Ruby-crowned Kinglet perched among small branches with blue sky in background

Sonoma County Birding: Riverfront Regional Park

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. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Riverfront Regional Park”

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)”

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)”

Puffed up Golden-crowned Sparrow birb on branch

10 Good Birbs (I’m Birbing Right Now)

If you’re unfamiliar with the internet slang word “birb,” we can best describe it as a term of endearment used to refer to a ridiculously cute bird. Extra points are given for being particularly round, fluffy, or silly. For a more in-depth introduction to birbs, check out this recent Audubon article: When Is a Bird a ‘Birb’? An Extremely Important Guide. Continue reading “10 Good Birbs (I’m Birbing Right Now)”

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)”

Anna's Hummingbird female sitting on nest at Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, California

Sonoma County Birding: Foothill Regional Park

Last week, we ventured out to Riverfront Regional Park only to find it still closed from the recent flooding. Our next stop, Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, was also closed due to recent storm activity. Taking this as a good prompt to explore somewhere new, we visited Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, California – a 200+ acre park featuring rolling oak woodlands and three ponds. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Foothill Regional Park”