Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project
Projects that involve water or flood management are typically contentious almost anywhere in California. Nevertheless, a plan to widen the Yolo Bypass on its east side, in the lower Elkhorn Basin, is heading smoothly toward construction. It has support from the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and the affected landowners. The project was conceived about […]
YAS FT Lake Solano nov 3 2018
2018 Lake Solano Field Trip Trip Leader: Sharon Kirkpatrick Sat, Nov 3rd A group of seven birders took a chance that Lake Solano would be much calmer than the 20+ mph winds Davis and Winters experienced that day. Luck was on our side! The day was unseasonably warm, sunny, slightly breezy with a few minor […]
Lesser Nighthawk at Capay Open Space, © Deb Ford
Last winter I discussed the Cache Creek Parkway Plan and the Cache Creek Conservancy and Nature Preserve as parts of an effort to improve and expand habitat and public access along the reach of the creek between Roads 85 and 96B. I can now report on a second on-the-ground element of the nascent Parkway corridor, […]
Vermillion Flycatcher, Maxwell cemetery 2017, Deb Ford
On the way, we stopped at the Maxwell cemetery, where we eventually saw a Vermillion Flycatcher at about 9:15. Good looks were shared by all.
Water levels at both Colusa and Sacramento Reserves were good, but many areas were not yet flooded. Good numbers of waterfowl in flooded areas. Snow Geese greatly outnumbered Greater White-fronteds. There were large numbers of Pintails and Shovelers, fewer of other species.
Temperatures were in mid to high 70s, sunny, not windy.
A very pleasant birding day,
5 participants, 56 species of birds.
American Redstart, © Linda Gal
October opened with another first county record, unfortunately in the form of a roadkill. A deceased Magnolia Warbler was found on Mace Blvd near Putah Creek on Oct 3 (AE). It now resides in the UC Davis collection. This was somewhat offset by the county’s first chaseable Vermilion Flycatcher, found Oct 20 at the Davis […]
Western Bluebird, photo Deb Ford
Davis Cemetery, Yolo, California, US Oct 28, 2018 8:00 AM – 10:20 AM Protocol: Area 28.0 ac Comments: I lead a Yolo Audubon Soc bird walk in the back portion of the cemetery, Calm, slightly misty then clear, cool to warm. 31 species Wild Turkey 9 I observed them on the way out. […]
Grasshopper Sparrow, Steve Hampton
With a Bingo card in hand showing the names of 16 species of sparrows, 13 birders set out on a beautiful October day. We ended up with 11 species of sparrows, 72 bird species overall, all of them in a few mile stretch between Winters and Fishing Access #3 in Putah Creek Canyon. The first […]
Southport Levee Improvement Project, © SkyHigh Perspectives, used with permission.
The City of West Sacramento is in the middle of a major upgrade to flood protection along the Sacramento River. Rather than relying on the riverside levee that South River Road sits atop, it is building a much wider levee, and setting it back a hundred yards or so from the river. The intent is […]
Eastern Kingbird @ Putah Creek, © Erica Rutherford/John Colbert
September’s flurry of notable sightings had birders scrambling most of the month. The action started on the evening of Aug 31 when a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found at the flooded shorebird fields at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (SH). Dozens of birders enjoyed this rare visitor, only the county’s second, for the next two days. Coming […]
snowy plovers, Lori Maloney
Chris Dunford led a Yolo Audubon field trip to Bodega Bay with David Hickman, Kinga Kaminska, Chris Botha, Lori Maloney, and Marlyn Zuluaga. We started at Tides Wharf then spent an hour or more at Doran Beach (beach and harbor side at the Rich Stallcup Observation Deck) and on to Bodega Head where we walked […]
Sanderlings, Drakes Beach, Pt. Reyes; Joe Clemons
With a record number of 22 participants, we set off to Pt. Reyes on a relatively warm and sunny day.
The Lighthouse was closed, so we spent most of our time at the Fish Docks and Drake’s Beach. At the Fish Docks, almost everyone got good looks at a Northern Waterthrush and an American Redstart. A lucky few caught a quick glimpse of a Clay-colored Sparrow. At Drake’s Beach, we saw the largest aggregation of Sanderlings that I have ever seen, numbering well over 600 birds! We also witnessed a real knock down fight between two Western Gulls. Supplementing the avian highlights were great scope views of Elephant Seals, several sightings of Harbor Porpoise close to shore, and a nice heard of Elk resting on the hillside. It was a great day. Many thanks to all the participants!
Please stop by The Artery at 207 G St. to see the wonderful art created by Yolo Audubon members, as well as students from several Yolo County high schools. Every piece in the show depicts a Yolo County bird species. It includes 39 photographs, five wood carvings, eight watercolors, and eight ceramic pieces. The show runs from March 30th to April 16th. There’s an artists’ reception on Friday the 13th from 7 to 9 pm. We’re hoping for a big turnout to support our talented members!