Birding Napa County

Early spring is a dynamic time of the year for our region’s abundant birdlife. The first migrant songbirds are arriving from the south. Large flocks of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds are still here, preparing to depart to the Arctic and the American prairie. Early nesting species include such diverse groups as hummingbirds and hawks. Napa County is blessed with an incredible variety of accessible native aquatic and terrestrial habitats that concentrate birds. Four field trips visit the best of these areas. At Lake Hennessey we find Bald Eagle and White throated Sparrow, witness the unique nuptial display of Western Grebe, and seek a glimpse of the elusive daylight-hunting Northern Pygmy-Owl. A morning is devoted to Kennedy Park and Skyline Park. Acorn Woodpecker, Wood Duck and Red-shouldered Hawk highlight Skyline. The wetlands at Kennedy host Marsh Wren and Virginia Rail; the rare Black Rail is also present. Among the waders along the tide line are Long-billed Curlew and Black-necked Stilt. Further following the tides, a visit to American Canyon Wetlands finds thousands of shorebirds of a dozen species. Cinnamon Teal is the brightest of the waterfowl. Common Yellowthroat, Allen’s Hummingbird and Lincoln’s Sparrow inhabit the weed patches. Peregrine Falcon is usually present. Finally, special arrangement allows a visit to Skaggs Island, a closed area of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The premier raptor viewing spot in the North Bay, we look for Prairie Falcon, Northern Harrier and Golden Eagle. The threatened Swainson’s Hawk nests on the island. We find a cumulative total of more than 100 species during the four weeks. The field trips involve a walk of 1-2 miles on level gravel roads or foot paths. Please bring your binoculars and dress appropriately for variable weather conditions. Instructor Berner is the co-author of The Breeding Birds of Napa County. Students are to email the instructor before the first day of class for more information at vireocity@hotmail.com.