Join Education Chair Tricia Ford for a bird walk around Cascade Park on Thursday, November 10 at 9:00 am. This 27-acre park is located at the end of Girvan Road east of Highway 273 and borders the Sacramento River at the confluence of Olney Creek. The paved trail has several dirt paths, providing access to the river and the mouth of the creek. This will be the second in a series of eight walks, one per month from October through May, exploring bird watching in the parks and trails operated by the City of Redding. The theme of this walk will be the importance of mistletoe to birds of the oak woodland. The easy 1-mile walk will take about two hours. The park has restrooms and a drinking fountain. For more information, email triciathebirdnerd@gmail.com.
Tag Archives | Cascade Community Park
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Cascade Park
If this years walk is anything like last year, there will be lots of Western Bluebirds. The amount of waterfowl we see will depend a lot on the amount of water being released from the Shasta Dam, but we have seen Mallards, American Wigeon, Canada geese, Pied-billed Grebes and Wood Ducks if we are lucky. The old Cottonwood trees attract Northern Flicker and Acorn Woodpeckers. Spotted Towhee and California Towhee love the brush. California Quail frequent the park but are often hiding as many people walk their dogs in the park. Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets are typical visitors. Turkey Vultures are regular inhabitants and often roost in the taller trees at night. Robins are usually busy in the lawn areas if the berries are all gone.
After the park walk, birders are invited to inspect Carroll’s backyard bird feeders a few blocks away. White Breasted Nuthatches, Lesser Goldfinches and House Sparrows are guaranteed at Carroll’s place at 3111 Island Drive. Mallards are available there 12 months of the year. A cup of coffee or tea is available as well as bathroom facilities. Everyone is welcome.
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Cascade Community Park
Located at the end of Girvan Road east off Hwy 273, this small park borders the Sacramento River at the confluence of Olney Creek. The ½ mile paved trail has several dirt trails providing access to the river and the mouth of Olney Creek. Eighty winter resident species have been seen, including Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Fox Sparrow, Yellow-billed Magpie (they used to be abundant in a large Valley Oak in the NE corner of the park; a few survived the virus), plus the usual backyard species. Meet your leaders Jeannette and Harvey Carroll at the park at 8:00am for this ½-day walk.
Local Mid-Week Bird Walk at Cascade Park
Great Blue Heron Portrait
This small park in southeast Redding fronts on an oxbow slough of the Sacramento River and the confluence of Olney Creek. Abundant riparian vegetation and still water attract duck and wading birds and open fields provide a variety of habitats. A wide paved path circles the park. Meet our leader, Linda Aldrich, at the park. It is located at the end of Girvan Road. Look for Girvan Road on the left off Hwy. 273 north of the Clear Creek bridge.
Local Weekday Bird Walk at Cascade Park
This park at the confluence of Olney Creek and the Sacramento River packs a lot of habitat into a small area: riparian, open field and oak woodland. All of the local resident woodland species can be seen as well as both resident waterfowl and winter visitors – Northern Shovelers were seen last week, for example. Other wildlife are present including a beaver colony – we may see their dam and note the habitat it creates.
Meet leader Linda Aldrich at the Cascade Park parking lot at 8:00 am. Go south on Hwy 273 (from Redding), turn off at Girvan Rd and follow over the Olney Creek Rd. Use the same directions from Anderson but travel north on Hwy 273.