Early Birds and Bear Tracks


Take a walk on the wild-side!

Bird expert Sheryl Ferguson, and Bear expert Ann Bryant will interpret wildlife signs, tracks, sights and sounds to build your fluency in understanding and recognizing wildlife, habitat and indicators. This experience will provide you new insight and understanding into the behavior, as well as the various challenges faced by wildlife in this region.

Saturday Sept 7th
$45 includes 5+ hrs guided bird and bear walk, lunch, track shuttle

Bird photos courtesy of Martin Meyers  and bear photos courtesy of Scott Sady of TahoeLight

8 Worlds of Tahoe: Water, Wildlife, Forest

Hosts: The Bear League, Tahoe Institute for Natural Science
Track Captain: Sheryl Ferguson s-sferguson@sbcglobal.net

Group 1
8:00am Assemble at North Homewood Resort Parking, CA
8:10am Homewood shuttle to Blackwood Canyon
8:20am Guided bird walk  in Blackwood Canyon
9:45am Blackwood shuttle back to Homewood
10:00am 1st Guided Bear hike
12:00pm Picnic: Veggie wraps/sandwiches from PDQ Market
1:30pm depart (via your car or TART)

Group 2
9:20am Assemble at North Homewood Resort Parking, CA
9:30am Homewood shuttle to Blackwood    
9:45am Guided bird walk  in Blackwood Canyon
11:00am Blackwood shuttle back to Homewood
11:20pm 2nd Guided Bear hike
1:20pm Picnic: Veggie wraps/sandwiches from PDQ Market
2:30pm Depart (via your car or TART)

Details

Day: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
Capacity:   2 groups of 10 each
Duration: 5 hrs (see tour time choices above) includes vegetarian lunch and shuttle rides
Activities: Hiking into wildlife areas
Difficulty: Moderate (participant should be able to hike uphill without problem)
Location: Blackwood Canyon and Homewood area
Assembly Point: North Homewood Mountain Resort Parking Lot, Homewood, CA. Park in lot or take TART
Transit: Take Nifty Fifty Trolley, TART to Assembly Point
What to bring: hiking shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, layered clothing,
notepad, camera (optional)
Lunch: Vegetarian sandwiches, chips and beverage (Tahoe Tap, iced tea, juice)

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Wildlife has a life of its own, so there is no guarantee you will see it, but staying quiet certainly helps them feel safe enough to appear :) and you will learn to recognize signs and much more.

Click for Transit Schedules: Nifty Fifty Trolley, TART
If you access the Assembly Point via TART , The bus stop is FERN – OAK (tell driver so he stops).  Map of Meetup Spot is Below:

View 2012 Tahoe Expo Map in a larger map

Guide Bios

Bird Guides: Sheryl and Will

Sheryl Ferguson moved to Tahoe (in 1980) to work for Young Adults Conservation Corp (YACC), Forest Service program (USFS), followed by a permanent position with the USFS.  In 1987 transferred to the Eldorado N.F. to fight wildfires.  In 1993,  received a Wildlife &  Forestry degree from Humboldt State University , and started a family.  Sheryl teaches 6 week Birds of Lake Tahoe at Lake Tahoe Community College and leads walks for Audubon.  Sheryl, “I enjoy being in nature and sharing inspiration the birds provide”.

Will Richardson  co-founder of Tahoe Institute Natural Science has been studying the region’s natural history since 1994.  Currently working on a Lake Tahoe bird book, Will has authored papers on chipmunks, butterflies, dragonflies, and his own discovery of the Tahoe’s second species of salamander.  Will received his Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from UNR, studying bird communities in Sierra Nevada aspen habitats.  He will be preforming “bird banding” during this walk.

Bear Guides:
Ann Bryant, Executive Director of the Bear League, is a passionate, loving leader who demonstrates daily the Leagues guiding principle, “People Living in Harmony with Bears” is achievable as the public becomes educated as to the true gentle nature
of the Black Bear. Her goal in leading these walks is to increase your awareness and joy learning about these incredible gentle beings.