04/27/2026
YOLO BIRD ALLIANCE FIELD TRIP TO THE KUSCH GARDEN
April 26th, 2026
Despite the overcast morning, Manfred’s garden was vibrant with activity. A variety of flowers and birds created a lively scene, with the seed feeder bustling with goldfinches. Both black-chinned and Anna’s hummingbirds hovered around multiple sugar-water feeders placed throughout the garden, collectively consuming over a gallon each day. Bullock’s and hooded orioles were actively gathering palm fibers for nest construction, occasionally pausing at the grape jelly feeder. A northern house wren was also observed catching insects and returning them to its cavity nest.
The group then made its way to Putah Creek, which borders the garden. This lush riparian habitat supports a diverse bird population. Along the creek, we observed a bushtit nest and a red-shouldered hawk nest high in the trees. Several flycatchers could be heard singing, though the dense vegetation made them difficult to spot. A spotted towhee was seen foraging along the forest floor.
One of the highlights of the trip was the observation of a dark-eyed junco nesting near the creek. Manfred noted that the nest contained three eggs. This sighting was particularly notable, as dark-eyed juncos typically nest in coniferous or mixed forests with spruce, pine, fir, or hemlock, rather than in this region.
As we hiked along the creek, we admired the impressive oak trees and listened to the calls of acorn woodpeckers. Thanks to the efforts of local landowners and the Putah Creek Council, this remarkable habitat has been carefully preserved.
Below is a link to the eBird list that Kelli O’Neill compiled:
https://ebird.org/atlascalifornia/mychecklists?subID=JJp0La1LBdfWLh_YS_E3CQ==&s=t
Photos by Kelli O’Neill and JoAnne Fillatti
