Upland Birding

Docents welcome all ages of new and experienced birders alike, who are ready to tackle this 3-4 mile off-trail walk through open grasslands that overlie the Gopher Ridge (metavolcanic) Formation. Open grassland habitat in the Sacramento area continues to disappear making this local resource ever more important. These are hunting grounds for winter resident raptors such as Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks and year-round residents such as Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers. Falcons are represented by the year-round American Kestrel and some years by wintering Prairie Falcon.

Several resident Rock Wren pairs call this place home and trill from the rock outcrops.  Resident Horned Larks along with the boldly colored Western Meadow Lark and wintering Savannah Sparrows and are numerous here. We’ll hope for sightings of a resident coyote and burrowing owl.

A pond, underlain by the impervious rock usually hosts 3 or 4 species of waterfowl. Enjoy the peaceful setting as experienced docents carefully guide the group to minimize disturbance of the grazing cattle and lead you to the best places to observe but not disturb the local residents. If the weather is mild we will pause to enjoy lunch and create the ebird list for the day as we sit on the old barn foundation. We may even be blessed with a mid-day visit overhead from a Bald or a Golden Eagle.

Wear warm clothing in muted earth-tone colors, to blend with the terrain, and sturdy boots for uneven surfaces and wet grass. Birding scopes, binoculars and/or cameras, are highly recommended for any birding outing, as well as water and a snack.

Meet at Eagle Camp Corral at 7:45am for an 8am carpool to the Uplands. High clearance vehicles helpful for carpooling.

Attendees must pre-register online. Space is limited.