March 28, 2022
09:30 to 11:30
Today, the Sonoma Land Trust hosted my Restoration Ecology class in a field trip to view the various phases of salt marsh restoration at Sears Point. It was a gorgeous day, and we learned a lot about the history and ecology of this place as we walked to the end of the levee and back. I another little surprise: one of our trip leaders, Neal Ramus, was an undergrad at SSU at same time I was, and it was good to reconnect.
A few Canada Goose were floating on the lake, and a pair flew overhead. There was a single goose near the levee at the far end of the trail who swam near us for a while. Very pretty. I also saw Canvasback, and I think there were Scaup and Goldeneye out on the water, but the photos aren’t good enough for IDs. Flocks of American Avocet flew overhead, and I saw just a single large wading bird – a Great Egret. We saw a few upland birds as well, including California Quail who flushed at our approach, but reappeared near the railroad tracks. A Ring-necked Pheasant called, and a few minutes later crossed the trail behind us. House Finch and Song Sparrow were seen and heard in the bushes, and I was pleased to find a Savannah Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat near the south-most levee. Sadly, we found a dead California Vole in the middle of the path, with no apparent injuries. Probably dropped by a predator after we’d come through the first time, since we didn’t see it on the way in.
After our walk along the restored area, we ate lunch at the Benson House. From here, I was pleased to watch a few Black-tailed Jackrabbit chasing one another around on the nearby grassy field. Super cute.
Species List
Wildlife Seen: Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), Scaup sp., Goldeneye sp., Cormorant sp., Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), Herring Gull (Lars argentatus), American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Canvasback (Aythya valisineria), Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), California Quail (Callipepla californica), Common Raven (Corvus corax), House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), California Vole (Microtus californicus), Seven-spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata), Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus).
Let me know what you think!