:Stanislaus Audubon Fieldtrips for 2010 (January through March)

All of the Stanislaus Audubon Society Fieldtrips are open to the public. Fieldtrips will include a combination of walking and driving. Read the trip description for details. No pets are allowed. Children must be under direct parental supervision at all times. Bring binoculars, birding field guides, water, lunch, suntan lotion, insect repellant, and any other personal items that you feel you need. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Also be prepared to assist the drivers with fuel costs and any entry fees. Occasionally restroom facilities are not available, but the leader will know the location of the nearest restrooms. If you have any questions contact Bill Amundsen at 521-8256 or birdscouter@prodigy.net. If you any ideas for future fieldtrips contact Bill.

FIELDTRIPS TO SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:

Stanislaus Audubon Society organizes monthly fieldtrips to San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge located west of Modesto. Most of these trips are driving, but we may walk up to two miles on dirt roads. These trips will meet in the parking lot behind Stanislaus County Library, 15^th and I Streets in Modesto at 7:00 A.M., Upcoming trip dates to the refuge are: Saturday, January 16; Sunday, February 21; Saturday, March 20; Sunday, April18; Saturday, May 15; Sunday, June 20.

GENERAL FIELDTRIPS:

Friday, January 1 2010; Palo Alto Baylands

Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Trip Leader: Jim Gain

On this day the high tide will occur at 12:03 P.M. and it will be +9.5 feet. This means that all of the marshy fields will be flooded, and the birds hiding in them will be forced to walk on top of the plants. The most noteworthy birds will be Clapper Rails, along with their cousins Virginia and Sora Rails, and occasionally the rare Black Rail. These baylands have large areas that can be searched for other birds. This area also contains excellent areas to work on your gull and tern identification. The area is good and the leader very good.

Sunday, January 24; Cosumnes River Preserve

Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Trip Leader: TBA

This is an area of grasslands and natural riparian woodlands. There should many wintering and year-round birds in residence along the walking paths and on the several ponds.

Sunday, February 7; Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Leader: Walter Tordoff

This area attracts large numbers of 5 species of geese and several species of ducks during the winter months. Also present are hawks , shorebirds, and songbirds.

Saturday, February 20; Del Puerto Canyon

Meet at 7:A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Leader: Sal Salerno

This is a fascinating canyon leading into the coast range and its interesting series of habitats.

Saturday, March 6; Army Corps of Engineers Parks

Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Trip Leader: John Harris

These parks along the Stanislaus River are great for birds in spring. Along with migrating birds

Saturday, March 13; Turner Road Winery

Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15^th and G St. in Modesto

Trip Leader: Bill Amundsen

The Turner Road Winery has two winery within a half mile area. They take the waste water from these two wineries and process it through a water treatment plant. The final stages of this process pass the water trough a marsh area that has had some interesting birds in the last couple of years, i.e. Vermillion Flycatcher. We will get a tour of this facility and have a chance to do some birdwatching.