MDBA Field Trip — Meeker Slough
Meeker Slough Bayside Dr, Richmond, CAMeeker Slough is a wetland area in Richmond, on the coast of San Francisco Bay. We'll look for shorebirds, ducks, herons, and coastal passerines during the incoming tide. The walk is mostly on a paved and level trail. If time permits, we will also drive a few miles to check out Vincent Park and the […]
MDBA Field Trip — Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve
Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve, Fairfield 3100 Lynch Rd, Fairfield, CA, United StatesLynch Canyon Open Space, an asset of the Solano County Land Trust, is a fantastic place for raptors in the winter! It's also home to grassland species, and waterbirds on the reservoir. The trails are wide and firmly packed but unpaved. Participants will be able to choose between two routes: A loop of about 2.5 […]
Monthly Program: December 2024
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesDr. Van Schmidt surveying a California Gull breeding colony on a levee in the salt ponds Flows of Water and Waterbirds across California Nathan Van Schmidt Our December meeting will be held the second Thursday of the month, on December 12. We will meet in person at the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather […]
Monthly Program: January 2025
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesBlood Pheasant. Photo by Bob Lewis Birds of Bhutan Bob Lewis Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, January 2 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. 6:30 PM Doors Open 7:00 PM Announcements 7:10 PM Christmas Bird Count Report 7:25 PM Refreshments and Raffle […]
Contra Costa Large Day
Saturday January 4, Predawn to Dusk Spend the first Saturday of the New Year on an all-day birding trip that will visit several different habitats spread across Contra Costa County. To maximize the fun and minimize issues with parking, we'll carpool, starting from a place or places to be discussed by the group---perhaps Heather Farm […]
MDBA Field Trip — Putah Creek
Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd, Winters, CA, United StatesThis is a great chance to see a variety of birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible species include Osprey, Lewis's Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary to be determined the day of the trip. Rain cancels. Hike rating: […]
MDBA Field Trip — Marin: Las Gallinas and Shollenberger Park
Las Gallinas Ponds Las Gallinas Valley birding loop, Smith Ranch Rd, San Rafael, CABoth of these locations are great for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. Bring lunch and a beverage, as both sites take time to bird and there is a drive in between. This trip is appropriate for birders of all experience levels, including beginners. Hike rating: Category 2 - Moderate. Walking some distance and gentle […]
MDBA Field Trip — Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesWinter 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 at Children's Fairyland is usually required. We will move to Arrowhead Marsh at around 10:00AM, arriving […]
MDBA Field Trip — Bridgeway Island Pond, West Sacramento
McDonald's West Sacramento 2244 Lake Washington Blvd., West Sacramento, CANew Trip! This is a birding hotspot. We can hope for close views of an assortment of waterfowl and shorebirds. Blue-winged Teal.,American Avocet, Cinnamon Teal, and Sora have often been seen here. Easy access with a mostly flat, grassy area. Not much walking will be required, more standing and observing at different areas along the […]
Monthly Program: February 2025
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesMandarin Duck. Photo by Jill Hedgecock In Nature and Imaginations: Birds and Art in Central Europe Jill Hedgecock Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, February 6 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. 6:30 PM Doors Open 7:00 PM Announcements 7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle […]
MDBA Field Trip — Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve
Westgate Landing Regional Park 4GF5+HP, Terminous, CA, United StatesTundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, hawks and grassland birds. Trip will go on in light rain. Bring lunch and a beverage. If questions, call the leader. Hike rating: 1 - Easy. Elevation change: Minor Leader: Mona Lange, 510-414-2959 Meet: 8:45 AM in Westgate Landing Park at end of Glascock Road. Directions: Take SR 4 to Antioch […]
MDBA Field Trip — Big Break and East County
Big Break Regional Shoreline 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, United StatesWe will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center and then driving to at least one other location, to be determined by conditions. These locations are usually good for waterfowl, raptors and some passerines. Dress warmly, bring lunch and drinks. This trip is appropriate for birders of all experience levels, including beginners. Hike Rating: 1, […]
MDBA Field Trip — Bodega Bay
Tides Restaurant Bodega Bay 835Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, CA, United StatesWhy do we go all the way to Bodega Bay? To see loons close up – the Common, Pacific, and Red-throated species are all likely. To see Brant, the sea geese that spend the winter here. To see Double-crested, Brandt’s and Pelagic cormorants side-by-side to strengthen our ID skills. This is a great place for […]
MDBA Field Trip — Walnut Creek Local City Parks
Heather Farm Park 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesStarting in Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, we will walk around the large, mostly natural pond, birding along the way. From there we will drive to two or three local parks, as we may venture into Concord or Clayton, to be determined the day of the trip. Trail Rating: Category 1, Easy. Maybe up […]
MDBA Field Trip — Valle Vista
Valle Vista RVC6+WQ, Moraga, CA, United StatesA walk through various habitats at the EBMUD property usually allows to see at least 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 been raining, the first part could be a bit muddy but most of […]
Monthly Program: March 2025
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesJuvenile Osprey KEEP ‘EM FLYING — Helping Raptors Survive in the Human Environment Craig Nikitas Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, March 6 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. 6:30 PM Doors Open 7:00 PM Announcements 7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle 7:30 PM […]
MDBA Field Trip — Moorhen + McNabney Marshes
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesTwo trips this month! Mt. View Sanitary District has offered MDBA special access for a Saturday visit. Both trips will be open to the public, and are very suitable for beginning birders. Binoculars are available for borrowing---just email the leader in advance so they know how many extra pairs to bring. Created by MVSD in […]
MDBA Field Trip — Moorhen + McNabney Marshes
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesTwo trips this month! Mt. View Sanitary District has offered MDBA special access for a Saturday visit. Both trips will be open to the public, and are very suitable for beginning birders. Binoculars are available for borrowing---just email the leader in advance so they know how many extra pairs to bring. Created by MVSD in […]
MDBA Field Trip — Contra Loma Regional Park
Contra Loma Reservoir 1200 Frederickson Ln, Antioch, CA, United StatesWe 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. Rating: Category 2, Moderate. About a mile walk, some of it on turf. Elevation change: Minor Leader: Mona Lange Meet: Contra Loma Regional Park, Channel Point Parking […]
Monthly Program: April 2025
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesBirds of Prey Live Animal Presentation Lindsay Wildlife Experience Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, April 3 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. 6:30 PM Doors Open 7:00 PM Announcements 7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle 7:30 PM Main Program: Live Raptors *as a […]