Mount Diablo Bird Alliance

MDBA Field Trip -- East Contra Costa County
2026-05-07 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Big Break Regional Shoreline, 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, 94561, United States
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 locations are usually good for waterfowl, raptors and some passerines not easily found elsewhere in the county.
It may get hot by mid-day.
Hike Rating: 1-Easy
Elevation change: N/A
Leaders: Randy Huey, 925-518-8439
Meet: Big Break parking lot in Oakley at 8 AM
Directions: Take Highway 4 east toward Stockton/Pittsburg, after Antioch take right Exit 30 toward CA-160/Sacramento/Rio Vista. Take Exit 1A, East 18th/Main Street, turn right at the bottom of the exit onto Main Street, proceed east a little over 1 mile, then turn left onto Big Break Road. Turn into Big Break Regional Shoreline/Delta Science Center just past the last houses on the right.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants. Register HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-eastern-contra-costa-county-tickets-1985236060498
(Photo: Western Kingbird by Mona Lange)

Monthly Program: May 2026
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:30 | The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, United States
Rusty-collared Seedeater. Photo by Steve Hunter.
Bobcat film preview and Total Uruguay
Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, May 7 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 Bobcat Film preview
7:15 PM Announcements
7:30 PM Refreshments and Raffle
7:45 PM Main Program: Total Uruguay
*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea
Our meeting will begin with a short preview of an upcoming film about bobcats. Vishal Subramanyan is a National Geographic Young Explorer and Osher Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences. For nearly a decade, he’s been observing the life of an urban bobcat living along the Diablo Range, and is now producing a long-term documentary film that follows this animal’s story. In this short pre-program presentation, Vishal will share a teaser from the film and behind-the-scenes footage from years of fieldwork, highlighting what bobcats can teach us about coexistence in the East Bay Area. He’ll also touch on habitat connectivity and the ripple effects of rodenticides on local wildlife, and share what’s ahead for completing the film.
Main Program: Total Uruguay with Viviana Wolinsky
Viviana Wolinsky and Steve Hunter began birding within the last decade, combining this new passion with their love of travel. Steve focuses on bird photography and provided all the bird images for the presentation. Viviana has a life-list of over 3,000 birds, more than half of which she observed in South America. She has visited Uruguay twice for birding, most recently on the Golden Gate Birding Alliance’s (GGBA) “Total Uruguay” trip, and currently holds the number 121 spot on the eBird lifetime list for the country.
Both are active GGBA volunteers. Viviana serves as an assistant instructor for Steve’s intermediate birding and sparrow classes. Together, they have led numerous local field trips and a special Birdathon trip to Colorado. Viviana also serves as the co-compiler for the Oakland Christmas Bird Count.
This presentation offers a preview of what to expect on a birding trip to Uruguay such as GGBA’s upcoming 2027 trip. While the country is roughly the size of Washington state with a climate similar to California’s, it possesses a wide range of habitats, including the Pampas, Atlantic Forest, savannas, wetlands, and palm tree forests. This diversity allows for a great variety of bird species to be seen easily across short distances. Uruguay is also a vital feeding and breeding destination for many migratory species.

Straight-billed Reedhaunters. Photo by Steve Hunter.

MDBA Field Trip -- Pine Canyon
2026-05-11 08:00 - 13:00 | Diablo Foothills Regional Park Trailhead Parking, 1700 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut Creek, 94598
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 a Peregrine Falcon.
Please bring water, snacks, and a lunch if you would like to enjoy the shady picnic tables in the park after our trek.
Trail Rating: 2–3. Out-and-back along a wide dirt trail, with some short climbs. We’ll need to cross little Pine Creek several times – without bridges. These crossings are not deep but can be muddy or a bit adventuresome, depending on recent rains.
Elevation Change: 200 feet, in a very gradual climb
Leader: Ted Robertson, 925-899-1872
Directions: From Ygnacio Valley Road, drive south on either Walnut Avenue or Oak Grove Road to the traffic circle. Continue south on Castle Rock Road, pass Northgate High School, then drive to the end of the road.
This field trip is limited to 18 participants.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-pine-canyon-tickets-1987369743401
(Townsend’s Warbler photo by Jerry Britten)

MDBA Field Trip — Shadow Cliffs Rookeries
2026-05-15 08:30 - 12:00 | Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, 2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA, 94566, United States
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 get quite hot this time of year. Please dress appropriately (a broad-brimmed hat is highly recommended) and bring sunscreen and plenty of water. There is a restroom located near the trailhead.
Please factor in the potential for traffic when planning your departure.
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle.
Trail Rating: 2 – One hill to get onto the levee trail and just over a mile of walking with few places to sit.
Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade (elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com)
Meet: Small shade structure near Levee Trail trailhead and next to the shaded/solar panel parking lot
GPS: 37.9277763, -122.0644239. Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, 2500 Stanley Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94566 USA
Directions: From Walnut Creek, take I-680 South. In Dublin, take Exit 30 to merge onto I-580 East toward Stockton. Stay on the I-580 for about 3 miles, then take Exit 47 for Santa Rita Rd toward Tassajara Rd. After about 1.5 miles, take a left onto Valley Ave. After about 1 mile, take another left onto Stanley Blvd. Continue for 1 mile, then turn right into the Shadow Cliffs entrance.
There will be a large, brown sign with white lettering. After paying at the entry kiosk and going through the roundabout, turn right into the parking lot with solar panels near the base of the hills.
This trip is limited to 20 participants. Carpooling is encouraged!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-shadow-cliffs-registration-1987575958195
(Photo of Great Blue Heron by Warren Regelmann)

Student Cello Recital Fundraiser for MDBA
2026-05-21 15:00 - 17:00 | San Ramon Valley High School Performing Arts Center, 501 Danville Blvd, Danville, CA, 94526
Olivia Qian, a junior at San Ramon Valley High School (SRVHS) and founder of the school’s bird-watching club, is hosting a solo cello recital fundraiser on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The performance will take place at the San Ramon Valley High School Performing Arts Center and will feature masterworks by Bach, Saint-Saëns, Elgar, and Lalo.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to support the conservation programs of the Mount Diablo Bird Alliance. In addition to the performance, MDBA members will be on-site to share information about local bird conservation efforts and how you can get involved.
Join us for an afternoon of beautiful music and community spirit in support of birds and their habitats.
Suggested donation: $7 online or bring cash in exact change.
View the fundraiser flyer for additional details.

MDBA Field Trip -- Point Reyes
2026-05-30 08:30 - 15:00 | Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, 1 Drake Beach Rd, Inverness, CA, 94937, United States
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 finest breeding plumage.
The exact itinerary will depend on the weather, but after checking Drakes Beach and the lagoon behind it, we will likely visit the Lighthouse area and the “fish docks.” After lunch, we may walk down the Avenue of Cypresses to the historic RCA building.
Please bring water and lunch, as this area is remote. The weather at the Point is highly changeable; bring warmer clothing than you think you’ll need—ensuring you include a windproof layer—as well as sun protection.
Trail Rating: 2 — up to a mile total walk, almost entirely on paved roads but with some moderate grade.
Elevation Change: 100 ft
Leader: Matt Tarlach, mdbafieldtrips@gmail.com
Meet: Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, Drake’s Beach
GPS: 38.027828257127936, -122.96201741318059
Directions: Depending on your starting point, take the best route to San Rafael and go North on US 101. From 101, take Lucas Valley Road to Nicasio. At the reservoir, turn left. Follow signs to Point Reyes Station, and when you get to town turn left onto US-1. After passing through town (the Bovine Bakery is a tasty stop for breakfast pastries), turn right from US-1 onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd and follow it for 15 miles to Drakes Beach Road.
Due to limited parking, this trip is limited to 12 participants. Carpooling is encouraged!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/point-reyes-registration-1987575551980
(Prairie Warbler photo by Beth Branthaver)

Monthly Program: June 2026
2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 | The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, United States
Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, June 4 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: Gardening for Wildlife
*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea
Main Program: Bringing Nature Home with Kathy Kramer
Want to learn how to create a beautiful garden that saves water, money, time, and the planet? Join us on June 4 for a program with Kathy Kramer, who will share how we can create beautiful water conserving native plants gardens that are teeming with life. By creating a wildlife friendly garden, you can make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.
In 2005, Ms. Kramer founded, and she still coordinates, the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. Through this program more than 225,000 visits have been made to native plant gardens in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
For nearly forty years, Ms. Kramer has been developing programs that educate Bay Area residents about local environmental issues. The programs developed under Ms. Kramer’s leadership have received local, state, and national awards, including:

the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Environmental Innovator’s Award,
the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award,
the National Wetlands Award for Education/Outreach Award, and
the Jefferson Award

MDBA Field Trip -- Search for the Silky Flycatcher
2026-06-07 07:30 - 10:00 | Montecito Dr Parking Lot (Lime Ridge), 5150 Montecito Dr, Concord, CA, 94521
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 the heat kicks in. Keep an eye out for clumps of mistletoe in the oaks, which the birds love. We’ll also have a chance to see other summer visitors including Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, and multiple swallow species.
Water, sunscreen, and shade are musts on this hike! Even by late morning it can get quite warm.
Trail Rating: 3 – Dry, hilly, potentially hot, and more than a mile.
Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade, elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com
Meeting Point: 5150 Montecito Dr, Concord, CA 94521. There are multiple access points along Lime Ridge. We’ll meet at the parking lot just off Ygnacio Valley Road.
GPS: 37.94668064840542, -121.99249383706143
Directions: (Northbound) Take I-680 north. Take Exit 44 for Rudgear Rd and continue on South Broadway for 1 mile. Take a right onto Newell Ave and be prepared to take the next left in 300 ft onto Newell Hill Pl. Turn left onto San Miguel Dr. Be prepared to take the next right in 300ft onto Sierra Dr. In half a mile, turn left onto Walnut Blvd and continue for another half mile before turning left onto Ygnacio Valley Blvd. Continue for 5 miles. Turn right onto Montecito Dr. The destination will be on your right just after the intersection.
This outing is limited to 15 people. Register HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/search-for-the-silky-flycatcher-tickets-1989778836062
(Image of Phainopepla by Maren Smith)

MDBA Field Trip -- Least Terns and Hayward Shoreline
2026-07-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Hayward Regional Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave, Hayward, CA, 94541
We’ll join a public event hosted by the East Bay Regional Parks District: a naturalist-led walk to the Least Tern colony at the Hayward Shoreline. This is a rare opportunity to be escorted behind the protective fences and get closer to the colony than is usually possible. After the public event, which is scheduled to end at 11:00 AM, we’ll bird a second location along the Alameda County bayshore, to be determined depending on conditions.
MDBA members, please sign up at the link below, so we know how many are coming and can inform you about the second part of the trip, as well as possible carpooling. If you just want to join the EBRPD event, it’s free and open to the public. More info here:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/59624?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Trail rating: 2—Moderate. Over a mile walking on flat levee trails.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Matt Tarlach, mdbafieldtrips@gmail.com
Meet: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center
GPS: 37.623494087391975, -122.13715190919702
Directions: Take the best route from your location toward the San Mateo Bridge. From Hwy 92 West—before reaching the bridge—Take Exit 24 for Clawiter Road. At the exit, continue straight onto Breakwater Road. 0.2 miles beyond the exit you’ll need to make a left to stay on Breakwater Road. Continue to the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center.
MDBA members sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/least-terns-and-hayward-shoreline-tickets-1989744976788
(Image by Linda Tanner – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

MDBA Field Trip -- Pt. Pinole: Shorebirds in the Shade
2026-08-02 08:00 - 11:30 | Point Pinole Regional Shoreline (Atlas Road parking lot), 3000 Atlas Road, Richmond, CA, 94806
We’ll search for shorebirds in the shade of the fragrant eucalyptus groves that line the shores of Point Pinole Regional Park. Shorebird migration is getting underway at this time of year, with peeps, plovers, and more starting to trickle in from the north. We’ll scan the beach as the tide rises for shorebirds and marine ducks. Point Pinole can also yield surprises, like the Bobolink that lingered there in 2024.
The trail is narrow, dusty, and rocky at points. There are not many places to sit and rest along the way. There is a bathroom and water fountain at the trailhead. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Trail Rating: 2 – Generally flat but over a mile walking.
Leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade, elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com
Meeting Point: Atlas Road parking lot, map address 3000 Atlas Road, in Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond.
GPS: 37.999968, -122.356301
Directions: From Central Contra Costa, head west on Highway 4. Then, take exit 1B to merge onto I-80 West toward San Francisco. After about 4 miles, take exit 20 toward I-580 W. After about half a mile, merge onto Richmond Parkway. After about a mile, take a right onto Atlas Road and keep driving straight, passing through the park gate, until you reach the unpaved parking lot on your right at the end of the road.
This outing is limited to 15. Register HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-point-pinole-shorebirds-in-the-shade-registration-1989779236259
(Image by Bill Kezer)

MDBA Field Trip -- Bodega Bay
2026-08-22 09:00 - 15:00 | Tides Restaurant Bodega Bay, 835Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923, United States
Enjoying the fresh sea air, we’ll stop at several points around Bodega Bay to look for shorebirds, including Black Oystercatcher and Surfbird, as well as terns, gulls, cormorants, near-shore pelagics and more. Bring liquids, a picnic lunch, and sunscreen.
Trail rating: Category 1–moderate walking at several car stops.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Matt Tarlach, mdbafieldtrips@gmail.com
Meet: Meet at the back deck at The Tides Restaurant. Park at the restaurant and walk back to the water side.
GPS: 38.3284021500329, -123.04468508653804
If you’re interested in carpooling from the MDBA home area, contact the leader. There will also be an opportunity to share cars after we meet at The Tides.
Directions: From Concord/Walnut Creek, take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge, go west on I-780 toward Vallejo. In Vallejo take I-80 toward Sacramento, then exit to Route 37 west. Drive west on 37 about 15 miles to Lakeville Road, and turn right. In Petaluma, turn left on E. Washington Street and continue on Bodega Road, Valley Ford Road and SR 1 to Bodega Bay. Walk through or around The Tides Restaurant to find the group on the deck in back. Bring lunch, plenty of liquids, and sunscreen.
This field trip is limited to 15 participants. Non-MDBA members are welcome, with pre-registration.
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-bodega-bay-registration-1989743730059
(Image by Pam Lorenz)

MDBA Field Trip -- Jewel Lake
2026-09-03 07:30 - 11:00 | Jewel Lake, Tilden Nature Area, California, 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley, CA 94708, Berkeley, CA, 94708, United States
We’ll walk along Wildcat Creek and around Jewel Lake in Tilden Park, hoping to find fall warblers, Red-Breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, and with luck a Pacific Wren.
This trip is suitable for beginning birders. Bring binoculars if you have them, or if you need to borrow a pair contact the leader beforehand so he knows to bring extra. People who are interested in the birds but are not members of MDBA are very welcome to join us. Please be sure to pre-register.
Trail rating: 2, Moderate. About 1.5 miles walking on easy, mostly flat paved and gravel trails.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Matt Tarlach, mdbafieldtrips@gmail.com
Meet: Parking lot at the end of Central Park Drive in Tilden Regional Park.
Directions: From Central Contra Costa take Highway 24 to exit at Fish Ranch Road. Turn right and go up the hill 0.7mi. Turn Right on Grizzly Peak Blvd and follow the curving road for 4.1mi. Turn Right on Muir Way, then Left on Park Hills Road. The road forks; be sure to stay on Park Hills Road. Watch for signs to “Little Farm” which is near the meeting point. Park Hills Road ends at Wildcat Canyon Road, at an odd intersection. Turn Right on Wildcat Canyon, then IMMEDIATELY Left onto Central Park Drive. Continue about 1 mile on Central Park to the parking lot at the end, which is the meeting point.
This birdwalk is limited to 15 participants. Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tilden-nature-area-berkeley-tickets-1989744347907
(Wilson’s Warbler photo by Jerry Britten)
