Field Trip: Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Butte County

Date: Saturday November 13, 2010

Time: 9:15 AM

We are excited to be visiting this favorite spot to see the astonishing numbers of wintering waterfowl. (NSAS Event)

Details:

Leader: David Takeuchi

Description: We plan to assemble at the Check Station at 9:15 AM, joining a guided tour at 10:00 AM. Following the tour, we will have lunch and then continue birding.

The following information and more can be found on the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area website.

Located approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento, Gray Lodge's diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a heaven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, this 9,100-acre area offers great wildlife viewing all year. In the fall and winter a vast number of migratory waterfowl fill the sanctuary with lively chatter and incredible sights... A day use pass is required. The cost is $2.50/person. Fees are waived for visitors under 16 years of age OR a valid CA hunting, trapping or fishing license earns you a day pass to Gray Lodge...

With a backdrop of the world's smallest mountain range, the Sutter Buttes, Gray Lodge is the perfect site for viewing and photographing nature. Reflective ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas provide food, water and shelter for more than 300 species of resident and migrant birds and mammals. Although wildlife is abundant throughout the year, Gray Lodge is famed for the incredible number of waterfowl experienced by visitors in the fall and winter months. Migrating ducks can be seen as early as August. The vocal snow geese begin their arrival in October, the beginning of our peak visitation season. By December, as many as a million ducks and a hundred-thousand geese can be found resting in the sanctuary.

• Wildlife Museum - This wildlife exhibit room contains many taxidermy species of birds and a few mammals found on the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.
• Self-guided Nature Trail - The Wetland Discovery trail will take you along transition zones of ponds, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas. This trail leads you to a wheelchair accessible, wildlife viewing platform, overlooking a seasonal pond. Although it is less than a mile, round-trip, most visitors find this relaxing trail takes over an hour to complete.
• Wildlife Observation Hides - Gaze through windows to see shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds and deer. Overlooking two of our seasonal ponds, these buildings can provide great opportunities for viewing and photographing wildlife.
• Auto Loop - For those who like to remain in their cars during these cooler months, we have a 3-mile auto-loop that winds through the heart of the sanctuary. To limit wildlife disturbance, all visitor must remain in their vehicles on this loop during our peak visitation season.
• Walking - If you prefer to leave your car behind, we have a 0.6-mile self-guided nature trail. Complete with a booklet, this trail leads you to a universally accessible, wildlife viewing platform. Another option is our 2.5-mile graveled, levee trail, which loops through several sanctuary ponds. All peak season walking routes originate out of parking lot # 14.
• Guided Tours - Guided public walks are available Saturdays at 10:00am and Sundays at 1:00pm, unless raining, through the peak viewing season. No reservations are needed for groups under 12 persons. Tours take about 1-1/2 hours.
• Photography - Many photographic opportunities are available from the walking trails and auto-loop. Two viewing hides create a unique opportunity to set up equipment out of the weather, capturing images of wildlife in their wintering habitat, through opening windows.

Pack snacks, liquids, and a lunch. It’s always a good idea to wear a hat and bring sun screen. Remember to bring bug repellent and your $2.50 day use fee.

Directions: Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is located at 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley, CA 95948. Meet at the Check Station. From I-80 east, take CA-113 north towards Woodland, take exit 538 and continue on CA-113 N towards Yuba City, take Highway 99 north to Live Oak. Turn west on Pennington (North Butte) Road. Turn right on Almond Orchard Avenue and continue to the entrance. The distance from Live Oak is about eight miles. Driving time from Cordelia is about 1 hour 45 minutes. For detailed driving instructions, use Mapquest, Google Maps, or your GPS. Also click here to find some useful maps on the Gray Lodge website.

submitted on August 19, 2010, at 04:17 PM PST

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