Angelo Reserve Field Trip
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18 in Branscomb, CA
Description: Join us for our first ever MCAS field trip to Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Branscomb! This remote and wild reserve spans over 8,000 acres in the upper Eel River watershed, and it has been protected from major human disturbance since the 1930s. This, coupled with the diversity of habitats (from Redwoods to meadows to chaparral) have helped make Angelo a research hub for UC Berkeley students and scientists of coast range natural history.
We expect to see a range of resident, migrating, and nesting bird species among the great diversity of other wildlife and vegetation in the reserve, including old growth Douglas-fir. This time of year we can hope to see Pileated Woodpecker, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireo, American Dipper, Black-Headed Grosbeak, and Nashville, Black-throated Gray, and Hermit Warbler, along with some hopeful rarities in this under-birded part of Mendocino County! This is also, by far, the spot where Northern Goshawk has been seen most often in the county (although that still means only once every 5-10 years). We will also be joined by owl biologist Mike Stephens who will take us out owling after dark on Saturday night.
Please be prepared to hike up to 2-3 miles over uneven terrain, some uphill and potentially with a stream crossing.
This will be an overnight trip with rustic accommodations, so you will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow to stay in one of the cabin bunk beds with mattresses (limited number), or you are welcome to bring your own tent and full camping gear. Please also bring a headlamp and portable lamp. There is a very rustic shower house and bathroom for our use while on the reserve, so you can bring your own towel and toiletries to use there.
Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided for a small fee, and you will need to bring two of your own packed lunches, one for Saturday and one for Sunday.
We will meet at the Boatyard Shopping center in Fort Bragg at 10:30 on Saturday, May 17 and carpool together out to Branscomb to minimize the traffic in and out of the reserve. So please be prepared to ride with or drive others! If you cannot meet in Fort Bragg, please contact Matt to arrange an alternative spot to meet.
The cost for admission to the reserve is $30 per person for the trip.
Trip Leader: Matt Franks
RSVP: Please email or call Matt to reserve your spot on this trip by May 10 at the latest: membership@mendocinocoastaudubon.org or 707-499-0678. Please also contact Matt with any questions you have about the trip!
Trip Checklist - items to bring:
Sleeping Bag (with tent, mattress, and other gear if you camp on your own)
Pillow
Warm clothes and layers
Headlamp and/or portable lamp
Towel
Toiletries
Saturday lunch
Sunday lunch
Water bottle
Insect repellent
$30 admission fee plus cash for dinner and breakfast
Accessibility: Not ADA accessible, but contact Matt for details about possible alternative accommodations if you have concerns about the terrain and lodgings.
Directions: Meet at the southwest side of the Boatyard Shopping Center parking lot, by Subway, at 10:30am on Saturday, May 17.
Google Map location for the Saturday morning meetup