Leaders:  Mona Brauer and Stephanie Floyd - fieldtrips AT ohloneaudubon.org

Lake Solano lies along Putah Creek between Lake Berryessa and Winters.  Field trip leader Robin Leong from Napa/Solano Audubon will join us for an exploration of Lake Solano County Park!  We expect to get good looks at wintering waterfowl including Wood Ducks, Common and Hooded Mergansers, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, and Ring-necked Ducks. Bald Eagle and Osprey are often seen.  We will check the park’s trees for resident Phainopeplas, Lewis’s Woodpeckers and others, and we can expect to see wintering raptors.  Check the weather; we will not go if it’s raining.  Dress warmly and bring snacks, water, and a spotting scope if you have one.  After birding, we will drive a short way into Winters for a late lunch at Putah Creek Cafe.  Meet at 8:00 AM at the Castro Valley Park ’n Ride to form carpools.  Take the Grove Way exit from I-580 east in Castro Valley.  Turn right at the bottom of the ramp, go one block, turn right onto Center St. and the park ’n ride will be on your right.  If you prefer to join us at Lake Solano, meet us in the day use parking lot at approximately 10:00 AM.  The scenic route from the bay area, with good birding along the way, is to take I-80 east and between Fairfield and Vacaville exit at Lagoon Valley Road toward Cherry Glen Rd.  Go north on Cherry Glen Rd. which soon becomes Pleasants Valley Rd. and takes you right to the park.  If you prefer to stay on the freeway, take I-80 east to Vacaville and exit onto I-505 north.  Take the exit for Highway 128/Winters.  Turn left on Highway 128 and drive through Winters.  Turn left onto Pleasants Valley Road to reach the park.  Parking fee $5.