Join Cosumnes River Preserve docents on a guided hike along the River Walk Trail! This hike will take you back to the days when the Plains Miwok once inhabited the Cosumnes River’s surrounding landscape.
You’ll learn about the plants and animals they interacted with and the unique ways in which they utilized the land as a part of their everyday lives.
The route will cover approximately 3.5 miles, but participants that do not wish to walk that far may turn around at any time. This is a great family activity for all ages! This is an outdoor setting in nature, so please dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and layers. There is no potable water, so please bring all the water you’ll need for the hike. Binoculars encouraged!
Join us as we look for birds along the Cosumnes River Preserve. Cranes and other birds make their winter homes in our own backyard! It will be a casual bird walk to view some of our feathered residents of the Cosumnes River Preserve. After our bird watching, we will head back to the picnic benches together to enjoy snacks and warm drinks.
Make sure to bring: layers for cold weather, sunscreen, water, a thermos for the provided drinks (if you have one, so we can reduce waste), walking shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.
We will meet at the visitor center. Once you find either parking lot, you will walk towards the front of the center. Look for the Latino Outdoors banner and we will greet you there. If you have any trouble finding us. Contact us at 916 707 5330 or 916 622 4880
See you there!
Acompañenos mientras buscamos aves a lo largo de la Reserva del Río Cosumnes. ¡Grullas y otras aves hacen sus hogares de invierno en nuestro propio vecindario! Va ser una caminata informal buscando aves, residentes emplumados de la Reserva del Río Cosumnes. Después de observar aves, regresaremos juntos a los bancos de picnic para disfrutar antojos y bebidas calientes.
Asegúrate de traer: capas para el clima frío, bloqueador solar, agua, un termo para las bebidas proporcionadas (si tienes uno, para que podamos reducir el desperdicio), zapatos para caminar que no te importe ensuciar.
Empezamos en el centro de visitantes. Una vez que lleguen a cualquiera de los estacionamientos, caminara hacia el frente del centro. Busque el cartel de Latino Outdoors y allí lo recibiremos. Cualquier problema para encontrarnos. Comuniquese con nosotros a 916 707 5330 or 916 622 4880
The Tall Forest is a substantial block of valley oak-dominated woodland strongly resembling the pre-Anglo Central Valley riparian forests, a habitat now almost obliterated from California. The big trees overtop a varied, dense understory, and California grape and poison oak climb into the canopy in many places. The complex vegetative structure permits a rich variety of birds to reside permanently or seasonally there.
Come join John Trochet, leader of this survey for more than two decades now, as we follow the birdlife of the preserve’s plum parcel through the seasons and across the years.
This is a survey on foot lasting 5-6 hours, sometimes longer when the birding is exceptional.
Because we start early, we have a good chance to see mammals as well, such as beaver, river otter, striped skunk, raccoon, coyote, squirrels and deer, plus ectothermic vertebrates on occasion. A good variety of local butterflies and odonates is found in season. In places the trails are nothing more than animal traces, and we push through blackberry thickets, clamber over down logs and bend under low limbs or grape tangles to make our way through. This is not a trip for folks in shorts nor for small children (not recommended for children less than 10 years of age). Footwear requirements vary with the season. Mud is usual between November and April, sometimes later, and standing or moving water is possible in this same time frame. At this time of year at least, rubber knee boots are strongly suggested. Ticks are often common in spring and early summer. Stickers (especially beggars tick and cocklebur) are features of late summer and autumn. Rubber knee boots mitigate against these, too. Mosquitoes may be abroad on any modestly warm day of the year. One needs to be prepared for these things. Because this is the only regularly scheduled opportunity for the public to see this area, we do not insist that participants be birders. Anyone with any natural history interest is welcome. But bear in mind that it is a bird survey if your interest lies elsewhere.
Especially during the rainy season, river conditions may change quickly and dramatically. During minor flood events, rubber knee boots may be insufficient to conduct the survey. I do allow others to join me when hip boots are required. At this season one should check this website or the Central Valley Birds listserv (where the leader can post late notice himself) the day before the survey to find out if hip boots are required. Seeing this place in flood is a special experience, too, though the woodland birding during flood events is generally poor. The surveys in June and July are not recommended as they start very early (tough for most people to get up for), are typically hot and the birds at that season few and quiet.
The Tall Forest is a wonderful place. We urge all who are able to visit at least once.
Tour will depart from the Farm Center gate (Corner of Bruceville Road and Desmond Road)
Join experienced naturalists for a leisurely paddle up the Cosumnes River and its peaceful sloughs. We’ll likely see forest birds, raptors, egrets, herons, cormorants, and maybe deer, a beaver and/or an otter. We’ll talk about the flora and fauna found in this riparian corridor, and about the first people to live here, the Plains Miwoks. Bring your own boat (canoe, kayak, SUP), paddle, and PFD. We will meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center Parking lot.