If you have questions regarding field trips or would like to check the status of trips in case of unfavorable weather conditions, please call the trip leader. If he/she cannot be reached, call the scheduler. Trips geared for beginners are highlighted in red. To get directions, you can also use the Birding Sites Map.
Field Trips - July 18 through Sep 27, 2009 Schedulers: Through July 26, Dan Brown, 362-2458, naturestoc@aol.com, July 27 - Aug. 30, Scott Hoppe, 835-8471, shoppe01@earthlink.net, Sep. 1 - 27, Mark Cudney, 987-2422, mcudney@aol.com.
Saturday, July 18, 6am Paige Meadows and Lake Tahoe Area
Leaders: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471/652-5409, shoppe01@earthlink.net and Richard Barbieri , 966-4603, offleash56@yahoo.com Another beautiful Sierra meadow, this one near Lake Tahoe's west shore. Among the more notable birds that have been seen here are: Northern Goshawk, Calliope Hummingbird, Black-backed Woodpecker, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak and Red Crossbill. This is a mostly hiking trip, with distances up to 2 miles at a time. Plan on a full day. Bring suitable hiking shoes, water and lunch. Meet Scott and Richard at the Park & Ride on Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis, Exit #110 off I-80.
Sunday, July 19, time TBD Dragonfly trip, Location: TBD Leader: Tim Manolis, 485-9009 - Ylightfoot@aol.com Since the weather will affect the best location to see a variety of dragonfly species, Tim 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 and wear shoes that can get wet - just in case!
Tuesday, July 21 Evening Beaver Walk Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 If you've never seen a beaver, sign up for this walk with Jack. He guarantees you'll see one! On recent beaver walks there have also been river otters, muskrats, kingfishers, herons and egrets, kites and quail, and other interesting birds. Jack will also point out interesting plants of the parkway. Trip size is limited to offer optimum viewing conditions, so call Jack to sign up and learn the meeting time and place.
Saturday, July 25th, 7:00am Carson Pass and Lake Winnemucca Leader: Dan Brown, 362-2458-naturestoc@aol.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 Blue 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 liquids, wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for changeable Sierra weather.
Sunday, July 26th, 7:00am Yolo Basin Wildlife Area Leader: Dan Williams, 714-943-1266 - jaegermaestro@yahoo.com Join Dan in this great area 10 minutes from downtown Sacramento. Depending on the extent of flooded fields on the auto tour route, there may be good numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl as well. Raptors such as Peregrine Falcon and Swainson’s Hawk are also possible. From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78) 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. Scopes are helpful on this trip, which is good for both beginners and more experienced birders.
Scheduler: Aug. 1- 30, Scott Hoppe, 835-8471, shoppe01@earthlink.net Sunday, August 2, 7:00am 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 11 am, or possibly earlier depending on the heat. Sailor Bar is at the south end of Illinois Avenue, off Winding Way, just west of Hazel. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. Meet Mark at the boat launch parking area at the very end of the entrance road.
Wednesday, August 5 Evening Beaver Walk Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Join Jack for this summer’s evening walk to an area where beavers are active. Occasionally an otter or muskrat is seen as well, and Black Phoebes, herons and egrets may also be seen. As always, Jack will share his knowledge of the local plants to round out the evening. Trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years, so call him to sign up and find the meeting time and place.
Saturday, August 8, 7am Bushy Lake/Cal Expo Floodplain Leader: Dan Brown, 362-2458 - naturstoc@aol.com Meet Dan in the cul-de-sac at the south end of Ethan Way, just south of where Hurley Way goes into Gate 12 of Cal Expo. Dan will be looking for a variety of resident species, and Wood Ducks are a good possibility on the lake. This will be a 1 to 2 mile hike that will take 2 to 3 hours. Bring water and sunscreen.
Sunday, August 9, 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 and 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, on the north side of the freeway. Saturday, August 15, 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. Meet at the West Capitol Park and Ride off I-80 at 7am. From Sacramento, take Exit #81; turn left at the light and left again into the Park and Ride lot on the north side of the freeway.
Sunday, August 16, 6:30am Sierra Dragonflies and Birds Leader: Zach Smith, 619-672-0685 - zsgavilan@gmail.com Join Zach for this exciting Sierra "wild card" trip. Zach will pick the location(s) based on local conditions and reports. Zach is knowledgeable with both birds and dragonflies, so this would be a great trip for those wishing to expand their horizons with our wildlife-on-the-wing. Bring liquids and lunch, and plan on a full day. Meet at the Horseshoe Bar Rd. Park and Ride in Loomis off I-80, Exit #110.
Friday, August 21 Evening Beaver Walk Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Here’s another chance to watch the interesting evening activities along the river. In addition to the beaver, other mammals, birds and riparian plants are there to be enjoyed, and Jack will share his extensive knowledge of the parkway riparian life. Trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years, so call him to reserve a space and find the meeting time and place.
Saturday, August 22, 7:00am Davis Arboretum Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 - mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net Late August can be quiet in the valley for birds but the UC Davis Arboretum is always a great place for a walk on a summer morning. Join Maureen on this 2-3 mile loop trail to see what can be found along the mostly shaded waterway. Close-up looks at residents such as Wood Ducks, Double-crested Cormorants and, often, Green Herons are rewarding, and other migrating species might be found also. Meet at the Park and Ride in West Sacramento or the south end of the Borders parking lot in downtown Davis. From Sacramento, take the West Capitol Ave. Exit #81, turn left at the light, then left again into the Park and Ride lot on the north side of the freeway. This walk will last several hours and end before lunch.
Sunday, August 23, 7:30am Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area/Davis Wetlands Leader: Frank Gray, 723-5249 - fgray4birds@aol.com Join Frank for a trip mainly to wetlands. We can still expect some open water and resident and migratory bird species although conditions may be drier than normal this year. We will bird at the Yolo Bypass and then at the City of Davis wetlands and sewage ponds. Meet Frank at the West Sacramento Park and Ride. From Sacramento, take the West Capitol Ave. Exit #81, turn left at the light, then left again into the Park and Ride lot on the north side of the freeway. Both beginning and more experienced birders welcome. Frank plans to bring a scope but extras will help. Trip likely will be over by noon.
Saturday, August 29, 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 on the north side of the freeway. Bring food, water and warm clothes.
Sunday, August 30, 7:00am – 11:00am SRCSD Bufferlands Leader: Chris Conard, 362-5942 - 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.
Scheduler: Sep. 1 - 27, Mark Cudney, 987-2422, mcudney@aol.com
Thursday, September 3 Evening Beaver Walk Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 This will be one of your last opportunities this year to view beaver with Jack on this evening walk. The seasons are changing and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to go on one of these trips. Give Jack a call for a meeting time and place.
Saturday, September 5, 7am Riverbend Park Leader: Cathie LaZier, 457-6882 - empid@earthlink.net Meet Cathie in the first parking lot on your right just past the entrance kiosk, for this morning walk looking for the resident birds of the parkway, as well as early fall migrants. In the oak woodland and along the river we may see warblers, vireos or Cedar Waxwings. Vinegar weed, a very interesting plant, will be blooming. This is a good trip for beginners. There is a $5 entrance fee to the park. Sunday, September 6, 5pm Yolo Basin Wildlife Area Evening Trip Leaders: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804, mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net and Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net Join Maureen and Cathie for an evening drive around this diverse area just ten minutes from downtown Sacramento. A good variety of species is possible this time of year. Shorebird numbers will depend on the amount of water available. In some years there are good numbers of White-faced Ibis, and foraging owls may make an appearance in the late evening. At sunset the parking lot is a good place to view the bats fly out from their under-the-freeway roost. From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78) 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. Saturday, September 12, 7:30am Reichmuth Park Leader: Tim Manolis, 485-9009 - ylightfoot@aol.com Join Tim at the park entrance on Gloria Drive and 43rd Avenue at 7:30am. In the past Tim has found many uncommon birds in Reichmuth Park. On this first day of Autumn he will be looking for fall migrants, warblers, vireos and flycatchers. This is a good chance to work on identifying birds in confusing fall plumage, and Tim has the expertise to do it. Sunday, September 13, 7:30am Sailor Bar, American River Parkway Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722 - matuchbirdman@yahoo.com Join Mark to explore this part of the parkway. Returning winter species such as the crowned sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Common Mergansers and Goldeneye may be seen, as well as resident species. A trip with Mark is always interesting and is appropriate for both newer and more experienced birders. Sailor Bar is at the south end of Illinois Avenue off Winding Way just west of Hazel. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. Meet Mark at the boat launch parking area at the very end of the entrance road. Thursday, September 17 Last Evening Beaver Walk Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Join Jack for the season’s last Beaver Walk. In addition to beaver, muskrats are sometimes seen. Herons and egrets make an appearance and Jack will point out other interesting birds and plants of the area. Call him for meeting time and place. Saturday, September 19, 7am Point Reyes for Vagrants Leader: Chris Conard, 362-5942 - conardc@gmail.com There will be two trips to Pt. Reyes this fall for rare migrants. Chris is an expert birder who can sort out that confusing fall warbler. Be prepared for several miles of walking. Bring lunch and liquids for a full day of birding. Meet Chris 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, on the north side of the freeway. Saturday, September 26, 7am Point Reyes for Vagrants Leaders: Mark Cudney, 987-2422 mcudney@aol.com and Tim Steurer, 806-7071 Join Mark and Tim on this annual trip to the coast for rare fall migrants. With fall migration in full swing, who knows what will appear? The geography of Point Reyes peninsula makes it a magnet for warblers and shorebirds migrating south. Bring lunch and liquids for a full day of birding. Meet Mark and Tim at 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, on the north side of the freeway. Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27 Monterey Bay Pelagic & Land Birding Trip Coordinator: Ken Hashagen, 316-8596 or 635-4435. Details here.
