The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is a national gem, well worth the short, 90 mile drive to Willows. Enormous numbers of waterfowl fill the sky and the impoundments in fall and winter. Snow, Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls are assured. Possibilities are White-faced Ibis, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilts and various raptors. Most of the birding is done from cars. We will provide 2-way radios to report sightings and alert people in other cars to look for them. Meet your leader at Kutras Park on Park Marina Drive to carpool and bring a lunch for this full-day trip. For more information call Larry Jordan @ 949-5266
Tag Archives | wildlife
End of the Year Activities at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Looking for something to do with the kids over the holiday break? Come and experience the beauty of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and wintering waterfowl. In addition to the opportunities provided year round, the Sacramento NWR will also be offering a number of free activities for kids and families over the holiday break from December 23 – January 7.
Each fall, millions of waterfowl migrate south from places as far as Alaska and Russia. Several hundred thousand waterfowl and other migratory birds, including bald eagles, spend their entire winter at the Sacramento NWR. These free programs offer unique opportunities for viewing and learning about wildlife.
Refuge staff and volunteers will be providing a variety of programs and activities over the holiday break. View examples of ducks, geese, beaks, and feet up close to assist with sketching waterfowl for the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Become a Junior Refuge Ranger by completing an activity booklet that educates and empowers youth to be environmental stewards. Create a snow goose craft or a nature journal.
All programs are free. Admission to the Sacramento NWR is $6 per car. An annual pass is $12 and a Federal Duck Stamp is $25. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, Senior Pass (formerly known as golden age pass), Access Pass, Active Military Pass, and Every Kid in a Park Pass are also accepted. The visitors center is located parallel to the Interstate 5 just 6 miles south of Willows.
The visitor center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. through the end of February and is closed on federal holidays. The auto tour is open daily from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. For more information, please call the Sacramento NWR at 530-934-2801 or email at: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov
Resolving a Regulatory Challenge While Enhancing Wildlife Habitat and Creating an Amenity for the Community
When Rio Alto Water District’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit came up for renewal in 2010, Rio Alto WD discovered that under its current operating conditions it would not be able to meet strict new effluent limits for zinc and disinfection products. Faced with a Cease and Desist Order from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, the district immediately went to work to find a solution to the problem. After reviewing eight alternatives, Rio Alto chose to make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and remove our discharge from the Sacramento River by creating wetlands for land disposal.
The project was not the least expensive alternative reviewed, but it was felt that it was the best long-term solution to ever increasing regulations with the river discharge. The project was funded by low interest loans from the State Revolving Fund and USDA Rural Development. Securing that funding involved forming a Community Facilities District which required a two thirds voter approval to assess a special tax. Through community outreach the district gained voter approval and construction began in 2014. The district purchased 78 acres located within the Pacific Flyway and constructed four ponds. One pond was amended with bentonite to retain water for aesthetic purposes. Over two miles of walking trails were constructed around the perimeter of the ponds and benches and tables were installed for visitors. A two mile pipeline was constructed from the wastewater treatment plant to wetlands. The project was not without challenges, our environmental budget ballooned from $60k to $500K, and we suffered erosion on the levies from two atmospheric river storms. Fortunately, the district was able to secure a Proposition 84 grant from the California Department of Water Resources and a grant from USDA Rural development to cover the cost of rocking all the levies and the environmental mitigation costs.
PG&E was kind enough to move an osprey nest from an active power line to a dedicated pole within the wetlands facility. Construction was completed and the district held a grand opening for the wetlands and walking trails in May of 2016. The community has really taken advantage of the walking trails and forward pictures of the visiting wildlife. Located within the Pacific Flyway, the wetlands provide a nice layover for migrating birds and waterfowl. The wetlands are currently providing habitat for many geese, ducks, killdeer, swans, heron, meadowlarks, sparrows, blackbirds, egrets, grebes, pelicans, osprey, rabbits, deer, coyotes, and even a river otter. The district is approaching local schools for tours of the wetlands to educate the younger generation on the benefits of recycled wastewater use and the benefits of increasing our habitat for wildlife.
Ponds for our Parched Native Neighbors
Did you know that ponds use less water than lawns while providing many other benefits? Kathy Biggs, wildlife ponderer for over 20 years, will teach us how a wildlife pond differs from a pond built for exotic Koi and water lilies. She will show us how a wildlife pond can be used, in this time of drought, to help our native neighbors. Kathy has attempted to document the critters that visit and even breed in her two wildlife ponds (one in Sonoma County and the other in Siskiyou County) for a combined 26+ years. While sharing her pond’s visitors with us, she will introduce us to our native pond flora and fauna. She has recorded 13 species of mammals (including a bear that swims in their McCloud pond), over 60 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles and amphibians, 28 species of dragonflies (her specialty), 27 different kinds of butterflies and many many other insects and other critters.
Badges, Bears and Eagles—The True-Life Adventures of a California Fish and Game Warden
Award-winning author and retired Fish and Game patrol lieutenant Steven T. Callan recounts his adventures during his thirty-year career in Badges, Bears, and Eagles, a “Book of the Year” finalist. One of Steve’s most important cases begins with a slain Bald Eagle dropped on the doorstep of the Redding Fish and Game office, along with a note threatening the life of a fellow warden. Throughout his career, one of Callan’s proudest achievements was helping to save a beloved wildlife sanctuary from development. Passionate about the environment, Steve and his wife, Kathy, are avid birders and members of National Audubon. Don’t miss this presentation covering this local author and his hit book.