I was also at the Sacramento NWR, about a week before Thanksgiving as Kris Baker and I were driving to San Diego and back. The staff at the interpretive center said there was an estimated 2 million ducks. I think they also said there were about a million snow geese.

The place seems like an oasis, with much of the 80 mph drive through the central valley being rather bleak in terms of wildlife sightings. About 3 dozen turkey vultures were roosting right by the interpretive center. Out of our 3000 mile drive, the refuge easily stood out as one of the major birding treats. I wish we could have spent much more than the couple of hours we had!

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA
kdli at msn.com