Madrone Needs Your Support

November General Meeting

Thank You

Contract on Mayacamas Restoration Planning

Seed Gathering at Sanctuary

The Village at Pine Flat

Agreement on Hillside Ordinance

Observations

Midweek Walkabout Results

Pee Wee Report

Things To Do

Winter Birding

Ideal Holiday Gift

Through the Garden Gate: Backyard Birding

Welcome New Members

Pee Wee Audubon

Winter Birding

by Betty Burridge

Increased numbers of birds rather than changes in species characterize November birding in Northern California, when shorebirds and waterfowl flock into coastal estuaries, inland lakes and wetlands.[1]

In Sonoma County, Bodega Bay hosts great flocks of sandpipers, gulls, and waterfowl. American Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Brant may be especially evident.[2] The same is true at Bolinas Lagoon in nearby Marin County.

Meanwhile, the Osprey are conspicuous by their absence. Most, but not all, have migrated south by November.

This month is also the beginning of the season for sightings of some rare and sporadic winter birds, such as Prairie Falcon, Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Rock Sandpiper, and Old Squaw. Cattle Egret numbers in the county increase from one or two nesting pairs to a small flock or two, and are most commonly seen along High School Road in Sebastopol.

Starting around Thanksgiving, birders as well as birds flock to the Central Valley's Sacramento, Gray Lodge, and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges. There we can expect great flocks of Snow Geese, Canada Geese and White-fronted Geese, Tundra Swans, and Sandhill Cranes, as well as all ducks, some shorebirds and lots of raptors. Most of the birds will stay through January; by mid-February the big flocks are gone.[3]

Visiting the refuges can be a long day-trip. If you plan to stay over, book a motel ahead as hunters may also be seeking shelter. Try Williams, Willows or Gridley on the west side; Yuba City on the east.

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[1]Madrone Audubon Society bird walks, Nov. 4, Nov.18, Nov. 25; see Calendar.

[2]MAS bird walks, Nov. 21.

[3]MAS bird walks, Dec. 2 & 3.