Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant, Yolo County, 02/14/2026

Leader Mark Martucci reported: Thirteen people detected 63 species of birds on a calm overcast morning in Yolo County. Highlights included Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Wilson's Snipe, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Dowitcher, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Northern Harrier, Say's Phoebe and Loggerhead Shrike.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 02/15/2026

Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: The threat of an incoming storm didn’t deter seven of us from exploring Gray Lodge and observing 66 species. In fact, despite the ominous weather forecast, it was bright and sunny at the preserve.

The drive from the entrance to the parking lot was fruitful and gave us a Yellow-billed Magpie, several Western Meadowlark, a Say’s Phoebe, a Snowy Egret, and a flyover of Tundra Swan. Upon arrival at Parking Lot 14, we began studying the ducks that were milling around the adjacent ponds. Species we noted included Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, and Mallard. Several Black-necked Stilt paced back and forth foraging for tasty snacks. Nearby trees hosted Red-winged Blackbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, California Scrub-Jay, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Mockingbird, and Bushtit.

While walking to the next pond, we were surprised to see a River Otter crossing the trail ahead. As it entered the pond, it spooked a Green Heron, whose colors looked gorgeous in the morning sunlight. Nearby, a trio of Double-crested Cormorant perched on a log, busying themselves with catching rays. While trying to track down a singing House Wren, we stumbled onto a small group of Golden-crowned Sparrows, with one White-crowned in their midst. We found a Bewick’s Wren but never spotted the House Wren. In our defense, we were distracted by the appearance of a Downy Woodpecker and a minute later a Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Soon after, we heard the classic call of Sandhill Cranes; looking up, we were treated to a flyover of seven beauties.

The lookout deck provided nice views of Ring-necked Duck which we added to our waterfowl list. One of our birders spotted a Marsh Wren in full view a short distance away—it was a life bird for her! Another birder garnered a life bird when we noted 8 Common Gallinule in the canal below us.

The weather began to change as we began the Auto Loop tour, but bird activity remained good. We finally found Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese amassed halfway through the drive. There were several hundred of each species, but not the thousands that have been seen in past years.

Toward the end of the drive, we were delighted to see a dozen California Quail scuttle across the road; they immediately melted into the brush.

Raptors included an American Kestrel, a Red-shouldered Hawk, and over half a dozen Red-tailed Hawk. Turkey Vultures were everywhere.

As we were completing the drive, the rain began — perfect timing!

Bodega Bay, 02/21/2026

Leader Dan Williams reported: Thirteen of us had an excellent late winter day at Bodega Bay. Conditions were overcast with moderate wind, but the rain held off and activity was high throughout the day.

We started off birding the beach, tide flats, and jetty at Doran Regional Park. On the beach there were numerous Willets and Marbled Godwits, one Hudsonian Whimbrel, and a nice variety of gulls. A Northern Harrier and an Osprey cruised by overhead.

On the tide flats were Snowy Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers, Dunlin, and Sanderlings, several Short-billed Gulls, a flock of Forster's Terns, as well as a few (but not nearly as many as most years) Brant.

There were lots of folks fishing on the jetty, so there were none of the usual rock-loving shorebirds there. However, the Campbell Cove channel more than made up for that, with Common and Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Surf Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, and even a couple of Common Murres giving us great views (between their frequent dives).

Next up at The Tides Wharf there was a nice mixed flock of Black and Ruddy Turnstones on the rocky spit behind the restaurant. Below the back deck we were able to get fun photos of an Eared and Horned Grebe swimming very closely together and of a very close basking pair of sea lions.

The hillslope below the Diekmann's Deli parking lot was as birdy as ever, with the stars of the show being a Tennessee and a Nashville Warbler that had been wintering there. There were also at least two Orange-crowned Warblers, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and plenty of Anna's Hummingbirds zipping around among the flowering vines.

Following lunch at Campbell Cove Beach, we concluded our day atop Bodega Head where we finally found our Black Oystercatchers and Surfbirds that were absent from the jetty, as well as several Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants in breeding plumage, and a Glaucous-winged Gull trying to swallow a sea star. All told, we had 75 species with lots of highlights. Another great edition of this always fun trip.

Beginning Birder Walk, William Pond Park, 02/22/2026

Leader Larry Hickey reported: Ten beginning birders joined us on a beautiful February morning for a field trip at the William Pond section of the American River Parkway. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were cooperatively perched in the eucalyptus trees next to the parking lot and Yellow-billed Magpies were loud, active and tending to their nests. In the clear morning light, we were treated to excellent views of Acorn Woodpeckers, European Starlings and many Yellow-rumped Warblers. It looked like Bushtits were already beginning to pair off and work on their nests and we were delighted to hear a Ruby-crowned Kinglet singing. We had good looks at White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, good views of male and female Common Mergansers and we observed many Great Blue Herons on their nests at the rookery. We were delighted to find a Canvasback duck in the open water. However, the biggest surprise of the day was a sea lion in the river spotted by some of our beginning birders.

Snipes-Pershing Ravine, 02/28/2026

Leader Lynne Attar reported: What a nice birding trip out to Snipes-Pershing Park in Folsom! The highlight was definitely spotting Bald Eagles. "Mama" in their nest, "Papa" busily flying in nesting materials with sticks clutched in his talons - always a thrill to see them in the wild. We also watched White-breasted Nuthatches busily arguing with Oak Titmice over a nesting hole, chattering back and forth like tiny neighbors in a dispute. Many other birds were in attendance, including a Yellow-billed Magpie, Orange-crowned Warblers, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Western Bluebirds and others which were active and singing. The weather was lovely, the birds were lively, and a truly enjoyable time was had by all!

Folsom Wetlands and Riparian Trails, 03/01/2026

Leader Chris Conard reported: Fifteen of us had a great time visiting two wetland parks in Folsom. Highlights included Wood Ducks, a foraging Hooded Merganser at close range, several quick views of Virginia Rails, and heard-only Soras. There was a lot of bird song and activity. Two Bushtit nests were nice to find, as was a male Phainopepla.

Sailor Bar, 03/07/2026

Leader Rich Howard reported: Eight folks showed up for a beautiful morning at Sailor Bar. The calendar said it was winter, but everything else felt like Spring. The winds of the previous days did not arrive until later, and the wildflowers were on full display. The spring mood was enhanced by hearing many bird songs, allowing comparison with the calls we have been hearing all winter. The boat launch lagoon provided an immediate surprise, as four female Hooded Mergansers cruised along the shore. Not long after, an adult Bald Eagle flew downstream; we saw it again (or another?) flying upstream later. The winter diving ducks were still present, with both male and female Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye allowing comparison views.

Iceland (Thayer’s) Gull © Daniel Lee Brown

The river was low enough to host some sitting gulls on a gravel bar, and we picked out one Iceland Gull (Thayer’s) among the California and Ring-billed Gulls. Wood Ducks, Belted Kingfishers, Spotted Sandpiper, and white egrets (Snowy and Great) entertained us with their antics along the riverbanks, Great Blue Herons on nests were a special treat. Just before leaving the river to turn inland, we finally found a very cooperative female Phainopepla; she allowed scope views for all. A perched Northern Rough-winged Swallow was an unexpected surprise, while the Tree Swallows were a constant presence, chattering in the air and investigating nest holes in the cottonwood trees. The pond was strangely quiet, as we found no blackbirds. Walking back through the oak woodland, we got closer looks at Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Oak Titmice, Bushtits, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. There were also deer browsing the low branches of Interior Live Oaks near the top of the bluff. Thanks to Michael Curtis, who provided insights into his patch and kept the eBird list, which can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S306916009

SAS Field Trip: Gibson Ranch, 03/08/2026

Leader Kevin Thomas reported: It was a glorious morning on this first day of daylight savings time. The sun shone brightly with few clouds in the sky making for spectacular viewing of the birds in the area. Eight people joined me for this casual walk around Gibson Ranch County Park. We started along the pond and got great looks at a pair of Belted Kingfisher and heard singing Marsh Wren. As we continued along the eastern side of the park we were treated to a pair of White-tailed Kite, one of which perched on top of an oak tree providing beautiful views for all. We heard several Ring-necked Pheasants and were able to glimpse a few females walking around in the grassland.

We next took a stroll over to the location where the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker had been hanging out all winter; it did not disappoint and everyone got to see this rare vagrant in splendid morning light. We got to see some early signs of nesting in the area watching a pair of Lesser Goldfinches copulate and a White-breasted Nuthatch carrying nesting material to a cavity. Our final highlight was a group of eight Chipping Sparrows that were taking turns bathing in one of the canals that move water around the property, we watched for several minutes as they bathed and preened along the shoreline no more than 20 feet away from us. It was a spectacular morning with great people.

SAS Field Trip: Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 03/11/2026

Leader Molly Shea reported: Walking along the American River on a warm, sunny morning gave our group a great opportunity to see 50 different species at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, and 35 species at the Nimbus Basin. Many of the birds were seen in pairs such as Belted Kingfishers, Red-tailed Hawks, and Buffleheads, or actively on their nest, like Great Horned Owls, Great Blue Herons, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Bushtits! We got some last looks at both Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, as well as Common Mergansers, who may depart soon as seasonal river migrants. A wide variety of raptors were present, with multiple Bald Eagles flying downriver, an American Kestrel eating what looked like a grasshopper, and the hawks mentioned previously. Swallows were also abundant, especially at the Nimbus Basin where we saw Cliff Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and Tree Swallows! There was, of course, debate about gull identification, which always seems to prove challenging this time of year. A learning opportunity for us all!

Field Trip Findings for February 14th – March 11th, 2026