LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The final guided nature walk of 2014 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is scheduled for the morning of Saturday, Nov. 8.

Meet in the parking lot at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife to be found in the ranch house and barn complex yard. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Join park docents Gae Henry and Henry Bornstein as they lead a leisurely walk to explore what fall continues to bring to the park.

The walk will begin on the Cache Creek Nature Trail, pausing at the deck on Cache Creek at the end of the Cache Creek Nature Trail boardwalk.

The guided walk will continue across the grasslands of Anderson Flats, through the marsh and oak woodland habitats of the Marsh and Ridge trails, and end back at the ranch house. The entire walk should take two to two and a half hours.

A ranch house tour will follow the walk. If rain cancels the walk, the ranch tour will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Bring your binoculars. This time of year, many resident mammals and birds are attracted to the Park because of the abundance of wild blackberries, grapes, rose hips and mistletoe berries available for food.

Fall also brings many migrating birds to the Park, some to eat the autumn fruits and some to rest in the waters of Cache Creek and Anderson Marsh, or in the nearby trees.

See that shiny black bird at the top of this email? That’s a Phainopepla, and they have just been spotted at the Park, coming for the mistletoe berries. The name is Greek and means “shining robe,” and they are really fun to watch as they shimmer in the sun!

Walkers also may see flocks cedar waxwings, also shown at the top. They come this time of year to eat the last of the berries and grapes. Their name refers to the small cluster of red wax-like droplets on the tips of the wings.

Speaking of red, participants also will check out the red rose hips on the native California Wild Rose plants.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. 

For more information about the walks, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-995-2658.

For information about how you can help support AMIA’s campaign to keep the park open and thriving, please visit www.andersonmarsh.org or contact them by telephone or email.

You also can join them on Facebook for the most up-do-date news about AMIA happenings at http://www.facebook.com/AMIA.org .