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. Limit 15 people.

Field Trip Leader: Peter Sands

Lying 17 miles west of Corning on the eastern edge of the foothills of the Yolla Bolly range, the C & R Ranch is characterized by its highly varied terrain and habitat. Open grassland covers the benches and south-facing slopes while Blue Oak woodland dominates the ravines and north sides of the hills. Riparian cottonwoods and willows line Thomes Creek on the southern edge of the ranch. The riparian vegetation, grasslands, and oak woodlands support a rich and varied migratory and resident population of birds. The oaks attract several species of woodpeckers. The Lewis's Woodpecker forms large flocks in the tall oaks at the Paskenta Cemetery. Western Bluebirds and Western Meadowlarks dominate the woodland and grassland. Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Osprey may also be seen. Titmice, jays, juncos, and many other species scour the tree limbs or inhabit the understory of the oak woods.

Lunch will be provided by C & R Ranch owners, Roy and Charlotte Ekland. The ranch has only a few trails or paths. Participants should wear sturdy hiking shoes and be prepared to ascend and descend steep slopes.

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. 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

Track down Northern Saw-whet Owls while they roost during the day using radio-telemetry. Assist master's student, Julie Shaw, as she collects data on one of North America's smallest and most secretive owl species. Plan on layering for a cold morning with a gradual warm-up as some hiking may be required! Also commonly seen while tracking are California Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey, mule deer, and other common wintering song birds. This field trip is also offered on Saturday.

Field Trip Leader: Julie Shaw

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

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: Jackson Shedd

Here’s a unique trip that will take you to the Orland Art Center, Pedrozo Dairy & Cheese Co., and the Sacramento River to see birds. The birds at the Orland Art Center are by artist Peter Mathios, the 2009 International Ducks Unlimited Artist of the year, and George Lockwood, who has received several National and International awards. Their two-man exhibition, "Wildlife Wonders," is showing during the month of January. 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. Your next stop will be at Pedrozo Cheese Co. for a tour of this family-run grass-fed dairy and cheese operation. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leader: Mauricio Schrader

Join us for a leisurely walk through Upper Bidwell Park, where the Sacramento Valley meets the foothills of the Cascades. Because of this meeting of mountains and valley, there is a great diversity of habitats. Upper Park preserves approximately five linear miles of the Big Chico Creek watershed, and is by far the largest part of the 3670 acre Bidwell Park. In very few places can you find this mix of habitats: riparian, which is the richest wildlife habitat in the Sacramento Valley; blue oak woodlands; grasslands; vernal pools; and a small lake.

We'll scan the grasslands for flocks of Western Meadowlarks and Western Bluebirds popping in and out of the grass. The lake often hosts a variety of ducks, geese, and herons. We'll continue on to the riverside Yahi trail, one of the premier trails in Northern California. As we cut over to the open hillside, we'll see how the canyon's updrafts create a great soaring area for Turkey Vultures and raptors like Red-tailed hawks and White-tailed Kites. In addition, the omnipresent Acorn Woodpeckers, rulers of the Park, will entertain us with their antics.

Field Trip Leaders: Greg Miller and Jon Aull and Steve King and Raina King

Take a tour of California's fascinating soundscapes. In the workshop at the CHICO MUSEUM, we’ll enjoy a selection of surround-sound recordings from California's parks and wildlife preserves, discuss what nature recording equipment is used, and practice ear training. Then out we go to the field to "test drive" different sound recording equipment, learn special recording techniques, and find out why it’s important what you wear and eat in the field. With these bionic ears, participants can practice identifying distant bird calls.

Due to metered parking and logistics, please park in the Bidwell Mansion parking lot. Your presenter will meet you there for the short walk to the Chico Museum. Hot coffee and morning munchies will await you.

Field Trip Leaders: Greg Weddig and Dan Dugan and Sharon Perry

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

Enjoy a birding walk through the beautiful and seldom visited Hanford Conservation Easement on the West Branch of the Feather River with Jamison Watts, Executive Director of the Northern California Regional Land Trust, and property owner and long-time conservationist, Pricilla Hanford. The Hanford Conservation Easement is 100 acres specially managed for the preservation of ecological and evolutionary processes, and the property's natural, scenic, and open-space values. It will be a spectacular hike filled with information about this landmark conservation easement and the larger watershed, and a search for resident and migrating birds. Be prepared for a fairly strenuous hike down to the river from the ridge and back. Wear hiking shoes and bring binoculars, water, and a snack.

Field Trip Leaders: Jamison Watts and Pricilla Hanford

Get a good start to birding basics by heading to the Chico Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seasoned birders know that community sewage ponds are universally considered "hot spots" for birding, and the Chico plant is no exception. We'll use the mud-free walkway around the ponds to access the wetlands. Its features include shallow areas that attract shorebirds, loafing islands for waterfowl, and native vegetation to attract passerines. Birds likely to be seen include a wide variety of waterfowl, raptors, egrets, herons, Belted Kingfishers, and many other wetland species. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide.

Field Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski

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