Just north of Sutter Buttes, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is a 9100 acre winter home for over a million waterfowl, numerous raptors, and a rich variety of riparian woodland birds. A leisurely walk through the sloughs always leads to beautiful views and a rich variety of birdlife. A longer car route is an extended option for those interested; last year we found a Loggerhead Shrike out there. The drive to the refuge often yields swans and sandhill cranes. Bring a sack lunch, dress for the weather, and come enjoy! A CDFW Lands Pass (available on site) or a California hunting or fishing license is required at this CA Fish & Wildlife site. Meet at Kutras Park at 7:30 to carpool, or at Parking Lot 14 at Gray Lodge at 9:45 (or so, if we’re delayed by birds in some of the flooded fields en route).
Tag Archives | birds
Local Weekday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch
Lema Ranch offers a variety of habitats, from ponds to open fields, to woodlands attracting many species of birds. In February, the winter ducks (sometimes including the exquisite Hooded Merganser) and winter sparrows will still be lingering and the earliest spring migrants may have begun to appear, such as Tree Swallow. A specialty of the park is Common Gallinule. Larry Jordan’s bluebird trail produces (sometimes numerous) Western Bluebirds. Various raptor species are possible such as American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk and Merlin. Please join trip leader Sally NeSmith in the parking lot reached from Shasta View to Hemingway at 8:00 am for an interesting mid-week bird walk.
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Mary Lake
Mary Lake is a delightful neighborhood lake in West Redding. Meet trip leader Sally NeSmith (831-535-2888) at trail head on Lakeside Drive (right past Ridge Drive). Waterfowl are always present, with raptors, herons, egrets, and early migrants. Part of the walk was burned during the Carr Fire, so it will be interesting to see which birds are around now.
Family/Beginner Bird Walk at Turtle Bay
We invite beginners of all ages to our introductory walks on the first Saturday of each month. The walks begin at 9am and meet in the parking lot near the Monolith structure at the end of the Sheraton Hotel. Binoculars and field guides will be available to loan. Call Terri Lhuillier, 515-3504, for more information.
Second Saturday Bird Walk on the Sacramento River Trail
While we have hosted many walks along the River Trail in the Turtle Bay area, this walk will encompass the northern section of the river trail. This will be an opportunity to observe the recovery of the riverine habitat that was burned during the 2018 Carr Fire and observe our winter bird population along this changed habitat. This area is also the area that Wintu Audubon has put up nesting boxes to support cavity nesting birds whose nesting sites were damaged during the fire. Depending on the group, the desire, and the weather, this walk can be up to a four mile loop. It is a great opportunity to see a beautiful resource for our community, and the wildlife that use it. Meet John Winchell at the parking lot at the South end of Diestelhorst Bridge at 8am for this walk along the River Trail.