On Saturday January 17th we will tour the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Caravan leaves the parking lot at Kutras Park at 6:00 am or meet at the parking lot at the refuge at 7:30 am. We will begin with a wetland walk adjacent to the visitor center, followed by the six mile auto tour loop with a stop at the viewing platform for lunch.

We will have walkie talkies to hand out to each vehicle. The new visitor center will be open and restrooms are available. Bring a lunch and snacks to eat during the tour and at our pause at the platform. Contact Larry Jordan for more information at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org.

There is a $6 entrance fee, dependent on your age and situation, see the link below for information. Most of the drivers have a valid permit already. Here is the info on permits:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us#passes

No Fee Event
Meeting Location: The Monolith, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA 96001, USA
Estimated Time: 4 Hours
This Sanctuary is a very active hotspot between the fall to the spring great migrations. Many bird species transition or stay here through the winter months because of this area’s unique supplies of water and food, as well is the vast surrounding areas of limited public access. 
We will start our walk from the Monoith parking area for 1.5 miles on a paved trail. In this network of trails, we will travel through the heart of the Bird Sanctuary sharing for us great views of the surrounding river system, secluded ponds, and showcase a grand riparian habitat.
This half-day event should yield many varieties of waterbirds, woodpeckers, some raptors, and a variety of songbird species in this wonderful area of flora and fauna.
If You Have Questions: contact Dan Bye, by text/cell 530 228 9373, or email danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

We are again scheduling a visit to the ponds targeting waterfowl, shorebirds and migrating warblers. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 7:30 am sharp to meet your leader, Larry Jordan. This is a 1/2-day trip that may end in the early afternoon if the birding is good. Directions to the Clear Creek Plant: Take Hwy 273 south, after crossing Clear Creek and past the Win-River Casino, take the second left turn at River Ranch Road and cross over the railroad tracks. Turn left on Eastside Rd. Entrance is at 2200 Metz Road on the right. Questions? thelarryjordan@gmail.com

We are scheduling our first 2025 Saturday visit to the ponds targeting waterfowl, shorebirds and wintering passerines. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 8:00 am sharp to meet your leader, Larry Jordan. This is a 1/2-day trip that may end in the early afternoon if the birding is good. Directions to the Clear Creek Plant: Take Hwy 273 south, after crossing Clear Creek and past the Win-River Casino, take the second left turn at River Ranch Road and cross over the railroad tracks. Turn left on Eastside Rd. Entrance is at 2200 Metz Road on the right. Rain cancels. Questions contact webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

This 1,732-acre U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned property known as the Llano Seco Unit is a no fee area. The Llano Seco Unit offers wildlife viewing, a short walking trail and photographic opportunities for visitors. The 1-mile trail (1/2 mile out and back) departs from the Observation Deck at the Visitor Area located on 7-Mile Lane, just 15 minutes southwest of the city of Chico.  The trail takes you through the wetlands to an Observation Mound with a picnic table. From October – February you will find great viewing of sandhill cranes and waterfowl. There is very limited shade in this wetlands area, so we highly recommend proper head coverings and sunscreen. Also be prepared with insect repellant.
From Redding, Llano Seco Unit is a 90-minute driving south on I-5 to, to Orland turn east on SR-32, to Hamilton City turn south on SR-45, to Ord Ferry Road turn east and continue 5.2 miles, and turn south at 7-Mile Lane for 2.2 miles to your final destination. Here is a pin drop of the location: Llano_Seco_Unit_NWR_Location
If you have never visited Llano Seco before, I think you will be pleased with the access of two Observation Decks which are a half-a-mile apart, and the easy access trail that provides great views from the center of the upper Sacramento Valley.
Llano_Seco_NWR_Visitor_Guide