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

May 7, Sunday – Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge - Meet at the refuge south of Willows at 8:00 a.m.  Bring your binoculars, some water, pack a picnic lunch and join us.  Wear sturdy shoes as there will be some hiking.  May is a great time for all kinds of birds at the refuge. Raptors, waterfowl, other marsh birds and many songbirds nest here.  The trip should be over about 2:30 p.m.  Call Anne-Lise at: 865-5254 for more information.

May 13, Saturday - Rio Vista/Arneberg Sanctuary Bird Walk - To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day, we will be walking through the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge/Rio Vista unit (near Woodson Bridge) in search of the beautiful migratory song birds that visit us from south of the border.  We will also take a short drive over to Altacal's own Arneberg Sanctuary to collect rent from all of the nesting songbirds using our site. Also included will be a raptor demonstration by Marilyn Gamette of the Bidwell Wildlife rehabilitation center.  Meet at the Chico Park ‘n Ride at 7:30 a.m. to carpool or meet at the Rio Vista unit at 8:00 a.m.  We will walk from 8 to 11 a.m., have a raptor demonstration from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, and take an Arneberg sanctuary walk from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.  Bring binoculars, a bird field guide if you have one, and appropriate food, water, and footwear.  Call Phil Johnson at 893-3222 for more information.

May 21, Sunday – Butte Meadows - Meet at the Park ‘n Ride at 8:00 a.m. and caravan to the Butte Meadows/Jonesville areas to look for warblers and other montaine species.  Light hiking and carpooling.  Bring a sack lunch.  We will bird until about 3:00 p.m. and then return to Chico. For more information, contact Phil Johnson at pjohnsonhardwood@sunset.net or call 893-3222.

June 3-4, Saturday/Sunday – Willow Lake - Willow lake is a jewel of a birding spot.  On last year’s trip everybody had a great time.  This lake has a unique floating bog that you can walk out onto.  We will walk up the feeder stream into Lassen National Park to visit Terminal Geyser and other geothermal areas.  Last year we encountered many nesting birds such as Pileated Woodpecker, Sandhill Cranes, Spotted Sandpiper, and Tree Swallow.  Warblers and Woodpeckers are abundant.  This is a camping trip (a very basic USFS campground) but you can drive up for the day to join us as well.  Bring your canoe if you want.  Contact the trip leader pjohnsonhardwood@sunset.net or 893-3222.

July 8-9, Saturday/Sunday - Sierra Valley/Yuba Pass - This trip covers a variety of mountain habitats.  We will bird the marshes and open fields at the headwaters of the Feather River, the sagebrush lowlands of the Sierra Valley and the conifer woodlands of Yuba pass.  This trip always gives us a good variety of birds.  Last year we witnessed many young birds being fed by their parents. We will meet at the Park ‘n Ride at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and carpool to the area. Saturday night we will camp out at the Yuba Pass campground.  Contact Phil Johnson if you wish to go, so transportation and camping can be coordinated. pjohnsonhardwood@sunset.net or 893-3222.

August 5-6, Saturday/Sunday - Lassen National Park - Beat the heat and head for the high country. We will meet at the Park ‘n Ride at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and carpool .We will get a group campsite and take short hikes in various Park locations.  You can join us on the hikes, or lounge in camp and let the birds come to you. Contact Phil Johnson, pjohnsonhardwood@sunset.net or 893-3222 to coordinate camping.  Some folks may want to go up on Friday night to extend the trip, so please call first.