Field Trip: Del Campo Park, 08/13/25

No report submitted.

Field Trip: Sierra Dragonflies and Damselflies, 08/16/25

Trip Cancelled

Young Birders Club Field Trip: Lake Solano County Park, 08/17/25

Red-shouldered Hawk © Larry Hickey
*A perched Red-shouldered Hawk welcomed us to the park.*

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Five young birders and three parents met my father and me at the Lake Solano County Park day use area on this sunny morning. Acorn Woodpeckers, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Oak Titmouse, a sunning Turkey Vulture, and a perched Red-shouldered Hawk welcomed us to the park. As we made our way down the shoreline trail, we got amazing looks at Western Bluebirds foraging in the grass in direct sunlight, lighting up their blue wings to the highest of vibrancy. An adult male Phainopepla landed at the top of a small tree perfectly in view, and we admired the wispy black mohawk, deep red eye, and “shiny black cloak”, of this unique north American Silky-Flycatcher, one of our target birds. We noted Wood Ducks and Common Mergansers on the water, and an Osprey overhead coursed swiftly downstream. A Great Egret preened on a log in the center of the lake, and multiple Great Blue Herons were seen as well. A few Barn Swallows, many more Northern Rough-wing and Violet-green Swallows were seen zipping just above the water, directly overhead, or perched in a dead tree overlooking the river. Two Bewick’s Wrens foraged along a low branch covered in bramble. Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, California Towhee, and White-breasted Nuthatch were also present.

We watched attentively in the oak canopies and willow thickets for little movements and subtle call notes of migrating warblers and spotted our first Wilson’s Warbler high in a valley oak around 9. Throughout the course of the trip, we heard and saw many Wilson’s Warblers in all levels of the forest. The cries of summering Northern Flickers accompanied us as we headed away from the picnic tables and towards the deeper woods, and we saw a flicker foraging on the ground. Double-crested Cormorants croaked from an oak covered in whitewash. Two Red-tailed Hawks circled overhead.

In the deeper woods, the number of Wilson’s Warblers increased, along with a Yellow Warbler that still wore some of its russet streaks. Two Warbling Vireos that gleaned the mid to upper levels of a willow for small insects, providing excellent looks, was a highlight. Out of respect to an Orb-weaver’s masterful web built across the narrowing trail, we had to turn around, and we did so just in time to watch a Willow Flycatcher fly into the upper levels of an oak, a first for the season for Lake Solano County Park! We noted its pale underside and bold white wing bars had a sharp contrast with its brown back, crown, wings and tail, as the flycatcher foraged for insects in the canopies of the oaks and willows, a lifer for many of the attendees. On the way back, Downy and Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, a perched juvenile American Kestrel, and another Phainopepla were enjoyed. We heard but did not see California Quail and a Western Tanager.

The last highlight of the day occurred when we heard subtle notes coming from the top levels of an oak and spotted a Black-throated Gray Warbler. We watched the warbler move in and out from behind oak leaves for a few minutes until it departed from the tree. Then we ourselves departed for home, bidding farewell to a very well-rounded day of birding, and a lasting impression of early fall migration in a healthy riparian ecosystem.

Field Trip: Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, 08/17/25

No report submitted.

SAS Field Trip: Sailor Bar, 08/23/25

Leaders Mary Forrestal and Jane Van Kessel reported: Neither the threat of extreme heat nor the early start time scared off the 14 birders who chose to join us. Wild Turkey, numerous White-throated Swift, Black-crowned Night Heron, Double-crested Cormorant, and first-of-season California Gulls were some of the early excitement. Anna’s Hummingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, and Lesser Goldfinch were observed in abundance. We had four Spotted Sandpiper and at least 2 different Belted Kingfisher, noting the red band on one and its absence on the other. An Empidonax flycatcher was never specifically identified, and we had a possible Yellow Warbler and possible Black-throated Gray Warbler. Both were only seen briefly by one of the group and never spotted again. The most exciting find of the day was 3 Lazuli Bunting, moving quickly through the trees along the river. Only 39 species were seen overall but we managed to wrap things up before the heat became overwhelming and that felt like a success. https://ebird.org/checklist/S269036674

SAS Field Trip: Ancil Hoffman Park, 08/24/25

Leader Rich Howard reported: We had a large group of 20 folks for this return to Ancil Hoffman Park after a summer closure for repaving. They were a great mix of new, but already skilled, birders and many helpful veterans, including four current and former Beginning Birding instructors. The picnic area next to the parking lot gave us great views of the endemic Yellow-billed Magpie and the iconic Acorn Woodpecker. The rattling call of the near-endemic Nuttall’s Woodpecker was a constant presence on our walk along the trail between the golf course and the American River, and we finally picked up a Downy Woodpecker at the south end.

The trail also gave us many good views of the common oak woodland species. A group of almost 30 California Quail allowed comparison of male, female, and immature plumage and several different vocalizations. Our visit to the gravel bar near the old water intake tower gave us our lone Barn Swallow and Great Egret, our only flock of Rock Pigeons, and single pairs of Common Mergansers and Killdeer. All the Cliff Swallow nesting activity on the tower was finished. Climbing back to the trail, we found our first pair of Yellow Warblers and then a beautiful male Black-throated Gray Warbler, all of which allowed clear looks and photos. Two Warbling Vireos showed themselves in a Valley Oak a little farther south, and two pair of Wilson’s Warblers confirmed our feeling that Fall migration is fully underway! Cedar Waxwings headlined the returning winter visitors. Pausing at a thistle patch gave us good looks at Lesser and American Goldfinches and Anna’s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds. Watching a very high flock of White-throated Swifts allowed us to see an even higher Cooper’s Hawk.

A group of almost 30 California Quail allowed comparison of male, female, and immature plumage and several different vocalizations.

Female California Quail © Mary Forrestal

SAS Mindful Field Trip: Sierra Discovery Trail, Emigrant Gap, 08/30/25

Trip Cancelled

SAS Field Trip: Coastal Shorebirds, 08/31/25

Leader Dan Williams reported: Eight of us had a day we won't soon forget at Point Reyes National Seashore! We spent the morning making the 3-mile trek to Abbott's Lagoon and back. The open brush en route to the lagoon provided lots of the coastal resident "Nuttall's" White-crowned Sparrows (including several still begging juveniles), a family group of California Quail, nice views of a few Northern Harriers and White-tailed Kites, and an unusually obliging Wrentit that perched on a barbwire fence for quite a while for us, issuing its purring contact call. Some playful river otters near the lagoon footbridge would NOT be the last we'd see that day (*foreshadowing*).

Shorebird highlights included a few **Snowy Plovers** still on their nesting dunes. © Mary Forrestal

Tide was quite high at the lagoon and shorebirds were few and distant, but nevertheless there proved to be some gems there waiting for us. A juvenile WESTERN CATTLE EGRET strolling near the shore of the lagoon was quite a surprise. A flock of terns in the northwestern corner of the lagoon was made up mostly of Caspians, but also contained a few Elegant, one Common, and one ARCTIC TERN. Before we could enjoy the Arctic Tern in the scope, it stood and stretched, took off, circled the lagoon dipping at the water a couple of times, then headed out to sea. Shorebird highlights included a few Snowy Plovers still on their nesting dunes, some very close views of Least Sandpipers resting on the beach, and a few Semipalmated Plovers and Marbled Godwits at the far edge of the lagoon.

After a parking lot picnic lunch at Abbott's, we headed to Chimney Rock Trailhead to scan Drake's Bay from the Elephant Seal Overlook. A scene typical of late summer at this location greeted us with Brown Pelicans churning the water with their dives and Heermann's Gulls all over them for each haul. We were able to spot a few Pacific Loons and more than a few Brandt's Cormorants from the overlook...then...*it* happened. We noticed a struggle in the water rather close by that turned out to be a RIVER OTTER attempting to DROWN a BRANDT'S CORMORANT! The cormorant fought the good fight for a few minutes, but eventually the otter was able to haul its victim to shore where two other otters emerged from the rocks and the trio made a meal of the bird right below us, much to our amazement!

What we thought was to be a shorebird-focused trip ended up having highlights that were much more diverse than we imagined and ended with a stark reminder of the beautiful brutality of nature.

SAS Field Trip: Biodiversity Day at Bushy Lake, 09/06/25

Northern Waterthrush © Kevin Thomas
Our biggest surprise of the day came in one of these mixed flocks when we got looks at a streaked bellied, white supercilium, warbler bobbing its tail in an oak tree, a rare Northern Waterthrush was spectacular to see.

Leader Kevin Thomas reported: Our group of 9 was met by a slight chill in the air and overcast skies as we set out for this Sacramento Audubon sponsored Biodiversity Day event. It felt more like fall than summer, as we headed out to the riparian habitat along the American River before working our way back along Bushy Lake. Within the first few minutes we were treated to a pair of American Kestrel, a Cooper's Hawk, and a Peregrine Falcon carrying a small songbird in its talons. The fun continued as we ran into several mixed flocks of Yellow, Orange-crowned, and Wilson's Warblers along with some Western Tanagers. Our biggest surprise of the day came in one of these mixed flocks when we got looks at a streaked bellied, white supercilium, warbler bobbing its tail in an oak tree, a rare Northern Waterthrush was spectacular to see. From there we added on Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a few White-tailed Kites, and a few Vaux's Swifts. We also saw a Desert Cottontail and documented many plant species during the walk. It was a great morning to be outside.

SAS Field Trip: Lake Solano and Putah Creek, 09/07/25

Leader Ben Graber reported: We had an outstanding day of birding today! We had excellent weather and a very nice group of people. The biggest prize of the day was an Eastern Kingbird at Putah Creek preserve. The bird was found earlier in the day by Mark Martucci and later re-found, well-seen and photographed by our group and several others. We also had lots of Yellow Warblers, a Wilson's Warbler, a Nashville Warbler, a Warbling Vireo, a Hooded Oriole, and several Western Tanagers.

About half of the group continued to Lake Solano after lunch. There, the highlights were two Lewis's Woodpeckers and a Phainopepla. There were many swallows at the lake, with Violet-green Swallows being particularly well-represented.

SAS Young Birders Club Field Trip: Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, 09/07/25

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Seven young birders and five parents met my father and I at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve this morning. Flyover Great Egrets welcomed us to this rare riparian corridor in Yolo County. As we made our way down the trail, we watched the tall eucalyptus trees, eager to catch glimpses and good looks at the many Yellow Warblers and Western Tanagers. Continuing down the trail, Northern House Wrens singing in the undergrowth, Western Flycatchers hunting in the oaks, and fly by Wood Ducks were all good finds. An adult birder we passed on the trail, Mark Martucci, let us know that he thought he had an Eastern Kingbird at the bird bath spot that had flown off, but he was still unsure. We kept this possible sighting at the back of our minds as we made our way to the bird bath, picking up Nuttall's and Downy Woodpecker, plenty of Black Phoebes, and Bewick's Wren. At the bird bath, more Yellow Warblers flitting in the low vegetation put on a show for us. Cliff and Barn Swallows foraged overhead, and through dense vegetation we glimpsed a female Hooded Oriole. A Green Heron very close to the path stood poised on a half-submerged log, so incredibly stoic and focused on its hunt that it barely noticed us creeping up to it to obtain incredible photos and long looks. We watched the heron lean off the end of the log until it was almost vertical. By then, we heard from another birder that Mark Martucci developed a photo of the possible Eastern Kingbird, and the sighting was confirmed.

Arriving at the swing spot, we watched a small group of Wilson's Warblers, then headed back, and lingered a while at the bird bath spot. A Willow Flycatcher landed in perfect view on some exposed branches, and a Western Wood-Pewee flycatched from a tall sycamore. Just then, three other birders emerged out of the underbrush, running. When we asked what was going on, they simply replied "Eastern Kingbird!" We all followed them, running as fast as we could, down the trail to a small clearing where a towering sycamore was in view a few yards ahead. And there, sitting on a high branch that arched to the creek's edge, was the EASTERN KINGBIRD!! Most of us got there in time to see the large, black and white flycatcher before it flew off. We stuck around the clearing in hopes the bird would return to the perch, as kingbirds do. I decided to veer from the rest of the group to check the original sight it was seen, the bird bath, just in case. I arrived at the site and spotted a backlit large flycatcher preening in a leafless treetop, ruffling its feathers like it had just reemerged from a bath. I moved around the tree to view the bird from a non-backlit angle and could clearly see it was the Eastern Kingbird! I yelled down the trail and texted the young birders club group chat that I had the bird at the original bird bath spot. Despite the stampede of birders coming its way, the kingbird stuck around at the top of the tree, and those of us who did not arrive in time to see it at the original spot got incredible looks and photos of the remarkable bird. We noted its size, the striking pale white underside and throat, and dark back, tail, and wings, too dark to be a Western Kingbird. We heard from other birders, then saw for ourselves that the bird had no white terminal band, as Eastern Kingbirds usually do, meaning the bird was more than one year old. For the remainder of the trip, we watched the wayward kingbird—the first Eastern Kingbird to be seen in Yolo since 2018—preen amidst the flashing cameras, and eager comments from the many awestruck birders around. Overall, this trip was one for the books, an unforgettable experience with an incredible bird.

Field Trip Findings: August 11 – September 10, 2025