Monthly Field Trip to American River Parkway, Sacramento – Saturday, January 18th
January 18, 2025
Leader: Larry Kent
Directions: William B. Pond Recreation Area is located along the American River Parkway in Carmichael. Drive east on I-80 to Sacramento. At West Sacramento continue driving on Highway 50 toward Sacramento/South Lake Tahoe. Drive through Sacramento and exit onto Watt Ave (exit 11). Drive over the American River (do not turn onto American River Drive) and turn right onto Fair Oaks Blvd. Stay on Fair Oaks Blvd for approximately 2 ½ miles to Arden Way. Turn right onto Arden Way, then drive to the end of Arden Way where you will enter William B. Pond Recreation Area. The meeting area will be along the park road. There is a $7.00 entrance fee (this fee is good for all other parks along the American River Parkway for the day).
What we will see: The area runs along the American River with oak woodlands, riparian, grasslands, ponds and flowing water. We will be walking to and along the river on mostly flat ground. After birding the William B. Pond Recreation Area, we will visit other areas along the parkway. Along the river we hope to see a variety of ducks and geese including Greater White-fronted and Canada Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Common Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Pied-billed Grebes Snowy & Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, California, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. Woodland and riparian species may include Acorn, Nuttall’s, Hairy, Downy and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a variety of passerines including Titmice, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Bewick’s and Hose Wrens, Fox, Savannah, Song, Lincoln’s and White-throated Sparrows.
Carpooling: From Napa: Meet in the River Park Shopping Center to leave at 6:45 AM on the west side of Rite Aid Pharmacy (east side of where Sweeney’s Sport Shop was).
From Cordelia: Meet in the parking lot of the Cordelia Fairfield Library parking lot, 5050 Business Center Dr., Fairfield to leave at 7:00.
What to Bring: Be prepared for cool/cold weather, possible fog, good walking shoes, Lunch, binoculars, scope, snacks, water (or other beverage).
Registration: Registration forms will be sent out Saturday December 21, 9:00 am, so be sure to sign up to secure a spot. 15 participants.
If you need to cancel: Please notify Bruce Thomsen at least 48-hours in advance at (209) 728-4631 or so that another person may take your spot.