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Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area - Site # 211 |
Within the shadow of the capitol of California, the Yolo Bypass offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year. |
| Premium - the most significant sites, worth visiting if you have limited time. Premium sites have high wildlife values year-round, staff on site, interpretive programs and/or displays, and well-developed facilities.
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Background: | Thousands of migratory waterfowl descend upon this area during the winter months. Shorebirds, ducks and geese fill the skies with a backdrop dominated by the Sacramento skyline. During the summer,large numbers of Swainson's Hawks can be seen foraging on the periphery of the seasonal wetlands. Thousands of migratory bats live under the Yolo Causeway and together leave their roosts every evening to forage in the local area. The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area has pioneered a unique relationship with agriculture, using farming and grazing techniques to meet our habitat goals. |
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The Habitat: | The Wildlife Area is located within the Yolo Bypass, a flood control channel situated upon the site of the historic wetlands of the Yolo Basin. The area is managed primarily as seasonal wetlands that are flooded during the fall, winter and spring months. Seasonal wetlands add up to approximately 5,000 acres. Additionally, there are approximately 300 acres of permanent wetlands. There is riparian vegetation along Putah Creek and Green's Lake. |
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The Experience: | The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is located where Putah Creek enters the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta and the Sacramento River regularly floods vast acres. This combines to make a huge wetland complex with a large number and variety of wildlife. |
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Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Auto tour loop, various trails on levees. |
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Viewing Tips: | A monthly docent lead tour takes place on the second Saturday of the month. These tours are led by the Yolo Basin Foundation (YoloBasin.org). Birding is most popular during the fall and winter months. Fishing takes place in the spring and summer months for catfish and striped bass. Hunting programs for ring-necked pheasant, dove, and waterfowl are managed by the Department of Fish and Game. |
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Site Notes: | Visit the flooded wetlands and rice fields during the fall and winter months to view large numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds. Raptors are in abundance during this time including peregrine falcon, northern harrier, and many red-tailed hawks.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area benefits from programs established by the Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project Conservation Program (CVPCP) and the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Habitat Restoration Program. For more information, visit website and for information on endangered species click here |
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Nearby Viewing Sites: | Davis Wetlands, Putah Creek Reserve, Jepson Praire Reserve |
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Festivals & Events: | California Duck Days
Sacramento International Sportsman's Expo
Celebrate Davis |
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Visitor Information: | West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce - (916) 371-7042 - http://www.westsacramentochamber.com/ |
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: |
Staff On-site: | Yes |
Open: | Everday |
Hours: | Sunrise to sunset |
Year Round: | Yes |
Seasonal: | Occasionally closed due to flooding. |
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Road Information: |
Gravel. |
| Road Hazards: ditches, canals |
| Number of Parking Spaces: 50 |
| Parking Fee: No |
| Proximity to viewing area:close |
| Pull-Through Parking: Yes |
| Parking Notes: |
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Special Tips: | Wildlife viewing, bird watching, educational programs, nature exploration, and hunting |
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How to Get There: | From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 west across the Yolo Causeway. Exit on frontage road at west side of causeway. Turn right on Road 32A. Go 0.5 mile under freeway to west levee gate on left side of road. From I-80 eastbound, exit on east Chiles Road/County Road 32B. Turn left at stop sign. Upon reaching the Yolo Bypass levee, turn right to entrance. DFG Headquarters located 1.9 miles away at 45211 Chiles Road (County Road 32B). |
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Contact Information |
Managing Agency: | California Department of Fish & Wildlife |
Agency Site URL: | http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/lands/wa/region3/yolo/index.html |
Physical Address: | 45211 County Road 32B Davis, CA 95618 |
Agency 2: | 45211 County Road 32B Davis, CA 95618 |
Manager Phone: | (530) 757-2461 |
Contact Us: | by Email |
Site Phone: | (530) 757-2461 | | |
County: | Yolo |
Addition Website: |
www.yolobasin.org |