The Joy of Bird Watching — Napa, California
You probably know that the Napa Valley in California is world renowned for its fine wines. But did you know that this area is also renowned for its bird watching? It’s true — bird watching Napa California is a popular pursuit. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, but so is the wildlife. If you love the pursuit of birding you will enjoy spending time in this gorgeous region of California. While the rest of the tourists are crowding the vineyards, you can slip away to the quiet wilderness for some prime bird watching.
There are a few local birds that live in Napa year round. Western and Clark’s Grebes, Wood Duck, Golden Eagle, Western Screech Owl and Chestnut-backed Chickadee are only a few examples. In summer, you have opportunities to see birds like Pacific-slope flycatchers, Cassin’s Vireo and the Blackheaded Grosbeak. In winter, you may be lucky enough to spot birds like the Bald Eagle and Varied Thrush. The variety of birds in Napa are plentiful and enough to keep any bird watcher in quiet awe.
If you’ve never been to Napa but plan to travel there, you should definitely put bird watching on your agenda. There is nothing more romantic or relaxing than touring a vineyard, doing a little wine and cheese tasting, then heading into the woods for bird watching. Just make sure you pack smart. You will definitely want to wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move around in and breathable. Sturdy athletic or hiking shoes are a must unless the area is landscaped. You may want to wear sunscreen and spray on some insect repellant before you go as well. A hat is a good idea to help shade your face from bright sun.
When you’re in the field, you’ll need binoculars to make viewing birds from far away easier. You will find binoculars and scopes made especially for this pursuit. You may also want to take a good digital camera with fast shutter speed to capture lasting memories of the birds you come across. Many avid bird watchers also take along a small tape recorder or pen and pad to record details of their findings. When bird watching Napa California, you will want a souvenir to remember your adventure. Because the area is so popular with tourists, you will find plenty of gift shops which may have a nice bird related souvenir.