10th Annual Snow Goose Festival: January 22-25, 2009
Field Trips: Saturday, Jan. 24

Join our Big Day Team for an exciting, fast-paced adventure, as we attempt to record as any as possible of the species tallied on the recent Chico Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Our itinerary will take us on a whirlwind tour of key hotspots within and just outside the Circle. We will visit a range of habitats to optimize bird diversity, and focus on any reported rarities. Group size will be modest so that all participants can fully enjoy the chase! Limit 10 people.

Field Trip Leaders: J T Lewis and Mike Skram

Travel the back-roads of Chico to visit the Llano Seco Viewing Platform, Sacramento River NWR and the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Along with Snow Geese we hope to see a variety of waterfowl, raptors, and many other wetland species. This trip is most appropriate for intermediate to advanced birders. Bring lunch, water, binoculars, and field guide.

Field Trip Leader: Jay Bogiatto

Visit two premier Sacramento Valley wildlife refuges, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sacramento NWR and CA Dept. of Fish and Game Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. We will see huge flocks of Snow Geese and waterfowl along with cranes, ibis, and a variety of raptors. A "honker meal" including a sandwich, chips, cookie and drink can be purchased for $5.00 the morning of this tour.

Field Trip Leader: Skip Augur

The Llano Seco Unit of the Sacramento River NWR offers sensational views from an elevated viewing platform. This is an ideal spot for viewing a large number geese and ducks in one location! Other often-sited species include Sandhill Cranes, raptors (last year several Bald Eagles were seen), heron, and egrets. This is definitely a birding hot spot! Trip offered again on Sunday.

Field Trip Leader: Shelly Kirn

Drive from Chico to Marysville and stop at District 10 where traditionally hundreds of large Tundra Swans can be seen. This trip offers very limited hiking as viewing will be mainly from the sides of backcountry roads. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them.

Field Trip Leader: Dale Whitmore

A three-mile gentle hillside walk will take us to the 100 year old Dean Ranch. Along the way the Buttes’ volcanic origins and some Native American artifacts will be revealed. Hopefully, we will see such gems as the Mountain Bluebird, Varied Thrush, Lewis's Woodpecker, Golden Eagle, and Ferruginous Hawk, along with the usual winter sparrows, and with luck, geese and swans flying high over the buttes. Be sure to bring binoculars, lunch, water and sturdy boots/shoes and hiking sticks, if you have them.

Field Trip Leader Laura Lush

Explore Peace Valley, one of California’s newest state parks nestled in the Sutter Buttes. Learn about the interesting geological process that formed this Valley as well as its natural and cultural history. We will visit a Native American site used for grinding acorns. Please wear comfortable walking shoes or boots and bring a sack lunch and beverage. Participants must be in good hiking shape. Trip offered again on Sunday.

Field Trip Leader: Tim Davis

This trip begins with a car caravan to the Old Bath House Nature Center near the Table Mountain Bridge. Here we will begin with a nice leisurely hike along the banks of the Feather River. We will keep a keen eye out for some of the area’s abundant wildlife, which includes Mergansers, Golden-eyes, Buffleheads, Osprey, Eagle, river otter and even lingering salmon.

Field Trip Leader: Rex Burress

Here is your chance to explore the Butte College Wildlife Refuge. This hidden gem on campus encompasses a streamside forest, wetlands, oak woodlands and grasslands that offer a chance to observe Belted Kingfisher, woodpeckers, kinglets, towhees, nuthatches and many other bird species. If time permits we will bird into the canyons of upper campus in blue oak woodlands adjoining Tuscan Formation cliff faces.

Field Trip Leader: Mike Williams

Visit The Nature Conservancy's Vina Plains Preserve and observe winter plants and animals of unique vernal pool ecosystems. Learn why vernal pool landscapes are so important to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Next, travel to the Pine Creek Unit of Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge to see a riparian habitat restoration project and learn why it is critical for the survival of Chinook salmon, migratory songbirds, and endangered species.

Field Trip Leaders: Joe Silveira and Ryan Luster

Just a short drive outside Durham, along the roadways bordering Rancho Esquon multitudes of Snow Geese, White-fronted Geese and Sandhill Cranes can usually be seen right from your vehicle! Bald Eagles are occasionally spotted perched in the snags along the agricultural wetlands. Upon arrival at Rancho Esquon we will visit the viewing platform which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding wetlands with a high concentration of ducks. We will also be visiting the egg hatching facility as we learn about the diverse undertakings of this complex rice ranch.

Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

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 Acorn Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, and California Quail. Bring lunch and drink.

Field Trip Leader: Nature Conservancy Staff Naturalist

What a wondrous thing to view the world of birds through a child’s eyes! This workshop/field trip will focus on the basics of birding including bird anatomy and basic identification techniques. At the Nature Center each child will get a close-up view of some of the park’s avian residents. We will then venture into Bidwell Park to practice our new skills on the wild birds of the park. Bring field guides and binoculars if you have them. Some binoculars will be available to loan if needed.

Field Trip Leader: Jon Aull

Travel to the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve and view diverse riparian and upland habitat which is a magnet for herons, kingfishers, Bald Eagles, woodpeckers, finches and sparrows. Next visit a bird banding station to see mist nets set up to band birds, take various measurements, record data and release the birds back into the wild. The banding demonstration is weather dependent (no rain or high winds). Bring binoculars.

Field Trip Leaders: Jackson Shedd, Dawn Garcia; Co-leaders: Mike Fisher, Julie Nelson

Here is an opportunity to learn about the wildlife and birds at Lassen Volcanic National Park in winter! We will casually explore the park’s beautiful Red Fir forest on snowshoes. Participants must be 8 years or older and able to withstand moderate physical exertion at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Snowshoes will be provided. No experience necessary! Dress warmly and wear boots

Field Trip Leader: Steve Zachery

It’s been said, “The best birdwatcher is another bird.” Whether it’s watching hummingbirds in your own back yard or penguins in Antarctica, bird watching is your lifetime ticket to the theater of nature. This introduction to the basics of identifying birds by observing them in the park - makes it a must for anyone wanting to learn more about birding. You will learn tricks to identifying birds and we will certainly have the chance to observe many species. Binoculars highly recommended; field guide optional.

Field Trip Leader: Roger Lederer

If you have your own horse, pony or mule but have never taken the time to experience our local avifauna while riding, join us to bird watch along one of Oroville’s bird-rich equestrian trails. Depending on trail conditions and weather, we’ll choose a trail that will best afford us good views of a variety of waterfowl, raptors, and upland birds in the area between Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay. This three-hour guided tour will be supported by two experienced local horsewomen and led by local ornithologist, Bill Haas. We will have several scopes available as well as extra binoculars. Bring water. Snacks will be provided. Rain will cancel; however, an alternative birding activity in the Oroville area may be offered. Our meeting place is yet to be determined; ride info will be provided a week in advance. Limited to 8 participants and you must be 14 years of age.

Field Trip Leader: Bill Haas

Birding by ear is both a necessary skill for aspiring birders and a hot trend among devotees. Go into the field with professional birding guide Scott Huber and practice principles and skills you just learned in his birdJam workshop (9am-10am). He'll take you to nearby habitat for some of the west's finest and most unique songsters such as: Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Wrentit, Bewick’s Wren, Oak Titmouse, Hutton’s Vireo, Spotted and California Towhees and others. Our goal will be to learn some of the audio cues and ‘handles’ for identifying species by ear, and we’ll attempt to match each auditory ID with a visual confirmation. We’ll utilize birdJam as both an educational tool as well as a powerful tool to assist us in obtaining views of our target species. Participants must attend the birdJam workshop and everyone in the group will have an opportunity to use birdJam.

Field Trip Leader: Scott Huber

Bidwell Park is one of the largest city owned parks in the Unites States. We are going to search for those wintering birds as well as learn about the native plants found in Upper Bidwell Park. After a short carpool to Horseshoe Lake, we will hike about a mile up the Yahi Trail along Big Chico Creek. This area has some of the best winter bird watching in Bidwell Park. The plant life is abundant in the park year round as well. Don't forget those binoculars!

Field Trip Leaders: Steve King (Birds) and Margery McNairn (Native Plants)

Tour the farm famous for its specialty rice products and for attracting wildlife to it organic fields. Witness first-hand how valley farm practices, and ecological farming in particular can benefit migratory and non-migratory bird populations of the Pacific Flyway.

Field Trip Leader: Lundberg Family Farms Staff

In 2003 the Del Rio Preserve was planted with native grasses, riparian trees and shrubs. Come see its progress five years later. Learn about this success story of habitat restoration. Our two-mile hike will lead us into the interior of the Preserve where we can expect to see most of the upland birds characteristic of the Sacramento Valley at this time of year.

Field Trip Leader: Tom Griggs

Come visit a unique farm where history, wildlife conservation, organic farming and activism all come together. The Massa family has been growing rice in California’s Sacramento Valley for almost 100 years. Their 90 acres of certified organic fields surround their straw bale home where oak trees, Sandhill Cranes, Wood Ducks, hawks and owls call their land home too. You’ll also visit a historic graveyard where the leader of California’s Bear Flag Revolt is buried.

Field Trip Leader: Greg Massa

This is a repeat of the morning trip. Please see Saturday morning’s Rancho Esquon trip description.

Field Trip Leader: Herman Gray and co-leader Mary Muchowski