It was all about birds on Saturday as we greeted 188 park visitors and guests at our monthly open house at Peña Adobe!

Volunteers from the UC Davis California Raptor Center led by Claire Stover chatted with park visitors about the Raptor Center and brought three table’s worth of taxidermy materials, falconry gear, “find the owl” photos, skulls, and talons to share.  Author Aaron Haiman, whose love for birds began when he was a young child, signed his new book Birds of the California Delta for park attendees.  Peña Adobe Historical Society docents gave away Bird Water Whistles to children (and a few adults!)  and showed them how to make the sound of a warbler bird call.  Children also had a chance to listen to recordings of birds they recognized from crows to woodpeckers!

The Solano County Master Gardeners were on hand and shared information about native plants while docent Greg Schwei, portraying Willis Linn Jepson, led nature walks pointing out the native flora and fauna at Peña Adobe.  5th generation Peña descendants Darlene Peña Coombs and Kim Clary led tours of the Peña Adobe, while Armando Perez conducted tours in the Mowers-Goheen Museum.  James Tunstall shared his Native American heritage, and everyone enjoyed cookies and the music of the Vacaville Jammers!