Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Happy Veteran’s day! Thank you to all of the veterans for their service and dedication! Today is a fee free day at the Sacramento NWR and free entry for veterans on all federal lands. Photo by USFWS.

A staff member recently saw 2 snow geese on the Sacramento NWR auto tour with red collared bands! Both female lesser snow geese were banded almost a year apart on Wrangel Island, Russia! If you see or find a bird with a band on its neck or leg, you can report it online at www.reportband.gov

The waterfowl survey for the Complex from mid October is out! You can also view the pdf version here: https://www.fws.gov//2020%20Oct%20WATERFOWL%20-%20Survey%2

Something had the birds up and off the water last week at the Llano Seco unit. Volume up to hear them all! Video by USFWS.

Virginia rails are secretive birds, often hiding in the tall vegetation of wetlands and marshes. Because of their tendency to remain hidden, it’s a special sight when one is out in the open. This Virginia rail was recently seen along the auto tour at Colusa NWR. Photo by Mike Reinhart.

Sound On! Video from the Sacramento NWR auto tour yesterday afternoon. Thousands of white geese swirled around after something startled them. Video by USFWS.

Join us live for a fly off of waterfowl on Sacramento national wildlife refuge

Join us around 4:45 tonight for a live Flyoff from the refuge. The birds leave the refuge after sunset to feed in the neighboring rice fields. This will be on Facebook Live. https://facebook.com/events/s/fly-off-at-sacramento-nwr/863116234515348/?ti=icl Photo at sunset of shadowed waterfowl by L Haller/USFWS.

Halloween is here! It’s also the last day of Bat Week! These small mammals are sometimes seen as scary, but bats actually play an important role in pollinating plants, pest control and dispersing seeds! The Complex hosts 5 species of bats: Big free-tailed bat, hoary bat, Mexican free-tailed bat, pallid bat and the red bat! In honor of bat week, one of our staff members carved a bat in their pumpkin! Photo by USFWS.

There is a strong possibility that the Sac Refuge will be affected by a scheduled power outage on Monday, November 2. If this happens, the restrooms near the visitor center will be closed. If you are planning to visit the refuge on Monday, please plan accordingly. The restroom along the auto tour will remain open. Thank you and we apologize for any inconvenience.

There are always great entries taken at the refuge!!

Reminder! The deadline to apply for the in-season junior hunts at Sacramento NWR (December 19) and Delevan NWR (December 12) is coming up! Postcard applications must be postmarked by November 16. Click the link for more information on how to apply. https://www.fws.gov//Oth/JuniorWaterfowlHuntFlyer%2013.pdf Photos of past junior hunters by USFWS.

A white tailed kite has been seen numerous times on the auto tour at the Sacramento NWR! Based on the cinnamon color you see on its breast, this white tailed kite is a juvenile; adults have a solid white breast. Photo by Julie Graulich.