Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
The last two weeks have been really rainy with some snow mixed in, for a total of 18.53" of precipitation!!! This brings our water-year total to 63.59", which is more than our annual average through October! Yahoo! All this rain caused the formation of many small waterfalls along the road. I counted 18 in a 7 mile section of Highway 49! The North Yuba River was running full and strong, at 4500 cfs on Thursday, March 7th! It has since calmed down to a slower rate of 2200 cfs.
I was surprised to see these raptors (above and below) out in the pouring rain, but they must have been hungry! Surprisingly, extended periods of heavy rain can make it easier for raptors to find prey, because it can flood the underground homes of mammals and cause them to surface. To avoid flooding, mammals tend to build underground dens on slopes with good drainage, and some even dig out sumps that take any water that enters a burrow. They will also plug up the entrance to their burrow to keep the rain out. 10 cm of rain can usually be absorbed by the soil, down to the depth of 1 meter. Most mammals dig their burrows deeper than 1 meter. However the type of soil and how rocky it is can affect this absorption rate.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
I've seen this lone, Red-tailed Hawk in my neighborhood all winter, rain or shine!
I went bird watching with some friends on this restored wetlands trail in the town of Novato. It was the Hamilton Army Airfield from 1935 until it was closed in 1975. Since its closure, it has gone through many complicated changes.
The restoration of the wetlands became part of a big multi-agency plan in 1996.
The following quote is from the Hamilton Wetlands website, http://hamiltonwetlands.scc.ca.gov/about/site-history/.
"The base was redeveloped following a 1996 Reuse Plan, the City of Novato’s Master Plan and subsequent plans and processes. Much of the base was converted to residential and commercial use, with a significant balance set aside for parks and open space. The area east of the former Hangars, including the Airfield tarmac and runway, was transferred to the State of California for eventual open space and wetland restoration purposes. And so in 1998, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, State Coastal Conservancy and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission teamed up to address the technical aspects of the restoration and to determine how to best restore the wetland habitats on the former Airfield. Since 2001, the Corps and Conservancy have been working in partnership to construct site features of the new wetland, much of which is located on top of the old runway."
Cooper's Hawk - Northern Harrier (female)
Accipiter cooperii - Circus cyaneus
It is an amazing area for bird watching! We saw these two beautiful hawks in the same area of the wetlands. I had never seen either one before! How exciting!!!
Cooper's Hawks are uncommon and mainly live in dense forests, but can also be found in leafy suburbs and open fields. They can be found across the United States year-round. Their main food is other large birds such as doves, pigeons and robins. They will also prey on squirrels, rabbits, mice and reptiles. They can readily pursue prey through dense thickets or forests. Their short wings and rudder-like tail makes them able to make quick, sharp turns. They grab prey with their feet, and will drown or squeeze them to death! They can see 2-3 times farther than humans!
Northern Harriers are uncommon but widespread in grasslands, as well as fresh and saltwater marshes. They can be found across most of the United States and Mexico in winter, and will migrate to Canada and Alaska to breed. They prey on medium to small sized birds and mammals, reptiles, and frogs. Unlike other hawks, they have an owl-like facial disc/ruff that helps them locate prey acoustically. WOW!!! They are sexually dimorphic, with the male adults white with black wingtips on the underside, and a pale gray back, wings, head and throat. I did see a male, but didn't get a photo! I'll have to go back there again! Such gorgeous birds!
House Finches (male & female/left - male/right)
Haemorhous mexicanus
These beautiful little House Finches were congregating in the tops of the shrubs! They are usually found in flocks and are common year-round across most of the United States and Mexico. They are truly vegetarians, and only eat plant materials, seeds, grains and fruits!
Cornell University states, "The red of a male House Finch comes from pigments contained in its food during molt (birds can’t make bright red or yellow colors directly). So the more pigment in the food, the redder the male. This is why people sometimes see orange or yellowish male House Finches. Females prefer to mate with the reddest male they can find, perhaps raising the chances they get a capable mate who can do his part in feeding the nestlings." I wonder what fruits these males have been eating lately? So pretty!
Western Bluebird (males)
Sialia mexicana
These brilliant blue and rust beauties were perched in the shrubs along the path. How delightful! Western Bluebirds stay in small flocks in the winter. They are primarily insect eaters, but eat fruits and berries in the winter when insects aren't readily available. These bluebirds probably stay in this area all year, and do not migrate. Interestingly, I spotted some Western Bluebirds in my neighborhood this week when I got back home! I saw them in an open, grassy, slope area two mornings in a row! I don't think they will stay and breed as this isn't their typical nesting area. Interesting to see them at sea level as well as at 2600' in elevation!
These brilliant blue and rust beauties were perched in the shrubs along the path. How delightful! Western Bluebirds stay in small flocks in the winter. They are primarily insect eaters, but eat fruits and berries in the winter when insects aren't readily available. These bluebirds probably stay in this area all year, and do not migrate. Interestingly, I spotted some Western Bluebirds in my neighborhood this week when I got back home! I saw them in an open, grassy, slope area two mornings in a row! I don't think they will stay and breed as this isn't their typical nesting area. Interesting to see them at sea level as well as at 2600' in elevation!
Western Bluebird (females)
Sialia mexicana
The female Western Bluebirds aren't as brightly colored as their male counterparts.
Great Egret (with breeding plumes)
Ardea alba
Along the shore we were astonished to see a Great Egret in its breeding plumage!!!
From a distance the plumes looked like skinny wings! Up close the fine, fine, feathering of the plumes was amazing! Both the male and females grow these breeding plumes, and use them in courtship displays.
These beautiful plumes were in such demand during the catastrophic "Feather Fashion" period of the late 1800's, that they almost caused the birds' demise. Luckily the slaughter of birds for their feathers was largely stopped by the late 1890's, due to the boycotts of concerned female citizens!
American Avocet - American Avocet & Great Egret (with breeding plumes)
Recurvirostra americana - Ardea alba
Along the shoreline an American Avocet was sweeping its bill side to side (scything) in the water, sifting for tiny, aquatic invertebrates to eat! They also peck and plunge for prey. They can wade or swim while searching for prey. Their winters are spent in the Central Valley, Baja California, or Mexico. In Spring they migrate to north-central United States and Canada to breed. When breeding the feathers on their head, neck, and breast turn a rich rusty color. These are such elegant, long-legged birds!
Along the shoreline an American Avocet was sweeping its bill side to side (scything) in the water, sifting for tiny, aquatic invertebrates to eat! They also peck and plunge for prey. They can wade or swim while searching for prey. Their winters are spent in the Central Valley, Baja California, or Mexico. In Spring they migrate to north-central United States and Canada to breed. When breeding the feathers on their head, neck, and breast turn a rich rusty color. These are such elegant, long-legged birds!
Blooming Orchard somewhere between Woodland and Marysville
Highway 113
If I have the time, I prefer to drive the back roads on the way home. Highway 113 between Woodland and Marysville passes through open agricultural fields and orchards, and is a great area to see birds! Last weekend, some of the orchards were blooming, and everything was wet and green! Such a nice change from my snowy neighborhood! Ah, Spring!!!
Snow Geese & Greater White-fronted Geese
Anser caerulescens - Anser albifrons
I really lucked out and came across this field full of hundreds of Snow Geese!!! What a sighting! I was surprised to see them still in the Central Valley. Usually they start their Spring migration to the high Arctic in early February. The heavy rains have probably been the cause for their late departure! They seemed to be feeding just fine on the newly green grasses! Such an unexpected surprise! Wow!
I really lucked out and came across this field full of hundreds of Snow Geese!!! What a sighting! I was surprised to see them still in the Central Valley. Usually they start their Spring migration to the high Arctic in early February. The heavy rains have probably been the cause for their late departure! They seemed to be feeding just fine on the newly green grasses! Such an unexpected surprise! Wow!
Snow Geese & Greater White-fronted Geese
Anser caerulescens - Anser albifrons
Mixed in with the Snow Geese were Greater White-fronted Geese. These geese are usually the last to leave the Central Valley for their breeding grounds, in Alaska and across northern Canada. Looks like the Snow Geese have joined them this year! I hope all the lovely geese make it back to their breeding grounds safely! It still looks pretty wintry north and east of California!
What's been happening back at home?
Mixed in with the Snow Geese were Greater White-fronted Geese. These geese are usually the last to leave the Central Valley for their breeding grounds, in Alaska and across northern Canada. Looks like the Snow Geese have joined them this year! I hope all the lovely geese make it back to their breeding grounds safely! It still looks pretty wintry north and east of California!
What's been happening back at home?
Where are the deer?
How are the foxes?
Is spring on it's way?
Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!
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