SAS Field Trip: Early Spring at the Bufferlands, 04/18/2026
Leader Chris Conard reported: We couldn't have asked for nicer weather during a break between periods of high wind, followed by rain in the forecast. It was a really enjoyable trip, although the hoped for migrant songbirds failed to materialize. There were a lot of Greater White-fronted Geese on the move. We had a smattering of other waterfowl, including Wood Ducks, a Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, and American Wigeon. Two Black-chinned Hummingbirds proved to be a rather late first-of-season for the property. Shorebirds weren't abundant, but we saw Black-necked Stilts, including one on a nest, a Semipalmated Plover, a flyby Hudsonian Whimbrel, a single Long-billed Dowitcher, a Spotted Sandpiper, and good studies of Least and Western Sandpipers. Double-crested Cormorants and Great Blue Herons were on nests, and a Western Cattle Egret was on a cow. Two pairs of Swainson's Hawks were at partially constructed nests, and a Red-tailed Hawk was incubating on a nest. Other highlights included two American Barn Owls, nice scope views of an Ash-throated Flycatcher, a Loggerhead Shrike, Tree, Barn, and Cliff Swallows, a singing Wrentit, a House Wren going into a nest box full of sticks, and a Hermit Thrush. https://ebird.org/checklist/S323712504
SAS Field Trip: Putah Creek Riparian Preserve, 04/19/2026
Leader Sonja Sorbo reported: A lovely sunny calm spring day set the stage for seven birders to explore the avian life at Putah Creek Riparian Preserve. This is a time of transition, where overwintering birds are leaving for the coast, higher elevations, or points south. Meanwhile, summer nesters and migrants begin to arrive like old friends, visiting us for a few short months before heading back to their other “home bases”.
While organizing ourselves by the parked vehicles, we noted several Yellow-billed Magpie hopping around the nearby open field. A Red-tailed Hawk had been on the ground unnoticed by us until it burst up into the air and landed on a wooden post. Several Western Bluebird perched on a fence only a few yards away, giving us great photo ops.
Our first few yards of hiking on the trail yielded views of a gorgeous male Wood Duck foraging near the opposite creek bank. Above him, the sun cast soft morning light on a resting Red-shouldered Hawk. We were practically inundated with House Wren calling all over the place; we finally heard a couple of Bewick’s Wren near our turn-around point.
Flycatchers were well represented — we studied a couple of Ash-throated Flycatcher who actually perched in the open for a few minutes each. Their Western Kingbird cousins amused us with their chattering; they lived up to their reputation for being little tyrants as they chased away some American Crows and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. They ignored the dozen Tree Swallow circling over the canopy. A Western Flycatcher and three Black Phoebe rounded out the flycatcher family.
Speaking of canopy, we were dazzled with a prolonged view of a male Black-throated Gray Warbler in breeding plumage. That same tree hosted a Bullock’s Oriole duo. We heard a Wilson’s Warbler and Western Tanager but couldn’t get eyes on them.
While observing a pair of California Quail scurrying in the underbrush, we were startled by a Cooper’s Hawk exploding onto a tree branch above, carrying some hapless creature in its beak.
Some of the winter holdovers showed up including White-crowned Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Our year-round residents deserve mention — among them were noted Acorn, Nuttall’s, and Downy Woodpecker, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, California and Spotted Towhee. Total count for the morning was 43 species.
SAS Field Trip: Beginning Birder Walk, William Pond Park, 04/19/2026
Leader Larry Hickey reported: Nine beginning birders gathered on a beautiful spring morning at the William Pond part of the American River Parkway for a morning birding trip. We were able to observe Yellow-billed Magpies engaging with their nest right at the parking lot and may have been already feeding young. Tree Swallows were abundant all morning along with Northern Rough-winged Swallows flying over an island in the open water. A few Great Blue Herons were seen on their nests and one of our observant beginning birders noticed a Pied-billed Grebe on a nest not far from the shore. We were surprised to see a flock of Tricolored Blackbirds fly overhead. Highlights were a pair of Wood Ducks in the river and good views of our returning spring and summer nesters including Ash-throated Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds and noisy Bullock’s Orioles.
SAS Field Trip: Lake Solano County Park, 04/21/2026
Leaders Nancy Gronert and Amy McDonald reported: One adventurous birder showed up for the field trip to Lake Solano Park with continuing rain predicted. We found the expected birds at the bridge, no rain, and then were disappointed when a ranger walked up to say Lake Solano Park was closed, no notice. Luckily lots of habitat in the area so we headed to the Fishing Access points towards the Lake Berryessa dam lot. This was a great trip to focus on ear birding with so many Spotted Towhees, Oak Titmouse, and woodpeckers singing and calling out along Putah Creek. The next focus was differentiating the many swallows in the air: Tree Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and Cliff Swallows nesting under the bridges. At the base of Berryessa dam we were greeted by the newcomers of a pair of Bullock's Orioles and Black-headed Grosbeaks calling as well as a Vaux Swift flying overhead with the numerous Tree and Cliff Swallows. Rain did not start up until 10 am.
SAS Field Trip: Knickerbocker Creek – Auburn State Recreation Area, 04/26/2026
Leader Timothy Jackson reported: Three people showed up on a wet and soggy morning for birding at Auburn State Recreation Area. Shoes and pant legs got soaked due to rain and lots of wet grass (not to mention the mud). The creeks were running full, so the field trip was shortened due to difficulties with crossings. Despite the weather-related challenges, the group managed to tally 41 species including Western Wood-Pewee, Gray Flycatcher, and Wilson's Warbler. The eBird checklist can be found at https://ebird.org/checklist/S327956098.
Young Birders Club Field Trip: Rollingwood Bluffs, 04/26/2026
Leader Mackenzie Hollender reported: Nine young birders and 4 parents met my father and I on this overcast, drizzly day at the Rollingwood Bluffs anticipating the adventures peak spring migration would bring. In the blue oaks along snowberry way, we quickly picked up a California Towhee pair on a log, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, and our first neotropical migrant of the day, an Ash-throated Flycatcher high in the oak. A Bewick’s Wren sang from a tangle feet from us, and a pair of Western Warbling Vireos, our second migrant of the day, followed us through the blue oak canopy.
Breaking into the open section that leads down to the ravine, we watched a pair of Hooded Oriole chase each other around a palm tree, and then the brilliant orange male landed at the top of an oak, providing great looks. We headed up to the top of the hill, and as we were waiting for more migrants, a huge adult Bald Eagle landed in its nest in a canyon side Gray Pine yards from us, providing rare incredible looks at the majestic bird that we all got to enjoy. When we thought our eagle encounter couldn’t get any better, its mate landed in the nest beside it, and they called to each other. A squirrel was climbing around where the nest sat in the pine, and we watched the eagles carefully watch the squirrel, noting that one even flew down to a perch to get a better look. While we were watching the eagle, another club member spotted an adult male Lazuli Bunting at the top of the blue oak!
We headed down the slope towards the edge of the ravine, picking up Golden-crowned Sparrow, California Quail, flyover Osprey, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Walking along the ravine, we heard then saw a beautiful male Cassin’s Vireo in the mossy oaks, noting its blueish head, yellow green body, prominent white lores, and cheery song. A Wilson’s Warbler foraged in the understory below, providing good looks as well. We continued into the ravine, hearing Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, and seeing Spotted Towhee.
We crossed the bridge, and immediately after emerging into the blue oak woods we spotted our first Empid! A gray-dusty brown bird flicking its wings and tail upward, with a thick eye ring that lacked the Western’s teardrop shape, and primaries that projected beyond the rump. We used these clues to determine the bird as a Hammond’s Flycatcher! The bird foraged low to the ground until it was chased away by another Empid. We followed the song and calls of Western Flycatchers along the ravine, when looking upslope to the open blue oak, we suddenly had a flurry of Empid action! 2-3 Empids were in view foraging on low twigs and vegetation, including the Hammond’s and two others we got too brief looks at to determine ID.
We headed up the slope and wandered to the top of the oak forest, stopping in our tracks when we heard subtle “whit” calls of a Gray Flycatcher! We headed swiftly in its direction, and spotted the bird perched on a low twig near the base of a blue oak trunk. We immediately noticed its classic diagnostic tail-dipping motion, paired with a soft toned gray-brown plumage, with a subtle yellow wash on the belly. We spent a couple minutes watching the special bird as it foraged exclusively in very low spots before it flew out of our sight. What an amazing day we had! We headed back incredibly satisfied with a successful day of finding migrants both common and rare!
SAS Field Trip: Meiss Road Evening Trip, 04/30/2026
Leader Chris Conard reported: The stars of the show, the Lesser Nighthawks, did not disappoint. We saw about 10, starting with one flying over us in full sun. Many were foraging and calling at sunset over the pond three miles from Dillard Rd. Songbird activity was a little slower/quieter than expected. We had good views of Horned Larks, a couple Western Meadowlarks carrying food to unseen nestlings, and a flock of Tricolored Blackbirds. We also had a flyby male American Kestrel carrying a rodent. Some of the participants were still with me when I pulled a kingsnake off of Dillard Rd before it got squished. It thanked me by "musking" me with a white liquid--a smelly capper to the evening.
SAS Field Trip: Prairie City SVRA Bird Walk, 04/30/2026
Leader Rich Howard reported: A new trip co-sponsored by State Parks and Sacramento Audubon took us into Zone 5 of the Prairie City State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA) This area is normally closed to all visitors. We were accompanied by Joleen Ossello, the interpreter/outreach specialist for this park. McKenzie Boring, Natural Resource Manager, joined us and pointed out Red-tailed Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, and Killdeer nests, not to mention a beautiful Alligator Lizard! We later saw all three birds; the Swainson’s carried a snake to the top of a pole and ate it. McKenzie also pointed out a distant blackberry bramble that hosts a Tricolored Blackbird colony, though we did not see them on this visit. Summer visitors put on a good show, with Ash-throated Flycatchers, Bullock’s Orioles, Western Tanagers, Western Kingbirds, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Lazuli Bunting. Lingering winter visitors included a flock of Cedar Waxwings, a lone Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a singing Golden-crowned Sparrow. A male Rufous Hummingbird on its journey north joined two Anna’s Hummingbirds feeding at a bottlebrush. Oak woodland residents were represented by Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, California Quail, and Nuttall's and Acorn Woodpeckers, Phainopepla are always great to see; we had one male seen by all. Our grand finale was a vigorously singing Lark Sparrow in the open. We had three participants and found 44 species in 2.5 hours on a level walk of just over a mile. Joleen has invited us to have another trip in the Fall, so keep your eyes open for that future opportunity to visit this interesting, rarely birded area. Our eBird list can be seen here: https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/checklist/S329959868
SAS Field Trip: River Bend Park, 05/02/2026
Leader Dana Miller-Blair reported: On May 2, A group of 15 of us met at River Bend Park near the boat launch area. The weather was cool, cloudy and a bit windy. We had a scope and a couple of photographers along to document some of our 36 species.
Near the bicycle bridge, we enjoyed good views of a perched Red-tailed Hawk, Western Bluebirds, Wood Ducks, a Mallard, Common Mergansers, Killdeer, many Acorn Woodpeckers and European Starlings, California Scrub-Jays, Cliff Swallows and Tree Swallows, a Mourning Dove, and Canada Geese.
After leaving the bridge we wandered through the woods enjoying the songs of Northern House Wrens, Bewick's Wrens, Oak Titmouse, Spotted Towhee, California Quail, White-breasted Nuthatches, House Finches, and the calls of Nuttall's Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Northern Flickers and Red-shouldered Hawks. We listened to a Wilson’s Warbler but could not see it through the thick vegetation. We had glimpses of Cedar Waxwing flocks, Bushtit flocks, and a Lesser Goldfinch.
We returned walking along the river, and heard Brown-headed Cowbirds, saw a European Starling nest, and listened to Song Sparrows. We caught a glimpse of a Yellow-billed Magpie as it flew over and heard a couple of American Crows.
SAS Field Trip: Searching for Empidonax Flycatchers, 05/03/2026
Leader Kevin Thomas reported: April was a fantastic month for Empidonax flycatchers in the Sacramento area. Six participants joined me on this trip focused on trying to locate and work through identification of this tricky group of birds. We set out on an overcast morning with a light wind and were immediately greeted by calling Western Tanagers. We made our way down through the ravine and picked up Warbling Vireo and Orange-crowned Warbler, the latter breeds at this location in some years. The morning activity was slow, but we enjoyed good company and scenery as we walked along the bluffs. We took a stop at the newly made Bald Eagle nest that the pair have been working on since they lost their egg in another nest early in the year. The pair were copulating and adding sticks to the new nest. We bumped into a small flock of Bushtits that had a Cassin's and a few Western Warbling Vireos hanging out with it. We managed to get great looks at a singing Rufous-crowned Sparrow as well. Our only Empidonax came towards the very end when the group got glimpses of two different Western Flycatchers. We didn't get to spend time sorting through other Empidonax identification, but it was a great morning with good birders.
SAS Field Trip: William B. Pond Park, 05/03/2026
Leader Dan Williams reported: Thirteen of us had a lovely spring morning at one of my favorite parks on the planet. We started out along the river south from the bike bridge where we got nice scope views of a Spotted Sandpiper, a Belted Kingfisher, and Common Mergansers, as well as getting to enjoy some lingering Cedar Waxwings, cavity-exploring Tree Swallows and Northern House Wrens, an unseen singing Common Yellowthroat, and a single migrant Vaux's Swift overhead among the bike bridge colony Cliff Swallows.
A little further down the path, we explored the woods between the river and Arden Bar Pond where we were able to get gorgeous scope views of a blaze orange male Bullock's Oriole, as well as a Western Kingbird, and several Acorn Woodpeckers. From this location we were able to spot a couple of the Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets on nests at the rookery, though most of the nests were hidden in the new broad leaves.
Arden Bar Pond was very productive with Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, and Pied-billed Grebes all with new chicks in tow (one of the grebes fed its baby a crayfish which was very cool!), three Mute Swans (invasive but undeniably elegant), a fly-by Green Heron, a Red-shouldered Hawk on a wire, and a Swainson's Hawk teetering low over the cottonwoods.
We extended our walk west toward the Harrington Way access and were rewarded with good views of an Ash-throated Flycatcher, a territorially defensive Cooper's Hawk, an unfortunately unseen singing Western Warbling Vireo, more Wood Ducks with fresh ducklings, and a swim-by California Sea Lion.
All told we had 58 species on an entertaining half-day walk on our awesome Parkway.
SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, 05/06/2026 Trip Cancelled
SAS Field Trip: Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, 05/09/2026
Leader Maureen Geiger reported: Fourteen happy birders enjoyed 44 species at Bobelaine Sanctuary Preserve on this warm, clear morning. We walked to Ken Poerner's Overlook and back, and it was as always, lovely in the forest primeval. Just as we climbed the levee, a gorgeous male Bullock's Oriole perched close-by giving every one fine looks. Other greats were the Black-headed Grosbeaks seemingly singing everywhere all the time, lots of Ash-throated Flycatchers and Western Kingbirds, a Bald Eagle and funny, on-going drama among the Canada Geese on the Feather River sand bar seen at the Overlook. A very nice morning.
SAS Field Trip: Putah Creek Preserve – Family Friendly, 05/09/2026
Leader Ben Graber reported: We had a small but enthusiastic group of participants. At Putah Creek Preserve, we saw several Bullock's Orioles, a Yellow Warbler, a Wilson's Warbler, Cassin's Vireos, a Warbling Vireo, Western and Willow Flycatchers, and some great looks at a Western Tanager.
After a well-earned lunch at Steady Eddy's in Winters, we headed for Lake Solano, where we saw two Phainopeplas, a Hammond's Flycatcher, several pairs of California Quail, Cedar Waxwings, and a raft of seemingly orphaned Common Merganser ducklings. The resident Indian Peafowl was displaying his feathers and successfully attempting to impress some people who were watching him from their picnic table.
SAS Field Trip: Sweetwater Creek, 05/10/2026 Trip Cancelled
