Fall - Winter Migration along the Pacific Flyway in Northern California

© All Rights Reserved

Living in Northern California along the Pacific Flyway offers unlimited access to an extensive show of migratory birds and waterfowl.  From the first sound in autumn of  Sandhill Cranes moving south across the sky, to the spring hatch of the nesting Canada Geese, a magnificent opportunity to view the migratory birds up close presents itself.   Many of these birds travel a vast distance to arrive at their winter resting grounds.  The flights can be strenuous and they utilize their time on the ground as a feeding and resting period before continuing on their journey.



Northern Pintails ( Anus acuta) rest at Llano Seco Wildlife Refuge

In addition to the local agricultural lands that offer  refuge for the migrating birds, there are also a number of National and State wildlife refuges in our immediate area of Northern California that provide safe zones for the resting populations.




Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea) at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)  at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge



White Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Each year thousands of acres of flooded rice fields in the North State also harbor birds in between flights.  Ducks and geese as well as the larger Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans obtain much needed nutrient from the rice stubble
 


Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) feed in flooded rice stubble at Rancho Esquon

Sandhill Cranes display, or dance, either as courtship or as a means of family unification in groups.  Displaying is an important part of the development of young Sandhills as it improves motor coordination and communication skills.

Sandhills Cranes take flight over Rancho Esquon



The large Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) are a common winter sight throughout the flooded rice fields.  Large groups gather, feeding in the shallow waters.  

Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) feeding in the rice checks at Rancho Esquon

What is a tranquil scene one moment for the ducks and geese can be suddenly interupted by the presence of a hungry predator.  Peregrine Falcons and Red Tail Hawks can be a threat to the ducks while the geese are a target for the Eagles. 

Red Tail Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Thousands of Northern Pintails take to the air at Rancho Esquon

The Eagle population has increased signifigantly in our area over the past ten years.  They follow the migration of the birds along the flyway and are very visible during this time.

Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

                                            Juvenile Bald Eagle down on Mallard

White Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) take to the air

The eagle below was unsuccessful in the hunt.  There were thousands of Snow Geese in the surrounding rice checks becomming increasingly nervous over his presence.  Suddenly, they took to the sky in waves, calling loudly as they circled until slowly, they started to drift back down to the water.  The Eagle disappeared in their midst.

The two refuges I frequent locally are Llano Seco Wildlife Refuge, located just southwest of Chico, and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge south of Willows.  Both host a large population of migratory birds.  The wide open waters of Llano Seco are a favorite resting place of the Northern Pintail.   It is common to see the American Wigeon in their midst with an occassional sighting of Eurasian Wigeon, as well as the Northern Shoveler.  Later in the season Cinnamon Teal arrive.

Pintails and Wigeon



Eurasian Wigeon Pair (Anas penelope)



Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

American Wigeon Pair (Anas americana)



Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)




Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)

American Wigeon Drake

 

Northern Pintail Courtship Flight

Northern Pintails are my favorite duck.  The drake's handsome markings,  graceful lines of the body and sprig tail make make him an absolute joy to photograph on the water or in the air.

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) nest in Llano Seco Wildlife Refuge feeling very comfortable with the changing environment as water is slowly emptied from the grounds in late winter.

This Canada Geese pair were staking out their nesting sight in an early visit to Llano Seco. 

A subsequent visit in the early spring showed the efforts of the first successful hatch of the season

The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge offers a more sheltered environment.  Typically the most visible visitors are the Snow Geese along with groups of White Fronted Geese.  The Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls and Mallards can be spotted throughout the marshy waters with a sprinkling of Teal,  Ring Necked Ducks and Buffleheads.

Lots of Snow!



White Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) at rest and in flight below





Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Northern Shovelers (Spatula clypeata) take to the air

Gadwalls (Anas strpera)

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

American Wigeon with a Gadwall pair

Green Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera)



Ring Necked Duck (Aythya collaris) splashdown

Mallard Pair (Anas platyrhynchos)

The sights and sounds out on the refuges can be quite amazing on a busy day.  It's an added bonus any time a banded or collared bird can be picked out of the masses.   Nature's bling is what I like to call it!



The Snow Goose in flight to the lower left has a black color signifying a Canadian origin



The Tundra Swan with wings extended to the left has a blue collar designating Alaska origin

The second duck in on the left is sporting a band on each leg

The first Snow Goose with head up from the left has a band on its leg

The rare or uncommon bird amongst a group can be an unexpected treat as well.   The duck to the left in the photo below is a hermaphrodite.  Old female ducks will sometimes produce testosterone resulting in a mixture of male/female markings. 

Perhaps the biggest stand out in any sea of white is the Blue Phase Goose (Chen caerulescens).  Although still not a common sight in great numbers along the Pacific Flyway, the dark body and white head can sometimes be easily discerned surrounded by all the white Snow Geese. 

Blue Phase Goose - lower left frame

Ross' Geese

Ross' Goose Blue Phase - Up front and Center.  That white head and black body have given them the nick-name 'Eagle Head'

Perhaps the only thing more exciting than spotting one Blue Phase Goose is to spot two Blue Phase together.  Such was the case recently on a drive through Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.  A day of birding dosen't get much better than that.

These two stayed together the entire time we were viewing them.

 

I hope you've enjoyed my photo journey through some of the local refuges and back roads of Glenn and Butte County.    I feel blessed daily to live in an area so rich in wildlife and natural beauty.  

© All Rights Reserved on contents and photos contained in this blog