We visited with some friends in Walnut Creek, CA on our way south. They have a couple of bird feeders in their back yard and it is fun to see the different birds that we don't see at home but that are common in their yard. Here is what we think is a Nutall's Woodpecker. It is similar to a Downy Woodpecker but just a little larger with different markings on the head and different markings on the back. Neat bird.

This little fellow is called an Oak Titmouse. The Cornell All About Birds Guide has this to say about them - Nondescript save for its crest, the Oak Titmouse might not wow many bird watchers at first sight. But these vocal, active birds characterize the warm, dry oak woods from southern Oregon to Baja California—they’re “the voice and soul of the oaks,” according to one early naturalist. Mates pair for life, and both partners noisily defend their territory year-round.

This bird is called a Phainopepla and was a surprise to us. We had seen them all over the south west but did not realize that they came this far north. In doing some research we found that they have quite an extensive range in California going much further north than Walnut Creek.

In addition to these birds we also were awakened but a Western screech Owl on two late nights and had Northern Mockingbirds singing from the trees. There were lots of other birds in their yard as well. it is fun seeing the common birds in other yards as we travel about.

Woodson Bridge in California

We stayed a few nights just 6 miles east of Corning right along the Sacramento River. This photo was taken through the back window of the trailer. The RV Park, Woodson Bridge RV Park is an older park and has a lot of permanent trailers. There is some great fishing on the river and hence many trailer are set up as fish camps and lots of boats. The park is very serviceable and has Butterfinger ice cream bars for sale in the little store.

Adjacent to the park is a county park and adjacent to that county park is the Sacramento River State Natural Area. The area has some really huge, massive California valley Oak trees and a wonderful trail that meanders through some fabulous habitat. We did not find a lot of birds but could only imagine what the spring migration might be like. We did see a flock of Cedar Waxwings, Downy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, a Varied Thrush amongst a flock of Robins, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and other usual species. There is a also a small campground that is in the natural area with some decent looking sites but no hookups. The Natural Area is well worth a stop and look about.

On Wednesday 10/24 we visited Sacramento NWR. It is a large collection of wetland areas in the central valley in California. There are huge numbers of wintering water fowl. Lots of Snow Geese and a wide variety of ducks. There is a wonderful 6 mile auto tour loop that you can drive around. It has wonderful views of the myriad of bird species.

As you drive the tour loop there are 3 designated locations where you can get out of your car, the rest of the tour loop they ask that you stay in the vehicle so as not to disturb the birds. As you can see from the characters in the sign this is not your normal FWS sign, nicely done.

There are huge numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese. Literally thousands and thousands of them. We were told by a volunteer couple that a bird count is scheduled to be done in the next few days to determine how many waterfowl are on the refuge. Here is an image of three of these geese that were standing along the auto tour loop. Their call is totally different than the Canada Geese, quite distinctive.

There are lots of other bird species to be seen as you walk the trails within the refuge and drive the tour loop. We did take the boys on a walk along one of the trails, lots of song sparrows and a wilson's snipe and a huge number of other species. This Red-tail Hawk sat on a refuge sign as we drove up to him. It appears to be a juvenile Red-tail Hawk. Sacramento is a great refuge and if you are in the area, just south of Willows, CA right along I-5, be sure to stop in and at least take the short auto tour loop. It will be well worth your time.