Sierra Valley Field Trip

Sierra Valley Field Trip

Difficulty: This will be a driving tour with short walks. Boots are recommended in case of wet weather.

Leader: Larry Maurin

When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9:00 am (~4 hrs)

Description: Sierra Valley is known as "The Serengeti of the Sierras" and is a great place to view raptors in fall and early winter. We'll be driving to various locations around the valley in search of some of the less frequently seen raptors in our area, including Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, and Prairie Falcon, all of which favor extremely open habitats. If we are lucky, we may also spot Short-eared Owls. Depending on conditions, we'll also be looking for some waterfowl. Roads in Sierra Valley are narrow with few locations to park along the roadside. We will carpool and drive to several locations in the valley. We may do some short walks, so boots are recommended. Bring warm clothes, water, and a lunch, as we expect to be out until early afternoon, depending on conditions. Bring a spotting scope if you have one. Heavy rain or snow cancels this trip.

About Larry: 

Larry has been birding since 2005 and lives in Reno.

Photo of a Rough-legged Hawk by Jeff Bleam.

Registration opens on 11/17/26.