Birding
MDAS Field Trip — Vaux’s Swifts at McNear Brickyard
McNear Brickyard 1 McNear Brickyard Rd., San Rafael, CAVaux's Swifts at McNear Brickyard Thursday, September 15, 5 PM to dark Leader: Hugh and Rosita Harvey, 925-935-2979 Every fall when Vaux's Swifts fly to Central and northern South America, they pass through the Bay Area and take advantage of chimneys for evening roosts. Two well-known locations are in Healdsburg and San Rafael. Due to […]
MDAS Field Trip — Frank’s Dump
Hayward Regional Shoreline 3010 W. Winton Ave, Hayward, CA, United StatesHayward Regional Shoreline - Frank's Dump Saturday September 17, 2:30pm - 5:30pm We will meet at the very end of Winton Ave, walk out to the Bay Trail and head north. We should arrive at Frank’s Dump - a major high tide roost for shorebirds - when the tide has been coming in for about 4 […]
MDAS Field Trip — Birding by Bike at Clifton Court Forebay
Clifton Court Forebay Clifton Court Rd., Discovery Bay, CABirding by Bike at Clifton Court Forebay Saturday September 24, 2022, 7:30am-1:30pm Have a bicycle, e-bike or scooter, and like to bird? Join MDAS at Clifton Court Reservoir in eastern Contra Costa County, where we will do an out-and-back biking/birding trip of approximately 10 miles on a flat, paved levee road to see a myriad of bird species. Those who are equipped for it […]
MDAS Field Trip — Outer Point Reyes
Bear Valley Visitor Center 25RX+CV, Inverness, CA, United StatesOuter Point Reyes, Marin coast Saturday October 1, 8:30am - 1pm The Outer Point Reyes area is a wonderful place to find fall migrants, many of them Eastern passerine vagrants. Warblers spotted here have included Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, Connecticut, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, and Black-throated Blue. We have seen Yellow-green, Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, Orchard […]
MDAS Field Trip — Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary
Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary Shore Line Drive, Broadway, Alameda, CA, United StatesElsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Alameda Wednesday October 5, 9am - 1pm A visit to the Alameda shoreline as the tide rises should produce good views of shorebirds. A viewing platform and trails will give us excellent opportunities to study these birds at close range. We may drive to other nearby locations for additional birding. Hike Rating: Category 1 - Easy […]
MDAS/SMD Field Trip—Curry Canyon
Curry Canyon RanchMount Diablo Audubon Society and Save Mount Diablo are partnering up for a hike on Save Mount Diablo's gorgeous Curry Canyon Ranch. This portion of Curry Canyon Ranch showcases beautiful rangeland ecosystems and valley oak and riparian habitat. We'll be looking for fall migrants, arriving wintering birds, and raptors. You might even see a golden […]
MDAS Field Trip — Five Brooks & Bear Valley
Five Brooks Trailhead 8001 California 1, Bolinas, CA, United StatesFive Brooks/Bear Valley, West Marin County Saturday October 15, 9:00am - 1pm This trip visits two inland areas near Point Reyes, environments of trees and meadows that are miles from the windswept dunes. Five Brooks is a reliable location for California Quail. All sorts of interesting birds show up around the pond at Five Brooks: […]
MDAS Field Trip — Palo Alto Baylands/Charleston Slough
Terminal Boulevard Terminal Boulevard, Mountain View, CA, United StatesPalo Alto Baylands/Charleston Slough Saturday November 5, 8:30am - 2pm We see a variety of birds on the water on this trip. Locations might include Charleston Slough, Shoreline Lake, Palo Alto Baylands, Alviso and Redwood Shores. Hike Rating: Category 2 - Moderate. We do some walking, but drive from one location to the next. Elevation […]
MDAS Field Trip — Shadow Cliffs Regional Park
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area 2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA, United StatesShadow Cliffs Regional Park Tuesday, November 15, 8:15am - Noon Expect to see a good variety of different birds. In years past Bald Eagles, Osprey, Herons, Kingfishers, various ducks; Owls, Hawks, Grackle and many smaller birds have all been seen here. Hike rating: 1 - Easy Elevation change: Minor Leader: Steve Taylor, 925-828-8810 Meet: at […]
MDAS Field Trip — MVSD – McNabney & Moorhen Marshes
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesMVSD - McNabney and Moorhen Marshes Tuesday, November 22, 9am - Noon We expect to see a variety of water birds here, from grebes and ducks to waders and peeps. Marsh passerines and raptors might also be present. Hike Rating: 2 - Moderate. Almost entirely flat, but over half a mile of walking around the […]
MDAS Field Trip — Sacramento & Colusa National Wildlife Refuges
Sacramento/Colusa National Wildlife Refuges Dunnigan Northbound Rest Area I-5 North of Dunnigan, Dunnigan, United StatesSacramento & Colusa National Wildlife Refuges Saturday, December 3, 8:15 AM-5 PM Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges are premier locations to see massive flocks of Snow and White-fronted Geese and tons of other waterfowl, raptors and other birds. They are must-see annual winter destinations. We will drive the auto tour routes and stop at […]
MDAS Field Trip — The Sandhill Cranes of Staten Island, plus Cosumnes Preserve
Walnut Grove Elementary School 14181 Grove Street, Walnut Grove, CA, United StatesNEW TRIP! The Sandhill Cranes of Staten Island, plus Cosumnes Preserve Tuesday, December 6th, 9 AM-1 PM Staten Island is an excellent area to see Sandhill Cranes, and Cosumnes Preserve provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds. We will meet and coordinate cars at the Walnut Grove Elementary School. From there, our trip […]
MDAS Field Trip — American Canyon Wetlands
American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon, CA, United StatesAmerican Canyon Wetlands Thursday, December 8, 8AM-Noon A walk out to the wetlands, ponds and sloughs along the Napa River produces many exciting birding opportunities. We expect plenty of waterfowl, raptors, waders, shorebirds and passerines. It can be quite cold in this area, so bring appropriate warm layers. Availability of rest rooms is uncertain. Rating: […]
2022 East Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count
The 23rd Annual East-County count will be held Wednesday, December 14. Again, you can participate by being part of a group in the field, or by doing a count at your property if it is within the East-County Count Circle. If you’d like to participate, please send an email to . The countdown event for this one is again virtual, at 7 PM […]
2022 Central Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count
The 68th Annual Central Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, and participants are needed! You can participate by being part of a group in the field, or by doing a count at your property if it is within the Central-County Count Circle. We have many routes to cover with varied habitats and varying degrees of walking involved, so there […]
MDAS Field Trip — East Contra Costa County
Big Break Regional Shoreline 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, United StatesEast Contra Costa County Wednesday, January 11, 9 AM - 1 PM We will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center, Iron House Sanitary, and possibly other places in East Contra Costa. Usually good for waterfowl, raptors and some passerines. Dress warmly, bring lunch and drinks. Rating: Category 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Leader: Paul Schorr, […]
MDAS Field Trip — Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesLake Merritt, and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide Saturday, January 21, 8:30am-1pm We should find a good variety of wintering ducks and gulls at Lake Merritt, before driving to Arrowhead Marsh at around 9:45 AM. The rising tide should flush out rails that are usually hard to see. The area is also good for shorebirds, […]
MDAS Field Trip — Martinez Waterfront Birds
Waterbird Regional Preserve, Martinez 2701 Waterfront Rd., Martinez, CA, United StatesBirding the Martinez Waterfront Wednesday, January 25, 9 AM-2 PM We will be birding waterfront areas in the Martinez area, looking for shorebirds, waders, waterfowl, gulls, raptors and others. Dress warmly, bring a lunch and drinks. These areas may include Waterbird Preserve, TransMontaigne Pipeline, Mococo Marsh and Martinez Regional Shoreline. Hike Rating: Category 1--Easy Elevation […]
MDAS Field Trip — Putah Creek — Rescheduled!
Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd, Winters, CA, United StatesPutah Creek Saturday, January 26, 9 AM - 2 PM (Rescheduled from January 7) This is a great chance to see birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible target birds include Osprey, Lewis's Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary […]
MDAS Field Trip — Putah Creek — Rescheduled!
Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd, Winters, CA, United StatesPutah Creek Saturday, January 26, 9 AM - 2 PM (Rescheduled from January 7) This is a great chance to see birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible target birds include Osprey, Lewis's Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary […]