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Llano Seco Unit – NWR

By on January 26, 2025 in

Sandhill Crane

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

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Wintu Audubon Fall River Valley Outing

By on October 19, 2019 in

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.

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Birds of the American West

By on February 28, 2019 in

Sandhill Crane

Norman Kikuchi MD This program features a glimpse into the lives of iconic birds of the Western United States drawn from a personal selection of photographs from birding hotspots in New Mexico, Oregon and California. Starting in world famous Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, we witness the unforgettable spectacle of immense flocks of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. Northwards to lesser known Cabin Lake, Oregon, the Cascade conifer forest interfaces with the Great Basin sagebrush. The dearth of freestanding water for many surrounding miles makes this the premier place to see and photograph Red Crossbills. Southwards to Lassen County, California, the Greater Sage Grouse perform their age old ritual dances on a traditional lek. We then travel on to the breeding birds of the High Sierras at Yuba Pass and adjacent Sierra Valley. Next we go to Clear Lake in Lake County, the largest freshwater lake in California, where both Western and Clarks Grebes exhibit their unique breeding behaviors. Lastly. we view the amazing hummingbirds at the UC Santa Cruz arboretum.

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Wintu Audubon Fall River Valley Outing

By on November 3, 2017 in

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 the Redding Convention Center 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.

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Llano Seco & Chico Wastewater Treatment Plant Outing

By on January 17, 2017 in

Sandhill Crane

Llano Seco has a couple of viewing platforms overlooking large impoundments and marshy islands. We should see a wide variety of dabbling ducks. Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, and geese are likely. Renovation and improvements to the Chico WWTP is complete and includes improved access to birders including a blind. We should again see a variety of dabbling ducks. Meet the leader, George Horn, at the South side of Kutras Park on Park Marina at 7:30 am to carpool. Bring a lunch for this full-day trip.