Field Trips
NOTE: Heavy rain cancels field trips. If in doubt, call the trip leader by one hour before the meeting time.
Please call me for additional information regarding any of these trips. — Ken Smith, Field Trip Chair
A Note from Ken Smith, Field Trip Chairman
CSAS Needs You! CSAS has introduced our BIRDING LOCALLY program designed to introduce new people and novices to the fun and enjoyment of bird-watching. One needn’t travel far to experience or participate in this activity. For instance, recently the Audubon National 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count was conducted, on Friday, February 15, through Monday the 18th. This is an ideal birding experience for the novice as well as the experienced birder. This is also an opportunity to learn about birds, their beauty, migrations, environments and interactions with humankind, and to contribute valuable information to science via various birding activities such as the national annual Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count. The Birding Locally program offers monthly local field trips in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties led by experienced bird‐watchers. We need experienced bird watchers to lead these field trips. Many of the birders I know are reluctant to volunteer because they do not feel they have enough experience or birding background. To this I say: You have more experience and knowledge than most of the people who will participate. Be honest; give them your background and possible reservations. You will find you have more to offer than you realize. Sighting a bird, giving the novice the tricks of locating the bird, its description, and relevant information strengthens your own abilities and gives the novice the basic information they need to get started. That is what Birding Locally is all about – Getting them started! If you have a sighting that you are unsure of, dig out the field guides with the group and work together to come up with the name of the bird. This engages the novice and everyone learns from the experience. If by chance, someone in the group has more experience than you, USE THEM! Contributions from everyone are helpful. I was not a birdwatcher and had never been on a birding field trip in my life when I found myself having to lead the first five birding trips I participated in. My new employer gave me a pair of binoculars and a Peterson Field Guide to Western Birds and said, “Meet these people at 7 a.m.” When I said I knew little about birds, he responded, “You’ll learn with them.” He was right. That was in 1972. As you can see in this issue of the Squawker, we do not have a field trip scheduled in Calaveras County for March. We very much need volunteers to lead Birding Locally field trips in the Tuolumne and Calaveras counties area. YOU CAN DO IT! You do not need to be a member of the Audubon Society to volunteer, although we would love to have you. Contact Ken Smith, CSAS Field Trip Chair at 949‐922‐1455 or email Ken.
Calaveras County
Calaveras County trips will normally be on Saturday during the even numbered months and on Sunday during the odd numbered months.
Note: There are currently no field trips planned. Please see above.
Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County trips will be on Sunday during the even numbered months and on Saturday during the odd numbered months.
Friday, April 26-28
Pinnacles CANCELLED
John Turner has had to cancel the field trip to the Pinnacles National Park on April 26 through 28, because there are no camping sites available. All the campsites have already been reserved. If a trip is to be scheduled next spring, and you wish to go, reservations must be made at least four months in advance to ensure you will be able to reserve a site of your choice.
Wednesday, May 1 (Local)
GCSD (Groveland Community Service District)
Trip leader: Jeanne Ridgley, Membership Chair, 962-7598
Time and directions: 8:00 a.m. to 10 or 11:00 a.m. From Highway 120 in Groveland, take Ferretti Road and then watch for the GCSD sign on the left at 18966 Ferretti. Drive in and park in the lot to the left. The first Wednesday of every month Jeanne leads a birding walk at the Groveland Community Services property in Groveland. The property encompasses an area of more than 200 acres of oak, pine and willow habitat with three water storage ponds. 132 species of birds have been seen there since November of 2007. Bring binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. Rain will cancel the trip.