Birding is about community. Club Treasurer Lily Douglas led an urban bird walk in her neighborhood for At Ease Brewing Company in Midtown Sacramento on a lovely mid-April morning.
The group of 18 bird fans, including the brewery’s founder retired Army Colonel Mike Conrad, walked and biked their way from the brewery to Sacramento’s Capitol Park. Within half of a block, a Nuttall’s Woodpecker was seen working up a streetside tree. While waiting to cross J Street, the group was alerted to the chattering of White-throated Swifts circling high above.
Making their way through the park, the burgeoning birders ticked expected species, like California Scrub-Jay, Black Phoebe, and a Mourning Dove sitting on the meager collection of twigs that counts as a nest for this urban resident. One member of the group spied a Red-tailed Hawk that obligingly soared in lazy circles, giving everyone ample time to enjoy. A male Hooded Oriole flew into the top of a tree and posed for extended looks.
Nick Cronenwett, who hosts other community events at the brewery like DJ Bingo, lent his birding chops to the day. “As a Midtown resident and newer birder, I was delightfully surprised at the unique species that Lily helped us find in Capitol Park. I can’t wait for next time!”
Afterwards, everyone returned to the brewery for beers and conversation. Attendees were pleasantly surprised by the final result of 15 species at the urban state capitol.
Brewery Manager Taylor Conrad, who organizes events for At Ease, shared, “We were thrilled to host the Central Valley Bird Club and bring together bird watching and beer for a community experience. Our patrons enjoyed a chance to get outside and learn about the birds that inhabit our neighborhood. Plus, there was beer, so it’s a win-win.”
“It was such an enthusiastic group,” concluded trip leader Lily. “At the start I asked the participants to self-rate their birding experience from 1–5, and it was so fun to hear folks leveling themselves up throughout the morning!”
