- Date: 06/14/2008
- Time: 07:00:00 AM
Sierra Valley/Yuba Pass June 14-15
Field Trip
The annual trip to the Sierra Valley/Yuba Pass region has become a favorite for YAS participants over the years. We look forward to seeing the amazing assortment of water birds and mountain birds set against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. In Sierra Valley, we will be treated to a raucous nesting colony of Yellow-headed Blackbirds, as well as nesting Common Snipe, Willets, Wilson’s Phalaropes, American Bitterns, and Sandhill Cranes. Many species of ducks and rails nest in the valley and are often joined by White-faced Ibis and American White Pelican. In the adjacent Great Basin scrub, we will be looking for Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, and Black-billed Magpie.
At Yuba Pass, we focus on woodpeckers (e.g., Red-breasted Sapsucker and White-headed Woodpecker), flycatchers (e.g., Hammond’s and Olive-sided Flycatcher), and finches (e.g. Evening Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, and Pine Siskin). At Chapman Saddle Road, on the way to Yuba Pass, Townsend’s Solitaire and Calliope Hummingbird are our target birds.
Finally, time permitting, we will look for Willow Flycatcher and American Dipper near Perrazo Meadow. For this overnight trip, both camping and motel options are available. We will be meeting at the corner of Fifth and C Streets in Davis at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of June 14. Please bring camping gear (if applicable),enough food to cover at least two lunches and a breakfast, plenty of fluids, binoculars, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Be prepared to dress in layers. We will plan to return to Davis before dark on Sunday night. Please contact one of the co-leaders for this trip (Kevin Gusé at 916-452-9801 or Mary Schiedt at 530-400-7094) for more information.