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 for May 21 - July 20 Scheduler through June 22nd, Andi Salmi, 691-7216 orandisalmi@yahoo.com, after June 22nd, Dan Brown, 362-2458 or naturestoc@aol.com Wednesday, May 21, 8am - noon Paradise Beach Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Meet Jack in Glen Hall Park at the end of Carlson Drive for this interesting morning hike along the American River.Jack will show his skills as an all-around naturalist by pointing out birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Saturday, May 24, 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! Sunday, May 25, 6am Kyburz Flat and Sierra Valley Leader:Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 shoppe01@earthlink.net May can be a peak time for viewing breeding birds in Sierra Valley. We will stop on the way at Kyburz Flat to look for nesting Mountain Bluebirds and other montane species, and Sandhill Cranes are possible here as well. Birding will be mostly by car, with numerous stops along the way. Bring lunch and water, and dress for changeable weather. Meet Scott at 6:00am at the Horseshoe Bar Road Park & Ride in Loomis off I-80. Saturday, May 31, 7am Crystal Basin Leader:Frank Gray, 723-5249 fgray4birds@aol.com This area is about 70 miles east of Sacramento.Frank plans several stops with short walks along Icehouse Road and side roads. Many of the areas are at about a mile elevation and are within the area of the ‘92 Cleveland Fire.There will likely be good chances to view Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, several species of warblers and other birds of the area.Bring lunch, liquids, and footwear suitable for hiking and wet meadows.Both beginners and experienced birders are welcome. Some time will be spent birding by ear and pointing out bird ID features on this slow-paced trip.We expect to return by 2 or 3 pm. Carpooling encouraged.Meet Frank at the north end of Raley’s parking lot, just north of Highway 50 off El Dorado Hills Blvd. Sunday, June 1, 7:30 am – noon Sunrise area, American River Parkway Leader:Mark Martucci, 833-6722 matuchbirdman@yahoo.com Mark will lead you on a morning walk to one of his favorite spots along the American River Parkway.You will see a nice variety of resident birds and maybe some surprises.From Highway 50, drive north on Sunrise Blvd., turn left on Fair Oaks Blvd., and take the first left on Pennsylvania.There is a $5 per car entrance fee.This is a good trip for both beginners and experienced birders. Tuesday, June 3 Evening Beaver Walk, American River Parkway Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 This is a great trip if you’ve never seen a beaver, because Jack reports a 100% success rate! This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old.Please call Jack to reserve a space and to find out the meeting time and place.Jack will, of course, point out the birds and plants, as well as the mammals, on this evening trip. Saturday, June 7, 7:30am Goethe Park Leader:Cathie LaZier, 457-6882 empid@earthlink.net Join Cathie for a walk through the oak woodland to the river, looking for our summer birds on nests or in cavities, singing and feeding young.Some wildflowers should still be blooming.This is a good trip for beginning birders.The trip will end before noon.There is a $5 per car park entrance fee; if you want to carpool in meet Cathie at 7:25 on Rod Beaudry Drive just off Folsom Blvd. Sunday, June 8 Habitat Improvement Workday Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Help Jack restore native vegetation along the American River Parkway.Tasks vary from month to month, so call Jack for details and meeting time, usually early morning. Sunday, June 8, 7:30am - noon Michigan Bar/Latrobe Roads Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net Join Maureen in this foothill area as she looks for Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Horned Larks, Western Bluebirds, turkeys, raptors and possible Grasshopper Sparrows.These rolling grasslands are scattered with stands of native oaks and are also home to White-breasted Nuthatches and other oak woodland birds.The roads are mostly deeply rutted dirt and if there has been rain they will be muddy and difficult with occasional pools.Meet in the Raley’s shopping center at 8391 Folsom Blvd. (between Howe Avenue and Watt Avenue).Park on the south side of the Raley’s lot facing Folsom Blvd. near the Carl’s Junior and the Starbuck’s. Saturday, June 14, 5:25 a.m. River Walk Bird Count, Cosumnes River Preserve Recorded information, 684-2816 or www.cosumnes.org Meet at the Visitor Center on Franklin Blvd. for this monthly birding census trip.It’s a great birding area, always full of surprises, and joining a group trip is a good way to find out what’s happening at the preserve. You must check the recorded information or the web site a day or two in advance to verify the exact meeting time and any other updated details. Saturday & Sunday, June 14-15, 2008, 8:30 AM onsite Saturday; 8:00 AM onsite Sunday Sierra Valley/Antelope Valley/Yuba Pass Leaders: Gary Fregien and Dan Tankersley Gary:708-0636, calaveri@sbcglobal.net Dan:606-6518,dtankers@winfirst.com This trip offering is designed to accommodate both those who want to do an overnighter and those wanting to bird either the Yuba Pass area or Sierra/Antelope Valleys as a day trip.Antelope Valley is located at the southern end of Sierra Valley near Loyalton/Sierra Brooks, and includes a very productive riparian stream zone adjacent to a previous wildfire.We will bird the Sierra/Antelope Valleys area by car on Saturday, a full day’s excursion, and the Yuba Pass area on Sunday until early afternoon.Lodging is available in Truckee, Sierraville, Portola, Calpine and Sierra City.U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located between Truckee and Sierravilleon Hwy 89, and between Yuba Pass and Sierra City on Hwy 49.Gary plans to be at the Yuba Pass campground on Friday the 13th.Meet Dan and Gary at the junction of Hwys 89 & 49 in Sierraville on Saturday, and/or at the Yuba Pass Sno-Park parking lot, at the summit, on Hwy 49 west of Sierra Valley on Sunday.Car pooling is encouraged.Bring along hand held radios, food and water, and dress for probable cool mornings and warm afternoons. Friday, June 20 Evening Beaver Walk, American River Parkway Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Don’t forget to bring your binoculars on this first day of summer’s evening trip to look for beavers.This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old.Please call Jack to reserve a space and to find out the meeting time and place.In addition to the beavers, you will enjoy observing the birds and plants, and perhaps other mammals. Saturday June 21, 5:25 am Tall Forest Bird Count, Cosumnes River Preserve Leader:John Trochet Recorded information: 684-2816 or www.cosumnes.org Meet John at the Farm Center ON TIME to join him on this monthly bird count. John has an appreciation of nature on many levels, and a trip with him is always exciting.You must check the recorded information or the web site a day or two in advance to verify the exact meeting time and any other updated details. Saturday, June 21, 6:30 am Martis Valley and vicinity Leader:Chris Conard, 362-5942 conardc@gmail.com Martis Valley near Truckee is a mix of the Sierra and the Great Basin.We'll explore sagebrush flats, open water, and coniferous and riparian forests in search of the area's breeding bird species.We'll plan to end the day with spectacular views from the Martis Peak fire lookout.Meet at the Park & Ride off the Hwy 80 Horseshoe Bar Road exit in Loomis.Bring water and lunch and be prepared for several short to moderate walks. Sunday, June 22, 7:30 a.m. Mather Field Leader:Wayne Blunk, 876-0457 wayne.blunk@worldnet.att.net Mather Lake is one of Wayne’s favorite birding locations.Join Wayne to look for a nice variety of resident birds.Targeted birds will be Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, White-tailed Kites, Wild Turkey and Green Heron.Meet Wayne in the parking lot of Mather Regional Park at the corner of Douglas Road and Eagle’s Nest Road for this morning trip.This is a wonderful trip for beginning birders. Sunday, June 22, 7:30am Purple Martins in Old Sacramento Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net This is a special, second visit to the Purple Martins of Old Sacramento this year. Come and listen to Dan Airola, California’s expert on purple martins, discuss these wonderful birds. We will have the opportunity to see adults feeding young, watch them in flight and hear their calls near the Railroad Museum where they nest. Meet Dan and Maureen on the east side of the Railroad Museum along Second Street. This trip will last until the martin activity diminishes, probably a couple hours.
Scheduler after June 22nd, Dan Brown, 362-2458 or naturestoc@aol.com Saturday, June 28, 7:30am Bushy Lake Leader: Dan Brown, 362-2458, naturestoc@aol.com Join Dan for a look at some of the birds that live along this section of the American River Parkway. This will be about a 4 mile hike and will end before lunch. Bring water and appropriate footgear. Meet in the cul-de-sac at the south end of Ethan Way, located just south of where Hurley Way goes into Gate 12 of Cal Expo. Sunday, June 29, Farallons Pelagic trip Co-ordinator:Ken Hashagen, 316-8596 or 635-4435 Join Sacramento Audubon members for this great boat trip to see puffins, whales, and more!Details here. Sunday, June 29, 8am Swainson's Hawk Trip Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com Nesting Swainson's Hawks are the focus of this morning trip, in conjunction with "Friends of the Swainson's Hawk" (FOSH), a group organized to encourage habitat protection. Our local population of Swainson's Hawks differs from other Swainson's Hawks in their migration patterns and wintering grounds. Members of FOSH will be on hand to share information about these interesting birds. Mark will also be looking for other valley nesting birds. Meet Mark at the West Sacramento Park & Ride; take the West Capitol exit off I-80; turn left at the light and left again into the Park & Ride. FRS radios and spotting scopes will be helpful, if you have them. Monday, June 30 Evening Beaver Walk Leader:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Don’t forget to bring your binoculars on this evening trip to look for beavers.This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old.In addition to the beavers, you will enjoy observing the birds and plants, and perhaps other mammals.Please call Jack to find the meeting time and place. Saturday, July 5, Wright’s Lake Leaders:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 and Phyllis Wilburn, (530) 642-9942 This high mountain lake near the edge of the Desolation Wilderness offers a good sample of high Sierran flora and fauna.Jack will concentrate on the blooming Sierran plants, many just a few feet from where you park your car!He’ll be using the common names, so this is a great trip for the novice who wants to learn Sierran plants.Phyllis will help you find many of the Sierran bird specialties; she can help you learn many of the calls and songs of the local birds as well.This trip may need to be rescheduled depending on snow levels, so please call Jack or Phyllis in advance for further details, (meeting time, place, and possible date change.) Sunday, July 6, 7:30am Goethe Park Leader: Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net Many birds will still be active and singing this time of year. We’ll look for the resident wrens, towhees, flycatchers and hummingbirds. This trip will end before lunch time, and is a good trip for beginners.Goethe Park is located at the end of Rod Beaudry Drive off Folsom Blvd.Meet in the first parking lot on your right past the kiosk. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. Tuesday, July 8 Evening Beaver Walk Leader:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Join Jack for another fun evening looking at beavers and other residents of the American River Parkway.This trip is limited to 8 people to ensure optimum viewing conditions.Call Jack for more information, including meeting time and place. Saturday, July 12 Mt. Judah and Roller Pass, Sierran Wildflowers and Birds Leader:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Join Jack and members of the California Native Plant Society on this hike in the Donner Summit area.He will point out the flora and fauna of the area, with plants as his specialty.This is a great opportunity to learn the common names of a variety of Sierran plants and shrubs.This is a fairly strenuous hike at high elevation, approximately 5 miles, with a 1000 foot plus elevation gain, and possibly crossing some areas of ice and snow.Snow depth may cause trip to be rescheduled, so call Jack the week before to confirm the date, meeting time and place.Bring lunch, water, and clothes appropriate for changeable weather. Sunday, July 13, 7:30am Sailor Bar, American River Parkway Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com Mark will lead you on a morning walk to one of his favorite spots along the American River Parkway. You will see a nice variety of resident birds and maybe some surprises. From Highway 50, drive north on Hazel Ave. left on Winding Way and left on Illinois Ave. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. This is a good trip for both beginners and experienced birders. Monday, July 14 Evening Beaver Walk Leader:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Don’t forget to bring your binoculars on this evening trip to look for beavers.This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old.In addition to the beavers, you will enjoy observing the birds and plants, and perhaps other mammals.Please call Jack to find the meeting time and place. Saturday, July 19, 6:00am Loney Meadow Leader: Scott Hoppe, 652-5409 shoppe01@earthlink.net Come join Scott for this late July trip. Loney Meadows is a beautiful mountain meadow north of Grouse Ridge near Bowman Lake at about 6000' elevation. The area can have some excellent birding. Scott has seen 8 species of woodpecker there (including Pileated, Black-backed and Williamson’s Sapsucker); also Townsend's Solitaire, Calliope Hummingbird, Willow Flycatcher, 7 species of warbler and previous trips have produced Bald Eagles. Meet Scott at the Park & Ride on Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis at 6:00 a.m. The meadow is about an hour's drive from there. Bring water and lunch or a snack. Sunday, July 20 Habitat Improvement Work Day Leader:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Help Jack restore native vegetation along the American River Parkway.Tasks vary from month to month, so call Jack for details and meeting time, usually early morning.
