This day tour of the central valley will feature a wide variety of birds, beginning with the UC Davis Raptor Center. We’ll search for ducks, raptors, woodpeckers and flycatchers along Putah Creek before viewing the many species of raptors and owls at the center. These frequently include Golden eagles, Swainson’s Hawks, Great Horned and Screech owls. After a refreshing lunch at the little town of Winters, we’ll head off to nearby Lake Solano. This woodland lake typically has a great variety of songbirds, woodpeckers and ducks in the fall. Several species of mergansers, Bufflehead, Wood ducks, teal, goldeneye, Widgeon and several others swim over the placid lake’s surface, together with grebes, cormorants, geese, herons and egrets. Woodpeckers include sapsuckers, Nuttall’s, Flickers, Downies and frequently Lewis’. Wild peacocks, with their shrill calls, also enliven the scene. Occasionally we spot Phainopeplas and (rarely) the elusive Pygmy owl. The lake is surrounded by oak woodlands and scenic hills, making the location idyllic for birding, picnics and kayaking. A total of 40-50 different species is our usual count. This is one of our most delightful tours, not to be missed! Great water bird and landscape photography.