Sacramento Audubon Society

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 March 24 - April 15, 2008
Scheduler:  Mark Martucci, 833-6722, matuchbirdman@yahoo.com

Saturday, March 29, 8am
Yolo Basin Wildlife Area/Davis Wetlands
Leader: Dan Tankersley, 359-2829 dtankers@winfirst.com
Meet Dan in the first parking lot (on your left) at the beginning of the auto tour of the Yolo Wildlife Area. Depending on the extent of flooded fields, there may be good numbers of shorebirds and waterfowl. Tri-colored and Yellow-headed Blackbirds are also a good possibility. From Sacramento take I-80 west, take the first exit 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.
 
Sunday, March 30, 7:30am
Lincoln Grasslands
Leader: Mark Martucci, 833-6722  matuchbirdman@yahoo.com
Raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds will be the main focus of this trip. Good numbers
of sparrows, blackbirds and Horned Larks should also be present. Meet Mark 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.  Bring lunch, water and FRS radios.

Wednesday, April 2, 8 till noon
Bannister Park
Leader:  Jack Hiehle, 967-0777
Explore another beautiful area along the American River with Jack.  As always, you can share in his knowledge of the natural history of the parkway.  Meet Jack in the parking lot at the end of Bannister Road, south off Fair Oaks Blvd., west of Sunrise Blvd.
 
Saturday, April 5, 7am
Caswell Memorial State Park
Leader: Gary Fregien, 708-0636  calaveri@sbcglobal.net
Caswell Memorial State Park is located in the Central Valley near the town of Ripon, about an hour south of Sacramento.  The park’s position along the meandering Stanislaus River affords a combination of water and riparian vegetation.  Although now merely a remnant, the park’s 258 acres are mostly wild, in stark contrast to the surrounding agricultural lands, and present a pristine example of the once extensive riparian corridor along the river.  The habitat is primarily mature riparian valley oak woodland.  Its multi-level canopy provides lush cover, nesting and feeding grounds and is a magnet for a variety of resident and migrant species.  This habitat also harbors the endemic riparian brush rabbit, not known to occur elsewhere.  For more information about the park, go to www.parks.ca.gov, click on “Find A Park” and use the drop-down menu to find Caswell.
Passerines, including several species of swallows, sparrows, woodpeckers and warblers are park specialties in Spring and Summer, and resident Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, and Great Horned Owls nest here.  There is a day-use fee per vehicle to enter the park.  We plan to spend several hours in the park along some of the numerous nature trails, so bring food and water.  The trails are primarily level, but these paths and the vegetation along them may be damp.  Dress appropriately.   We will meet at the Park & Ride on the east side of Hwy 99 at the Sheldon Rd. exit.

Sunday, April 6, 7:30am
Mather Field Park
Leader: Wayne Blunk, 876-0457  wayne.blunk@worldnet.att.net
Mather Lake is one of Wayne's favorite birding locations. The lake and its surrounding grasslands host a wide variety of birds. Meet Wayne in the parking lot of Mather Regional Park at the corner of Douglas Road and Eagle's Nest Road for this half day trip. There is a $5 per car entrance fee. This is a great trip for beginning birders.
 
Saturday, April 12, 8am
Jepson Prairie and Yolo Bypass
Leader: Andi Salmi, 691-7216  andisalmi@yahoo.com
Jepson Prairie is an unusual area of bunch grass prairie and vernal pool habitats, harboring some fascinating native plant species. Wildflowers will be the main focus  of the morning and we'll bird Yolo Bypass in the afternoon. Meet Andi at the Park & Ride off I-80 in West Sacramento. From Sacramento take West Capitol exit; turn left and then left again into the lot. Bring a lunch and water. The trip will last into mid-afternoon.

Saturday, April 12, 6am
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’s a great birding area, always full of surprises, and joining the group trip is a good way to find out what’s happening at the preserve.   This walk covers about four miles, and, at a leisurely pace, should take approximately five hours, so be sure to bring a lunch and liquids.  You must check the recorded information a day or two before to confirm the exact meeting time and get any other updated details.
 
Sunday, April 13, 8am
Cosumnes River Preserve
Leader: Brian Gilmore, 451-9146
Join Brian at this Nature Conservancy area 20 minutes south of Sacramento.  He will search the ponds and fields on Desmond Rd. and Franklin Rd. for waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.  Walks along the boardwalk, bridge and trail
areas should turn up other interesting species in this rich riparian area .  Meet Brian at the visitor center on Franklin Blvd.  Take Interstate 5 south to Twin Cities Road. Go east on Twin Cities Road until you reach Franklin Blvd.  Go south on Franklin to reach the visitor center.