Hike at Rockville Trails Preserve

Saturday, December 21, 10am – 2pm

Solano County, California – Take a break from holiday-hectic and celebrate the first day of winter on a free guided hike of Rockville Trails Preserve on Saturday, December 21st from 10am to 2pm. Get a great workout as you trek about 4 miles up and down the hilly, rocky terrain to the interior of this 1,500-acre natural area.  Enjoy the majestic oaks and see how the fall rains are transforming the grasslands. Learn about the area’s natural history and watch for signs of wildlife that depend on this area for food, shelter, and safe passage. Rockville Trails Preserve is only accessible by docent-led hikes at this time.

Space is limited and advance registration is required – visit the “events calendar” at solanolandtrust.org, go to http://conta.cc/1csP7gJ or call Lorenzo at 707-330-7263.  There is no drinking water, and there are no bathrooms or parking lots yet.  Meet your guide, Lorenzo, promptly at the big red "Ice House" building on Suisun Valley Ct., near the intersection of Rockville Rd. and Suisun Valley Rd., outside of Fairfield.  Be ready to immediately carpool or caravan from there to the trailhead.  Rain cancels this event.

Solano Land Trust’s Rockville Trails Preserve is located along Rockville Road, across from the City of Fairfield’s Rockville Hills Regional Park.  These natural areas are adjacent to one another, yet independently operated.  Both lie between Green Valley and Suisun Valley, near Interstate 80, about half-way between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Solano Land Trust permanently protects natural areas, working farms, and ranchlands in Solano County and connects our community to these lands.  Learn more at solanolandtrust.org.

Carols of the Birds: Winter songs in the marsh Wednesday, December 11, 10am-Noon

Solano County, California - Explore Rush Ranch and Suisun Marsh while listening for songs of the birds residing here. (There may be a little people caroling too). The event will begin with a brief demonstration of bird songs heard in this area followed by a quiet, gentle walk with some uneven ground. This walk is not recommended for boisterous children.

Meet your guide, Gayle Vaughan, in the brick courtyard. Bring a backpack with plenty of water, and snacks and/or a picnic lunch; boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes; and protection from sun, wind and fog. Binoculars are recommended.

An RSVP would be appreciated to Gayle at 707-745-8322. Rain or strong wind cancels. Call Gayle if the weather is uncertain.

Rush Ranch is located at 3521 Grizzly Island Road near Suisun City, about 2 miles south of the Highway 12/Sunset Avenue/Grizzly Island Road intersection.

Rush Ranch is owned and operated by Solano Land Trust, in partnership with the Rush Ranch Educational Council, Access Adventure, and the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.  Learn more at www.solanolandtrust.org.

Hike the Hills

Saturday, December 7, 9am-1pm at the King-Swett Ranches
Solano County, California – Hike the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo – known as the King-Swett Ranches – on Saturday, December 7th from 9am to 1pm with naturalist Jim Walsh.  Walsh will share insights about the birds and other wildlife that call this area home, and he’ll give you a great workout!  Take advantage of this special opportunity if you can because the King-Swett Ranches are otherwise closed to the public.

On a clear day you can see views from atop King Ranch that sweep across the Suisun Marsh all the way to the Sierras, with Mount Diablo rising to the south.  From the western edge of Vallejo-Swett Ranch, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais, the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, and the Napa River and marshes.

The hike is free and no reservations are necessary.  Donations are appreciated.  All ages are welcome, but participants must be prepared for a strenuous pace hiking 4-6 miles off-trail, up and down rugged, steep, and slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds, thorny plants, and thistle, passing free range cattle along the way.

Bring a backpack with plenty of water and snacks; boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip for rugged, steep, and slippery off-trail terrain; long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; and protection from sun, wind, fog and rain.  Binoculars, a camera, bug repellent, hiking sticks and gaiters are also recommended.  Very heavy rain cancels the hike.

Meet Walsh promptly beside his white "TruGreen" pickup truck, at the Park-and-Ride lot where McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway, and American Canyon Road intersect (on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit, off Interstate 80).  Be ready to carpool or caravan from there to the trailhead.

Since its founding in 1986, Solano Land Trust has permanently protected over 20,000 acres of working farms and natural areas in Solano County.  Learn more at www.solanolandtrust.org.

Who:  Solano Land Trust volunteer Jim Walsh
What:  Hike the Hills
When:  Saturday, 12/7, 9am-1pm
Where:  Meet at the Park-and-Ride lot where McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway, and American Canyon Road intersect (on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Pkwy exit, off Interstate 80).
Cost: None
RSVP:  None

Over-wintering Birds-of-Prey Hike at Lynch Canyon

Sunday, December 8, 10am to 2pm
Solano County, California – Join Larry Broderick and the Solano Land Trust Raptor Team for a Birds of Prey Migration Hike at Lynch Canyon Open Space Park on Sunday, December 8th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This hike will offer raptor identification tips and views of resident and over-wintering birds of prey.  Previous sightings include golden eagles, bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, Cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, ferruginous hawks, peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and other more common birds of prey.

Broderick, an interpretive specialist focusing on field identification, census and the natural history of raptors, brings over 25 years of experience studying, researching, identifying, rescuing and rehabilitating birds of prey. Over the last decade he has been sharing his love of hawks on these hikes and tours. He’s a gifted and entertaining teacher who is anxious to share his knowledge of and passion for raptors with anyone who is interested. He distinguishes a ferruginous hawk from a red-tailed hawk or a prairie falcon from a peregrine falcon from great distances. He is known to demonstrate wing beat movements and wing configuration patterns of different species using his spread arms.

All ages are welcome, but participants must be prepared for a moderate pace covering about 4 miles, possibly off-trail in places, up and down rugged, steep, and slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds, thorny plants and thistle, and passing free range cattle along the way.

An RSVP is requested to Mary Beth at mbcrittendon@comcast.net or 707-685-5908.  Meet at the Lynch Canyon parking lot by 10am sharp.  Bring $5 cash for parking; a backpack with plenty of water and snacks; boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with tread for rough, steep and slippery terrain; long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; and protection from sun, wind, fog and rain. Binoculars, a camera, bug repellent and hiking sticks are also recommended.  A donation is suggested to help sustain these tours.  Constant or heavy rain cancels the hike.

Lynch Canyon Open Space Park is owned by the Solano Land Trust and is a part of the Solano County Parks system.  Because it is a working cattle ranch, pets are not allowed.  Visit www.solanolandtrust.org for further information.

Who:  Solano County Parks and the Solano Land Trust
What:  Birds of Prey Migration Hike
When:  Sunday, December 8, from 10am to 2pm
Where:  Lynch Canyon Open Space Park’s address is 3100 Lynch Road, Vallejo, CA.  The entrance gate is at the intersection of Lynch Road & McGary Road, Vallejo, CA.
Why: Discover and learn about eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey in Solano County.
Cost: A donation for the tour is suggested but not required.
RSVP:  Requested but not required:  Mary Beth at mbcrittendon@comcast.net or 707-685-5908.

April 6 Hike at King-Swett Ranches‏

Solano County, California – Hike the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo – known as the King-
Swett Ranches – on Saturday, April 6th from 9am to 1pm with naturalist Jim Walsh.  Walsh will share insights about the birds and other wildlife that call this area home, and he’ll give you a great workout!  Take advantage of this special opportunity if you can because the King-Swett Ranches are otherwise closed to the public.

On a clear day you can see views from atop King Ranch that sweep across the Suisun Marsh all the way to the Sierras, with Mount Diablo rising to the south.  From the western edge of Vallejo-Swett Ranch, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais, the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays, and the Napa River and marshes.

All ages are welcome, but participants must be prepared for a strenuous pace hiking 4-6 miles off-trail, up and down rugged, steep, and slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds, thorny plants, and thistle, passing free range cattle along the way.

Bring a backpack with plenty of water and snacks; boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip for rugged, steep, and slippery off-trail terrain; long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; and protection from sun, wind, fog and rain. Binoculars, a camera, bug repellent, hiking sticks and gaiters are also recommended.

Meet Walsh promptly beside his white "TruGreen" pickup truck, at the Park-and-Ride lot where McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway, and American Canyon Road intersect (on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit, off Interstate 80).  Be ready to carpool or caravan from there to the trailhead.

Since its founding in 1986, Solano Land Trust has permanently protected over 20,000 acres of working farms and natural areas in Solano County.  Learn more at www.solanolandtrust.org.

Who:  Solano Land Trust volunteer Jim Walsh

What:  Hike the Hills

When:  Saturday, 4/6, 9am-1pm

Where:  Meet Walsh promptly beside his white "TruGreen" pickup truck, at the Park-and-Ride lot where McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway, and American Canyon Road intersect (on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit, off Interstate 80).  Be ready to carpool or caravan from there to the trailhead.

Why: Learn about this beautiful area and get a great workout!

Cost: None

RSVP:  None

Eagles, Hawks and Other Birds of Prey Tour Scheduled at Lynch Canyon

Sunday, March 3, 10am to 2pm

Solano County, California – Join Larry Broderick and the Solano Land Trust Raptor Team for a tour featuring resident, migrating and over-wintering birds of prey at Lynch Canyon on Sunday, March 3 from 10am to 2pm.  Take advantage of this special opportunity to discover, observe and learn about eagles, hawks and other raptors because the park is not open to the general public until mid-March.  Previous sightings include golden eagles, Cooper’s hawks, ferruginous hawks, American kestrels, white-tailed kites, red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, bald eagles and rough-legged hawks.

All ages are welcome, but participants must be prepared for a moderate pace covering about 4 miles, possibly off-trail in places, up and down rugged, steep, and slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds, thorny plants and thistle, and passing free range cattle along the way.

An RSVP is requested to Mary Beth at 707-685-5908 or mbcrittendon@comcast.net.  Meet at the Lynch Canyon parking lot by 10am sharp.  Since Lynch Canyon is otherwise closed to the public, the gate will be locked except for the tour’s 10am start time and 2pm end time.

Bring a backpack with plenty of water and snacks; boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with tread for rough, steep and slippery terrain; long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; and protection from sun, wind, fog and rain. Binoculars, a camera, bug repellent and hiking sticks are also recommended.  A donation is suggested to help sustain these tours.  Constant or heavy rain cancels the hike.  Call (707) 685-5908 if the weather is uncertain.

Lynch Canyon is owned by the Solano Land Trust and is a part of the Solano County Parks system.  Because it is a working cattle ranch, pets are not allowed.  Visit www.solanolandtrust.org for further information.

Who:  Solano County Parks and the Solano Land Trust

What:  Eagles, Hawks and Other Birds of Prey Tour

When:  Sunday, 3/3 from 10am to 2pm

Where:  Lynch Canyon’s address is 3100 Lynch Road, Vallejo, CA.  The entrance gate is at the intersection of Lynch Road & McGary Road, Vallejo, CA.

Why: Discover and learn about eagles, hawks, and other birds of prey in Solano County.

Cost: A donation for the tour is suggested but not required.

RSVP:  Requested but not required:  Mary Beth at 707-685-5908 or mbcrittendon@comcast.net