Seasonal Sightings: May 2025

The slow spring migration from April continued into May, though it picked up a bit, in fits and starts. Several diving ducks that lingered at Woodland WTP throughout the month included up to 10 Canvasbacks and 12 Redheads. A pair of Redheads was also reported from the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve during the first half of the month and the Lincoln WTP from 5/19-5/22. Single Common Poorwills were found at the Mace Blvd bridge on 5/7 and at Grassland Regional Park on 5/21 (eBird Checklist S241052527). An Allen's Hummingbird was reported on 5/1 at a private yard west of Clarksburg where this species has been recorded semi-regularly. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 (and possibly as early as July) continued. She was tending two nestlings on 5/11 and they both fledged by 5/18. It is likely the male parent, who plays no part in rearing the young, was a closely-related Anna's Hummingbird. Perhaps plumage details of the maturing birds, if they stick around, will make that clear. This could be the leading edge of colonization by this more desert-adapted species north of its typical range. Other Costa's reports included a male seen on 5/18 in a private yard in the Pocket Area of Sacramento and, a little farther afield, a male at a private yard near Colfax from 5/8 through the end of the month.

Two Snowy Plovers were found at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 5/3. Solitary Sandpipers were not as numerous as they were in late April, but reports came from Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) from 5/1-5/4, the EchoWater Facility (Sac. Reg. WTP) on 5/4, and YBWA from 5/1-5/8. A Pectoral Sandpiper at CRP on 5/4 accounts for one of very few spring records of this species that is rare but regular in late summer and fall. Three Franklin's Gulls were reported flying over UC Davis on 5/6. A Least Bittern was reported through mid-month from the pond at Stonegate Ave and Hoopa Rd in West Sacramento, from YBWA throughout the month, and from the Davis Wetlands on 5/16. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron that returned for a third year to the large egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron colony at North Natomas Regional Park on 4/16 continued until at least 5/3. 

Reports of Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers were relatively numerous, and there was a smattering of Dusky Flycatcher reports. An adult male Vermilion Flycatcher was a nice surprise (eBird Checklist S234040053) at the Anatolia Vernal Pool Preserve on 5/6, accounting for Sacramento County's fifth record. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen and mostly heard at Reichmuth Park throughout the month, and another spent the month in central Davis. Grasshopper Sparrows were regularly reported along the eastern stretch of Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County beginning on 4/10 and continuing through at least mid-May (eBird Checklist S237624016). Several Black-chinned Sparrows were found singing (eBird Checklist S239432896) in chaparral northwest of Vacaville where they have been found before, but are a rare surprise. Single Brewer's Sparrows were found at Sailor Bar along the American River Parkway on 5/9, Payen Rd on 5/4 and 5/7, and Meiss Rd on 5/8. A male Lark Bunting was a nice surprise at Jepson Prairie Preserve on 5/17, as was a male American Redstart, found at Reichmuth Park (eBird Checklist S245048586) on 5/31, representing the only rare warbler of the period. 

The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Tom Baxter, Chris Dong, Konshau Duman, Lynette Williams Duman, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Susan Goodrich, Joshua Greenfield, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Rondine Mangrum, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Ed Pandolfino, Adam Panto, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Nico Schnack, Gregg Schwab, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Sean Smith, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, Lynne Tweten, James White, Dan Williams, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

More Seasonal Sightings

By-Law Amendment

We held a vote at our May General Meeting to amend our by-laws to allow both online and mail-in voting. Prior to this amendment our by-laws required that any amendments be voted on by those present at our General Meeting, and did not allow for either online or mail-in voting. Legitimate concerns have been raised that these restrictions effectively exclude those members who could not physically attend a General Meeting to cast their vote. Per our by-laws a 2/3 (67%) in-favor vote is required for any amendments. A total of 21 ballots were cast, with 20 approving the changes, and one not approving. Therefore the proposed amendments passed.

—Paul Miller, Sacramento Audubon Society President

Field Trip Findings: May 10 through June 8, 2025

SAS Field Trip: Spenceville Wildlife Area, May 10, 2025

Leader Richard Barbieri reported: With four people joining me at the start and another who caught up to us later in the morning, we made several stops along the way to SWA. As the day progressed it became quite warm and ended up being the hottest day so far this season. We were rewarded with a decent amount of species overall (61), with a few highlights. Good looks at a Common Yellowthroat and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. We also had a Black-necked Stilt, female Bufflehead, and a Bald Eagle on its nest.

SAS Field Trip: William Pond Park, May 11, 2025

Leader Mark Martucci reported: 23 birders detected 51 species of birds on a cool early May morning along the American River Parkway. Highlights included Osprey, Western Wood-Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak.

SAS Field Trip: Crystal Basin, Eldorado National Forest, May 17, 2025

Leaders Phyllis Wilburn and Maureen Geiger reported: The Crystal Basin trip in Eldorado National Forest was, as always, a magical trip. Unlike last year, it was a very cool, mostly overcast day, so the 8 participants enjoyed the hikes as well as the birds. From Hermit Warblers, Brown Creepers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Red-breasted Nuthatches to Calliope Hummingbirds, Lazuli Buntings, Green-tailed Towhees, and calling Mountain Quail, to name a few, birds were abundant. Some great photos will be uploaded to the 4 eBird lists as well.

Ice House Rd across from Silver Creek https://ebird.org/checklist/S239446625
Crystal Basin--Access Rd. just before Ice House Campground: https://ebird.org/checklist/S239771382
Ice House Rd, Pollock Pines US-CA 38.77476, -120.45193 https://ebird.org/checklist/S239773074
Cleveland Coral Picnic Area: https://ebird.org/checklist/S239772736

SAS Field Trip: Teal Bend, May 18, 2025

Leader Richard Barbieri reported: Eleven people met me for an early morning walk on what turned out to give a decent amount of birds despite the blustery weather. With highlights of several birds of prey species including 5 male Osprey circling around a nest platform. Total species count for the morning was 57 with the best bird being an Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Young Birders Club Field Trip: Babel Slough, May 18, 2025

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Four other young birders and two parents met my father and I at the beginning of Babel Slough Road this morning. Right off the bat, a brilliant male Black-chinned Hummingbird sat perfectly still on a telephone wire, offering great looks! We were excited by a singing Blue Grosbeak in a large Sycamore at the start of the road, but that bird sadly eluded our sight. We quickly picked up Spotted Towhee, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Black-crowned Night Herons passing overhead, and singing Swainson's Thrushes in the dense understory. We moved along through the oak riparian woodland, noting a White-breasted Nuthatch on a telephone pole and two Ash-throated Flycatchers at the top of an oak. We reached the spot where I was expecting to see Lazuli Buntings, but these were a no show. Instead, we heard and caught small glimpses of a singing Wrentit in a blackberry and willow patch. We noted Swainson's Hawks and Turkey Vultures drifting above our heads.

After moving on from the bunting spot, we flushed and caught a very brief glance at what we think was a Great Horned Owl seen across the slough, flying out of a willow, which we never saw again. A singing Common Yellowthroat, perched Western Bluebirds, and flyover Tree Swallows were also highlights. A singing Northern House Wren bouncing around eye level branches was another highlight and a lifer for one of the attendees. We later saw the House Wren travel inside of a tree cavity that it was likely nesting in! Soon after we reached the very old oaks just before the winery, we noticed a bigger, creamy white bird flush from the upper mid-levels of the oaks. We traveled quickly in its direction, and it flushed a second time, this time revealing its broad, heart shaped face. An American Barn Owl! We watched the bird hover in place briefly at the top of an oak, then travel further down the road to a section of willows, where it was not seen again. A highlight for all. On the way back we saw a male Wood Duck swimming in the slough, we caught brief looks at a Western Flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo and enjoyed a bright male Townsend's Warbler foraging in the back of an oak, another surprise. Overall, it was a well-rounded riparian day.

SAS Field Trip: Cosumnes River Preserve, May 24, 2025

Leader Cliff Feldheim reported: Eight of us had a nice morning at the Cosumnes River Preserve. We were all surprised to see a beautiful adult Bald Eagle and enjoyed watching its interaction with a Swainson’s Hawk. We heard and then found a Yellow-breasted Chat. We also got good looks at Hutton’s Vireo and Bullock's Oriole. We saw 28 species of birds while enjoying our walk along the River Trail while talking about the Preserve, and fish and wildlife conservation.

SAS Field Trip: Avery’s Pond, May 31, 2025

Leader Ben Graber reported: We had a decent showing of 34 species, despite unseasonably hot weather. Highlights were a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers, several Rufous-crowned and Lark sparrows, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and an Orange-crowned Warbler. Participants who braved the heat all the way to the pond itself got to hear the unique vocalizations of the Yellow-breasted Chat, but unfortunately did not get a look at the bird itself. Black-headed Grosbeaks, Wrentits, and a Hutton's Vireo also made their presence known but did not come into view. 

Young Birders Club Field Trip: Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, May 31, 2025

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Five other young birders and two parents met my father and I in the first parking lot of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife area on this sunny and quickly warming morning. Once we all arrived, we had a quick introduction and then started driving to our first stop, Parking Lot F. On the way, we spotted a female Blue Grosbeak singing from the top of a willow, and Mallard ducks swimming with ducklings. At Parking Lot F, hundreds of Cliff Swallows flying and calling around the bridge were a sight, as well as an enormous flock of American White Pelicans resting and taking off from an island in the wetland beyond the bridge. Many flyover Black-crowned Night Herons, two male Northern Pintails, and an impressive number of Great Egrets in the bare willow branches were also memorable. Our highlight of the trip was getting amazing views at a male Blue Grosbeak in the willows just beyond the bridge at parking lot F. The grosbeak would perch near the top of the willows, half the time on exposed branches, and would change perches often, thankfully it never flew too far from where we were. At one point the bird landed on some dead plant stems next to the canal, perfectly in the sun! We admired its impressive royal blue coloration, rusty brown wing markings, thick silvery bill, and black mask. Blue Grosbeak was a lifer for many attendees. Our next stop was Parking Lot E, where we heard and saw Pied-billed Grebes and a pair of Bullock's Orioles flying from the canal side vegetation. Along with the birds, a muskrat and some catfish were also seen and enjoyed. At our last stop, Parking lot G, we observed a singing Song Sparrow at the top of a willow, some American Goldfinches, a Western Kingbird perched on a wire, and a beautiful male Black-headed Grosbeak on the exposed branches of a cottonwood. Other notable sightings of the day included Brown-headed Cowbirds, a distant Belted Kingfisher, Swainson's and Red-tailed hawks, Marsh Wren, and White-faced Ibis.

Beginning Birder Walk, William Pond Park, June 1, 2025

Leader Larry Hickey reported: 15 beginning birders joined us at the William Pond section of the American River Parkway on a beautiful late spring morning. We were treated right away to views of a Red-shouldered Hawk interacting with its nest and perching in good light. We were able to get good looks at a pair of Killdeer and Yellow-billed Magpies foraging in the grass, and two Great Blue Herons perched in a tree on the island in the center of the open water. Western Kingbirds, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Bullock’s Orioles were seen in good light by everyone. Highlights included a female Wood Duck swimming with babies near a female Mallard with her babies. One of our keen-eyed beginning birders spotted a Northern Rough-winged Swallow fly into a hole in the riverbank, and after watching the spot many of us were treated to the same scene. We had a total of 44 species for the morning.

SAS Field Trip: Mono Basin, Weekend Trip, June 7th-8th, 2025
Trip Cancelled

SAS Field Trip: Cache Creek Nature Preserve, Yolo County, June 8, 2025

Leader Maureen Geiger reported: Of the 9 birders at the Cache Creek Preserve trip this morning, 8 were new to this location, so exploring several miles of this beautiful Preserve guided by Felicia Wang, was very informative. The 130-acre Preserve has a surprising variety of habitats including ponds, fields, lots of riparian areas, as well as the Putah Creek streamside which gave good looks at Swainson's Hawks, Pied-billed Grebes, Belted Kingfishers, Ash-throated Flycatchers and about 37 additional species. Great place to visit, and we agreed it would be good to return during peak migration next time.

Young Birders Club Field Trip: Crystal Basin and Ice House Road, June 8, 2025

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Three other young birders and two parents met my father and I at the Aspen Grove off Ice House Road. Right off the bat, a White-headed Woodpecker flew out of its nest hole in an aspen and landed on a broad trunk of a tall pine. We hadn't moved an inch when suddenly, we heard the peeernt! trills of Common Nighthawks! We looked to the sky and saw two nighthawks gracefully flitting on long thin wings high above, calling and flashing their glowing white wing bars. A male Western Tanager singing from the very top of a pine was a third highlight we shared, and we hadn't even moved from the parking spot! As we headed down the trail, we came to an opening in the forest, and spotted two gray, medium-sized birds running down a slope-- Mountain Quail! We noted their long, upright head feathers, and white streaks on the side of their backs as they ran quickly into cover. It was very special to see the seldom-seen Mountain Quail, even if it was just a glance. It was a lifer for us all, including me. We continued to hear their Qua! calls throughout our time at Aspen Grove. A Hermit Warbler with a bright yellow face in the lower, eye level branches of a pine was another highlight. At the start of the aspens, Western Wood-Pewees were hunting for insects and chasing each other, and Chipping Sparrows foraged on the sandy ground.

Once we arrived at the open meadow, we quickly spotted a male Calliope Hummingbird perched on the top of a short pine, turning its brilliant pink throat streaks towards and away from us. We also observed Fox Sparrows singing, Yellow Warblers, a female Western Tanager, and more Western Wood-Pewees by the stream. We worked very hard to pick out a singing Macgillivray's Warbler in a clump of aspen, and when looks of the warbler were achieved, we noted its broken white eye ring. From there we headed out of the meadow and into an open forest area, where we spotted more Fox Sparrows and another Macgillivray's Warbler. A Red-tailed Hawk circled overhead. We heard the nasally, raptor-like call of the Red-breasted Sapsucker but did not see it. On the way back, an Olive-sided Flycatcher hawking from the very top of a pine was a highlight. A Mountain Chickadee caching seeds at the beginning of the trail was our last notable sighting from the Aspen Grove.

We stopped at the Ice House general store for lunch, noting the Barn Swallows flying all over the place. Then, we drove up to the big hill lookout. At the lookout, we enjoyed the incredible 360 scenic views, waited out a short patch of rain, then began walking the perimeter of the lookout. We noted an abundance of Fox Sparrows, and got great looks at the multicolored Green-tailed Towhee as we watched one sing from the top of a small pine. We watched another Green-tailed Towhee chase away a foraging Dark-eyed Junco. A Spotted Towhee trilling from the top of a tree was another highlight of the lookout. From there, we drove to our last stop, a gated road by the Ice House Sanitation Station in the deep woods. We quickly located a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets foraging and giving quiet tsee calls in the small pines next to the road. Another Hermit Warbler foraged with the kinglet flock. Multiple pairs of White-headed Woodpecker foraged from all levels of the forest. The whit calls of Hammond's Flycatchers accompanied us as we traveled farther into the woods. We later got to see one perched at the very top of a tall pine. Hairy Woodpecker, singing Hermit Thrush, and a brilliant male Western Tanager singing from an eye level stump were all notable sightings. Red-breasted Nuthatches flew in and out of holes in the tree trunks. A Townsend's Solitaire perched right on the limbs of a fallen tree next to the road. We observed it flying and landing in the middle of the road, picking something up from the ground to eat, and then flying back to its roadside perches. We noted its full white eye ring and light-yellow wing bars in flight. We all headed down the mountain and back to the valley satisfied with the incredible diversity of birds we had seen on the first ever Sacramento Valley Young Birders Club summer day trip.

53rd PFDA Annual Wildfowl Art Festival

For all of you who have attended the Central Valley Birding Symposium you either know, or know of Chester Wilcox. He is the amazing wood carver who each year has a table with his finished pieces and current work at the Symposium. Chester will be exhibiting his art and competing at the 53rd Annual Wildfowl Art Festival. The event hosts numerous carving competitions organized by bird species, size of carvings, and other criteria. They are currently looking for expert birders to serve as judges. If interested please contact me at sacaudubonpresident@gmail.com

I had the pleasure of meeting Chester last year and purchased one of his pieces as a Sacramento Audubon gift to one of our amazing donors. Chester began carving in 1982, and he is now 85 years young. He describes his work as “a hobby that got out of hand,” with over 2,000 pieces to his name! I visited his workshop and was simply amazed at his incredible attention to detail. Every feather is intricately carved and painted. His work inspired my wife and I to commission a piece for our home. It will be a half size Osprey perched on a snag. His wife of 60 years, Dorothy, is his partner in crime and currently manages aspects of the work along with the Wildfowl Art Classic.

Sacramento Aucubon has been provided free passes for those who would like to attend. Please email sacaudubonpresident@gmail.com for a pass.
–Paul Miller

Sacramento Audubon Monthly Speakers on Hiatus for Summer

Our monthly meetings and speaker presentations are on hiatus for the summer but will return again on September 18, 2025. We are looking forward to upcoming presentations at Effie Yeaw and on Zoom, such as:

First Results of 2025 Statewide Purple Martin Survey
Presented by Dan Airola

A Quarter Century at the Bufferlands
Presented by Chris Conard

Findings from Project Phoebe
Presented by Sage Madden

In the meantime if you missed any of our past speakers or would like to watch a presentation again, visit www.sacramentoaudubon.org/past-speaker-presentations.

Black Birders Week 2025

Grounded in Community

Black Birders Week 2025 is taking place May 25–31! This annual event uplifts and highlights the experiences of Black birders, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts, while promoting inclusivity and access to nature for all.

Learn more about this event and daily themes to engage and motivate.

https://www.blackafinstem.com/2025-theme

Effie Yeaw Nature Center Remains Open During Ancil Hoffman Roadwork

From Effie Yeaw Nature Center:

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center remains open and active during road and parking improvements at Ancil Hoffman Park—and visitors are encouraged to keep coming!

Sacramento County Regional Parks is conducting a major road repaving and accessibility upgrade project that will temporarily close Ancil Hoffman Park to general vehicle traffic. But this important construction will not stop NatureFest, summer camps, or regular programs at the Nature Center.

Nature Center programs are continuing as scheduled, and we are open throughout construction. Special visitor parking has been set aside in the field across from the Nature Center and will be clearly marked. A parking and access map for NatureFest 2025 is now available at www.effieyeawnature.org to help guests navigate the temporary layout.

“Even with road work underway, we’re open and looking forward to welcoming families, students, and nature lovers of all ages,” said Rachael Cowan, Associate Executive Director of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. “Please don’t let the construction keep you from joining us. NatureFest and our summer camps are going strong!”

NatureFest 2025 is set for Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature live animal shows, hands-on STEAM activities, local exhibitors, food trucks, and more. Parking is free and will be directed to the designated field lot just across from the Nature Center.

Summer Camps are also underway and enrolling now. These popular camps get kids outside to explore the American River Parkway, meet wildlife up close, and discover nature through games, crafts, and adventure.

Visitors are encouraged to use caution when entering the park during construction and follow all posted signs. Full vehicle access to Ancil Hoffman Park is expected to resume in August.

For the latest updates, parking map, and event information, visit https://www.effieyeawnature.org/ancil-parking.

Volunteers Help Relocate an Osprey Nest in West Sacramento

Ospreys had been building and using a nest on a lattice tower that was part of a derelict conveyor belt system at the Port of West Sacramento since 2021. Over the past few years, the ospreys added to the nest which by early 2025 weighed approximately 150 pounds, consisting of branches, coat hangers, rope, tree bark and other scavenged material. It was approximately 70 feet above ground, 3 feet in diameter, and 2-1/2 feet tall.

The City of West Sacramento planned to remove the old tower, triggering a state law (Fish and Game Code Section 3503.5) that prohibits taking, possessing, or destroying nests of any birds of prey, whether currently occupied or not, without prior authorization from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The state agency typically requests that such nests be relocated to new nest structures whenever practical. In response, the Port of West Sacramento hired a consultant, H. T. Harvey & Associates to advise the Port on alternatives. Harvey developed a nest removal and relocation plan on January 9, 2025.

In January, the Port asked the Lake Washington Sailing Club (LWSC) for volunteers to help carry out its nest relocation plan in time for spring breeding by the osprey. LWSC has been operating out of the Port since 1933. It responded with an ad hoc committee led by Stefan Lorenzato and LWSC’s Port Captain Brandon Lee. Volunteers worked with Port officials to consider and refine alternatives for a new location for the nest, pole and nest structural systems, and heavy mechanical equipment to facilitate construction of the new nest structure. A member of LWSC happened to also be a member of Sacramento Audubon, which facilitated the engagement of Dan Airola who has been monitoring osprey populations throughout the Central Valley. Airola wrote a paper along with J.A. Estep in 2022 titled, “Habitat Use and Reproductive Success of Ospreys in Central Interior California.” Airola provided key advice to the Port and LWSC on the proposed nesting location and how much of the existing nest should be salvaged and reused. LWSC and the Port are grateful for Sacramento Audubon’s and Airola’s advice and support.

Volunteers considered adapting an aluminum sailing mast to support the nest, but eventually settled on a more traditional wood telephone pole, since the Port had several free poles in stock. Volunteers also explored the purchase of a plastic nest box that is commonly deployed by utility companies throughout the U.S. However, LWSC found that plastic nest boxes were not readily available and would be costly and cause a delay to fabricate. So LWSC volunteers opted to build a wooden nest box using guidance in the Port’s Plan by Harvey. Volunteers prepared and moved the wood pole to the new site, dug an 8 foot deep post hole with a large auger, mounted the nest box onto the pole and placed part of the existing nest into the box. The Port paid for equipment rentals and construction materials. The Port also hired Bear Electric to use heavy equipment to lift the pole and place it into its hole, and shore the pole until its concrete base could cure as of March 10, 2025.

The new nest is located on the shore of an old oxbow of the Sacramento River near what is now called Lake Washington. Access to the area around the nest is restricted to the public, making it an ideal setting for undisturbed access by the osprey.

Within several days after erection of the new nest, a pair of ospreys were seen preparing the relocated nest for breeding. So far, the effort has been fortunate since reportedly only roughly half of past efforts to relocate osprey nests have been successful in attracting ospreys.

By Fred Turner, Lake Washington Sailing Club & Sac Audubon Member

Field Trip Findings: April 12 to May 4, 2025

SAS Field Trip: Unusual Parts of the Cosumnes River Preserve, April 12, 2025

Leader Rodd Kelsey reported: Eight of us spent the cool, beautiful morning exploring vibrant habitats of the Cosumnes River Preserve, including wetlands, riparian corridors, agricultural fields and upland edges. The bird activity was great, with a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and early-season songbirds—many in full spring plumage or beginning to sing on territory. Spring migration seems to be starting a little late this year, with very few spring migrants or arrivals for the breeding season from the south. Over nearly four hours, we observed a total of 66 distinct species, including notable numbers of migrating shorebirds, Swainson’s Hawks, and insect-gleaning Yellow-rumped Warblers.

SAS Field Trip: Pine Hill/Kanaka Valley, April 13, 2025

Leader Chris Conard reported: Seventeen of us had an enjoyable walk on a beautiful day, with good views of the Sierra and a very full Folsom Lake, plus a nice complement of wildflowers and specialized plants found at Pine Hill Preserve. The birding was a little slow, with migrant warblers and flycatchers mostly absent. Perhaps we were a few days early for them. Highlights included good views of singing Bell's Sparrows, distant California Thrashers, a closely perched Violet-green Swallow, many Wrentits, including one a few feet away from us, Anna's Hummingbirds and Lesser Goldfinches doing flight displays, and heard-only Hutton's Vireos, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warblers, and Black-headed Grosbeak. https://ebird.org/checklist/S225344208

Beginning Bird Walk, April 13, 2025

Leader Larry Hickey reported: Eleven beginning birders and Keith, a special guest from Audubon of Hawaii were treated to a wonderful spring morning of birding at the William Pond part of the American River Parkway. Red-shouldered Hawks were busy building and occupying a nest right near the parking lot where we gathered at the beginning of the trip, much to the dismay of Yellow-billed Magpies who were trying to establish nests in the same area. Great Blue Herons were in their nests at the rookery, but were increasingly hard to see as the cottonwood trees are now nearly full of leaves. We had another excellent raptor day with good sightings of a White-tailed Kite hunting directly overhead, and an early Swainson’s Hawk. We had good views of a few Golden-crowned Sparrows just before they leave for their long migration and a cooperative Western Kingbird who recently arrived. The highlight for the group were the Bald Eagles – one juvenile and four full adults - soaring overhead for several minutes.  

Young Birders Club Field Trip: Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, April 13, 2025

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Two young birders and one parent met my father and me at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve this morning. We heard and saw a California Towhee singing in the parking lot. We headed down into the thick wooded path along the creek, hearing and seeing multiple Northern House Wrens, and energetic White-breasted Nuthatches. A Spotted Towhee sang from an exposed perch in the bramble. We also noted a Downy Woodpecker on a dead snag. Tree Swallows were everywhere! We even saw one peeking its head out of a nest box. A pair of Western Bluebirds we observed displayed extremely territorial behavior towards a Black Phoebe, chasing it all around the vicinity of a nest box we assumed belonged to the bluebird pair. We also noted two Bushtit nests hanging from trees! Towards the afternoon, we saw Swainson’s Hawks drifting above the preserve and noted their multicolored faces. A Western Kingbird calling from the top of an oak was also a highlight, and a lifer for the two attendees. At the bridge, we got to observe a colony of Cliff Swallows at their mud nests, which was very cool! The wind made it very hard to find spring warblers, but it was a fun morning of birding nonetheless.

SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, April 16, 2025

Leader Richard Barbieri reported: With only a small group of five people we walked the lower drainage to start with views of Wood Ducks, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows as highlights. Further up into the Sweetwater Creek drainage we saw Hutton's Vireos, Western Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, and heard an abundant amount of Wrentits. Total species for the morning was roughly 40 species.

SAS Field Trip: Traylor Ranch Bird Sanctuary, April 19, 2025

Leader Mary Forrestal reported: With several very new birders and multiple seasoned birders, this group of 14 enjoyed a beautiful morning at Traylor Ranch Bird Sanctuary. The trip started off well with Western Bluebird, Western Kingbird, crowned-Sparrows, California Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, and Northern Mockingbird all seen as we collected in the parking area. Progressing along the trail, Acorn Woodpecker and Tree Swallow put in their first appearances. California Quail were next, scuttling along in front of us. We heard our first California Thrasher about 20 minutes into the walk, and while this bird never came into clear view, two California Thrashers were soon found perched above the blackberry bushes. Whimbrel were another exciting find, individually at first and then a group of six flying across the field. It was a lovely day for raptors as well, with several Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, a Swainson’s Hawk, a White-tailed Kite, and finally a Cooper’s Hawk after most of the group had left for the morning. A great-big thank you to Timothy Jackson for keeping our eBird list. You can see that complete list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227098928.

SAS Field Trip: Effie Yeaw Nature Center, April 20, 2025

Leader Rachael Cowan reported: On a mild Saturday morning 12 participants, many of which were American River College students satisfying a zoology course field trip requirement, met me in the courtyard at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. The space was filled with bird chorus as all were paired with binoculars for a tutorial focused on a Black Phoebe. We spent some time in the village tracking Yellow-rumped Warblers in the canopy of an alder. Lesser Goldfinches joined in to allow for comparison and birders were patiently focused on the bright yellows of each species. Soon the Western Bluebirds grabbed our attention as they flew into one of the nest boxes and triggered loud begging cries from nestlings. This became a theme of the day as we watched Tree Swallows and Oak Titmice fly into cavities to feed their young. We heard a number of Brown-headed Cowbirds and had a good look at one through a scope as I shared their energy saving practice of depositing their eggs in the nests of other species, much to the wonderment of the group. By this time, we observed a number of species flying over, American Crow, Canada Goose, a pair of Wood Ducks, and darting Mourning Doves. Next the Acorn Woodpeckers naturally drew fanfare when all learned how the extended family network of caching acorn and defending territory is unique and necessary to survival. Many were busily flycatching and delivering food to young while others were vocalizing in competition with the European Starlings. We had good looks of both species in the scope, until I heard the first Ash-throated Flycatcher of the season. We soon found a pair working their way up an Interior Live Oak.

On our way to the river, we spotted a flock of Bushtits and found a nice mix of White-crowned Sparrows, California Towhees, and a Northern House Wren in a collection of downed branches. As we approached the river, we had a really nice look at both a Turkey Vulture and a Red-tailed Hawk soaring and discussed all the visual features that can help distinguish the two in poor lighting conditions. We turned our sight to the river where we found a pair of Mallards and fleeting glances of a singular diving male Common Merganser. Killdeer called our attention, and the scope revealed a Spotted Sandpiper was also sharing the shoreline. As we wandered away from the river, we found a new hawk flying over -- a Swainson's Hawk! I explained this is not as common of a sighting at that location and shared their conservation history. We saw a Red-shouldered Hawk was in the nest on the way back to the Center and we saw a pair of Northern Flickers fly by and disappear into vine-laden oaks. Almost everyone one got to see the bird they hoped to see, with the exception of Western Tanager. I invited her to keep looking. We had a total of 40 species on our checklist.

SAS Field Trip: Auburn State Recreation Area, Catecroft Access, April 21, 2025

Leader Craig Swolgaard reported: It was a real good day of birding, with 42 species seen, including many expected spring migrants. Five of us walked about 4 miles through a variety of habitats and recorded lots of returning migrant species, including Violet-green Swallow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Wilson’s Warbler, Bullock’s Oriole, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Band-tailed Pigeon. We missed the empid flycatchers, but part of that may be the timing. We also missed the Chipping Sparrow, which I had seen earlier while scouting for the trip last week (they are regulars during spring migration). Our favorite bird sighting was the Violet-green Swallow we saw in two different locations along the trail. At both locations, the birds were investigating potential nest cavities. Other good species were the Band-tailed Pigeon, an interesting bird to see fairly regularly at that elevation (1200 - 1400 ft. asl) and the Lark Sparrow, which is a regular there. I expect this location to continue to show us surprises in the future. The complete list is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S227938921

SAS Field Trip: Meiss Road Evening Trip, April 23, 2025

Leader Chris Conard reported: Eight of us had a nice trip to Meiss Rd on a sunny, yet cool and breezy evening. The grass was still green, with a little standing water in vernal pools and a nice showing of flowers, including beautiful checkerblooms. Bird highlights included two Wood Ducks in a pool way out in the open grasslands, calling and distant views of Lesser Nighthawks, a Loggerhead Shrike, and two Grasshopper Sparrows. The latter is a very localized nester that was missed along Meiss Rd for the past two years, so this was a welcome find. We had multiple views of two birds perched and also heard one singing. Good views of Western Kingbirds, Horned Larks, and Western Meadowlarks (some with food in their bills indicating nestlings nearby) added up to a really good visit.

SAS Field Trip: Knickerbocker Creek - Auburn State Recreation Area, April 27, 2025

Leader Timothy Jackson reported: Two people enjoyed a morning birding along and nearby Knickerbocker Creek in Auburn State Recreation Area. There was drizzle or light rain the entire time, but we managed 45 species. Raptors were scarce likely due to the rain. The highlights were a Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at one of the ponds and a good number of Chipping Sparrows. Warblers included Yellow-rumped, Orange-crowned, and Wilson's. We saw lingering White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows as well as recently arrived migrants Ash-throated Flycatchers and Western Kingbirds. The link to the eBird checklist is https://ebird.org/checklist/S230161810.

SAS Field Trip: Young Birders Club Field Trip: Rollingwood Bluffs, April 27, 2025

Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Two young birders and one parent met my father and I at the Rollingwood Bluffs on this drizzly overcast morning. We immediately noted California Towhee and Yellow-billed Magpie foraging on a lawn across from the park entrance. We headed to the designated Bald Eagle nest viewing area and watched an adult Bald Eagle take off from its enormous nest in a gray pine. We walked through the open oak woodland path that bordered the ravine, noting Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Titmice. In a scraggly leafless bush near the ravine, we noticed a small Empid flycatcher. We watched it flit around catching white insects in the bush, thinking it was just a regular Western Flycatcher, although, we noticed it was much grayer than a usual western. Then, the flycatcher called, giving the diagnostic repeated peeps of something rarer, a Hammond's Flycatcher! Merlin confirmed that the call did belong to a Hammond's, what an amazing find! We watched and studied the foraging bird well before it flew off. Along the way to the river, we watched and listened to an energetic and bright yellow Wilson's Warbler sing. At the riverside scrub habitat we noted six California Quail foraging and skirting away from our path, low flyovers of two Northern Rough-winged Swallows and a Violet-green Swallow that came so close we could see them perfectly without binoculars, and a female Phainopepla flying out from the top of an oak.

We headed back up from the river and back into the oaks, where we watched Ash-throated Flycatchers flycatch from low oak branches, and spied an immature male Western Tanager foraging at the top of the oaks. Down in the ravine, we noticed two Orange-crowned Warblers, singing Bewick's Wrens, and a female Black-chinned Hummingbird. We headed back up into the open oak woodlands, where we watched an Ash-throated Flycatcher preen perfectly in view, and got extraordinary looks at deep orange Black-headed Grosbeaks perching perfectly on exposed branches! We stopped down by the river one last time before heading back, noting 4 preening Western Grebes on the water, and high-flying White-throated Swifts. Overall, it was a very fulfilling day, with 3+ lifers for the attendees, a highlight of an uncommon flycatcher, and a very authentic experience of peak spring migration in the central valley. 

SAS Field Trip: Lake Solano County Park, April 30, 2025

Leaders Nancy Gronert and Amy McDonald reported: No takers on the Wednesday April 30 field trip to Lake Solano County Park. It was a beautiful day to observe nesting Cliff Swallows and Black Phoebes on the bridge, the lovely Phainopepla, and Wood Ducks in trees. While wintering species are gone, a quick tour around the Lake Solano Day Use area turned up spring arrivals like Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Kingbirds, Bullock's Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Western Flycatchers, and Wilson's Warblers among others. The regular Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers, California Quail, Oak Titmouse put on a good show along with parading Indian Peafowl.

SAS Field Trip: Bucks Creek, May 3, 2025

Leader Maureen Geiger reported: Eight of us had a lovely morning walking the Bucks Creek Trail seeing a total of 30 species. The overgrowth of algae has changed the nature of the ponds, leaving little or no space for the ducks and other birds that previously frequented them. However, the riparian habitat is denser than ever, and we had excellent looks at Song Sparrows, Bewick's Wrens and other common birds. The hands down highlight was a female Lawrence's Goldfinch seen sitting on the top of a snag with the golden wing bar very visible.

SAS Field Trip: Searching for Empidonax Flycatchers, May 4, 2025

Leader Kevin Thomas reported: We had high hopes of an influx of migrants for this early May Sacramento Audubon field trip. Our hopes were brought back to the reality of a slow spring migration in the area as we assembled at the train tracks and listened to the morning dawn song. We were greeted with a few raindrops as we arrived, the rain didn't last but it left behind a cloud cover for some time. Our group of eight had a wonderful morning walking along the Deer Creek riparian corridor enjoying a beautiful spring morning. Although the activity wasn't great, we managed to get good looks at a few Warbling Vireos that were singing, two Swainson's Thrush that gave everyone good looks eventually, and a perched Western Wood-Pewee that was flycatching from atop a bare dead branch. A highlight was watching a female American Kestrel eating a small rodent and then flying into a nest cavity in a hollowed-out cottonwood branch. We were later greeted by the male perched in almost the exact same spot the female had previously been. Shortly after the male kestrel, we were treated to a perched Cooper's Hawk that stayed still for all to get great looks in the spotting scope. A lone Nashville Warbler and Wilson's Warbler were present but made it a difficult task to catch a glimpse. Our most abundant bird of the day besides the ever-present European Starling, were Acorn Woodpeckers, flying about and making their raucous noises all morning. Despite the low activity level, it was a wonderful morning with a great group of birding friends.

SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, May 4, 2025

Leader Richard Barbieri reported: With seven people joining me on this morning walk we first set off towards the lower stretch of Sweetwater Creek from the parking area to find the lake water very high and limiting our access. Violet-green Swallows and Lazuli Buntings were a couple highlights. Further into the upper drainage we were treated with Yellow-breasted Chats, Lazuli Bunting, Western Tanager, and California Thrasher. Best sight for the day was a good 5-minute look at a beautiful blonde colored Black Bear. Total count for the morning was 38 species.

Best sight for the day was a good 5-minute look at a beautiful blonde colored Black Bear. Image by Larry Hickey

Seasonal Sightings: April 2025

April is one of the most exciting months on the avian calendar, but this one was different. Most observers reported low numbers of usually common to abundant spring migrants. Nearly all the expected species were reported, but the lack of abundance or really good mornings where birds seem to be everywhere was more than a little alarming. Severe drought in the wintering areas of many of the Western migrants that pass through or breed in our area may explain some of the reduction. Of course, it was still April, and there were many birds to be seen. Unlike songbird migrants, shorebirds were fairly well represented. The waterfowl highlight was a female Red-breasted Merganser seen (eBird Checklist S230123343) on Folsom Lake from 4/26 to 4/27. An Allen's Hummingbird was reported from 4/20-4/21 at a private yard west of Clarksburg. The female Costa's Hummingbird first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continued, and there were a fair number of Calliope Hummingbird reports for the region.

Shorebird highlights included a Pacific Golden-Plover at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) on 4/25 and up to six Snowy Plovers at the same location toward the end of the month. Typically quite rare, Solitary Sandpipers were reported in better than expected numbers toward the end of the month. A Baird's Sandpiper was a rare spring find at Woodland WTP on 4/29. Likewise, single Semipalmated Sandpipers were reported on 4/27 and 4/28 at two different locations of Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP), representing rare spring records. A Least Bittern was found on 4/6 at the Lost Slough portion of CRP. There were regular reports throughout the month from the pond at Stonegate Ave and Hoopa Rd in West Sacramento as well as from YBWA. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron returned (eBird Checklist S229858078) for a third year to the large egret and Black-crowned Night-Heron colony at North Natomas Regional Park. It was found on 4/16 and continued into May. A Brown Pelican was a nice find at Sherman Island on 4/25, where they are occasionally found straying into the Delta.

Despite generally poor migrant songbird reports, there were a few notables, including fair numbers of Hammond's and Gray Flycatchers. Just one Dusky Flycatcher was reported (eBird Checklist S230230593), on 4/25, from Mather Lake, and there were surprisingly few of the usually common Western Flycatchers detected. After an absence of reports for two years, Grasshopper Sparrows were regularly reported (eBird Checklist S225048077) along the eastern stretch of Meiss Rd in eastern Sacramento County beginning on 4/10. There were also multiple Vesper Sparrow and Brewer's Sparrow sightings along Meiss Rd. A Green-tailed Towhee was a nice find in a Sacramento yard on 4/16-4/19. No unusual warblers were reported, and typically abundant species such as Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, and Wilson's Warblers were reported in ones and twos. The wintering Summer Tanager continued at William Land Park from 4/1-4/8, but was not reported or perhaps sought as it had been in previous three years.

The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Jan Ambrosini, Andy Engilis, Gil Ewing, Marc Fenner, Robert Furrow, Joshua Greenfield, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Eric Johnson, Jeri Langham, Andrew Lee, Mark Martucci, Ethan Monk, Kelli O'Neill, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Frank Severson, Kevin Thomas, Jerry Ting, John Trochet, James White, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

More Seasonal Sightings

2025-2026 Sacramento Audubon Board Elections

Voting on the slate of officers and directors for the Sacramento Audubon Society for the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year opens May 15, 2025 and closes June 13, 2025. You can cast your vote in one of two ways: either using an online voting link or by sending in a mail-in ballot. The mail-in ballot can be found in the May and June issues of The Observer. The link to vote online will also be emailed to members. As per the SAS bylaws, one must be a dues-paying SAS member in order to vote.

Slate of Officers and Directors for 2025 - 2026

President: Paul Miller
Vice President: OPEN
Treasurer: Eric Johnson
Recording Secretary: Carla Resnick, Interim
Corresponding Secretary: Nancy Gronert
Directors: Nicole Barden, Cliff Feldheim, Taylor Florence, and Katie Wong
Student Board Member: Mackenzie Hollender

If you are interested in joining the Sacramento Audubon Society's Board of Directors contact Paul Miller.

Protect Natomas Open Space

Supporters of Natomas Open Space, you have another opportunity to voice your concern. Despite a great showing of opposition at the LAFCO meeting, the Sphere of Influence was approved and the EIR was certified. The City of Sacramento can now consider annexation. We have two more chances to turn the City around on this project. 

Thursday May 22, at 5:30, New City Hall, 915 I St., the City Planning and Design Review Commission will hear this project and make a recommendation to the City Council, who will hear the project after that.

Members of the public are encourage to attend the meeting in person. If you can not attend you can participate by submitting written comments electronically before and during the meeting via eComments, accessible through the City’s official website.

Project Background

In Natomas, farmland is an essential habitat for threatened species. Farmland provides other benefits as well — food production, cleaner air, airport buffer, prevents urban storm water flooding, and more. But now, a number of development projects are proposed on that farmland. Examples are: the Airport South Industrial Project, Upper West Side, Grandpark, and WattEV.

The first three are located outside of Sacramento County’s Urban Services Boundary (USB) on land zoned agricultural in the County’s General Plan. Their total acreage outside the USB is over 8,000 acres.

Decades of public planning and policy documents call for the preservation of this land as farmland and habitat for the 22 species protected by the Natomas Habitat Conservation Plan (NBHCP). The County’s Urban Services Boundary was established in 1993; the NBHCP in 1997. Both the City’s and Sacramento County’s general plans and the North Natomas Community Plan show the acreage planned for development as remaining in agriculture. There is ample vacant land, already planned and zoned for warehouse uses in other parts of the City and County, in areas already served by roads, water and sewer, and where investment and jobs are needed.

We do not think warehouse uses should be approved next to housing and schools and we believe the impacts from semi-truck traffic will be detrimental to the residents and students already existing next to the site for the proposed project. Homebuyers in Natomas based their decision to buy, on the plans at the time, and expected to be next to open space not a warehouse with 24/7 trucks generating road dust, heat, and particulates.    

Members of the public may participate in the meeting by submitting written comments electronically before and during the meeting via eComments, accessible through the City’s official website here. 

Being there in person and offering your testimony can be very powerful. However, those who cannot attend may also watch the meeting live online. Instructions for accessing and participating in the meeting will be posted along with the meeting agenda.

To access this information, please visit this page on the City's website, choose “Upcoming Meetings,” and then select the appropriate meeting to access the agenda material. 

There are many arguments against this project, and few to support it. Both the Planning Commission and City Council will be more receptive to the concerns of neighbors than LAFCO was. Remind the Planning Commission that:

• This warehousing project is located next to a school, homes, and habitat.

• Impacts to neighbors include noise, lighting, air pollution, traffic, and more trucks in the neighborhoods and on I-5.

• Environmental impacts include loss of farmland, air pollution, and loss of carbon sequestration and ground water recharge due to pavement.

• There will be regional impacts to I-5 and I-80, including the increase of air pollution and toxic air contaminants.

• The Plan is inconsistent with the Natomas Habitat Conservation Plan, City General Plan, County General Plan, SACOG Blueprint, Urban Services Boundary, Air Quality Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

• Only the property owner/developer benefit from this project; net revenue to the City has never been identified and $4 million estimated revenue hardly addresses the City's budget problems. 

• There are better, industrial-zoned locations for warehousing projects, and the warehousing jobs will follow the projects. The location does not determine the employment opportunities.  

Use your own words, talk about the impacts you are most concerned about, and talk from your heart.

For more inspiration and information go to www.ecosacramento.net and browse the Natomas documents.

Continue to talk to friends and neighbors and have them sign our petition. Over 1100 people have signed so far, but many more people are affected and can speak up. All those on the petition will get an alert from us about the City Council hearing.

To communicate directly with Planning Commissioners about your concerns, here are their emails:

Robert Blunt, Commissioner, email: rblunt.sac@gmail.com

Robert Chase, Vice Chair, email: rkutect@gmail.com

Nicolina Hernandez, Commissioner, email: nicolina@gmail.com

Dov Kadin, Commissioner, email: DovKadinPDC@gmail.com

Julio Lamas, Commissioner, email: lamas.pdc@gmail.com

Larry Lee, Commissioner, email: pdc.larrylee@gmail.com

Kendra Macias Reed, Commissioner, email: kreed.pdc@gmail.com

David Nybo, Commissioner, email: nybosacpdc@gmail.com

Deborah Ortiz, Commissioner, email: Commissiondeb@gmail.com

Erin Reschke, Commissioner, email: erinreschke.pdc@gmail.com

Ginger Thompson, Commissioner, email: ginjerthompson.pdc@gmail.com

Enoch Yeung, Chair, email: pdc.eyeung@gmail.com

—Cliff Feldheim, Conservation Chair, Sacramento Audubon Society

Volunteers Needed to Help Burrowing Owls

Burrowing Owl Preservation Society & CDFW at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
for 2 HOURS of HARD WORK

Removing vegetation, restoring / resetting artificial burrows

When: May 24, 8am-11am (2 hrs max request)

Where: Yolo County, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area

Plan to Bring: Gloves, Hat, Sturdy Shoes, Water

CONTACT: Catherine Portman. Volunteers will be provided more detailed information.

Help Oppose the Undermining of the Endangered Species Act

National Audubon Society has asked all chapters to sign on to a letter defending the Endangered Species Act. As a chapter, we have signed this letter. You can help by adding your name to National Audubon’s general comment letter.

From the National Audubon Society:

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects the habitat of threatened and endangered species, but a proposal is pending that would weaken the law. 

The proposed rule to remove the definition of “harm” under Endangered Species Act regulations could be devastating to a vast number of birds and other wildlife by weakening protections for habitat. Bird populations are in decline, with a loss of 3 billion birds in North America since 1970, and numerous species of birds are now protected under the ESA, primarily due to habitat loss.

This proposed rule could open the door to habitat loss for some of our most vulnerable species and discourage proactive measures, making it harder for species to recover.

Learn more about the proposed changes and how you can help by visiting the National Audubon Society website.

STAND UP to Support the American River Parkway

From American River Trees

In late 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officially released its upcoming Project “Contract 3B” environmental analysis for public comment. Project 3B is slated to bulldoze over 600 trees in an especially pristine stretch of the American River Parkway, as this new plan pushes extremely destructive methods (claimed to be needed for “bank erosion potential”) more miles further upstream beyond similar work projects that have already been occurring near Sacramento State University. Those prior projects bulldozed nearly all trees in the work zones, and left barren dirt banks.

Contract 3B is on the Central Valley Flood Protection Board's official discussion agenda for the May 23rd meeting!   

This will be the last opportunity for detailed, technical discussion before the Board meets to vote on the project. Your attendance is vital!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• American River Trees (ART) and other experts have been busy reviewing over 8,000 pages of the final documents.

• So far, it appears the Army Corps did not make significant changes to their proposal to reduce their impact to the Parkway.

• ART believes there are California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) violations as well as Wild and Scenic River Act violations.

• The project decision-makers, Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), have scheduled a Board meeting on Friday, May 23rd for technical discussion regarding the project. The Army Corps will be presenting and the public can offer comment. 

• At the meeting, ART will present to the Board our concerns about the final documents, CEQA non-compliance, and present feasible, less destructive alternative designs and proposals for the project. 

Your attendance is vital to show the Board that the community does not approve of the project as currently proposed! See below flyer and our Event webpage for meeting details.

This will be the last opportunity for detailed, technical discussion before the Board meets to vote on the project. 

Please note: this agenda item, and the amount of time you will want to stay, is expected to be longer than previous ‘Stand Up’ efforts. We anticipate the item to conclude by noon at the latest. However, the exact timing and duration are subject to the Board’s discretion. 

Proposed Voting Procedures Change

Update May 16, 2025: At the May 15, 2025, Sacramento Audubon Society General Meeting a majority of those present voted to approve the amendment to the by-laws to allow online and mail-in ballots to be used for future votes to amend the bylaws. The current bylaws of the Sacramento Audubon Society can be found here.

The Board of Directors is aware of concerns regarding the upcoming name change vote. Currently our by-laws require that any amendments be voted on by those present at our General Meeting. It does not allow for either online or mail-in voting. Legitimate concerns have been raised that these restrictions effectively exclude those members who could not physically attend the meeting. Therefore we have decided to first hold an in-person vote at our May 15th General meeting to amend our bylaws to allow both online and in-person voting. Then, if approved, we will hold a second vote regarding a name change using online and mail-in ballots. Per our by-laws a 2/3 (67%) vote is required for any amendments to the bylaws.

Sacramento County Big Day

Sacramento Audubon Society hopes you will join our Sacramento County Big Day on May 10, 2025 in support of the larger Global Big Day sponsored by eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Birders all across the world will be heading out on May 10 to record observations from locations around the globe to document as many of the world's bird species as possible in a single day. Here in Sacramento we will be joining the effort and trying to record as many bird species as possible in Sacramento County. All are welcome to participate by submitting your eBird sightings and sharing your checklists from May 10 with the Sacramento Audubon Society eBird account SacCountyBirding or by email at sacramentoaudubon@gmail.com. A summary of the effort will be available in the next issue of The Observer. 

THANK YOU!

Thank you for making Big Day of Giving a huge success!

The Sacramento Audubon Society is grateful for your generous support during Big Day of Giving. Thank you to everyone who donated and shared our message.

With your help we raised $11,079.

Sacramento Audubon Society promises to use your gift to protect local wild birds and their habitats.

—Sacramento Audubon Society BDOG Team

Seasonal Sightings: March 2025

With one major exception, this March was a bit slow. There were few unexpectedly early migrants or amazing wintering finds. Waterbirds and shorebirds were unremarkable. But March does contain multitudes, with all of the usual wintering species along with early migrants and, perhaps, a surprise. By that measure, this month did not disappoint. The more widespread than expected Costa's Hummingbird reports from earlier this winter tapered off, with only the long-staying female that was first found at a private yard in Wilton on 8/14 continuing into March and through the end of the month. A male Allen's Hummingbird was found (eBird Checklist S217907268) on private property in Yolo County, to the southwest of Clarksburg, from 3/8 to 3/10.

The highlight was a Barred Owl in East Sacramento, made known to the birding world on 3/29 (eBird Checklist S221627329). The owl had apparently been present for weeks, gracing several yards near the 41st and M St intersection, and photographed with a rat in its talons. When word finally got out, dozens were able to see it. This is the first documented record for Sacramento County, with only one previous record in the Sacramento area (in Davis in January 2020). On 3/29, the owl was perched in a tree set back from the street in a front yard. It was seemingly undisturbed by people looking from the sidewalk, keeping a respectful distance, though it was periodically harassed by American Crows. The owl has not been reported in the weeks that followed. In the 20th century, there was a massive western range expansion of this mostly eastern North American species. Trees planted across the plains in areas that would otherwise have been too open for the forest dwelling species facilitated its expansion into the Pacific Northwest. The first birds reached British Columbia by the 1940s and expanded to California by the late 1970s. A close relative of the smaller Spotted Owl, Barred Owls have been shown to displace Spotted Owls, and are a threat to the declining species. Despite these considerations, a good view of this owl produced wonder among birders and all who saw it in the neighborhood. Sacramento County does have one Spotted Owl record, but that was back in 1989.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker found on 12/28 at Gibson Ranch Park continued through at least 3/1. Returning Western Kingbirds, as expected, were reported by the third week of the month. Cassin's Vireos are often among the earliest spring migrants, and this year there was one at the North Area Drainage Pond in Davis on 3/10 and at the UC Davis Arboretum on 3/24. The first Purple Martins of the season were reported near three different historical colony sites in Sacramento on 3/29. Single Vesper Sparrows were reported from the Howard Ranch on 3/24 and from Michigan Bar Rd, near the intersection with Latrobe Rd, on 3/31. The first Bullock's Oriole of the season, another typically early migrant, was found at a private yard in Wilton on 3/20. A mostly red Summer Tanager, probably a second-year male, was found (eBird Checklist S220738206) on 3/25 along Dry Creek in Roseville. The continuing male Summer Tanager in Land Park near the Sacramento Zoo has not been as consistently reported as it was during the previous two winters, but there were several reports (eBird Checklist S222166580) this year in the latter half of March.

The Sacramento Area as covered here lies between Hwy 20 to the north, Hwy 12 to the south, and the 1000-foot contour to the east and west, plus all of Sacramento and Yolo counties. Many reports first appeared on the Central Valley Bird Club listserv (groups.io/g/centralvalleybirds) and in eBird (ebird.org). It is impossible to list everyone, but we thank the following for their reports: Steve Abbott, Dan Airola, Genevieve Colborn, Justin Dunbar, Gil Ewing, Joshua Greenfield, Erik Groen, Ed Harper, Cliff Hawley, Emmett Iverson, Julian Johnson, Jeri Langham, Mark Martucci, Bryce Parker, Michael Perrone, Zane Pickus, Linda Pittman, Steve Scott, Kevin Thomas, John Trochet, and Bill Yeates. Thanks to everyone for their reports--without them, this column would not be possible.

- Chris Conard

More Seasonal Sightings

Changing our Name

The wheels of non-profits grind slowly! We started the process of changing our name more than two years ago. Now the Board is ready to hold a meeting to obtain a vote from our members. Our by-laws require an in-person meeting to adopt changes. As stated in the by-laws, alterations or amendments require a vote by, “…two-thirds (2/3) of SAS’s voting members present at a membership meeting.” This meeting will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

The Board has chosen “Sacramento Bird Alliance” as our proposed new name. The term “bird alliance” has become the most prevalent name for chapters across the Country. Name recognition is critical to our continued conservation efforts. In the interim we will also add the term “formally known as the Sacramento Audubon Society,” until the new name is common knowledge. We are also committed to reaching out to our nonprofit and agency partners to ensure our name change is well known and does not hinder our ability to achieve local and regional bird conservation.

Changing our name is more than symbolic. Our desire is focused on inclusion, and removing any barriers, perceived or real, especially during these difficult political times. To enact these changes we have formed the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Committee, which currently has nine members! The world of birding can be intimidating to newcomers. The Committee’s goal is to promote activities that are welcoming to a wide spectrum of people, and make these events a safe place by creating a sense of belonging. These events will be birding related, but people centric. We will reach out to various communities within the Sacramento region that have been, or might feel marginalized. If you, or someone you know, is interested in getting involved with the EDIB Committee, or simply has some ideas to share, please contact Paul Miller at sacaudubonedib@gmail.com. If you have information regarding any local community groups that might benefit from these events, also please pass that along.