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Field Trips

FIELD TRIPS

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

LAS field trips are free and open to the public. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. 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. Always dress for changing weather conditions, and bring something to eat and drink. For more information contact Field Trip Chair Christiane Omer.

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.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Raptors in the Nile Valley
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Leaders: Debbie and Randy Pontius, 775-273-3642, deborahpontius@gmail.com
The Nile Valley/Big Meadows surrounding Lovelock annually posts the highest raptor numbers for the Great Basin Bird Observatory’s (GBBO) Winter Raptor Count. Hawks, falcons, Great Horned, Barn, and Burrowing Owls, and Golden Eagles are possible. We will view the vast communal raptor/heron roost, and search out any offspring of our resident white Red-tailed Hawk who passed on to that great aviary in the sky two springs ago. Other species of note could be turkeys, herons, and egrets along the Humboldt River and agriculture fields. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Chevron (coffee, restaurant, bathrooms, and snacks available) off exit 106 in Lovelock. If leaving Reno, leave at 7:00 a.m. It takes about 1.5 hours from Reno to Lovelock. Contact Debbie or Randy to confirm attendance and get further directions. Plan for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, but you are welcome to bring a bag lunch. We will end at about 2:00 p.m. Scopes are helpful.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Riverview Park, Carson River
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Leader: Nancy Santos, 775-884-1570, nancylas@att.net
This is the tenth annual Riverview Park winter bird trip. We will explore wetland, sagebrush, and riparian habitats on an approximately one-mile easy loop trail. The total number of species observed during the past five years is 35. Some of our more memorable species included a large flock (200+) of Pinyon Jays, Belted Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cedar Waxwing, and a close-up view of a Bald Eagle. I hope you can join us this year. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Riverview Park parking lot. Riverview Park is located at the east end of East 5th Street, adjacent to the Carson River. Please contact Nancy if you plan to attend so she can plan for additional trip leaders accordingly.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Winter Waterfowl Tour, Stillwater NWR
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Mike Goddard, 775-423-5128 ext. 223
Waterfowl are in beautiful nuptial plumage, so come enjoy a tour of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the refuge office, 1000 Auction Road (just off Williams Avenue (US 50) behind the Speedway gas station) at 8:00 a.m. Please RSVP to Mike Goddard, Stillwater NWR Project Leader.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Susanville Sage-Grouse Lek and Honey Lake, CA
Leader: Dave Jickling 775-329-8959
Time: 5:00 a.m.
This is a great chance to see nature in action! Observe male Greater Sage-Grouse perform to attract females onto their lekking grounds. This tour also includes a visit to Honey Lake wetlands with good potential for numerous waterfowl and raptor species. Participants should meet at the McDonald’s on Oddie Blvd. two blocks east of Highway 395 at 5:00 a.m. in Sparks. Depending upon road conditions, only four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicles will be able to drive to the lek. Bring food, water and a scope if you have one.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Sierra Valley Expedition
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Alan Gubanich 775-857-0191 or respond to Alan’s new email address coming soon @ www.nevadaaudubon.org in the list of LAS officers.
For those who didn't get to the Sierra Valley trip last Fall, here's your chance! We'll spend both the morning and part of the afternoon looking for any late winter raptors (Red-tailed, Rough-legged and Ferruginous Hawks), and waterfowl (swans, ducks and geese), plus any early migrants -- Sandhill Cranes and White-fronted Geese are always possibilities. We can brown-bag our lunch, or enjoy a great little restaurant in Sierraville (let me know your preference when you contact me). If time and weather permits, we may also visit Yuba Pass or Plumas-Eureka State Park. In the eastern Sierra, chickadees, nuthatches, jays, woodpeckers and sapsuckers are always possibilities. Please contact Alan beforehand if you plan to attend. We will meet in the McDonald's parking lot, Lemmon Valley exit (Exit 74), North of Reno, off Hwy 395.

Saturday, April 3, 2010 (Subject to change.)

Wandering the Carson Valley
Leader: Jim Woods 775-720-7009 or Jim@birdingnevada.com
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 wading birds. Next, it’s off to a local ranch for exploring the riparian lands along the mighty Carson River. Given we will be on Private land the tour is limited to 12, call to reserve your spot 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 1:30 p.m. Make certain to contact Jim as this trip is subject to change.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Damonte Ranch Wetlands
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Kathy Oakes 775-747-5446 or oakesy@sbcglobal.net
This is an easy walk on paved trails and birders of all experience levels are welcome. Hopefully we will see some early spring migrants and resident birds of wetlands and open meadows. Past trips have offered great close-up views of several waterfowl species as they are fairly tame and used to people in this area. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one, and extra clothes for unpredictable weather. Prepare to be out until about noon. The group size is limited; please contact Kathy to reserve your space. We will meet at Home Depot parking lot off of Damonte Ranch Parkway. From Reno and travelling south on 395, take the Damonte Ranch Parkway Exit and turn left (east) onto Damonte Ranch Parkway. You will go back under the freeway. Continue on Damonte Ranch Parkway through the stoplight at Double R Boulevard, and then turn left at the next stoplight, which will be Promenade. Turn right at the next opportunity and continue to the Home Depot parking lot, which will be on your left. There will be a McDonalds on your right. If you are travelling north on Highway 395, take the Damonte Ranch Exit and turn right to go east on Damonte Ranch Parkway and follow the directions above to the Home Depot parking lot.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Swan Lake
Leader: Bob Goodman 775-972-7848 or Pandion36@aol.com
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Meet Bob 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.

Friday-Sunday, June 18-20, 2010

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge Workday and Field Trip
Leader: Mike Goddard (775) 423-5128 or Mike_Goddard@fws.gov
Purpose: Saturday Fence Removal with potluck, and Sunday Refuge Tour Please RSVP Mike Goddard so we know how many people to expect. The Sheldon work project is on for June 19 and 20, 2010. The workday will be Saturday, June 19. Sunday will be a tour with Brian Day, Sheldon NWR Manager. We will be removing fence in the same area as last summer. Please bring gloves, wire cutters, pliers, buckets, WD-40, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Plan to eat lunch in the field on Saturday. Make sure your spare tire is aired up and has good tread as we have encountered flat tires in the past on our adventures at Sheldon. Fuel up at Cedarville, Alturas, or Gerlach. I heartily recommend caravanning with others and having a Nevada Gazetteer in hand. Bring snacks, your own main course, and a side dish to share for the Saturday night potluck. We will camp out at Catnip Reservoir campground. Conditions are primitive; pit toilet and campfire rings are available, but 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. For directions, see the LAS website, or contact Mike.