MDAS Field Trip — Los Banos/Panoche Valley
McDonald's Gustine 430 1st Ave, Gustine, CA, United StatesLos Banos/Panoche Valley Saturday/Sunday, February 25-26 Both sites are good for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. NOTE: The planned itinerary for this trip has been impacted by our recent heavy rains. Registration will not open until two weeks before, when we may have a better handle on conditions. Hike rating: 1-Easy Elevation […]
MDAS Field Trip — Grizzly Island Wildlife Area
Grizzly Island Wildlife Area 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Fairfield, CA, United StatesGrizzly Island Refuge Tuesday, February 28th, 9 AM-1 PM Grizzly Island provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds and is home to a variety of threatened or endangered wildlife and plants. Our trip will begin at the Refuge Headquarters and continue for about 7 ½ miles along Grizzly Island Road, which is unpaved […]
Monthly Program: March 2023
McHale Room of the Pleasant Hill Community Center 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, United StatesNative Bird Connections Jenny Papka The birds and people of Native Bird Connections offer experiences that go beyond the ordinary. From school programs tailored to the national standards to presentations for seniors, scouts and special interest groups, they strive to immerse the audience in an intimate view of a wild bird's behavior, life choices and […]
MDAS Field Trip — Contra Loma Regional Park
Contra Loma Reservoir 1200 Frederickson Ln, Antioch, CA, United StatesContra Loma Regional Park Wednesday, March 8, 8:30 AM -3 PM Leader: Paul Schorr, 925-998-0070 We 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 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Leader: Paul Schorr, 925-998-0070 Meet: Contra Loma Regional Park--Channel Point […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mt. View Sanitary and McNabney Marsh
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesMt. View Sanitary and McNabney Marsh Tuesday March 14, 9 AM to 1pm Starting at the Mt. View Sanitation District Administration Building, we will spend most of our outing walking around the several large ponds that make up Moorhen Marsh. Parking is free, and there are restrooms at the beginning of the walk. Winter birding […]
MDAS Field Trip — Valle Vista
Valle Vista RVC6+WQ, Moraga, CA, United StatesValle Vista Friday, March 17, 8 AM-Noon A walk through various habitats at the EBMUD property will allow us to see 50-60 species. If you have one, bring your EBMUD pass. This property is at the upstream end of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir. If it has been raining, the first part could be a […]
MDAS Field Trip — North Briones
Briones Regional Park (North) XV37+VX, Martinez, CA, United StatesNorth Briones Tuesday April 4, 8:30 - Noon This walk begins in oak woodlands with lots of spring wildflowers and birds. We then continue through grasslands ending at Sindicich Lagoons. We return the way we came, making about a 3 miles round trip with some climbing. Bring liquids & a snack if you wish. Rating: […]
MDAS Field Trip — Orinda Connector Trail
Orinda Connector trail VQXQ+XR, Orinda, CA, United StatesOrinda Connector Trail Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM A walk through an EBMUD property, requires a trail permit. If you have one bring it with you. We walk downhill to San Pablo Creek, then toward the face of Briones Dam. Wood Ducks are hard to find but some spring birds will […]
Monthly Program: April 2023
Zoom CA, United StatesOrnitherapy: Watching birds: not only fun, it’s good for you! Holly Merker Learn why getting your daily dose of Ornitherapy is just what the doctor ordered….Long to-do lists, digital demands, people to connect with- life can be busy! If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing “selfcare”. Research shows that […]
Pollinator and Friends Day at Ruth Bancroft Garden
Ruth Bancroft Garden 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek, CAJoin Mt. Diablo Audubon Society at Pollinator and Friends Day at Ruth Bancroft Garden! Each year the Ruth Bancroft Garden hosts Pollinator and Friends Day. Join us for a celebration of pollinator and friends and what we can do to protect them and their habitat. This drop-in event will feature other educational organizations, unique vendors […]
MDAS Field Trip — Putah Creek at Pedrick Rd., Davis, CA
Putah Creek Parking Lot Putah Creek Parking Lot, Davis, CANEW TRIP! Putah Creek at Pedrick Rd., Davis, CA. Tuesday, April 11, 7:30am to 2pm. This 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 […]
MDAS Field Trip — Black Diamond Mines
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve X45P+PP, Antioch, CA, United StatesBlack Diamond Mines Thursday, April 13, 8 AM to 1 PM Black Diamond Mines is a wonderful, varied habitat but the centerpiece of this trip is a vigorous climb up through Canyon Wren habitat. Other woodland and grassland birds are also likely. Tricky footing through the wren's rocky habitat, and no guarantees on finding them. […]
MDAS Field Trip — Pine Canyon
Diablo Foothills Regional Park Trailhead Parking 1700 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut CreekPine Canyon Monday, April 17, 8 AM to 1 PM This 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 […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mitchell Canyon
Mitchell Canyon 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA, United StatesMitchell Canyon Thursday, April 20, 8 AM to 1 PM We 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 should still be blooming. Trail Rating: Category 3, hot, dusty trail, 3+ miles Elevation change: up […]
Earth Day at Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden
Hear from Pollinator Posse on how to support monarch butterflies and native pollinators, CNPS on gardening with keystone native plants to improve habitat, James "Doc" Hale on living with nature and in tune with your environment, and Master Gardeners on easy home composting. Expert talks, informative displays, garden tour and hands-on demonstrations to understand how […]
Lafayette Earth Day Festival
Join Mt. Diablo Audubon Society at Lafayette’s annual Earth Day Festival! Sustainable Lafayette presents this free event at Lafayette Plaza Park with live music, kids & family activities, and a petting zoo! For more information, visit: https://www.sustainablelafayette.org/2023-earth-day-festival
MDAS Field Trip — Del Puerto Canyon
Del Puerto Canyon Rd & Diablo Grande Pkwy Del Puerto Canyon Rd, Patterson, CA, United StatesDel Puerto Canyon Monday, April 24 Trail Rating: 1 - Easy walking, mostly driving. Leader: Steve Buffi (925) 200-4555 Meet: Carpool leaves at 7:30 AM from Sycamore Valley Road Park and Ride. OR, meet on Del Puerto Canyon Road west of I-5 at 9 AM at Patterson Exit (Diablo Grande Parkway and Sperry Road) off […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mines Road
Del Valle Regional Park 7000 Delvalle, Livermore, CAMines Road Saturday, April 29 This is an all-day trip and often hot! Phainopepla, Lewis’ Woodpecker and Lawrence’s Goldfinch and many spring migrants are possible, plus great spring wild flowers. Entry fee required for Del Valle Regional Park. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of liquids, as this trip takes us further from conveniences than most. […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mount Diablo State Park
801 La Gonda Way, Danville 801 La Gonda Way, Danville, CAMount Diablo State Park Tuesday, May 2, 8 AM to 1 PM MDSP is a treasure trove for birders. Although every season in the park has its special qualities, late spring on the mountain has its own beauty, as wildflowers add color to the vistas. Usually hot! Bring lunch and drinks. Many migrant and nesting […]
Monthly Program: May 2023
Zoom CA, United StatesThe 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+ […]