Newville Ponds – Buckhorn Campground at Black Butte Lake Recreation Area

By Larry Jordan on April 14, 2024 in

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.

Newville Ponds – Burris Creek at Black Butte Lake Recreation Area

By Larry Jordan on September 26, 2023 in

Cinnamon Teal Pair

We will meet at the parking lot for Newville Ponds which is located on Newville Road west of Stoney Creek bridge. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/C78SVShicsrhr2QR7 Why would you want to visit these two unique locations that are part of the US Army Corps of Engineer’s Black Butte Recreation Area? For the birds of course, and in particular, vast numbers of waterbirds. Newville Ponds, North of the lake, are fed water through Black Butte Lakes Dam system that regulates the flow of Stoney Creek. This time of year, the dam release can be large which allows water releases to spread out across several acres creating ideal habitat for many waterbirds of many varieties. Burris Creek, primary access of Black Butte Lake’s Southern Shoreline, begins to recede in the fall where the shore begins to widen at a very shallow section of the lake. This too becomes ideal for waterbirds. Burris Creek also has the added feature of large dense willow trees, flowering plants, and prime oak woodlands for those non-waterbird species. Entrance fees are $6.00, but federal annual and lifetime passes are honored at this Recreation Area. We always recommend carpooling and instruction regarding where to meet might be available on website. Daniel Bye will lead this Bird Walk, please bring insect repellant, lunch or snack and plenty of water, Burris Creek may require some walking and the ground conditions vary from wet to dry, so please be prepared.