Water is the life force of wetlands year-round. In the heat of the summer, water allows cattails, tules, and willows to flourish in and around ponds which creates a rare, shady oasis for many animals. Egrets, herons, and other wading birds are drawn to the protection of vegetation and the rich broth of warming seasonal ponds in search of food.

Tour participants should look for birds such as the Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). This species can be found in fresh and saltwater wetlands across most of North America, but is nocturnal the majority of the year. In the summer when there are young to feed, adult Black-crowned Night-Herons must hunt around the clock. The voracious chicks are ready to leave the nest in about a month and ready to fly at about six weeks of age. It will take about three years to gain the black crown and back, grey wings and white underparts of a mature Black-crowned Night-Heron. Being night hunters, Black-crowned Night-Herons have large eyes to let in light. Their iris color changes with age. The iris is grayish olive in hatchlings, soon changing to yellow, deepening to orange, and then becoming bright red at maturity.

Participants may want to bring a pair of binoculars and water (no potable water on site). Docents will have spotting scopes to enhance wildlife viewing. Most of the tour is by car on gravel roads, with a couple of optional short walks in the wetlands.

Yolo Basin Foundation works in cooperation with the City of Davis to offer tours of the Davis Wetlands. Yolo Basin Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding public appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin through education and innovative partnerships.

Photo -- A mature Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) with its catfish catch. Photo courtesy of Jan Roberson.