Birding Central California

Redding Sewage Treatment Plant

At the Redding Sewage Treatment Plant, Berry called it the Redding Sausage Treatment Plant, there was a small misunderstanding after signing in. Berry signed in then they wanted her to sign a legal release, in case we fell in the sewage tailing ponds and drowned. After that, we starting walking past the mechanical equipment to go to the tailing ponds and two fellows drove up in a white pickup and said we weren’t supposed to be there. Berry and I rolled our eyes.

We walked around the tailing ponds and looked for birds and we looked outside the fence, too. We identified the little gray Bushtit in a special area that was posted with a sign warning us not to disturb the endangered “Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle”. The hungry birds could eat the beetles, we imagined, but we were supposed to control our appetites. In this area we also saw the California Quail. There are plenty of these dashing birds here. Note on this bird, the distinctive tear drop shaped topknot, which is diagnostic.

Anderson River Park

We were actually looking for a different place when we found this huge city park alongside the Sacramento River. The way we birded this park was to drive our vehicle a few feet then halt. When we both had finished looking at a bird, Robert would then drive a few feet more. We made our way through the entire park this way, step by step. This is a huge city park with horses to ride, a microlight aircraft launching pad, frisbee golf, large empty places, access to the Sacramento River and a fishing dock. We found some great birds right off the roads or right next to the parking areas.

• Acorn Woodpecker
• Mountain Bluebird
• Stellar’s Jay
• Trumpeter Swan
• Wood Duck
• Canada Geese
• Northern Mockingbird
• House Finch
• Brewer’s Blackbird
• Chipping Sparrow
• Mallard Duck
• Killdeer
• Western Scrub Jay
• Yellow Billed Magpie

The Yellow Billed Magpie was eating seeds on the ground next to the road. It is a very large bird, larger than a Bluejay. It has a bright yellow beak and a bright yellow eye-ring. We were very proud to have spotted this one, because the Yellow Billed Magpie is much more difficult to see than the Black Billed Magpie. It is a rarer bird. A great find for us.

Battle Creek National Wildlife Area

Along a road inside the Battle Creek National Wildlife Area, we stopped the car and focused in on something moving in the bushes beside the road. It had an orangish red stomach and white flecks on its black wings. It was easy to determine that this was the Spotted Towhee. It looks just like the Eastern Towhee that we see near Memphis, except the wings are flecked with white paint.

At one point we spotted a large flock of Wild Turkeys, walking along pecking at the ground. There were at least twelve large birds in this flock. Berry noted that it was closing in on Thanksgiving and that these turkeys were pleasingly plump.

We were tired and hungry so we had lunch at Sandy’s Specialties in Cottonwood, Ca. It is mainly a specialty baking place, but we got some pretty nice sandwiches there.

Sacramento River Agricultural Canals

Back across the river and down the highway a bit, we moved into agricultural fields. There were fruit trees and nut trees and olive trees in neat rows along the country road. To irrigate these fields, there are large concrete canals full of water running up and down the middle of California. There is a road perfectly situated next to the canal, such that we could drive alongside the canal and look for birds inside. Here is where we found one of the best birds of the day, the American Dipper.

• American Dipper
• Greater Yellow Legs
• Say’s Phoebe
• Savannah Sparrow
• Canada Goose
• Red Necked Grebe
• Western Scrub Jay
• Great Egret
• Common Merganser
• Prairie Falcon
• Killdeer

The American Dipper

We found a bird today that we had been looking for most of the trip. We stopped next to a mountain stream once to look for it. The American Dipper is the only songbird which goes swimming. It wades in mountain streams and searches for food. It has a special oil in its feathers to stay warm. It has a small flap of tissue which closes to allow it underwater. Needless to say, when we found it today, at the edge of one of these large concrete agricultural canals, we were happy. We watched the one, when its mate appeared. Berry and I were dancing in circles.

Casa Ramos

Ai Caramba ! Berry and I went to a Mexican restaurant in Corning, Ca. for dinner tonight. I ordered something called Molcajete and then told the waiter, “Muy picante, por favor” which means, “Very spicy hot, please”. The waiter proceeded to take off the top of my head. I started sweating profusely. I quickly ran out of unsweetened iced tea. Berry asked if I were okay. Yes, I was. I had asked for very spicy hot food and I got it. Casa Ramos is an excellent little restaurant, if you’re ever in Corning, Ca.

Robert and Berry

photos courtesy of wikipedia