This is a rare opportunity to look for birds across Beale Air Force Base's 23,000 acres. Department of Defense facilities preserve some of the best remaining habitats in the U.S. and Beale is a great example. The base includes one of the largest and best preserved areas of Central Valley grassland, a habitat under severe threat from urban development and conversion to agriculture elsewhere. Two base biologists will accompany us as we search the grasslands for Burrowing Owls, Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, and other raptor species, and most likely either Bald or Golden Eagles. Falcons likely will include American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine and Prairie Falcon. Horned Larks, Mute Swans and Western Meadowlarks should be abundant.Surprises like Mountain Bluebirds, tricolored blackbirds or Stellar's Jays are also possible this time of year. We will also visit some large ponds that can harbor several species of waterfowl and an oak riparian zone with its own suite of typical species like Acorn and Lewis's woodpeckers. Participants will caravan from Swan Central to the main gate of the base. After being checked in base security, everybody will get into one large passenger van, so we can travel around the base together. There will be a number of stops on base, including several short walks on flat ground. If there's enough time, we may drive by some other points of interest on the base, including an SR71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft that flew over Mach 3 to the UK in 2 hours! Difficulty level is 2 (birding by car and walking) Important note: To gain access to the base, each adult participant must provide their full name birth date and driver's license number (including state of issuance). If your Driver's License/Identification Card is not REAL ID ACT COMPLIANT, you MUST provide a second form of ID (Social Security Card, State ID, Birth Certificate, or Passport).Participants over the age of 16 must have a current photo ID to show base security personnel. The driver of each vehicle entering the base must provide current vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Be sure to bring your photo ID, driver's license and registration, if you are driving and binoculars.
Meet at Swan Central and carpool to Beale Air Force Base. Duration of this tour is 4.5 hours and driving is 10 miles each way.