This trip will focus on the ins and outs of the eBird app. Since its inception in 2002, eBird has become the largest citizen science project in the world. It has tremendous value to birders of all levels, and the app makes it easy to create checklists and log bird sightings wherever you go. Leaders Emmett Iverson and Zane Pickus will be gearing the trip towards those with little eBird experience, specifically the benefits of using the eBird app.
As for birds, spring is just arriving and the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is a wonderful place to witness the changing season. Ducks will be be lingering, shorebirds will be arriving, and there should be plenty of raptors and songbirds to enjoy.
We will meet at the Davis park-and-ride at 7:00am, and the trip should conclude by 12pm. Please bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and dress appropriately.
Trip leaders ask that participants have created an eBird account and download the eBird app for iOS or Android prior to the trip. Information on how to do this will be presented at Emmett and Zane’s eBird presentation, on Wednesday, January 16.
On Saturday, March 19, 2022, nine birders joined Emmett Iverson and Zane Pickus to visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The trip focused on helping participants become more familiar with the eBird app. Those who attended were able to practice creating and submitting eBird checklists of the birds they observed, as well as gain experience with counting and estimating flocks of birds. Despite some intermittent rain and an overcast morning, the group powered on to see a total of 61 species.
The indisputable highlight was the incredible flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, staging at the Bypass before they continue on to their breeding grounds. An estimated 235 Yellow-headeds were seen throughout the morning. The group was able to pick out 6 Ross’s Geese among flocks of flyover Snow Geese, and a few were able to get views of a distant Bald Eagle. The eagle, an apparent first- or second-year bird, is a very unusual species at the Bypass. Everyone had great looks at Blue-winged Teal, of which 9 were observed. This is a regular but difficult to detect species at the Bypass. Shorebirds were beginning to arrive, and Dunlin, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Greater Yellowlegs were all seen well in good numbers. Finally, a female Great Horned Owl sitting on a nest was a treat.
It was a fun morning at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Thanks to all who attended. A full eBird checklist of species is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S105223561
