Join Yolo Bird Alliance for a Nighthawk Field Trip on Friday, May 16. Come explore the Cache Creek Open Space Park with Zane Pickus, Bart Wickel, and Julian Johnson on the search for lesser nighthawks.

These cryptically colored, primarily nocturnal birds are a favorite among birders. Each summer, lesser nighthawks return from their wintering grounds in Central and South America to breed in California. They feed on insects under the cover of darkness, but in spring, their dusk courtship flights offer a rare and mesmerizing spectacle. Capay Open Space Park at sunset is an ideal spot to witness their acrobatic chases and hear their eerie, trilling songs.

While the focus of this trip will be on nighthawks, the area is rich in other birdlife. Keep an eye out for California Thrashers nesting nearby, as well as Western Meadowlarks, California Quail, and a variety of swallows.

Please contact Pickus to sign up for this field trip at yolobirdalliance@gmail.com.

The Yolo Bird Alliance will also have a Birding at Putah Creek with Naturalist Aaron Haiman on Saturday, May 17. Join naturalist Aaron Haiman for a spring birding field trip to the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, a hotspot for avian activity during peak migration.

Spring migration will be in full swing, making this an ideal time to spot a wide variety of neotropical migrants. Expect to see dozens of species, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles, and grosbeaks, all moving through the lush habitat along the creek. The Reserve’s rich diversity of vegetation provides excellent opportunities to observe both resident and migrating birds up close.

Haiman is the author of the newly released book Birds of the California Delta, which highlights the incredible birdlife of the region and reflects his deep knowledge of California’s avian ecosystems.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this trip promises a rewarding morning in nature.

Please contact Pickus to sign up for this field trip at yolobirdalliance@gmail.com.

Additionally, the Yolo Bird Alliance Virtual Monthly Meeting is set for Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. Explore the Birds and Culture of Bhutan with renowned birder John Sterling.

Discover the rich culture and incredible birdlife of this Himalayan kingdom, as John shares his experiences from the field. Spring is a spectacular time for birding in Bhutan, with a dazzling array of exotic species thriving in the lush rhododendron forests and diverse montane and subtropical habitats. John’s presentation will feature stunning bird photography alongside captivating glimpses into the vibrant Buddhist culture that defines this enchanting country.

Sterling’s birding journey began in fifth grade with the sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker at a nature camp in Napa County. Since then, he has built an impressive ornithological career—studying wildlife at Humboldt State, conducting research across the globe, and leading birding tours on six continents. He has birded in all 58 California counties and visited over 50 countries in search of avian wonders.

Learn more about Sterling and his work at www.sterlingbirds.com.

For Zoom access details, visit: yolobirdalliance.org or facebook.com/yolobirdalliance.