Calendar
Events Calendar
We'll meet at 8:30AM at the dirt parking lot overlooking Little Panoche Reservoir, just over four miles down Little Panoche Road from I-5. We'll start at the reservoir, bird a few spots in Little Panoche Valley and Griswold Hills. If the group wants to, we can also stop at Mercey Hot Springs to try for Long-Eared Owl, if everyone is OK with paying the $10 per person fee. We'll then continue through Panoche Valley and finish in Paicines around 4:30 PM. We'll be looking for all the area specialties, especially Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Phainopepla, Mountain Bluebird, Bell's Sparrows (and maybe even a Sagebrush Sparrow), Sage Thrasher, and of course, Mountain Plovers.
All are welcome, but please RSVP via email if you plan to attend. Bring a lunch. Only heavy rain will cancel the trip. There's a port-a-potty at Little Panoche Reservoir, and a couple other spots on our route, but services are limited. A little walking may be involved, but nothing difficult, and no serious hiking.
(Panoche) Directions: From Castro Valley, head east on I-580, then head south on I-5, continue past Los BaƱos, and take exit 379 (Shields Avenue/Mendota). From there, turn right onto Little Panoche Road and drive west about 4 1/2 miles to Little Panoche Reservoir.