Tucked away in Elk Grove’s urban backyard is a national wildlife refuge, which is embarking on a peak time of year to watch tens of thousands of migratory birds make a temporary home. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of the newest preserves in Sacramento County at almost 25 years old. “This is the best time of year, when we get our wintering waterfowl and fall migrants coming through,” said Beatriz Treitere with the national wildlife refuge.Fall is a peak time to watch hundreds of species of birds make a pit stop on the 6,500-acre protected landscape. “Many of these birds have traveled thousands of miles over several days,” said Bart McDermott with the wildlife refuge. “So, if you want to bring the kids out, burn off some energy on the weekend. We have some great fall days. It’s just a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle and take it down a notch.”Stone Lake’s National Wildlife Refuge is off Interstate 5 and Hood Franklin Road. The Blue Heron Trail is open year-round, but weekend group tours have just kicked off to go deeper into the 6,500-acre wildlife refuge. “We may have upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 birds in an area. It’s just really invigorating to have this setting here,” said Chris Tooker with the organization Friends of Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Tooker and other volunteers also plan the annual “Brunch with the Birds” event, which is planned for Nov. 18. “There’s such an abundance of wildlife here, and it tells people what a lot of this area used to look like,” Tooker said. “Children that have never been out of their backyards have a great opportunity to come out here, see the wildlife and understand what ecosystems are.”

Tucked away in Elk Grove’s urban backyard is a national wildlife refuge, which is embarking on a peak time of year to watch tens of thousands of migratory birds make a temporary home.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is one of the newest preserves in Sacramento County at almost 25 years old.


“This is the best time of year, when we get our wintering waterfowl and fall migrants coming through,” said Beatriz Treitere with the national wildlife refuge.



Fall is a peak time to watch hundreds of species of birds make a pit stop on the 6,500-acre protected landscape.

“Many of these birds have traveled thousands of miles over several days,” said Bart McDermott with the wildlife refuge. “So, if you want to bring the kids out, burn off some energy on the weekend. We have some great fall days. It’s just a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle and take it down a notch.”

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Stone Lake’s National Wildlife Refuge is off Interstate 5 and Hood Franklin Road. The Blue Heron Trail is open year-round, but weekend group tours have just kicked off to go deeper into the 6,500-acre wildlife refuge.

“We may have upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 birds in an area. It’s just really invigorating to have this setting here,” said Chris Tooker with the organization Friends of Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Tooker and other volunteers also plan the annual “Brunch with the Birds” event, which is planned for Nov. 18.

“There’s such an abundance of wildlife here, and it tells people what a lot of this area used to look like,” Tooker said. “Children that have never been out of their backyards have a great opportunity to come out here, see the wildlife and understand what ecosystems are.”