This Saturday, September 18, 2021, we will be meandering along with the creek at Lake Solano Regional Preserve. Migration is still occurring and interesting birds are moving through. Many eastern and western warblers are still being seen and shorebirds are back and waterfowl are returning. The water is likely to attract many of our parched avifauna.
Leader:
Andrew Ford
Description:
Lake Solano is paved and narrow dirt trails paralleling the course of Putah Creek as it makes its way to Lake Berryessa. Prime riparian habitat is found here as well as adjacent foothill grasslands, leading to an interesting mix of species. Birds likely to be seen are Canada Goose, Domesticated Peacock, Spotted Towhee, Wilson's Warbler, Acorn Woodpecker, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Song Sparrow, and Phainopepla. Common Merganser, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Black-Throated Gray Warbler, Willow Flycatcher and MacGilivray's Warbler are not uncommon. Osprey, and rarer yet, Bald Eagle may be seen flying over the water. Western Screech-Owl can sometimes be seen in oak knolls if luck is on our side. Summer breeders are leaving the area but we may still see Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Bullock's Oriole, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee and Western Tanager.
Past rarities include Chestnut-Sided Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Black-And-White Warbler, Green-Tailed,Towhee and Yellow-Breasted Chat
WEATHER (PLEASE READ) The temperature will be temperate with temps reaching upward to the High 70's-Low 80's so please bring water and a snack. We will take it easy and the trail is mostly shaded. Binoculars are a must. We will be walking in mostly shaded habitat. Please wear comfortable, yet sturdy, hiking shoes. Mosquitoes are out so please bring bug spray. COVID REGULATIONS
The Delta Variant of the COVID-19 virus is ramping up and becoming troublesome around the country and in California. We ask that all attendees 12 years of age and older be vaccinated. Please be wary that even with the vaccine the virus can be potent. Masks will be highly recommended and I will be wearing a mask throughout the walk. We will do our best to maintain social distancing to the best of our abilities. If we must crowd together it would be wise to mask up. If you are sick, or feel unwell, please do not attend. I promise that there will be more walks in the future and the birds will be there
MISCELLANEOUS AND TRIP NOTES
EBIRD TRACKING Many of us are avid E-birders and like to track the species on the walks. I will keep a comprehensive list of all birds we find during the walk. You are more than free to keep your personal list but if you would like to avoid looking at your phone screen and keeping numbers, I will gladly keep the list and share it with whoever wants it. Just let me know at the end of the walk and I will get your Ebird information. Directions: BIRDING LOCATION (Please note the special start time for this Saturday only):
Start Time: 0800 am
Approximate End Time: ~1200
Please meet at the UPPER PARKING LOT on the East side of the park. We have gotten much flack from kayakers regarding filling up spots so we will now avoid the bad attitudes. I will be at the entrance to guide wayward souls. Please arrive no later than 0810.
Please find the link below for directions. Copy and paste to get directions.
https://goo.gl/maps/dDcw2YhL6GJ7T23x5
submitted on September 16, 2021, at 10:52 AM PST