Saturday began with local field trips, image editing, bird sketching, and beginning birding workshops. Dan Airola organized a series of short talks on studies and conservation topics, including Tricolored Blackbird population updates, studies by the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, the Putah Creek bluebird nest box program, and Sacramento County Burrowing Owls. Beginning birders also had the option of Sal Salerno’s birding class and after lunch field trip. Also after lunch were talks by Dr. Lynne Trulio on wintering Burrowing Owls in California and by Christy Sherr on the benefits of burned forests to wildlife. 

On Saturday evening we honored Jon Dunn and Joe Morlan who have each done much to promote and contribute to the Symposium over the past two decades. We are extremely fortunate to have such prominent members of the ornithological community regularly participate in this event. Youth scholarship recipient Fiona Gillogly was a tough act to follow as she gave an excellent recap of her trip to Hog Island, Maine. The much anticipated keynote by Noah Strycker lived up to its billing, as Noah recounted some of his amazing experiences in his 2015 global big year where he saw over 6,000 species in 41 countries! Sunday morning offered a wood carving workshop (a Dunlin this year) and talks by Joe Morlan focusing on Neotropical species that breed in California and Jon Dunn covering challenging winter waterfowl ID. Afternoon field trips followed and another CVBS was in the books. Thanks to all the field trip leaders, speakers, vendors and exhibitors, and sponsors. We hope to see you again in 2018.

2017 Central Valley Birding Symposium Committee:

Patricia Bacchetti, Chris Conard, Susie Nishio, Frances Oliver, Linda Pittman, Dale Smith, Dan and Jan Tankersley, David and Sue Yee