January 6th - Leading Bird Conservation Group Responds to Proposed Eagle Take Permit 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering an application from West Butte Wind Power LLC for a permit under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The permit would allow for the incidental take of a limited number of Golden Eagles at their proposed facility in central Oregon. This application is the first of its kind for a wind project; historically, many industry developers have ignored permitting altogether and built wind farms at sites with little or no regard for the potential impacts on eagles, resulting in the deaths of possibly thousands of these birds in recent decades. Read the full story. You can get all the current bird news on our "Birds In The News" page.

What's Happening Around Here?

January 10th @ 7:00 pm - Birds of San Luis Obispo County: A Photographic Essay 
Rose LeRoque will present a program on the Birds of San Luis Obispo County, which was compiled by Dave Keeling of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Be prepared for some gorgeous bird pictures, many of these species not regularly seen around the Redding area. Please note: We are now meeting at the United Way, 2280 Benton Drive, Redding.

January 14th @ 8:00 am - 2nd Saturday Bird Walk---Turtle Bay/Kutras Lake 
The great assortment of waders, raptors, waterfowl, gulls, and winter resident passerines will have returned and can be seen close up with usually a surprise or two on this half day walk. A recent feature is the highway 44 pedestrian walkway which offers great views of wintering ducks. A White-winged Scoter there was the highlight of the December walk. This outing is designed for youth, grades 4-8 and up, and beginners of all ages. All skill levels are welcome! We have binoculars to share. Meet at the concrete monolith at Turtle Bay to learn the birds of our home town. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

January 19th @ 8:00 am - Local Weekday Bird Walk---Battle Creek State Wildlife Area 
The California Deptartment of Fish and Game is restoring riparian habitat along Battle Creek and maintains trails in this wild life area adjacent to the Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Recently a trail was developed along impoundments all the way to the Hatchery. During this 1/2 –day trip we expect to see a good variety of winter passerines, Bald Eagles, rails and ducks. Assemble in the Redding Convention Center Parking Lot. Wear sturdy shoes. Trails are groomed but ground is uneven. Our President, George Horn will lead.

January 28th @ 8:30 am - Lema Ranch Outing with the Snow Goose Festival, 
Join folks attending the Snow Goose Festival in Chico on a tour of Lema Ranch. This oasis of open space in Redding offers excellent year-around birding. The ponds, orchards, and fields of the McConnell Foundation Headquarters provide an abundance of bird species. We will look for Common Gallinules, rails, and winter resident passerines. This will be a 2-3 hour walk on paved trails with fine public restrooms. We will meet our leader, Frank Sanderson, at the North Parking Lot off Hemmingway Street. Hemmingway Street is across from Mountain View School on Shasta View Drive.

January 26th - 29th - It's a Big Year for the 13th Annual Snow Goose Festival! 
Greg Miller is joining the festival this year! Greg is one of the famed birders featured in the 2004 book, The Big Yeear, and portrayed by Jack Black in the recentrly released movie. Greg will be the keynote speaker at the banquet on Saturday night. Hear Greg recount the varied and sometimes humorous experiences of his BIG YEAR birding adventures. In an effort to see as many species of birds as possible in one calendar year, he traveled extensively across North America. He'll share how he got into birding and how he came to do a big year, then he'll tell the story behind how his experiences became a book and a movie. Over 70 field trips, workshops and presentations will be offered, along with lots of free activities and events for youth and families. Register online for the Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway or by phone at 530-345-1865.

Shasta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, a non profit volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, is located in Anderson River Park. Taking in a wide variety of birds and animals each year, Shasta Wildlife Rescue has released thousands back to the wild, most after man made altercations.

The Education program consists of non releasable birds and animals that have come into the wildlife center and for some reason would not survive in the wild. These animals are on the education team through a special permit from California Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Lynda Flaherty gave me a tour of the facility last year. You can read all about it here. Please support your local wildlife rehabber. You can find the rehabber nearest you, listed by state here.

For more information about Shasta Wildlife Rescue visit their web page at www.shastawildliferescue.com

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