Natural Attractions—What to explore right now

Kate Freeman, Land Acquisition Program Manager, recommends Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg as a go-to birding spot

Riverfront Regional Park in Healdsburg is one of my go-to birding spots in Sonoma County, especially when the weather starts heating up. There’s ample shade, plenty of water, and so many birds! I usually start by walking up the Redwood Hill Trail, hoping to catch Brown Creepers spiraling up redwood trunks.

From there, I head along the two-mile trail that loops around Lake Benoist—actually a reclaimed gravel pit with a neat restoration story—where I’m greeted by some of my favorite species. By June, the foliage is so dense that birding becomes as much about listening as looking—though I still spend most of the time craning my neck and squinting into the treetops for a glimpse of the singer.

The cheerful ch-ch-ch-ching of Wilson’s Warblers, and the sweet, upslurred pi-seet calls of Western Flycatchers are happy and familiar sounds coming from the willows. I always keep an ear out for the loud rattle of a Belted Kingfisher—watching them plunge into the lake never fails to excite.

I walk along the spur trail next to the Russian River where I am guaranteed to hear Black-headed Grosbeaks singing their hearts out and maybe catch glimpses of a flame-colored Bullock’s Oriole. If it’s a hot day and I’m feeling adventurous, this is a great place to take a dip in the river. This will definitely cool you off, and you might even find yourself swimming with a family of Common Mergansers!

I like to finish my walk by admiring one of my favorite avian weirdos: the California Thrasher, who is often found lurking in the coyote brush. These birds are endlessly entertaining to watch with their downcurved bills, long tails, and wonderfully complex songs. I love the way birding reminds me to slow down and find joy in the natural world around me.

I bird with the Sonoma County chapter of Feminist Bird Club. It’s an inclusive birding group for birders of all levels that meets about once a month. If you want to get into birding, or if you’re an experienced birder and want to bird in community, you can find them on social media (Instagram: @fbc.sonoma, Facebook: Sonoma County Feminist Bird Club).