Field trips for March 1- 17, 2012
Scheduler through March 4, Richard Barbieri, 761-1124, offleash56@yahoo.com,
Scheduler from March 5, Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com
Saturday, March 3, 8am
North Fork Pleasant Grove Creek (Roseville area)
Leader: Scott Dietrich, 208-4976 sed25@csus.edu
The North Fork Pleasant Grove open space area is a river flood plain area scattered with old growth Valley Oaks, riparian habitat and a small wetlands area. It’s usually a great place to see raptors such as Barn Owl, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk. Also present are some waterfowl including Wood Duck, Mallard, and often Hooded and Common Merganser. Also seen here are Great Egret, Great Blue Heron and Green Heron. Of course there will still be many winter birds, Northern Flicker, sparrows and finches as well as the resident oak habitat birds, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Oak Titmouse and Western Bluebird. Meet Scott at Paul Dugan Park in the northeast part of Roseville. In Roseville drive north on Woodcreek Oaks Blvd. past Blue Oaks Blvd; then turn right onto Diamond Woods Circle and drive a short distance; Paul Dugan Park will be on your right. Or, coming from Sacramento, take I-80 east to Hwy 65; take 65 north to Blue Oaks Blvd; take Blue Oaks Blvd. west to Woodcreek Oaks Blvd, and go north on Woodcreek Oaks to Diamond Woods, then right to Paul Dugan Park. (Thomas Bros Map 219 D1, for those without Internet!) This newer area for Sacramento Audubon trips will be of interest to beginning and more experienced birders.
Sunday, March 4, 7am
Highway 37 and Ellis Creek, Petaluma
Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722 matuchbirdman@yahoo.com
From the West Sacramento Park & Ride, Mark will lead the group towards Petaluma, with various birding stops along Hwy 37. Moving on to Ellis Creek (near Schollenberger Park), he’ll look for Blue-winged Teal and a variety of other waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, Common Yellowthroat and the occasional rail and possibly a Peregrine Falcon. Bring lunch and liquids and layered clothing. Meet Mark at 7 a.m. 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 is a great trip for both beginning and more experienced birders.
Saturday, March 10
ARNHA Bird and Breakfast Fund Raiser
Effie Yeaw Nature Center, 489-4918
Join Sacramento Audubon leaders for a birding walk followed by a delicious breakfast. This fund raiser for the American River Natural History Association is an annual event, and the leaders usually find nesting Anna’s Hummingbirds and Bushtits. Various woodpeckers and other small woodland birds, as well as herons, egrets and waterfowl on the river, will also be seen. Red-shouldered Hawks are frequently found in the oak woodland. This fund raiser supports ARNHA’s educational work. For sign-up information and price phone the Nature Center at 489-4918.
Saturday, March 10
Beginning Birding Field Trip for adults
William Pond Park
Limited to 10 people; registration required
This field trip is for people who aren’t entirely comfortable joining field trips as well as those who have birded a bit but would like to be better birders. A brief parking lot talk will focus on choice and use of binoculars and a brief overview of birding etiquette and ethics. A $5 donation is requested to cover the costs of hand-out materials. The field trip will focus on finding and identifying common birds in a variety of habitats and will be led by two or more experienced Sacramento Audubon trip leaders. Each trip is limited to 10 participants. Register via email to Cathie at empid@earthlink.net, (put “Beginning Birder” in the subject line), giving your name, phone number and email address, or by calling Cathie at (916) 457-6882 and leaving your name and phone number. Following registration you will receive additional information regarding the field trip.
Sunday, March 11, 8am (Note: Daylight Savings Time begins today.)
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Leader: Cathie LaZier, 457-6882 empid@earthlink.net
This area of the parkway is excellent for birding and Cathie will be looking for early nesting birds and returning migrants, as well as blooming wildflowers. This is a very good trip for beginners, as well as more experienced birders. Meet in the Nature Center parking lot in Ancil Hoffman Park in Fair Oaks. The trip will end by noon. A Sac County Park Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles.
Saturday, March 17
Family Friendly Trip - Mather Lake, Rancho Cordova
Leader: Sheila Green
These family trips require pre-registration and fill up quickly. Register for trips by contacting Maureen Geiger, at mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net, or 444-0804. More details here.
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