6th Annual Snow Goose Festival, Jan. 28-30, 2005:
Sunday Field Trips

A special note about Field Trips

Unless otherwise noted, all field trips and workshops start at the Chico Masonic Family Center. If you have any questions, please check the registration form or the program description. Call (530) 345-1865 for further assistance.

Carpooling is encouraged. Please arrive at the location indicated 15 minutes prior to your scheduled event, in order to check-in. 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. All field trips will be limited to the first 20 reservations, with a waiting list after that. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival, but cannot be guaranteed.

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 50°-65° F.

Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: Rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, water, field identification guide, and snack or lunch as needed.

Bird the Shores of Black Butte Lake
Sun. 7:30 am - 2 pm

Situated on the west side of the upper Sacramento Valley, Black Butte Lake is surrounded by beautiful dark volcanic buttes. Come explore the many inlets this lake has to offer and see pied-billed grebes, common mergansers, American wigeon, green-winged teal, Clark’s and western grebes. Stop along the roads and see wild turkeys, bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures. Lewis’s woodpeckers, and golden and bald eagle winter in this area, too. Bring a sack lunch and drink.
Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

Photography at Sacramento Refuge
Sun. 8 am - noon

Meet at the Sacramento River Discovery Center in Red Bluff
Join Assistant Refuge Manager Steve Emmons at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge to practice some of the techniques discussed in his Saturday workshop. Depending on the weather and lighting conditions, we will concentrate on bird, scenic or close-up photography, so come prepared. Various techniques will be demonstrated including finding subjects, getting close, using blinds and long lens techniques. Technical subjects of exposure, lighting considerations, and flash will also be discussed. Recommended equipment for this field workshop includes a film or digital camera body (with film or digital cards), wide angle, macro and telephoto (minimum 200mm with 1.4X teleconverter) lenses, tripod and flash (not mandatory but advised). Photographers using Nikon camera bodies will be able to use Steve’s 500mm f/4 (manual focus) and 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 vibration reduction (auto focus) lenses, and 1.4X and 2X teleconverters. Limited to 15 people.
Field Trip Leader: Steve Emmons

Feather River’s Bedrock Park/ Oroville Wildlife Area
Sun. 8 am - 12:30 pm

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. A short drive to the Oroville Wildlife Area offers additional viewing along elevated levee roads. Riparian forests support many species of wintering songbirds and waterfowl as well as beaver, river otter, raccoons, muskrats and wild turkey.
Field Trip Leaders: John Grow and Leroy Hord

Sutter Buttes Hike - Mid Mountain
Sun. 7:15 am – 4 pm

Take a 5 mile hike into the mysterious interior of the Sutter Buttes. Visit secluded locations that reveal the Buttes' geologic formation, Native American presence, old pioneer home sites, and a wild ecology typical of California's past. The mid-mountain hike is moderately brisk.
Field Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

Sutter Buttes Hike - Summit Ascent
Sun. 7:15 am – 4 pm

Take a 5 mile hike into the mysterious interior of the Sutter Buttes. Visit secluded locations that reveal the Buttes' geologic formation, Native American presence, old pioneer home sites, and a wild ecology typical of California's past. The Summit Ascent, with a 1000 ft. elevation gain within a half-mile stretch, is quite strenuous.
Field Trip Leaders: Mike Hubbartt and Marty Steidlemayer

USFWS Llano Seco & Beginning Birding
Sun. 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

The Llano Seco Unit of the Sacramento River NWR offers sensational views from an elevated viewing platform. This trip is designed for the beginning to intermediate birder (advanced birders are also welcome) as this is an ideal location for viewing a large variety of species. Learn interesting facts about the birds as well as helpful hints on identification. You can expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl, sandhill cranes, raptors (last year several bald eagles were seen), and many other species. Just a short drive outside of Chico this is definitely a birding hot spot!
Field Trip Leader: Shelly Kirn

Kayaking the Forebay
Sun. 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Cruise the cold waters of Lake Oroville’s North Forebay and get up close with the resident and wintering waterfowl. This is a leisurely 3-mile paddle, and you must bring your own canoe or kayak to attend. You must also have a PFD (personal floatation device) for each person on your boat. Bring binoculars and warm clothing.
Field Trip Leader: Dave Garcia

Birding In Paradise!
Sun. 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Head up the hill (weather permitting) and follow Gaylord to some of Paradise’s best places to view the birds that winter in this higher elevation. Your stops will include DeSabla Reservoir, a nature trail on property managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and Kunkle Reservoir. Sightings on these reservoirs and trails have included loons, bald eagles, wood ducks, Canada geese, and mergansers.
Field Trip Leaders: Gaylord Grams and Harlin Perryman

Hiking Tour of Riparian Restoration Sites
Sun. 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Join River Partner staff for a walking tour between two riparian restoration sites along the Sacramento River. We will start at the Ord Bend Unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and end up at the California Department of Fish and Game's Jacinto Unit. The approximately 3 mile level hike offers great views of the Sacramento River and an opportunity to view winter wildlife. Come learn about river and restoration processes, opportunities for local community involvement, and wildlife benefits as you get a close-up view of the dramatic transformation taking place on these sites. Good walking shoes are a must!
Field Trip Leader: Dan Efseaff

Wing-It to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sun. 12:30 pm – 5 pm

While at the Refuge, this trip offers excellent viewing without ever having to leave your car! But the "winging-it" part of this trip is where the fun really starts! En route, expect to veer off the beaten path a bit, as your leader gravitates to where the birds are. When you arrive at the Refuge Visitor Center, view the diorama and pick-up a wildlife checklist. Then you are off to a leisurely adventure around the auto tour loop. An informative radio program can be tuned in while on the tour, and you can stop and stretch at two areas for a closer look at the thousands of waterfowl that winter on this refuge.
Field Trip Leader: Michael Denega

Birds, Plants, and Indian Shelter
Sun. 1 pm - 4 pm

Join us for a fun family hike to Upper Bidwell Park! On our way to the Indian shelter, we will pause to appreciate wildlife and Indian uses of the plants we find along the way. Take in the wonderful view of the canyon from the Indian shelter. It is a three-mile round-trip so wear comfortable walking shoes and water.
Field Trip Leader: Jim Dempsey and Wes Dempsey