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 6:30am 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. 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

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Fall River Lake/McArthur Swamp

Locations of where we will meet: Carpooling from Redding, at Kutras Pond Parking Area should meet, then depart at 7:30am. We will make one stop, 8:45am in Burney, at Safeway parking area for others coming from other locations. Here we might be able to carpool once more before we reach Fall River Mills.

Walking distance estimated at 1 – 1.5 miles (1.6 – 2.4 km), Driving (birding) distance 6 – 10 miles (9.7 -16.1 km)

No fee event. 

Fall River Lake is great for Water Birds, High Desert Species, and an occasional Raptor. Start from the west end of town (Fall River Mills) we will start birding immediately from the outflow end of the lake’s dam. The method of touring this section is generally done by stopping at each parking area or pullout along the west edge of Fall River Lake. 

McArthur Swamp will begin with a 3-mile drive of Rat Farm Rd. This path is great for many Raptor and High Desert Species. At the end of the road, we will arrive at Horr Pond boat launch. From here we will survey the west side of our second lake for Water Birds. Take lunch. Our final stage of McArthur Swamp will begin with a 3.5-mile of McArthur Swamp Rd. This path is great for Diving and Wading Birds along the canal that follows along the right side. At the end of the road, we will arrive at the swamp where we will survey the east side of the pond area.

Recommend that you bring plenty of water, lunch, and snacks.  

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

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Coleman Fish Hatchery/Battle Creek Wildlife Area Walk

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 2.5-3 miles (4-5 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 1.2-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 danbye56@gmail.com for more information.

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Lema Ranch Bird Walk

Join Shasta Birding Society for a bird walk around Lema Ranch on Saturday, November 2nd at 7:30 am. We will be birding the oak woodlands and ponds at the Ranch on fairly level paved paths. We will bird Leah’s loop beginning at the main parking lot. This two mile paved trail overlooks Secluded Pond and Hidden Pond. The trail offers excellent views of Lema Pond, the largest pond on the site, and Leah’s Pond. We expect some late summer birds as well as migrants and a variety of waterfowl. Park and meet your leader, Larry Jordan at Lema Ranch main parking lot at 610 Armando Avenue off Hemingway Street.  Questions? webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org

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