Putah Creek Trip

Saturday January 6, 2007

Clear skies and relatively mild temperatures were only part of the reason 24 birders were so happy on this trip. The 91 species were also spectacular. Along Pleasants Valley Road we had numerous sightings of Yellow-billed Magpies, several large flocks of Wild Turkey, California Quail, and at least 5 Red-shouldered Hawks. The Solano County Park was full of birds, including two Phainopeplas, Cedar Waxwings, a Lincoln's Sparrow, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser in the creek, and a female Pileated Woodpecker flying east over the upper parking lot. From the top of Monticello Dam a number of good birds were seen, including Osprey in the canyon, Common Merganser and two Peregrine Falcons flying high over the cliffs to the north. Two Dippers were found in the creek just downstream of the bridge below the dam. The last stop at Lake Solano produced more wonderful birds such as Virginia Rail, many Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer, Common Moorhen, Belted Kingfisher andÊa Green Heron. A spectacular pair of Prairie Falcons flew high overhead as we completed our checklists at the end of the day.Ê

Hugh Harvey