Field Trips, December 19, 2011 through January 29, 2012
Scheduler, Tim Fitzer, spskua2@comcast.net, 870-5207
Monday, December 19
Benicia-Napa Christmas Count
Contact: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207 spskua2@comcast.net
Saturday, December 24, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
A Save Our Sandhill Cranes-sponsored trip
Coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392
Come out on Christmas Eve and watch the Sandhill Cranes come in to roost. They are the focus of this trip but ducks, swans and geese, as well as shorebirds, feed in the flooded fields and marshy areas of the delta, and hawks patrol overhead. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center deck at 3:30 p.m. to hear a brief presentation of Sandhill Crane behavior, biology and status. Then we’ll stroll the boardwalk in the Lost Slough Wetlands, enjoying views of the cranes, wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Afterwards, we’ll drive along Desmond Road and possibly to Woodbridge Road or Staten Island, to see flocks of cranes fly in to roost for the night. Dress for changeable weather and bring binoculars. Scopes are helpful. From Sacramento, take I-5 south to Twin Cities Road; go left (east) to the stop sign at Franklin Blvd.; turn right (south) on Franklin and, driving through the Preserve, watch for the Visitor Center parking lot on your left. Further directions and maps are available at www.cosumnes.org. This is a great trip for beginners and families.
Sunday, December 25, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
A Save Our Sandhill Cranes-sponsored trip
Coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392
After Santa and stockings come outdoors for a breath of fresh air. See details above.
Monday, December 26
Folsom Christmas Count
Compiler, Chris Conard, 203-1610 conardc@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 28
Lincoln Christmas Count
Compiler: Ed Pandolfino ERPfromCA@aol.com
Thursday, December 29, 9am
Yolo Wildlife Area
Leader: Marlene Ishihara, 635-9758 ishiM2000@comcast.net
Join Marlene in this great area just 10 minutes from downtown. On the auto tour route, there may be good numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl and possible raptors such as Peregrine Falcon. White-faced Ibis and Northern Harriers may be seen overhead, and Savannah Sparrows and Horned Larks are visible on the road. This is a good trip for both beginners and experienced birders. Bring scopes and FRS radios if you have them. From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78, E. Chiles/Rd. 32A) at the west end of the Yolo Causeway. Turn right at the stop sign, go under the freeway, make a left up onto the levee, then drop down into the Wildlife Area. The trip begins at the first parking lot (Lot A), on your left. If the bypass is closed due to flooding, the trip is canceled.
Saturday, December 31
Sacramento Christmas Count
Compiler, Mark Cudney, 987-2422 mcudney@aol.com
Sunday, January 1, 9am
Lincoln Grand Canyon
Leader: Dave Pearson, 408-4273 Firesparkbird@yahoo.com
Start the New Year off right! Go birding! Explore the varied habitat of Lincoln Hills with Dave who knows this area well. He will be checking the ponds and other nearby sites for ducks and shorebirds, as well as the Grand Canyon of Lincoln Hills, otherwise known as the Canyon Oaks Trail, for sparrows and other winter residents and raptors. From I-80 in Roseville, take Hwy 65 north to the Twelve Bridges Rd. exit (#313); turn right on Twelve Bridges Road; left on East Lincoln Pkwy; right on Del Webb Boulevard, and follow to the Meridians Restaurant. Meet Dave in front of the lodge in the parking lot. This trip will end late morning.
Wednesday, January 4, 8am
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Leaders: Tim Fitzer 870-5207, spskua2@comcast.net Cathie LaZier: 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net
Join Tim and Cathie to look for the great flocks of ducks and geese that winter in the valley. There is a 3.7 mile driving route through the refuge and a great viewing platform as well. This trip will last into early afternoon, so bring lunch, drinks and warm clothes. We’ll return through the Dunnigan Hills, a good area for raptors, Burrowing Owls and wintering sparrows. Meet at the Bel Air shopping center on Arena Blvd. From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Arena Blvd., go west (left) over the freeway. Take the first left, Duckhorn Rd., and then turn right into the parking area. We will meet on the north side of the parking lot between Wells Fargo and Golden 1. This is a good trip for newer birders and experienced birders alike. FRS radios are helpful on this trip. Please note that at the refuge there is a fee for each vehicle: either $3 for a day pass, or a $12 Refuge Annual Pass.
Saturday, January 7
1st Annual Kid’s Christmas Bird Count
Cosumnes River Preserve
Contact: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net
Registration is limited, so contact Maureen for more information.
Saturday, January 7, 8am
Western Amador County
Leader: Gary Fregien 708-0636 calaveri.gary@gmail.com
Join Gary on a road trip to the Sierra foothills in Amador County, along Highway’s 16, 124 & 49. The focus of the trip will be the rivers, ponds, reservoirs and back-country roads in the western Amador County area. Travel along this route will include some stops and walking short distances. There are an interesting and surprising variety and number of passerines and raptors in this area. There is a possibility of Red-naped and Red-breasted Sapsucker, Western Bluebird, Hermit and Varied Thrush, American, Lesser and Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hutton’s Vireo and a variety of flycatchers, sparrows and raptors that may be observed here. This trip also includes stops for waterfowl at ponds near Sutter Creek and Ione. We may also stop at Lake Camanche, where a day-use fee is charged. There will be minimal hiking, but dress for winter conditions. Bring along hand held radios, food and water. Meet Gary at the College Greens/Raley’s Shopping Center lot at 8391 Folsom Blvd. Park near the Starbuck’s. This Folsom Blvd. Raley’s is between Howe Ave. and Watt Avenue.
Sunday, January 8, 8am
Salt Springs Valley
Leader: Linda Pittman, 715-1876 pittmanl@frontiernet.net
This area is located in western Calaveras County about an hour and a half drive from Sacramento. The open valley and its lake are home to many wintering ducks, hawks, eagles, owls and grassland birds. This is a unique area you will not want to miss. The trip will last into the late afternoon so bring lunch, liquids, warm clothing and FRS radios. Meet in the parking lot immediately west of the Union 76 gas station in the Wal-Mart shopping center located on the west side of Hwy 99 at the Elk Grove Blvd. exit.
Wednesday, January 11, 8:30am
Beal’s Point, Folsom Lake
Leader: Margaret Martin, 599-0181 Martinmargaret@hotmail.com
Join Margaret for a 1 to 2 mile morning walk at Beal’s Point. A variety of oak woodland birds and wintering sparrows should be seen, and grebes, goldeneyes and mergansers will be on the lake. Phainopeplas and Rufous-crowned Sparrows are possibilities. Meet Margaret at the Raley’s shopping center parking lot on the northwest corner of Douglas and Auburn-Folsom roads, in the area near the Animal Hospital and Goodwill, for voluntary carpooling into the park. Or you can meet the group at the Beal’s Point parking lot (fee required). This is a great trip for beginning birders.
Saturday, January 14, 8am
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Leader: John York, 409-9276 sonofyork@att.net
Join John for a tour of this prime wintering area for ducks and geese. After Gray Lodge, we’ll take the route back around the west side of the Sutter Buttes. This area is great for raptors and grassland birds including wintering sparrows. Bring lunch, liquids, and warm clothing. FRS radios and scopes are helpful if you have them. Meet in the Bel Air shopping center on Arena Blvd. From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Arena Blvd., go west (left) over the freeway. Take the first left, Duckhorn Rd., and then turn right into the parking area. We will meet on the north side of the parking lot between Wells Fargo and Golden 1. There is a $4.00 per person charge at the wildlife area.
Saturday, January 14
Beginning Birder Field Trip
William Pond Park
These beginners’ field trips are designed to introduce new birders to the fun of birding. Limited to 10 people per trip with 3 Audubon trip leaders, it’s a low-key introduction to finding and identifying birds. Registration is required. Contact Cathie LaZier at empid@earthlink.net, 457-6882.
Sunday, January 15, 8am
Road 113, Robinson Road & Birds Landing Area
Leaders: Carla Barbaro 717-8808 and Tim Fitzer 870-5207, spskua2@comcast.net
This is a great area for wintering Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Merlins, curlews, possible Mountain Plovers, shrikes, and other interesting birds. Bring liquids, lunch, warm clothes, spotting scopes, and FRS radios if possible. Meet at the Park & Ride off I-80 in West Sacramento. From Sacramento, take the West Capitol Ave. Exit #81; turn left at the light and then left again into the Park & Ride lot. This trip will last into the afternoon.
Wednesday, January 18, 8am
Discovery Park
Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net
This park at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers is a great place for a winter walk. Join Maureen to look for wintering birds and resident species generally found in the park such as Red-shouldered Hawks and White-tailed Kites. Other possibilities include sparrows, woodpeckers and bluebirds. This will be a walking trip and end before noon. There are no restroom facilities along the way. On I-5 from downtown, take the Garden Highway exit and turn left/east onto Garden Highway. Take the first left onto Natomas Park Drive, and the first right onto Capital Park Drive. Parking is permitted on either side of the street, and we’ll walk into the park. This is a great trip for beginners.
Family Friendly Trip
Jan 21 or Jan 22
Contact: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net
This month’s family friendly trip does not have a firm schedule as of printing deadline, so contact Maureen Geiger to register and to find out the exact date and place.
Saturday, January 21, 8am
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Dan Tankersley, 662-1290 dtankers@winfirst.com
The Colusa NWR is another great location in the Central Valley to view large waterfowl concentrations. There will be many duck species and plenty of Snow, Ross's and Greater White-fronted Geese as well as other wetland birds. This refuge often provides an opportunity to view the elgasi race of the Greater White-fronted Goose. Eurasian Wigeon is often seen here as well. We can expect many raptors with the possibility of Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. We will spend a good amount of time on the main viewing platform, and then take an easy walk on a level trail through a riparian forest next to the main viewing pond. We will then take the short auto tour to finish our outing. Be prepared for cold and damp weather. Weather permitting, there should be ample photo ops. Scopes and FRS radios will be helpful on this trip. Meet Dan at the Mace Blvd. Park & Ride. From Sacramento, take I-80 to west to Mace Blvd. (Exit #75); turn right (north) and then right again to the Park & Ride behind Ikeda’s Market. We will meet on the south side of the parking lot in the row nearest the big round water tank. Rain, strong wind, or thick fog cancels. Bring snacks and liquids as the trip will end in the very late morning to very early afternoon.
Sunday, January 22, 8am
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Andi Salmi, 691-7216 andisalmi@yahoo.com
Andi will be looking for the great flocks of ducks and geese that winter in the valley or stop to feed on their way further south. There is a 3.7 mile driving route and a great viewing platform as well. This trip will last into early afternoon, so bring lunch, drinks and warm clothes. This is a good trip for newer birders and experienced birders alike. FRS radios are helpful on this trip. Meet at the Bel Air shopping center on Arena Blvd. From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Arena Blvd., go west (left) over the freeway. Take the first left, Duckhorn Rd., and then turn right into the parking area. We will meet on the north side of the parking lot between Wells Fargo and Golden 1. Please note there is a fee for each vehicle at the refuge: either $3 for a day pass, or a $12 Refuge Annual Pass.
Tuesday, January 24, 9am
Yolo Wildlife Area
Leader: Marlene Ishihara, 635-9758 ishiM2000@comcast.net
A variety of duck species and shorebirds, as well as White-faced Ibis, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and American Bitterns are possible on this trip. Join Marlene in this great area just 10 minutes from downtown. Peregrine Falcon and Northern Harriers may be seen overhead, and Savannah Sparrows and Horned Larks are visible on the road. This is a good trip for both beginners and experienced birders. Bring scopes and FRS radios if you have them. From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78, E. Chiles/Rd. 32A) at the west end of the Yolo Causeway. Turn right at the stop sign, go under the freeway, make a left up onto the levee, then drop down into the Wildlife Area. The trip begins at the first parking lot (Lot A), on your left. If the bypass is closed due to flooding, the trip is canceled.
Saturday, January 28, 8am till about noon
Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Leader: Dan Kopp, 213-2791 rey_ality@hotmail.com
Sharpen your gull identification skills as this is a gathering place for a variety of gulls. Herring, Thayer’s, Glaucous-winged, California, Ring-billed and Mew Gulls are all possibilities. Then we’ll walk downstream looking for Hooded and Common Mergansers, Osprey and other raptors, Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye, Spotted Sandpipers, White-throated Swifts, and a variety of the smaller woodland birds. Meet Dan in the Fish Hatchery parking lot off Hazel Avenue north of Hwy 50. Scopes are helpful on this trip.
Sunday January 29, 8am
Western Placer County
Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 shoppe01@earthlink.net
Western Placer County can often rival the great Wildlife Refuges in numbers and diversity of waterfowl, and it is also known for large concentrations of raptors. Besides the expected species, Eurasian Widgeon, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Lewis’s Woodpecker and Lapland Longspur are all possible. Join Scott for a full day of exploring this diverse area and bring liquids, lunch and FRS radios. Meet at Brookfield’s Restaurant parking lot, 1817 Taylor Road, in Roseville. From Sacramento on I-80, take the Eureka Road offramp (Exit 105A) and continue straight through the signal light at Eureka Road and you’ll be on Taylor Road. Turn left just past the Shell Station. Brookfield’s is behind Shell.
Sunday, January 29, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
A Save Our Sandhill Cranes-sponsored trip
Coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392
Sandhill Cranes are the focus of this trip but ducks, swans and geese, as well as shorebirds, feed in the flooded fields and marshy areas of the delta, and hawks patrol overhead. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center deck at 3:30 p.m. to hear a brief presentation of Sandhill Crane behavior, biology and status. Then we’ll stroll the boardwalk in the Lost Slough Wetlands, enjoying views of the cranes, wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Afterwards, we’ll drive along Desmond Road and possibly to Woodbridge Road or Staten Island, to see flocks of cranes fly in to roost for the night. Dress for changeable weather and bring binoculars. Scopes are helpful. From Sacramento, take I-5 south to Twin Cities Road; go left (east) to the stop sign at Franklin Blvd.; turn right (south) on Franklin and, driving through the Preserve, watch for the Visitor Center parking lot on your left. Further directions and maps are available at www.cosumnes.org. This is a great trip for beginners.
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