All of our field trips are open to beginning birders.  Anyone with a sense of wonder is welcome to participate.

November 13, Sunday – Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is the largest wildlife refuge in Butte County and has huge flocks of migratory waterfowl at this time of year.  This is also a good trip for raptors, sparrows, and other wintering songbirds.

We will take a short walk to the viewing platform, then do the auto tour loop.  Afterward, we might walk the South loop and later, look for Sandhill Cranes off West Liberty.  We will meet at the Chico Park ‘n Ride (the lot nearest the freeway) at 7:30 a.m. and return between 1 and 3 p.m.  Bring binoculars, field guide, warm clothes, water, and a snack or lunch.  Skip Augur (893-9222) will lead the group.  Rain cancels.  ( http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/glwa_index.htm ) 

November 26, Saturday - Chico Sewage Treatment Plant Oxidation Ponds and the Sacramento River State Park.  The Altacal Audubon Society has been active in keeping these ponds open to the public for many years.  These wetlands are our closest access to waterfowl habitat, and have produced many interesting bird sightings over the years.  We will walk around the ponds until about 11:00 a.m. and then head over to bird a few spots in the riparian corridor along the river.  Bring binoculars, field guide, hiking shoes, warm clothes, water and a snack or lunch.  Meet at the Chico Park ‘n Ride (the lot nearest the freeway) at 8:00 a.m. to car pool to the ponds.  Phil Johnson (893-3222) will lead the group.  Rain cancels.