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Field Trip Reports

Field Trip Reports

2008
2007
January 19, 2008 Taylor Creek /Cove East Snowshoe Trip, SLT

Leaders: Sue Stevenson and Sheryl Ferguson
Thirteen hardy birdwatchers hit the hard, crunchy, SNOWY trails at Taylor Creek on snowshoes and X-country skis in search of winter birds. A Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, and Townsend's Solitaire all posed as each bird watcher skied or snow- shoed up to the scopes. Other winter residents included Pygmy Nuthatch, Clark's Nutcracker, Red-shafted Flicker, Common Raven, and Black-billed Magpie. There was "sign" of American Dipper on the rocks in the Creek under the bridge, but no Dipper appeared. A Greater White-fronted Goose was spotted by Lynn Harriman. It was feeding on a patch of grass at the mouth of Taylor Creek. Mallard, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Gadwall, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Ruddy Duck, California, Ring-billed, and Herring Gull, and Red-tailed Hawk brought the list total to twenty-four. For those Reno folks who caucused on 1/19/08, we welcome you to call and arrange to winter bird with us at some other more convenient time.

~ Sue Stevenson 530.577.5394

September 15, 2007 - Oxbow

Leader: Dave Jickling
About 20 people showed up for a leisurely two hour stroll along the Truckee River at the Oxbow Nature Study Area. The morning started a little cool but soon heated up as we watched a Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker all in the same cottonwood trees. A large flock of migrating swallows flew high over our heads as we got wonderful looks at a pair of immature Cooper's Hawks that were "playing" with each other, chasing about through the tress. Later one of the pair perched just 30 feet off the trail and posed patiently for us, giving plenty of viewing time and lots of picture taking opportunities. All in all a fine day for a bird walk with 26 species seen or heard.
~Dave Jickling

September 16, 2007 - Markleeville

Leader: Jim Woods
Jim Woods led a wonderful trip at Markleeville and Grover Hot Springs! It was a beautiful day with deep blue skies and temperatures in the 70's. The seven of us had a great time trekking through forest and meadow with some very dramatic mountain views. Mike Goddard came in from Fallon to join us and share his expertise. Highlights were White Headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, American Dipper, Clark's Nutcracker, Black Phoebe, Williamson's Sapsucker, and a Warbling Vireo. Moving on to Pleasant Valley, we birded along the river. Highlights were a Hammond's Flycatcher, and a Sharp Shinned Hawk. There were also some good-sized Rainbow Trout moseying along the river. We wrapped up the day and went back to Markleeville where we indulged in good food, drinks, and great conversation. Thanks to you all for making it a special trip.
~Janet Hudson

October 13, 2007 - Taylor Creek, CA

Leaders: Sue Stevenson and Sheryl Ferguson Sheryl Ferguson, Sue Stevenson, and Don and Lynn Harriman of South Lake Tahoe shared two of their favorite birding areas with twelve Lahontan Audubon members who came great distances to enjoy the breathtaking views of autumn color and distant snow covered peaks, the spawning Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek, and forty-seven species of migrating and fall Tahoe birds. Temperatures were near freezing in the morning as the group looked out over the marsh at several Great Blue Heron perched in the dead trees, as well as a Black-crowned Heron, and Red-tail Hawk. Special Tahoe birds included the White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatches, Clark's Nutcrackers, Mountain Chicadees, both Kinglets, a flock of Cedar Waxwings, and a Kingfisher flyby. We were entertained at the creek by a very talkative Raven, and the antics of the Mallards and Common Mergansers feeding on salmon eggs. At Cove East we had several duck species, the Eared, Pied-billed, and Western Grebes. In the grassy areas and among the lodgepoles there were White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows, Scrub Jays, Western Meadowlarks, Dark-eyed Juncos, Cassin's Finches, and other more common species, all on guard as the Northern Harriers and a Sharp-shinned Hawk passed by. The highlight of the day was the sighting of a "vagrant" Burrowing Owl that flushed out of some rocks and willows along the Cove East trail.
~ Sue Stevenson

October 20, 2007 - Wetlands Trip, Fallon

Leader: Mike Goddard
I had nine people on the tour. We went to S-line reservoir, Harmon Reservoir, Foxtail Lake (refuge), and Indian Lakes. We saw many waterfowl including Canada Goose, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, and a lot of Canvasback at Foxtail Lake. The new wetlands at the refuge entrance, just east of Stillwater Townsite, had a lot of waterfowl feeding in the flooded alkali weeds. We didn't see them until we drove by, then they came up out of the weeds like a huge cloud of giant mosquitoes. Thank God they didn't attack us! American Coot outnumbered everything else. We also saw Black-crowned Night Heron, Clark's, Eared, and Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhen, Great Blue Heron, Common Egret, and American White Pelican. There was a Barn Owl at Stillwater Townsite and a Great Horned Owl at the refuge and Indian Lakes, but the Long-eared Owls were not yet at Indian lakes. There were lots of White-crowned Sparrow and Northern Shrike, and one Sage Sparrow. Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, and American Kestrel were abundant, but it was too early for Tundra Swans and Rough-legged Hawks. Despite the wind, it was a fun trip.
~ Michael Goddard

November 3, 2007 - Damonte Ranch Wetlands, Reno

Trip Leader: Kathy Oakes
Seventeen hardy souls showed up for a half-day look at the Damonte Ranch wetlands. The morning started darn cold, but warmed up by mid-morning, with plenty of sun and no wind. This was the first LAS trip to the Damonte Ranch wetlands, which were created along Steamboat Creek by the developers of Damonte Ranch homes. The wetlands consist of about 172 acres of mixed open water and marsh habitat surrounded by paved walking paths. Highlights of the trip were great views of several waterfowl including Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Redhead, Common Merganser, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, and American Coot (they're common but cute!). The Northern Harriers put on a great show flying over the marsh and perching on submerged fence posts. An adult and juvenile Red-tailed Hawk also added to the show by perching on adjacent roofs. A Great Blue Heron obligingly posed in the marsh. The puzzler of the day was a small group of birds with striped heads feeding in the grass. We were almost convinced they were snipe until they finally raised their heads for a better view and turned out to be Western Meadowlarks! We also had some long looks in bad light at what (by group consensus) were determined to be dowitchers, likely long-billed, but there were still some holdouts for Willets. Maybe they were Dowillets? All told, it was a fine day and a great introduction to a new Reno birding area that is very accessible and not well known. We saw 31 species.
~ Kathy Oakes

November 10, 2007 - Sierra Valley, CA

Trip Leader: Alan Gubanich
Fourteen hardy souls enjoyed a wonderful fall day in Sierra Valley searching for wintering raptors and any other feathered creatures in the area. The highlight of the day was finding at least four Ferruginous Hawks in one field, followed by two more before the day was over. Just as exciting was a very cooperative Great Horned Owl peering down at us from a cottonwood tree right along the south side of Dyson Lane. Although the total number of raptors was not large (23), the diversity was good -- 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 10 Red-tailed Hawks (including 2 dark morphs), 6 Ferruginous Hawks, 2 American Kestrels and 1 Prairie Falcon (plus the Great Horned Owl, of course). Other species included numerous Common Ravens and European Starlings, a flock of at least 20 American Crows, several Black-billed Magpies, 3 Western Meadowlarks and 2 Mourning Doves. In addition, there were five Tundra Swans in a distant pond west of Harriet Lane along with numerous waterfowl that were difficult to identify due to heat waves obscuring our view. Several were Mallards and later, along Marble Hot Springs Road, there was a group of 40 to 50 Northern Shovelers. A Flock of Canada Geese was spotted farther south on the way to Sierraville. Total species for the day was 18. The weather was beautiful and the lunch at Los Dos Hermanos in Sierraville was delicious. Rain started right after lunch so, with the weather degenerating, the group headed for home. All in all, a great morning of birding -- wish you could have joined us!

See the photos from this trip.

~ Alan Gubanich

November 17, 2007 - Wingfield Springs, Sparks

Leaders: Christiane Omer and Quentin Browne
What a wonderful warm fall day to bird. We had seventeen people and plenty of scopes and enthusiasm. The day started with male and female American Kestrels and a Prairie Falcon posing for photo ops near the parking lot of Red Hawk Golf Course. We went on to see thirty-seven species, and to have lots of laughs and a tasty lunch at David's Grill. Our sincere thanks to a great group of folks; our Wingfield Springs species count is now up to 108!

See the photos from this trip.

~Christiane Omer