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Raptors and Birds of Butte Valley

By on April 24, 2025 in

 

All day event with CalPoly Humboldt Graduate Student: Elizabeth (Lizzi) D. Meisman. This is a unique opportunity to observe actual field research in action.

Touring Butte Valley where numerous species of raptors nest. Using scope and binoculars to watch adults forage, and possibly spot juveniles and fledged birds that are learning skills. CalPoly Humboldt graduate student, Elizabeth Meisman, will share knowledge she is gaining with her project and studies of the Swainson’s Hawk in this unique agricultural setting. Meet at the USFS Goosnest Ranger station along Highway 97 at 9am. Please bring water, lunch/snack, sunscreen, hat, a scope if you have one, and hopefully binoculars. The trip will be from 9 am and could go until 3 pm. The end time may be sooner depending upon weather conditions and participants’ needs. Likely species include Swainson’s Hawks, Golden and Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, and many more! Meeting location: https://shorturl.at/nKDVH

Elizabeth Meisman is our trip leader for this exciting trip.

Directions: From Redding, take I-5 north 68 miles to exit 747 (hwy 97) toward Central Weed/Klamath Falls. Stay on hwy 97 for 36 miles to Gooseneck Ranger Station on your left.

Meet Co-Field Trip Leaders Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org and Daniel Bye at danbye56@gmail.com at Kutras Park parking lot at 2400 Park Marina Drive at 7am sharp to carpool.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

By on October 15, 2023 in

Gray Lodge’s diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a haven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, the approximately 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals. Meet at the Kutras Park parking lot at 6:30am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30am. Bring a lunch and water as this is an all day event. It is not unusual to see over 50 species of birds at this location and is the only place I know to commonly find all three “Teals”. We will traverse the walking trail around the ponds, to the viewing platform and back to the parking lot. Following lunch we will drive the auto tour loop.

Gray Lodge Public Access Map

A CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. They are also available in the parking area at Gray Lodge for $4.50. Here is a link to the bird list: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=88006&inline

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