Sacramento Area: Advice for 2 days of birding (1 Viewer)

[funkstaft]

Hi all. I'm a first time poster.

I'm planning a trip early this March (3/3-3/4) which involves two free days, with a rental car, in the Sacramento area. I've figured out what a lot of the major birding destinations in the Central Valley are, and have done quite a bit of research on eBird. But I'd prefer to hear from people who know -- what are the must-see places near Sacramento at this time of year? I'm not averse to driving fairly long distances, but wouldn't want to drive 300 miles just to see one super interesting bird if there's lots of alternatives closer by.

My goal birds, if you're curious:

*Mountain Plover
*Tri-Colored Blackbird
*Yellow-Billed Magpie
*Greater White-Fronted Goose
*Cinnamon/Blue-Winged Teal
*Nuttall's Woodpecker
*Any other California specialty birds

Extra interested in the first two, since at the rate they're going, they both seem like species to see before they're gone.

I also hear that there's a regular Falcated Duck at Colusa (?) NWR. Is this worth the trip?

Thanks so much for any and all advice. I'm really looking forward to this trip!

 

[gvca1]

Hi, Funk,

Just perusing eBird for Mountain Plover, looks like the best bet is HWY 113 South, towards Rio Vista. That looks enticing-- maybe I'll head down there this weekend.

As far as must-see destinations in the Central Valley, I think Gray Lodge is worth a trip, for sure. Should be good for the Greater White-fronted Goose and the Teals, at least. We've been having drought conditions, but they flood the fields there, and there are a lot of birds crowded in. A lot of them will be packing their bags and heading North by March, but there should be some stragglers there.

I went to see the Falcated Duck at Colusa last year, and it was a matter of parking the car, walking 30 yds to the observation platform, and taking my pick from 6 or 8 scopes trained on it.


Yellow-billed should be easy-- farmland West of Davis is usually a sure thing, and pretty close to Sacto. On your way there, there is another refuge just off the South end of the Causeway between Sacramento and Davis. YBMA also might be seen on your drive up to Gray Lodge.

Let's see-- Nuttalls-- My back yard, of course! (Grass Valley, CA). Along with Hairy, Downy, Acorn, and Pileated.

Have a great trip, and I hope we get a bunch of rain before then,

Jim

 

[iraqbabbler]

Check this out:
http://www.cvbirds.org/ListServ.htm

and I would also suggest you join the Yahoo group mentioned on that site.