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 a 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. See huge flocks of Snow Geese and waterfowl along with cranes, ibis, and a variety of raptors. Dress in layers and bring a sack lunch.

Field Trip Leader: Skip Augur

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

The Northern Sacramento River Valley hosts a large assortment of raptors that during our relatively mild, wet winters is augmented by an almost equally large contingent of wintering species, some of which exploit our fantastic cohort of wintering waterfowl and others the vast expanses of grasslands and fallow ag lands. January is one of the best months for raptor viewing in Butte County; accordingly, we will caravan southward along Hwy 99 to the environs of south of Chico to seek as many of these birds of prey as we can. Target species include Bald and Golden Eagles, Ferruginous Hawk, Merlin, and Prairie Falcon. Dress for potentially cold, wet weather; bring a scope if you have one; and binoculars are a MUST!

Field Trip Leader: Bill Haas

The Sacramento River Discovery Center and BLM’s Sacramento River Bend Area will be the areas visited for this exciting birding adventure. Target birds for this trip are the Lewis’s Woodpecker and Golden Eagle.

Field Trip Leader: David Dahnke

A three-mile gentle hillside walk will take us around the 100 year old Dean Place Cattle 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, 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

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 of geese and ducks in one location! Other often-seen species include Sandhill Cranes, raptors (last year several Bald Eagles were seen), herons, and egrets. This is definitely a birding hot spot! This trip is also offered on Sunday.

Field Trip Leader: Shelly Kirn

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 Friday.

Field Trip Leader: Julie Shaw

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, wear boots, and bring lunch and water.

Field Trip Leader: Steve Zachery

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 Friday.

Field Trip Leaders: Ranger Zack Chambers and Tim Davis

Drive from Chico to Marysville and stop at District 10 where traditionally hundreds of large Tundra Swans can be seen. Swan viewing will be mainly from the sides of backcountry roads -- the hiking will be very limited. We will stop at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Mathews who will offer us lunch and a presentation on the benefits of rice farming for wildlife. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes if you have them.

Field Trip Leaders: Dale Whitmore and Charlie Mathews

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, goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Osprey, eagles, River Otter and even lingering salmon.

Field Trip Leader: Rex Burress

Join Dan Efseaff, Park and Natural Resource Manager for the City of Chico, as we explore the diverse habitats of Bidwell Park. We will learn about the factors that influence the vegetation of Blue Oak, grassland, and riparian areas, and create a list of birds from each area and discuss the reasons for the diversity. We will also get a first-hand view of some of the restoration and management efforts in the Park. Participants should plan for wet weather, and hiking uneven terrain. Plan for a great morning out in the park, rain or shine!

Field Trip Leader: Dan Efseaff

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

For those already somewhat familiar with our native local species, the skill of identifying birds by their vocalizations adds a wonderful new level of enjoyment to any outdoor outing. Join avid ear-birders, Scott Huber and Greg Miller, for a morning of listening to and learning some audio clues for identifying bird songs and calls in the field. Scott will also make recommendations for CD’s and computer programs to assist you in learning this exciting skill. Some listening and recording equipment used in Greg Weddig's California Soundscapes workshop will be along on this trip.

Participants may wish to take the California Soundscapes Workshop/Field Trip on Friday, January 27, at 10:00 AM that complements this field trip. It is listed on the Field Trip page.

Field Trip Leaders: Scott Huber and Greg Miller and Greg Weddig

Our first stop will be at the Chico Museum to see the "Amazing Grains: The Story of Rice in California and Beyond" exhibit. Hot coffee and morning munchies will await you. Then on to Richvale where Butte County 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.

Due to metered parking and logistics for the drive to Richvale, please park in the Bidwell Mansion parking lot. Your leader will meet you there for the short walk to the Chico Museum. This trip is also offered on Thursday.

Field Trip Leader: Mary Muchowski

Join Mauricio as he takes you to where history, a monastery, wine, and birds will create a unique and memorable trip. The history, monastery, and wine portion of your visit will be to The Abby at New Clairvaux, in Vina, a community of "Trappist" monks that was founded in 1955. In 2000, they took the first steps toward creating wine, selecting and planting their vineyards. Now their winery has a beautiful tasting room in a historic brick building that once was the wine cellars of Leland Stanford. You’ll also bird surrounding areas looking for resident and wintering birds such as woodpeckers, raptors, thrushes, sparrows, bluebirds, plus much more. Bring a lunch, water, and binoculars.

Field Trip Leader: Mauricio Schrader

Bidwell Park is one of the largest city owned parks in the Unites States. We are going to search for 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: Margery McNairn and Steve King and Raina King

Tour the farm famous for its specialty rice products and for attracting wildlife to its 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. Then we’ll visit the new, recently opened Headquarters and Visitors Center, where a store is stocked full of Lundberg goodies! This trip is also offered on Sunday.

Field Trip Leader: Lundberg Family Farms Staff

Willow Bend Preserve lies on the east bank of the Sacramento River, about 45 miles south of Chico. We will explore this riparian preserve to discover how the river has formed both the forest and the dunes on the gravel bar. We will hike along the edge of the river for 1.5 miles and then explore the interior of the riparian forest. Winter migratory birds should be abundant in the willow thickets. Driving time to the preserve will be just under one hour. Wear hiking boots and bring water and a snack.

Field Trip Leader: Tom Griggs

This hike along the north side of the Afterbay reservoir offers a great mix of habitat including open water, rice fields, short grass plains, back bays, and marsh. We hope to see waterfowl including Canvasback, goldeneyes, and grebes as well as raptors such as Prairie Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, and Bald Eagle. Tundra Swans and Greater White-fronted Geese use the rice fields. Burrowing Owls and Short-eared Owls have been seen on this trail. Horned Larks and American Pipits like the short grass areas. Lots of open sky views. Bring food, good hiking gear, and all-weather clothing.

Field Trip Leader: Phil Johnson

Lower Bidwell Park, despite its city-close location, hosts a large number of resident and wintering birds. Access to the park is ideal for walking and bicycling. We will travel along the Lower Bidwell bike path from the Chico Creek Nature Center up to the area called 5-mile, stopping along the way to look at some easy-to-spot regulars such as the Red-shouldered Hawk and the Acorn Woodpecker and hopefully some of our wintering specialties including Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Cedar Waxwing, and Hermit Thrush. Our pace will be leisurely, helmets are a must, and binoculars a definite asset. This trip is designed for beginning birders and fans of city parks alike, and families with children 8 years of age or older are most welcome. Must provide your own bike.

Field Trip Leader: Bill Haas