Birding was very good at Staten Island in the Sacramento Delta and the Consumnes River Preserve.
At Staten Island in the Sacramento River Delta there were literally thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Many were on the ground and even more were flying overhead. At times it was almost like being at Woodbridge Road (a nearby hotspot to see cranes come in at sunset). The Cranes were even doing their dances. There were also hundreds of Tundra Swans, many Canvasback Ducks, a number of Great Egrets and even a Golden Eagle today. I was able to identify 28 species in all (plus a number I didn’t get to ID).
Next stop was Consumnes where there were many waterbirds and I managed to identify 25 species. There were a number of birds in the reeds that either only sang or made fleeting appearances that I did not get good looks at and could not identify.
Sandy, Nice report, thanks!
I'll have to head over there for a day or two.
You might be interested in my report on the sandhills and more at the Merced NWR - about the same driving distance.
See my post "Bosque Alternative" in the Bird forum.
LOTS of cranes in California this winter - yay!
Discussion
2 repliesAt Staten Island in the Sacramento River Delta there were literally thousands of Sandhill Cranes. Many were on the ground and even more were flying overhead. At times it was almost like being at Woodbridge Road (a nearby hotspot to see cranes come in at sunset). The Cranes were even doing their dances. There were also hundreds of Tundra Swans, many Canvasback Ducks, a number of Great Egrets and even a Golden Eagle today. I was able to identify 28 species in all (plus a number I didn’t get to ID).
Next stop was Consumnes where there were many waterbirds and I managed to identify 25 species. There were a number of birds in the reeds that either only sang or made fleeting appearances that I did not get good looks at and could not identify.
You can see photos and bird lists from today at: http://sandysteinman.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/sandhill-cranes-birding-staten-island-and-consumnes/
also posted in CANP regional section
I'll have to head over there for a day or two.
You might be interested in my report on the sandhills and more at the Merced NWR - about the same driving distance.
See my post "Bosque Alternative" in the Bird forum.
LOTS of cranes in California this winter - yay!
Sandy R
Sandy