Waterfowl of the Laguna de Santa Rosa and the Pacific Flyway

Ducks, geese, wonderful waterfowl! We will learn basic identification and characteristics of waterfowl found in Sonoma County and along the Laguna de Santa Rosa at different times of year. Did you know that a goose species that overwinters in Sonoma County is known to migrate 3,000 miles over open ocean? And that most ducks practice sexual dimorphism, where females and males of the same species look different? We will learn cool facts like the difference between “dabbling” and “diving” ducks and its importance to these masters of the water world. Learn about how the Laguna de Santa Rosa is an important stopover along the Pacific Flyway for thousands of migrating ducks and other water-loving birds. We will talk about some of the challenges that waterfowl face, as well as success stories.

Dave Barry is a certified California Naturalist, a certification program created by UC Berkeley and UC Davis. Dave brings a breath of experience and knowledge of birding and nature to his volunteer work mentoring young birders, leading bird tours and nature hikes, and giving natural history talks. Dave is a Santa Rosa native and has done programs with LandPaths, Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the Wildlands Conservancy, and is a lead naturalist with West County Hawk Watch.