Tag Archives | Buckhorn Recreation Area

Newville Ponds – Buckhorn Campground at Black Butte Lake Recreation Area

We will meet at the parking lot for Newville Ponds which is located on Newville Road west of Stoney Creek bridge. Map location at; https://goo.gl/maps/C78SVShicsrhr2QR7
These two unique locations that are part of the US Army’s Corp of Engineers, Black Butte Recreation Area. This recreation area is a great spot for migratory and residential birds, and in particular a good variety of waterbirds.

Newville Ponds, located north of the lake, are fed water through Black Butte Lake’s dam system that regulates lake levels and flow of Stoney Creek. This time of year, the dam releases are controlled for flood conditions. With our recent wet weather, several acres of developed wetlands should have formed making this area ideal for many varieties of waterbirds.

Buckhorn Campground, primary access of Black Butte Lake’s western shoreline, is heavily forested with blue oak habitat for several acres where many woodpecker and song bird species should be found nesting. The beach and lake areas are often filled with Gull, Grebe, and Shorebird species. Occasionally, we find Rock Wren and Swallows along the boat launch and draws to the south parking lot.

Entrance fees are $10.00 per vehicle, but federal annual and lifetime passes are honored at this Recreation Area. We always recommend carpooling. I will be leaving early from Red Bluff and if there is 1-2 people that would like to meet me for a ride from my location, please contact me by email at least two days before trip. danbye56@gmail.com

We recommend that you bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Newville Ponds should be minimal walking which depends on water levels and accessibility. The best way to view Buckhorn Campground is walking through the many paths along campsites and woodland areas, so bring appropriate footwear. Birders from Redding will carpool from Kutras Park at 6:30am sharp.

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Black Butte Lake, Buckhorn Recreation Area

Come join us to explore Black Butte Lake’s north shore, covered with oak woodland, to search for woodpeckers, grebes, waterfowl, wrens, and occasional birds-of-prey. There have been some very recent sightings of Bonaparte’s Gull at this third largest eBird Hotspot in Tehama County. This is a fee area at $10 per vehicle, and there is no fee if are carrying your ‘America the Beautiful’ lands pass series card. Meet at the Kutras parking lot at 6:45 to carpool or at the restroom facility at the Buckhorn Recreation Area’s Boat Ramp parking lot at 8:00 am. Just follow the sign for ‘Boat Ramp’ when you enter the gate. Contact trip leader Dan Bye by text or phone 530 228 9373 or email danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

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Black Butte Lake Field Trip

Black Butte Lake’s Buckhorn and Burris Creek locations are within US Army Corp of Engineers managed lands which is a fee area. Day fee is currently $5, and anyone with a Senior Lifetime Pass is covered and fee free. Meet trip leader Dan Bye at the Buckhorn Boat Launch parking lot at the south end of Buckhorn Road near the restrooms. We should be able to cover both areas by noon so bring a lunch. Plenty of water is recommended! Meet at Kutras Park parking lot at 6:45 sharp to carpool.
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