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Fall River Lake/McArthur Swamp

By on October 30, 2024 in

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

By on October 30, 2024 in

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

By on September 3, 2024 in

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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Sacramento River Trail

By on August 26, 2024 in

Come out to bird with us along the Sacramento River Trail in Redding! This will be along a 3.5-mile stretch of the upper Sacramento River between Lake Redding (Diestelhorst Bridge) and Keswick Dam. The trail begins at the center of town, making its way through shaded residential areas, and eventually through the wilder, rocky canyon below the dam. Along the way, we will encounter many types of birds singing their morning chorus in the dappled shade of mature river oaks. As the day warms up, surprises await us on the water, and in the open sky above. Water birds keep cool in the rushing river, waders lurk in the shadows, predators keep watch overhead, and many small wonders flit between leaf and branch.

This is intended to be a one-way walk, so we will shuttle 2 parties of vehicles between both ends of the trail. However, you are welcome to walk (or bike!) the whole way back to the beginning on the opposite side of the river, or turn back at any point. 

Meet at the Keswick Dam Trailhead at 7:30 am. The parking lot is on the North side of Keswick Dam Road, about ¼ mile West of Keswick Dam. The entire trail is flat, paved, bike-friendly, and wheelchair accessible. There are bathrooms at both ends of the trail and another in the middle.

GoogleMaps link: Keswick Dam Trailhead

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