The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is a national gem, well worth the short, 90 mile drive to Willows. Enormous numbers of waterfowl fill the sky and the impoundments in fall and winter. Snow, Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls are assured. Possibilities are White-faced Ibis, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilts and various raptors, including Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. We will begin the morning walking the two mile Wetland Walk Trail next to the visitor center, then drive the auto tour route, stopping at the observation platform for lunch. We will provide 2-way radios to report sightings to all vehicles along the way. Meet your leader Larry Jordan at 6:30 am sharp at Kutras Park on Park Marina Drive to carpool or at the visitor center at 7:45 am, and bring a lunch for this full-day trip. Fees to enter the refuge are $6 per car for the day. Most carpool drivers have senior lifetime passes and can enter for no additional fee. For more information email webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

Northern Shoveler Pair

On Sunday January 28th we will tour the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Caravan leaves the parking lot at Kutras next to the park at 6:00 am or meet at the parking lot at the refuge at 7:30 am. We will have walkie talkies to hand out to each vehicle. If we are lucky, the new visitor center will be open by then, if not, portable restrooms are located in the parking lot and at the half-way point on the auto tour at the viewing platform. Bring a lunch and snacks to eat during the tour and at our pause at the platform. There is an entrance fee, dependent on your age and situation, see the link below for information. Most of the drivers have a permit already.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/sacramento-nwr-complex-passes-and-permits

Northern Pintail Drake

On Saturday January 21st we will tour the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Caravan leaves the parking lot at Kutras at 6:00 am or meet at the parking lot at the refuge at 7:30 am. We will have walkie talkies to hand out to each vehicle. Portable restrooms are located at the “closed for remodeling visitors center” and at the half-way point in the auto tour at the viewing platform. Bring snacks to eat during the tour and at our pause at the platform. There is an entrance fee, dependent on your age and situation, see the link below for information.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/sacramento-nwr-complex-passes-and-permits

*All participants, ages 5 and older, must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to the field trip. Participants must practice social distancing when outdoors on field trips and must wear masks and practice social distancing while indoors. Participation is not currently allowed for persons under the age of 5.