Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (November 2001) - 8 Altacalers had a great day at the Refuge. We hiked part of the nature trail where we had White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Lincoln's and Song Sparrows, Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, Nuttall's and Downy Woodpeckers, Flickers, Turkey Vultures and a Barn owl and a White-faced Ibis, as well as Yellow Warbler, Orange-crown and Yellow-rumped Warblers. The tour route yielded Loggerhead Shrike, American Pipit, White-tailed Kite, Peregrine Falcon (soul satisfying looks) and Red-tailed Hawks.

The Observation outlook had many type of ducks but not huge numbers. Tundra Swans, Greater White-fronted Geese, Snow Geese, Ross' Geese, a few Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Pintails, 1 Blue-winged Teal, lots of Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, Ring-necked Duck, Buffleheads Ruddy Duck, American and 1 Eurasian Wigeon. - Richard Redmond.

Gray Lodge (December 2001) - Half a dozen of us met just as the morning rains ended, and headed down to Gray Lodge for a great half-day. We strolled out to the viewing platform to check out the vast array of ducks (and a few geese). On the way, we encountered Golden-Crowned and Fox Sparrows, Black Phoebe, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, House Wren, and other common species. At the platform, all of the expected species were present, mostly in good numbers. Species seen here included Mallard, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Cinnamon and Green-Wing Teal, Northern Shoveler, many American Wigeon, one Eurasian Wigeon and 3 Pheasant sitting at the base of a tree on an island surrounded by water.

Driving the tour loop yielded great views of the usual expected waterfowl, as well as 2 Great Horned Owls, Downy Woodpecker, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Herring Gulls, and great looks at Eared Grebes about 20 feet away.

Returning to the parking lot, we took another stroll that turned up Blue-Winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Spotted Towhee, and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, as well as constant nice views of geese overhead.

On the way back to Chico, we took some side roads and got great looks at Sandhill Cranes, Cooper's and Rough-Legged Hawks, and a Prairie Falcon. A soaring Bald Eagle wrapped the trip up nicely. - Skip Augur.