For reports on these trips, click here. Trip Findings are generally on Page 2 of the Observer newsletter.
Field Trips:May 20 through June 21, 2009 Scheduler : Andi Salmi, 691-7216, andisalmi@yahoo.com Wednesday, May 20, 8am - noon Paradise Beach Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Meet Jack in Glen Hall Park at the end of Carlson Drive for this interesting morning hike along the American River.Jack will show his skills as an all-around naturalist by pointing out birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Saturday, May 23, time TBD Dragonfly trip - Location: TBD Leader: Tim Manolis, 485-9009Ylightfoot@aol.com Since the weather will affect the best location to see a variety of dragonfly species, Tim will scout his favorite haunts and choose the exact meeting location as the date approaches. Call or email Tim the week before the trip to get the time and meeting place.With his expertise as the author of a field guide to California dragonflies and damselflies, you can be sure that he will lead you to the best possible site. Bring your binoculars and wear shoes that can get wet - just in case! Sunday, May 24, 6am Sierra Valley Leader:Scott Hoppe, 835-8471shoppe01@earthlink.net The month of May can be a peak time for viewing breeding birds in Sierra Valley.We will stop at Kyburz Flat on the way to look for nesting Mountain Bluebirds and other montane species, and Sandhill Cranes are possible here as well.Birding will be done mostly by car, with numerous stops along the way.Bring lunch and water, and dress for changeable weather.Meet Scott at 6am at the Park & Ride on Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis, exit 110 off I-80. Saturday, May 30, 7am Crystal Basin Leader:Frank Gray, 723-5249fgray4birds@aol.com This area is about 70 miles east of Sacramento.Frank plans several stops with short walks along Icehouse Road and side roads. Many of the areas are at about a mile elevation and are within the area of the ‘92 Cleveland Fire.There will likely be good chances to view Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee, Mountain Bluebird, several species of warblers and other birds of the area.Bring lunch, liquids, and footwear suitable for hiking and wet meadows.Both beginners and experienced birders are welcome. Some time will be spent birding by ear and pointing out bird ID features on this slow-paced trip.We expect to return by 2 or 3 pm. Carpooling encouraged.Meet Frank in 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. Sunday, May 31, 8am Sailor Bar, American River Parkway Leader:Mark Martucci, 833-6722matuchbirdman@yahoo.com Mark will lead you on a morning walk to a lovely spot along the American River Parkway.You will see a nice variety of resident birds and maybe some surprises. Sailor Bar is at the south end of Illinois Avenue, off Winding Way, just west of Hazel.There is a $5 per car entrance fee.Meet Mark at the boat launch parking area at the very end of the entrance road.This is a good trip for beginning birders. Tuesday, June 2, 11:30am Purple Martins in Old Sacramento Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net Enjoy wonderful close looks at Purple Martins where they nest in Old Sacramento.You will also see nesting White-Throated Swifts and probably Cliff and Tree Swallows.Previous years have turned up other interesting species as well.Meet Maureen on the east side of the Railroad Museum along Second Street. Wednesday, June 3 Evening Beaver Walk - American River Parkway Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 This is a great trip if you’ve never seen a beaver, because Jack reports a 100% success rate! This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old. Please call Jack to reserve a space and to find out the meeting time and place. Jack will, of course, point out the birds and plants, as well as the mammals, on this evening trip. Saturday, June 6, 6:30am Mosquito Ridge, Placer County Leader:Chris Conard 362-5942conardc@gmail.com We will explore several productive areas outside of Foresthill along Mosquito Ridge Rd, including Grouse Falls and the Placer Big Trees Grove.Expect good numbers of mid-elevation breeding birds, including distant views of Black Swifts at Grouse Falls.There are no services once we leave, so bring all of the food and liquids you will need for a full day.The day trip will end by mid-afternoon.We will be walking about 4 miles over easy to moderate terrain at a comfortable pace.Meet at the Park & Ride on Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis, exit 110 off Hwy 80.If there is sufficient interest, you may choose to stay until dark for some owling, as several species breed in this area.If you plan to stay for owling, contact Chris for additional information. Sunday, June 7, 7:30am Riverbend Park (formerly Goethe Park) Leader:Cathie LaZier, 457-6882empid@earthlink.net Join Cathie for a walk through the oak woodland to the river, looking for our summer birds on nests or in cavities, singing and feeding young.Some wildflowers should still be blooming.This is a good trip for beginning birders.The trip will end before noon.Meet in the first parking lot on your right just past the entrance kiosk. There is a $5 entrance fee per car; if you want to carpool in meet Cathie at 7:20 on Rod Beaudry Drive just off Folsom Blvd. Sunday, June 7, 8:00 a.m. Lynch Canyon, Solano County Leader: Maureen Geiger, 444-0804mkgeiger@sbcglobal.net Maureen is leading this trip for the Solano Land Trust in this beautiful park off I-80 in Solano County. This trip will last about 3-hours as we walk through rolling hills with stands of native oak, buckeye and bay trees, small riparian corridors and panoramic vistas. It’s a great place to spend the morning. We will look for summer swallows, bluebirds and song birds as well as resident golden eagles, harriers, hawks, woodpeckers and quail. There is a port-a-potty in the parking area. Contact Maureen for meeting information.
Saturday, June 13, 7:30am Brannan and Sherman Islands Leader: Dan Williams,419-9495jaegermaestro@yahoo.com Join Dan for a morning of birding the Delta region.Brannan Island Recreation Area and nearby Sherman Island are located in the very southeasternmost corner of Sacramento County and are home to dozens of breeding bird species including Swainson's Hawk, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat.Due to the unique geographic situation of this part of the county, we have a chance of seeing a few coastal species such as Western Gull, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and maybe even Least Tern.If there is interest we may cross the bridge into Contra Costa County and bird one of the regional parks there in the afternoon.Meet at the La Bou on West El Camino just west of Truxel at 7:30 to carpool.Bring a lunch and drinks.There is a $6 per car entrance fee to the Recreation area. Saturday, June 13, 5:35am River Walk Bird Count, Cosumnes River Preserve Recorded info: 684-2816 www.cosumnes.org; check the Activity Schedule Meet at the Visitor Center on Franklin Blvd. for this monthly birding census trip.It’s a great birding area, always full of surprises; joining a group trip is a good way to find out what’s happening at the preserve. You must check the recorded information or the web site a day or two in advance to verify the exact meeting time and any other updated details. Sunday June 14, 7:30am Mather Field Leader:Wayne Blunk, 876-0457wayne.blunk@worldnet.att.net Mather Lake is one of Wayne’s favorite birding locations.Join Wayne to look for a nice variety of resident birds.Targeted birds will be Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, White-tailed Kites, Wild Turkey and Green Heron.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. This is a fee area. This is a wonderful trip for beginning birders. Friday, June 19 Evening Beaver Walk - American River Parkway Leader: Jack Hiehle, 967-0777 Don’t forget to bring your binoculars on this evening trip to look for beavers. This trip is limited to 8 people, with a minimum age of 7 years old. Please call Jack to reserve a space and to find out the meeting time and place. In addition to the beavers, you will enjoy observing the birds and plants, and perhaps other mammals. Saturday June 20, 5am Changed to June 27 Tall Forest Bird Count, Cosumnes River Preserve Leader:John Trochet Recorded info: 684-2816 www.cosumnes.org; check the Activity Schedule Meet John at the Farm Center gate ON TIME to join him on this monthly bird count. John has an appreciation of nature on many levels, and a trip with him is always exciting.You must check the recorded information or the web site a day or two in advance to verify the exact meeting time and any other updated details. Saturday & Sunday, June 20 - 21, 8am onsite both Sat. & Sun. Sierra Valley/Antelope Valley/Yuba Pass Leaders: Gary Fregien, 708-0636 calaveri@sbcglobal.net and Mark Martucci 833-6722matuchbirdman@yahoo.com This trip offering is designed to accommodate both those who want to do an overnighter and those wanting to bird either the Yuba Pass area or Sierra/Antelope Valleys as a day trip. Antelope Valley is located at the southern end of Sierra Valley near Loyalton/Sierra Brooks, and includes a very productive riparian stream zone adjacent to a previous wildfire. We will bird the Sierra/Antelope Valleys area by car on Saturday, a full day’s excursion, and the Yuba Pass area on Sunday until early afternoon. Lodging is available in Truckee, Sierraville, Portola, Calpine and Sierra City. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located between Truckee and Sierraville on Hwy 89, and between Yuba Pass and Sierra City on Hwy 49. Gary plans to be at the Yuba Pass campground for the entire week preceding the fieldtrip; thus, he will not be reachable by email or phone after mid-afternoon Thursday, 6/11.Contact Mark, if necessary. Meet Gary and Mark at 8am at the junction of Hwys 89 & 49 in Sierraville on Saturday, and/or at the Yuba Pass Sno-Park parking lot, at the summit, on Hwy 49 west of Sierra Valley on Sunday. Car pooling is encouraged. Bring along hand held radios, food and water, and dress for probable cool mornings and warm afternoons.
