Be prepared for an exciting and exhaustive quest to see the maximum number of northern California bird species possible between dawn and dusk! We’ll go high for species like Evening Grosbeak and Varied Thrush. At mid-elevation we’ll watch for California Thrasher and Golden Eagle. In the plains we expect Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, and we’ll go low for Eurasian Wigeon and other rare waterfowl. Expect more than 100 species on this fun, fast-paced adventure! Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. This trip is limited to 15 people.

Field Trip Leaders: Mary Muchowski and Matt Forster

"Anderson River Park never disappoints!" Anderson River Park encompasses 440 acres of mixed habitat, including freshwater marsh, major river, riparian woodland, and oak savanna. It also hosts 125+ bird species. Specialty birds include many seasonal species and residents such as Wood Ducks, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker Yellow-billed Magpies, and California Thrashers. If time allows, we will try to include Kutras Lake/Turtle Bay. Bring your binoculars, spotting scope, water, and lunch. If meeting at Anderson River Park, we will meet in the Amphitheater parking lot.

Field Trip Leader: Frank & Darliss Sanderson

Enjoy a three mile walk to visit the 100 year old Dean Place Cattle Ranch. This trip will focus primarily on birding with hopes of seeing Golden Eagles, Phainopeplas, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows, so bring binoculars along with lunch and water. No early departures on this trip. Be aware that you will be driving another 12-15 miles to the hike's starting point from the meeting place at the McDonald's in Gridley. Limit 15 people.

Field Trip Leader: Peter Sands

The marriage of a spotting scope and a digital camera to document wildlife sightings is one of the hottest topics in the birding world today. In this seminar, you will spend time in the classroom at the Chico Creek Nature Center to help you make some preliminary camera settings. Then we will step outside and get some bird photos. Bruce Webb, Field Technician for Swarovski Optik, will work with participants on topics such as: choosing the best camera mounting options, shooting tips, techniques in the field, and using a Digital SLR behind the scope eyepiece. Participants are encouraged to bring their spotting scopes and digital still cameras. We will spend about 3 hours. Optional: for those wanting more we can travel to Llano Seco platform on Seven Mile Lane and practice our new digiscoping skills on waterfowl.

Field Trip Leader: Bruce Webb, Swarovski Optik Field Tech

Explore California State Park's Peace Valley in the Sutter Buttes. It will be like stepping back in time as you learn about Peace Valley's natural and cultural history. We will visit a Native American site used for grinding acorns. As we traverse this incredible valley, we will learn the interesting geological processes that formed it. This is an undeveloped area, so wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. Bring a sack lunch and beverage. No early departures on this trip. This trip is also offered on Saturday.

Field Trip Leaders: Tim Davis and Ranger Jeremy Alling

The C&R ranch captures the beauty of the coast range foothills and North Valley panorama. The Blue Oak/Valley Oak woodlands and grasslands host a variety of birds like Western Bluebird, Lewis's Woodpecker, Western Meadowlark, Golden and Bald Eagles, and American Kestrel. Several restoration efforts are underway at the Ranch. We will return to Chico via Newville Rd. in search of Mountain Bluebird and Ferruginous Hawk. Lunch will be provided by C&R Ranch. Wear sturdy hiking shoes.

Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

We have an ambitious loop planned for this morning, starting first with a visit to Llano Seco, an exceptional area for waders, dabbling and diving ducks, and raptors. We will then work our way across Nelson road, traveling through another area where there are often large flocks of waterfowl. Our last focus area will be Cottonwood road, a wonderful area for raptors where we might see four species of falcon as well as Ferruginous Hawk and many Bald Eagles. If time permits we will finish up along the Feather River looking for Phainopepla, goldeneyes, Black-crowned Night Herons and other unusual sightings. Dress for cold weather and bring a scope if you have one. Bring snacks and water/hot drinks. We will carpool as much as possible, returning to Chico in time for lunch.

Field Trip Leaders: John Hendrickson and Kathe Hendrickson

Enjoy a bird walk through Bidwell Park with ornithologist and author of Birds of Bidwell Park, Roger Lederer, and his wife, Carol. Learn amazing facts about the birds of the park and how to identify them. Bidwell Park is a wonderful place to see birds because it is both semi-wild and very accessible. It is excellent birding for both the beginner and expert. This trip is also offered on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's trip is led by Roger only.

Field Trip Leaders: Roger Lederer and Carol Burr

Wildlife, wintering waterfowl, and nature photography are exceptional at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, especially along the three-mile gravel auto tour, one-mile trail, and at their new observation deck. With over 4500 acres of wetlands, seasonal marshes, and uplands, the refuge supports wintering populations of more than 200,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. Spectacular flights of Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese along with thousands of Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, and Northern Shovelers can be seen in the marshes.

Field Trip Leaders: Mike Peters and Debi Shearwater

Walk along the banks of the Feather River to view the waterfowl (goldeneye, Bufflehead, merganser) and the winter residents (Phainopepla, woodpeckers, herons, egrets, and more). Then cross the river and receive a personal tour of the Oroville Fish Hatchery led by Jana Frazier of the Department of Water Resources. See and learn about the incredible life cycle of the salmon.

Field Trip Leader: Gaylord Grams

Enjoy the beauty of nature, sample award winning organic wines, and look for the birds of the foothills. Join Dawn as she leads you upslope along Hwy 32, stopping at several pullouts looking for Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Prairie Falcon, and regulars like the Steller’s Jay and Pileated Woodpecker. Then on to LaRocca Vineyards for a tour, chocolate, cheese, and wine tasting which includes their Sparkling wine. The vineyard, at 2600 feet elevation on Doe Mill Ridge, offers magnificent canyon views. Bring lunch, water, and sturdy footwear for hiking.

Field Trip Leaders: Dawn Garcia and Jo Anna Arroyo

Take this trip over to Richvale where Butte County Rice Growers Association, a farmer-owned cooperative founded in 1914, will provide a tour of the drying operations and the plant. Richvale is not only rich in rice farming history but also rich in wintering waterfowl on the flooded rice fields. Visible from the gravel roads, we’ll see Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, ducks, and maybe even a Bald Eagle.

Field Trip Leader: Leroy Hord

Visit the rugged Dye Creek Preserve in the Lassen Foothill region of eastern Tehama County. Depending on weather conditions, we will hike the scenic Dye Creek Canyon or visit a streamside restoration site along the lower flood plain as we discuss land management efforts by The Nature Conservancy. Expect to see birds common to oak woodlands such as the Lewis’s Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, and California Quail. Ferruginous Hawk, Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle may also be seen at the Preserve. Bring lunch and drink. Boots/sturdy footwear is a MUST!

Field Trip Leader: Jackson Shedd

Leaving Chico in the early afternoon will give us plenty of time to stop and look for geese, swans, and cranes on our way to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. We will arrive at the refuge in time to witness thousands of birds silhouetted against the sunset sky as they leave the refuge all at once in their spectacular 'fly-off'. Dress warmly. Photographers are welcome and encouraged to bring their equipment. This trip is also offered on Thursday.

Field Trip Leader: Steve Emmons

We will explore some of the grasslands favored in winter by Ferruginous, Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks, and Bald and Golden Eagles. On this trip we will not just tick off birds, but we will study hunting behaviors, and plumage differences. With binoculars and spotting scopes, we will pay attention to structural differences between species and discuss why some raptors have special features. Why do some raptors and not others have feathered legs? By the end of the trip, everybody will know and appreciate more about each species. Carpooling is mandatory to keep number of vehicles to a minimum (5 vehicle limit). Minivans welcomed.

Field Trip Leader: Bruce Webb, Swarovski Optik Field Tech

This family-oriented field trip offers a unique glimpse into the amazing nocturnal world of owls. The Prowl, a leisurely hike into Bidwell Park, will start and end at the Chico Creek Nature Center. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.

Field Trip Leader: Scott Torricelli