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 Nancy Nelson

We will start our day at Lema Ranch, the 200-acre headquarters of the McConnell Foundation, which features four ponds with marshy borders set in an oak savannah landscape along a 2¼-mile paved trail. Highlights include Green Heron, Common Gallinule, and a variety of wintering upland birds and waterfowl. Next, we will travel to Kutras Lake, an extension of the Sacramento River and a popular stop for Redding birders. Possible highlights include Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Barrow's Goldeneye, other waterfowl, and gulls. To wrap up the day, we will drive down the road to Turtle Bay Exploratorium to get close-up looks of Redding's famous Bald Eagle nest, featuring Patriot and Liberty. This trip is designed for the intermediate birder. Bring your binoculars, spotting scope, water, and lunch.

Field Trip Leader: Frank 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 Waffle Shop in Live Oak. Limit 15 people.

Field Trip Leader: Peter Sands

Spend a couple of hours in the field at the Red Bluff Recreation Area and Dog Island Park compiling lists of birds, and then learn how to enter them into eBird. Learn why some records get flagged as unusual, and what to do when they do. Learn how to use eBird to find out what to expect in an area when you travel, and find out how to use the data stored in eBird.

Field Trip Leader: Bruce Deuel

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

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: Ranger Zack Chambers and Tim Davis

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

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.

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 Leader: Mike Peters

This trip takes you to Rancho Esquon in Durham to join Gary where he will discuss the 3 subspecies of Sandhill Crane that use the Pacific Flyway and the increasing population of Trumpeter Swans that are showing up in our area in the winter. He will have the latest information on their breeding ranges, migration paths, and wintering sites. Then travel the lands surrounding the ranch to see cranes vocalizing, feeding, dancing, flying or just loafing, and be on the lookout for a possible sighting of a Trumpeter Swan.

Field Trip Leader: Gary Ivey

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.

Field Trip Leader: Jack Alderson

Take this trip over to Richvale where Butte County Rice Growers Association, a 97 year old farmer-owned cooperative, 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

Here’s a unique trip that will take you to the Orland Art Center and the Sacramento River to see birds. The birds at the Orland Art Center are by acclaimed artists Sherrie Russell Meline and Steele Roberts-Ross. Their stunning works will be part of the of the Wildlife Wonders II showing during the month of January. Pedrozo Dairy and Cheese Company will also have a table set up with cheese to sample and for sale. You’ll also take a guided bird walk to the newly opened Capay Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge located on County Road 23, about three miles south of Hamilton City. Here the 570 acres of land have native grasslands, savannas, and riparian forests. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leader: Mauricio Schrader

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

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 Toricelli