Registration is NOT required for this field trip.

Field Trip Leader: Craig Swolgaard

A published study found that California’s Central Valley is one of the richest wintering areas for raptors in the country. The trip will begin at Meiss and Dillard Roads and end at Clay Station and Dillard Roads following a 33 mile loop used as a survey route in a past study. Many species of raptors have been found along this productive drive during the winter months, including Golden Eagle, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, White-tailed Kite, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, and Burrowing Owl.

This is also a good area to find Mountain Bluebirds in winter and has potential for other vagrants. Bring a spotting scope if possible. Trip may go into early afternoon so bring water and food

Meeting Location: Meet at the small public parking lot on the northwest corner of Highway 16 and Sunrise Blvd at 8 AM. Because some of the route involves using pullouts on a busy highway, we should try to minimize the number of vehicles driven. Participants are encouraged to arrange their own carpools at the meeting site. 

Directions: From Sacramento take Highway 50 to Rancho Cordova and exit at Sunrise Blvd SOUTH. Follow Sunrise Blvd for several miles until you reach Highway 16. Turn right into the parking lot.

COVID 19 Precautions: All participants, including field trip leaders, must be vaccinated.

Ferruginous Hawk, Image by Daniel Brown