Cottonwood Park Field Trip

Cottonwood Park Field Trip

Difficulty: 3-4 miles easy - level paved path.

Leader: Jeff Bleam

When: Friday, November 20, 2026, 8:00 am (~3 hrs)

Photos: byjcb

Description:

The Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway runs through the park and along the Truckee River in Sparks.  There are many Cottonwoods, which attract Magpies, Jays, and Doves.  The river should have a nice mix of Waterfowl like Mergansers and Goldeneye.  We may find Warbles, Sparrows, Woodpeckers, Finches, and returning wintering hawks.

About Jeff: byjcbphoto.com Where Nature is Art

As a nature conservation advocate, I believe that we need to proactively work to conserve species diversification and their natural habitat.  I moved to California in 1982 to go back for my second degree in Engineering.  My work focused on designing and developing medical devices for startup companies in the SF Bay Area. My interest in birds and nature photography took off when I moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1996. Birding became an obsession when I found ebird.org in 2005. After birding on my own for a number of years, my life list plateaued.  Joining the Santa Cruz Bird Club really advanced my birding knowledge and skills.  One of the SCBC members led walks almost every Friday and he was patient and readily shared his knowledge of birds with everyone.  He became ill and I volunteered to take over leading his walks.  After about a year he was able to lead the walks again and that was about the same time I moved to the Reno area in 2016.  I learned so much from the SCBC walks and I wanted to give back.  That is why I started leading walks for the Lahontan Audubon Society so I can share birding experiences.  As an avid nature photographer, mainly interested in birds, I enjoy sharing my photography experience with anyone wanting help improving their photography.  All are welcomed on the walks, just show up and enjoy nature.

Photo of a Common and Barrow's Goldeneye by Jeff Bleam.

Registration opens on 11/3/26.