Re: [SBB] Toddler-friendly Central Valley birding?

[Les Chibana <[[email protected]]>]

Garrett's report is interesting, because during the Central Valley Birding Symposium and the Monday following (11/21), there was almost no sunset fly-in of cranes and swans. The fields next to the road were not flooded which may make the cranes and swans choose safer areas to night roost. During the day, there were hundreds (thousands?) of Aleutian Cackling Geese. We did check down at the San Joaquin River NWR the same next day, and it had no lack of Aleutians (approx. 8K). 

Staten Island Rd. did have flooded fields during the day and therefore, LOTS of cranes and swans.

I would also recommend Merced NWR or Gray Lodge WA.

Les

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Les Chibana

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On Dec 9, 2005, at 4:26 PM, Garrett Lau wrote:

Woodbridge Road is spectacular. That is the Isenberg Crane Reserve that I mentioned in my post earlier this week. There are thousands of Sandhill Cranes, visible all the time, flying in large flocks and congregating in the fields near the road. I took so many photos last Saturday, that I am still sorting through them now. Some photos are here:

http://www.pbase.com/garrettlau/isenbergcrane

 

I'll upload a few more goose photos tomorrow. Randy is probably right about it not being as good as Merced for geese. The Greater White-fronted Geese would only fly by about once every 10 minutes, and the Snow Geese even less often. They were more frequent around sunset, when there was a constant stream of geese, swans, and cranes flying overhead.

 

The only problem is that it might not be toddler-friendly. The cranes don't congregate near the parking lot. Best viewing is from the road, which has no shoulder.

 

--Garrett
 

On 12/9/05, [[email protected]] < [[email protected]]> wrote:

Vivek,

 

I would recommend Merced NWR.  This location probably has the largest, reliable congregations of the species that you mentioned wanting to see.  Woodbridge Road near Lodi typically has more Sandhill Cranes, but I think Merced NWR has more diversity.  It is a driving loop, with an observation platform/viewing deck.  There can be dense fog in the mornings in the Central Valley or any time of day for that matter, but I would go in the afternoon to sunset.  The weather can be warmer and the movement of birds at sunset can be amazing at any of the locations.

 

Good luck

--
Randy Little
Milpitas, CA

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Tiwari, Vivek" < [[email protected]] >

> Sorry for the out-of-area query, but hoping for some tips/advice.
>
> Want to take my 3 1/2 (and 1 yr) old to see some Cranes/Geese.
>
> Which of the nearby Central Valley NWRs or other sites are best suited
> for large flights of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED, SNOW GEESE and SANDHILL
> CRANEs?
>
> Any particular time of day for the best chances?
>
> Thanks!
> Vivek
>
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