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This is an important message I discovered in the Kern Audubon Society newsletter. We need to make sure anyone planning a birding trip to Galileo Hill is aware of the new rules. Thank you for your cooperation!
As of Sept. 1, 2009 and until further notice, Silver Saddle/Galileo Hill is closed to the public (non-members), including birders** on weekends (Fridays at noon, Saturdays, Sundays, and long holiday weekends). Birders may continue to access the grounds on weekdays: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and before noon on Fridays. ALL facilities except the campground** are off limits every day of the week. The bungalows, hotel, restaurant, and RV park are no longer accessible to birders or any other non-member at any time. Birders can use the grounds, the outside restrooms and picnic areas, but are restricted from using any of the buildings.
**The campground is open all week for anyone, including non-member birders, who care to rent a space ($100/day on weekends, $45/day on weekdays). Weekend camping can be shared by up to 7 people, 2 cars, 2 large tents (or 4 small tents). This means that those who wish to bird at Silver Saddle on the weekend can only do so if you have registered and paid for a campsite at the campground! Birders who are registered campers can eat in the restaurant when open on weekends.
The staff at Silver Saddle continues to welcome birders within the guidelines of this new corporate directive.
Further note from Bob Barnes: to separate birders (who are welcome) from non-birder nonmembers (who will be asked to leave by Silver Saddle security any time found on site), please check in at the hotel office as close to 8:30am opening hours as possible to tell Silver Saddle staff you are a birder so they can tell security. If you start birding at dawn, please work your way over to the hotel office by 8:30am to check in. If you are approached by security before 8:30am, tell them you are a birder and that you have been asked to check in at the hotel office c. 8:30am and that you will do so.
Our thanks to Bob Barnes (Ridgecrest Audubon) and Kelli Levinson (Kern Audubon) for working with the staff of Silver Saddle on clarification of these new access rules. If you are planning to bird at Silver Saddle, you are asked to cooperate with the changes so that we might continue to have access to this very important bird area and birding spot in the Mojave Desert. If you have questions about these policies, feel free to contact Ted Murphy (325-
0307) or Madi Elsea (322-7470).
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