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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

** 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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 to pass the gate at Children's Fairyland is usually required. We will move to Arrowhead Marsh at around 9:45AM, […]

Both of these locations are great for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Bring lunch and a beverage. This trip is appropriate for birders of all experience levels, including beginners. Hike rating: Category 2 - Moderate. Walking some distance and gentle slopes. Elevation change: Minor Leader: Sandy Ritchie, (925) 381-2514 Meet: Point Blue […]

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. It can be breezy and cold in this area, so bring appropriate layers. Availability of rest rooms is uncertain. This trip is suitable for birders of all […]