03/02/2024
π ππ₯πππ§ πππ©ππ‘π§π¨π₯π! ππ₯πππ§ππ₯ π¦πππ-ππ₯π’π¨π¦π πππ &
ππ’π‘ππ¬ ππππ πͺπππππππ π₯πππ¨ππ.
TRIP LEADER:
John Ehrenfeld - [email protected]
LOCATION:
Susanville, CA
DATE:
Saturday, March 23rd & Sunday March 22nd
TRIP SIZE: 10 participants max
FEE: $695
DAY ONE: The highlight will be a sight that many birders and photographers have never seen, the rare and rural male 'ππ₯πππ§ππ₯ π¦πππ-ππ₯π’π¨π¦π πππ' where they dance at dawn for femalesβ attention. Dozens of competing male Greater Sage-Grouse puff out their chests and fan their starburst tails like while inflating bulbous yellow air sacs and thrusting with their heads to produce weird pops and whistles. Itβs an amazing sight you will never forget!
Although there is no guarantee we will see them, this will be the fourth year in a row I have made this trip and I have found them every time. They typically come back to the same area and I will scout the trip before your arrival.
DAY TWO: We will explore the βππ’π‘ππ¬ ππππ πͺπππππππ π₯πππ¨ππβ and the surrounding area. Itβs comprised of 8,000 acres of sagebrush habitat surrounding a shallow lake in the βGreat Basin Desert.β This wetland supports many migratory birds including Tundra Swans. There will be excellent opportunities to see migratory and nesting waterfowl, Bald and Golden Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, a great variety of Hawks, Beavers, Pronghorn Antelope, Deer, Pheasant, Quail, Rabbits, Moorhens and Snipe.
WHERE: The sagebrush range east of the Sierras near the city of Susanville, offers a beautiful, desolate landscape that harbors fascinating birds and wildlife.
NOTE: Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the city of Susanville and for their lodging. I will e-mail participants who sign up with travel/lodging details.
ACCESSIBILITY: Getting to the Sage Grouse lek requires some walking. It can be up to a mile, sometimes much less, walking in the dark up a rutted jeep road followed by some walking cross-country over stony lava fields. Weather can range from warm to very cold. The remainder of the weekend, we will be birding from our cars or taking short walks on level ground.
NOTE: For the daily birding trips, if possible, be prepared to share a ride, either as a driver or passenger.
FACILITIES: Public bathroom facilities will be sparse but available throughout the weekend.
