Lesser Goldfinch perched on skinny willow branch

February Birds

Though the area rain levels were disappointingly low in February, the flipside was an abundance of spring-like birding days. With the relaxation of shelter-in-place restrictions and beautiful weather beckoning us, we made it out several times to enjoy Sonoma County’s bird life. Continue reading “February Birds”

Sooty Fox Sparrow standing in dry leaf litter

Gualala Point Regional Park & Campground

Last week, we camped a night at Gualala Point Regional Park. Driving north along Highway 1, the scenery was jarring. The Meyers Fire had burned parts of the terrain all the way down to the ocean. Continue reading “Gualala Point Regional Park & Campground”

Red-winged Blackbird silhouette against orange sunrise at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, California

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)”

Caspian Tern adults and juveniles loafing on shoreline at Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Marin County Birding: Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore

“Birding the [Point Reyes National] seashore and vicinity can take a day, a week, or a lifetime.”

— Rich Stallcup and Jules Evens, Field Guide to Birds of the Northern California Coast

Continue reading “Marin County Birding: Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore”

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”