MDBA Field Trip — Black Diamond Mines
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve X45P+PP, Antioch, CA, United StatesThis trip includes a vigorous climb up a steep trail with an elevation gain of several hundred feet. Why? 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 on finding the wrens […]
MDBA Field Trip — Orinda Connector Trail
Orinda Connector trail VQXQ+XR, Orinda, CA, United StatesA walk through an EBMUD property requires a trail permit. If you have one, bring it with you. We'll walk downhill through riparian woods to San Pablo Creek, then across some open lands toward the face of Briones Dam. Wood Ducks are possible though hard to find; some spring birds will have arrived. Trail Rating: […]
MDBA Field Trip — Mitchell Canyon
Mitchell Canyon 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA, United StatesWe 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 may still be blooming. This is a good trip for beginners. Trail Rating: Category 3. 3+ miles on a potentially hot, dusty trail. Elevation change: up […]
MDBA Field Trip — Pine Canyon
Diablo Foothills Regional Park Trailhead Parking 1700 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut CreekThis field trip is especially good for beginning birders! Pine Canyon, which includes the Castle Rock EBRPD recreational area, and the Diablo Foothills Regional Park just beyond, provides rich habitat and resources for spring migrants passing through, as well as for many returning and nesting summer residents. We should expect to find nesting pairs of […]
MDBA Field Trip — Del Puerto Canyon
Del Puerto Canyon Rd & Diablo Grande Pkwy Del Puerto Canyon Rd, Patterson, CA, United StatesAs we drive through Del Puerto Canyon, on the east side of the Diablo Range, we'll be looking for Canyon Wren, Costa’s Hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, and other goodies. It can get very warm! Bring lunch and plenty of liquids as this trip takes us further from conveniences that most of our outings. Carpool leaves from […]
MDBA Field Trip — Putah Creek at Pedrick Rd.
Putah Creek Parking Lot Putah Creek Parking Lot, Davis, CAThis delightful, fairly short stretch of Putah Creek (~3/4 miles), can be very productive during Spring migration. It's a fairly easy walk through lovely riparian right down in the creek bed. And the occasional sandy stretch will often host several species of birds bathing in the shallows. Expect to find a nice selection of warblers: […]
Monthly Program: May 2024
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesImprint of a Mourning Dove on a sliding glass door, Photo by Glenn Phillips Building a Bird-Friendly City Glenn Phillips Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, May 2, 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: […]
MDBA Field Trip — Lagoon Valley & Pena Adobe — NEW TRIP!
Peña Adobe Regional Park 4699 Peña Adobe Rd., Vacaville, CAWe 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'll drive to Lagoon Valley […]
MDBA Field Trip — West Briones Regional Park
Bear Creek Staging Area Briones Bear Creek Staging Area, 16 Bear Creek Rd, Lafayette, CA, United StatesA 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. Bring water and snacks. It might be warm by mid-day. Rating: Category 2 - moderate hiking over dirt and gravel trails […]
MDBA Field Trip — East Contra Costa County
Marsh Creek Regional Trail Trailhead X8R3+9H, Oakley, CA, United StatesNote the early starting time: we start this trip early as the location can become very hot by mid-day. We will walk part of the Marsh Creek Trail, and then visit Piper Slough north of Bethel Island. Other locations are possible. Target birds include: Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Swainson’s Hawk, Yellow-billed Magpie and […]
MDBA Field Trip — Outer Point Reyes
Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center 1 Drake Beach Rd, Inverness, CA, United StatesPoint Reyes is one of the premiere birding locations in Northern California, a great spot to find rarities during migration---like the Prairie Warbler pictured above (image by Beth Branthaver). MDBA tries to visit at least twice a year. On our late-spring trip we hope to see northbound migrants as well as resident birds in their […]
Monthly Program: June 2024
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesConservation Ranching in California Pelayo Alvarez Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, June 6, in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm. 6:30 PM Doors Open 7:00 PM Birding Info: Winners of the MDBA photo contest 7:15 PM Announcements 7:30 PM Refreshments and Raffle 7:45 PM Main Program: Conservation Ranching *as a […]
Monthly Program: September 2024
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesBirds of Canada and North American Wood Warblers Norman Kikuchi, MD Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, September 5, 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: Birds of Canada and North American Wood Warblers *as a […]
MDAS Field Trip — Outer Point Reyes
Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center 1 Drake Beach Rd, Inverness, CA, United StatesSign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/outer-point-reyes-registration-989723909857 Point Reyes is one of the premiere birding locations in Northern California, a great spot to find rarities during migration---like the Prairie Warbler pictured above (image by Beth Branthaver). Our exact itinerary will depend on weather, but we'll probably visit the lighthouse overlook and the "fish docks" area. After lunch we […]
MDAS Field Trip — Tilden Nature Area & Jewel Lake
Jewel Lake, Tilden Nature Area, California 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley, CA 94708, Berkeley, CA, United StatesSign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jewel-lake-tilden-nature-area-berkeley-tickets-989729386237 A walk along Wildcat Creek and around Jewel Lake in Tilden Park. We'll get started early, as it can get hot by mid-day at this time of year. Target birds include Brown Creeper, Red-Breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, and with luck Pacific Wren. Migrating birds are a possibility. This trip is suitable […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mt. Wanda
Mount Wanda Trailhead XVQ9+QW, Martinez, CA, United StatesSign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-mt-wanda-john-muir-nhs-martinez-tickets-989719737377 This hike is especially good for beginning birders! We'll walk through oak woodlands and oak savannah habitats, climbing uphill on a rugged fire road with one steep section. Then we'll walk a single track trail back to the fire road, about 2.5 miles total. We should have excellent views of Acorn […]
Introducing the Birds of Heather Farm
Heather Farm Park 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesThe Natural Area at Heather Farm is an underrated birding site. It is possible to see five species of heron one day, and on the next five species of sparrow. Common Gallinule and Sora are frequently reported, along with wintering ducks and migrating passerines. All told, over 200 species have been recorded at Heather Farm […]
MDAS Field Trip — Birding by Bike at Clifton Court Forebay
Clifton Court Forebay Clifton Court Rd., Discovery Bay, CASign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-by-bike-at-clifton-court-forebay-tickets-989733488507 Have a bicycle, e-bike or scooter, and like to bird? Join MDBA 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 […]
MDAS Field Trip — Vaux’s Swifts at McNear Brickyard, San Rafael
McNear Brickyard 1 McNear Brickyard Rd., San Rafael, CASign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vauxs-swifts-tickets-989735384177 Leader: Maureen Lahiff, , 510.484.6529 Vaux's Swifts migrate south along the Pacific Americas Flyway each fall, and one of their few known stopping points in Northern California is McNear Brick and Block in San Rafael. At sunset on many September and October evenings as many as 20,000 swifts mass and fly […]
Monthly Program: October 2024
The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesWildlife Photography Vishal Subramanyan Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, October 3, 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: Wildlife Photography *as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee […]