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Wintu Audubon Society

Wintu Audubon Trip Logs

Reports of the Wintu Audubon birding trips in chronological order.

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Second Saturday Birdwalk at Turtle Bay & Kutras Lake, Saturday, December 10th, 2011
A dozen birders assembled gradually in very frigid conditions for a fantastic morning of birding. On the usual route, we saw 62 species. Those who continued the trip to Kutras Lake saw an additional 12 for a grand total of 74. Exciting sightings included Pacific Loon, Peregrine Falcon, White-winged Scoter, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Cassin’s Finch and Golden-crowned Kinglet. The eagles made several deliveries of sticks to their new nest, near to the old nest, but unfortunately not near enough in eagle cam range. Those people who continued on to Kutras Lake also saw a Black Scoter and Black-crowned Night Herons.

Species seen

At Kutras:

Barrow’s Goldeneye
Black Scoter
Yellow-billed Magpie
Brewer’s Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Eared Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Fox Sparrow
Black-crowned Night Heron
Canvasback Duck
Redhead Duck

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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Outing, Saturday, November 19th, 2011
Seven lucky birders were able to see 63 species on a beautiful, mostly clear day at the wildlife refuge. A few of the best birds were the usually present Peregrine Falcon, a Loggerhead Shrike and two Great Horned Owls!

Species seen

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Local Weekday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch, Thursday, November 17th, 2011
Eight birders met in the Lema Ranch parking lot in chilly, sometimes wet conditions under cloudy skies. Despite the weather, we saw 47 species of birds. Most exciting were a Wilson’s Snipe and a Brown Creeper that was chased away by another Brown Creeper. Also of note were an Eared Grebe and a flock of Western Meadowlarks. Site specialties Western Bluebird and Common Gallinule (formerly Common Moorhen) were numerous.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk at Turtle Bay, Saturday, November 12th, 2011
Beatrice Currie Reports that 56 species were seen on a cool, sunny, windless day. A surprise to all was a Black Scoter seen in one of the ponds near the new walking trail along side the highway 44 bridge.

Species seen

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Local Weekday Bird Walk at Anderson River Park, Thursday, October 27th, 2011
It was 36 degrees F when we arrived at Anderson River Park Thursday but seven hardy birders were present. The weather and the birds quickly warmed up and we ended up with 45 species. Probably the best bird, a Cassin’s Vireo, was spotted by Linda Aldrich.

Species seen

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Lower Clear Creek Outing on the Gold Dredge Trail, Saturday, October 22th, 2011
Nine birders enjoyed a warn fall morning walk along Clear Creek between Gold Dredge and the Honeybee Tunnel. In addition to the birds listed below the group was able to see numerous King Salmon making their way up stream.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch, Saturday, October 8th, 2011
Beatrice Currie Reports that 30 species were seen on a cool but sunny day. Wintering ducks were yet to arrive but they did spot one female Hooded Merganser.

Species seen

Yellow Rump Warbler
White Fronted Geese
Black Phoebe
Rock Pigeons
House Finch
Western Scrub Jay
Starlings
Anna's Hummingbird
Mallards
Gadwalls
Belted King Fisher
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Common Merganser
Canada Geese
Pied Bill Grebe
Wood Ducks
Orange Crowned Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Double Crested Cormorant
Female Hooded Merganser
Northern Flicker
Crows
Bewick's Wren
Northern Mocking Bird
Herring Gull
Spotted Sandpiper
Nuttall's Woodpecker
White Crowned Sparrow
Tit Mouse

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McArthur-Burney Falls State Park Field Trip, Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Although it was a great day for a bird walk the birds didn’t quite agree, so the nine birders that attended almost outnumbered the birds! Actually seventeen quality species were seen and we had an enjoyable hike on the newly improved loop trail from the falls to the lake and back. Good companionship and good birds.

Species seen

Common Merganser
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Northern Flicker
White-headed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Stellar’s Jay
Western Scrub-jay
American Crow
Mountain Chickadee
American Dipper
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s)
Brown Creeper
American Robin
Lesser Goldfinch

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Local Weekday Bird Walk at Lema Ranch, Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Five birders met at Lema Ranch for a morning of birding and saw 30 species. The “best” bird was probably a Warbling Vireo. There were several Common Gallinules (formerly Moorhens) to be seen, some Lark Sparrows and an abundance of Western Bluebirds (Larry Jordan’s bluebird trail produces!) We enjoyed watching two Green Herons interacting and a female bluebird working hard to subdue a grasshopper.

Species seen

Canada Goose
American Crow
Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Warbling Vireo
Oak Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Acorn Woodpecker
Lark Sparrow
Western Bluebird
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Western Scrub Jay
Anna’s Hummingbird
Lesser Goldfinch
Rock Pigeon
California Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Pied-billed Grebe
Common Gallinule
Mallard
House Finch
Belted Kingfisher
Green Heron
Brewer’s Blackbird
Orange-crowned Sparrow
Turkey Vulture
Red-winged Blackbird
Wood Duck
European Starling
Black Phoebe

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Second Saturday Bird Walk at Shasta College, Saturday, September 10th, 2011
It was sunny and warm with a small breeze. Four birders enjoyed the day co-lead by Connie Word and Beatrice Currie

Species seen

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Campout, Saturday, July 22nd - 24th 2011
The Joint Campout on July 22-24 at Lassen Volcanic National Park, hosted by Wintu Audubon, was enjoyed by all. Seven campers from Wintu were joined by five from Redwood Region (Seven from Redwood Region had planned to attend but, unfortunately, Jim and Donna Clark suffered vehicle damage en route and had to stop in Redding for repairs. Ten campers from Altacal Audubon occupied a neighboring site in the Lost Creek Group Camp Ground. The weather was a welcome change for all three groups---an opportunity to cool off for Wintu and Altacal and to warm up for Redwood Region.
We birded around the camp ground on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning Wintu campers and most from Redwood Region birded Manzanita Lake with four Wintu members who came up from Redding for the day. Altacal hiked the trail to Paradise Meadows. On Sunday morning we went our separate ways---some drove up the park road as far as the Bumpass Hell parking lot, stopping to bird around Summit Lake en route. The birds were a bit hard to find---mostly because few were singing, occupied instead by tending to their nestlings. Highlights were a male Western Tanager and Grey Jays that hung around the camp site affording great views without binoculars and nestling Brown Creepers fed by the adults. The following list that I assembled included 50 species.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, Saturday, May 14th, 2011
Nine birders, later joined by a tenth, birded the college campus on a chilly but sunny morning. We saw a total of 42 species, the most noteworthy of which were Wilson’s Warbler, Hooded Oriole and Warbling Vireo. Summer nesters have migrated in and we enjoyed seeing Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak and Western Kingbird as well as several species of swallows.

Species seen

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Dye Creek Preserve, Saturday, April 16th, 2011
A warm spring day greeted 11 birders for a hike up Dye Creek Canyon. Our first stop was at the always birdey Cone Grove Park just south of Red Bluff where we picked up 34 species. Driving slowly south along Foothill Rd. we found 15 additional species including the aerial display of a pair of Northern Harriers.
The hike up the canyon did not disappoint. Despite the lack of nesting Golden Eagles and American Kestrels so memorable from last year’s hike, we did, however, see high-soaring Golden Eagles and were continually serenaded by Canyon Wrens. All but three of the party made it all the way to the caves at the base of Campo Seco. The hike yielded 46 species.

Here are the individual species seen:

Cone Grove Park

Additional Species Along Foothill Road

Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
American White Pelican
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Northern Harrier
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Wilson’s Snipe
Savannah Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark House Sparrow

Dye Creek Preserve (all species)

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, Saturday, April 9th, 2011
Nine birders converged upon Turtle Bay under cool, cloudy skies. As the day warmed and brightened, the birds became active and we saw 51 species. A pair of Hooded Mergansers swam close-by in a pond near the new trail that parallels Hwy 44. Warblers were active, especially numerous Orange-crowned Warblers, and an unusually cooperative Common Yellow-throat. Yellow-rumped Warblers are still here, sporting brilliant breeding plumage. It was a good raptor day – we saw one of the Bald Eagle parents, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vultures.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, Saturday, March 12th, 2011
It was a cold cloudy day. Fifty species were seen.

Species seen

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Wintu Audubon Field Trip To Llano Seco Unit Of The Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge And Wetlands Oxidation Ponds, Saturday, February 26th, 2011
Eight die hard birders braved a cold morning and enjoyed a clear day with striking views of snow covered mountains and foothills on a spectacular drive to Butte County. The hills between Redding and Red Bluff were even white. Appropriately, thousands of Snow Geese almost covered the large pond near the viewing platform at Llano Seco.

The Rough-legged Hawk was seen on Hamilton-Nord-Cana Hwy, near Hwy. 32, the Burrowing Owl was seen on Hamilton-Nord-Cana Hwy. near Hwy. 99. Both in Butte County.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, Saturday, January 8th, 2011
Three intrepid birders assembled at Turtle Bay in fog and 35 degree temperatures. Imagine our surprise when we were joined by a photographer and reporter who went with us for part of the birdwalk. Despite the dismal weather, we saw 38 species of birds, including Say’s Phoebe, a pair of Hooded Mergansers and Cedar Waxwings. On the way home, a Yellow-billed Magpie was spotted near a nest along Park Marina Drive. An article and photo were printed on the front page of the Record Searchlight on 1/9/11 – nice publicity for our chapter and its activities.

Species seen

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Mid-week Field Trip to Lema Ranch, Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
Nine birders met at Lema Ranch for a beautiful sunny fall morning of birding. Although it wasn’t very “birdy”, we saw 43 species, including a flock of Band-tailed Pigeons flying overhead, probably a first for that species at Lema Ranch. Several site specialties, including Lark Sparrows and Common Moorhens put in appearances. Larry Jordan’s bluebird trail must have done well last spring, because we saw quantities of Western Bluebirds.

Species seen

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Local Weekday Birdwalk at Anderson River Park, Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
Seven birders enjoyed perfect weather and excellent birding this morning at Anderson River Park. We were able to identify 60 species. Our best bird was a Red-breasted Nuthatch (a park first for the leader, Ken Bachman), followed by Golden-crowned Kinglet, Great Horned Owl, and Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Birdwalk at Turtle Bay, Saturday, October 9th, 2010
Eight birders gathered at Turtle Bay on Saturday for a fine morning of birding. Many migrators were moving through and we saw 44 species despite the fact that very few of the winter ducks were in yet (only Gadwall and Hooded Merganser). Warblers were out in force, including Black-throated Gray. Also of note was a small flock of Greater White-fronted Geese. This was despite considerable hubbub from the motorcycle event on the Convention Center grounds.

Species seen

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McArthur/Burney Falls State Park, Saturday, September 25th, 2010
Twelve birders spent a beautiful day birding McArthur/Burney Falls State Park and parts of Lake Britton. The weather was perfect, in the 70’s up to the low 80’s. All in all, a very pleasant day spent with good company.

Species seen

Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Pied-bill Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark’s Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Band-tailed Pigeon
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller’s Jay
Western Scrub-jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Mountain Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco

Notes: The Pileated Woodpecker spent some time at the base of a large tree and then flew up and hung upside down on some small twigs like a chickadee. A very unusual sight!
We also saw 5 or 6 river otters in Lake Britton actively catching fish and eating them.

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Local Weekday Bird Walk At Lema Ranch, Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
A small but enthusiastic group of 4 birders gathered at the Lema Ranch parking lot for a great morning. The temperatures were cool, skies partly cloudy and the birds were out and active.
We saw 50 species, including first-of-season White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Migrating warblers are on the move – we saw Yellow, Orange-crowned and Black-throated Gray Warblers, all so intent on fattening up for their journey that we got very good looks at them.
Other “good” birds were Lewis’ Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing and Warbling Vireo. The local specialties –Green Heron, Common Moorhen, Lark Sparrow and Great-tailed Grackle – put in appearances. A good time, well spent!

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk At Shasta College, Saturday, September 11th, 2010
A sunny, warm day brought out the birds and the birders at Shasta College where 42 species were seen.

Species seen

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Outing, Saturday, June 26th & 27th, 2010
We had a very pleasant campout at the Lost Creek Group Camp in Lassen VNP on June 25-27 with seven members of the Redwood Region Audubon Society. We birded around the campground on Friday and Manzanita Lake on Saturday. The road was closed at the Devastated Area so the high country was inaccessible. Nevertheless, Grey Jays visited us each morning at the campsite and we saw Clark's Nutcrackers, as well.
We enjoyed seeing Bufflehead and Mallard hens with their VERY young broods on Manzanita Lake. We missed Black-backed Woodpeckers but spied a Pileated Woodpecker in the old burn behind the camp.
On Sunday we spent a couple of hours at Lake McCumber. Best and very surprising bird there was a Common Loon in basic (non-breeding plumage). This must have been a first or second year bird as these non-breeders often don't migrate.

The following as the list of birds seen in the Park and another list of those seen at Lake McCumber.

*Lassen Volcanic National Park*

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A Bluebird Nest Box Tour, Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Sixteen birders, some who monitor birdhouses or nest boxes as we call them, enjoyed a beautiful June morning checking nest boxes at Lema Ranch. Larry Jordan monitors the bluebird trail at Lema Ranch, the headquarters for the McConnell Foundation.
The weather couldn't have been better for a June day, bright sunshine but not too hot. The first nest box revealed six Tree Swallow eggs and was gaurded closely by the parents. Next was a nest of Western Bluebird babies beginning to get their blue colors. Everyone got to peak into the birdhouses and learn the proper technique for monitoring them.
Before and following the nest box tour, the group birded the park. The highlights were a pair of Green Herons chasing each other over Secluded Pond and a pair of Common Moorhens with a nestling fortifying their nest on Hidden Pond.

Species seen:

Western Scrub-Jay
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Killdeer
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Mockingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Pied-billed Grebe
American Robin
Green Heron
Red-winged Blackbird
Nuttall's Woodpecker
American Coot
Oak titmouse
Western Bluebird
Tree Swallow
Common Moorhen
Canada Goose
Rock Pigeon
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Mallard
Turkey Vulture

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Hart Ranch Outing, Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
Ten Wintu Audubon Society members traveled to this working cattle ranch in Shasta Valley near Montague in Siskiyou County. The Hart Ranch folks, friends of Frank and Darliss Sanderson, kindly invited us to explore the birds in this rich habitat.
Snow showers in the surrounding mountains and an occasional flurry on us reminded us that this is not our usual spring. Nevertheless, we saw 73 species, counting those seen to and from the Ranch.
Probably the most memorable sightings were an immature Golden Eagle being harassed by Black-billed Magpies seen by the Sandersons, Larry Jordan and Michele Swartout and several Virginia Rails called to within 10 feet of us by Michele’s tape.

Species seen:

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Lema Ranch Outing, Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
Seven birders met at the parking lot for a cool, mostly cloudy morning of birding. We were amazed to see a Forster's Tern swooping over the main lake. Later we saw it again along with 2 more of its species over Mule Pond. There were numerous warbler species, including Townsend's. We all got good views of a Virginia Rail which responded to a recording of its call. The local "specialties", Common Moorhen and Great-tailed Grackle, were present and displaying. Although the total species count of 42 was moderate, the quality of sightings was quite gratifying.

Species seen:

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Dye Creek Preserve Outing, Saturday, April 17th, 2010
Eight birders spent a beautiful day in Tehama County birding Cone Grove Park, Foothill Rd. and the Dye Creek Preserve. A total of 69 species were seen.
Highlights were: a Golden Eagle nest in a cavity in a spectacular rock cliff face across Dye Creek Canyon, with one adult and one chick present. The adult later flew out and gave us wonderful looks as it soared above the cliffs. An American Kestrel nest was spotted further up the trail in another rock cliff face. The cavity looked tiny in the massive rock and we would never have found it if an eagle eyed birder (Jodie) hadn’t seen a Kestrel fly in. These are the unexpected moments that keep us birding.

Birds seen were:

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Second Saturday Bird Walk at Shasta College, Saturday, April 10th, 2010
Five participants saw 46 species of birds under cloudy skies with a few drops of rain. Best birds were first-of-season Western Kingbirds, Lewis' Woodpeckers, one male and several female Common Yellowthroats and Cinnamon Teal. There was a male Ruddy Duck in full, garish breeding plumage on the sewer pond. Generally, all of the birds were very colorful and singing in accordance with the season. One surprise was a Green Heron in the top of a large oak tree. A very interesting morning was had by the group.

The total list follows:

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Millville Plains, Parkville Road to Jelly's Ferry Outing, Saturday, March 20th, 2010
The trip along the back roads east of the Sacramento River today was a great success. Ten birders enjoyed a warm spring day tallying 69 species on a route that took us from the Millville Plains Road to Parkville Road, and Ash Creek Road with a stop for lunch at the Battle Creek State Willife Area.

Highlights were:
A good view of a flying American Bittern at the Battle Creek State Wildlife Area.
A soaring Golden Eagle along Ash Creek Road. It circled and hovered over us for many minutes at a fairly low elevation alowing Larry Jordan to take many pictures.
Loggerhead Shrike at the south end of Millville Plains Road--always an unusual sighting in Shasta County.
Bushtits building their nest on Parkville Road at Shammo Ranch
A lone Great-tailed Grackle high in a tree on Sprig Lane off Millville Plains Road--unusual location for the species.

The total list follows:

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Weekday Field Trip, Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
With a beautiful sunny day, 10 birders gathered at the Lema Ranch parking lot. It was very birdy – we saw 52 species.

Standouts included a chilled Red-breasted Sapsucker that held still while everyone got a good look. Later, that bird or another one of the same species almost dive-bombed us. Both a Sora and a Virginia Rail reacted to recordings of their calls and popped up to be seen at close range. Common Moorhens and Lark Sparrows, "specialty" birds for that location put in appearances.

Although some of the winter ducks have apparently migrated, there was a Cinnamon Teal on the big lake. A lone Lewis' Woodpecker was seen near Mule Pond in the same location where one was counted on the Christmas Bird Count. Two other surprises were American Pipits and a Ferruginous Hawk. It was a very stimulating morning.

Species seen

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, Saturday, March 10th, 2010
Three birders met at Turtle Bay on a cool morning. Thirty species were seen. The best bird was undoubtedly a Northern Harrier – totally unexpected in that habitat. Although not very birdy, it was a pleasant outing.

Species seen

Canada Goose
House Sparrow
Tree Swallow
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Turkey Vulture
Black Phoebe
Yellow-billed Magpie
European Starling
Oak Titmouse
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Lesser Goldfinch
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Gadwall
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-shouldered Hawk
Downey Woodpecker
Double-crested Cormorant
American Coot
Ring-necked Duck
Snowy Egret
Northern Harrier
Anna's Hummingbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Acorn Woodpecker
House Finch

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Cascade Park, Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Five birders congregated at Cascade Park for a mid-week field trip under partly cloudy skies that brightened as the morning progressed. None of the 45 species seen was a rarity, but we did enjoy watching a Red-shouldered Hawk refurbishing a nest in a cottonwood tree near the water. There was a small flock of Snowy Egrets. An elusive Bewick's Wren allowed us brief peeks as it bounced around in the blackberry vines in reaction to the electronic sound of its song. Several Ruby-crowned Kinglets treated us to flashes of their namesake crowns.

Birds seen and/or heard were:

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Turtle Bay, Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Seven birders attended the February second Saturday birdwalk at Turtle Bay. At the outset of our walk it was foggy but that disapated as we progressed. Of the 40 species that we saw, the 7 Wood Ducks lined up on a half-fallen log in the forest was probably the most exciting. It was a life bird for one of our new-comers. We saw first-of-season Tree Swallows. The local celebrity eagles were sitting on branches just above their nest. As an added attraction, we counted a timed segment of our sitings to report for The Great Backyard Bird Count.

Species seen:

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Llano Seco Field Trip, Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Participants were: George Horn, Bea Curry, Bill Oliver, Connie Word

Species seen:

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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Six Wintu Audubon members disregarded the weather prediction and spent a marvelous day at the refuge. No wind or rain just partly cloudy. We tallied 57 species. The highlights were the usual tens of thousands of Snow Geese and in one impoundment the Ross’s Geese seemed to be in equal numbers with the Snows. Wave upon wave of geese rose filling the sky overhead was especially inspiring. Bald Eagles were abundant. I believe that we must have seen 5 or 6; ditto for Peregrine Falcons or which we saw 3. One was close enough that Ken got a good picture

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Redding Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 2nd, 2009
The Redding Christmas Bird Count held on January 2 was a great success! We had a record high number of participants---36 and a record high number of species---132 plus 2 more seen on count week.

The weather was cloudy but we had no rain. The most noteworthy species were Cinnamon Teal (first record in the 34 years of the Count), and seen only once before were Red-necked Grebe, Red-naped Sapsucker, and House Wren. Rufous-crowned Sparrow was seen only twice before but should be a regular for the Count now that we know where to find them.

Below are the species and numbers for each:

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Red Bluff Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, December 20th, 2009
On the Red Bluff CBC Sunday Dec. 20 we had 117 species (as did Fall River), and 4 were new to the count - 157 Eurasian Collared Doves in all areas, 1 Hooded Oriole in the Rio Vista Mobile Estates found by John Lewis and confirmed by others, 2 Tree Swallows, and 2 Black-throated Gray Warblers found by Ed Pandolfino and Zach Smith.

In our first count since 2006, we were honored by 19 birders from Wintu, Altacal, Central Valley as well as Skip Sale, David Dahnke and Vonnie Riley from Red Bluff. It was foggy to overcast all day with showers on and off in the afternoon and joined by hunters in some areas.

Kudos to Karen Scheuermann for reviving this important Christmas Bird Count

Below are the species and numbers for each:

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Fall River Mills Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 19th, 2009
On the Fall River Mills CBC on Saturday, Dec. 19th , we had 117 species and 2 were new to the count – a Herring Gull found by Pablo Herrera and Alicia Young on Rat Ranch Road and a Great-tailed Grackle found by Michele Swartout at the Island Road bridge and seen by Bob Yutzy too. Thanks very much to all 17 of the dedicated counters who participated! We had a foggy, fairly cold, day that didn’t clear off until the middle of the afternoon in most areas. Unusual for the count was that it became nice and sunny in the late afternoon (instead of the usual rain and light snow.)

Pied-billed Grebes During Breeding Season

Below are the species and numbers for each:

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Local Weekday Birdwalk at Lema Ranch, Tuesday, November 11th, 2009
Nine birders gathered in the parking lot under partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures. As the morning gradually became warmer and sunnier, we saw 54 species of birds. Probably the best bird was a Red-breasted Sapsucker. Also of note were numerous Lark Sparrows, a flock of White-fronted Geese, Common Moorhen (a Lema Ranch specialty) and a Sora by ear. Several of the group were beginning birders who got clear views of their avian “neighbors” such as Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, White-crowned Sparrow and Western Bluebird.

Below is the complete list.

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Local Weekday Birdwalk at Anderson River Park, Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
In spite of dire warnings of high winds, ten birders enjoyed fine weather and good birding at Anderson River Park this morning. It was the second of this year's ‘weekday' field trips. And judging from the participant turnout and bird count, it was a complete success.

We identified 48 species. The ‘best birds' being a Red-breasted Sapsucker found by Debby Anderson, and a California Thrasher that gave us all a very good look, found by George Horn.

Below is the complete list.

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Second Saturday Birdwalk at Turtle Bay, Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Seven birders enjoyed a birdwalk under clear, sunny skies and cool temperatures. There were no startling birds at Turtle Bay, but it was good to find that some migrators are in, especially Yellow-rumped Warblers and White-crowned Sparrows. After birding the usual loop, the group decided to check out Kutras Lake. Small numbers of ducks have shown up including Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead and American Widgeon. It was especially nice to see a Red-head and a Western Grebe. Three of us were still not satiated, so we went to see if any Black-crowned Night Herons still use their old roosting spot. After careful scrutinization, we spotted one individual tucked into a locust tree on one of the islands. Across the driveway for the apartments, we found a few Ring-necked Ducks and a lone female Northern Shoveler. Counting species seen on the extensions, our total for the morning was 40.

Below is the complete list.

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Lewiston Fish Hatchery and Lewiston Lake, Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Nine people spent a bright and sunny, but not too birdy day, at the Lewiston Fish Hatchery and Lewiston Lake on Saturday, September 26th. It was a little early for waterfowl and a little late for warblers. All in all it was a very pleasant day, well spent with good company.

The best sighting was probably an adult Black Bear, it came down to the opposite river bank and walked along before scrambling uphill into the woods.

Below is the complete list.

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Camp Out At Lassen Volcanic National Park , Saturday and Sunday, June 27th & 28th, 2009
The combined campout at Lassen Volcanic National Park with the Wintu, Redwood Region, and Altacal Audubon Societies was a a great success. Chet Ogan was the only representative from the Redwood Region A.S. but 6 joined us from the Altacal A.S. The weather was great! The valley broiled but the nights were comfortably warm at 5600 ft. elevation. The total count of species was at least 56 ( I may have missed some and additional species may have been spotted after we disbanded on Sunday afternoon. The target bird for most participants was the Black-backed Woodpecker. Only Don Marsh actually saw one because he arose early on Saturday morning and stumbled out over all the downed logs in the old burn behind the Lost Creek Group Camp to find it. Incidentally, that burn is at least 10 years old and the snags may be too old to attract Black-backs. I speculate, however, that the smoke from the campfires at Craggs and Lost Creek Campgrounds have attracted them. To paraphrase the old Camel cigarette add, Black-backs will fly over a mile for a smoke.

Last year a Pileated Woodpecker family nested in the campground. This year we found one gorgeous male but we had to walk down an access road near the campground to see it.

Other notable sightings were an Acorn Woodpecker near the campground (surprising to all to see this species at so high an elevation without a hardwood tree within miles. On our way out the South side of the Park we drew in, thanks to Larry Jorday's Ipod, a couple of Green-tailed Towhees. Further along George Horn suggested that we walk a ways up the Brokeoff Mt. Trail to try for a Sooty Grouse---a suggestion that landed with a dull thud. Then miraculously a few yards down the road here was a mother Sooty with 5 chicks in the road. All in our car got good looks at them.

Below is the complete list.

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Burney Falls And Lake Britton Outing , Saturday, May 30, 2009
Eight lucky birders had a fantastic outing and were able to see some fairly uncomon sights. Black Swifts may be common at Burney Falls but that is one of the few places you can see them in the United States, and how many people have actually seen one sitting on their nest? (See photos at end of post for location. You should be able to spot this bird with a good scope). We saw both Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle at Lake Britton, but the icing on the cake was seeing the White-throated Swifts at the Burney Lookout.

Below is the complete list.

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Second Saturday Bird Walk , Saturday, April 11, 2009
Five birders met under clear but chilly skies. We saw 33 species of birds of which the standouts were a female Common Yellowthroat collecting willow fluff, a Western Kingbird and a Sharp-shinned Hawk..

Below is the complete list.

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Dye Creek Preserve Outing, Saturday, April 4, 2009
Ten Wintu A.S. birders traveled to The Nature Conservancy's Dye Creek Preserve on April 4. A beautiful day although the wind had a bite to it in the morning. We stopped first at Cone Grove Park, always a birdy spot, then at several places along Foothill Road before reaching the Preserve. Hiking up spectacular Dye Creek Canyon we identified probably the best bird of the day--a Golden Eagle soaring high overhead.

Total species count was 61 species. The only spring migrants were Western Kingbirds and maybe a couple of the Orange-crowned Warblers.

Below is the complete list.

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Anderson River Park Outing, Saturday, March 28, 2009
Today 9 birders enjoyed some good birding and being out in perfect weather on the Wintu Audubon's Anderson River Park field trip. We had 55 species, with the best birds being a Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and two California Thrashers. The Thrashers were found in one small tree, and one of which favored us with a few notes of it's unique song.

We were able to see the Bald Eagles at their nest. One on the nest itself, and the other perched not far away. Also, curiously enough, there was an immature Bald Eagle perched very close to the nest.

In addition, we were able to see a Belted Kingfisher emerging from it's nest that is located amid the Bank Swallow's nesting area. However, we weren't able to identify any Bank Swallows, but there were a few Northern Rough-winged Swallows nesting in the same area.

Below is the complete list.

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Millville Plains, Leopard Drive and Parkville Road Outing, Saturday, March 21, 2009
16 hearty folk risked the marginal weather for today's trip. We had light rain beginning at about 11 am off and on (mostly when we got out of our vehicles!)

Counting a few birds we saw at the Civic Center where we met - we had 58 species. Not bad considering there was little evidence of any migration going on except for the swallows.

Many thanks to Sandy Dubose for graciously allowing us to visit her historic ranch house during the field trip.

The best birds were:

Greater White-fronted Geese flying over 100 +/-
White Pelican 2
Merlin (apparently an adult male columbarius) 1
Lewis's Woodpecker 50 +/- (looking really fancy in their breeding plumage)
Swallows - Tree, Violet-green, Rough-winged & Cliff (all seen at sites where they are known to breed!)
1 Peregrine Falcon - prominently perched and showy - as usual for here!
Rock Wren 2 - Wildcat Road - well seen by all
Lark Sparrow 40 +
(No Grasshopper Sparrow at Shammo Ranch yet)
Tri-colored Blackbird 50 + - Wildcat Road
We did have a fair amount of Horned Larks right at the beginning of the wide open area on Leopard Drive, but no Longspurs were "findable."

On the way back up Millville Plains after the group split up, Frank and Darliss Sanderson had a first of the season *Western Kingbird* at the south end of Millville Plains Road. About 1/2 way back up M.P. Rd. Bob & Carol found a single, incredibly drab, female *Mountain Bluebird* that the Sandersons also got to see. It appeared that a good time was had by all,

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Rancho Esquon and Llano Seco Trip, February 28th, 2009
16 birders enjoyed a beautiful day between storms birding the Rancho Esquon, a large, private rice farm near Durham. They have set aside 900 acres for wetland habitat and we were fortunate, due to the efforts of Jennifer Patten of Altacal Audubon, to have access to it. We saw 51 species in the 3 ½ hours that we spent there. Afterwards we travelled the short distance to the Llano Seco Unit of the Sacramento National Wildlfie Refuge Complex where we observed several species including a Red-tailed Hawk harrassing a Golden Eagle.

Species Identified at Rancho Esquon:

Birds seen at Llano Seco unit of the Sacramento NWR:

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Lema Ranch Outing, Saturday, January 31st, 2009
We had a beautiful day for the January 31st outing at Lema Ranch. A total of 55 species were observed by a group of 13 birdwatchers. We were able to see some interesting bird behavior too. A couple of things that caught our attention during this trip: a female Anna's Hummingbird pulling material from the blooming cat tails apparently to use as nesting material and a Canada Goose sitting up in an oak tree to the dismay of his fellow geese (see photo below).

Species Identified:

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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Outing, Saturday, January 17th, 2009
What started out at near freezing temperatures turned out to be a beautiful, balmy day for the January 17th outing at the Sacramento National Wildlfie Refuge. A total of 65 species were observed by a group of 13 birdwatchers.

Highlights that come to mind from today's Wintu Audubon field trip to Sacramento Wildlife Refuge include the following:

12 Blue phase Snow Geese
2 or 3 probable Blue Phase Snow X Blue phase Ross hybrid Geese! (these were very dark birds [as Blue Ross tend to be] with the dark going up over the head) with long necks, big grin patches and the same size as Snow Geese.
4 Blue-winged Teal (2 pair)
1 Greater Scaup female - well studied
1 Eurasian Wigeon
1 Peregrine Falcon - prominently perched and showy - as usual for here!
10 +/- Bald Eagles (regularly harassing the geese)
1,000s of Dunlins
Dowitcher species
5 or so Amercian Avocet
50 + Black-necked Stilt
50 + Western/Least Sandpiper
1 White-faced Ibis
Billions of White-fronted Geese
no Canada Geese
2 Virginia Rails calling
10 + Herring Gulls
5 +/- Tree Swallows

There were not very many ducks overall as compared to most years.

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Redding Christmas Bird Count, Saturday December 27th, 2008
Twenty six energetic birders turned out for this year's Redding Christmas Bird Count. The weather co-operated, a cool day with no rain, very birdable. 118 species were seen this year. Highlights included the 1st Eurasion Collared Dove for the count, spotted by Brooke McDonald and her crew. A pair of Peregrine Falcons seen at Shasta Dam by Ken Bachman's group. The size difference between the male and female was very evident. A Virginia Rail and a Canyon Wren called up by Len Lindstrand in the Clear Creek area. 3 Say's Phoebes seen by Debby Andersons's group near Shasta College. A Golden Eagle flying over Redding seen by Bob and Carol Yutzy.

Several species had new high numbers for our count, including:

Wood Duck 94
Hooded Merganser 84
Cooper's Hawk 8
Peregrine Falcon 4
Acorn Wood Pecker 205
Nuttall's Woodpecker 58
Common Raven 70
Oak Titmouse 227
White-breasted Nuthatch 65
Red-winged Blackbird 299

Participants this year were: Area 1, Brooke McDonald; Jan Brockett, Esther Cox; Brad Dupree. Area 2A, Kenneth Burton; Larry Jordan; Claudia Yerion; Debby Anderson. Area 3A, Red and Nancy Modeen. Area 3B, Connie Word; Karen Scheurerman. Area 4A, George Horn; Len Linstrand III; Nichole Lindstrand. Area 4B, Bud Widdowson; Margaret Widdowson; Jonathon Foster. Area 5, Ed Pottmeyer; Randy Bush. Area 6, Linda Aldrich; Ken Bachman; Steve Bachman; Joann Bachman. Area 7, Bob Yutzy; Carol Yutzy.

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Anderson River Park Christmas Bird Count, Saturday December 20th, 2008
Saturday was the second official Anderson River Park Christmas Count. The weather cooperated by not raining (or snowing!), and was cold but clear. Fifteen people participated in the count and I'd like to thank the group for a job well done! As a group, we tallied 112 species for the day and got some great birds, river otters, and bobcats!!! Check out Bill Adams's picture of the bobcat below.

Here are some highlights of the day:

Say's Phoebe 12!
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
American Bittern 1
Greater Roadrunner sightings in two separate zones
Lapland Longspur 2
Chestnut-collared Longspur 1
Tricolored Blackbirds 800 in a few separate flocks
Bald Eagle 22!
Ferruginous Hawk 8 (more than Fall River!)
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-tailed Kite 2
Lewis's Woodpecker 220!
WHite-throated Sparrow 1
Prairie Falcon 3
Common Moorhen 2
Rock Wren 3
House Wren 4
Marsh Wren 13
California Thrasher 1
Least Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Horned Lark 365
Golden Eagle 3
Eurasian-collared Doves 1(I'm not sure this won't be common everywhere)
Wild Turkey 9

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Fall River Mills Christmas Bird Count, Sunday December 14th, 2008
Twenty dedicated birders faced freezing and snowing conditions at times to bring you the Fall River Mills Christmas Bird Count, lead by Bob Yutzy. The sun poked its head out occasionally but it was cold the entire day. A total of 118 species were either observed or heard during this CBC. In the photo below, taken at the Fall River Hotel after a hardy breakfast are (back row, left to right) Theresa Tucker, Don Tucker, Nancy Modeen, Red Modeen, Marta Sullivan, Carol Yutzy, Darliss Sanderson, Frank Sanderson, Larry Jordan, George Horn and Ken Bachman, (front row, left to right) Don Marsh, Bob Yutzy, Bill Oliver and Al Dimartini.

Below are the totals and best birds of the Fall River Mills CBC after putting together 3 more section lists received after the evening compilation.

Best birds were:

Common Loon 2
Black-crowned Night Heron 115 (new high by 8)
Greater White-fronted Goose 3 (very low)
Snow Geese 201
Cackling Goose 150
Eurasian Wigeon 7 (new high by 1)
Greater Scaup 1
Bald Eagle 40 (new high by 1)
Northern Goshawk (7 time on the count)
Ferruginous Hawk 4 (many less than the Anderson count?)
Rough-legged Hawk 59 (we had the US high last year of 127)
Golden Eagle 5
Merlin 1
Prairie Falcon 7
Virginia Rail 1
Sora 2
Long-billed Dowitcher 3
Wilson's Snipe 1
Barn Owl 11
Great Horned Owl 4
Short-eared Owl 1
Lewis's Woodpecker 1
Loggerhead 3
Northern Shrike 1
American Crow 1
Pygmy Nuthatch 31
Rock Wren 1
Canyon Wren 1
American Dipper 1
Yellow-headed Blackbird 3

Species seen fewer than 5 times:
American White Pelican 1 (seen 3 times before)
Sandhill Crane 2 (fourth time on count)
Eurasian Collared Dove 34 (2nd time on count - up from 25 birds in 2007)
Western Screech-Owl 1 (fourth time on count)
Pileated Woodpecker 1 (5th time on count)

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Anderson River Park Outing, Saturday November 22nd, 2008
Nine hardy dedicated birders faced the rather cool air of an overcast Saturday morning outing at Anderson River Park, lead by Ken Bachman. The sun did finally pop out by mid-morning making the temperature a little more bareable. A total of 46 species were either observed or heard during the November 22nd bird walk. The nine birders contributing were the leader, Ken Bachman, John Coon, Jan Coon, Larry Jordan, Terri Luillier, Red Modeen, Sandy Moulton, Karen Scheuermann and Connie Wood.

Both an adult and immature Bald Eagle were observed as well as a California Thrasher of which everyone got an excellent close-up viewing. The Wood Ducks were seen in all of their colored splender. The complete species list below.

Species Identified:

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Fall River Outing, Saturday November 15th, 2008 at Fall River Mills and McArthur
Bob Yutzy did a wonderful job leading the Fall River outing Saturday. A rather auspicious precursor to the Fall River Christmas Bird Count coming up December 14th. The eighteen dedicated birders were able to view 97 species by the end of, what turned out to be, a warm, beautiful day. The most exciting find of the day was a female Williamson's Sapsucker, spotted by Bill Oliver, president of the Wintu group. All in all, a wonderful time was had by everyone. The complete species list below.

Species Identified:

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Second Saturday Bird Walk, November 8, 2008 at Turtle Bay and Kutras Lake
We had a great time birding the morning of November 8th at Turtle Bay and Kutras Lake. Six of us enjoyed the good weather and camaraderie. Two of the six; Jane and Michele, were new to the 2nd Saturday bird walk, but not to birding. In fact, Michele, who is an excellent birder, found a Hairy Woodpecker, a very good bird for the Turtle Bay area. We found 51 species during our wanderings, the best birds being of course the Hairy Woodpecker, and also Western Grebe, Hooded Merganser, and Sharp-shinned Hawk. The detailed list below.

Species Identified:

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Trip, June 21 & 22, 2008
The weekend trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park by the Wintu Audubon Society and the Redwood Region Audubon Society on June 21 and 22 was memorable both for the birding and the camping. Eleven Wintu members were joined on Saturday by two from Redwood Region---Sheryl and Kathleen. Nine camped Saturday night at the Lost Creek Group Campground. Here is a photo of the group taken by Ken Bachman. Left to right: Mike Damoth, Laurie Damoth, Larry Jordan, Claudia Yerion, Red Modeen, Nancy Modeen, Debbie Anderson, Kathleen and Sheryl from Eureka, Bill Oliver and Ken Bachman.

First, the camping experience. We were surprised and pleased to have the entire campground to ourselves---no noisy neighbors’ boom boxes and we could make as much noise as we wanted!! As you can imagine, the weather was spectacular, if somewhat scary.

We birded Manzanita Lake Saturday morning with beautiful but ominous looking clouds to the west and occasional thunder. By afternoon the clouds moved in followed by intense but short-lived showers, hale and lightning strikes within half a mile that interrupted lunch and setting up camp. As the showers tapered off we birded Hat Lake and Summit Lake.

By late afternoon the sky cleared and we were set for a restful night. However, at breakfast Sunday morning two tenters reported strange and frightful growling in the middle of the night. Was it a bear or just a deer as suggested by a few sympathetic souls? Older, half-deaf members of the group chalked it up to over active imaginations.

Sunday dawned cloudless, with mild temperatures, albeit a bit smokey. We birded Kings Creek Meadows and various turnouts almost to the Sulphur Works.

Now to birding. We tallied 59 species and most interestingly, 10 species were observed nesting. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers nested right in our camp site as probably did a pair of Evening Grosbeaks. We got excellent views of Pygmy Nuthatches at their nest holes at Manzanita Lake and of Black-backed Woodpeckers at Hat Lake. Red Modeen compiled the trip list (see below) and Ken Bachman supplied the photos.

All agreed that we should make this an annual event always inviting a neighboring Audubon group to join us. There’s nothing like a campout to build camaraderie.

Species Identified:

1. Birds listed as nesting were actually seen entering or on the nest and/or gathering nest material.
2. The empidonax flycatcher may have been Willow, it was hawking insects in the willows at Manzanita Lake, but no scope, no consensus.
3. All expected mountain woodpecker species except Williamson’s Sapsucker which was mysteriously quiet.
4. Strangely missing were a few more raptors, and a few more warblers, (Hermit, etc.).
5. Unexpected was a pair of Wilson’s Snipe at King’s Meadow with a male winnowing.

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