Field Trips, Oct 11 through Nov 7, 2010
Scheduler, Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net
Saturday, October 16, 7:30am
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 fall walk. Join Maureen to look for migrants, early winter arrivals and resident species generally found in the park such as red-shouldered hawks and white-tailed kites. Other possibilities include sparrows, hawks, 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 Drive.
Sunday, October 17, 7am SHARP!
Putah Creek Preserve
Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com
Join Mark for some excellent birding, a morning walk along the levee road looking for our wintering riparian birds. Meet Mark 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 good trip for beginners and more experienced birders alike.
Saturday, October 23, 7 am SHARP!
Hope Valley – Alpine County - Fall Foliage Birding
Leader: Dan Brown, 362-2458, naturestoc@aol.com
Autumn Color explodes in mid October at Hope Valley. Join Dan to enjoy the fall foliage and to look for resident and specialty birds that include: Sooty (Blue) Grouse, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Stellar’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Townsend’s Solitaire, and Cassin’s Finch. Some of the terrain is hilly, so wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. A camera is a recommended addition to your pack. Bring water and lunch. FRS radios would also be helpful on this trip. Meet Dan at the north 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. Meet at the far north end of the parking lot. We will leave at 7am sharp!
Saturday October 23, 3:30 pm
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 parking lot 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; bring binoculars, scopes and FRS radios if you have them. 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.
Sunday, October 24, 7am
Bodega Bay
Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471, shoppe01@earthlink.net
Join Scott for a full day of birding around Bodega Bay, taking in a variety of habitats. Plan to see waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and raptors. Bring lunch, water and warm clothes. Meet at the Park & Ride off I-80 in West Sacramento. From Sacramento take the West Capitol Ave. exit. Turn left, and the Park & Ride will be on your immediate left. This is a good trip for newer birders and experienced birders alike.
Sunday, October 24, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
Another opportunity to visit the Cosumnes River Preserve for Sandhill Cranes and wintering waterfowl. All trip info is same as October 23rd trip.
Tuesday, October 26, 8:30am
Yolo Basin Wildlife Area
Leader: Marlene Ishihara, 635-9758, IshiM2000@comcast.net
Join Marlene 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 are possible also. 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, at the beginning of the auto tour. Scopes are helpful on this trip, which is a good trip for both beginners and more experienced birders. Trip will end before noon.
Saturday, October 30, 7:30am
Spenceville Wildlife Area
Leader: Richard Barbieri, 966-4603, offleash56@yahoo.com
This scenic recreational area of rolling hillsides, streams, reservoirs and ponds offers a variety of wildlife. Join Richard as he searches this foothill area for wintering waterfowl, raptors and passerine species. The trip involves moderate hiking; wear appropriate footwear and layered clothing. Bring lunch, plenty of water, and dress for changeable weather. Meet Richard at Brookfield’s restaurant parking lot in Roseville. Take Eureka Road exit off I-80; go right on Eureka and first left at the stoplight (Taylor Road). The restaurant is located behind the Shell gas station.
Saturday, October 30, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve for another trip to see the cranes and waterfowl that winter here. All information same as October 23rd trip.
Sunday, October 31, 8am
American River between Howe and Watt
Leader: Dan Kopp, 213-2791, rey_ality@hotmail.com
Join Dan at his favorite spot along the Parkway in search of our wintering birds, and get to know an area he knows well. He’ll find our resident and wintering birds, and will be looking for uncommon species; he’s found a White-throated Sparrow the last three years. There are well worn trails and some that require a little more work, so depending on everyone's ability, he will decide how strenuous the walk will be in the morning. The trip will last until lunch time. From Hwy. 50, take the Howe Avenue exit and head north; from Howe, take the first exit before the bridge. To do this, you will need to be in the right-most lane. Cross La Riviera Drive and enter the Howe Avenue Access to the American River. There is a $5 fee to park in the lot, or parking is available on La Riviera Drive. This trip is good for beginners and more experienced birders.
Sunday, October 31, 3:30pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve for another trip to see the cranes and waterfowl that winter here. All information same as October 23rd trip.
Wednesday, November 3, 8am
Isenberg Crane Preserve/Cosumnes River Preserve Boardwalk
Leader: Dan Tankersley, 606-6518, dtankers@winfirst.com
Join Dan to look for wintering geese and ducks, including Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, teal and wigeon. In shallow water there may be shorebirds, such as dowitchers, sandpipers, yellowlegs, Dunlin, and maybe some surprises. Our wintering Sandhill Cranes will be back, and the usual herons and egrets will be around. The boardwalk is also a good place to look for the noisy but hard-to-see Marsh Wren, and the cryptic Wilson's Snipe. Meet Dan at the Nugget Market at 8 am. Going south on I-5, take the Florin Road West exit; go west to the first signal light, (Greenhaven Drive), and make a U-turn. The parking area for the market will be on the right. This trip will end by noon. Bring FRS radios and spotting scopes if you have them. This is a great trip for both beginners and more experienced birders. Thick fog cancels this trip.
Saturday, November 6, 8:30 (in Yuba City)
Northern Sutter Co. and Grey Lodge Wildlife Refuge
Leaders: Don Schmoldt and Sally Walters, (916) 739-6465, BajaOwl@surewest.net
We will drive around the edge of Sutter Buttes, on Pass Road, West Butte Road, and North Butte Road, and then to Gray Lodge. The focus of the trip will be on raptors and waterfowl. Meet at 8:30 AM at the mini-mart/gas station at the junction of Hwy 20 and Acacia Ave., about 6 miles west of Yuba City. From Sacramento, take Hwy 99 north to Yuba City, then left (west) onto Hwy 20. Bring lunch and water. Don says to allow about an hour from downtown Sacramento. For further information, call Don or Sally at (916) 739-6465 or email at bajaowl@surewest.net.
Sunday, November 7, 7:30am NOTE: Daylight Savings Time Ends Today
Mather Lake
Leader: Wayne Blunk, 876-0457, Wayne.Blunk@gmail.com
Mather Lake is one of Wayne’s favorite birding locations, and he usually turns up quite a list of bird species. Join him to look for a nice variety of resident and wintering birds. Possibilities include White-tailed Kites, Wild Turkey, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe and Common Yellowthroat. 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. A Sac County Parks Pass or $5 entry fee is required for all vehicles. This is a wonderful trip for beginning birders.
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