STORIES FROM THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
Following the Flyway: How Protected Lands Support Spring Migration
Each spring, hundreds of millions of birds thread an ancient sky road above our preserves.
Spring migration is a months-long pulse, a northward wave of renewal as millions of birds return to their breeding grounds. The whole procession tuned to ancient rhythms, and on a good morning, we can wake to find new arrivals feeding after an exhausting night passage. Daytime winds will also carry raptors past coastal headlands, allowing spectators to enjoy the variety of painted feathers as they pass.
Birds of the Whitewater Preserve: Sora By Steve Myers
As autumn settles in, Whitewater Preserve becomes a seasonal haven for the Sora, a shy marsh bird more often heard than seen. In our newest feature, you’ll discover how these remarkable travelers journey thousands of miles each year to return to the safety of our wetlands. Their presence reminds us that even the quietest corners of the Preserve are connected to a greater story of migration and renewal.
Wings Over Sonoma: Raptor Migration in the Sonoma Coast
Each fall, the Sonoma Coast bursts to life as migrating raptors fill the sky. Hawks, eagles, and falcons ride the coastal winds, circling above the golden prairie. Visitors can witness hundreds of birds in motion — a breathtaking seasonal spectacle along the Pacific Flyway.
Birds of the Whitewater Preserve: Common Yellowthroat
Sharp-eyed visitors to Whitewater Preserve may spot a seasonal resident that thrives in dense vegetation: the Common Yellowthroat.
In his latest Field Notes entry, ornithologist Stephen Myers explores the unique behaviors of this elusive wood-warbler. Wondering how it copes with desert heat, what its distinctive calls sound like, or where you're most likely to catch a glimpse?
Read on to discover more about the Common Yellowthroat.