We love Sonoma County’s Regional Parks! A fantastic one is Riverfront Regional Park, which features an easy 2-mile loop trail against a backdrop of idyllic lake scenery. We visited earlier this week, and with the spring-like weather the park was abuzz with birds.
This wonderful soundscape of bird vocalizations greeted us in the parking lot — including Steller’s Jay (rattle call), Dark-eyed Junco, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle), Spotted Towhee, Oak Titmouse, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
The two main lakes housed a handful of species — Mallard, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot, and Belted Kingfisher.
Oak Titmice were abundantly singing up a storm. This little bird blends in so well with the brownish-gray of its winter surroundings.
Listen here to some Oak Titmouse vocalizations from our day.
As we enjoyed a view overlooking the Russian River, this Great Blue Heron flew in and landed directly in front of us. It, too, can disappear easily amid the tangle of bare winter branches.
With an unseasonably warm temperature of 70°, we felt like we’d walked right into spring. So many different species were singing — Hutton’s Vireo, Oak Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Western Meadowlark.
This Ruby-crowned Kinglet foraged hyperactively, but with enough pauses to show off a few angles.
Every stretch of trail offered more Oak Titmice. Several appeared to be paired up already and moving about together.
On our way back to the parking lot, we heard a distant unusual sound worth exploring. After we trekked through a stretch of coyote brush, the vocalist revealed itself — a singing California Thrasher! What a treat!
Meanwhile, a male Anna’s Hummingbird sang and soaked up the descending sunlight. We thanked him for his song and concluded our walk as the sun cast a sideways orange hue on everything.
Riverfront is one of my favorite spots for leisurely bird wandering. The birds are so very busy out there these days! It was a treat to run into the teo if you there.
PS Sure wish this platform allowed me to correct my typos
One question to the two o yous: do you always go out at the crack of?
the bat?
Dawn. Or thereabouts….
There are many interesting things to see in Riverfront Regional Park. The many birds of course are attracted to the various habitats, but also many insects like butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. Photo opportunities abound.
Is this trail wheelchair accessible? It looks pretty level.
Love to be for a moment in the comfort of Sonoma County with all those birds from Anna’s Hummingbird to Great Blue Heron and hear all those joyful bird songs. Here up Quebec’s North-East with a view of Jay Peak, VT, we have a lovely clear sky morning at -16°C. Cheers !!!
What a lovely day of birding!
Never seen a Thrasher! So cool.