Leaders: Mary and Nick Freeman
Friday (April 23) evening in Bishop: we may have a biologist present a slide show on the Sage Grouse at the BLM headquarters building. This has been an exciting addition to our recent trips, but is presently unconfirmed for this year. We will inform everyone if the meeting is coordinated.
Early Saturday (April 24): We will meet at the Crowley Lake turnoff (“the Green Church” at 34 Benton Crossing Rd, Mammoth Lakes – GPS address) for Sage Grouse photos and viewing. Distant Bald Eagles, waterfowl and shorebirds down by Crowley Lake afterwards. Possible afternoon birds include Black-backed Woodpecker, Pinyon Jay, and Evening Grosbeak!
Sunday, we hope to meet in Bishop at Jack’s Restaurant (437 N Main St) as we foray to Aspendell, Glacier Lodge and Tollhouse Springs for Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Sooty Grouse, Juniper Titmouse, and perhaps Golden Eagle or Chukar. An e-mailer will be sent out to the participants who have signed-up and paid for this trip, including meeting times, and some hotel options in Bishop. Arrange your own lodgings in Bishop for Friday and Saturday nights as early as possible (NOW would be good!) as we will be competing with many fishermen and possible skiers for rooms! The worse the weather, the better the scenery and photo ops! Or it might even be warm! Net profits go towards the Ralph Schreiber Grant Fund.
Covid-19 precautions: as you may suspect, there will be no carpooling allowed between people who do not live together, and 6-foot social distancing and mask wearing will be practiced in the field. Everyone needs to bring their own binoculars and scopes, as sharing optics is not presently a safe practice. Carefully consider if this trip will be satisfying for you if you do not have a spotting scope. Precautions may change before the trip, but do not anticipate congregating in rooms or indoor dining. We will see how many meals we have to bring with us. There will be dining take-out options at the very least.
FEE: $60
SPOTS: 8 vehicles maximum (no more allowed on lek per DWP); minimum 6 paid participants on April 16, no refunds for cancellations after April 16.
TO REGISTER: 1) Send an email to: membership@laaudubon.org providing names, and mobile phone numbers.
2) Mail $60 per person check payable to: Los Angeles Audubon, and mail to: Los Angeles Audubon, PO Box 411301, Los Angeles CA. For more information call 323-876-0202
Photo by Sherri Lisius, BLM Wildlife Biologist (See https://esaudubon.org/birds/of_interest/sage-grouse/index.php)