Mount Diablo Bird Alliance

Monthly Program: May 2023
2023-05-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom, CA, United States
The Magic of Central America: Costa Rica’s Birds and Ecology

Benny Jacobs-Schwartz

Costa Rica has long been regarded as one of the top tropical birding destinations in the world and with good reason! This small Central American country is roughly the size of West Virginia yet is home to ~5% of the world’s biodiversity, 900+ species of birds with 47 avian endemics to the country!
During our presentation, we’ll visit a variety of ecosystems including the cloud forest, the Caribbean lowlands, the pacific dry forest, and the ecological factors that have made Costa Rica the international birding mecca that it is!
Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz owns and operates a bird-guiding business and lifestyle brand called BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus). Working professionally for over 10 years as a naturalist guide, expedition trip leader, and international bird guide, Benny has worked in a variety of locations coast to coast, including exotic places such as; coastal Alaska, Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Benny is a passionate educator and photographer, specializing in birds! Benny uses his ample collection of nature-based content to leverage an active social media presence. BIJS uses his passion for the natural world to inspire others to put down their phone and pick up their Binos.

Webinar Access Info:

Date:
May 4, 2023 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Time:
7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Location:
Zoom online meeting

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Meeting ID:
812 5227 3161

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MDAS/SMD Field Trip -- Curry Canyon
2023-05-06 07:30 - 11:30 | Curry Canyon Ranch
Joint Mt. Diablo Audubon & Save Mount Diablo Birding Walk at Curry Canyon

Mount 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 will be looking for busy song birds, grassland birds, woodpeckers, waterfowl, and raptors. You might even see a golden eagle or two! This is a chance to get to know the east side of Mount Diablo, a side that’s not normally open to the public. You’ll pass a beautiful valley with rolling hills as you walk along the creek, then transition into riparian habitat, where sun hardly breaks through the canopy of the trees.
Be sure to dress in layers and wear sturdy boots or shoes; bring a mask, plenty of water, binoculars (if you have them) sunscreen, and a snack.
This event is limited to 20 participants.
Land: Save Mount Diablo
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 4-5 miles
Elevation change: 200’
Leader: Jerry Britten, Save Mount Diablo Volunteer Hike Leader
Meet: 3500 Curry Canyon Rd, Clayton, CA 94517
GPS Coordinates: 37.866193, -121.881976
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joint-mt-diablo-audubon-save-mount-diablo-birding-walk-at-curry-canyon-tickets-501000444817
Photo: Western Tanager by Jerry Britten

MDAS Field Trip -- West Briones Regional Park
2023-05-11 08:00 - 13:00 | Bear Creek Staging Area Briones, Bear Creek Staging Area, 16 Bear Creek Rd, Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
West Briones Regional Park
Thursday, May 11, 8 AM to 1 PM
A visit to the west entrance of Briones Regional Park in the spring offers views of spring wildflowers and spring birds. Lazuli Buntings are usually present; many years this trip provides the first viewings of these beautiful birds for most of us.
Bring water and snacks.
Rating: Category 2–moderate hiking
Elevation change: 200 feet
Leader: Chick Chickering
Meet: Bear Creek Staging Area parking lot
Directions: From SR 24 in Orinda, drive north on Camino Pablo about 2.25 miles, turn right on Bear Creek Road, continue for 4.5 miles to park entrance. Drive to farthest parking lot on the right.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants. Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-briones-regional-park-tickets-617254022397
Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
(Lazuli Bunting photo by Beth Branthaver)

MDAS Field Trip -- East Contra Costa County
2023-05-15 07:00 - 12:00 | Marsh Creek Regional Trail Trailhead, X8R3+9H, Oakley, CA, 94561, United States
East Contra Costa County
Monday, May 15, 7 AM to 12PM
Note starting time: we start this trip early as the location can be 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 Yellow-breasted Chat.
Bring lunch, snacks and water.
Rating: Category 2–moderate hiking
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Randy Huey, 925-518-8439
Meet: Marsh Creek Trailhead on Cypress Road, Oakley
Directions: Go north on I-680, exit Highway 4 toward Stockton/Pittsburg, take right Exit 30 toward CA-160/Sacramento/Rio Vista (just past Hillcrest Avenue exit; do NOT continue straight on Highway 4). Take exit 1-A East 18th/Main Street, turn right at the bottom of the exit onto Main Street and drive through Oakley for about 4 miles, turn left onto Cypress Road. Make a U-turn at Picasso Drive, the stoplight after the railroad tracks.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants. Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-contra-costa-county-tickets-617247302297
Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).

The Shoreline Festival in Crockett
2023-05-20 11:00 - 18:00 | CA
Join Mt. Diablo Audubon Society at The Shoreline Festival!
FREE ADMISSION
​ENJOY LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY!
This is a first-of-its-kind festival in Crockett, California, on May 20th, 2023, from 11 am to 6 pm! The Shoreline Festival will celebrate air, fire, water, and earth—the elements that are the essential forces that shape our natural environment. Amazing performers, dance troops, and live bands will delight you with their talents on two stages. Scheduled wine and beer tastings will take place throughout the day in a beautiful tasting tent, as well as a variety of booths providing an array of tasty beverages. Take flight in a hot air balloon with Sky Drifters, providing epic views of the Carquinez Strait, Carquinez Bridge, and a special aerial view of the festival.
For more information, visit: https://www.ccrcd.org/shoreline-festival

Monthly Program: June 2023
2023-06-01 19:00 - 21:00 | McHale Room of the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, 94523, United States
The Mt. Diablo Audubon Society will meet Thursday, June 1, in the McHale Room of the Pleasant Hill Community Center at 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, 94523.

Everyone is welcome to bring a snack to share, if they wish. Parking is free.

6:30 PM Doors Open
7:00 PM Birding Info: Winners of the MDAS photo contest
7:25 PM Announcements
7:40 PM Refreshments and Raffle
8:00 PM Main Program: Antarctica
*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea

Birding info: Winners of the MDAS photo contest

We reviewed your submissions, now it is time to reveal the winners of the third annual Mt Diablo Audubon Photo Contest! See who won in six categories: California Birds, International Birds, Birds in Action, Birds Dining, Worst Bird Photo EVER, and Youth: For photographers aged 8-17. (Any type of bird photo can be submitted in this category.)

Winners and runners-up will be shared at the meeting, so come enjoy the best photos from our local birding community!

Main Program: Antarctica
Ariana Rickard
Have you been dreaming about visiting the astonishing terrain of Antarctica and seeing the famous penguins, seals, whales, and glaciers? Do you long to experience a place teeming with life that few people get to see? Ariana will take you there through photos, videos, and stories from her trip earlier this year. Learn about the adorable penguins, majestic whales, seals, sea lions, and other bird life that thrive in this harsh environment. You won’t even have to cross the dreaded Drake passage to experience the wonders of Antarctica. But if you want to visit Antarctica, Ariana will share practical trips to help make your trip a reality.
Ariana is the Vice-President and Program Chair for Mt. Diablo Audubon. She also serves on the MDAS Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. She is the Public Policy and Funding Program Manager at Sonoma Land Trust. Ariana has worked for several federal government agencies, including the Peace Corps in Ecuador, and numerous environmental nonprofits, such as Audubon California and the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture. She earned her BA from Harvard College in Environmental Science and Public Policy and her MS from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a focus on Ecology.

MDAS Field Trip -- Outer Point Reyes
2023-06-03 08:30 - 15:00 | Bear Valley Visitor Center, 25RX+CV, Inverness, CA, 94956, United States
Outer Point Reyes
Saturday, June 3, 8:30 AM to 3 PM
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 on the registration page (image by Beth Branthaver). MDAS tries to visit at least twice a year. On this trip we hope to see northbound migrants, as well as resident birds in their spring plumage. We will stop at the lighthouse overlook and spend some time above the fish docks. Bring water and lunch, as the area is remote.
Rating: Category 1 — some walking through grass under trees and on paved roads
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Matt Tarlach 925 482 6129
Meet: Bear Valley Visitor Center, Olema
Directions: From US 101 north of San Rafael, take Lucas Valley Road to Nicasio. At the reservoir turn left. Follow signs to Point Reyes Station. Traditionally we’ve stopped for coffee and pastries at the Bovine Bakery. Next, drive to Olema and the Visitor Center.
From the Concord/Pleasant Hill area it may be advantageous to cross the top of the Bay on SR 37, exit at Atherton Avenue, turn left and cross US 101 to San Marin Drive. Turn right at the high school and drive about 6 miles to stop sign, turn left on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road for 7 miles to another stop sign. Turn right at the painted bridge, drive 3 miles to SR 1 and turn left into Point Reyes Station.
Due to limited parking at several stops on the Outer Point, this field trip is limited to 10 participants. Sharing a car is helpful. Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/outer-point-reyes-registration-617239137877
(Western bluebird photo by Jerry Britten)

The Beaver Festival in Martinez
2023-06-24 10:00 - 15:00 | CA
Join Mt. Diablo Audubon Society at The Beaver Festival in Martinez!
The Beaver Festival is finally back! Show your support for urban beavers and join your friends and favorite nature organizations at the FOURTEENTH festival celebrating the Martinez Beavers. Beavers have become big news lately but this is the festival that started it all.
Don’t miss our many nature displays, children’s activities, excellent music, silent auction and dynamic chalk mural by Amy Gallaher Hall of Napa. Learn why beavers are “superheroes” when it comes to helping us cope with climate change and why more cities should be teaming up with them like Martinez did.
For more information, visit: https://martinezbeavers.org/beaver-festiva-xiv

MDAS Field Trip -- Hayward Regional Shoreline, Frank's Dump
2023-07-21 15:30 - 18:00 | Hayward Regional Shoreline, 3010 W. Winton Ave, Hayward, CA, 94545, United States
Hayward Regional Shoreline, Frank’s Dump
Friday, July 21, 3:30 PM to 6 PM
For a shorebird spectacle, we will visit the hotspot known as “Frank’s Dump” in late afternoon when the sun will be at our backs, allowing good viewing of shorebirds congregating on the dry flats at high tide. At this time of year many of the returning shorebirds still have much of their breeding plumage. Some of these birds will stay the winter, some will continue a southerly migration.
Bring water and snacks. There is no shade on the trail, so bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen. There is a pit toilet at the Winton Ave lot.
This hike is limited to 20 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Hike Rating: 2. Up to 3 miles walking on flat unpaved trails.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979
Meet: Winton Avenue entrance for Hayward Regional shoreline.
Directions: From I-880, exit Winton Avenue, drive west 4.5 miles. Park near the trailhead just before the parking lot gate. We will walk about a mile to our viewing site.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hayward-regional-shoreline-franks-dump-tickets-637006833587
(Semipalmated Plover photo by Jerry Britten)

MDAS Field Trip -- Bodega Bay
2023-08-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Tides Restaurant Bodega Bay, 835Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923, United States
Bodega Bay
Saturday, August 19, 9 AM to 3 PM
The last trip of our annual field trip calendar, but sometimes considered the first trip for fall birding. At Bodega Bay we’ll encounter flocks of shorebirds including Black Oystercatcher and Marbled Godwit, as well as terns, gulls, cormorants, near-shore pelagics and more – perhaps a Wandering Tattler. Bring liquids, lunch and sunscreen.
Rating: Category 1–moderate walking
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979
Meet: Back deck at The Tides Restaurant
Directions: From Concord/Pleasant Hill, take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge, go west on I-780 to Vallejo, then I-80 toward Sacramento. Exit to SR 37, then drive about 15 miles to Lakeville Road. 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 back deck overlooking the harbor. Bring lunch, liquids and sunscreen.
This field trip is not limited in number of participants. All must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bodega-bay-registration-636997926947

MDAS Field Trip -- Jewel Lake, Tilden Park
2023-08-31 07:30 - 11:00 | Jewel Lake, Tilden Nature Area, California, 600 Canon Dr, Berkeley, CA 94708, Berkeley, CA, 94708, United States
Jewel Lake, Tilden Park
Thursday, August 31, 7:30 AM – 11 AM
Our traditional first field trip of fall – a short walk along Wildcat Creek and around Jewel Lake in Tilden Park. Possible highlights include fall warblers, Red-Breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, Pacific Wren and maybe a Varied Thrush.
This trip is suitable for beginners. Bring binoculars if you have them, or if you need to borrow a pair contact the leader beforehand so he knows to bring them.
Hike Rating: 2, Moderate. About 2 miles walking on flat trails.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Matt Tarlach, 925 482 6129
Meet: Parking lot at the end of Central Park Drive in Tilden Regional Park.
Directions: Highway 24 to Fish Ranch Road.
Go up the hill 0.7mi and turn Right on Grizzly Peak Blvd.
Follow Grizzly Peak for 4.1mi.
Turn Right on Muir, then after just 100 yards turn Left on Park Hills.
Watch for signs to “Little Farm” which is near the meeting point.
Continue 0.3 miles, then turn Left on Central Park Rd.
Continue about 1 mile to the meeting point in the parking lot.
This hike is limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jewel-lake-tilden-nature-area-berkeley-tickets-637009631957
(Wilson’s Warbler photo by Jerry Britten)

Monthly Program: September 2023
2023-09-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom, CA, United States
Bloody Feather—Death of the Cardinal, A New Anti Bird Poaching Novel

Bruce Lewis

Bruce Lewis was an award-winning crime reporter for several California daily newspapers, including the Contra Costa Times. After leaving the Times, he spent nearly a decade in corporate public relations at Kaiser Permanente and McKesson Corp. before co-founding Lewis & Summers PR (LSPR). Over 24 years, LSPR won 30 awards for excellence in communications.

After retiring, he wrote what he thought would be his first and only novel. Three years later, he is the author of the Kim Jansen Detective Series. His debut novel, Bloody Paws—The Plight of the Homeless Human Strays, was the winner of a Maxy Award for best mystery novel of 2021. Bloody Pages—Haunted by a Family Secret (2022), deals with intergenerational violence. Book 3 in the series, Bloody Feathers—Death of the Cardinal (2023), focuses on exotic bird poaching and rare bird species preservation.

On Dec. 11, 2022, his publisher, Black Rose Writing, posted the first of Bruce’s 10-episodes, Death of the Stray—A Veterinarian’s Revenge, to Kindle Vella. His latest Kindle Vella short stories include “There’s Mouse in My House! and Angel of Mercy. He is working on a fourth novel, Bless Me Father, For You have Sinned.

Webinar Access Info:

Date:
September 7, 2023 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Time:
7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Location:
Zoom online meeting

Access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87617422544?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID:
876 1742 2544

Passcode:
[REDACTED]

Phone access:
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,87617422544#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
+16699006833,,87617422544#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

MDAS Field Trip -- Mt. Wanda, John Muir NHS, Martinez
2023-09-16 08:30 - 11:30 | Mount Wanda Trailhead, XVQ9+QW, Martinez, CA, 94553, United States
This hike is especially for beginning birders!
We’ll walk through oak woodlands and oak savannah habitats, climbing uphill on a rutted 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 woodpeckers, likely views of red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, towhees, and oak titmouse. Mt. Wanda is part of the John Muir NHS, and this walk is hosted jointly by Mt. Diablo Audubon and the National Park Service.
MDAS has binoculars to loan for use on our trips! If you need binos just tell the trip leaders beforehand, so they know to bring an extra pair.
Hike Rating: 3, Vigorous (by birding standards). About 2.5 miles walking on fire roads and single track trails with substantial elevation gain.
Elevation change: 475 feet
Leader: Cheryl Abel, 925-957-6229
Meet: Parking lot for the Mt. Wanda Trailhead, intersection of Alhambra Ave and Franklin Canyon Rd in Martinez.
Directions: From Hwy 4 westbound take the Alhambra Ave. exit in Martinez. Turn left back under Hwy 4. Franklin Canyon Rd. is the next right, parking lot immediately on the left side of Franklin Canyon Rd. Bring water and binoculars.
This hike is limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-mt-wanda-john-muir-nhs-martinez-tickets-695151235057

MDAS Field Trip -- Vaux's Swifts at McNear Brickyard
2023-09-20 17:30 - 19:30 | McNear Brickyard, 1 McNear Brickyard Rd., San Rafael, CA, 94901
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 into the decommissioned brickyard chimneys to spend the night. It’s an unforgettable sight!
Although this trip is timed for the height of the swifts’ migration, based on past years’ counts the number of swifts can vary greatly from night to night, and can range from a few hundred to thousands. Like everything else in birding, there are no guarantees!
Spotting scopes are helpful, to better view the action around the chimney mouths. Photographers will be challenged as sunset nears (7:10 pm on the night of our field trip.) Given the time of day, it is OK to bring snacks as well as water. However, this is a birding event, not a picnic, so please don’t bring an elaborate spread. There are no restroom facilities on site.
Hike Rating: 1 – Stationary. People who find a portable stool or lawn chair helpful can bring one.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Maureen Lahiff, MLahiff@aol.com, 510.484.6529
Meeting point and Directions will be sent by email before the trip. Carpooling is strongly encouraged since there is very little parking.To respect both the swifts and the McNear property owners, this trip is limited to 20 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vauxs-swifts-tickets-695145497897
(Vaux’s Swifts photo via Wikicommons)

MDAS Field Trip -- Raptor Migration at Hawk Hill
2023-09-23 10:30 - 13:30 | Hawk Hill Conzelman Road, Sausalito, California 94965, Conzelman Road, Sausalito, 94965, United States
Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands is one of the best spots in the entire US to see raptors during the fall migration! We’ll also have stunning views of the Golden Gate, San Francisco, and the Pacific Ocean.
We’ll meet at the parking lot at Hawk Hill at 10:30am. From there it’s a short walk up a fairly steep but well-graded trail to the observation area at the top of the hill. We’ll station ourselves there to watch for hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures migrating down from the north, and using the thermals to gain altitude before they glide south over the Golden Gate on their southerly migration. Sometimes they’re high in the sky, though often these spectacular predators zoom and circle right at eye level.
For more info on the migration check out the GGRO website: https://www.parksconservancy.org/programs/golden-gate-raptor-observatory
Weather is very changeable on this hill overlooking the Golden Gate, so dress in layers. We will be stationary for some time, so bring a lawn chair if you like. Also a hat, water, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and a snack. This is a birding expedition though, not a picnic, so please no elaborate spreads.
Peak hawk-spotting doesn’t begin until around 11AM, sometimes later if the morning is foggy. We’ll plan to arrive at Hawk Hill at 10:30 to find parking and get organized. If you’re a little late, we’ll be up the Hill…but be advised parking gets tight before mid-day. Birders who’d like to start earlier might bird Rodeo Lagoon north of Hawk Hill, or other sites in the Marin Headlands. Leader may email participants about an optional early meeting point a day or two before the trip.
Leader: Matt Tarlach, mtar925@gmail.com, 925-482-6129
Meet: Hawk Hill Parking Lot on Conzelman Rd
Directions: Input ‘Hawk Hill Conzelman Rd’ into Gmaps
All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration)
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raptor-migration-hawk-hill-tickets-695156861887
(Sharp-shinned Hawk, image by Jerry Britten)

MDAS Field Trip -- Outer Point Reyes
2023-09-30 08:30 - 14:30 | Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, 1 Drake Beach Rd, Inverness, CA, 94937, United States
Outer Point Reyes is a wonderful place for fall migrants, many of them Eastern passerine vagrants. You never know who’ll turn up…sightings in past years have included Blackburnians and Blackpolls; Chestnut-sided, Connecticut, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, and Black-throated Blues…and that’s just the warblers. We’ve also seen Yellow-green, Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, Orchard Orioles, Ovenbirds, American Redstarts, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Peregrine Falcons, and Broad-winged Hawks.
To be clear, we don’t see all—or even most!—of these species every year. Not even one is guaranteed. But we can hope! The chance to see migrants is very much dependent on the weather: an absence of winds from the northwest and an overcast night sky helps to hold these land birds at the Outer Point. More reliable are the waterbirds: we usually have Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Cormorants, and Loons.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in the past this trip has met at Bear Valley. This year we’ll try meeting at the Drake’s Beach visitor center, closer to the hotspots on the Outer Point. At Drake’s Beach we’ll combine cars, as parking on the Outer Point is extremely limited. MDAS does not require carpooling on our trips but in this case it’s very helpful, so if you’re comfortable sharing a car please come prepared to do so. Or carpool all the way from home with a friend or two!
Weather is highly changeable even on a good day, so bring layers and be prepared for damp wind. Storm Warning cancels. Bring lunch and plenty of water, as the Outer Point is a remote area with no conveniences. If you need to borrow binoculars, please advise the leader before the trip so they can bring an extra pair. If you have a scope of your own to bring it can be useful for sea-watching.
Hike Rating: Category 2 – Moderate. Two planned walks of ~1 mile on paved, hilly roads; plus short walks over tricky terrain at a few optional stops.
Elevation change: A few well-graded climbs on paved roads, none over about 100 feet.
Leaders: Matt Tarlach, mtar925@gmail.com, 925-482-6129
Meet: 8:30am at Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, Drake’s Beach. Leader will park not far from the picnic tables behind the visitor center.
This trip is limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration)
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/outer-point-reyes-tickets-695160653227
(Image of Prairie Warbler by Beth Branthaver)

Monthly Program: October 2023
2023-10-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom, CA, United States
Why Birds Flock
Jessica Griffiths
You may have heard the old saying that birds of a feather flock together. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Join Jessica Griffiths for a fascinating look at bird flocks and flocking behavior. Why do some species of birds form flocks, while others do not? Why do geese and ducks fly in a “V” formation? How do birds flying in large flocks synchronize their movements to swoop and turn together? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this presentation, which touches on bird biology and behavior, and highlights some remarkable scientific discoveries.

Jessica Griffiths has worked as a wildlife biologist in California for 20 years, focusing on songbirds and monarch butterflies. She loves birding, and enjoys sharing her passion for birds and conservation via bird walks and public talks. She currently works as a wildlife biologist for Colorado State University’s Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Webinar Access Info:

Date:
October 5, 2023 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Time:
7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Location:
Zoom online meeting

Access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82508015432?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID:
825 0801 5432

Passcode:
[REDACTED]

Phone access:
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,82508015432#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US
+16699006833,,82508015432#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

MDAS Field Trip — Birding by Bike at Clifton Court Forebay
2023-10-07 07:30 - 13:30 | Clifton Court Forebay, Clifton Court Rd., Discovery Bay, CA, 94505
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 can also navigate a series of well-maintained gravel levee roads to avoid taking the same route back.
Clifton Court Forebay is an enormous reservoir that collects Delta water and sends it south through the Delta-Mendota canal. The reservoir itself can hold staggering numbers of waterfowl and gulls, and the surrounding habitat of slough, marshland, grassland, scrub and riparian woods is very productive. It is not uncommon to record 60-80 species of birds in a single outing, and the place is a magnet for rarities, especially in fall. There are also excellent chances to see river otters, coyotes, resident sea lions and even a beaver if we’re lucky.
Trip is approximately 5 hours, although participants can turn back at any time. There is plenty of free parking at the Forebay, but no restroom facilities or potable water. Must be able to transport your bike/scooter to the site. It can be windy out there, but is pleasant most of the time. We will monitor the forecast, gale-force winds will cancel.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Clifton Court Road (left turn from highway J4 approximately 2 miles southeast of Byron) at 7:30 AM. Bring layers, sunscreen, water and a snack or lunch for when we get back to the cars.
Leader: Jerry Britten
Meeting Point GPS: 37.8378308046695, -121.59322207166935
This trip is limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration)
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-by-bike-at-clifton-court-forebay-tickets-695135528077
(Photo by Jerry Britten)

MDAS Field Trip -- Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary/Crab Cove, Alameda
2023-10-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Shore Line Drive, Broadway, Alameda, CA, 94501, United States
The millions of shorebirds that winter on San Francisco Bay make it a state and global Important Bird Area. It is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and is also designated as a Wetland of International Importance under UNESCO’s Ramsar Convention.
We’ll start at the viewing platform at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, which is at the southeast end of Shoreline Drive in Alameda, walk along the shoreline to another viewing platform, and then drive to the Crab Cove Visitor Center area. We’ll be walking short distances on level, mostly paved paths, so this trip is accessible for birders with mobility limitations. Bring water and sun protection. Spotting scopes welcome and appreciated.
Restrooms and water are available at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Park Street (about 0.2 miles walk from the Elsie Roemer viewing platform) and at the Crab Cove Visitors Center.
Hike Rating: 1, Easy. Short walks on level paths. (This trip is Accessible.)
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Maureen Lahiff, MLahiff@aol.com, 510.484.6529
Meet: Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary viewing platform near intersection of Broadway and Shore Line Drive in Alameda. Parking on Broadway and streets off Broadway is the best bet.
This trip is limited to 18 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration).
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elsie-roemer-bird-sanctuarycrab-cove-alameda-tickets-695149098667
(Image of Long-billed Curlew and American Godwits by Maren Smith)

Introducing the Birds of Heather Farm
2023-10-29 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-11-01 08:30 - 10:30 | Heather Farm Park, 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598, United States
Sunday October 29, 8:30-10:30AM and
Wednesday November 1, 8:30-10:30AM
Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek is an underrated birding spot, home to dozens of resident species and attracting many migrants as well!
We’ll meet at the overlook of the Natural Lake, on the west side of North San Carlos Drive about 100 yards beyond the community center.
Meeting point GPS: 37.921260813409184, -122.04358260674651
At 8:30AM an experienced birder or two will be on hand to demonstrate how to properly use binoculars, and to discuss birding guidebooks and apps. We’ll begin scanning the lake too, looking to see which ducks and other birds might be arriving to spend the winter.
When we’re good and ready, we’ll set off on a walk around the lake and adjacent Nature Area—an easy stroll of about half a mile on mostly level, accessible trails. Along the way we’ll hope to see and hear sparrow, finch, woodpecker and warbler, along with nuthatch and dove. Wrens, thrushes, raptors and heron are often found here too—though in birding, as in life, nothing is guaranteed! Our guides will explain what features on the birds to look for, that help tell one from the other. We should be done around 10:30, or 11 if the birding is especially good.
Birders of all experience levels are welcome! Binoculars will be available to borrow for those who need them. Trip will go on in gray weather, but rain or high wind cancels.
Signup for Oct 29 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/734957556837
or for Nov 1 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/737238278537
Image of White-breasted Nuthatch by Matt Tarlach

Monthly Program: November 2023
2023-11-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library at 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, 94549, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA, 94549, United States
Bio-Bowerman
Dan Fitzgerald and Dan Sandri, Mount Diablo Interpretive Association

The two Dans will take you on a walk along the highest trail on Mount Diablo, highlighting some of the insects like bees, dragonflies and butterflies, unusual plants, and a few birds that they have photographed along this 3/4-mile loop which circumnavigates the summit. Learn about the fabulous Mary Bowerman, who inspired the naming of this popular trail. Along this trail, because of the elevation, flowers bloom later than at lower parts of the mountain, providing insects with nectar later into the summer. The soils, elevation, and isolation of the peak impact the variety of flora and fauna found here, contributing to some of the rarities that can be seen. The summit and the trail lie entirely within early Franciscan Complex geologic rocks – greywacke, chert, greenstone, and mélange. Come along on this photo-filled exploration led by two local naturalists!
Dan Fitzgerald grew up in Concord with a view of the mountain and spent time exploring it. After retirement he became a state park volunteer active in environmental cleanup and as a docent in our visitor center and out on the trail. He is a California Naturalist and leads nature hikes for MDIA where he serves as Treasurer and a board director since 2016.
Dan Sandri has lived in the East Bay nearly all of his life, and the mountain has always been his favorite hiking place. With a B. S. degree in Entomology he enjoys observing and photographing insects, birds, reptiles, as well as other plant and animal life. Upon retirement, Dan became a volunteer visitor center docent, a member of the Native Plant Garden team, and a back-country rover. He is a California Naturalist and leads nature hikes for MIDA where he serves as Secretary and a board director since 2020.

Genus Eulonchus, Mary Bowerman Trail, Mount Diablo State Park.

MDAS Field Trip — Palo Alto Baylands/Charleston Slough
2023-11-04 09:00 - 14:00 | Terminal Boulevard, Terminal Boulevard, Mountain View, CA, United States
We see a variety of birds on the water on this trip, that is only about a 55 minute drive from Walnut Creek. It is exciting to be on the largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay. Locations include Charleston Slough, Shoreline Lake, Palo Alto Baylands, and Redwood Shores.
Hike Rating: Category 2 – Moderate. We do some walking on flat terrain but drive from one location to the next.
Elevation change: Minor
Leaders: Herb and Randi Long at herblong7@gmail.com, 925-948-5113
Meet: Meet at entrance to Palo Alto Baylands on Terminal Boulevard in Mountain View at 9:00am.
Directions: If using Google maps, enter “Terminal Boulevard Mountain View, CA.”
Take I-680 South 24 miles to Exit 12 for Mission Boulevard /State Route 262 (second Mission Blvd exit so that you head west on Mission Blvd).
Keep right at the fork; follow signs for Mission Blvd West and merge onto CA-262 South/Mission Blvd. Continue through two traffic lights and take I-880 ramp South.
In 3 miles, use the right two lanes to take CA-237 toward Mountain View. Connect to US-101 North toward San Francisco.
Once on US-101 North, take Exit 400C for San Antonio Road. Turn right on San Antonio.
Continue for about 0.4 mile and turn right onto Terminal Road and park. Entrance to Palo Alto Baylands is on the left. There is a bathroom at the entrance. Drive time is about one hour/ 5 minutes from Walnut Creek/Danville.
Bring lunch!
This hike is limited to 15 participants. Participants must acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Register for this event HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/720666291277
(Photo of American Avocets by Maren Smith)

MDAS Field Trip -- Lodi Lake & Woodbridge Preserve
2023-11-15 09:00 - 13:30 | Lodi Lake, 1101 W. Turner Rd, Lodi, CA, 95242, United States
** Please note change in trip date **
We’ll bird first at Lodi Lake and its riparian area alongside the Mokelumne River. Plan to see waterfowl and many bird species including Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cedar Waxwing, Herons, Warblers and Wood Duck. (We’ve had Varied Thrush in the past but cannot guarantee!) From Lodi Lake we’ll move on to Woodbridge Ecological Preserve, where we’ll see waterfowl and other birds, including hopefully some early-arriving Sandhill Cranes.
Dress in layers. Bring water, snacks and lunch if you choose. This trip is limited to 12 participants. Rain cancels.
Hike Rating: 2 – Easy to moderate loop of 1.5 – 2 miles on level ground with some paved areas. A few very short off-trail lookouts with easy to moderate slope access. There are a few benches to rest on as well.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Mona Lange 510-414-2959
Meet: Lodi Lake parking lot (1101 W. Turner Rd) (bathroom at parking lot). Parking fee $5/car or $3/car for seniors. CASH only.
Directions: Hwy 4 East toward Antioch/Rio Vista. Go over Antioch bridge (toll). At stop light make RIGHT onto Hwy 12 toward Lodi. Stay on 12 East past interstate 5. About 2 miles past I-5 make a LEFT on DeVries Rd (the light after the RR tracks.) Carefully and safely watch for Yellow-billed Magpies in the area. At the second stop sign make a RIGHT onto W. Turner Rd. When in town, stay in the left lane. After crossing the RR tracks start looking for the Lake entrance on your LEFT. (On the other side of the Do Not Enter Sign.)
Register for this event HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/699234347757
(Photo of Great Blue Heron by Maren Smith)

MDAS Field Trip -- Mt. View Sanitary and McNabney Marsh
2023-11-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Mountain View Sanitary District, 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, 94553, United States
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. This trip is suitable for beginners.
Hike Rating: 1 – Easy. Under 1 mile on flat terrain. Unpaved paths, potentially muddy.
Elevation change: N/A
Leader: Randy Huey, 925-518-8439
Meet: Mt. View Sanitary Visitor Center at 9:00 AM
Directions: Exit from I-680 southbound at Arthur Road, turn left and go under the freeway. Exit I-680 northbound at Pacheco Blvd, turn right onto Arthur Road and go under the freeway. Arthur Road will turn left. At .4 miles turn sharp left onto Mt. View Sanitary’s private road. Follow the road through the entry gate, alongside the freeway and through the tunnel under I-680. Park and sign-in at the Visitor Center.
Limited to 15 participants. All Field Trips are first-registered, first-served. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Register for this trip here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mt-view-sanitarymcnabney-marsh-tickets-736239511197
(Image of Green Heron by Matt Tarlach)

Monthly Program: December 2023
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Walnut Creek Civic Park Assembly Hall, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596, United States
New Zealand: Great Walks and Great Birds
Jill Hedgecock

Jill Hedgecock will share photos from her hiking and birding adventures in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Come experience the wonders of Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a trek that takes adventurous souls over an active volcano and which has been described as the best one-day trek in New Zealand. This hike also has the distinction of requiring the highest number of search and rescues! On the South Island, the 20+ mile, three-day Routeburn Great Walk offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains, mirrored lakes, and flowing turquoise water. Sections of this hike are so pristine that unfiltered water is safe to drink. New Zealand’s birding opportunities did not disappoint. Photos of iridescent wood pigeons, the endemic takahe, little blue penguins, and mischievous kea parrots (the only alpine parrot in the world) will be shared.
Jill Hedgecock, who has spoken on topics from rhino conservation, microplastics, and falconry in Scotland, returns to share more of her international travels with the Mount Diablo Bird Alliance. She has a M.S. degree in Environmental Management. She previously served as the International Conservation Coordinator for the club back in the early 1990s and was a long-term leader of the Black Diamond Mine Christmas Count circle.

Kea, the only alpine parrot Photo: Jill Hedgecock

MDAS Field Trip -- Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve, Fairfield
2023-12-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve, Fairfield, 3100 Lynch Rd, Fairfield, CA, 94534, United States
Lynch 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 miles around Lynch Reservoir, with some gentle elevation gain; or a longer loop of about 3.25 miles with a longer, steeper climb (14% grade at one stretch). Co-leaders will be present to accompany along either route. On both routes we’ll stop frequently to look for raptors, and to scope the reservoir. Lynch Canyon is still a working ranch so we can expect to encounter free-ranging cattle. Some of the trails are part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and we may encounter bicyclists, e-bikes, and equestrians.
Please bring $6 (exact bills) for the off-season parking fee. Bring ample water (none is available on site) and sun protection. There is almost no shade on the trails. There is a pit toilet at the parking lot. Solano County Land Trust asks us to bring our own hand sanitizer. Bring snacks or lunch. On the longer loop, there are picnic tables.
Hike Rating: 2 (longer route is 3) Elevation change on the longer loop trail option is approximately 500 feet.
Leaders: Susana de Trapaga (trapaga@sbcglobal.net) 510.333.2693 and Maureen Lahiff (MLahiff@aol.com), 510.484.6529
Meet: Parking lot for Lynch Canyon Open Space
Directions: Take I-80 east to exit 36, American Canyon Road/Hiddenbrook Pkwy. At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp, turn right and then immediately left onto McGary Road, which runs alongside the freeway. After about 1.7 miles, turn left onto Lynch Road, pass under I-80, and drive all the way to the parking lot.
Heavy rain cancels the trip. We’ll send an email if we’re cancelling, or if weather looks iffy. Participants acknowledge the MDAS Liability Waiver (available during registration). Register for this trip here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lynch-canyon-tickets-736130916387
(Golden Eagle and Raven photo by Isaac Aronow)

MDBA Field Trip -- Putah Creek
2024-01-03 09:00 - 14:00 | Putah Creek, Pleasants Valley Road, Vacaville, CA, 95688, United States
This is a great chance to see a variety of birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possibilities include Osprey, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch, and bring $6 in exact bills to pay the parking fee at Solano County Park.
Exact itinerary to be determined the day of the trip. Rain cancels.
Hike rating: 1 – Easy
Elevation change: Minor
Distance: Depending on the route decided.
Co-Leaders: Maren Smith, 925-322-9477, Susana de Trapaga
Meet: 9 AM at the large gravel pull-out on the right side of Putah Creek Road, west of the Lake Solano dam.
Directions: When driving from the Bay Area to Vacaville on I-80, take Exit 51A at Cherry Glen and Lagoon Valley Roads. Turn left to cross over the freeway, heading north, and drive approximately 1 mile on Cherry Glen Road to stop sign at Pleasants Valley Road. Turn left on Pleasants Valley Road. Drive 12 miles and keep an eye out for Yellow-billed Magpies and raptors. Turn right on Putah Creek Road, and drive about 1.2 miles, to the large gravel parking turn-out on the right (with “no camping, no dumping” signs). It’s about a 1 hour drive from Walnut Creek area.
PLEASE NOTE that the location marked on the map by Eventbrite is a few hundred yards east of the actual meeting location.
This trip is limited to 20 participants. Sign up HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/putah-creek-birding-tickets-777429551717
Photo: Female Phainopepla at Putah Creek by Isaac Aronow

Monthly Program: January 2024
2024-01-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom, CA, United States
A Life Bird in Every State
Jennifer Rycenga
A Life Bird in Every State recounts one birder’s journey across the United States to ensure that every one of the fifty states would have a distinct memory and honor in her birding annals. Part birding narrative, part travelogue, and part reflection on America, this talk recounts the adventures, successes, occasional (temporary) failures of this quixotic quest.
Jennifer Rycenga is the Past President of Sequoia Audubon Society in San Mateo county, and an avid proponent of iNaturalist, eBird, and community science. Recently retired and relocated to Rochester New York, she is an academic who writes on American abolitionism and women’s history.

Webinar Access Info:

Date:
January 4, 2024 7:00 PM Pacific Time

Time:
7:00 PM–8:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Location:
Zoom online meeting

Access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88122680065?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID:
881 2268 0065

Passcode:
[REDACTED]

Phone access:
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,88122680065#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)
+14086380968,,88122680065#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)

MDBA Field Trip -- East Contra Costa County
2024-01-08 09:00 - 13:00 | Big Break Regional Shoreline, 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, 94561, United States
We will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center, Iron House Sanitary, and possibly other places in East Contra Costa. This area is 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-Easy
Elevation change: N/A
Leaders: Randy Huey 925-518-8439, Mona Lange 510-414-2959
Meet: Big Break parking lot in Oakley at 9 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 12 participants. Sign up HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birds-of-east-contra-costa-county-tickets-777436723167
Photo: Pied-billed Grebe by Isaac Aronow
