Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, February 1, in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm.

6:30 PM Doors Open
7:00 PM Announcements
7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle
7:30 PM Main Program: Cross-country Birding Adventure
*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea

Last year at this time, Robert was sleeping in his car in sub-zero temperatures in search of Snowy Owls and other birds from the far north. At our February meeting, Robert will share the highlights of his six month road trip, which included birding along the Canadian border from Washington to Maine in January, birding Florida and the Texas Coast during spring migration, and then birding from Arkansas to Minnesota back to Oregon in the beginning of the breeding season. Robert has plenty of pictures of his favorite birds including some that show identification challenges and insights he encountered along the way. Robert’s presentation will also share his perspectives on birding various parts of the country as well as considerations to take into account in planning your own trip.

Robert Raffel grew up in Pennsylvania and began birding as a teenager. In his 30s, he started birding more seriously, traveling extensively throughout the continental United States, building his life list. In his 40s and 50s, Robert took a break from birding and focused on raising his two sons. Once they could drive and no longer needed his services, Robert picked up his binoculars again and found that eBird and digital photography had completely changed birding for the better.