This will primarily be a birding by car trip. Known raptors in the area include: Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Ferruginous Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, American Kestrels, Prairie Falcons, Bald Eagles and occasionally Golden Eagles. Not to be left out – Burrowing Owls are always a possibility as is the recent sightings of a Short-eared Owl.
Most all of the ducks should still be around, maybe we’ll get lucky and get a Eurasian Widgeon or a Cinnamon Teal.
Meet at Barrows at 8:30 to carpool, or meet at the Copperopolis Pond at 9:00 AM where we can organize a caravan with our walkie-talkies. Bring a sack lunch, water, snack, you know the drill. We can eat at the resort ($10 / car), before moving on to the rest of the valley.
Trip leader Paolo Maffei – 209 427-8178.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 22ND – 8:00
This is to introduce myself as the new Field Trips Chair for CSAS. I’m not at all new to birding, but it’s fair to say I’m entirely new to a position such as this, with the possible exception of nearly 10 years of work as a fly fishing guide. I regard the former Chair, Kit DeGear as leaving very big shoes to fill, so I welcome and encourage any helpful input, advice, ideas and suggestions I can get from all.
Let’s take advantage one more time of the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway winter closure at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. With no vehicle or pedestrian traffic, the parkway is a pleasant walk on a gentle grade. The birding should be outstanding. We can meet at the Visitor Center and start our walk from there. It is about a four mile loop. We can eat lunch at the Scenic Overlook, where there is a picnic table and a restroom. Bring water, a lunch or snack, and dress for the weather?? Rain will cancel.