Mount Diablo Bird Alliance

06/16/2026

Field Trip Report: Bridgeway Island, West Sacramento, Winter 2026. Despite the fog, we spotted a total of 56 species. Highlights included 2 Osprey, well over 100 Cedar Waxwings feeding in a tree, and 3 Blue-winged Teal. Black-crowned Night Herons were spotted in the reeds, and we heard 2 Sora call from different locations. Many Marsh Wrens and Song Sparrows were seen or heard. And 2 brilliant male Common Yellowthroats---always a fine bird to see. About 1/2 mile away at Bridgeway Lakes Community Park, we enjoyed watching several dozen Double-crested Cormorants swimming and diving. 2 Common Mergansers joined them in cooperative feeding. We searched for the Tropical Kingbirds reported at a nearby pond, but without luck. We did have nice views of a Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, and Western Bluebirds. One "mystery bird" was only ID'd after we returned home and viewed images: a young Horned Lark. When the skies finally cleared we saw several skeins of Greater White-fronted Geese high above us, flying in V-formations and vocalizing. It was a great day! Report by trip leader Mona Lange. Thanks to Isaac Aronow for sharing his images of a Cedar Waxwing and the Horned Lark.
Ebird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/470437?welcome=true
Come along on one of our free Field Trips soon! See “Upcoming” at

06/16/2026

It looked very much like a bird itself.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/04/science/microraptor-fossil-northwestern-china?utm_source=cnn_Evening+Newsletter+-+Monday%2C+June+15%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=yI3ln%2BwQrIiKGF0%2BvO%2BqD0fEm54n%2FC8yNP2Y3mgXs5pLxhDfpFbQlNhd2VciOZ36&bt_ts=1781558162545

06/10/2026

We’ll be at the Martinez Beaver Festival this Saturday, June 13. This fun event commemorates the time a group of nature-lovers came together to save a local beaver family. We hope to see you there! 🦫

06/09/2026

“Shorebirds in the Shade” Field Trip Sun Aug 2nd, 10:00am
We'll search for shorebirds from the shady groves of fragrant eucalyptus that line the shores of Point Pinole Regional Pk. Migration will be getting underway, with peeps (sandpipers), plovers, and more starting to trickle in from the north. We'll scan the beach as the tide rises for waders and marine ducks. and keep an eye out for surprises like the Bobolink that lingered there in 2024. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. The 1 mile+ flat trail can be dusty and rocky, without many places to sit. Bathroom and water fountain at the trailhead. Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade
Meeting Point: Atlas Road parking lot, 3000 Atlas Road, in Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond. GPS: 37.999968, -122.356301
This outing is limited to 15. Register HERE:

An outing with the Mount Diablo Bird Alliance.

06/09/2026

Field Trip Report: Peña Adobe, Lagoon Valley, Vacaville 4/30.
A beautiful spring day yielded great views of Black Phoebes catching bugs for their young, visible in their nest, and a pair of Western Bluebirds going in and out of their nest in a tree cavity. At Lagoon Valley, we had two pairs of active Green Heron flying back and forth, plus a single Common Gallinule was seen. Cute goslings and ducklings swam near the water’s edge. Feisty Western Kingbirds and Ash-throated Flycatchers flew about in the trees. Two brightly-colored male Bullock’s Orioles interacted with each other. A nice surprise was having two black-tailed deer walk through the picnic area. A lovely and productive birding day. We saw a total of 49 different bird species.
Report by trip leader Mona Lange. Images (Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Western Bluebird) by Pam Lorenz. Come along on one of our free Field Trips soon! See “Upcoming” at https://mtdiablobirds.org/birding/birding-trips/

06/08/2026

Report: Brannan Island Delta Rookery Field Trip , May 1st. Fifteen participants got great views of Bullock's Orioles, Western Kingbird and Western Bluebird, and an Osprey. Also seen were Eurasian Collared-dove, Tree Swallow, Bushtit, American Robin, Calif. Towhee and Nuttall's Woodpecker. A pair of White-tail Kite were in courting activity. At the rookery there were 95+ Double-crested Cormorants and 50+ Great Egrets nesting or feeding their young. Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and Black-crown Night Heron were also seen nesting or feeding. Western Kingbird, Tree Swallow, Black Phoebe and Calif. Scrub Jay were amongst some of the other species seen, plus a bee hive on a palm tree, and a California sea lion in the marina. A highly entertaining and productive day. – Trip leader Mona Lange.
Photos by Isaac Aronow and Mona Lange.
Come along on one of our free Field Trips soon! See “Upcoming” at
https://mtdiablobirds.org/birding/birding-trips/