Field Trips, December, 2008 - January, 2009
Scheduler: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207, Spskua2@comcast.net
Saturday, December 27
Sacramento Christmas Count
Check the Christmas Count list here.
Sunday, December 28, 7:30am
Western Placer County
Leader: Scott Hoppe, 835-8471 Email: shoppe01@earthlink.net
Western Placer County can often rival the great Wildlife Refuges in numbers and diversity of waterfowl, and it is also known for large concentrations of raptors. Besides the expected species, Eurasian Widgeon, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Lewis’s Woodpecker and Lapland Longspur are all possible. Join Scott for a full day of exploring this diverse area and bring liquids, lunch and FRS radios. Meet at Brookfields Restaurant parking lot in Roseville. From I-80 take the Eureka Road off-ramp and continue straight through the signal light. Turn left just past the Shell Station. Brookfields is behind Shell.
Tuesday, December 30
Lincoln Christmas Count
Check the Christmas Count list here.
Thursday, January 1, 8am
Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary
Leader: Brian Gilmore, 451-9146
A New Year’s Day fresh morning walk rather than sitting around watching television! Join Brian for a stroll through this great riparian habitat. Herons, egrets, cormorants and grebes should be on the water. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a variety of sparrows will be seen. Take Hwy. 99 north toward Yuba City and about 2 miles north of the Feather River Bridge turn right on Laurel Avenue. Follow Laurel to the dead end at the Bobelaine parking lot. Bring liquids and snacks.
Friday, January 2
Sonoma Valley Christmas Count
Check the Christmas Count list here.
Saturday, January 3
Rio Cosumnes Christmas Count
Check the Christmas Count list here.
Sunday, January 4
Folsom Christmas Count
Check the Christmas Count list here.
Monday, January 5, 8am to noon
River Bend Park (formerly known as Goethe Park)
Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777
Join Jack at the end of Arden Way to walk across the bridge into River Bend Park. Jack will be looking for mammals and birds along the river and in the park. This is a good trip for beginners. Bring liquids and a snack if you wish.
Saturday, January 10, 8am
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Leader: Dan Williams, 714-943-1266 Email: jaegermaestro@yahoo.com
Join Dan to bird this refuge, which is a magnet for the thousands of ducks, geese and swans that winter in the valley. Various hawks, falcons, and occasionally an owl or eagle are also seen on the refuge. There is a 3.7 mile driving loop, and a great viewing platform as well. The trip will last into early afternoon, so bring lunch and liquids, layered clothes, and scopes and FRS radios if you have them. Take 1-5 north toward Woodland; exit at Road 102 and turn right into the Jack in the Box parking lot to meet Dan.
Sunday, January 11, 8am
Salt Springs Valley
Leader: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207 Email: Spskua2@comcast.net
This area is located in western Calaveras County about an hour and a half drive from Sacramento. The open valley and its lake are home to many wintering ducks, hawks, eagles, owls and grassland birds. This is a unique area you will not want to miss. The trip will last into the afternoon so bring lunch, liquids, warm clothing and FRS radios. Meet in the parking lot in front of the Wal-Mart located on the west side of Hwy. 99 at the Elk Grove Boulevard exit.
Wednesday, January 14, 7am
Point Reyes Birds and Mammals
Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777
This is Jack’s annual trip to Point Reyes to see elephant seals, other mammals, birds and fauna. Be prepared for a full day; bring lunch, liquids, warm clothes and FRS radios. Meet Jack on Fulton Avenue just before Fair Oaks Boulevard. Call for details.
Saturday, January 17, 8am
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Leader: Dan Kopp, 213-2791 Email: rey_ality@hotmail.com
Dan is a great birder who knows this area well. He will take you to Gray Lodge, one of the state’s prime wintering areas for ducks and geese. After Gray Lodge, he will take the route back around the west side of the Sutter Buttes. This area is great for raptors and grassland birds including wintering sparrows. Bring lunch, liquids, warm clothing and FRS radios. Meet at the Park & Ride on the southwest corner of Hwy. 99 and Elkhorn Boulevard.
Sunday, January 18, 2pm
Sandhill Cranes and Other Wintering Birds of the Sacramento Valley
A “Save Our Sandhill Cranes”-sponsored trip
Co-coordinator: Mike Savino, 446-1392, yogoombah@yahoo.com
Birding Guides from Sacramento Audubon
We will gather together at the Cosumnes River Preserve parking lot off Franklin Blvd. at 2:00pm. We’ll walk the short, one mile, universally accessible Lost Slough Wetlands Walk trail to look for cranes and other exciting winter visitors such as Tundra Swans, White-faced Ibis, and migratory ducks and geese. There should be a wide variety of waterfowl, shore birds and perhaps a surprise visitor or two. We will then drive to Staten Island in the hope of seeing hundreds of cranes fly in to their roosting sites with the sun setting behind them. After the sun sets we will go to Wimpy's for dinner and every one is invited. No RSVP's are required for the tour, but they would be appreciated. No RSVP's are necessary for the dinner. To RSVP for the trip (or send questions) call Mike Savino at 916-446-1392, or email to yogoombah@yahoo.com. 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, January 18
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.
Monday, January 19, 8am
Davis Wetlands
Leader: Sami LaRocca, (530) 908-0288 Email: sami182@wavecable.com
This joint Yolo and Sacramento Audubon trip is planned to take advantage of the weekday opening of the Davis Wetlands at Davis Waste Water Treatment Plant during duck season. Many species of ducks and other shore birds will have taken up winter residence at this very special wetland habitat. Come with me and together we’ll identify as many as possible. Driving to and from the wetlands we will check the surrounding county roads for special sightings. The fields often have wintering curlews, hawks, and owls; we’ll see if we can spot some. Meet at the Park & Ride off Mace Boulevard (northeast corner of Hwy 80 and Mace, behind Ikeda’s) in Yolo County at 8:00am. Bring water, snacks and hiking shoes. We’ll plan on returning to the Park & Ride by noon.
Thursday, January 22, 8am till noon
Yolo Basin Wildlife Area
Leader: Dan Tankersley, 359-2829 Email: dtankers@winfirst.com
Meet Dan in the first parking lot (Lot A, on your left) at the beginning of the auto tour. Waterfowl and shorebirds should be plentiful. Marsh Wrens, American Bitterns and White-faced Ibis are also possible. From Sacramento take I-80 west, and 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 onto the levee, then drop down into the Wildlife Area. Bring scopes and FRS radios if you have them. Rain or high wind cancels. This is a good trip for both beginners & experienced birders.
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