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!
Summary: Explore the Tall Forests complex vegetative structure, which permits a rich variety of birds to reside permanently or seasonally.
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.
Butterflies…we see them everywhere, fluttering and floating from one flower to the next. But how often do you stop and think about these funny insects? Did you know that monarch butterflies can migrate over 2,000 miles? How about that the top flight speed for a butterfly is 12 miles per hour? And that many butterflies can actually taste with their feet? Those are some interesting facts and there are plenty more to be discovered.
Butterflies have a vital role in nature. As pollinators, they help to ensure that plants reproduce. They are key players in our regions food web; especially as caterpillars when they are eaten by a variety of birds. They are also fun to observe, whether you are in your backyard, local park or the wilderness.
The Preserve needs your help in learning more about the butterflies that live in the Central Valley. Join the Cosumnes River Preserve for its annual Butterfly Count which covers all public trails around the Visitor Center. Help to capture (then release), identify and catalogue the numbers of more than twenty species that live in this area. In years past, volunteers were able to collect more than a thousand butterflies.
The Cosumnes Butterfly Count takes place on Saturday, June 18th and starts at 9:00 a.m. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center deck, located at 13501 Franklin Blvd. (directions are available on the website). Collecting will continue until approximately 1:00 p.m. Participants should bring water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen, dress appropriately for being outdoors and please bring binoculars if you have some. Insect repellant, identification charts and a limited number of butterfly nets will be provided. If you have your own butterfly net you are more than welcome to bring it!
Please note that if you are signing up and you would like to bring your family, please still only sign up as one participant! We encourage kids of all ages to join the fun!
