Santa Rosa – California, USA
About
Santa Rosa, California is a city located in a popular birding area in Sonoma County. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California’s northern wine country. Over 200 species of birds can be seen in the Santa Rosa area and over 450 species total in the county. With the area being so populated, nature photographers may have to travel to the outskirts of city limits to capture the wildlife. The habitat is quite diverse. From lakes and channels to marshes and woodlands, it is the second most biologically diverse region of Sonoma County. Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-crowned Herons are plentiful in the urban areas and others can be found on the trails nearby. Other wildlife found in the area is Red-spotted Toads, Desert Iguanas, Peninsular Sheep, and Desert Cottontails.
While wine might be the initial draw to this coastal town for humans, the lush local trails draw many birds and wildlife. Some of these trails include Santa Rosa Creek Trail and Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Another birding hotspot for bird photographers in Santa Rosa is Spring Lake Regional Park. The “North Peninsula” located on the lake is a prime spot for bird photography. The east side of the lake gives a spectacular view of the waterbirds feeding and relaxing. During migration seasons, this park can see 60-80 bird species in a single day. Some of these species include Mallards, Acorn Woodpeckers, Yellow Warblers, and American Goldfinches.
Owen traveled to Santa Rosa, California in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2012.
Birds found here
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Western Gull
Order
charadriiformesFamily
laridaeGenus (Similar Species)
Scientific Name
Larus occidentalis
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
State
Age
Adult
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Visual Category
Aerialists -
Birding Sites and Lodges
Santa Rosa - California, USA -
Activity
mating behavior
BIRD CALLS
Western Gull -
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Marbled Godwit
Order
charadriiformesFamily
scolopacidaeGenus (Similar Species)
Scientific Name
Limosa fedoa
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
State
Age
Juvenile
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Visual Category
Smaller Waders -
Birding Sites and Lodges
Santa Rosa - California, USA
BIRD CALLS
Marbled Godwit -
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Common Loon
Order
gaviiformesFamily
gaviidaeGenus (Similar Species)
Scientific Name
Gavia immer
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
State
Age
Immature
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Visual Category
Swimmers -
Birding Sites and Lodges
Santa Rosa - California, USA
BIRD CALLS
Common Loon -
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California Quail
Order
galliformesFamily
odontophoridaeGenus (Similar Species)
Scientific Name
Callipepla californica
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
State
Gender
Male
Age
Adult
-
Visual Category
Fowl-like Birds -
Birding Sites and Lodges
Santa Rosa - California, USA
BIRD CALLS
California Quail -
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Bullock's Oriole
Order
passeriformesFamily
icteridaeGenus (Similar Species)
Scientific Name
Icterus bullockii
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
State
Gender
Male
Age
Adult
-
Visual Category
Passerine (Perching) Birds -
Birding Sites and Lodges
Santa Rosa - California, USA
BIRD CALLS
Bullock’s Oriole -