganser. Killdeer called our attention, and the scope revealed a Spotted Sandpiper was also sharing the shoreline. As we wandered away from the river, we found a new hawk flying over -- a Swainson's Hawk! I explained this is not as common of a sighting at that location and shared their conservation history. We saw a Red-shouldered Hawk was in the nest on the way back to the Center and we saw a pair of Northern Flickers fly by and disappear into vine-laden oaks. Almost everyone one got to see the bird they hoped to see, with the exception to Western Tanager. I invited her to keep looking. We had a total of 40 species on our checklist.
SAS Field Trip: Auburn State Recreation Area, Catecroft Access, April 21, 2025
The Band-tailed Pigeon is fairly regularly at that elevation (1200 - 1400 ft. asl). Image by Chris Conard
Leader Craig Swolgaard reported: It was a real good day of birding, with 42 species seen, including many expected spring migrants. Five of us walked about 4 miles through a variety of habitats and recorded lots of returning migrant species, including Violet-green Swallow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Wilson’s Warbler, Bullock’s Oriole, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Band-tailed Pigeon. We missed the empid flycatchers, but part of that may be the timing. We also missed the Chipping Sparrow, which I had seen earlier while scouting for the trip last week (they are regulars during spring migration). Our favorite bird sighting was the Violet-green Swallow we saw in two different locations along the trail. At both locations, the birds were investigating potential nest cavities. Other good species were the Band-tailed Pigeon, an interesting bird to see fairly regularly at that elevation (1200 - 1400 ft. asl) and the Lark Sparrow, which is a regular there. I expect this location to continue to show us surprises in the future. The complete list is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227938921
SAS Field Trip: Meiss Road Evening Trip, April 23, 2025
The Grasshopper Sparrow is a very localized nester that was missed along Meiss Rd for the past two years, so this was a welcome find. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Chris Conard reported: Eight of us had a nice trip to Meiss Rd on a sunny, yet cool and breezy evening. The grass was still green, with a little standing water in vernal pools and a nice showing of flowers, including beautiful checkerblooms. Bird highlights included two Wood Ducks in a pool way out in the open grasslands, calling and distant views of Lesser Nighthawks, a Loggerhead Shrike, and two Grasshopper Sparrows. The latter is a very localized nester that was missed along Meiss Rd for the past two years, so this was a welcome find. We had multiple views of two birds perched and also heard one singing. Good views of Western Kingbirds, Horned Larks, and Western Meadowlarks (some with food in their bills indicating nestlings nearby) added up to a really good visit.
SAS Field Trip: Folsom Historic Canal Trail, April 26, 2025
No field trip report submitted.
SAS Field Trip: Knickerbocker Creek - Auburn State Recreation Area, April 27, 2025
The highlights were a good number of Chipping Sparrows. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Timothy Jackson reported: Two people enjoyed a morning birding along and nearby Knickerbocker Creek in Auburn State Recreation Area. There was drizzle or light rain the entire time, but we managed 45 species. Raptors were scarce likely due to the rain. The highlights were a Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at one of the ponds and a good number of Chipping Sparrows. Warblers included Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned, and Wilson's. We saw lingering White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows as well as recently arrived migrants Ash-throated Flycatchers and Western Kingbirds. The link to the eBird checklist is https://ebird.org/checklist/S230161810.
SAS Field Trip: Young Birders Club Field Trip: Rollingwood Bluffs, April 27, 2025
Then, the flycatcher called, giving the diagnostic repeated peeps of something rarer, a Hammond's Flycatcher! Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Two young birders and one parent met my father and I at the Rollingwood Bluffs on this drizzly overcast morning. We immediately noted California Towhee and Yellow-billed Magpie foraging on a lawn across from the park entrance. We headed to the designated Bald Eagle nest viewing area and watched an adult Bald Eagle take off from its enormous nest in a gray pine. We walked through the open oak woodland path that bordered the ravine, noting Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Titmice. In a scraggly leafless bush near the ravine, we noticed a small Empid flycatcher. We watched it flit around catching white insects in the bush, thinking it was just a regular Western Flycatcher, although, we noticed it was much grayer than a usual western. Then, the flycatcher called, giving the diagnostic repeated peeps of something rarer, a Hammond's Flycatcher! Merlin confirmed that the call did belong to a Hammond's, what an amazing find! We watched and studied the foraging bird well before it flew off. Along the way to the river, we watched and listened to an energetic and bright yellow Wilson's Warbler sing. At the riverside scrub habitat we noted six California Quail foraging and skirting away from our path, low flyovers of two Northern Rough-winged Swallows and a Violet-green Swallow that came so close we could see them perfectly without binoculars, and a female Phainopepla flying out from the top of an oak.
Down in the ravine, we noticed singing Bewick's Wrens. Image by Mary Forrestal
We headed back up from the river and back into the oaks, where we watched Ash-throated Flycatchers flycatch from low oak branches, and spied an immature male Western Tanager foraging at the top of the oaks. Down in the ravine, we noticed two Orange-crowned Warblers, singing Bewick's Wrens, and a female Black-chinned Hummingbird. We headed back up into the open oak woodlands, where we watched an Ash-throated Flycatcher preen perfectly in view, and got extraordinary looks at deep orange Black-headed Grosbeaks perching perfectly on exposed branches! We stopped down by the river one last time before heading back, noting 4 preening Western Grebes on the water, and high-flying White-throated Swifts. Overall, it was a very fulfilling day, with 3+ lifers for the attendees, a highlight of an uncommon flycatcher, and a very authentic experience of peak spring migration in the central valley.
SAS Field Trip: Lake Solano County Park, April 30, 2025
Leaders Nancy Gronert and Amy McDonald reported: No takers on the Wednesday April 30 field trip to Lake Solano County Park. It was a beautiful day to observe nesting Cliff Swallows and Black Phoebes on the bridge, the lovely Phainopepla, and Wood Ducks in trees. While wintering species are gone, a quick tour around the Lake Solano Day Use area turned up spring arrivals like Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Kingbirds, Bullock's Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Western Flycatchers, and Wilson's Warblers among others. The regular Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers, California Quail, Oak Titmouse put on a good show along with parading Indian Peafowl.
SAS Field Trip: Bucks Creek, May 3, 2025
The hands down highlight was a female Lawrence's Goldfinch seen sitting on the top of a snag. Image by Daniel Lee Brown
Leader Maureen Geiger reported: Eight of us had a lovely morning walking the Bucks Creek Trail seeing a total of 30 species. The overgrowth of algae has changed the nature of the ponds, leaving little or no space for the ducks and other birds that previously frequented them. However, the riparian habitat is denser than ever, and we had excellent looks at Song Sparrows, Bewick's Wrens and other common birds. The hands down highlight was a female Lawrence's Goldfinch seen sitting on the top of a snag with the golden wing bar very visible.
SAS Field Trip: Searching for Empidonax Flycatchers, May 4, 2025
We managed to get good looks at two Swainson's Thrush. Image by Mary Forrestal
Leader Kevin Thomas reported: We had high hopes of an influx of migrants for this early May Sacramento Audubon field trip. Our hopes were brought back to the reality of a slow spring migration in the area as we assembled at the train tracks and listened to the morning dawn song. We were greeted with a few raindrops as we arrived, the rain didn't last but it left behind a cloud cover for some time. Our group of eight had a wonderful morning walking along the Deer Creek riparian corridor enjoying a beautiful spring morning. Although the activity wasn't great, we managed to get good looks at a few Warbling Vireos that were singing, two Swainson's Thrush that gave everyone good looks eventually, and a perched Western Wood-Pewee that was flycatching from atop a bare dead branch. A highlight was watching a female American Kestrel eating a small rodent and then flying into a nest cavity in a hollowed-out cottonwood branch. We were later greeted by the male perched in almost the exact same spot the female had previously been. Shortly after the male kestrel, we were treated to a perched Cooper's Hawk that stayed still for all to get great looks in the spotting scope. A lone Nashville Warbler and Wilson's Warbler were present but made it a difficult task to catch a glimpse. Our most abundant bird of the day besides the ever-present European Starling, were Acorn Woodpeckers, flying about and making their raucous noises all morning. Despite the low activity level, it was a wonderful morning with a great group of birding friends.
SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, May 4, 2025
Leader Richard Barbieri reported: With seven people joining me on this morning walk we first set off towards the lower stretch of Sweetwater Creek from the parking area to find the lake water very high and limiting our access. Violet-green Swallows and Lazuli Buntings were a couple highlights. Further into the upper drainage we were treated with Yellow-breasted Chats, Lazuli Bunting, Western Tanager, and California Thrasher. Best sight for the day was a good 5-minute look at a beautiful blonde colored Black Bear. Total count for the morning was 38 species.
Best sight for the day was a good 5-minute look at a beautiful blonde colored Black Bear. Image by Larry Hickey