Leaders: Bob Toleno & Juli Chamberlin 

RSVP by January 4 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – limited to 12 participants 

Nestled in the hills on the western side of the Central Valley, Panoche Valley is a fantastic birding spot, especially in winter. We'll meet at the dirt parking lot overlooking Little Panoche Reservoir. We'll start at the reservoir, bird a few spots along the road in Little Panoche Valley and Griswold Hills. We'll then continue south through Panoche Valley and finish in Paicines around 4:00pm (give or take). 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. Bring a lunch and plenty of water, as there is no place to buy food on the route. Heavy rain will cancel the trip. There's a port-a-potty at Little Panoche Reservoir, and pit toilets at a couple other spots on our route, but services are very limited. A little walking may be involved, but no serious hiking. 

Directions: From Castro Valley, head east on I-580, then south on I-5, where you'll continue past Los Banos to 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.