Pacheco Marsh is a diverse new habitat managed by the John Muir Land Trust. Hosting many species, it is especially known as a good place to spot Short-eared Owls near sunset. We will walk out along level paths in search of marshland birds, including ducks and rails, and hope to see owls in flight as […]

The Las Gallinas Sanitary District maintains a complex of water treatment ponds that are a magnet for migratory waterfowl. Dozens of waterfowl species can be seen here in the winter. The presence of similar species in close proximity, such as Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, Horned Grebes and Eared Grebes, and Snowy Egrets and Great […]

This is a great outing for beginning birders! Starting in Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, we will walk around the large, mostly natural pond. From there we will carpool to two or three other area parks, to be determined on the day of the trip. Trail Rating: Category 1-Easy. Up to a mile walking […]

**NOTE THIS FIELD TRIP DATE HAS CHANGED FROM 2/16 TO 3/3 DUE TO WEATHER** A walk through various habitats at this EBMUD property usually allows us to see 40-50 species. Bring your EBMUD trail pass, if you have one. This property is at the upstream end of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir. If it has […]

A short-and-easy bird walk with the Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance. Non-members are welcome, with pre-registration. This is a great outing for beginning birders! Heather Farms is a small pocket of wildlife habitat in suburban Walnut Creek. It provides a nice mix of riparian, oak woodland, and wetland habitat that attract many winter visitors such as […]

We will be birding the reservoir, Loma Island and surrounding grassland areas. Expected species include waterfowl, woodland, riparian/marsh, shore and grassland birds. Dress appropriately, bring lunch and drinks. Hike Rating: 2, Moderate. We usually walk just over a mile. Elevation change is minimal, with optional excursions of up to 200 yards over turf. Elevation change: […]

An outing for birders of all experience levels, and especially good for beginners. Moorhen Marsh in Martinez was one of the first water treatment facilities in the US designed to provide healthy habitat for birds. Today its several ponds are home to many resident species, and it's often visited by migrants as well. Managed by […]

An outing for birders of all experience levels, and especially good for beginners. Moorhen Marsh in Martinez was one of the first water treatment facilities in the US designed to provide healthy habitat for birds. Today its several ponds are home to many resident species, and it's often visited by migrants as well. Managed by […]

This walk begins in oak woodlands with lots of spring wildflowers and birds. We then continue up through grasslands, ending at Sindicich Lagoons. We return the way we came, hiking about 3 miles round trip over fire roads and hilly trails. Bring liquids & a snack if you like. Trail Rating: Category 3 - uphill […]

We will walk into Mitchell Canyon on the lower slopes of Mount Diablo State Park. Many spring birds are possible here: warblers, hummingbirds, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more. Spring flowers will be blooming. Trail Rating: Category 3. 3+ miles on a potentially hot, dusty trail. Elevation change: up to 400 feet Leader: Sandy Ritchie, (925) 381-2514 […]

This trip includes a vigorous climb up a steep trail, with an elevation gain of several hundred feet. Why make the climb? Because the location offers the best chance in our MDBA territory to see and hear Canyon Wrens! The trail is rocky, and footing can be tricky---Be advised! There is no guarantee of finding […]

We'll drive along Del Puerto Canyon, on the east side of the Diablo Range, looking for Canyon Wren, Costa’ s Hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, and other special birds. It can get very warm! Bring lunch and plenty of liquids, as this trip takes us further from conveniences that most of our outings. Trail Rating: 1 - […]

We will first bird at Pena Adobe Park, located off I-80 just west of Vacaville. Pena Adobe is a historic park with well established trees, including an orange tree planted as early as the1860s. Birds we've seen here include Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush and Black-headed Grosbeak. After exploring Pena Adobe we will drive to Lagoon […]

We'll start at the entrance to Brannan Island SRA, in the parking lot east side of Hwy 160. Pay the entrance fee at the station or by envelope if no one's there, $10 or $9 for seniors. Note that most public libraries have a pass you can check out that allows free day use parking. […]

A visit to the west entrance of Briones Regional Park in the spring offers views of spring wildflowers and spring birds. Lazuli Buntings are often present, along with flycatchers, vireos, and many other species. There's a nice picnic area here so consider bringing lunch and staying a while. It might get warm before our walk […]

Note: this itinerary is subject to change, as migrating birds arrive and opportunities appear. Watch the May Quail, and your email in the days before the outing, for possible updates. We plan to meet at Big Break/Delta Science Center. After birding there we'll drive to Marsh Creek Trail and, if time permits, Bethel Island. These […]

Pine Canyon, which encompasses the Castle Rock (EBRPD) recreation area and Diablo Foothills Regional Park, provides rich habitat for spring migrants and returning summer residents. Warbling Vireos and their cousins, Cassin’s Vireos, both nest within the canyon. We also hope to find orioles, flycatchers, wrens, and various warblers—and if we’re lucky, a Lazuli Bunting or […]

Every year, Herons and Cormorants nest in the tall trees within the park’s riparian area. We will visit these rookeries, hopefully catching glimpses of chicks within the nests. The park also hosts several Wood Duck nest boxes; with luck, we may spot ducklings and other young waterfowl as well. Shadow Cliffs, located in Pleasanton, can […]

Point Reyes is one of the premier birding locations in Northern California and a renowned spot for finding rarities during migration—such as the Prairie Warbler pictured above (image by Beth Branthaver). MDBA visits at least twice a year; on our spring trip, we hope to observe northbound migrants as well as resident birds in their […]

Phainopeplas are the only representatives of the silky flycatcher family that are regularly found in the US. In Contra Costa County, they are most commonly found east of Mount Diablo in winter, but in summer they can also be found locally in select places. We'll search Lime Ridge for Phainopeplas early in the day before […]