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. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Willow Creek Road”

American Goldfinch perched with molting feathers at Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, Bodega Bay, California

Sonoma County Birding: Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail

Last week, we spent a morning at the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail in Bodega Bay. This trail is a short, easy loop around seasonal ponds with views of the nearby mudflats and salt marshes. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail”

Adult Cooper's Hawk perched near nestAdult Cooper's Hawk perched near nest

New Life in a Cooper’s Hawk Nest

Back in June, as we walked slowly up a main trail in Foothill Regional Park, a hawk swooped in and perched in an oak directly ahead of us. We ooh-ed and ahh-ed as we excitedly peered through our binoculars at the magnificent bird. Continue reading “New Life in a Cooper’s Hawk Nest”

Birding by kayak on the Russian River in Monte Rio, California

Sonoma County Birding: Russian River by Kayak

Quietly floating on the Russian River is one of our favorite ways to spend a summer morning. Birding by kayak offers a whole other dimension of the bird world, and gives us a front row seat to bird life we may otherwise miss out on. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Russian River by Kayak”

Collage of male American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager

Birding By Ear Lesson #2: Song Comparison of American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Western Tanager

In this second Birding By Ear lesson, we’ll break down three easily confused songs heard during spring and summer – the songs of the American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Western Tanager. Continue reading “Birding By Ear Lesson #2: Song Comparison of American Robin, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Western Tanager”

Female Red-winged Blackbird feeding fledgling in a bush at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, California

Petaluma Wetlands Alliance Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger Park (6/20/19)

Thursday, June 20, was the bimonthly bird survey at Shollenberger Park for the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA). Cloud coverage and distant fog greeted us, making for a beautifully moody setting. Continue reading “Petaluma Wetlands Alliance Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger Park (6/20/19)”