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Field Trips

FIELD TRIPS

Field Trip Coordinator: Christiane Omer 775.354.2634 or happycpo AT aol.com

Field trips are free to Audubon members and non-members. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Trips are subject to change or cancellation. Please reserve your space with field trip leaders. Reservations provide leaders with contact information so they can reach you in the event of trip changes, or cancellations. Remember to dress for the weather, and bring something to eat and drink.

Field Trips by Date - click on link for details on trip.

The near by Plumas Audubon Society also has field trips scheduled that area birders may find of interest. For more details please visit http://www.aviancenter.com/Plumas_Audubon.htm

Field Trip Reports

Previous field trip reports can be found on the Field Trip Reports Page.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Damonte Ranch Wetlands
Time: 8:00 A.M.
Leader: Kathy Oakes 775.747.5446 or oakesy@sbcglobal.net
We will meet at the Jack in the Box in the Damonte Ranch Shopping Center. Coming from I-395 south, take the Damonte Ranch Parkway exit (#59), turn right (you will be going west), then turn right into the shopping center. The Jack in the Box will be on your left. We will carpool from there to the wetlands. (If you reach South Virginia Street, you've gone too far.) Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one, and extra clothes for unpredictable weather. Prepare to be out until mid-day. This is an easy walk (wheel chair accessible) on paved trails and birders of all experience are welcome. It will be a good opportunity to see the wetlands created as part of the subdivision development in this area. Hopefully, we will see early spring migrants and resident birds of wetlands and open meadows.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Swan Lake
Leader: Bob Goodman 775.972.7848 or Pandion36@aol.com
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Meet Bob (look for his van) at 8:30 A.M. in the McDonald's parking lot, Lemmon Valley Exit (Exit 74), North of Reno, off Hwy 395. We will carpool the short distance to Lemmon Valley Marsh. Bring a spotting scope if you can, and prepare to be out until mid-day. This is a good time to see early spring migrants and winter resident birds on the marsh and wetlands. This is an easy bird walk and birders of all experience are welcome.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Wandering the Carson Valley
Leader: Jim Woods 775.265.3914 after 6:00 P.M. or woobib@charter.net
Time 7:00 A.M.
Here is a great opportunity to see the numerous birds and habitats of the Carson Valley. We'll take a walk at the IVGID wetlands to look for waterfowl, and hopefully be enraptured by Prairie Falcon, American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Northern Harrier. On the Carson River, we'll look for Kingfisher, Merganser, Cooper and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and those challenging sparrows! Next, it's back to town and a local ranch for more. Meet at the In & Out Burger in Carson at 7:00 A.M. to carpool. From Reno, take 395 South to Carson City. South of Carson City turn right on Topsy Lane (a mile or so south of Spooner Summit turn-off) then take a left into the shopping center and find In &Out Burger. Look for a red mid-size pick-up with a red camper shell. Bring a bag lunch and plenty of water, a scope if possible, and expect to wrap up around 2:30 P.M.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Swan Lake Nature Study Area
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Clean-up Leader: Bob Goodman 775.972.7848 or Pandion36@aol.com
Here is a chance to contribute to the beauty of Nevada. We'll help our birds and other animals by cleaning up their home at The Swan Lake Nature Study Area. Please meet us at the Lemmon Valley McDonald's parking lot off 395 and exit 74 north of Reno. We'll organize from there. If folks have a pickup we can use for hauling junk to the transfer station, it would be helpful. Rubber boots for working in the marsh is advised for those that have them.

Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, 2008 - POSTPONED

The workday-field trip to Sheldon NWR scheduled for May 3-4 has been postponed due to adverse weather and road conditions in the refuge. The probable re-schedule date is June 14-15. Once finalized, details will be posted.

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Workday/Field Trip
Leader: Mike Goddard 775.423.5128 or Mike_Goddard@fws.gov
Place: Badger Campground
Purpose: Saturday Fence Making with potluck and Sunday Refuge Tour Sheldon NWR is investigating horse impacts on the refuge springs. We will be linking together metal panels to exclude horses from the springs in order to gage their effect on the spring and immediate habitat. Please join us to help set up the project. The workday will be Saturday, May 3. Sunday will be a tour with Brian Day, Sheldon NWR Manager. Please bring gloves, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Plan to eat lunch in the field on Saturday. Make sure your spare tire has air and good tread as we have encountered flat tires in the past during our adventures at Sheldon. Fuel up at Cedarville, Alturas, or Gerlach. I heartily recommend caravanning with others and having a Nevada Gazetteer. Bring your own main course and a side dish to share for the Saturday night potluck. We are camping at Badger Campground and conditions are primitive with pit toilets and campfire rings available. Bring your own drinking and cooking water. There should be plenty of wildlife to keep us company. Sage Grouse, pronghorn, Great-horned Owls, and Sandhill Cranes are some we have seen in the past. A high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended but 4x4 is not necessary. Please contact Mike and he will send you a Sheldon NWR brochure with maps and information. Mike will arrive Friday afternoon to greet early arrivals. Anyone interested in caravanning with him on Friday, or anyone needing a ride may contact him. Please go to the LAS web site for complete directions, and please RSVP Mike Goddard so we know how many people to expect.

DIRECTIONS:

From Reno:
Take 395 North to Alturas, CA. Take 299 East through Cedarville and on to Vya, NV. CA 299 turns into SR 8A in Nevada. At Vya, stay on SR 8A as it goes east. About 12 miles on, the Massacre Ranch Road junctions 8A from the south. Keep going east on 8A. About 16 miles further take a right turn on the road leading to Summit Lake. Follow the Summit Lake road to the turnoff to Badger Campground, several miles on the right.

From Gerlach: Route 1
Just North of Gerlach, turn right onto SSR 34 and follow it east around the base of the Granite Range. Stay left at the Junction about 10 miles past Gerlach. Stay on this road and after about 20 miles you climb up through Leadville Canyon. About 8 miles after you begin the climb into Leadville Canyon and after you top out, you will see the Swingle Place on your left. This is a good place to stretch your legs and see if birds are on the small stock tank just uphill from the old trailer. Stay left, on SSR 34, at the junction two miles past the Swingle Place. At the next junction, about 7 miles more, stay right, still on SSR 34, where a road comes in from your left. Stay right again at the next junction, coming in from the left about 9 miles further. About 3 miles further, High Rock Canyon Road leaves on your right. Stay left here across Antelope Flat. Somewhere along this stretch, between Swingle Ranch and the High Rock junction, on your left, are some petrified trees in wire enclosures. About 16 miles past the High Rock junction, a road will enter from the south on your left. Stay right to Vya and follow the directions from Vya the same as if you had come up 395 from Reno.

From Gerlach: Route 2
Just North of Gerlach turn left onto SSR 447, a paved road that goes through Eagleville and on to Cedarville. SSR 47 turns into CA 81 at the state line. Follow the instructions above to get to Badger campground from Reno.

Michael Goddard
Project Leader, Stillwater NWR
Telephone (775) 423-5128
Facsimile (775) 423-0416

May 9-11, 2008

Spring Wings Birding Festival
Info: springwings.org
The Lahontan Audubon Society is one of the many sponsors partnering to create the 11th annual Spring Wings Birding Festival in Fallon, Nevada. It's a weekend filled with great birding trips, children's activities, art, vendor booths, environmental information, and two excellent speakers on Friday and Saturday evening. Last year's festival participants set a record of 164 bird species seen! It is a wonderful festival and should really be on everyone's must do list. Hope to see you there.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

McCarran Ranch (Nature Conservancy), Truckee River
Time: 7:30 A.M.
Trip Leader: Elizabeth Ammon 775.722.9116 or ammon@gbbo.org
McCarran Ranch is about 15 minutes east of Reno. Birding the ranch should provide a good opportunity to see spring riparian migrants, residents, Osprey, American Kestrels, orioles, and more. Last year we found 43 species of birds, numerous rabbits, and 1 curious coyote. We'll view the wetland restoration project and learn about the area's ecosystem. Meet at 7:30 am at the McDonalds/Chevron Station on Vista and Brierley near I-80, off exit 21. Note that Brierly is called Salomon on the right hand branch of the street. Turn north (which will be left for most of you) off exit 21 onto Vista. Bring water, snacks and be prepared for a few hours of birding, and walking. Reservations required and group size is limited to 12.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Thomas Creek
Time: 7:00 A.M.
Leader: Alan de Queiroz 775.293.2419 (this is a long distance number from Washoe County, so dial the area code) or alandqz@yahoo.com
This will be a good opportunity to see riparian and mountain birds in a pleasant, forested canyon on the edge of Reno. Possibilities include three nuthatch species, Red-breasted Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Cooper's Hawk, Brown Creeper, Clark's Nutcracker, Spotted Towhee, and Western Tanager, among many others. Birders of all experience are welcome. We'll meet at 7 A.M. in the parking lot of the Starbucks at the Raley's Shopping Center at the corner of Wedge Parkway and the Mt. Rose Highway. Heading west on the Mt. Rose Highway from Highway 395, Wedge Parkway is the first street on the right. The Raley's and Starbucks are just before (east of) Wedge Parkway. We'll carpool from the Starbucks the short distance to the Thomas Creek Trailhead on Timberline Dr. We'll be out until noon or a little later, so bring water and a snack. The number above is a cell phone that I'll have with me, so if you're lost or late you can call me.

Unionville Weekend - June 20-22, 2008

Leader: Alan Gubanich

Join us for a wonderful weekend in the West Humboldt Mountains birding in Buena Vista, Wilson, and Straight Canyons surrounding the historic mining town of Unionville. Located south of I-80 about halfway between Lovelock and Winnemucca, Unionville is rich in history and bird life. Over 60 species have been seen here in Spring and Summer, including Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, and Western Tanager. We will stay Friday and Saturday nights and return to Reno on Sunday. Most of us will stay in the Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn, a beautiful Bed & Breakfast dating from 1864. Contact Alan Gubanich at 857-0191 or aag@unr.nevada.edu to register for the trip. For those who plan to stay at the B&B, here is the contact information:

Reservation information: Call the Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn in Unionville at (775)-538-7585. Ask for either Mitzi (the mother) or Dave (the son). Best times to call are early in the morning, by 8:30 or so (that's when they have breakfast), or around 6:00 pm or later. Dave said noon would also work. During the day Dave is down in the valley working on building a house. Tell them you are reserving for the LAS field trip the weekend of June 20-22 -- staying Friday and Saturday nights, leaving on Sunday.

The cost is $95 + tax/night, which includes breakfast. They will also cook dinner for anyone who wants, for $7.50/person. Or, we can cook our own dinners if we want. Plan to make your own lunches. You can use a credit card to secure your room, but they prefer you pay the final bill by check or cash. We recommend you make reservations as soon as possible because the B&B is a popular place.

People can camp if they wish instead of staying at the B&B. There is a flat, grassy area up the road from the B&B, referred to as the Girl Scout camp. Port-a-potties are available, but no showers.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Birding and Wildflower Trip, Tahoe City
Time: 7:30 A.M. sharp
Trip Leader: Richard Carlson 530.581.0624 or rccarl@pacbell.net
Lahontan Audubon Society is sponsoring a small-group birding trip to the north Lake Tahoe area. Enjoy a profusion of birds and wildflowers as the group searches for such species as Mountain Bluebird, Willow Flycatcher, Red-Breasted Sapsucker, McGillivray's Warbler, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Pine Grosbeak in Tahoe's flower-covered alpine meadows. The area also has tree carvings by Basque shepherds and an old Basque oven. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy Calliope Hummingbirds from a private deck overlooking Lake Tahoe. Free but reservations are required. Contact leader Richard Carlson for the meeting place. This is a popular trip and space is limited to twelve people, so sign up early.