Upcoming Field Trips

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

March 11, Saturday - Gray Lodge Wildlife Area - Enjoy an early springtime birding trip to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. This is the time of year at Gray Lodge when breeding and nesting activities get under way and the marshes are "drawn down" to expose mud flats that become attractive to a variety of shorebirds. We'll visit the seldom-explored eastside of Gray Lodge where there is a heron rookery, take the three-mile auto tour loop, hike out to the viewing platform and get to view several of the Wood Duck nest boxes up close.  Meet at the Chico Park ‘n Ride parking lot (closest to the highway) at 8:00 a.m.  Bring binoculars, lunch, water, a field guide (if you have one) and an entrance fee of $2.50 (free if you have a fishing or hunting license).  Field trip leaders: Jennifer Patten and Mike Fisher.  If you have any questions call Jennifer at 345-9356, e-mail jpchico@sbcglobal.net or Mike Fisher at 345-9264, e-mail fisherml@pacbell.net .

March 25, Saturday - Table Mountain/Oroville - Birds and Wildflowers - This is a casual trip that encourages beginning and intermediate bird and wildflower enthusiasts. We will car-pool to the historic Cherokee area to bird; then continue on to the wonderful wildflowers on Table Mountain. We will walk and hike the area watching for birds but focus on the wildflowers and unique landscapes.  If time permits we will continue on to Oroville and bird the Feather River Bike Trail.  Meet at the Park ‘n Ride lot closest to the highway at 8 a.m. We will return around 3 p.m.  Bring a lunch, water, binoculars, hiking shoes and perhaps guide books.  Contact trip leader Gaylord Grams at 872-0739 for more information.   

April 2, Sunday - Sutter Buttes/Peace Valley - On this trip, we will visit an early California cemetery, a Wintun grinding rock site, an old homestead, and a beautiful side canyon deep within the Buttes.  We hope to pick up early Spring migrants.  We will meet at the Park ‘n Ride (the lot closest to the highway) at 8:00 a.m. to carpool to the Buttes and will return at approximately 3:30 p.m.  Bring hiking boots, binoculars, field guide, lunch, water and raingear (if needed).  There is a twenty-person limit.  This is a free trip. Trip leaders are Jennifer Patten and Gaylord Grams.  To secure your spot call Gaylord at 872-0739.

April 8-9, Saturday and Sunday - Anderson Marsh/Clear Lake - We will camp at Clear Lake State Park and explore Anderson Marsh and the open-water areas of Clear Lake.  We expect to see a large Egret/Heron nesting colony.  Spring migrants should be coming in.  Those with kayaks or canoes will have time to explore the sloughs in the area.  Please contact the trip leader, Gaylord Grams, 872-0739, to coordinate camping and driving arrangements. 

Upcoming