Avian Series at Sugarloaf

Join Sugarloaf docent Dana Glei in a 2-mile hike (250 ft elevation change) focusing on a specific family of birds and learning how to identify them by sight, sound, flight pattern, and/or behavior.

The September hike will focus on raptors. We are almost certain to see the under-appreciated Turkey Vulture and may also see a Red-Tailed Hawk. It is possible, though much less likely that we would see a Red-Shouldered Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, or White-Tailed Kite. We’ll start off along sunny Meadow Trail (85% sun exposure) and return along the shadier Hillside Trail.

The October hike will focus on the smartest birds at Sugarloaf: the corvids. We are almost certain to see California Scrub Jays. We may also see Steller’s Jays, American Crows, and/or Ravens.  We’ll start off hiking toward the Observatory and then take Lower Bald Mt. to the Creekside trail to the Hillside trail.  We will stop at the lookout vista on Hillside.  Then, we will return along Hillside to the White Barn.

The November hike will highlight woodpeckers. We are almost certain to see Acorn Woodpeckers. We may also see one or more of the following: Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, or Red-breasted sapsucker. We’ll start off hiking toward the Observatory and then take Lower Bald Mt. to the Creekside trail to the Hillside trail.  We will stop at the lookout vista on Hillside.  Then, we will return along Hillside to the White Barn.

The series will culminate in April 8th, 2023, with a hike on New World Sparrows.

All hikes meet at the White Barn. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, youth (12-17 year olds), Sugarloaf members and volunteers, and free for children under 12. Bring water, sun protection, binoculars, scope, or camera if you have it, and if you’d like, a snack and a bird identification guide. If you use iNaturalist or would like to learn how to use it, make sure it’s already installed on your phone before you arrive for the hike. Parking fees apply.