Weather permitting Redbud Audubon’s field trip on Feb. 17 will be held at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve, 6350 Westlake Rd., Upper Lake. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Preserve’s Nature Center Build- ing on Westlake Road. Take the Nice-Lucerne Cut- off from Highway 29 and then turn left onto Westlake. It is recommended to wear water proof shoes as parts of the trail are wet.
Don’t confuse the County Rodman Slough Park, which is near the bridge going over the slough with the Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve. This happens of- ten and is easy to do; just remember the Land Trust property is on Westlake, a left turn off of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff before you get to the bridge. Of course if you are coming from the Northshore, using the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off, go over the bridge and then turn right on Westlake right before the Highway 29 on-ramp.
The walk at Rodman preserve is about an hour and a half to two hours. It is an easy walk with only two mild elevations. Expect to see songbirds, raptors, Os- prey and probably herons and egrets. Bring a lunch if you want to sit on the back porch and visit with fel- low birders as you enjoy the views and ambience of the Rodman Preserve.
The Rodman Preserve is owned and operated by the Lake County Land Trust a local charitable 501 (c) (3) that preserves habitat and open space in Lake County. The Rodman Preserve is a total of 234 acres made up of oak savannah, open meadows and wetlands. The Land Trust’s website is www.lakecountylandtrust.org.
