A group of 25 people, including at least six youngsters, flocked to the FORB event on Saturday, July 12 to learn about the birds and their habitat along the American River at Sutter's Landing Park. We identified 30 species of birds, including some young birds that were being fed by their parents. It was great to imagine that birds, such as tree swallows and ash-throated flycatchers, were hatched somewhere along this stretch of river and that the trees that were providing us with shade were also providing all of these birds with a home.
Along the river, we saw a gaggle of Canada geese floating by and several white-faced ibises flying overhead. As two belted kingfishers flew by we learned that the females of this species are more dazzling than the males, which is an exception in the bird world. We also saw mallards, a double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, and great egret. Swainson’s hawks are usually found nesting near this stretch of river and were seen high overhead during this outing. Nests of several other species were noted too. We then climbed up the bank to the cottonwood thickets and heard Nuttall’s woodpeckers, which are common in the tree canopy of Boulevard Park. Still wandering around the trees, we saw fly-catching birds, including black phoebes and Western kingbirds.
Our guide on this adventure, ornithologist Hillary White, is a Senior Wildlife and Restoration Ecologist with H.T. Harvey & Associates and works on projects that benefit birds and other wildlife.
The full list of bird species we saw was recorded on eBird and can be viewed there if you set up a free account. eBird allows birdwatchers to compile and share data with researchers to better monitor species. FORB contributes to this effort and the observation list from this outing is also copied below. For a list of all birds and wildlife that have been viewed at Sutter's Landing Park visit the "What's There" link FORB’s web site, www.friendsoftheriverbanks.org. For more about all things ornithological, check out www.allaboutbirds.org, a comprehensive web site maintained by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.
American River Parkway--Sutter's Landing Park, Sacramento, US-CA
Jul 12, 2014 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Friends of the River Banks monthly walk.
30 species
Canada Goose 45
Mallard 12
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
White-faced Ibis 12 flyover
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 1
Swainson's Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 8
Mourning Dove 6
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Black Phoebe 3
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 7
Western Scrub-Jay 3
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Tree Swallow 40
Oak Titmouse 2
House Wren 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 2
Spotted Towhee 2
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
FORB plans to host similar events in the future.
Along the river, we saw a gaggle of Canada geese floating by and several white-faced ibises flying overhead. As two belted kingfishers flew by we learned that the females of this species are more dazzling than the males, which is an exception in the bird world. We also saw mallards, a double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, and great egret. Swainson’s hawks are usually found nesting near this stretch of river and were seen high overhead during this outing. Nests of several other species were noted too. We then climbed up the bank to the cottonwood thickets and heard Nuttall’s woodpeckers, which are common in the tree canopy of Boulevard Park. Still wandering around the trees, we saw fly-catching birds, including black phoebes and Western kingbirds.
Our guide on this adventure, ornithologist Hillary White, is a Senior Wildlife and Restoration Ecologist with H.T. Harvey & Associates and works on projects that benefit birds and other wildlife.
The full list of bird species we saw was recorded on eBird and can be viewed there if you set up a free account. eBird allows birdwatchers to compile and share data with researchers to better monitor species. FORB contributes to this effort and the observation list from this outing is also copied below. For a list of all birds and wildlife that have been viewed at Sutter's Landing Park visit the "What's There" link FORB’s web site, www.friendsoftheriverbanks.org. For more about all things ornithological, check out www.allaboutbirds.org, a comprehensive web site maintained by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology.
American River Parkway--Sutter's Landing Park, Sacramento, US-CA
Jul 12, 2014 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Friends of the River Banks monthly walk.
30 species
Canada Goose 45
Mallard 12
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
White-faced Ibis 12 flyover
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk (California) 1
Swainson's Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 8
Mourning Dove 6
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Nuttall's Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Black Phoebe 3
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 7
Western Scrub-Jay 3
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Tree Swallow 40
Oak Titmouse 2
House Wren 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 2
Spotted Towhee 2
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
FORB plans to host similar events in the future.
Getting an update on all the things happening at or affecting Sutter's Landing Park before we bird the banks. 
Hillary heard and identified a number of species while filling in details on their natural history and behavior.
The group was game to travel through upland and riparian habitat in search of the birds of the banks.
Many of our observations were also made along the river.
We appreciated the shady habitat while getting more details on all the birds seen and heard.
A lone coyote watched the group from a high point on the mound.
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