[EBB Sightings] re: Grizzly Island

I want to thank everyone who responded to my posted
question on birding Grizzly Island.  As none of the
replies were public, I thought I�d post a compilation
of the replies.  That way everyone who might follow
this thread could share in the knowledge.

Many people pointed me to Pg 154 of �Birding Northern
California� by John Kemper, published by A Falcon
Guide.   As I already have the book, I felt pretty
foolish, but the replies I got came from personal
experience, and so were greatly appreciated.
Below find all the information I received.

-Bill Clark
Livermore


Birding Grizzly Island:
1--The refuge is closed during hunting
season---mid-October to end of
January
2--The Ranch Preserve--.First turn-off from Grizzly
Island Road is open
all  year.  Look for owls in the trees around the
ranch house. marsh
birds and hawks along the trails.
3.--You can drive in as far as the refuge headquarters
at all seasons. 
Look for the Barn Owls in the nest boxes around
headquarters parking 
lot.

The area  is all marsh and grassland; north of the
refuge it is still
operating ranch land. Birding is  most interesting
autumn through early
spring.  this is one of the best areas for Short-eared
Owls.  The Tule
elk herd is interesting at all seasons.
There  is a small Burrowing Owl colony on the right
hand side of the 
Road (going in)
Elizabeth Dickey
-----------------

I love grizzly island but it is often closed to
birders because of hunting, so check ahead. I
especially like the owls, so go late in the day and
see the short earred owls start to hunt out in the
pheasant fields beyond the pay station and then rush
back to the eucalyptus groves to see the GHOs start
out and end up back at the barn at the ranger station
for the barn owl departures.
Lois in Orinda
-----------------

>From Joe Morlan's site: 
http://www.suisunwildlife.org/grizzly.html 
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northbaybirds/

Your answer may be in the archives, but you will have
to join NBB 
first.

Mike Feighner
-------------

Grizzly Island is a wonderful place to bird,
especially if you like 
shorebirds and ducks, although there are certainly
other birds as 
well. I've been surveying the area for a breeding bird
atlas, and 
I've counted almost 70 species so far this year.

It's easy to get to; there's basically only one way in
and out. Take 
Hwy. 12 to Grizzly Island Rd and turn west. It's a
major 
intersection, and Grizzly Island Rd. is called Sunset
on the other 
side. Pull out your binoculars and start birding;
there's lots you 
can see from the road and there are some designated
pull-out areas 
and parking lots. For hiking around, stop at Rush
Ranch (about 2 
miles in, on the right) or keep going til you get to
the Fish and 
Game-controlled areas (you'll have to register to go
in and pay a 
small fee).

The best season is in spring, of course, although it's
always 
interesting. I try to get there as soon after daybreak
as I can to 
try to catch the rails and other shy birds. Please
note that the F&G 
areas are closed in late summer and fall for hunting;
they don't open 
again until February. I believe Rush Ranch is open
year-round.

Hope this helps.

Kathleen Tandy
-----------------


Grizzly Island is off Highway 12 at Suisun City.
You'll take I-80 to 12. You'll go through part of
Suisun City and pick up a sign that says "wildlife
viewing," which is a right turn. Just keep on this
road, which goes over several bridges, etc. Finally
you'll get to the headquarters. A wetland is across
the road, and it's always filled with ducks and wading
birds, especially in the winter.
I think you're supposed to register at headquarters,
but I can't remember for sure. There may be a fee.
You'll drive into it along a levee road. In general,
it's waterfowl that are the most prevalent birds, and
marsh wrens and raptors. There are places where you
can hike along levees, and designated parking areas. 
I would caution you not to go in hunting season, which
I think may be in the fall. But it's very good
birding.

Carol Fowler
Walnut Creek
--------------


GRIZZLY ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA�S
SELF-GUIDED TOUR

The California Department of Fish and Game�s Grizzly
Island Wildlife Area consists of 8,600 acres located
in the heart of the 84,000-acre Suisun Marsh. The
Suisun Marsh is the largest contiguous estuarine marsh
in the United States.  Grizzly Island provides habitat
for more than 200 species of birds and is home to a
variety of threatened or endangered wildlife and
plants.  Enjoy your visit! 

Grizzly Island may be closed to public access at
certain times; please refer to the public use schedule
below. 

The Self-Guided Tour begins at the Area Headquarters
and continues for about 7 � miles along Grizzly Island
Road, which is unpaved and runs through the middle of
the Wildlife Area.  Some things you may need for an
outing at Grizzly Island: binoculars, field guide,
drinking water, sun block, insect repellent, jacket,
and appropriate footwear.  Please abide by all signs
and area regulations.  Some points of interest are
listed below by parking lot locations.  Grizzly Island
Wildlife Area�s Headquarters Office is open
Monday-Friday, 8am - 4:30pm.  The headquarters office
has free literature and a collection of mounted birds.
 If you visit while the office is closed, please view
our outdoor kiosks for interesting information about
Grizzly Island.


		
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