We are again scheduling a visit to the ponds targeting wintering waterfowl and very early migrating shorebirds. We hope that the winter rains will provide abundant open water and muddy shorelines for these species. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 8:00 am to meet your leader, David Pluth. This is a 1/2-day trip that may end in the early afternoon if the birding is good. Directions to the Clear Creek Plant: Take Hwy 273 and look for River Ranch Road after crossing Clear Creek. Cross over the Railroad tracks and turn left on Eastside Rd. Entrance is on Metz Road on the right.
Tag Archives | Second Saturday Bird Walk
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Cascade Community Park
Located at the end of Girvan Road east off Hwy 273, this small park borders the Sacramento River at the confluence of Olney Creek. The ½ mile paved trail has several dirt trails providing access to the river and the mouth of Olney Creek. Eighty winter resident species have been seen, including Hooded Merganser, Merlin, Fox Sparrow, Yellow-billed Magpie (they used to be abundant in a large Valley Oak in the NE corner of the park; a few survived the virus), plus the usual backyard species. Meet your leaders Jeannette and Harvey Carroll at the park at 8:00am for this ½-day walk.
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Shasta College
Meet our trip leaders Connie Word and Linda Aldrich, 223-5341 at Shasta College’s North Parking Lot at 8:00 am to join this ½-day exploration of the oak woodlands, open fields, and Stillwater Creek riparian areas. We’ll look for our local resident birds, early fall migrants, and summer hold-overs. Also, this is the perfect time to find vagrants who are doing their own exploring as they meander south. Our walks are open to the public.
Second Saturday Birdwalk at Lema Ranch
Lema Ranch offers various habitats: Cattail-rimmed ponds, a large lake, open fields and oak woodlands. These varied habitats provide good birding in all seasons. Expected to be seen are the Common Gallinule, Green Heron, Lark Sparrow and Western Bluebird. Meet trip leader Larry Jordan, at 8:00 am in the parking lot at Hemingway Road off of Shasta View. Questions: 949-5266.
Second Saturday Bird Walk at Battle Creek
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has restored riparian habitat and maintains trails along Battle Creek including connecting trails through a marsh to the Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Bald Eagles, other raptors, marsh dwellers (both Sora and Virginia Rails), and early summer resident passerines are usually seen or heard during this 1/2-day trip. Wear sturdy shoes. Trails are groomed but ground is uneven. Meet Steve Royce, kkona3@yahoo.com, at the parking lot at Battle Creek Wildlife Area, reached by taking Hwy I5 or Hwy 273 south to Anderson, turning off at the Outlet Mall and following the signs east to Coleman Fish Hatchery.