Birding in Chico

We had a great day birding at Gray Lodge. It was clear, a little cool ( about 50˚)but the birds were plentiful. I hope everyone got to see the Bald Eagle to the North on the way out of Gray Lodge. It was a treat.

Bird List, Gray Lodge 11/30/06

Western Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Snow Goose- blue form, Ross’s Goose, Tundra Swan, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, White-tailed Kite, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Moorhen, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Western Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, California Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Blackbird

The weather looks good for tomorrow. It will be clear, and could be windy and cold! We will be spending most of the time in the car on the driving tour, but be sure to dress warmly.

See you tomorrow at Park & Ride Lot #2. We will be leaving at 9 a.m. for Gray Lodge.

Carl

Yesterday 20 intrepid Primetimers braved the elements to go birding at Feather River Parkway in Oroville. When we left Chico at 9 o’clock it was raining enough that we had to use our windshield wipers. On arriving in Oroville a very light mist was still falling, but within 10 minutes the rain had stopped. What started out as a wet day turned out to be pleasant and a lot of fun.

We saw a total of 34 species of birds. This is a good place to go birding anytime!

The list follows:

The weather was cool, about 60˚, with low overcast. Light was poor.

Pied-billed Grebe
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Im. Sharp-shinned Hawk/Merlin?
Red tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
California Quail
California Gull
Western Gull
Rock Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Nuttall’s Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Western Scrub-jay
American Crow
Oak Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
Oregon Junco (Dark-eyed Junco)
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Brewers Blackbird
Lesser Goldfinch

Today”s Outing is a go

According to the current RADAR the rain will have cleared the Chico/Oroville area by the time we get to Oroville. It will still be cloudy but dry.

For those of you that are going directly to Oroville, we will meet at Bedrock Park.

To get to Bedrock Park, turn off the freeway in Oroville at the Montgomery Street exit and turn left.  At the first stoplight (Feather River Blvd.) turn left again.  Follow Feather River Blvd. to Bedrock Park (about two Blocks). We will meet in the upper parking lot because there will be more room. We should arrive from Chico about 9:35 - 9:40.

Thursday OLLI/Primetimers went to Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park. It was cool early with very little wind and a clear sky. There were 33 participants so we divided into three groups. The three groups sighted a total of 35 species:

Great Blue Heron
Snowy Egret
Turkey Vulture
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
American Kestrel
Red-tailed Hawk
California Quail
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Western Scrub Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Crow
Oak Titmouse
Bushtit
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon Junco
Western Meadowlark
Brewer’s Blackbird
Lesser Gold Finch

Everyone seemed to have a good time!

Next week we go to Feather River Parkway in Oroville. More information early next week.

Carl