Wrentit perched on top of brush along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California

Sonoma County Birding: Willow Creek Road

Willow Creek Road begins in Jenner, directly beside the Russian House #1 restaurant along Highway 1 (click here for a Google Map). Driving in, the road parallels the Russian River before winding through the hills to follow the riparian area of Willow Creek. We stopped by this week to check out the birds.
 
A marsh lies just past a small bridge that crosses the creek as it flows into the river.

Landscape looking out at the marsh from Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Great bird habitat

This area offers expansive views of the hills, and can be a nice spot for raptors, particularly during fall and winter. Though it’s still summer, we spotted a Bald Eagle, two Red-tailed Hawks, a couple Turkey Vultures, and two Ospreys.
 
One Osprey performed a “sky dance” routine of big, up-and-down, U-shaped flight displays while screaming loudly, as the second circled nearby chirping. We’ve seen this “sky dance” before during spring courtship season, and it was interesting to see it this late in summer. Listen below to the pair.

We observed lots of bird activity within the bulrush.

Song Sparrow perched in tule reeds along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Song Sparrow
Lazuli Bunting perched in tule reeds along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Lazuli Bunting

This harsh chatter emanated from some nearby coyote brush, so we kept our eyes peeled for a gray-brown bird with a long, cocked-up tail and unnervingly light eyes.

After some time, out popped the source – this Wrentit! What a treat to see this skulky bird in all its glory!

Wrentit perched on top of brush along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Wrentit

As we crept slowly down the road in the car, we were inundated with a flood of bird sounds. An effervescent cloud of Willy Warbs and Warby Vees flitted about – many young following closely behind adults, shaking their wings and begging for food.

Wilson's Warbler perched on a branch along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson's Warbler perched on a branch along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Wilson’s Warbler
Warbling Vireo fledgling perched on a branch along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Warbling Vireo
Warbling Vireo fledgling perched on a branch being fed by parent along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Warbling Vireo fledgling getting fed by parent

Listen below to hear the begging calls of a Warbling Vireo.

As summer is the time to see bird broods, it was no surprise when a family of California Quail crossed in front of our car. Listen to the whole gang here.

California Quail standing in the grass along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
California Quail

A lovely grove of alders lines the road farther in.

Stand of alder trees, landscape along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Alder grove

Another bridge with a colorful mural crosses the creek near the alders. Just as we turned around to head back, we heard the staccato “keek!“-s of a hidden Virginia Rail.

Standing among the alders, listening to the rail, we remarked for the millionth time how lucky we are to live among such beauty.

Tunnel of trees above road, landscape along Willow Creek Road in Jenner, California
Who doesn’t love a good tree tunnel?!

10 thoughts on “Sonoma County Birding: Willow Creek Road

  1. This entry brought back a lovely memory of watching a large quail family indulging themselves in a dust bath alongside Willow Creek Rd with the male “watch-quail” keeping a protective close eye on everything from his nearby perch. Thank you

  2. Beautiful;-) Most of my memories of Willow Creek are of doing Christmas Counts with Deyea Harper…sometimes in the pouring rain, sometimes with frost on the road at 3 in the afternoon. Lovely to see it in the middle of summer with the summertime birds. Thanks, as always, for sharing.

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