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January 2020
Robinson Road: Hawks & Plovers
This trip is by reservation only. There will be a maximum of 19 people in 5 cars. Carpooling will be necessary. Join us for a trip to the pastures of southeastern Solano County to search for overwintering raptors & other winter visitors. We will search fields, perches and farm equipment. Prior trips have seen prairie falcons, merlins, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, rough-legged hawks and mountain plovers. We hope to see these and many more species during this trip. Beginning birders…
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Raptor Ramble
Please join us to try and find as many raptor species as possible in a full day of birding. We will focus on Yolo County, but we may visit adjacent counties as well in our quest. In addition to the more common species, our targets will include Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon and Rough-legged Hawk. Bring binoculars, lunch, plenty of liquids and dress in layers. If you have one, a spotting scope would be…
Find out more »February 2020
North Davis Ponds Bird Count
As part of the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend, Ed Whisler will lead us on a special North Davis Ponds Bird Count on Saturday, February 15th. This is a great opportunity to be part of a long-standing international bird count sponsored by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Meet at the Tandem Properties parking lot (3500 Anderson Road) in Davis. Restroom and water nearby. Bring binoculars. Leaders will bring spotting scopes. All ages welcome.
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Cosumnes Reserve
This is a great time of year at Cosumnes. We will see an abundance of cranes, geese, ducks, and shorebirds. It's one of the few local places where Ring-necked Ducks are reliable. In the morning, we will spend time along the sloughs and riparian corridors of the Mokelumne River where we can see the many wintering songbirds and other inhabitants of the area. We will also explore the wetlands near the visitor’s center. After lunch on the deck at the…
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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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