
- This event has passed.
CANCELED South Pond Birding
March 28, 2020 @ 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

Consistent with the CA Department of Public Health’s recommendation to cancel all non-essential gatherings for the month of March, SVC has made the very difficult decision to cancel all docent guided outings through the end of the month.
We believe that time spent outdoors is an essential for people’s health and welbeing, as such, we have chosen to allow self-guided hiking. If you have any respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, fever) please stay home.
South Pond and Blue Oaks
Join experienced docents for a venture to the southern part of Deer Creek Hills, Sacramento’s largest open space preserve. The lovely South Pond is home to Wilson’s Snipe, Sora and vocal (& many times visible) Virginia Rail. Up to 31 Snipe have been observed at one time sunning themselves along the pond’s edge. Loggerhead Shrike are occasional visitors here.
Will make a nice transect through the old growth blue oak woodland looking for winter and year-round resident birds that call this place home; such as Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Bushtits and an assortment of raptors overhead.
We will meet at Eagle Camp Corral at 6:45am. Promptly at 7am we will carpool in vehicles with higher clearance from the corral to the hiking start near the South Pond. This is a cross country trek on cattle trails. Expect wet grass in the morning even if the weather is clear. Mute toned clothing please and no stark white. Bring your binoculars, scope and camera. Docents will have at least one scope for the group. Bring water and a snack.
At the conclusion we will return to Eagle Camp Corral. Optionally you may bring your sack lunch and join docents in the creation of the day’s ebird list.
Attendees must pre-register online. Space is limited.
We request that you heed the CDC’s guidelines for COVID-19 exposure and illness prevention.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you have any symptoms, think you have been exposed to someone with the virus or aren’t sure, please stay home.
Please choose to visit when you are well. The preserve has been protected in perpetuity.