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 December, 2009. Scheduler - Maureen Geiger, 444-0804 mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net Tuesday, December 1, 8-11am Nimbus Fish Hatchery Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 This is a good opportunity to explore the Nimbus/American River area. Walk with Jack and look for diving ducks, kingfishers, wintering gulls and other wildlife along the River. He will also be sharing his knowledge of interesting archeological points relating to early Chinese gold mining. Meet in the parking lot of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery off Hazel Avenue. Saturday, December 5 Great American River Bird Count Co-compilers:Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 and Lea Landry, 638-1141, llandry@softcom.net Join Jack and other volunteers to assist with this annual count of birds and other creatures along the American River Parkway sponsored by the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA). Results of this count are important to future planning for the Parkway, and the goal is to have 11 teams of two or more persons each. The count differs from other Christmas Counts in that teams count species rather than total numbers of each species. Contact Jack or Lee for details, team assignments, and meeting and compilation locations. Click here for results: 2008 Wild Life Count
Sunday, December 6, 9am-Noon Nimbus Fish Hatchery/American River Leader: Ed Harper, 971-3311calidris@surewest.net Join Ed for an informative walk along the American River. Ed is a great birder who will be looking for any interesting or unusual birds, with emphasis on tricky identification of the many gulls that winter on the River near Nimbus Dam. This trip will last until late morning. A scope is useful in addition to binoculars. Meet at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery parking lot near Hwy. 50 and Hazel Avenue (about 15 miles east of Sacramento). Saturday, December 12, 8am-Noon Wetlands and Waterfowl Tour II Leader: Roger Jones, 875-9174jonesro@sacsewer.com Tour one of the seasonal or permanent wetland areas within the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District Bufferlands in Elk Grove. The Wetlands and Waterfowl Tour offers a chance to see many bird and mammal species including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, beavers and coyotes. Tour participants will enjoy a short walk guided by a Bufferlands staff wildlife biologist who will explain current wildlife management and habitat restoration techniques. Space is limited. The meeting location is weather-dependent, so please contact Roger Jones during the week preceding the event for exact meeting location and directions. Saturday, December 12, 7am River Walk Bird Count - Cosumnes River Preserve Recorded Information, 684-2816 Meet at the Visitor Center on Franklin Blvd, south of Twin Cities Road, for this monthly birding census trip. It is a great birding area, always full of surprises, and joining the group is a good way to find out what’s happening and to hone your birding skills. This walk covers about four miles at a leisurely pace and takes approximately five hours, so bring lunch and liquids. Be sure to check the recorded information a day or two before for exact meeting time and updates. Sunday, December 13, 8am Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Leader:Andi Salmi, 691-7216andisalmi@yahoo.com Andi will be looking for the great flocks of ducks and geese that winter in the valley or stop to feed on their way further south. There is a 3.7 mile driving route and a great viewing platform as well. This trip will last into early afternoon, so bring lunch, drinks and warm clothes. This is a good trip for newer birders and experienced birders alike. FRS radios are helpful on this trip.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. Please note that at the refuge there is a fee for each vehicle: either $3 for a day pass, or a $12 Refuge Annual Pass. Sunday, December 13, 6:40am Tall Forest Bird Count - Cosumnes River Preserve Recorded Information: 684-2816 Meet at the Farm Center Gate at the intersection of Desmond and Bruceville Roads, ON TIME, to join this monthly bird count. Usually led by John Trochet, this area is normally closed to the public, so this is your opportunity to bird there. John has an appreciation of nature on many levels, and a trip with him is always informative. You must check the recorded information a day or two ahead to get the exact meeting time and any other updated details. Arrive a little early, as this trip leaves promptly.
Join Scott for a day of birding the San FranciscoBay area, looking for wintering shorebirds and waterfowl.Peregrine Hawks and Northern Harriers will be in the area, and Scott will help you sort out the many different species of gulls.Possible stops will be Arrowhead Marsh, Hayward Shoreline and Palo Alto Baylands.Bring lunch and wear layered clothing for a full day of birding.Scopes and FRS radios are a help.Meet Scott 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.
Christmas Bird Counts sponsored by SAS: Saturday, December 19 Woodfords Christmas Count Coordinator: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207 spskua2@comcast.net; or Compiler: Andi Salmi, 691-7216andisalmi@yahoo.com Sunday, December 27 Sacramento Christmas Count Compiler: Mark Cudney, 987-2422mcudney@aol.com Sunday, January 3 Folsom Christmas Count Compiler: Chris Conard, 203-1610conardc@gmail.com Christmas Bird Counts in Other Areas: Monday, December 14 Benecia-Napa Christmas Count Contact: Tim Fitzer (Grizzly Island), 870-5207 spskua2@comcast.net Compiler: Robin Leong, 707/643-1287robin_leong@netzero.net Saturday, December 19 Auburn Christmas Count Compiler: Deren Ross, 530/308-5114derenross@sbcglobal.net Sunday, December 20 Putah Creek Christmas Count Compiler: Steve Hamptonhamptons@sbcglobal.net Sunday, December 20 Stockton Christmas Count Compiler: Jim Roworth, 209/956-2648roworth@sbcglobal.net Wednesday, December 30 Lincoln Christmas Count Compiler: Ed PandolfinoERPfromCA@aol.com Friday, January 1 Sonoma Valley Christmas Count Compilers: Tom Rusert & Derren Peterie, 707-939-8007 www.SonomaBirding.org
