Field Trip Leader Bios
Read all the biographies here.
A special note about Field Trips
Please arrive at the location indicated 20 minutes prior to your scheduled event. This will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. 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. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival.
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 50F to 65F.
Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. Please also check out the Tips & Etiquette below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.
Tips & Etiquette for Bird Watchers
To make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:
- Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
- Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
- Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
- Bring a Field Guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. If you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.
- Be courteous to other explorers. Stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. Walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or damage their habitats (breaking branches, trampling vegetation). Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip. Always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding communities in the eyes of the public.
- Tune up your senses and listen carefully. Scan the horizon and tree canopies. Look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. This will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.
- No dogs or pets allowed on any Snow Goose Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.
Field Trip: Pine Creek Nature Trail
- Sold Out!
$25 Adult; $10 Youth
Thursday, Jan 26, 2023 9:15 am - 12:30 pm
Meet at Patrick Ranch Museum (Map)
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat
Description
Visit the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Pine Creek Unit where you will hike an easy two-mile loop in the mixed riparian habitat of oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, native grasses, blackberries, and roses. Winter is home to a variety of birds and wildlife that use the mixed forest and grasslands for shelter and food. We might not see the coyote, deer, or mountain lion, but signs are apparent on the hiking trail where scatt and tracks are left. We are more likely to see wintering sparrows, Western Bluebirds, Dark-eyed Junos, Yellow-rumped Warblers, woodpeckers, finches, and hawks in the distance soaring or perched in tree branches. And on a clear day, beautiful vistas of the coastal range, Mt. Lassen, and Mt. Shasta, can be added to your days' sightings.
Field Trip Leaders
Lisa Winslow
Lisa Winslow has a lifelong love for birds, wildlife and nature. She was a School Counselor for many years in the Chico community. She often spends her weekends out birding and hiking and is a member of the local Altacal Audubon Society. One of her favorite hot spots in the Chico area is the Oxidation Ponds.
Lisa Winslow's Events
- Pine Creek Nature Trail (1/26/2023)
- Oxidation Ponds & Indian Fishery (1/28/2023)
- Birds & Brews (1/29/2023)
Steve Overlock
Steve Overlock has volunteered with Altacal Audubon and the Snow Goose Festival in numerous positions since relocating to Chico from Southern CA in 1980. He thoroughly enjoys watching and exploring the flora and fauna right here in the North State.
Steve Overlock's Events
- Pine Creek Nature Trail (1/26/2023)