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Avid bird watchers visit Galt from all over the Central Valley hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare grackle. (News-Sentinel file photo)

Lodi area rich with birding sites

By Amanda Dyer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Expert birder David Yee, 53, has been birding in San Joaquin County since age 12, but it wasn't until he returned to the area from college that he fell in love with the Central Valley.

Yee, who claims Lodi Lake as his favorite birding hot spot, joined the Stockton Audubon Society upon his return to the area.

Since then, Yee has worked with members of what is now called the San Joaquin Audubon Society to develop a birding community, a list of sites and the birds that frequent those areas.

According to Yee, where birders go depends on two questions: "What do you want to see? And what time of year is it?"

He recommends that novice birders stick to large water fowl, like ducks and geese, to begin with, because they're easier to find and see.

Once a birder develops the skills he or she needs they'll have an easier time tracking the harder to find birds by their calls and what Yee calls a certain instinct.

Since birds are constantly on the move, Yee stresses that the season is an incredibly important part of birding.

On the next page is a list of popular birding sites around the Lodi area and what they offer. The list is adapted from "Birding In and Around San Joaquin County," a birding guide compiled by the members of the San Joaquin Audubon Society. For more information, the guide is available at Bookland bookstore in Stockton.

Lodi Lake

One of Yee's favorite spots, he calls Lodi Lake "one of the premier birding areas in San Joaquin County." The area boasts nearly 200 species of birds and is birding friendly all year round. During summer, when most of the water sources have dried up, the lake is one of the only areas in San Joaquin County that offers decent birding.

Birds to see include: the double-crested cormorant, the wood duck, the pied-billed grebe, egrets, the red-shouldered hawk, Cooper's hawk, Swainson's hawk, wren-tits, the nuthatch, warblers, sparrows and vireos.

Micke Grove Park

This large park contains lots of oaks as well as many gardens that are good for birding.

Birds to see include: sparrows, egrets, ducks, barn owls, great horned owls, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and goldfinches. The park is located just off Armstrong Road between Lodi and Stockton.

Oak Grove Regional Park

This nature preserve stretches over 180 acres and offers a small glimpse into what the Central Valley must have looked like when oak groves covered its floor. Birding is especially good on the more secluded areas, such as the Yokuts and Miwok trails. The park is located on Eight Mile Road, just east of I-5.

Birds to see include: the northern flicker, the Californian quail, magpies, the acorn woodpecker, Canada geese, the great-tailed grackle, sparrows, warblers and swallows.

Eight Mile Road

West of I-5 on this road is primarily agricultural land, which is good for birding, especially when farmers flood their fields.

Birds to see include: herons, egrets, harriers, the red-tailed hawk and the common moorhen.

For those who are looking other people to bird with the San Joaquin Audubon Society also goes on field trips regularly. Membership is $20 and comes with Audubon magazine and six issues of the society's Hoot Owl newsletter. The group also hosts talks with local experts for members. For more information, visit the San Joaquin Audubon Society Web site.

Tips for bird watching

Listening to bird calls can help locate birds that aren’t immediately visible.
Invest in a field guide and some binoculars; they are the must-have tool for every birder.
Find a friend. By following an experienced birder, you can discover the area more easily. The San Joaquin Audobon Society field trips are full of birders who are experts on local birding areas.
Write down your sitings. Birders are notorious for their long and many lists. These lists will help also help you keep track of what you saw.

— News-Sentinel staff