Field Trips for July 16 through August 31, 2011
Scheduler:
July 16 - 17- Dan Brown, 362-2458, naturestoc@aol.com
July 18 - Aug. 28- Dan Williams, 714-943-1266, jaegermaestro@yahoo.com
Saturday, July 16, 7am Sharp!
Wright’s Lake
Leader: Tim Fitzer, 870- 5207 spskua2@comcast.net
Co-leader: TBA
This high mountain lake near the edge of the Desolation Wilderness offers a good sample of high Sierran bird life. Tim will help you find many of the Sierran bird specialties including Pine Grosbeak, Black-backed Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker and Cassin‘s Finch. Bring plenty of water and lunch for a full day of birding. Bring your FRS radios and be prepared for changeable weather. Meet Tim at the Bella Bru Cafe at the south end of the Raley's parking lot in El Dorado Hills. From Hwy 50 east take Exit #30B; turn right on El Dorado Hills Blvd. and go north under the freeway to the shopping center on your right.
Sunday, July 17, time TBD
Dragonfly trip, Location: TBD
Leader: Tim Manolis, 485-9009 Ylightfoot@aol.com
Most likely Tim will try Bear Creek for Giant Darners etc, but since the weather will affect the best location to see a variety of dragonfly species he will scout his favorite haunts and choose the exact meeting location as the date approaches. Call or email Tim the week before the trip to get the time and meeting place. With his expertise as the author of a field guide to California dragonflies and damselflies, you can be sure that he will lead you to the best possible site. Bring your binoculars, water to drink and wear shoes that can get wet - just in case!
Saturday, July 23
Carson Pass and Lake Winnemucca
Leaders: Dan Williams, 714-943-1266 jaegermaestro@yahoo.com
This trip is limited to 10 participants to help preserve the habitat in this high foot traffic area. Join Dan on this high elevation, 3 mile hike in search of Clark’s Nutcracker, Rufous Hummingbird, Green-tailed Towhee and with luck Sooty Grouse and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. At peak wildflower time, there are fields of flowers in dazzling variety. Contact Dan for reservations, meeting time and place. Bring lunch and plenty of liquids; wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for changeable Sierra weather.
Sunday, July 24, 7:30am
Mather Lake
Leader: Wayne Blunk, 876-0457 Wayne.Blunk@gmail.com
Mather Lake and its surrounding grasslands host a wide variety of birds. Wayne knows this area well. This is a good trip for beginners and enjoyable for all. Bring water and insect repellent. Meet in the parking lot of Mather Regional Park at the corner of Douglas Road and Eagle’s Nest Road. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Saturday, July 30, 6am
Truckee to Tahoe Mountain Birding
Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 shoppe01@earthlink.net
We will be exploring some interesting, lesser known locations between Truckee and Tahoe. Possible locations include Coldstream Canyon, Page Meadows, Lake Forest and Pomin Park. Among the possible bird species are White-headed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, several warbler species, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak and Red Crossbills. Hiking will be up to 2 miles at a time. Bring lunch and liquids. FRS radios are helpful. Meet Scott at 6am at the Park & Ride on Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis, exit #110 off I-80.
Sunday, July 31, 7am
Sailor Bar, American River Parkway
Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722 matuchbirdman@yahoo.com
Join Mark for an early morning walk while it’s still moderately cool, and find what birds stay with us through the hot summer. This walk will end by 11am, or possibly earlier depending on the heat. Sailor Bar is at the south end of Illinois Avenue, off Winding Way, just west of Hazel. Meet Mark at the boat launch parking area at the very end of the entrance road. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Sunday, August 7, 7am
Shorebirds of the Sacramento Valley
Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 shoppe01@earthlink.net
August is a great time to view shorebirds in the Sacramento Valley on migration from their Arctic breeding grounds. Since ideal conditions change depending on water levels, we will visit areas with the best shorebird habitat. This may be in Yolo, Placer, or Sacramento County--or all three. This is a good chance to brush up on the common species and possibly find something unexpected. If you have a spotting scope, bring it, along with water and a snack. 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.
Saturday, August 13, 7:30am
Consumnes River Preserve
Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804, mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net, DAY OF TRIP ONLY, cell 281-6652
Join Dan for a morning of birding this crown jewel of the valley. We will spend time on the Willow Slough Trail (an easy hike) where we will hope to see Blue Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings, Western Kingbirds and undoubtedly lots of juvenile birds of all sorts. We will check Bruceville Road for Burrowing Owls and depending on conditions we may see some migrant shorebirds. Meet Maureen at the Safeway / Starbucks at Del Paso and East Commerce in Natomas and be prepared to enjoy a picnic lunch near the Visitor Center (if it's not too hot)! Secondary meeting place will be the main parking lot at the CRP Visitor Center at about 8:15.
Saturday, August 20, 7am
Marin County Shorebirds
Leader: Dan Williams, 419-9495 jaegermaestro@yahoo.com
Join Dan for this trip to the varied wetlands of Marin County in search of shorebirds. Possible locations include Novato Airport Ponds, Bolinas Lagoon, and/or Abbott's Lagoon at Point Reyes, depending on conditions and bird reports leading up to the trip date. Be aware, a visit to Abbott’s Lagoon involves a 2.5 to 3 mile hike. Bring lunch and liquids and be prepared for a full day of birding. 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.
Sunday, August 21, 8am
Vic Fazio Wildlife Area/City of Davis Wetlands and nearby areas
Leader: Frank Gray, 723-5249 fgray4birds@aol.com
Join Frank for a morning of birding, exploring some sites in east Yolo County. Target bird species include Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes, Swainson’s Hawks, Tricolored Blackbirds, and herons and egrets at a rookery. The trip will be car-based with only short walks anticipated. Trip will likely end by noon or soon thereafter. The leader plans to bring a scope but additional scopes are welcome. This trip is suitable for birders of various levels, including beginners. Time will be spent discussing various bird ID features. Meet Frank 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.
Saturday, August 27, 7:30am
Bodega Bay
Leader: Andi Salmi, 691-7216 andisalmi@yahoo.com
Join Andi for a day of birding, exploring the many habitats around Bodega Bay. This is a fun coastal birding area, with many gulls, waterfowl, songbirds and raptors to see, in addition to possible shorebirds returning from their breeding grounds. Meet Andi at the Park & Ride off Highway 80 in West Sacramento. From Sacramento, take the West Capitol Ave. Exit #81, turn left at the light, then left again into the Park and Ride lot. Bring food, water and warm clothes.
Sunday, August 28, 7am – 11am
SRCSD Bufferlands
Leader: Chris Conard, 203-1610 conardc@gmail.com
The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Bufferlands are 2,650 acres surrounding the wastewater treatment plant between Sacramento and Elk Grove. They are not typically open to the public. Habitat types include riparian forest, seasonal wetlands, grasslands, wildlife-friendly agricultural lands, and many habitat restoration sites. This is a good time of year to look for migrating songbirds. Be prepared for 2 miles of easy walking. From I-5 south of Sacramento, exit at the Meadowview/Pocket Rd exit (the first exit north of Laguna Blvd, and the first exit south of Florin Rd). Head east on Meadowview, then turn right (south) on Freeport Blvd. In one mile, just before the town of Freeport, turn left on Stonecrest and follow it over the freeway and south to a locked gate.
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