Hammond trail.
Join trip leader Janelle Chojnacki making frequent stops to look out over the Mad River, we hope to spot more common urban birds like sparrows, finches, and thrushes. We’ll also look for aquatic species around the river like cormorants, gulls, loons, and grebes. Meet at the small parking lot at the corner of Murray and Kelly where Murray Road meets the Hammond trail.
Sunday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Meet leader Ralph Bucher at the Visitor Center for this two-mile walk along a wide, flat trail that is packed gravel and easily accessible. Just outside of town, this refuge offers astounding and easy access to tidally-influenced habitats including mudflats, riparian vegetation, conifers, and a bay that hosts a variety of geese, raptors, shorebirds, and waders. Email Ralph to sign up at thebook@reninet.com.
Eureka Waterfront Trail
Sunday, February 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.,
Join leader Ralph Bucher on this relatively urban trail that offers the potential to observe species abundance and diversity compared to many more remote locations. Keep an eye and ear out for cormorants, loons, grebes, and even otters diving for their meals in the bay alongside the trail. This walk is on a flat, paved trail that is wheelchair accessible. Email Ralph to sign up for this field trip at thebook@reninet.com
Saturday, February 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Wigi Wetlands Volunteer Workday.
Help create bird-friendly native habitats and restore a section of the bay trail by removing invasive plants and trash. The trail section is located behind the Bayshore Mall and volunteers will meet in the parking lot directly behind Walmart. We will provide tools, gloves, and packaged snacks. Please bring your drinking water. Contact Jeremy Cashen at jeremy.cashen@yahoo.com or 214-605-7368.
Southern Humboldt
Saturday, February 24, 8:30 a.m.
This walk includes 2-3 miles of gentle walking through riparian, grassland, and mixed hardwood forests with bird species varying by season. In the winter, white-crowned and golden-crowned sparrows abound and Lincoln’s sparrows, Northern harriers, and Wilson’s snipe might be observed, as well as the year-round residents like jays, towhees, woodpeckers, and several raptor species. Meet at the Tooby Park parking lot located 1 mile west of Garberville on Sprowl Creek Road. This trip occurs on the fourth Saturday of every month, generally starts around 8:30 a.m., and the leaders vary by month. Call Ann at 707-296-8720 for the correct start time or with any other questions.
Sunday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Humboldt Bay South Spit.
Join leader Ken Burton to explore this nearly treeless peninsula that presents bay and ocean habitats. Among the commoner species, we'll also look for Tundra Swan, Black Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-necked Grebe, Snowy Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Rock Sandpiper, Parasitic Jaeger, Black-legged Kittiwake, Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, and Short-eared Owl. This will be primarily a driving trip with some short walks on sand and other soft surfaces. Meet Ken (
shrikethree@gmail.com) at the beach parking lot below Waluplh-Lighthouse Ranch (40.69711, -124.27547) at 8:30 a.m. We'll be out until about noon; pack food if you wish to stay for lunch at the end.