Home : Field Trips : Field Trips: Sunday, Jan. 31

11th Annual Snow Goose Festival: January 28-31, 2010
Field Trip: Sunday, Jan. 31

Field Trip Leader Biographies

Read all the biographies here.

Field Trip Ratings

The following rating system for field trips will give you an idea for the rigors involved.

Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat Walking, could involve distance but largely flat
More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss
A true adventure trip, lots of driving and hiking A true adventure trip, lots of driving and hiking
Wheelchair accessible Wheelchair accessible

A special note about Field Trips

Please arrive at the location indicated 30 minutes prior to your scheduled event. This will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. We ask that you follow your field trip leader from the meeting location to the final destination. Anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. Most field trips will be limited to the first 20 reservations. After that, a waiting list will be generated by calling our office. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival, but cannot be guaranteed, and there will be an “at the door” charge.

Weather may change a trip's itinerary, but most trips will be conducted rain or shine. The weather in the valley during January is variable. It is generally cold and sometimes rainy, with daytime highs ranging from 50F to 65F.

Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. Please also check out the Tips & Etiquette below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.

Tips & Etiquette for Bird Watchers

To make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:

  • Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
  • Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
  • Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
  • Bring a Field Guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. If you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.
  • Be courteous to other explorers. Stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. Walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or their habitats. Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip.
  • Tune up your senses and listen carefully. Scan the horizon and tree canopies. Look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. This will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.

Sutter Buttes Hike -- Summit Ascent

$42 Adult ; $35 Youth
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Meet at Gridley McDonalds
A true adventure trip, lots of driving and hiking

This hike traverses essentially the same terrain as the Mid Mountain Hike but adds an additional half-mile 1000 ft. elevation gain. The last half mile-is quite strenuous. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress in layers, bring lunch and water.

Field Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

Sutter Buttes Hike -- Mid-Mountain

$42 Adult ; $35 Youth
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Meet at Gridley McDonalds
More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss

On this 5-mile hike into the Sutter Buttes we’ll visit secluded locations revealing the Buttes' geologic formation, Native American presence, old pioneer home sites, and ecology typical of California's past. This hike is moderately brisk. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress in layers, bring lunch and water.

Field Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

Bird the Shores of Black Butte Lake

$22 Adult ; $7 Youth
7:30 am - 2:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss

Situated on the west side of the upper Sacramento Valley, Black Butte Lake is surrounded by beautiful dark volcanic buttes. Come explore the backwaters and woodlands this lake has to offer and see Pied-billed Grebes, Belted-Kingfisher, Bonaparte's Gulls, Goldeneyes, Clark’s, and Western Grebes. Stop along the roads and see Wild Turkeys, Mountain Bluebirds, Red-tailed Hawks, and Turkey Vultures. Lewis’s Woodpeckers, and Golden and Bald Eagle winter in this area too. Bring a lunch and drink.

Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

Pine Creek & Indian Fishery

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

This will be like two trips in one! Our first stop will be the Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. We will walk and bird parts of this restored site looking for grassland and riparian birds. Then we will visit the Indian Fishery area of the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park. Walking the 1/2 mile guided nature trail we expect to see several species of woodpeckers and many other woodland and aquatic birds. If lucky we may also see river otter, beaver and pond turtles.

Field Trip Leaders: Mike Fisher and Steve Shunk and Nancy Nelson

Raptor Run

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking

The Northern Sacramento Valley attracts some 14 different raptor species during the cold winter months. As January is one of the best months for raptor viewing in Butte County, we will caravan down Hwy 99 south of Chico to seek as many of these birds of prey as we can. Target species include Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Merlin, Prairie Falcon, and more. Dress for very cold weather, bring a scope if you have it, and binoculars are a MUST!

Field Trip Leader: Michelle Ocken

Cranes, Swans & Egrets

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking

We will tour the area between Chico, Oroville and Durham in search of sandhill cranes, tundra swans, egrets and waterfowl! Limited hiking. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them.

Field Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski

Photography at Sac Refuge

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

Come to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge for a morning of photography. Although concentrating on photographing birds, be prepared to take scenic and close-up photos. Topics such as where to photograph on the refuge, lighting considerations, using long lenses, and composing photographs will be discussed. Participants should bring a film or digital camera, wide angle and telephoto (minimum 200mm with 1.4X teleconverter) lenses, and tripod.

Field Trip Leader: Steve Emmons

Birding In Paradise!

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:15 am - 2:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

See the birds of Paradise! Follow Gaylord as you walk lower Paradise’s bike path to view oak woodland birds. We should see Spotted Towhees along with Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Downy, Nuttal’s, and Acorn Woodpeckers. We will then travel on up the hill to DeSabla Reservoir where sightings of Bald Eagles, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, nuthatches, chickadees, and mergansers are common.

Field Trip Leader: Gaylord Grams

Hiking Tour of Riparian Restoration Sites

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
More vigorous hiking, some elevation gain/loss

Enjoy a day out walking among three riparian restoration sites along the Sacramento River.  We will do a loop hike starting at the Sul Norte Unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service near Butte City and hike to California Department of Fish and Game's Beehive Bend Unit.  The approximately 4 mile level hike offers great views of Sacramento River riparian restorations of different ages and an opportunity to view winter wildlife.  Come learn about river and restoration processes, habitat structure, and wildlife benefits as you get a close-up view of the dramatic transformation-taking place on these sites.  The hike will focus on habitat needs and use by riparian songbirds, but in these dynamic systems you never know what you might see.  Good walking shoes are a must, and binoculars are highly recommended.

Field Trip Leader: Michael Rogner

Llano Seco Viewing Platform -- Dabbling, Diving & Soaring

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat Wheelchair accessible

See Saturday’s Llano Seco Viewing Platform description -- this is a repeat of Saturday’s field trip.

Field Trip Leader: Shelly Kirn

Feather River's Bedrock Park

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
8:45 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

The main attraction of this leisurely walk at Bedrock Park is the diving duck population that frequents this stretch of the Feather River. Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Ruddy Ducks, and Common Mergansers can be seen doing their courtship and bonding displays. The riparian habitat support many species of wintering songbirds and waterfowl as well as beaver, river otter, raccoons, muskrats and Wild Turkey.

Field Trip Leaders: Leroy Hord and Darhl Whitlock

Falcons and Falconry

$20 Adult ; $7 Youth
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

In this field trip, you have the opportunity to see falconry in action. Falconry is a traditional method of hunting with trained birds of prey. The field trip will begin with a short driver to a large open area. Falconry as a field sport will discussed and equipment of this ancient art form will be displayed, along with live raptors. The trip will culminate with a live flying raptor display.

Field Trip Leader: Andy Wahl

Wing-It to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

$17 Adult ; $7 Youth
12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

The "winging-it" part of this trip is where the fun starts! We’ll veer off the beaten path as we bird along our way to the Refuge. At the Refuge we’ll view the dioramas and pick-up a wildlife checklist. Then we are off to a leisurely adventure around the auto tour loop to possibly see thousands of birds. You can expect to see Snow Geese, Pintails, Cinnamon Teal, Ring Neck Ducks, Wigeon, raptors and possibly a Bald Eagle.

Field Trip Leader: Michael Denega

Hidden Wetlands & "World of Trees"

$12 Adult ; $5 Youth
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat

Bring the family and explore these hidden wetlands on a discovery hike through one of Chico’ best-kept secrets, Teichert Ponds. These ponds are an urban oasis for wildlife in the midst of development, hosting wood ducks, osprey, herons, egrets and more. After the ponds, we will head over to Chico’s original forestry station, the “World of Trees” trail in nearby Bidwell Park and bird the rich riparian habitat. Wear long pants for blackberry bushes and shoes appropriate for mud.

Field Trip Leader: Jon Aull