Update for March 18, 2023 Field Trip:
With all of the rain we have had, and the forecast of more rain for this coming week, we may not be able to go to the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge. The roads throughout the Refuge are dirt and prone to being muddy.
The alternate plan will be to go to the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve. This is a fairly extensive network of trails through a tidal basin that ends at Seaside State Beach. The drive is nearly 1 ½ to 2 hours, but no dirt roads. If we go there, we won’t need to bring any folding chairs.
This rainy weather situation will cause some last minute decisions to be made. Please let me know by email if you are thinking of going this coming Saturday. In any case, we will leave the parking lot at the Whittier Community Center at 7:00 am this coming Saturday, March 18, 2023. Whether we go the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge or San Elijo Lagoon will depend on how wet this coming week winds up being.
Jay Oberholtzer
Original plan:
This is, perhaps, the best place to see just about every kind of raptor there is for Southern California. Rough-legged Hawks, Kestrels, Harriers and Red-tails are everywhere. It seems like there is usually at least one of each duck and a fair bit of peeps. There will be plenty of birds.
We will probably spend our whole time at the San Jacinto wildlife refuge. We will be doing some driving and stopping. The little 22 Channel radios are very handy to have. There are no picnic tables or the like, anywhere in the refuge. There are plenty of places to pull over. I recommend that everybody bring some folding chairs. As long as the weather cooperates, a clear sunny day is about all that is required. A sandwich, Coke and a folding chair are about as close to heaven as one gets in the Inland Empire. Bring your birding stuff, junk food and a lunch. Folding chairs will bring a touch of civilization.
Meet: We will leave from the Whittier Community Center at 7:00 a.m.
Bring: A sandwich, Coke and a folding chair are about as close to heaven as one gets in the Inland Empire. Bring your birding stuff, junk food and a lunch.
Trip Leader: Jay Oberholtzer