Tag Archives | Gray Lodge State Wildlife Area

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

Gray Lodge’s diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a haven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, the approximately 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals. Meet at the Kutras Park parking lot at 6:30am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30am. Bring a lunch and water as this is an all day event. It is not unusual to see over 50 species of birds at this location and is the only place I know to commonly find all three “Teals”. We will traverse the walking trail around the ponds, to the viewing platform and back to the parking lot. Following lunch we will drive the auto tour loop.

Gray Lodge Public Access Map

CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. They are also available in the parking area at Gray Lodge for $4.50. Here is a link to the bird list: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=88006&inline

0

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

Gray Lodge’s diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a haven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, the approximately 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals. Meet at the Kutras Park parking lot at 6:30am sharp to carpool or at parking area 14 at the refuge at 8:30am. Bring a lunch and water as this is an all day event. It is not unusual to see over 50 species of birds at this location and is the only place I know to commonly find all three “Teals”. We will traverse the walking trail around the ponds, to the viewing platform and back to the parking lot. Following lunch we will drive the auto tour loop.

Gray Lodge Public Access Map

CDFW Lands Pass must be in possession by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are in possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. They are also available in the parking area at Gray Lodge for $4.50. Here is a link to the bird list: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=88006&inline

0

Several Blue-winged Teal Were Seen at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

Blue-winged Teal Drake

The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) is not that common in California except along the coast, so we were pretty excited to discover several pair at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area on Saturday. Click on photos for full sized images.

Blue-winged Teal Drake

Of course the drakes get all of the glory in the duck world but I think the females are just as beautiful in their own way with their heavily patterned feathers. This is the female Blue-winged Teal. Note the blue on the top of the beak.

Blue-Winged Teal Female

Blue-winged Teal breed over a large portion of North America but occur irregularly or at low densities in many portions of their range. The highest breeding densities occur in mixed-grass prairie and parklands of north-central U.S. and the prairie provinces of Canada, where the species is often the most abundant breeding duck1.

Blue-winged Teal Range Map

It was a gorgeous day at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, even though it was pretty windy and fairly cold, the sun was out.

Blue-winged Teal Drake

And just so you know…

Blue-winged Teal Drake

these photos were all taken at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge…

Blue-winged Teal Drake

from one of the photo blinds there…

Blue-winged Teal Drake

not at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.

Blue-winged Teal Drake

Once every feather is clean and in place, it’s time to relax and enjoy a little shut eye.

Blue-winged Teal Drake

I was able to shoot some video of the Blue-winged Teal pair preening and foraging at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. A couple of Green-winged Teal drakes shared in the activity. You will also hear several Marsh Wrens in the background. They were seen and heard all over the refuge wherever bulrush was found.

This short video shows the head shaking behavior Blue-winged Teal exhibit just before they take flight when they feel uneasy or threatened. It also includes Black-necked Stilts, Green-winged Teal, and American Coots. You can also hear Red-winged Blackbirds, Western Meadowlark and more Marsh Wrens singing.

References:1Birds of North America Online

0

Gray Lodge State Wildlife Area

Gray Lodge State Wildlife Area is west of Gridley about 100 miles south of Redding so this will be an all day trip. We should see Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, possible Sandhill Cranes, Eurasian Wigeon among many other species of waterfowl—all this with a backdrop of the beautiful Sutter Buttes. Bring your camera! There is a $4.32 per person entrance fee. If you have a California hunting or fishing license there is no charge. We will meet at the Redding Civic Auditorium to carpool so bring a few dollars for gas also. Your trip leader will be George Horn.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Is a Haven for Wildlife

Sutter Buttes

With a backdrop of the world’s smallest mountain range, the Sutter Buttes, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is the perfect site for viewing and photographing nature. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals.

Located approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento, Gray Lodge’s diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a haven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, this 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. More than a million waterfowl winter here, including 100,000 geese and in the fall Sandhill Cranes arrive at Gray Lodge where they roost and feed.

The photo above is the view from parking area number 14 at the beginning of the auto tour route. You can see its location on the “Winter Wildlife Viewing Map” below.

Gray Lodge Winter Access Map

There were many waterfowl species to be seen from this large parking area which also includes picnic tables and is the location of the paypoint kiosk. The day use fee is $4 per person which is waived with the possession of a valid California hunting or fishing license.

From the picnic area I was pleased to find a Blue-winged Teal drake among the Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall and Northern Pintails. Click on photos for full sized images.

Blue-winged Teal Drake

Here is another view from the number 14 parking lot picnic area.

Number 14 parking Lot Picnic Area

Along with the Dark-eyed Juncos and White-crowned Sparrows, Tree Swallows and Spotted Towhees we observed an Orange-crowned Warbler preening on a low overhanging tree branch.

Orange-crowned Warbler

There is a 0.85 mile self-guided nature trail that also originates from parking lot 14 as well as a two mile graveled, levee trail, which meanders by the edges of seasonal and permanent ponds. An illustrated pamphlet is available at the trailhead for this self-guided nature trail. It includes descriptions of what can be seen at fourteen corresponding stations on the trail map.

Gray Lodge Nature Trail Map

The large permanent pond you see on the map is vital for the resident wildlife here. Among the Cinnamon Teal and American Coots were several Double-crested Cormorants and American White Pelicans.

American White Pelican with Double-crested Cormorants

Gray Lodge also boasts one of California’s largest volunteer Wood Duck nest box programs which monitors over 400 nest boxes. One is seen at the number two marker on the trail map. Gray Lodge also offers guided tours, stationed environmental education, kits for the classroom and self-guided opportunities. See their Education Brochure for more information.

The nature trail leads you to a universally accessible wildlife viewing platform, overlooking a huge seasonal pond.

Gray Lodge Observation Platform

The platform offers magnificent views of this wetland habitat. If you look closely, on the far right of this photo, you can see Mount Lassen in the distance.

Nature Trail Observation Platform View

We spotted several species from this observation platform including Snow and Ross’s Geese, Northern Harrier Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Greater White-fronted Geese, Red-tailed Hawk and the ubiquitous American Coot.

American Coot

On the way back to our vehicles we caught a glimpse of a Lincoln Sparrow foraging on the edge of the waterway.

Lincoln Sparrow

This map shows the extent of the refuge accessible to the public from one week after waterfowl hunting season until two weeks before waterfowl season, roughly mid-February through September. You can compare it to the “Winter Wildlife Viewing Map” above to see how much more additional refuge land and permanent ponds are available for wildlife viewing during the non-hunting season. I am looking forward to exploring the refuge again this Spring to try to locate some resident Burrowing Owls.

Gray Lodge Summer Access Map

The 3 mile auto loop offered up good looks at several more bird species as well as Mule deer. This pair of foraging Gadwall seemed undisturbed by the close proximity of our vehicles…

Gadwall Pair

and the Great Blue Heron probably figured that we couldn’t see him.

Great Blue Heron

We saw Great Egrets ready to take flight…

Great Egret

and Herring Gulls resting on the islands.

Herring Gulls

There were Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks

Ruddy Duck

taking advantage of this wetland habitat.

Gray Lodge Auto Tour View

The cottonwoods and willows surrounding the ponds offer excellent cover for raptors waiting for a meal. We saw White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk and of course, Red-tailed Hawks.

Red-tailed Hawk

Nearing the end of the auto loop there is a beautiful, well made public blind, the Harry Adamson Observation Hide.

Harry Adamson Observation Hide

This hide is well thought out with windows that open half way for observation and photography. There are bench seats and shelves that can be used with sandbags for camera stabilization.

Harry Adamson Observation Hide Inside

This is the view from the observation hide. You can see the Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese in the distance.

Harry Adamson Observation Hide View

Just beyond the blind on the auto tour route, if you look to your left you may see a colony of Black-crowned Night-Heron perched in the willows.

Black-crowned Night-Heron

In the Sacramento Valley, as in many other areas of the state, much of the original riparian habitat was converted to farmland. The woodlands that remain at places like Gray Lodge provide food, shelter and shade for aquatic and terrestrial species like the garter snake, great blue heron, ringtail and river otter. You can download the Gray Lodge bird list here.

Currently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) oversees 106 wildlife areas located throughout the state, totaling over 627,500 acres – plenty of room for unique outdoor experiences for just about any wildlife interest1. In addition there are 119 ecological reserves in California totaling nearly 129,000 acres2.

Efforts continue to enhance and protect habitat for wildlife to ensure that species have the habitat for foraging and the space to raise young for generations to come. You can see search for California Wildlife Areas by region here. You can also search for California Ecological Reserves by region here.

California also has 40 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). You can search for these National Refuges by state here.

References: 1Slusser, Greg (2001, July-August). Wildlife Areas – California’s Little Known Treasure. Outdoor California Magazine, 2Lewis, Kari (2001, November-Decmber). California’s Ecological Reserves. Outdoor California Magazine,