BIRD ENTHUSIASTS SWARM RUSH RANCH BIRDING EVENT
The bird was definitely the word Saturday as flocks of feathered fowl enthusiasts gathered at Rush Ranch in Suisun City for the Backyard Bird Count for Kids event.
The adventure was sponsored by Fairfield-based International Bird Rescue (IBS) in partnership with the Pacific Flyway Center and Solano Land Trust.
The fun began at 9 a.m. at Rush Ranch, where participants were split into two teams — Rush Ranch, which became Team Chicken and Gold Hills, which became Team Turkey Vulture.
Volunteer Lisa Seto advised “inside voices” and a soft step.
“We don’t want to scare away the birds and we don’t want to flush (out) any of the animals,” she said. “They’re napping.”
She shared a bit about IBS, including their belief that “every bird matters,” and offered a call to action.
“We believe that every day every person can take action in defense of wildlife,” Seto said. “We’re all in this together.”
That said, Team Chicken departed on a hike at the nature preserve led by volunteer Jim Walsh and Team Turkey Vulture headed to the Gold Hills location near Cordelia Slough with Seto.
Walsh outlined his goal: “To have fun and see as many birds of as many species as possible.”
A birder for more than 20 years, he and his wife, Colleen, hit upon the hobby at a plein art fair in Benicia. It began with a book and grew as the couple adventured outdoors.
A lot of folks like birds because of their superpower.
“They can do what most people can’t,” Walsh explained. “They can fly. The freedom of flying…”
As the group toured the lush marshland, a sweet trilling could be heard. Apparently, the sounds were the songs of tree swallows, which could be seen flitting about.
Though this reporter was excited with the sight, Walsh offered some sage notes: “They’re fairly common,” he advised.
Next came a passel of European starlings seated atop a tall pole, their silhouette dark against the bright sky.
As the sharp scent of eucalyptus arrived, crisp and refreshing, Walsh announced the discovery of Yellow Rump Warmers seated in the fragrant trees.
There were Orange House Finches and ground squirrel holes, a possible vole pocket and brilliant ladybugs helped onto nearby branches.
A Eurasian Collared Dove made an appearance, as did a barn owl. There was also evidence of a downed barn owl, clusters of its feathers strewn on te ground in what may have been an attack by a Great Horned Owl.
“I heard a Meadowlark singing and a House Finch singing,” Walsh announced up ahead, leading the group to an outlook featuring blue skies, fluffy clouds and a blooming landscape.
Richard Foft of Fairfield and his granddaughter, 7-year-old Flora Foft of Sacramento, took a breather on a nearby bench. In town for the weekend, the family was excited to just hang out together.
“We come to Rush Ranch all the time. There’s a lot here to explore,” Richard said. “I would recommend anyone bring their kids here. It’s a wonderful resource.”
Flora said she loves Blue Jays. Sadly, none popped by during the wildlife tour.
Still, there were fat cattails blowing in the breeze, puddles of marshland, ample conversation and, of course, more birds.
Walsh encourages birding, describing it as an important attraction.
“I learned about everything I know by going on Audubon field trips,” he said.
Get started with a bird guide and progress to more books after committing information in the guides to memory, he said. Study, study, study and use that knowledge on a walk or run or hike. Just have fun, he continued.
By day’s end, both Team Chicken and Team Turkey Vulture had each spotted 23 species of birds. Though Team Chicken’s board only logged 22, he pointed out, they forgot to count the starlings.
Rush Ranch hosts ample events throughout the year. The next is a book signing at 2 p.m. March 18. Rue Mapp, author of “Nature Swagger” and founder and CEO of “Outdoor Afro” will speak. It’s limited to 100 participants, so RSVP to solanolandtrust.org.
There will also be a “Communing with Cattle” workshop that day, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. RSVP to solanolandtrust.org/events.
Rush Ranch is located at 3521 Grizzly Island Rd., Suisun City.