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 JANUARY 2-31, 2010 SCHEDULER, TIM FITZER, 870-5207, spskua2@comcast.net
Saturday, January 2, 8:30am Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary Leader: Brian Gilmore, 451-9146 Start the New Year with a 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. Sunday, January 3 FOLSOM CHRISTMAS COUNT Tuesday, January 5, 8:30am Yolo Wildlife Area Leader: Marlene Ishihara, 635-9758, IshiM2000@comcast.net Join Marlene for a preview of this great area, just minutes from downtown Sacramento, which will be the topic of our January 21st general meeting.On the auto tour route, there may be good numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl and possible raptors such as Peregrine Falcon.White-faced Ibis and Northern Harriers may be seen overhead, and Savannah Sparrows and Horned Larks are visible on the road.From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78, E. Chiles/Rd. 32A) 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.Scopes are helpful on this trip which is good for both beginners and more experienced birders. Saturday, January 9, 8am SHARP Hot Birding Spots in the North Bay Leader:Ron Storey, 707/762-5276,ronstorey@ronstorey.com Coordinator:Tim Fitzer, 870-5207, spskua2@comcast.net Meet Tim at the West Sacramento Park & Ride to start the trip.We’ll meet Ron at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma at 9:30, and spend a little time there looking for Blue-winged Teal, Sora and Virginia Rail, and any other odd birds that may be around.We’ll then drive to Las Gallinas and do a little bird watching there, looking for Eurasian and Common Teal, Hooded Merganser, and any other odd birds (i.e. Peregrine Falcon).From Las Gallinas we will drive south to Corte Madera Marsh in search of Clapper Rail.Dress appropriately for the weather; bring lunch and water. (Option:Ron plans to make a lunch stop for pizza!).Bring FRS radios and scopes if you have them.To meet at the Park & Ride off I-80 in West 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. Saturday, January 9, 2pm till dark 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 2 p.m. for a short introduction to crane behavior and biology by Paul Tebbel, then 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 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, January 10, 8am Salt Springs Valley Leaders: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207, Spskua2@comcast.net and Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com 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. Meet in the parking lot in front of the Wal-Mart located on the west side of Hwy. 99 at the Elk Grove BoulevardThe trip will last into the late 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 13, 8am River Bend Park Leader:Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net Meet Cathie at the 1stparking lot on your right, just past the entrance kiosk.We’ll walk through the oak woodland, looking for small woodland birds and woodpeckers.We sometimes have good looks at Red-shouldered Hawks or Great Horned Owls.At the river we should see mergansers, goldeneye, herons, yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers and possibly a kingfisher.It’s a great walk for beginners and will end by noon.River Bend (formerly Goethe) Park is at the end of Rod Beaudry Drive, off Folsom Blvd. between Bradshaw and Mather Field Roads in Rancho Cordova.There is a $5 per car entrance fee. Saturday, January 16, 8am Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Leader:John York, 409-9276, sonofyork@att.net John 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. We’ll return through the Dunnigan Hills, a good area for raptors, Burrowing Owls and wintering sparrows.This is a good trip for newer birders and experienced birders alike. FRS radios are helpful on this trip. Meet John at the Woodland Jack-in-the-Box.Take 1-5 north toward Woodland; exit at County Road 102 (#536); turn right (north) on 102 and turn right into the Jack-in-the-Box parking lot.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, January 17, 8am Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Leaders:Ken Hashagen, 316-8596, khashagen@mindspring.com Cathie LaZier, 457-6882, empid@earthlink.net Join Ken and Cathie for a tour of this prime wintering area for ducks and geese. After Gray Lodge, we’ll 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 in the Bel Air shopping center on Arena Blvd. From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Arena Blvd., go west (left) over the freeway. Take the first left, Duckhorn Rd., and then turn right into the parking area. We will meet on the north side of the parking lot between Wells Fargo and Golden 1. There is a $2.50 per person charge at the wildlife area. Tuesday, January 19, 8:30am Yolo 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 and possible raptors such as Peregrine Falcon. From Sacramento, take I-80 west, take the first exit (#78, E. Chiles/Rd. 32A) 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.Scopes are helpful on this trip which is good for both beginners and more experienced birders.After touring the area, plan to join us at our general meeting on Thursday evening to hear Dave Feliz talk about this special area.
Saturday, January 23, 8am Pleasants Valley Rd./Putah Creek (Solano Co.) Leader: Gary Fregien, 708-0636, calaveri@sbcglobal.net This outing entails driving to the Vacaville area to pick up Pleasants Valley Road, and birding our way up to Hwy. 128, then Putah Creek, Solano Lake and the Monticello Dam Overlook.Gary will make several stops along Pleasants Valley Rd., looking for winter passerines, including Phainopepla, Western Bluebird and Say’s Phoebe.Along Putah Creek and Solano Lake, we should see Barrow’s Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, American Dipper, and Osprey.At the Monticello Dam Overlook, we’ll be watching for Canyon and Rock Wrens, and possibly Peregrine Falcon.Plan to spend 3-4 hours birding, plus driving time there and back.There will be minimal hiking, but dress for winter conditions.Bring along FRS radios, food and water.Our lunch spot will be at Solano Lake County Park, where there is a day-use fee.We’ll also look for Pileated Woodpecker and owls here.Meet Gary 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.Car pooling is strongly advised, due to limited access at stops and the distance traveled. Saturday, January 23, 2pm till dark 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 2 p.m. for a short introduction to crane behavior and biology by Paul Tebbel, then 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 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, January 24, 8am Road 113, Robinson Road & Birds Landing Area Leader: Tim Fitzer, 870-5207, spskua2@comcast.net and Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com This is a great area for wintering Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Merlins, curlews, possible Mountain Plovers, shrikes, and other interesting birds.Bring liquids, lunch, warm clothes, spotting scopes, and FRS radios if possible.Meet 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. This trip will last into the afternoon. Monday, January 25, 7:45 am Colusa National Wildlife Refuge Leader: Dan Tankersley, 606-6518, dtankers@winfirst.com The Colusa NWR is another of the great Central Valley locations to view large waterfowl concentrations. There will be many duck species and plenty of Snow, Ross's and Greater White-fronted Geese. This refuge often provides an opportunity to view the elgasi race of the Greater White-fronted Goose.Eurasian Wigeon is often seen here as well.We can expect many raptors with the possibility of Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. We will spend a good amount of time on the main viewing platform, and then take an easy walk on a level trail through a riparian forest next to the main viewing pond. We will then take the short auto tour and finish our outing with a return visit to the platform. Be prepared for cold and damp weather. Weather permitting, there should be ample photo ops. If you have these items, bring your scope and FRS radio. Meet Dan at the Bel Air shopping center on Arena Blvd. From Sacramento, take I-5 north to Arena Blvd., go west (left) over the freeway. Take the first left, Duckhorn Rd., and then turn right into the parking area. We will meet on the north side of the parking lot between Wells Fargo and Golden 1. Bring snacks and liquids as the trip will end in the late morning to early afternoon. We will leave the meeting area at 8:00am SHARP.Rain and/or high wind cancels. Saturday, January 30, 8:30am Nimbus Fish Hatchery Leader: Dan Kopp, 213-2791, rey-ality@hotmail.com Sharpen your identification skills as this is a gathering place for a variety of gulls.Herring, Thayer’s, Glaucous-winged, California, Ring-billed and Mew Gulls are all possibilities.Then we’ll walk downstream looking for Hooded and Common Mergansers, Osprey and other raptors, Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye, Spotted Sandpipers, White-throated Swifts, and a variety of the smaller woodland birds.Meet Dan in the Fish Hatchery parking lot off Hazel Avenue north of Hwy 50. Sunday, January 31, 8am Hansen Ranch Park Preserve Leader: Jonilynn Okano, 397-1295,jonilynn@rcip.com If you have never been to Hansen Ranch, you are in for a treat!We will take a nice leisurely walk on the gravel embankment above the pond that overlooks the preserve’s many unique qualities.The habitat is mainly marsh but also has open fields and a tree line in the distance.These trees host a heron and egret rookery in the spring.Turkey and coyote might be present strolling across the grasslands.In January, various species of waterfowl, along with hawks and falcons should also be there.The pond has an active beaver colony and other surprises hidden in the reeds; come join us and let us find them together!Wear warm clothing; bring liquids and snacks.This trip is good for beginners and will end before noon. Bring scopes if you have one.Meet at the Starbucks at 4110 Norwood Avenue and I-80 (North Side) at 8:00 a.m.
