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!
Tree Swallow. Photo credit: Kenn Kaufman
Will warmer weather bring the birds back earlier? That’s the question on many antsy birders’ minds. Unfortunately, it’s not a simple answer. Species tend to migrate in two different ways, based on either instinct or weather. Find out which type of migrant your favorite species are so that you can be ready to spot them this spring. For more information, view this article from the National Audubon Society.
With water everywhere, it’s no surprise that most of the noteworthy birds of February were found floating on it. A remarkable four Common Loons were discovered. The first was in the Deepwater Shipping Channel near the Port of Sacramento on Feb 5 and stayed through at least Feb 21 (BS). On Feb 27, two more […]
Although backyard birding in the city is not as thrilling as in more natural landscapes, it can offer conservation lessons. I began to bird in Slide Hill Park in Davis in 1986, when the park was fairly new and the vegetation was still young. I have watched the various groves and lines of trees grow […]
Golden Eagle ; Jim Dunn
On 25 April 2014 Yolo Audubon Society filed a lawsuit together with Tuleyome and a group of local landowners against Yolo County and the Board of Supervisors challenging the county’s approval of a wind turbine development on Bogle Vineyards, the county stating that no environmental impact report was needed via using the mechanism of a Mitigated Negative Declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
View the Petition for a Writ of Mandate.
The new year opened with record rainfall and plenty of birds to chase. Topping the list were at least four Trumpeter Swans, found Jan 5 among Tundra Swans along Rds 111 and 112 north of Knight’s Landing (TE). These represent an overdue first county record. Birders also enjoyed as many as four Mountain Plovers within […]
This month I want to report on a bird conservation success story that is as close to home as Putah Creek. Yolo Audubon’s own Melanie Truan came up with the idea and made it happen, and has ensured its continuation ever since. Working at the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, and aiming […]