Shasta Birding Society

To Southern California, Brazil, and Back: First GPS Tracking of Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin Migration
2025-01-16 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Join the Redwood Region Audubon Society on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. for a program entitled “To Southern California, Brazil, and Back: First GPS Tracking of Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin Migration” by Sarah Rockwell. One of the biggest challenges in identifying ways to help migratory birds is that we don’t know where they are most of the year. Without this basic information, it is challenging to identify and prioritize conservation actions. Archival, lightweight GPS tags placed on small songbirds have been available for about a decade, and they are revolutionizing our understanding of bird migration and migratory connectivity. The Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO), along with partners at USFS, USGS, Cape Arago Audubon, and Avifauna Northwest, is using these GPS tags to track the migratory routes and overwintering locations of both Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin, two imperiled subspecies unique to the Pacific Northwest. These are the first studies with these subspecies—the first to track them with GPS technology year-round! These birds have returned with fascinating information, revealing discoveries about their incredible journeys, including unexpected lengthy fall stopovers, and for Purple Martins, winters on the beach in southeastern Brazil. In this talk, Sarah will share photos and maps from this research, and give a peek into the amazing window we now have into the incredible voyages these birds undertake. Dr. Sarah Rockwell is a Senior Research Biologist at KBO, where she manages several research programs studying the ecology of bird species of conservation concern, and monitoring birds at riparian, oak, and coniferous restoration sites. Sarah manages KBO’s Oregon Vesper Sparrow research program, studying nest success, survival, and habitat needs to better understand the causes of their decline and potential conservation actions. Sarah joined KBO in 2013 after completing her PhD at the University of Maryland and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, where she studied the ecology of the then-endangered Kirtland’s Warbler in her home state of Michigan. She earned her BA in Biology in 2002 from Kalamazoo College, where she fell in love with birds during her study abroad experience in Ecuador. She lives in Ashland, Oregon, with her husband and four-year-old daughter. Programs are held at Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Road, Arcata, or via the Zoom link www.rras.org. Drinks and goodies are served at 7:00 p.m., the program begins at 7:30.

Meet Our African Penguins
2025-01-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Mendocino Audubon Society, PO Box 2297, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, United States
Get a behind-the-scenes look at our African penguin colony at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We will learn about some of the drama that happens between pairs—romance, breakups, and even a little about their chick-rearing. This provides an opportunity to learn about their individual birds in a way that isn’t possible by visiting them at the aquarium.
Aimee Greenebaum is the Curator of Aviculture at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She received a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology from Kansas State University. She has been working with birds for over 24 years and has been with the Monterey Bay Aquarium for almost 21 years. She manages the Aquarium’s avian exhibits, which currently include the shorebirds, Common murres, Tufted puffins, African penguins, and Laysan Albatross. Aimee is the Co-Chair for the Avian Scientific Advisory Group (ASAG) and steering committee member for the Charadriiformes Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) for AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums.
Aimee was one of the primary authors for both the Shorebird Animal Care Manual and the Alcid Animal Care Manual that were developed by the TAG that is used as a primary resource for the care of all captive shorebirds and alcids. She also co-authored the chapter about shorebirds in the book “Hand-Rearing Birds,” second addition by Duerr and Gage. Aimee has experience working in rehabilitation with local shorebirds, most commonly with the federally threatened Western Snowy plover. She also went to South Africa and spent two weeks helping SANCCOB (South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) and helped rehabilitate the critically endangered African penguin.
Join us in person or via Zoom

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Outing
2025-01-11 06:30 - 16:30 | Kutras Park, 2400 Park Marina Dr., Redding, CA, 96001, United States
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is a national gem, well worth the short, 90 mile drive to Willows. Enormous numbers of waterfowl fill the sky and the impoundments in fall and winter. Snow, Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls are assured. Possibilities are White-faced Ibis, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilts and various raptors, including Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. We will begin the morning walking the two mile Wetland Walk Trail next to the visitor center, then drive the auto tour route, stopping at the observation platform for lunch. We will provide 2-way radios to report sightings to all vehicles along the way. Meet your leader Larry Jordan at 6:30 am sharp at Kutras Park on Park Marina Drive to carpool or at the visitor center at 7:45 am, and bring a lunch for this full-day trip. Fees to enter the refuge are $6 per car for the day. Most carpool drivers have senior lifetime passes and can enter for no additional fee. For more information email webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

Habitat Quality and Selection for Breeding Swainson's Hawks in the Butte Valley
2025-01-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Photo – Lizzi Holding a Gyrfalcon Chick
Elizabeth “Lizzi” Meisman grew up in rural Colorado and moved to Northern California more than a dozen years ago to attend Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) where she completed a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation Biology in 2016. She is also currently an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Dr. Matt Johnson’s Habitat Ecology Lab at Cal Poly Humboldt continuing one of the longest running raptor projects in North America, the Butte Valley Swainson’s Hawk project. Lizzi also works as a wildlife biologist for Dudek, an employee-owned environmental consulting firm. She is highly engaged in the local community, dedicating her efforts to mentoring students and early-career scientists. Additionally, she contributes to long-term monitoring initiatives through various activities, including bird banding, participation in community science survey efforts, and leading birding field trips.
Join us for a fascinating lecture by Elizabeth “Lizzi” Meisman, who will present preliminary findings from her Master’s research on habitat quality and selection for breeding Swainson’s Hawks in the Butte Valley. Discover insights gained from monitoring efforts and learn about the broader research initiatives connected to our long-term project. The Butte Valley is home to a rich diversity of breeding and wintering raptors, and Lizzi will also highlight key findings related to other breeding raptor species in the study area. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the ecology of these remarkable birds!
Shasta Birding Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Habitat quality and selection for breeding Swainson’s Hawks in the Butte Valley
Time: Jan 8, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 847 8222 9625
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Shingletown Christmas Bird Count
2024-12-17 | Shingletown CBC, ShingletownCBC@gmail.com, CA, 96088, United States
Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Join us for the largest bird-oriented citizen science project in the western hemisphere. The Christmas Bird Count is an annual event that has been tracking winter birds since Christmas Day of 1900. With over 2,600 counts across more than 20 countries in the Americas, there is bound to be a Christmas Bird Count near you.
Our circle covers the communities of Shingletown, Inwood, Manton, Paynes Creek, and the Black Butte area in Shasta and Tehama Counties in Northern California. We are situated in the California Cascades, in the foothills of the Lassen Volcanic Center.
Please contact us at ShingletownCBC@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us in the Shingletown area for this year’s count. All details, assignments, maps, and instructions can be discussed over email. We will be using eBird for data collection, but let me know if you require other arrangements. Please let me know if you would like to do any early/late owling.
Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count here

Fall River Christmas Bird Count
2024-12-14 | CA
This is our 42nd year for the Fall River Mills CBC! It will be on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Please let us know by email at boby@c-zone.net if you plan to attend, and include what section or area you prefer, and what team you want to bird with.
All counters and section leaders will know their assigned area prior to the count day as usual. Everyone should plan to use their own vehicle unless they make arrangements with their section leader or another team member. Count forms and section details will be emailed to everyone prior to count day. There will be no post count compilation gathering but all totals and details of the count will be emailed to everyone.

Some of My Favorite Bird Photos
2024-12-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join us for an evening of bird photography from your webmaster, Larry Jordan. Larry joined the Wintu Audubon Society as its webmaster back in May 2008. At the time he had been posting on his own blog, The Birders Report, for about a year, using photos from other photographers (with their permission, of course). Over the years he has created quite a collection of bird photos, several (such as the photo above) taken from the photo blinds available at the Colusa, Delevan, and Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges. Of course several of his photos are taken during our many outings throughout the year as well.
Shasta Birding Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Some of My Favorite Bird Photos
Time: Dec 11, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 817 2156 8249
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Churn Creek Open Space
2024-12-07 07:30 - 11:30 | Churn Creek Trail Parking Lot, JM64+V9C Redding, California, Redding, CA, United States
Let’s go birding! Whether you are a seasoned birder or are newly interested and curious about birds, our friendly group will guide you on an easy walk through one of Redding’s largest open spaces. The trails along Churn Creek feature gently rolling hills with oaks and pines, open grasslands, and a lush creekside along the length of the area.
Meet at the Parking Lot at 7:30 am. The parking lot is on the corner of Tidmore Ln. and Dakota Way, just south of College View Dr. The path is gravel and dirt. There are 2 loops to the trail, both about 1.5 miles, for a total of about 3 miles. We encourage everyone to go the distance with us, but you are, of course, free to cut out when you need to. Please dress in Iayers, and bring sun protection, water, and a light snack for yourself. The closest bathrooms at Lema Ranch or the Student Marketplace on College View Dr.
GoogleMaps link: Churn Creek Trail Parking

Turtle Bay Bird Blind Work Day
2024-12-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Turtle Bay Monolith, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA, 96001, United States
Dear members and friends, here’s your chance to participate with us in a careful, thorough blackberry removal workday at the bird blind on the Bird Sanctuary Trail at Turtle Bay, Sunday afternoon, December 1st, from 1-4pm.
We will be cutting back vines and digging out blackberry crowns while leaving native plants in place. Bring your own gloves and shovels, and a wagon or cart if you have one available.
We will be meeting at the Monolith parking lot and taking the dirt path to the blind. Please call Education Chair Stephanie at 530-782 8070 if you have any questions.
Hope to see you there!
Thank you for helping to allow birds and the other riparian life to prosper at Turtle Bay!
Your Shasta Birding Society Team

Birding and Tracking Field Trip
2024-12-01 08:00 - 12:00 | Churn Creek Trail Parking Lot, JM64+V9C Redding, California, Redding, CA, United States
Sunday December 1st, 2024
8:00 am – Noonish
Come join us for something a little different on Sunday. The Sacramento-Shasta Chapter of The Wildlife Society and The Shasta Birding Society are hosting a collaborative field trip at Kum Bay Xerel along the Sacramento River in South Redding. With the help of expert wildlife trackers, you can learn how to search for, and identify, tracks and sign found in nature. We will also be birding along the way as usual. Anyone interested in birds or learning about wildlife tracks is welcome.
The Sac-Shasta Chapter of TWS is a chapter of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society, and is comprised of over 300 active members throughout 23 counties in the Sacramento Valley and the interior mountainous region of Northern California. Founded in 1937, the Wildlife Society’s mission is “To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation.” The Wildlife Society enhances their members’ networking and learning opportunities, professional and career development, and provides numerous ways for them to get more involved in creating a better future for wildlife and their habitats. Nationwide, its members include nearly 10,000 wildlife managers, biologists, ecologists, and students.
Learn more about the Sac-Shasta Chapter of TWS here
Meet at the Parking Lot at 8:00 am. The parking lot is on Riverland Drive, about ½ mile south of Knighton Road off of I-5 exit #673, in South Redding. The first ¾ mile of the trail is paved and is great for birding along the river bank. There is an additional mile of dirt trails on adjacent BLM land where we will do most of the tracking. Expect wintering waterfowl on the water and many songbird species along the lush wooded riparian corridor, as well as raptors, including eagles, soaring overhead. Bathrooms are available in the parking lot.GoogleMaps link: Kum Bay Xerel

Coleman Fish Hatchery/Battle Creek Wildlife Area Walk
2024-11-30 08:30 - 12:00 | Coleman National Fish Hatchery, 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd, Anderson, CA, 96007, United States
Location of where we will meet: Parking area at 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd, Anderson, CA 96007 – Drop Pin Coleman Fish Hatchery
Walking distance total estimated at 2.5-3 miles (4-5 km)
We will walk through sections of the fish hatchery and exit at the west gate to enter Battle Creek Salmon Trail. This 1.4-mile path will provide great access around ponds and views along Battle Creek with exceptional sections of riparian habitat.
We will quickly enter Battle Creek Wildlife Area where we will join the Oaktree Trail for an additional 1.2-mile walk through large tracts of oaks, willows, and many other native and non-native plants and trees. Under ideal conditions, we should see many waterbirds, raptors, and passerines within this 582-acre area of exploration.
One vehicle will be staged at parking area of Battle Creek Wildlife Area, and drivers will be shuttled back to Coleman Fish Hatchery parking lot and pick up others at the end of our walk.
We will reschedule if rained out.
Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me by danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

Fall River Lake/McArthur Swamp
2024-11-16 07:30 - 16:30 | Fall River Veteran’s, 24843 Long St, Fall River Mills, California, 96028, United States
Locations of where we will meet: Carpooling from Redding, at Kutras Pond Parking Area should meet, then depart at 7:30am. We will make one stop, 8:45am in Burney, at Safeway parking area for others coming from other locations. Here we might be able to carpool once more before we reach Fall River Mills.
Walking distance estimated at 1 – 1.5 miles (1.6 – 2.4 km), Driving (birding) distance 6 – 10 miles (9.7 -16.1 km)
No fee event.
Fall River Lake is great for Water Birds, High Desert Species, and an occasional Raptor. Start from the west end of town (Fall River Mills) we will start birding immediately from the outflow end of the lake’s dam. The method of touring this section is generally done by stopping at each parking area or pullout along the west edge of Fall River Lake.
McArthur Swamp will begin with a 3-mile drive of Rat Farm Rd. This path is great for many Raptor and High Desert Species. At the end of the road, we will arrive at Horr Pond boat launch. From here we will survey the west side of our second lake for Water Birds. Take lunch. Our final stage of McArthur Swamp will begin with a 3.5-mile of McArthur Swamp Rd. This path is great for Diving and Wading Birds along the canal that follows along the right side. At the end of the road, we will arrive at the swamp where we will survey the east side of the pond area.
Recommend that you bring plenty of water, lunch, and snacks.
Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me by danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

Clover Creek Preserve Walk
2024-11-15 07:30 - 08:30 | Clover Creek Preserve, 3705 Shasta View Drive, Redding, CA, 96002, United States
What birds of prey will surprise us at Clover Creek Preserve? Merlin or American Kestrel? Red-tailed or Red-shouldered Hawk? Northern Harrier or White-tailed Kite? Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawk? Join us at the preserve on Saturday, November 11, at 7:30 am to find out which birds of prey will appear in the area. Clover Creek Preserve is a 128-acre open space in east Redding that features grasslands, blue oaks, and a 6.7 acre lake. Meet at the preserve, 3705 Shasta View Drive, at the main parking lot. We will spend about three hours walking about two miles on a paved trail. There is a port-a-potty located in the parking lot and a full restroom at the nearby Shasta Trinity Fly Fishers Club.
Contact trip leader Tricia Ford at triciathebirdnerd@gmail.com for more information.

Proactively Manage Pests Based on Predator-Prey Ecology
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Katherine Larson is a wildlife biologist with the Redding Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where she helps to make informed land management decisions that benefit birds. She hopes to grow in this position by coordinating with avian biologists along birds’ entire flyways and life cycles, and by incorporating citizen science and outdoor education on BLM land. Prior to this position, Katherine studied wildlife biology at Humboldt State University after transferring from University of Colorado where she played NCAA softball, rock climbed and was a white-water raft guide. When not thinking about birds, Katherine can be found backpacking in the Trinity Alps, cooking and baking, or hanging out with Buddhist monks.
Research Abstract:
Ecological theory predicts that raptors exert top-down effects on their prey by direct consumption, indirectly by imposing risk of predation, or a combination of both. However, empirical evidence for these effects is mixed and inconsistent. Understanding relationships between raptors and their prey is especially important where raptors may contribute to the control of agricultural pests. Earlier work shows promise that barn owls may control rodent pests, but empirical evidence is limited and the distinction between direct and indirect effects remains unresolved. Here, we investigate the top-down effects of barn owls on rodent pests in winegrape vineyards in Napa Valley, California. We monitored barn owl occupancy, reproductive status, and fledgling success in over 300 nest boxes in 2023. We used this to create a spatially and temporally explicit barn owl hunting pressure model from hunting locations and from prey delivery rates that vary as nestlings develop. The hunting pressure layers were used to examine the direct effect of barn owls on rodent abundance (measured with chew blocks), and the indirect effect of barn owls on rodent perceived predation risk and activity (measured with giving-up density trays and game cameras respectively). We found that barn owls exert both direct and indirect effects on rodent pests and that dense vegetation favors the acoustically attuned barn owls over the visually-oriented rodent pests. We contribute to growing evidence that barn owls can be used as biological control in agricultural systems, and we show that growers can manipulate vegetation to enhance the effect of barn owls and to induce more fear in rodents.
Shasta Birding Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Proactively Manage Pests Based On Predator-Prey Ecology
Time: Nov 13, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 880 0433 8851
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Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
2024-11-09 06:30 - 15:30 | Gray Lodge Widlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley, CA, 95948, United States
Gray Lodge’s diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a haven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, the approximately 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals. Meet at the Kutras Park parking lot at 6:30am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30am. Bring a lunch and water as this is an all day event. It is not unusual to see over 50 species of birds at this location and is the only place I know to commonly find all three “Teals”. We will traverse the walking trail around the ponds, to the viewing platform and back to the parking lot. Following lunch we will drive the auto tour loop. Questions? Contact Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org
Gray Lodge Public Access Map
A CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. They are also available in the parking area at Gray Lodge for $4.50. Here is a link to the bird list: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=88006&inline

Lema Ranch Bird Walk
2024-11-02 07:30 - 11:30 | Lema Ranch North Parking Lot, 610 Armando Ave, Redding, 96003, United States
Join Shasta Birding Society for a bird walk around Lema Ranch on Saturday, November 2nd at 7:30 am. We will be birding the oak woodlands and ponds at the Ranch on fairly level paved paths. We will bird Leah’s loop beginning at the main parking lot. This two mile paved trail overlooks Secluded Pond and Hidden Pond. The trail offers excellent views of Lema Pond, the largest pond on the site, and Leah’s Pond. We expect some late summer birds as well as migrants and a variety of waterfowl. Park and meet your leader, Larry Jordan at Lema Ranch main parking lot at 610 Armando Avenue off Hemingway Street. Questions? webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

Clear Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
2024-10-26 07:30 - 12:00 | Clear Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2200 Metz Road, Anderson, CA, 96007, United States
We are again scheduling a visit to the ponds targeting waterfowl, shorebirds and migrating warblers. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 7:30 am sharp to meet your leader, Dan Bye. This is a 1/2-day trip that may end in the early afternoon if the birding is good. Directions to the Clear Creek Plant: Take Hwy 273 south, after crossing Clear Creek and past the Win-River Casino, take the second left turn at River Ranch Road and cross over the railroad tracks. Turn left on Eastside Rd. Entrance is at 2200 Metz Road on the right. Questions? danbye56@gmail.com

Return of the Salmon Festival
2024-10-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Coleman National Fish Hatchery, 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd, Anderson, CA, 96007, United States
Join us as we celebrate the annual Return of the Salmon Festival at Coleman National Fish Hatchery, 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd. in Anderson. This family-friendly event is free to the public and will have over 50 booths with information and activities. View salmon spawning operations, a salmon aquarium, natural resource information booths and much more. Shasta Birding Society will be there with a booth, handing out information on birds and the chapter and engaging families with hands-on activities. For more info call 530-365-8622 or contact Laura Mahoney at laura.mahoney@fws.gov
If you can spare a couple hours to help staff our booth, please contact Education Chair Stephanie Hughes – shughes123@gmail.com

Paynes Creek Wetlands Bilingual Bird Walk
2024-10-12 08:00 - 11:00 | Bass Pond Parking Lot, 22459 Bend Ferry Rd., Red Bluff, 96080, United States
Leaders: Jared Geiser, Rebeca Ladron de Guevara, Oscar Rodriguez, David Garza

AltaCal is partnering with BLM biologists, and the Shasta Birding Society to offer a bilingual birding trip around the Paynes Creek Wetland Area. This is a beginner friendly trip suitable for anyone interested in birds and exploring this unique and beautiful wetland area near Paynes Creek in the BLM Sacramento River Bend area in Tehama County. We will observe the wetland ecosystems here discussing the birds and ecological interactions we see, in both Spanish and English. We will meet at the Bass Pond Parking Area on Bend Ferry Road at 8:00 am. Se habla Español! Llame (530) 965-1325 para inscribirse al paseo en Español. To register for this field trip, click on the Zeffy sign up link for this trip: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/eefa703d-0a63-4667-85fa-0b62e159ee9e

Turtle Bay Bird Sanctuary Walk
2024-10-05 07:30 - 10:30 | Turtle Bay Monolith, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA, 96001, United States
Join your trip leader, Larry Jordan, for a morning walk through Turtle Bay Bird Sanctuary. Meet at the parking lot south of the Monolith at 7:30 am. We will explore the ponds along Highway 44, followed by the forested areas in the Bird Sanctuary and along the Sacramento River, searching for early migrants and waterfowl. Contact Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety for more information.

Red Bluff Recreation Area, US-MNF
2024-09-28 07:30 - 11:30 | Red Bluff Recreation Area, 1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, CA, 96080, United States
Location of where we will meet: 1000 Sale Lane, Red Bluff, CA. at the upper-level parking lot. South end of Sale Lane next to the Sacramento River Discovery Center.
Walking distance estimated at 2-2.5 miles (3-4 km)
Please join us on a journey with many trails at this very diverse public land with no fees. Sacramento River bisects 488 acres, at this Recreation Area of riparian forest, flowering grasslands, wetlands, and oak woodlands providing very diverse natural viewing experiences. This location is Tehama Region’s number one eBird’s hotspot. Ideal spot for migratory species in the fall and spring seasons. Also, a great home for many varieties of Sparrows, Warblers, Wrens, Woodpeckers, Waterfowl, and Wading Birds. Both the Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California and Spotted Towhee, House and Bewick’s Wren, Yellow-billed Magpies and Phainopeplas are often found here year-round.
Recommend that you bring comfortable rugged footwear, plenty of water, snacks, and insect repellant.

Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me by danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

Sacramento River Trail
2024-09-21 07:30 - 11:30 | Keswick Dam Trailhead, JH62+2P Redding, California, Redding, CA, 96003, United States
Come out to bird with us along the Sacramento River Trail in Redding! This will be along a 3.5-mile stretch of the upper Sacramento River between Lake Redding (Diestelhorst Bridge) and Keswick Dam. The trail begins at the center of town, making its way through shaded residential areas, and eventually through the wilder, rocky canyon below the dam. Along the way, we will encounter many types of birds singing their morning chorus in the dappled shade of mature river oaks. As the day warms up, surprises await us on the water, and in the open sky above. Water birds keep cool in the rushing river, waders lurk in the shadows, predators keep watch overhead, and many small wonders flit between leaf and branch.
This is intended to be a one-way walk, so we will shuttle 2 parties of vehicles between both ends of the trail. However, you are welcome to walk (or bike!) the whole way back to the beginning on the opposite side of the river, or turn back at any point.
Meet at the Keswick Dam Trailhead at 7:30 am. The parking lot is on the North side of Keswick Dam Road, about ¼ mile West of Keswick Dam. The entire trail is flat, paved, bike-friendly, and wheelchair accessible. There are bathrooms at both ends of the trail and another in the middle.
GoogleMaps link: Keswick Dam Trailhead

John Reginato River Access Trail
2024-09-14 07:30 - 10:00 | John Reginato River Access, 3855 South Bonnyview Road, Redding, CA, 96001, United States
Join us for a walk in the shade of the big oaks along this Sacramento River trail. This is a great place to see a large variety of the year round resident birds like wrens and towhees in the dense, shrubby vegetation, various woodpeckers in the oaks, and birds of prey on the open river – eagles, osprey, and if we’re lucky, maybe a Peregrine Falcon. This time of year we expect migrating warblers as well.
Meet at 7:30 am Saturday morning, September 14th, at the canoe, kayak and raft launch at the John Reginato River Access at 3810 South Bonnyview Road. This area is also known as the South Bonnyview boat ramp. We will spend about two hours walking less than two miles on a rocky path with river cobblestones. Hiking boots are recommended. There is a port-a-potty at the boat ramp.
Contact trip leader Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org for more information.

Cavity Nesting Birds and Nestbox Monitoring
2024-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Larry Jordan has been enthralled with birds since he spotted a Burrowing Owl in his Oak Run driveway on the way home one evening over 30 years ago. He didn’t know what the bird was so he bought his first field guide and opened up a whole new world of wonder. Since that evening he has been involved in several endeavors to protect birds and advance the joy of birding. He started his own birding blog in 2007 and also posted to the well known 10000 Birds blog. Larry joined Wintu Audubon Society, became the webmaster for the organization, and began photographing birds in 2008. There are 85 species of cavity-nesting birds in North America (excluding Mexico) and 72 of them occur in the western United States. So, please join our webmaster as he discusses the joys of monitoring cavity nesting birds. He will discuss nest box design and highlight some of his favorite cavity nesting bird photos and videos from the last fifteen years.
Shasta Birding Society is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Cavity Nesting Birds and Nestbox Monitoring
Time: Sep 11, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84112964959
Meeting ID: 841 1296 4959
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Biodiversity Day StoryWalk at William B. Ide Adobe SHP
2024-09-07 10:00 - 13:00 | William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, 21659 Adobe Road, Red Bluff, CA, 96080, United States
Come celebrate Biodiversity Day at William B. Ide Adobe SHP. Learn to use iNaturalist and eBird to identify the nature you see in the park. Join us along the water on the Cottonwood Trail at 12 pm for a guided nature walk where you’ll discover diverse native species unique to this part of California. Learn about the birds you might see in the park with the help of the Shasta Birding Society. Learn about California’s diverse species and meet live animals with Shasta Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. Get creative and sculpt animals out of clay. Enjoy the StoryWalk® featuring Because of an Acorn by Adam Schaefer and Lola M Schaefer. As a bonus, we will be giving away native fiddleneck seeds and puppet bags provided by First 5 Tehama. The event and parking are free.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
California State Parks supports equal access. Before arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact Parks Staff at 530-529-8599.
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/518406080581723/
iNaturalist Bioblitz: California Biodiversity Day 2024-William B. Ide Adobe SHP · iNaturalist

Anderson River Park Bird Walk
2024-09-07 07:30 - 12:00 | Anderson River Park, 2800 Rupert Road, Anderson, CA, 96007, United States
Location of where we will meet: Parking area southeast of Kiddyland to the far right near the picnic area.
Walking distance estimated at 2.5-3 miles (4-5 km)
Welcome back to Shasta Birding Society’s 2024-25 Season and active calendar of events. Grab your favorite optics and come join us for this no fee event.
This first Saturday in September we are kicking off the season with a bird walk of Anderson River Park. This 440-acre recreational facilities managed by the City of Anderson has a vast network of trails and diverse riparian habitat. On trail conditions you should expect fairly level areas for walking variation of paved, dirt, and gravel surfaces. At times we might be sharing the trail with runners, bicyclists, pet walkers, and in specific areas horseback riders.
All these trails will offer scenery of the Sacramento River, various ponds, open fields, and heavily wooded areas of natural flora with a mix of evasive plant species as well.
It is recommend that you bring comfortable footwear, plenty of water, snacks, and insect repellant.
Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me by danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Lost Creek Group Campground
2024-07-19 12:00 - 2024-07-21 12:00 | Lassen Volcanic National Park, 39477 Lassen National Park Hwy, Shingletown, CA, 96088, United States
AltaCal Audubon will be camping and birding in Lassen VNP with the Shasta Birding Society, and other
Audubon chapters. Lost Creek Group Campsite #5 has been reserved for the nights of Friday, July 19,
and Saturday, July 20. Campers can arrive at the campsite on Friday after the 1pm check-in and check-
out by noon on Sunday, July 21. Species likely to see or hear, include Osprey, Pileated Woodpecker,
White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Vaux’s Swift, Common
Nighthawk, Bufflehead, Canada Jay, Brown Creeper, American Dipper, Yellow Warbler, Western Tanager
and Cassin’s Finch, plus more. We will bird Manzanita Lake, Hat Creek, Summit Peak, and Kings Creek
areas and the rest of the itinerary is open and will depend on the interests of the participants. Lost
Creek Group Campground has primitive facilities, pit toilets, and potable water is available. Group size is
limited. If you would like to join us, contact Karen Smith, birds4ks@gmail.com to sign up and for more
details.

Shasta Birding Society Picnic
2024-06-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Camden House, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Trinity Mountain Road and hwy 299, CA, 96033, United States
Join us for our traditional end of the season picnic at the Camden House in the Tower House Historic District at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, June 12th. It is located on the south side of Highway 299 West just west of the turnoff to French Gulch. Bring your own brown bag dinner and we will eat by the creek and then go birding on the Camden Water Ditch Trail. This is a one-mile dirt trail that loops around the historic Camden House, Tenant Farm House, barn and outbuildings. Hiking boots are recommended. We hope to see Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Lazuli Buntings, Bullock’s Orioles, Western Tanagers, and maybe an American Dipper. An entrance pass is required to use the area and can be purchased online at Your Pass Now. Senior, Access, Military and the Interagency Annual Pass can also be used. Contact trip leader Tricia Ford at triciathebirdnerd@gmail.com for more information.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and Baum Lake Field Trip
2024-06-01 08:30 - 15:00 | McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park, 24898 Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Burney, CA, 96013, United States
Our annual McArthur-Burney Falls field trip for this year will be limited due to closures of the park’s Falls Loop Trail. For this reason, we will start our day at the Falls followed by a quick trip to Baum Lake which also includes a small section of Crystal Lake. Our goals for this full day event are as follows:
At McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP, we will venture north on the Rim Trail overseeing the views across and down Burney Falls canyon along the backside east of Rim Campground. Our target species on this morning walk includes Black Swifts, Osprey, Pileated, Hairy, and White-headed Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, many Warblers, and Flycatchers. At Baum Lake we will hike the small trail on the west shore that travels northbound. Midway is an intersection at the north shore of Crystal Lake another short trail that travels westbound. What does this all mean? This is our best attempt to locate nesting Purple Martin, and search Passerines in variations Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, and Oriole, as well Waterbirds like Egret, Heron, Goose and Duck Species.
We will meet at Safeway in Burney at 8:30 sharp and depart immediately together to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Please contact Dan Bye by email: danbye56@gmail.com with any questions or if you need other contact information.

Grace and Nora Lakes
2024-05-25 05:30 - 12:00 | Kutras Park, 2400 Park Marina Dr., Redding, CA, 96001, United States
Join trip leader David Garza for a half day trip to two under-visited locations located a short 1.5-mile drive south of Shingletown. Grace and Nora Lakes are owned and managed by PG&E and access is allowed for recreational use. The water levels are low lately, but we anticipate some waterfowl, forest passerines and woodpeckers around the lakes in the immediate vicinity. The terrain is flat and the hiking is easy. Meet at the gravel parking lot on the west side of Park Marina Drive/Kutras Lake at 5:30 am to carpool/caravan or meet at Grace Lake at 6:30am. You can reach Grace Lake by taking Wilson Hill Road south from Shingletown for approximately 0.9 miles, then turning east on Manton-Ponderosa Way (gravel surfaced) for 2/3 of a mile to Grace Lake. We will hike to Nora Lake and environs from there. The terrain is flat and the hike is easy.
