Late winter is prime time to visit some of the most productive waterfowl concentrations in the Central Valley. Our prime targets for this trip are Staten Island and the nearby Cosumnes River Preserve (www.cosumnes.org). En route we will survey farm fields off Hwy 12 between Fairfield and Rio Vista on the Flannery-Robinson Rd. loop for wintering raptors (possible Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon) and possible Mountain Plovers. Staten Island hosts large numbers of Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and most of the world’s Aleutian Cackling Geese. Cosumnes has a nice variety of ducks, plus Greater White-fronted and other geese. Meet for carpooling at the park-and-ride lot at the junction of Hwys. 116 and 121 at 7:30 AM (PACIFIC DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME). Bring a lunch. For more information or to RSVP contact Garrett Pierce – garrettallenpierce@gmail.com or (415) 260-7406.