Birding
Raptors In Winter
Online and Field TripInstructor: Maureen Lahiff, With Anne Ardillo on Field Trips 3 sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays Venue: Zoom plus field trips Year-round resident hawks, falcons, and eagles of the greater Bay Area and the Central Valley are joined by a number of wintering migrants (including Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks). We’ll explore the rhythm of their lives and […]
Winter Sparrows Workshop 2021 – Day 2
OnlineWorkshop Dates: Nov 1 & 3, 2021 6:00pm – 8:00pm $100 total per person for both sessions This workshop will be a basis to identify the wintering sparrows in California, with a focus on the Bay Area. We hope to also give you a background to understand a bit about the biology, evolutionary history, migration, […]
The Falconer – An Online Film Screening
OnlineJoin Peninsula Open Space Trust for a special free online screening of “The Falconer” in honor of the Fall Raptor Migration Season! The event is free but registration is required. Guests who register for the event will receive a viewing link and password to access the film anytime between 7pm Friday, November 5 through midnight on Wednesday, […]
MDAS Field Trip—Charleston Slough
Charleston Slough Mountain View, CA, United StatesWe 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. This hike is limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Rating: Moderate Distance: We do some walking, […]
Cruise w/ Dolphin Charters – Birds of the San Francisco & San Pablo Bay
Berkeley Marina 201 University Ave, Berkeley, CA, United StatesSan Francisco Bay, the largest and one of the most important estuaries along the Pacific Flyway, is right in our own backyard. Join us as we cruise from Berkeley toward the Golden Gate Bridge and north into San Pablo Bay, hugging the shorelines and waters that are home to thousands of wintering birds. We will […]
Climate and Birds in California
OnlineNorth America’s bird populations have declined by approximately 3 billion birds since 1970 and two-thirds of North America’s bird species now face an even greater risk of extinction due to climate change. Mike Lynes will discuss the threats California birds face from climate change and how Audubon California is working with chapters, allies, and decision-makers […]
MDAS Field Trip—Mt. View Sanitary/McNabney Marsh
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesWe 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. This hike is limited to 20 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Rating: Moderate Elevation change: N/A Leader: Randy […]
Recent Tech Advancements And Bird In Flight Photography – The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
OnlineBurrowing owl flight with dove Photo: Rob Bielefeld This presentation will focus on recent advancements in camera and lens technology. From sensors, to IBIS, to AF, advancements have made at getting great birds-in-flight images easier than ever before. However, with advancements come potential pitfalls. Speaker Rob Bielefeld will discuss both sides of the technological coin: […]
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 4, 8:15 AM-5 PM Leader: Beth Branthaver, 510-502-4869 All the migratory birds will have arrived for the duration of the winter and we expect to see plenty of waterfowl, raptors, other birds, and hopefully Sandhill Cranes. We will drive the auto tour routes at both of these refuges and […]
MDAS Field Trip—American Canyon Wetlands
American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon, CA, United StatesAmerican Canyon Wetlands Monday, December 6, 9 AM-Noon Leaders: Chris & Teri Wills, 925-408-5364 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. The parking lot porta-potty was removed in July and may or may not […]
2021 East County Christmas Bird Count
Hold the date for the 20th annual East Contra Costa County Christmas Bird Count! Species and total numbers of birds within this count circle will be censused. To participate in field trips led by experienced birders on this special occasion, or to tally birds at your yard/feeder if you live within the count circle, contact one of […]
2021 Central County Christmas Bird Count
Hold the date for the Central Contra Costa County Christmas Bird Count, a tradition going back to 1955! Species and total numbers of birds within this count circle will be censused. To participate in field trips led by experienced birders on this special occasion, or to tally birds at your yard/feeder if you live within the count […]
Down For the Count: Exploring Bird Diversity at Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore - Bear Valley Visitors Center 1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, United StatesFor fifty years the Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been an annual tradition monitoring the winter populations of over two hundred species of birds here. Point Reyes National Seashore and adjoining areas rank in the top ten of over two thousand counts nationwide in terms of species diversity. This remarkable accomplishment is mostly […]
MDAS Field Trip—Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh–High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesLake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh--High Tide Monday January 3, 8:30 AM-1 PM Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 Winter ducks on Lake Merritt and other birds usually means easy viewing from the sidewalk. The lake is one of the few places in the Bay Area where Barrow's Goldeneyes can be seen. An entry fee past the gate […]
MDAS Field Trip—East Contra Costa County
Big Break Regional Shoreline 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, United StatesEast Contra Costa County Wednesday, January 12, 9 AM-1 PM Leader: Paul Schorr, 925-988-0070 We will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center, Iron House Sanitary, and possibly other places in the 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—Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek
Shollenberger Park 1400 Cader Lane, Petaluma, CA, United StatesShollenberger Park/Ellis Creek Saturday, January 15, 8:30-2 PM Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 Both of these locations are great for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Bring lunch and a beverage. Rating: Category 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 Meet: Point Blue parking lot at 8:30 AM Directions: Take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge. Go west […]
MDAS Field Trip—Martinez Waterfront Birds
Waterbird Regional Preserve, Martinez 2701 Waterfront Rd., Martinez, CA, United StatesMartinez Waterfront Birds Tuesday, January 25, 9 AM-2 PM Leader: Tracy Farrington, 925-788-6223 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. Rating: Category 1--Easy […]
MDAS Field Trip—Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve
Westgate Landing Regional Park 4GF5+HP, Terminous, CA, United StatesThornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve Saturday, February 5, 8:45 AM-1 PM Leader: Ethan Chickering, 925-890-3833 The major portion of the birding is done along Woodbridge Road and the Isenberg Crane Reserve, and at the Cosumnes River Preserve. In winter these areas are thick with Sandhill Cranes, Snow, Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese. Also present will be many […]
MDAS Field Trip—Bodega Bay
Tides Restaurant Bodega Bay 835Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, CA, United StatesBodega Bay Saturday, February 12, 9:15 AM-2 PM Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979 Many opportunities for spotting great birds are available on this trip. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl sometimes number in the 1000s. We will not be attacked by any of The Birds in Hitchcock's famous movie. After meeting at The Tides Restaurant, we will stop […]
MDAS Field Trip—Walnut Creek City Parks
Heather Farm Park 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesWalnut Creek City Parks Wednesday, February 23, 8:30 AM-1 PM Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979 Starting in Heather Farm Park, we will walk around the large, mostly natural pond, birding along the way. We will visit one or two other parks within the city, to be determined the day of the trip. Rating: Category 2-Moderate Elevation change: N/A […]