September 28, 2004
Bird-a-thon!
Last Saturday, I joined Roger Adamson, Betty Berteaux and Joan Humphrey in the PRBO Bird-a-thon (for those not in the know, this involves racing around the county trying to see as many species as possible in a 24 hour period). The aim of the Bird-a-thon was to raise money to fund a study of breeding Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets in the Central Valley. We spent a total of 16 hours in the field, and with some effort managed to rack up 129 species for the day. Rather than give you a bird-by-bird account of the trip, I've attached a list of the birds we saw at the end of this article.
Personal highlights were a most unexpected Grasshopper Sparrow in the Yolo Wildlife area (a life bird for Betty), 10 species of duck and 4 species of swallow at the City of Davis Wetlands (maybe down to 3 after a Cooper's Hawk ate one of them!). We had good views of a Turkey flock on Road 41, as well as a stunning view over the Capay Valley.
Up on Rayhouse Road, we put much effort into teasing out the chaparral species, but were rewarded with prolonged looks at this Sage Sparrow.
At Davis Creek Reservoir, we were treated to an atmospheric sunset...
... and I managed to digiscope the moon rise.
Having started the day with a Burrowing Owl by flashlight, we finished with a nice haul of calling owls (Northern Pygmy, Great Horned and Western Screech) and a most co-operative Common Poorwill sitting in the road.
The full trip list can be seen here
Posted by rjhall at September 28, 2004 1:46 AMExcellent account!
I will be giving Betty a check when I see her Sar. at Davis Wetklands Docent tour.