Tag Archives | waterfowl

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

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 6:30 am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30 am. 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. Questions? Contact Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

Gray Lodge Public Access Map

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

Clover Creek Preserve

What birds of prey will surprise us at Clover Creek Preserve? Merlin or American Kestrel? Red-tailed or Red-shouldered Hawk? Northern Harrier or White-tailed Kite? Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawk? Join us at the preserve on Saturday, November 15, at 7:30 am to find out how many other songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds we can find. Clover Creek Preserve is a 128-acre open space in east Redding that features grasslands, blue oaks, and a 6.7 acre lake. We will spend about an hour on a paved trail. Meet leader Larry Jordan at the preserve, 3705 Shasta View Drive, at the main parking lot.

Second Saturday Bird Walk

Always wanted to learn more about birds but not sure where to start? Join Shasta Birding Society for a family and beginner friendly bird walk at the benches by the Sundial bridge at 9 am to walk the Turtle Bay Sanctuary Trail and discover the hidden world of birds all around us! The trail is wheelchair accessible and benches are found throughout. The walk will last about an hour. Binoculars are provided. Join Rebeca Ladrón de Guevara as we take a leisurely one mile walk along the Turtle Bay Sanctuary Trail. This walk will begin at the south end of the Sundial Bridge and take us along the Sacramento River to view waterfowl, woodpeckers, raptors, sparrows, and more. One of the best attributes of this trail is that we cannot only enjoy the excellent views along the river, on the other side of the trail we will be able to find several species of songbirds. Raptors are common in the area, including the Bald Eagle and Osprey. Park in the Turtle Bay Parking Lot. Rain cancels.

Kum Bay Xerel

You are invited to join us at Kum Bay Xerel, in the Wintu language means “Shady Oak Village”. This open space with a wide paved trail provides great access to the Sacramento River south of Redding Ca.
To get there take the Knighton Road Exit (#673) from I-5, turn west on Knighton Road and make an immediate left (south) on the frontage road of Riverland Drive. Continue for about ½ mile and you will see a gate, parking lot, and restroom to the right side of the road. We all will meet at the trailhead at the south end of the parking lot.
On the trail, the first ¾ of a mile is paved with excellent ADA access and benches to rest. At the end of the pavement, there is an additional mile of dirt trails on adjacent BLM land.
Expect wintering waterfowl on the water and many songbird species along the lush wooded riparian corridor, as well as raptors, including eagles, soaring overhead.
Here is a drop-pin you can use for GPS directions to this event; Kum_Bay_Xerel
We are looking forward to seeing you there, weather permitting. Check our calendar page on our Shasta Birding Society website for updates.

Coleman Fish Hatchery/Battle Creek Wildlife Area Walk

Virginia Rail

Location of where we will meet: Parking area at 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd, Anderson, CA 96007 – Drop Pin Coleman Fish Hatchery 

Walking distance total estimated at 2-3 miles (3.5-5 km)

We will walk through sections of the fish hatchery and exit at the west gate to enter Battle Creek Salmon Trail. This 1.4-mile path will provide great access around ponds and views along Battle Creek with exceptional sections of riparian habitat.
We will quickly enter Battle Creek Wildlife Area where we will join the Oaktree Trail for an additional 1-mile walk through large tracts of oaks, willows, and many other native and non-native plants and trees. Under ideal conditions, we should see many waterbirds, raptors, and passerines within this 582-acre area of exploration.

One vehicle will be staged at parking area of Battle Creek Wildlife Area, and drivers will be shuttled back to Coleman Fish Hatchery parking lot and pick up others at the end of our walk. 

We will reschedule if rained out. 

Trip Leader: Dan Bye, contact me by email at danbye56@gmail.com for more information.