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February 2020
Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change in the Central Valley
Climate change is a serious threat to California birds. A recent report from the National Audubon Society, Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink, found that two-thirds of America’s birds are threatened with extinction from climate change. Under the most extreme projections, California could face temperature increases of more than six degrees Fahrenheit in winter and up to nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. The resulting changes in vegetation and habitat will mean that nearly half of California’s birds…
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Nature Journaling Workshop at California Duck Days
Join Certified California Naturalist and Yolo Audubon board member Alison Kent for a half-day of nature journaling. We will meet at the Yolo Basin Headquarters (map below) at 9:30 for a short introduction and then head into the wildlife area to study and draw ducks and other birds, plants, insects, and whatever else we find. All ages and abilities welcome; all you need is something to draw with and something to draw on! The trip will conclude at noon. The…
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Napa River at American Canyon
Adjacent to the Napa River is a restored shoreline walking trail, where tidal fluctuations can be observed. All along the walkway we’ll be enjoying the open vistas looking west toward the wetlands and over the river. We will first walk along a large tidal lagoon looking for resting birds. After a short level walk out to the Napa River, the rising tide will bring foraging shorebirds closer to us. This time of year, migration of north-bound shorebirds is beginning; routinely…
Find out more »March 2020
Sutter Buttes, Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges
On this trip we will visit the Colusa and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges, grasslands around the Sutter Buttes, and, time permitting, the Bobelaine Preserve. We will visit a variety of habitats, including agricultural fields, mudflats, and riparian areas and we will be looking for remaining waterfowl, arriving shorebirds, migrating neotropicals, a variety of sparrows, and owls and raptors. While there will be some walking, viewing will be primarily from different stopping spots on the trip. Meet at 8 am (Daylight…
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Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** We hope to reschedule it at a future date. Kevin Gusé believes that the combination of primates, big game and birds makes Uganda a truly unique destination. For example, did you know that Uganda is the most diverse country in all of Africa for birds, with an official list of almost 1100 species? Come join Kevin as he recounts the adventures of his group during their trip in July of 2019 to the “Pearl of…
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Yolo Farmlands
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** Mary suggests that you call/text her if you would like ideas of where to bird on your own. This trip will focus on birds found in Yolo farmlands. It will be primarily a driving tour along the rural roads of Yolo County with frequent stops. The group will look for raptors, waterfowl, birds of open fields, fences and hedges, as well as riparian birds, depending on the route and the weather. Up to…
Find out more »April 2020
Birding Walk at West Pond
***THE APRIL WALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** Closer to the date, we will reassess whether the May walk will be held. Join us on the first Wednesday of every month. Meet fellow birders at the WEST end of Isle Royale Lane (by the gazebo on the greenbelt). We'll walk and stand for a couple of hours or longer to spot birds all along the pond. Bring your binoculars. We'll share a spotting scope, field guides, and checklists. Restrooms are open M-F…
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Springtime at Willowbank Ditch in South Davis
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** This walking trip focuses on the wintering and migrating songbirds of Davis. Willowbank Ditch in South Davis has a fantastic mix of mature trees, dense understory, and diverse fruiting and flowering plants. We will watch the lingering sparrow flocks, hope for foraging groups of warblers and flycatchers, and practice learning the songs and calls of an array of local songbirds. Some targets will include specialty winterers like White-throated Sparrow and Red-breasted Nuthatch, as well…
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Mitchell Canyon
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** Join us on Saturday April 18 for a walk in Mitchell Canyon at Mount Diablo, one of the premier sites for spring migrant birding in the East Bay. The canyon bottom contains riparian habitat bordered by dramatic chaparral-covered slopes. A nice collection of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, vireos, and flycatchers are expected at this time of year, and there’s a chance we will see Calliope Hummingbirds migrating through. A variety of wildflowers should also be…
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Putah Creek and Gardens at Manfred Kusch’s Home
***THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED*** Tour Manfred Kusch’s birding gardens between Davis and Winters. He has cultivated his home garden and surrounding area, which border on Putah Creek, into a true birding extravaganza. He attracts a wide variety of birds in the gardens and habitat around the house, especially hummingbirds and orioles. The multi-layered vegetation on either side of the creek hosts spring migrants and residents such as grosbeaks, tanagers and a variety of warblers and vireos. We’ll meet…
Find out more »September 2020
Nature Journaling with Alison Kent
Join Alison Kent on a virtual Nature Journaling workshop starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, September 13th. The workshop will be conducted over Zoom. An introduction to the art of nature journaling with a discussion of tools and materials will last about 1/2 hour. Participants will then be encouraged to go out and walk their patch and journal. Everyone will then reconvene at 11:15 to discuss and and share their journals. Please contact Alison at ali@magpienest.org for a zoom link.
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The Nature and Geology of the Berryessa Region
Berryessa Panorama; © Marc Hoshovsky Yolo Audubon’s first online program of the year takes you on a virtual tour of the Berryessa Region with Marc Hoshovsky, co-author of the new book, Exploring the Berryessa Region: A Geology, Nature, and History Tour. Marc will give us an understanding of the Berryessa Region, particularly the geological story that has created this fascinating landscape. He’ll explain the formation of features that most people have seen, like the vertical sandstone beds at Monticello Dam,…
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