Tag Archives | birds

McConnell Foundation Trails and Habitat Management

Sara Brady will describe the habitat management of The McConnell Foundation’s Lema Ranch and Churn Creek Open Space. The grasslands surrounding the trails are rotationally grazed by cattle each spring to facilitate the growth of native grasses, prevent grassland fires, and reduce the amount of fuel and herbicides used to maintain the land. The cattle are stocked at a high density and moved often to mimic the habits of the tule elk that once co-existed with native grassland species in this region. Purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra), big squirreltail (Elymus multisetus), and blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus) are a few of the native perennial grass species that can be spotted on the two properties. In the fall and winter, interns from Shasta College have been helping the McConnell crew restore waterfowl habitat on Ross Ranch (a future open space property). The restoration process is ongoing so please come prepared to share your experiences. Come visit us out on the trails or contact Sarah Brady at 530-356-9594 for more information.

Second Saturday Bird Walk at John Reginato River Access Trail

This trail leaves the parking lot of the John Reginato Boat Launch on the west side of the Sacramento River off South Bonnyview Road. Good views of the Sacramento River are afforded on this short trail as it traverses a mixed riparian woodland. We should see a variety of winter resident passerines and waterfowl and possibly a few late leaving summer residents. Assemble at the small parking area at the corner of Washington Ave. and Park Marina Drive for carpooling and last minute instructions. This ½-day walk is open to the public and all birding skill levels are welcome.

Discover Birding at Turtle Bay

Our youth/beginner bird walks are conducted on the first Saturday of the month throughout the year. Wintu Audubon can provide binoculars and field guides. Call Dan Greaney, 276-9693, with questions or for more information. Please remember that we assemble at the Venture Properties parking lot. Take the first left before the Redding Civic Auditorium.

Birds of the Svalbard Archipelago

Catherine and Bill Camp just returned from a trip to the High Arctic.  They will bring photos of the birds of the Svalbard Archipelago, Eastern Greenland and Iceland, as well as polar bears, walrus, whales and lots of ice!

Local Weekday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch

The Lema Ranch (home to the McConnell Foundation Headquarters) trails are paved, bathrooms are strategically located and offer various habitats: cattail-rimmed ponds, a large lake, open fields and oak woodlands. Past September trips have yielded some local specialties including Common Gallinule, Great-tailed Grackle, Lark Sparrow and Western Bluebird as well as resident waterfowl and songbirds. First of season in-migrators such as White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet are possible. One year we were privileged to see a variety of migrating warblers. Meet trip leader Linda Aldrich at 8:00 am in the parking lot off Hemmingway St., off Shasta View Drive for this ½-day outing.