This evolving wetland consists of 400 acres of ponds and upland habitat of varying depths and is a continuation of Davis’s storm water and wastewater treatment process. The Wetlands are only open to the public during limited times during the year. From February 15th through August 31st, the wetlands are open seven days/week from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. From September 1st through February 15th, the wetlands are open Mondays only from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Yolo Egret and Heron Rookery
This rookery is very active in spring with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Western Cattle Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and occasionally Great Blue Herons nesting in a large stand of eucalyptus trees on private land.
Woodland Water Pollution Control Facility
The treatment ponds at this location have a fine history of attracting good shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. The peak season for finding rare shorebirds is from July through September, depending on water levels. Good numbers of shorebirds and gulls can be found in the winter, and spring migration can be productive as well.
Dunnigan Hills
This area of beautiful rolling hills lies west of Interstate 5 north of Woodland, crosses I-505 (which runs from Vacaville to Dunnigan), and extends toward the Coast Range to the west. Dotted with cattle and sheep ranches as well as vineyards, field crops and hunting clubs, these hills serve as temporary home to many species of birds in the winter, particularly raptors.
Rayhouse Road
The Blue Ridge area of Yolo County is a rugged mix of steep mountains, oak woodlands, patches of riparian, outstanding vistas, and a sea of chaparral. Early mornings in the spring are best, with opportunities for Common Poorwill and bobcats in the road in the predawn, as well as Mountain Quail, California Thrasher, Bell’s Sparrow, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch.
UC Davis Arboretum
The University of California, Davis Arboretum in addition to other large trees on the U.C. campus, has produced excellent rarities (notably Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Red Crossbills) and often provides good birding. There are over four miles of paved trails on both sides of an improved section of Putah Creek.
Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
This vital remnant of riparian habitat has become a haven for warblers, flycatchers and other migrating passerines in the spring and fall.
Slide Hill Park
Slide Hill Park has produced numerous interesting finds, including Mountain Chickadee, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak.
North Davis Ponds
When conditions are right at North Davis Ponds shorebirds can allow very close study. It is a good place to look for Short-billed Dowitchers among the common Long-billed Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs among the Greater Yellowlegs.
North Davis Farms
North Davis Farms Road can be excellent in migration with the trees along the road and pond providing excellent habitat.
Willowbank Ditch
Willowbank Ditch is a small park gem that often provides excellent birding, especially in migration.
Brewer Road Area to West of Lincoln
This unassuming and unsung area holds some of the greatest raptor concentrations in the region. The rice fields can host immense flocks of Snow and Greater White-fronted geese, and Tundra Swan. When water conditions are right, the shorebirds can be very good.
Lincoln Hills to Spenceville Wildlife Area
This is a great spring trip. Following the suggested route will result in a wide variety of habitats, including grasslands, farmlands, riparian corridors and open water, and will provide some of the best spring birding in the Sacramento Valley. This trip can be broken into a number of smaller excursions or taken on as a full day of birding.
Ferrari Ranch Ponds
Ferrari Ranch Ponds are a series of smaller ponds, bordered by a paved bike trail, located on the west side of Hwy 65 in Lincoln. Common Gallinule are, in fact, common in these ponds along with egrets and herons, swallows in the summer, and a variety of waterfowl in the winter.
Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary
A walk through the sanctuary is a delight in any season. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded. In summer, Swainson’s Hawk soar overhead. Great Horned Owl is common here. Wood Duck, herons, egrets, and Pied-billed Grebe can be found year-round. Springtime brings a variety of warblers as well as nesting Western Bluebird, Bullock’s Oriole, and Black-headed Grosbeak. In winter, sparrows, towhees, kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Northern Flicker are among the common birds.
Sand Creek Road
The area traversed by Sand Creek Road is a classic California landscape in remote Colusa County. This is the best site locally for Greater Roadrunners and among the best for Lawrence’s Goldfinches. California Thrashers and Bell’s Sparrows are commonly heard and often seen in spring, with Mountain Quail also often heard in the spring.
Bear Valley
Greater Roadrunner, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, California Thrasher, and Bell’s Sparrow may be heard and even seen in spring. Listen here as well for the Mountain Quail calling in the spring.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Approximately 1 hour north of Sacramento, the Colusa NWR is a great location to view large waterfowl concentrations, especially during December and January.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
In winter, you will often see the sky at Gray Lodge filled with geese and ducks. Snow Geese, as well as the greatest concentration of Ross's Geese in the United States, are found here along with Greater White-fronted Geese and Canada Geese. The Wetland Discovery Trail is a one-mile paved fully accessible trail meandering along the wetlands of Gray Lodge with several viewing platforms.
Woodbridge Ecological Reserve (Isenberg Crane Preserve)
This is one of the most accessible areas to observe large numbers of Sandhill Cranes. From October to March, many fields in this area are flooded and filled with Sandhill Cranes, wintering shorebirds, and waterfowl.