Last Tuesday was a gorgeous spring day. I headed out to the Yolo Bypass to check out the birds. But when I got there the gate was locked. Apparently the recent storms dropped enough water to close the area to visitors.
So I wandered over to another preserve — Cache Creek Open Space Park in the tiny Yolo County town of Capay. This park includes grasslands, riparian environment and a beautiful year-round creek running through an arroyo. Unfortunately, due to high fast moving water in the creek the ramp down to the creek was closed. There is also a trail to the creek but it involved climbing down a steep embankment that my knees would not tolerate.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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I had the entire place to myself — not a soul was in the park. I wandered down to the edge of the embankment where a line of trees mark the start of the riparian habitat. Last year, I watched tree swallows feed their babies in nest boxes but there was no activity at the boxes yet. I could hear the ratta-tat-tat of a busy woodpecker on a tree somewhere along the creekside, but couldn’t get close. Red-wing blackbirds were singing their hearts out and swallows were streaking through the skies.
My strategy to seeing birds is to find a bench where I can spot birds and sit and wait. It usually takes 10-15 minutes for the birds to decide that I’m okay and they come closer. The first bench was out in the open but I was too conspicuous and the birds stayed far far away.
I moved to a picnic table partially hidden by elderberry bushes. After a short wait I saw a few birds. Nothing new or fancy but a very nice group:
The wind had picked up whipping the branches and causing some major swaying in the trees. I watched a Western Meadowlark hang on to her perch that was bouncing quite a bit:
A spring storm brought cool temps and light showers to the valley and a few inches of snow in the mountains on Thursday and Friday. Sunny skies have already returned with temperatures that could reach 80 by mid week with cooler temps and another chance of showers on Saturday.
In other major celestial events, how many are going to be able to watch the eclipse? Is anyone planning to watch the birds’ reaction in their area?
We are only getting a partial view of about 35 percent. I made also made the error of booking an important phone dr. appointment a few minutes before the big event. So I will probably miss it.
What’s up in your neck of the woods?