Navigation

Tag Archives | American Bittern

Fall River Lake/McArthur Swamp

By on December 1, 2025 in

No fee event. We will all meet at Safeway parking area in Burney at 8:30am. Here we might be able to carpool before we reach Fall River Mills.
Walking distance estimated at 1-1.5 miles (1.6-2.4 km), Driving distance (while birding) 6-10 miles (9.7-16.1 km). Our first destination to visit is Fall River Lake which is great for Water Birds and an occasional Raptor. As we approach the town of Fall River Mills, we will turn left on Long St. and head north to the end of the road at a boat launch and picnic area. We will bird from here then slowly head back towards town making stops at each pullout to make observations along the way back to the dam. We will make additional stops below the dam with one final stop at the south end of Long St. to see which species are available at the Bridge St. bridge. Done at Fall River Mills, we will now head out for McArthur. In McArthur, we will be turning north at Main St. then turn northeast on Rat Farm Rd. We will caravan on Rat Farm making our observations where we should see many raptors as we travel. This road will end at Big Lake Boat Ramp where we will certainly see more water birds. To complete our field trip, we will return back to Main St, and drive northwest on McArthur Swamp Rd continuing our caravan looking for what we can find along the ditch up to the end of the road, where we will reach the Tule River. Then we are done.
We will postpone and possibly reschedule if severe weather is forecasted. Please check our calendar or contact Trip Leader if you have questions. Our calendar is available at: https://shastabirdingsociety.org/calendar/
Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me at danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

By on November 13, 2025 in

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 6:30 am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30 am. 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