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”

Pileated Woodpecker in the redwoods, Guerneville, Sonoma County, California

Sit Spot & Ridge Exploration

Sitting in one spot to observe birds is an activity – or rather, an inactivity – we find rewarding. Not only does it immerse us in our natural surroundings, but it tunes us in to the ebbs and flows of bird life. A few weeks ago, we sat quietly in our neighborhood woods to watch and listen to the birds. Continue reading “Sit Spot & Ridge Exploration”

Chestnut-backed Chickadee perched on redwood branch in Guerneville California

20 Birds of the Redwood Forest & Russian River (Winter Edition)


Interested in which birds are around during Spring and Summer? Check out the Spring Edition of 25 Birds of Our Patch – The Redwood Forest & Russian River here!


We live in a beautiful forested area dominated by Coast Redwoods and Douglas-firs near the Russian River in Northern California. We bird our home patch daily, walking through our neighborhood to a fire road that winds through dense conifer forest. With winter soon drawing to a close, we wanted to share some of the species we’re fortunate to encounter on a normal day. Continue reading “20 Birds of the Redwood Forest & Russian River (Winter Edition)”

Red-winged Blackbird at Shollenberger Park, Petaluma, California

Petaluma Wetlands Alliance Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger Park (2/11/19)

Last Monday was the bimonthly bird survey at Shollenberger Park for the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA). We scored a break in the rain before the atmospheric river arrived and enjoyed a chilly but calm day of counting birds.  Continue reading “Petaluma Wetlands Alliance Monthly Bird Survey at Shollenberger Park (2/11/19)”

2018 Christmas Bird Count #4: Western Sonoma County (12/30/18)

This past Sunday, we participated in our fourth and final Christmas Bird Count of 2018, Madrone Audubon Society’s Western Sonoma County CBC.
Continue reading “2018 Christmas Bird Count #4: Western Sonoma County (12/30/18)”