Where the Wild Ones Go: Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge

The heart of activity and diversity at Gray Lodge is arguably in late winter, when a visit to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at the base of the Sutter Buttes provides the opportunity to see hawks, ducks, snow geese, and if you're lucky, sandhill cranes.

Along the heart of California, roughly parallel with the Rockies, lies a major travel route for migrating birds - the Pacific flyway. One of four major flyways spanning the United States, this great avian highway runs from the Bering Strait to South America, with more than 350 species flying over and wintering in many California state parks along the way. With birds migrating south as early as August, the heart of activity and diversity is arguably in late winter, when a visit to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at the base of the Sutter Buttes provides the opportunity to see hawks, ducks, scores of snow geese, and if you're lucky, sandhill cranes.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

The Sutter Buttes are a small volcanic mountain range just outside Gridley off Highway 99, and down the road a piece from Chico in Northern California. Near the eastern perimeter of the Sutter Buttes is Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: 8,400 acres of wildlife habitat directly in line with the Pacific flyway. The upper Sacramento Valley sees more waterfowl than anywhere else along this flyway, with average numbers estimated at 3.5 million.

The combination of location relative to the Pacific flyway and the backdrop of the Sutter Buttes makes Gray Lodge a perfect site for bird watching, nature photography. Here youll find a diverse natural wooded riparian habitat, with lakes, streams, and grassy fields year-round. Make no mistake, however, Gray Lodge's fame comes from its vast number and variety of migratory species. Waterfowl arrive in late August, and by December as many as a million ducks and 100,000 geese may be found resting in Gray Lodge's sanctuary on any given day.

Gray Lodge has a high concentration of raptors, especially during winter, when many migrate from colder northern areas to California.

During late winter, available food has been greatly depleted by the continued bird population. Birds fly out during the day searching for food in nearby farmlands. At dusk the birds return to roost for the night-a spectacular sight! The deafening sound of wings at "night-flight" is an incredible experience at the end of of a day's bird watching. The best waterfowl viewing is in late November through early February, on crisp, clear days.

Gray Lodge is home to many birds of prey. Red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, red-shouldered hawks, Swainson's hawks, and kites are in evidence in trees, on fenceposts, and in the sky. Watch to see a white-tailed kite seemingly fall from the sky in pursuit of a rodent or a Swainson's hawk hunting a foot of so above the winter grass. There are 34 species of hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and vultures in California. Gray Lodge has a high concentration of raptors, especially during winter, when many migrate from colder northern areas to California. A handbook and paying special attention to wing and underside markings helps with identifying raptors, and Gray Lodge provides a viewing platform with several mounted telescopes and identification charts.

Visiting Gray Lodge

Gray Lodge offers a year-round wildlife museum and self-guided nature trail. The Wetland Discovery Trail runs along transition zones of ponds, grassy fields, and wooded riparian areas. Less than a one-mile round-trip, this trail is wheelchair accessible and terminates at a wildlife-viewing platform. A three-mile auto loop is available, so you can bird from your vehicle.

For details on wildlife watching, tours, educational programs, and events, contact Gray Lodge Naturalist Office at (530) 846-7505. Hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset. A $2.50 per person day use pass is required for public access. (Fees are waived for visitors less than 16 years of age. Those holding a valid California hunting, trapping, or fishing license are automatically granted a day pass to Gray Lodge.)

Guided public walks are available Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. (unless it's raining) through the peak viewing season. No reservations are needed for groups of fewer than 12 people.

Directions to Gray Lodge

In Northern California, about 40 miles north of Sacramento, from the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 99, take Highway 99 north to Live Oak. Turn west onto Pennington (North Butte) Road. Turn right onto Almond Orchard Avenue and continue to the entrance. The distance from Live Oak is about eight miles.

Maps and other details are available through the California Department of Fish and Game website.