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

Unable to join us for Big Day Birding? Eager to see specific Big Day “hits” or focus on a wish list of “special requests”? Or, simply like to sample some of our local seasonal house specialties? Welcome to our new bring your own birds (BYOB) potluck gala, where we reverse roles, you create the menu, and your own a la carte choices comprise the entire birding bill of fare! We can guarantee something for everyone, but places at the table are first come, first served. Limit 10 people.

Field Trip Leaders: J T Lewis and Mike Skram

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. Next we will visit the Indian Fishery area of the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park. Here we will take a 1/2 mile guided nature trail to see several species of woodpeckers and many other woodland and aquatic birds. We may also see river otter, beaver and pond turtles.

Field Trip Leaders: Mike Fisher

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 Leaders: Phil Johnson

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. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, dress in layers appropriate to the weather, bring lunch and water.

Field Trip Leaders: Marty Steidlemayer and Mike Hubbartt

See description of Sunday’s Sutter Buttes Hike - Mid-Mountain and it includes a 1000 ft. elevation gain within a half-mile stretch, is quite strenuous. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots, dress in layers appropriate to the weather, bring lunch and water.

Field Trip Leaders: Marty Steidlemayer and Mike Hubbartt

Join Assistant Refuge Manager Steve Emmons for a morning of photography at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Although we will concentrate on photographing waterfowl and other birds, come prepared to take scenic and close-up photographs. Various topics such as where to photograph on the refuge, lighting considerations, using long lenses, composing photographs and using flash will be discussed. Participants should bring 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). 

Field Trip Leaders: Steve Emmons

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 Leaders: Jackson Shedd

See Saturday’s Sutter Buttes - Peace Valley hike description for information.

Field Trip Leaders: Tim Davis

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 Leaders: Gaylord Grams

This is a repeat of the Saturday 8 am trip. Please see Saturday morning’s Llano Seco Viewing Platform trip description.

Field Trip Leaders: Mary Muchowski

Join Dan, a Restoration Ecologist, on a 2-mile flat trail through the Rio Vista Unit of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service restored riparian woodland. Here you’ll see an example of how healthy habitats provide food, water, and shelter for a variety of wildlife while helping to meet other floodplain goals along the Sacramento River. We’ll then walk through the towering oaks, sycamores, and cottonwoods at Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area where the native riparian forest is a winter haven to Bald Eagles, along with several woodpeckers and thrushes. Wear good walking/hiking shoes and bring lunch, water, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leaders: Dan Efseaff

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 Leaders: Michael Rogner

Join Dawn Garcia for views of the dramatic scenery of the west branch of the North Fork Feather River. The hike is not for people nervous of heights or with poor balance. Much of it is walking on narrow (2-foot) metal walkways over the flume, jutting 100’ plus above the river. It’s winter, truly we never know what we will see; (common winter residents and possible river inhabitants), but the beauty of this walk is really the highlight! Rain mixed with freezing temps cancels the hike. Limited to 12 people. Bring snacks and water.

Field Trip Leaders: Dawn Garcia

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

Enjoy great birding opportunities at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, one of the premier birding spots in northern California. Hike to the viewing platform and visit the newly built ‘hides’. We will also drive the three mile auto tour route. Birds likely to be seen include a wide variety of waterfowl (including Snow Geese), raptors, egrets, herons, Belted Kingfishers and many other wetland species.

Field Trip Leaders: Michele Ocken

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 Leaders: Michael Denega

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 Leaders: Jon Aull

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 hike so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.

Field Trip Leaders: Jim Dempsey