Interesting Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Observation - Facilities - Waterfowl Surveys - Interesting Sightings - Wildlife Checklist

We encourage our visitors to report to us any sightings of rare or unusual animals on our refuges and the surrounding area. This list is updated monthly, so check back with us soon.

Have you seen a Sacramento Valley Red Fox? Red foxes in the Sacramento Valley were thought to be non-native until genetic testing in 2005 by UC Davis revealed that these foxes were native and potentially in decline. In 2007, a website was set up for the public to report sightings of Sacramento Valley red foxes. Now, Master's Student Amy Brasch of Victoria University of Wellington is assessing: (1) how effective public input was on locating the foxes and (2) how the website can be improved for future conservation efforts. You are invited to share your opinions regarding red foxes and the fox sighting website in a brief 5-minute survey located on the fox sighting website: http://foxsurvey.ucdavis.edu/

A male Falcated Duck was identified at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on December 2, 2012. This is most likely the same bird spotted here last year.This vagrant from Asia is sometimes seen in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, but an extreme rarity for California.

Birds seen in the USA are sometimes escapees from captivity but no determination has been made on this bird yet. This duck is in the teal family and is named for the male's long, falcated (sickle-shaped) tertials (wing feathers near the body) that overhang onto the tail.

Please read and adhere to all signs and regulations at the Refuge. Please park in designated parking spaces.

 

 

Species identification is performed by the public and can be subject to error.

2013 Interesting Sightings- Sacramento NWR

January

2013 Interesting Sightings- Colusa NWR

January

2011-2012 Interesting Sightings - Sacramento NWR

October
November
December
January
February
March

2011-2012 Interesting Sightings - Colusa NWR

October
November
December
January
February
March

2010-2011 Compiled Sightings

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