Golden-crowned Sparrow perched on a branch with green lichen with gray background

2021 Christmas Bird Count #2: Santa Rosa (12/19/21)

Last Sunday was Redwood Region Ornithological Society’s annual Santa Rosa Christmas Bird Count. The day was cold and overcast, but thankfully without rain.
 
We began at sunrise at one edge of our territory, deep along a forested stretch of St. Helena Road. At first, we could only hear the water rushing through Mark West Creek — but our ears pricked up at the sound of our first bird of the day — two Pacific Wrens calling loudly. Continue reading “2021 Christmas Bird Count #2: Santa Rosa (12/19/21)”

Female Western Tanager on a branch surrounded by oak leaves

2021 Christmas Bird Count #1: Eastern Alameda County (12/17/21)

This past Friday we joined our friend Adam Cimino for his section of the 2021 Eastern Alameda County Christmas Bird Count. We lucked out with a brilliantly sunny day for our walk along the Arroyo del Valle Trail. Over a 4-mile stretch of creekside trail, we ended up with 49 species — let’s explore some of the species we spotted. Continue reading “2021 Christmas Bird Count #1: Eastern Alameda County (12/17/21)”

Three men using spotting scopes at overlook at Russian River estuary in Jenner, California

2019 Christmas Bird Count #4: Western Sonoma County (12/29/19)

Last Sunday, we participated in our fourth and final Christmas Bird Count of 2019, Madrone Audubon Society’s Western Sonoma County CBC. Continue reading “2019 Christmas Bird Count #4: Western Sonoma County (12/29/19)”

Turkey Vulture perched on a branch against blue sky in Pleasanton, California

2019 Christmas Bird Count #3: Eastern Alameda County (12/20/19)

A sparkling, sunny morning greeted us in Pleasanton for our friend Adam’s section of the 2019 Eastern Alameda County Christmas Bird Count. Our team set out along the creekside Arroyo del Valle Trail to tally which and how many birds were around. Continue reading “2019 Christmas Bird Count #3: Eastern Alameda County (12/20/19)”

Close up of Wild Turkey face at Olompali State Historic Park

2019 Christmas Bird Count #2: Cheep Thrills (12/19/19)

Last Thursday, we joined Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle of Yellowbilled Tours at Olompali for the 2019 North Marin Cheep Thrills Christmas Bird Count. Continue reading “2019 Christmas Bird Count #2: Cheep Thrills (12/19/19)”

2019 Christmas Bird Count #1: Santa Rosa (12/15/19)

It’s CBC season!!!!
 
We kicked off the season this past Sunday with Redwood Region Ornithological Society’s annual Santa Rosa Christmas Bird Count. Gloriously clear skies awaited us – a complete and welcome contrast to last year’s ultra-rainy count. Continue reading “2019 Christmas Bird Count #1: Santa Rosa (12/15/19)”