With many youngsters about to start their Christmas vacations, now is a great time to take them on a wildlife sightseeing trip. Northern California has dozens of opportunities to view wildlife close up and most are within a short drive of Lake County. Not only will it be an educational experience, but enjoyable as well.
Without question, one of the most spectacular sights in the country are the thousands of ducks and geese in the Sacramento Valley. The Sacramento Valley is the primary wintering ground for more than 50 percent of all the waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. More than three million ducks and geese spend the winter in the valley. The ducks and geese start their migration in Alaska and Northern Canada and by mid -December have settled in the federal and state wildlife refuges in the Sacramento Valley. There are four federal refuges and two state refuges. The largest is the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, located just south of Willows on I-5.
The Sacramento Refuge offers a 5-mile, self-guided auto tour, one that takes you within a few yards of thousands of the ducks and geese wintering at the refuge. There are also bald and golden eagles as well as pheasants and hawks.
One of the most spectacular sights is when the huge flocks of snow geese leave the refuge in the morning to feed in the nearby rice fields. The sky literally turns white with the geese and their calls are deafening. This is one trip that you want to bring along a pair of binoculars and a good camera. The tour takes about two hours. To get there, take Highway 20 from Lake County to I-5. Turn north on I-5 and take the Norman Road Exit just south of Willows and turn north on the frontage road to the refuge. As you enter the refuge there are signs directing you to the tour road.
The Colusa National Wildlife Refuge also offers an abundance of waterfowl. The refuge is located on Highway 20 between the towns of Williams and Colusa.
In addition to the refuges, waterfowl can be viewed throughout the Sacramento Valley as they fly to and from their feeding areas. For example, the rice fields along highways 20 and 162 are loaded with geese and ducks.
While traveling to the Sacramento Valley be on the lookout for the herds of tule elk along Highway 20 near the Cache Creek Wildlife Area. The elk can often been seen within a few yards of the highway.
Closer to home, there is the herd of tule elk at Lake Pillsbury. The herd now numbers close to 80 animals, including several large bulls. They can normally be seen on the airport at the north end of the lake.
Lake Pillsbury itself is now little more than a puddle but should fill with the coming rains. Regardless, it”s a beautiful drive and a great place to take a lunch and enjoy the scenery. To reach the lake, take Highway 20 west to the Potter Valley turnoff. Take the county road into the lake. The road is gravel but in good shape and can be traveled by auto.
Wildlife also can be seen in large numbers on Clear Lake. The white pelicans provide an awesome sight as they soar over the lake. One of the best places to see them is near the state park. There have been a number of recent sightings of bald eagles, especially near the state park and near Rattlesnake Island. Otters are now found throughout the lake and are fascinating to watch. In addition, there are hundreds of other species of water birds.
For those who want to learn from expert bird watchers, then join members of the Redbud Audubon Chapter of the Audubon Society for their annual Christmas bird count in Lake County. The event takes place Saturday and birders of all skills are encouraged to participate. This will be the 35th year the count has taken place in Lake County. To participate all you have to do is show up at either the Clear Lake State Park or Anderson Marsh at 8 a.m.
You can all call Darlene Hecom-ovich at 928-5591 for more information.
The Redbud Audubon Chapter also will have a bird identification session on Thursday evening at the Kelseyville High School library starting at 7 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to meet some great people and learn a lot about the wild birds that inhabit Lake County.
