Yay! The National Audubon Society in conjunction with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology just declared the first week of April as “National California Towhee Week” and we couldn’t be happier!
We’ve always maintained that California Towhees never seem to get the respect they deserve, often unfairly relegated to simply the “boring brown bird” category. Well, those days are over – now, across the nation, birders everywhere are celebrating National California Towhee Week! Continue reading “It’s National California Towhee Week: Let’s Celebrate!”
Video of a Hard-Working Hairy Woodpecker
Today on our neighborhood walk, we encountered this Hairy Woodpecker male excavating a new cavity in a utility pole. His mate was foraging in a tree 20 feet away. Continue reading “Video of a Hard-Working Hairy Woodpecker”
Townsend’s Warbler, Winter Gem of the Conifers
How lucky the West Coast is to harbor the vibrant Townsend’s Warbler during the nonbreeding months! Though we see this bright little jewel almost every winter day here in the mixed conifer forest, each viewing stops us in our tracks. Continue reading “Townsend’s Warbler, Winter Gem of the Conifers”
A Walk in Our Redwoods
We’re always attuned to the bird activity at our house, but since our beloved pup died this past October, it’s been hard to take long walks in the surrounding woods without our boy. But, needing to stay near home and away from others, we’ve mustered up the nerve to face bittersweet reminders and start exploring again.
Just a short walk from our front door is a county fire road that winds through the mixed evergreen forest. We very rarely cross paths with anyone up there, so it fits the bill perfectly for getting a dose of nature while practicing social isolation. Continue reading “A Walk in Our Redwoods”
Birders Flock to Gander at Emperor Goose
Local birder Scott Carey’s report of an adult Emperor Goose at Bodega Head caused a great stir yesterday! Eager for a dose of the outdoors during this pandemic, we ventured out to the Head. However, when we discovered a group of excited birders upon arrival, we opted to keep our social distance. Though it was tempting to say hello to our friends, we decided to return later in the day in hopes of observing the goose among less people. Continue reading “Birders Flock to Gander at Emperor Goose”
PWA Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger (2/18/20)
Tuesday, February 18, was the bimonthly bird survey at Shollenberger Park for the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA). The team was greeted by this lovely sunrise symphony, as performed by The Red-winged Blackbird Orchestra. Continue reading “PWA Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger (2/18/20)”