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.