SAS Field Trip: Hayward Regional Shoreline, 07/11/2026

Leader Kevin Thomas reported: Two participants joined this mid-morning walk at Hayward Regional Shoreline Park. It was a beautiful sunny morning with a slight breeze and temperatures in the mid 70's, a nice retreat from the valley heat. We were treated to a trio of Least, Elegant, and Caspian Terns foraging over the water. A Bald Eagle made a quick flyover hastily on its way to some location to the south of us, it showed off its white head and tail as it flew directly over our heads. The tide was high, so shorebirds were not that plentiful, but we did manage to pick up Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Long-billed Curlew along the tidal canals. We had a great time discussing bird presence and how various factors impact where and when birds are in this tidal area.

SAS Field Trip: Summer Singers at the Bufferlands, 07/12/2026

Great Egrets made up the bulk of the congregation. © Daniel Lee Brown

Leader Chris Conard reported: Even with some dark clouds and a few sprinkles at the beginning, we had a really enjoyable trip. Highlights included over 100 herons and egrets foraging in the wetlands. Great Egrets made up the bulk of the congregation, but there were fair numbers of Snowy Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons as well as a few Great Blue Herons and Green Herons. Nesting Double-crested Cormorants have almost finished for the season, but there was a nest containing a large youngster. We had a few sightings of fluttering and calling Spotted Sandpipers, indicating that they had territories nearby, and a Caspian Tern foraging above the wetlands was a nice treat. There were several striped young Pied-billed Grebes and over 30 American White Pelicans. Songbird highlights included several Ash-throated Flycatchers, abundant singing Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats, and excellent views of Black-headed Grosbeaks and Blue Grosbeaks. A quick check of the sewer ponds revealed families of Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, and Killdeer. Recently arrived migrants included good side by side comparisons of Least Sandpipers and Western Sandpipers.

SAS Field Trip: Wrights Lake, 07/18/2026

A short walk through the near-empty day use area gave us our first look and listen for Pine Grosbeak; we ended up with eight for the day.
© Chris Conard

Leader Rich Howard reported: Twelve excellent birders, including three foothill residents and another Sacramento Bird Alliance field trip leader, joined Rich for this “Beat the Heat” day at 7,000 feet. We skipped the Lyons Creek stop, as scouting had found nothing special there, and we wanted to find parking that was not impacted by ongoing construction. Luckily, we were able to park together at the Rockbound trailhead lot, and we heard Osprey as soon as we got out of the cars. Mountain Chickadees, Oregon Dark-eyed Juncos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Red-breasted Nuthatches were a constant presence on our 3+-mile walk. A short walk through the near-empty day use area gave us our first look and listen for Pine Grosbeak; we ended up with eight for the day, including excellent views of both males and females. Brown Creeper, Hermit Warbler and Western Tanager also granted us looks here.

Williamson’s Sapsucker © Daniel Lee Brown

The walk along the southern side of the lake encountered Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and our lone Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulture. Chipping Sparrows and American Robin seem to like the area near the cabins. Scanning the lake yielded Canada Geese, Mallards, Common Mergansers, and Bufflehead, and a solo Wood Duck was seen by some. The shoreline hosted Brewer’s Blackbirds and Spotted Sandpipers. We picked up Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pine Siskin, Western Warbling Vireo, and Purple Finch near the Twin Lakes Trailhead. We had lunch just past noon along the loop trail after it split from the Twin Lakes trail, and one sharp-eyed participant found a Western Wood-Pewee sitting on a nest. The return (west) side of the loop trail saw the group spread out a bit, so not everyone spotted the Townsend’s Solitaire seen at the rear of group or the male Williamson’s Sapsucker seen at the front. However, everyone got to see the female Williamson’s Sapsucker, who stayed around a bit longer. A small group of two Cliff Swallows and a Vaux’s Swift flashed by in the same area. We had 38 bird species for the day at Wright’s Lake. Non-bird species included Yellow-bellied Marmot, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Douglas Squirrel (aka Chickaree), and chipmunks. Butterflies were numerous; most impressive were the huge numbers of migrating California Tortoiseshells, flying overhead or sitting right on the trail. Another wonderful day at this great location with a fine group of nature lovers.

SAS Field Trip: Mather Lake, 07/19/2026

Leader Lynne Attar reported: Eighteen enthusiastic birders gathered at Mather Lake on an overcast but pleasantly warm morning for what turned out to be an outstanding day of birding.

By the end of the outing, the group had identified 50 bird species. Some of the morning's highlights were discovering a family of Green Herons and a family of Swainson's Hawks. Another memorable sighting came from a pair of White-tailed Kites that were seen perched and also hovering nearby.

The group also enjoyed excellent close views of Belted Kingfishers, their unmistakable rattling calls announcing their presence. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the morning was an American Barn Owl that decided to make an appearance. Beyond these standout sightings, participants also enjoyed seeing woodpeckers, swallows, egrets, and songbirds.

Experienced birders were happy to share their knowledge, while newer participants asked questions and celebrated new additions to their life lists. The relaxed pace allowed everyone ample opportunity to observe, photograph, and appreciate the wildlife around them. A good time was had by all!

SAS Field Trip: Loney Meadow, 07/26/2026

Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: Four birders enjoyed a beautiful summer’s day at Loney Meadow. We were targeting mountain birds and summer visiting warblers and tallied 28 total species. We got off to a great start at the trailhead parking lot, seeing or hearing White-headed and Hairy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Cassin’s Vireo.

After a few minutes of hiking, we were surprised by what seemed like a squadron of Brown Creeper, winging through the forest chasing each other. They weren’t shy and a couple landed right in front of us on conifers. A Steller’s Jay screeched its approval from a nearby cedar tree.

Flycatchers were well-represented, with a couple of Olive-sided Flycatchers requesting “quick three beers” from the tops of snags. Meanwhile, Western Wood-Pewee seemed to be everywhere; we counted at least ten individuals. Two Dusky Flycatcher and one Western Flycatcher rounded out the gang.

Warblers showed well; we found a couple of mixed flocks including MacGillivray’s, Northern Yellow, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Hermit.

In addition to the resident species previously mentioned, we were able to observe a couple of Green-tailed Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Townsend’s Solitaire, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, and Cassin’s Finch.

SAS Field Trip: Van Vleck Meadow/Tells Creek, 08/01/2026

Leader Craig Swolgaard reported: Yesterday’s birding at Van Vleck Meadow was excellent. We tallied 27 species, but the number of species wasn’t as impressive as the variety of Sierra Nevada birds that we saw and heard. I was expecting more people to come, but unfortunately half of them didn’t showed up. Only a couple of people actually contacted me to tell me they couldn’t come. Regardless, we spent a lot of time stopping along the way to the trailhead parking lot, to watch birds at the pond and two other spots where we saw a variety of birds flying between trees and across the road. By the time we got to park near the meadow, we had already recorded 21 species! The meadow added other species but had slowed down activity-wise because of the high temperature (86° F).

Memorable birds we saw or heard included Ring-necked Duck. © Daniel Lee Brown

Some of the memorable birds we saw or heard included Ring-necked Duck, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hutton’s and Cassin’s Vireos, Pine Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow (oriantha), and Northern Yellow Warbler. A notable miss was the Common Nighthawk, which we often see flying around the pond, located about halfway between Ice House Rd. and the meadow. Here’s a link to our list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S379234918

The group of us birded into the early afternoon and left around 2PM. I think Van Vleck Meadow is proving to be a good spot to see many of the species expected in the Sierra Nevada.

SAS Field Trip: Martinez Regional Park & Waterbird Regional Preserve, 08/02/2026

We were greeted by a large group of Red-winged Blackbirds. © Elliot Chasin

Leader Michael Curtis reported: Six other birders and I met up at Martinez Regional Shoreline to escape the recent heatwave and enjoy a brisk walk along the Carquinez Strait. When we arrived, we were greeted by a large group of Red-winged Blackbirds, with some Brown-headed Cowbirds dispersed among them. We spent some time in the parking lot taking in the sounds and sights of what was offered to us. This included the sounds of Nuttall's Woodpeckers and Anna's Hummingbirds zooming around, to name a few. As we made our way through the park, we were circled by Barn Swallows and observed a Red-tailed Hawk and a pair of Ospreys carrying fish. Stopping off by the pond, we observed a Snowy Egret and a Great Blue Heron, to name a few. We arrived at the waterfront at low tide; here we observed Semipalmated Plovers, Caspian Terns, more Ospreys, and a group of gulls that we spent some time identifying. We finished our walk hearing Song Sparrows, Marsh Wrens, Common Yellowthroats, and a Virginia Rail. We completed the walk with 42 bird species. We then took a short drive to Waterbird Regional Preserve, where we observed a variety of shorebirds from a stationary spot. The highlights were a Ruddy Duck, American Avocets, Least Sandpipers, Black-necked Stilts, and an American White Pelican flyover. We had 19 bird species at this quiet location. With the trip finished, the majority of birders said they had found two new locations to visit, not just to escape the heat but to take a nice walk and observe the variety of birds at these two beautiful locations.

SAS Field Trip: American Canyon Wetlands, 08/06/2026

Leaders Amy MacDonald and Nancy Gronert reported: Twelve enthusiastic birders enjoyed excellent birding and refreshing, cool weather on our August 6th trip to American Canyon Wetlands. Our total of 63 species is a testament to the varied habitats of this exceptional birding location and of course the efforts of our participants.

On our walk out to (and return from) the lagoon, we birded past ponds, marshy edges, and eucalyptus groves. Expected landbirds, waders, and distant shorebirds were identified. Highlights included Virginia Rail, Black-crowned Night Herons, adult and juvenile Green Herons, Northern House Wren, Bullock’s Oriole, and Brown Creepers.

American Canyon Wetlands, tide receding © Mary Forestal

As the tide began to recede from the mudflats, we were treated to the sights and sounds of shorebirds, waders, gulls, terns, waterfowl, and raptors. Highlights included colorful Western Sandpipers, the haunting call of Black-bellied Plovers in various plumages, Semipalmated Plovers, Long-billed Curlews, calling Ospreys, and a single Caspian Tern.

In addition to the Ospreys, our raptor list included White-tailed Kites, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrels.

The complete checklist can be found here: eBird Checklist - 6 Aug 2026 - American Canyon Wetlands - 63 species (+1 other taxa)

SAS Field Trip: Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, 08/08/2026

Leader Dan Williams reported: We had a lovely morning at American Canyon Wetlands followed by a lovely afternoon at the Huichica Unit of the Napa-Sonoma Wetlands Complex.

From the parking lot at Wetlands Edge Park in American Canyon, we walked west along Eucalyptus Drive and got great looks at a White-tailed Kite, multiple American Kestrels, and a Cooper's Hawk. An Osprey winged over with a giant fish in its grasp.

As soon as we reached the first wetland area along the Landfill Loop Trail, we saw that the mudflats were teeming with shorebirds. Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Marbled Godwits, Willets, and Least and Western Sandpipers were all present in multitudes affording us excellent scope views. Multiple Virginia Rails grunted from the reeds.

In the next pond to the west were hundreds of Mallards in eclipse plumage with a few Gadwalls and Cinnamon Teals mixed in, the increasingly common, invasive, but stately Mute Swans, Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, hundreds of Long-billed Dowitchers, and two Bonaparte's Gulls.

As we walked the levee between that pond and the lower Napa River, we were treated to a mama Common Yellowthroat with her two fledged kiddos still begging nearby, another Virginia Rail that ventured into the open giving us uncommonly good views, and a whinnying Sora. On the river side of the levee, several Forster's and an immature Least Tern flew by, a Peregrine Falcon was perched on a post near a flock of American White Pelicans, and then those pelicans dispersed as an adult Bald Eagle flapped low over the river and took over their loafing spot.

Just past the footbridge where the trail bends west, there was another Osprey, another Kite, more Stilts and Avocets, several dozen Greater Yellowlegs, and a couple of Short-billed Dowitchers. On the backside of the loop back to Wetlands Edge Park, we saw the usual Snowy Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons in the Gallinule ponds and Green Heron and Pied-billed Grebe in the Frog pond.

After a picnic lunch, we headed on to the Huichica Unit, spotting a Swainson's Hawk over the Napa River Bridge on the way. Upon our arrival at the end of Buchli Station Road, we were treated to a lady Northern Harrier carrying prey to what sounded like expectant young across the wetland from the parking lot. The mudflats at this location held more Greater Yellowlegs and Semipalmated Plovers as well as a large flock of Ring-billed and California Gulls with a single Caspian Tern. All told, we had 75 species and a great time beating the heat on the Wine Country bayshore.

SAS Field Trip: A Focus on Shorebirds at the Bufferlands and the EchoWater Facility, 08/09/2026

Leader Chris Conard reported: There were 17 of us on a day forecast to reach 103°F. It was pleasant for the first two hours, and then strategic shade got us past 10 am when we called it a fun and successful morning. Shorebird habitat was more limited than usual, so we decided to go for a riparian walk first. Highlights included a good assortment of herons and egrets, including Black-crowned Night Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, Western Cattle-Egret, Great Egret, and Great Blue Heron. We also had a good showing of raptors, with Turkey Vultures, White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawks. Other notable birds included Belted Kingfisher, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Wilson's Warblers, a family group of Black-headed Grosbeaks, and a singing Blue Grosbeak that allowed most to have brief views.

The shorebird focused area produced a female Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilts including young, a continuing family of an American Avocet with two adult-sized young, Semipalmated Plovers, Spotted Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and Western Sandpipers.

Field Trip Findings for July 11, 2026 – August 14, 2026