No fee event. We will all meet at Safeway parking area in Burney at 8:30am. Here we might be able to carpool before we reach Fall River Mills.
Walking distance estimated at 1-1.5 miles (1.6-2.4 km), Driving distance (while birding) 6-10 miles (9.7-16.1 km). Our first destination to visit is Fall River Lake which is great for Water Birds and an occasional Raptor. As we approach the town of Fall River Mills, we will turn left on Long St. and head north to the end of the road at a boat launch and picnic area. We will bird from here then slowly head back towards town making stops at each pullout to make observations along the way back to the dam. We will make additional stops below the dam with one final stop at the south end of Long St. to see which species are available at the Bridge St. bridge. Done at Fall River Mills, we will now head out for McArthur. In McArthur, we will be turning north at Main St. then turn northeast on Rat Farm Rd. We will caravan on Rat Farm making our observations where we should see many raptors as we travel. This road will end at Big Lake Boat Ramp where we will certainly see more water birds. To complete our field trip, we will return back to Main St, and drive northwest on McArthur Swamp Rd continuing our caravan looking for what we can find along the ditch up to the end of the road, where we will reach the Tule River. Then we are done.
We will postpone and possibly reschedule if severe weather is forecasted. Please check our calendar or contact Trip Leader if you have questions. Our calendar is available at: https://shastabirdingsociety.org/calendar/
Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me at danbye56@gmail.com for more information.
Join us for a 3.5-mile easy birding hike at the Iron Canyon trail on the Sacramento River Bend in northern Tehama County. The trail is on the Tuscan Formation, a vast and ancient volcanic flow that carried volcanic rocks and boulders from the Cascade Mountains down toward the northeastern part of the Central Valley. Due to the mixture of rocky grasslands, oak and juniper woodlands, and high canyon cliffs overlooking the Sacramento Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges, the landscape is home to a
fascinating array of birds. We may expect to see any or all of 4 falcon species: Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, and American Kestrel. Other species likely to be encountered are Lewis’s and Acorn Woodpecker, Western Meadowlark, Horned Lark, Rock Wren, American Pipit, Western or Mountain Bluebird, Bald or Golden Eagle. Stay a bit longer after the hike, and we will bird at Hog Lake for waterfowl, just a 2-minute drive up the road.
Meet at the Iron Canyon trailhead at 7:15 am. The hike is easy but due to the rocky terrain, please wear sturdy hiking shoes.
GoogleMaps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3DzLjyJu7vsPvj4x6
Directions from Red Bluff: From Highway 99, take Highway 36 East toward Susanville/Lassen Volcanic National Park. Continue for 5.2 miles until you reach the gravel parking lot on the left.
Always a high species number destination, the Valley is a great place to see wintering raptors, various waterbirds and Sandhill Cranes. Meet your leader Larry Jordan at Kutras Park at 7:30 sharp to carpool. Be ready for a full day with a lunch and water. Dress for changing weather. East-county participants can join the group at either the Park and Ride at the intersection of Hwy. 299 and 89 at 9 am or the Fall River Vista at 9:30 am. Rarities are possible! Contact Larry for more information at 949-5266.
