For generations, birdwatchers have, um, flocked, to Sonoma County to catch glimpses of their avian heartthrobs in the wild. Now, thanks to a new eco-tourism resource put together by two Sonoma men, there’s an easier way to find out where to go.
The Web site, SonomaBirding.com, debuted earlier this summer. Its founders, Tom Rusert and Darren Peterle, launched the site with a list of 18 places to watch birds in the Sonoma Valley.
The hotspots actually comprise a number of hiking trails that cover most of the Sonoma Valley, including Bartholomew Park Winery, the Sonoma Baylands, Tolay Regional Park, Sonoma State Historic Parks and the wetlands beyond Viansa.
“Everything is within 30 minutes of the historic Plaza” in downtown Sonoma, Rusert told the Sonoma Index-Tribune. He added that all of the trails are safe places to hike and admire without fear of crossing paths with area hunters (apparently this is a common fear among birdwatchers across the nation).
Generally speaking, Rusert’s timing couldn’t have been better; many birds recently have started their fall migrations, meaning the next few months are prime time to get out and glimpse some of the 400 different species that have been identified around these parts.
In particular, bird fans might spot willets, dowitchers, plovers and sandpipers in coming months. Get out there and start looking!
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