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Field Trips

FIELD TRIPS

Field Trip Coordinator: Jasmine Vittori, jasmine.vittori@gmail.com, 775-224-3282

LAS field trips are free and open to the public. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Please reserve your space with field trip leaders. Reservations provide leaders with contact information so they can reach you in the event of trip changes, or cancellations. Always dress for changing weather conditions, and bring something to eat and drink. For more information contact Field Trip Chair Jasmine Vittori.

The nearby Plumas Audubon Society also has field trips scheduled that area birders may find of interest. For more details please visit http://www.plumasaudubon.org/

Field Trip Reports

Previous field trip reports can be found on the Field Trip Reports Page.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Damonte Ranch Wetlands
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Leader: Jasmine Vittori, 775-224-3282, jasmine.vittori@gmail.com
This is an easy walk on paved trails and birders of all experience levels are welcome. We hope to see some early spring migrants and resident birds of wetlands and open meadows. Past trips have offered great close-up views of several waterfowl species as they are fairly tame and used to people in this area—also good views of Northern Harriers. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one and extra clothes for unpredictable weather. Prepare to be out until about noon. The group size is limited; please contact Jasmine to reserve your space. We will meet at the Home Depot parking lot near Damonte Ranch Parkway and Steamboat Parkway and carpool from there. Directions: from Highway 395, take the Damonte Ranch Exit and turn east onto Damonte Ranch Parkway (this will be a left if you are traveling south on 395 coming from Reno and a right if you are traveling north on 395 coming from Carson City and points south). Go past Double R Blvd. and turn left at the next stoplight—Promenade. Then turn right and continue to the Home Depot parking lot, which will be on your left. There will be a McDonalds on your right. Jasmine will give the specific parking lot meeting spot when you RSVP.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Swan Lake
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Leader: Bob Goodman, 775-972-7848, pandion36@aol.com
Meet Bob at 8:30 a.m. in the McDonald’s parking lot, Lemmon Valley Exit (Exit 74), north of Reno, off Hwy 395. We will carpool the short distance to Lemmon Valley Marsh. Bring a spotting scope if you can, and prepare to be out until midday. It’s is a good time to see early spring migrants and winter resident birds on the marsh and wetlands. This is an easy bird walk and birders of all experience are welcome.

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

McCarran Ranch, Truckee River
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Dennis and Becca Serdehely, 775-771-1575, birders@att.net
This will be an excellent trip to observe spring migrants as migration will be in full swing. We should also be able to observe early breeding activity as well as see the restoration work that The Nature Conservancy has been doing over the last several years. We will be meeting at the new entrance on the south side so please contact Dennis for directions. The plan is to bird along the south side down to the new bridge and possibly go across and then bird the north side if time and interest permits. We will not be returning to the cars for lunch so please bring a backpack, lunch, plenty of water, warm clothes, and of course, binoculars! Space is very limited, so please contact the leader to reserve a spot.

Saturday/Sunday, May 11-12th, 2013

Owling & The Dawn Chorus
Time: Saturday afternoon
Leader: David Jickling, 775-848-0069, david.jickling@gmail.com
Have you ever awoken to the dawn chorus? Have you ever called in an owl? If your answer to either of these questions is “no,” then this may be the trip for you. Join David Jickling for an evening and a morning at Yuba Pass. Located about 70 miles northwest of Reno, Yuba Pass is located on Highway 49 high up near the headwaters of the Yuba River, among old-growth fir trees providing excellent bird watching and listening opportunities. There is a 20-site campground where we’ll stay if it is open; otherwise primitive camping will be in the trees across the highway from the campground. Meet Saturday afternoon, May 11th, for some informal birding and socializing while we set up camp. As dusk approaches, David will see what he can do to call in an owl or two. No guarantees, but we’ll have fun trying and maybe, just maybe, we’ll get a Northern Pygmy-Owl, or perhaps a Flammulated Owl or Northern Saw-whet Owl. Just for grins, and if all else fails, we’ll try for the Spotted Owl—highly unlikely but you never know. Sunday morning we’ll wake up to the sound of the dawn chorus in the forest. Lots of warblers, woodpeckers, and other mountain birds await us as we stroll leisurely birding before (and after?) breakfast. Should be lots of fun! Space is limited to 15 people so you must call or email David at david.jickling@gmail.com to reserve your spot. If you want to try and reserve a spot at the campground, ($21.00 per night) please go to: http://www.recreation.gov/ and type in Yuba Pass Campground, or call 877-444-6777. If you have questions, give David a call (848-0069).

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

South of the Border Down Markleeville Way
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Jim Woods, 775-265-3914
We will skip across the border into California and explore the area and birds around Markleeville, Grover’s Hot Springs, Indian Creek Reservoir, and Diamond Valley. No passports required, just your binoculars, water, and a snack. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the AM/PM in Minden. From Reno, head south on Hwy395, pass Carson City, to the light at the Junction with Hwy 88 at the entrance to Minden. Go about one block to the AM/PM on your right. We will be carpooling so bring radios if you have them. The trip limited to 12; please contact the trip leader to reserve your space.

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Silver Saddle Ranch
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Nancy Santos, 775-884-1570, nancylas@att.net
Sponsored by LAS and Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch (FOSSR), this trip includes a walk along riparian habitat adjacent to the Carson River. Other habitats along the way include agricultural fields, sagebrush, and willows. The diversity of habitats provides for a diversity of bird species to be observed. All levels of birders are welcome and beginning birders are encouraged to attend. Please contact Nancy to register for the trip.