The wide-open vistas, grassy fields, large ponds and oak woodlands of Lema Ranch offer quite a variety of bird species. Winter waterfowl, woodpeckers and sparrows are a particular treat this time of year and if we’re lucky, we might spot a Canvasback or a Merlin!
Meet at 8:00 am at Gate 10 located at the end of Lema Road, just past the maintenance facility. Park on the right-hand side of the road by the maintenance facility. We will walk the paved trails to view all five ponds. There is a bathroom located near Gate 10. Rain cancels the outing. Contact Larry Jordan at webmaster@shastabirdingsociety.org for more information.
THIS OUTING HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY THE 28TH DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS
Northern Shoveler Pair
On Sunday January 28th we will tour the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Caravan leaves the parking lot at Kutras next to the park at 6:00 am or meet at the parking lot at the refuge at 7:30 am. We will have walkie talkies to hand out to each vehicle. If we are lucky, the new visitor center will be open by then, if not, portable restrooms are located in the parking lot and at the half-way point on the auto tour at the viewing platform. Bring a lunch and snacks to eat during the tour and at our pause at the platform. There is an entrance fee, dependent on your age and situation, see the link below for information. Most of the drivers have a permit already. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/sacramento-nwr-complex-passes-and-permits
You are invited to come out to Kum Bay Xerel for a day of birding along the Sacramento River in South Redding. To get there take the Knighton Road Exit (#673) from I-5, turn west on Knighton Road and make an immediate left on Riverland Drive. Continue for about ½ mile and park at the giant blue geodesic sphere. The first ¾ mile is paved and wheelchair accessible. 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. New bathrooms are available in the parking lot.
We are scheduling our first 2024 Saturday visit to the ponds targeting waterfowl, shorebirds and wintering passerines. Assemble at the Treatment Plant’s Administration Building at the end of Metz Road at 7:30 am sharp to meet your leader, Tim Kashuba. 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 south, after crossing Clear Creek and past the Win-River Casino, take the second left turn at River Ranch Road and cross over the railroad tracks. Turn left on Eastside Rd. Entrance is at 2200 Metz Road on the right. Rain cancels.
Meet at the Battle Creek Wildlife Area parking lot and kiosk at 8:00 am. We’ll hike the Oak Tree trail looking for wintering passerines, Picidae and raptors. We will then work our way upstream to the Coleman Fish Hatchery and bird the ponds looking for waterfowl, marsh and shorebirds and more raptors. We will set up a car shuttle to drive us back from the Hatchery to the Battle Creek parking lot.
Please note: A visit to the area requires the purchase of a CDFW Lands Pass. 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 online, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
