2019 10-30 Maxwell & Sac NWR
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It was a double destination excursion to the north-central valley. Our first stop was Maxwell Cemetery to check on the annual migration stop for a vermillion flycatcher. Further north, we drove the loop at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge expecting lots of geese, ducks and perhaps raptors. The sun was bright and skies were clear as mild NE Diablo winds blew the wildfire smoke westward.
Yes! The little vermillion flycatcher was indeed back at the cemetery. In fact, being a Wednesday and late morning, the place was empty and the little bird was moving from tombstone to tombstone quite close to the central gravel road. He was quite a poser today.
Sac NWR was similarly empty. Only 3 other cars were seen during the entire trip around the loop. Although many of the ponds are still dry, perhaps because the fall rains have not yet materialized, the wet areas were loaded with geese and ducks. We saw many thousands of snow geese, Ross’s geese and lesser numbers of greater white-fronted geese. There was only one pond Canada geese were observed in large numbers.
The few raptors we saw were mostly soaring thermals. A lot of turkey vultures, a few red-tailed hawks, and one or two harriers were seen but none close enough for decent photography.
Near the viewing platform, there were a couple of pond turtles on/near a log. And on the northern segment (which runs from east to west) Sue spotted a single striped skunk not far from the road.
Read MoreIt was a double destination excursion to the north-central valley. Our first stop was Maxwell Cemetery to check on the annual migration stop for a vermillion flycatcher. Further north, we drove the loop at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge expecting lots of geese, ducks and perhaps raptors. The sun was bright and skies were clear as mild NE Diablo winds blew the wildfire smoke westward.
Yes! The little vermillion flycatcher was indeed back at the cemetery. In fact, being a Wednesday and late morning, the place was empty and the little bird was moving from tombstone to tombstone quite close to the central gravel road. He was quite a poser today.
Sac NWR was similarly empty. Only 3 other cars were seen during the entire trip around the loop. Although many of the ponds are still dry, perhaps because the fall rains have not yet materialized, the wet areas were loaded with geese and ducks. We saw many thousands of snow geese, Ross’s geese and lesser numbers of greater white-fronted geese. There was only one pond Canada geese were observed in large numbers.
The few raptors we saw were mostly soaring thermals. A lot of turkey vultures, a few red-tailed hawks, and one or two harriers were seen but none close enough for decent photography.
Near the viewing platform, there were a couple of pond turtles on/near a log. And on the northern segment (which runs from east to west) Sue spotted a single striped skunk not far from the road.
Vermillion flycatcher. This bird migrates to Mexico or Central America and returns to the Maxwell Cemetery every year.
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--301
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--015
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--089
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--025
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--302
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--035
Vermillion flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus Vermillion flycatcher 2019 10-30 Maxwell Cem--260
