This event is full and registration is closed. Check out our Event Calendar for more upcoming outings!
Date & Time: Sunday, May 7 at 8:00 am
Location: Big Hill Preserves, North Auburn
They say the early bird catches the worm, so morning must be the best time for bird watching!
About this event: Whether you are a beginning or expert birder, you are invited to join us as we stroll quietly through the open blue oak woodland and floodplain areas along Raccoon Creek at our Taylor Ranch Preserve (not to be confused with Traylor Ranch in Penryn). This is a joint activity hosted by Placer Land Trust and Sierra Foothills Audubon Society.
We will saunter along the banks of Racoon Creek and wend slowly through blue oak grassland, looking and listening for year-round residents and migrating songbirds.
We’ll practice basic birding identification skills and will get to know the common residents of the diverse habitat of this beautiful preserve.
Distance and difficulty: This will be an easy outing with no more than a mile and a half of walking mostly on trails and some across fields; some uneven terrain. Some of the walking may be off trail in tall grass. The event will be about three hours long.
Who should attend: This event is open to all levels of birders; no prior experience necessary, and more advanced birders are welcome too. Younger children are not advised unless they can stay quiet. Sorry, no dogs allowed unless they are service animals (due to the potential conflicts with livestock and wildlife). We expect to be back to our cars before 11:30 am.
About Taylor Ranch / Big Hill Preserves:
These preserves protect critical unfragmented oak woodlands in the Raccoon Creek and Bear River watersheds, and are part of one of the last relatively “wild” areas in western Placer County. The trails on these preserves meander past spectacular rock formations, the gently flowing Raccoon Creek, and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Sacramento Valley. Learn more about this beautiful preserve here.
This is a free event; however, donations help make these activities possible! We suggest a donation of $10 per person or $25 for a family. You can donate during registration, and we’re happy to accept cash or a check at the event in an envelope with your name written on it.
Registration:
- You may only register yourself and members of your immediate household
- People outside of your household must register themselves.
- Deadline to sign up is 5pm on Thursday prior to the event (unless the event fills first.)
- Space is limited! Please only register if you will be attending so that you don’t take a spot away from someone else.
- Only registered guests through Placer Land Trust are allowed to attend.
- If you signed up and can no longer attend, please contact Elia by email.
Participants must sign a release of liability available here. Please print it and bring it with you on the day of the event. One form per household. Parent signature is required for children under 18.
This activity is a wilderness outing in a natural setting. There is a porta-potty on-site near a few picnic benches, but there or water on site, so please come prepared. PLT reserves the right to cancel an event in cases of extreme weather, bad air quality, rain, or other conditions beyond our control. Heavy rain will cancel the event.
Directions to the Preserve will be emailed after registration. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 15 minutes of registering.
Important Note: Our Big Hill, Harvego and Laursen Preserves, including the roads surrounding them, are not open to the public. Please help us respect the neighborhoods around these preserves by only visiting during scheduled guided activities that you are registered for. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
