MDAS Field Trip — Sacramento & Colusa National Wildlife Refuges
Sacramento/Colusa National Wildlife Refuges Dunnigan Northbound Rest Area I-5 North of Dunnigan, Dunnigan, United StatesSacramento & Colusa National Wildlife Refuges Saturday, December 3, 8:15 AM-5 PM Sacramento and Colusa National Wildlife Refuges are premier locations to see massive flocks of Snow and White-fronted Geese and tons of other waterfowl, raptors and other birds. They are must-see annual winter destinations. We will drive the auto tour routes and stop at […]
A Day with Richard Crossley
Wild Birds Unlimited, Pleasant Hill 692 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA, United StatesA DAY WITH RICHARD CROSSLEY Wild Birds Unlimited of Pleasant Hill is pleased to present, A Day with Richard Crossley on Sunday, December 4, 2022. Please join us at the store for either a “Learning to Look – A Field Exercise” and/or the “Past, Present and Future” talk and book signing. Richard Crossley is an […]
MDAS Field Trip — The Sandhill Cranes of Staten Island, plus Cosumnes Preserve
Walnut Grove Elementary School 14181 Grove Street, Walnut Grove, CA, United StatesNEW TRIP! The Sandhill Cranes of Staten Island, plus Cosumnes Preserve Tuesday, December 6th, 9 AM-1 PM Staten Island is an excellent area to see Sandhill Cranes, and Cosumnes Preserve provides habitat for more than 200 species of birds. We will meet and coordinate cars at the Walnut Grove Elementary School. From there, our trip […]
MDAS Field Trip — American Canyon Wetlands
American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon, CA, United StatesAmerican Canyon Wetlands Thursday, December 8, 8AM-Noon 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 quite cold in this area, so bring appropriate warm layers. Availability of rest rooms is uncertain. Rating: […]
2022 East Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count
The 23rd Annual East-County count will be held Wednesday, December 14. Again, you can participate by being part of a group in the field, or by doing a count at your property if it is within the East-County Count Circle. If you’d like to participate, please send an email to . The countdown event for this one is again virtual, at 7 PM […]
2022 Central Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count
The 68th Annual Central Contra Costa Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, and participants are needed! You can participate by being part of a group in the field, or by doing a count at your property if it is within the Central-County Count Circle. We have many routes to cover with varied habitats and varying degrees of walking involved, so there […]
Monthly Program: January 2023
Zoom CA, United StatesBirding Information: Highlights Of The 2022 Christmas Bird Counts Jerry Britten, MDAS President Mt. Diablo Audubon Society President Jerry Britten will report highlights of the 2022 Christmas Bird Counts. Main Program: Highlights of a Career in Journalism Joan Morris Joan Morris will talk about the highs, lows, and crazy assignments she had during her 44-year career […]
MDAS Field Trip — East Contra Costa County
Big Break Regional Shoreline 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, United StatesEast Contra Costa County Wednesday, January 11, 9 AM - 1 PM We will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center, Iron House Sanitary, and possibly other places in East Contra Costa. Usually good for waterfowl, raptors and some passerines. Dress warmly, bring lunch and drinks. Rating: Category 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Leader: Paul Schorr, […]
MDAS Field Trip — Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesLake Merritt, and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide Saturday, January 21, 8:30am-1pm We should find a good variety of wintering ducks and gulls at Lake Merritt, before driving to Arrowhead Marsh at around 9:45 AM. The rising tide should flush out rails that are usually hard to see. The area is also good for shorebirds, […]
MDAS Field Trip — Martinez Waterfront Birds
Waterbird Regional Preserve, Martinez 2701 Waterfront Rd., Martinez, CA, United StatesBirding the Martinez Waterfront Wednesday, January 25, 9 AM-2 PM We will be birding waterfront areas in the Martinez area, looking for shorebirds, waders, waterfowl, gulls, raptors and others. Dress warmly, bring a lunch and drinks. These areas may include Waterbird Preserve, TransMontaigne Pipeline, Mococo Marsh and Martinez Regional Shoreline. Hike Rating: Category 1--Easy Elevation […]
MDAS Field Trip — Putah Creek — Rescheduled!
Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd, Winters, CA, United StatesPutah Creek Saturday, January 26, 9 AM - 2 PM (Rescheduled from January 7) This is a great chance to see birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible target birds include Osprey, Lewis's Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary […]
MDAS Field Trip — Putah Creek — Rescheduled!
Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd, Winters, CA, United StatesPutah Creek Saturday, January 26, 9 AM - 2 PM (Rescheduled from January 7) This is a great chance to see birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible target birds include Osprey, Lewis's Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Barrow's Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary […]
MDAS Field Trip — Solano County Raptors — Rescheduled!
McDonald's Suisun City 109 Sunset Center, Siusun City, CA, United StatesSolano County Raptors Saturday, January 28, 9:00 am to mid-afternoon (Rescheduled from December 10) This trip features wintering birds on the edge of the Central Valley. Ferruginous Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks are special targets, and Prairie Falcon and Burrowing Owls are possible. Grassland birds and blackbirds, and ducks and shorebirds at Jepson Prairie (if there […]
Monthly Program: February 2023
Zoom CA, United StatesA 27 Year Wildflower Journey: The Making of Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change Rob Badger and Nita Winter Rob Badger and Nita Winter take you behind the scenes on their 27-year journey photographing wildflowers throughout California and the West. It began in 1992 when they discovered and fell in love with […]
MDAS Field Trip — Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve
Westgate Landing Regional Park 4GF5+HP, Terminous, CA, United StatesBirding Cosumnes Preserve and the Thornton Area Saturday, February 4, 8:45 AM-2 PM Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, hawks and grassland birds. Trip will go in light rain. Bring lunch and a beverage. If questions, call the leader. Hike rating: 1 - Easy. Elevation change: Minor Distance: Depending on the route decided. Co-Leaders: Ethan Chickering, 925-890-3833 […]
MDAS Field Trip — Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek — Rescheduled!
Shollenberger Park 1400 Cader Lane, Petaluma, CA, United StatesShollenberger Park/Ellis Creek, Petaluma Saturday, February 11, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Rescheduled from January 14) Both sites are good for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Hike rating: 2 - moderate Elevation change: minor Meet: Access point to Shollenberger Park behind the Point Blue parking lot. Leader: Sandy Ritchie (925) 381-2514 Directions: […]
MDAS Field Trip — Bodega Bay
Porto Bodega Marina Porto Bodega Marina, Bodega Bay, CA, United StatesBodega Bay Saturday, February 18, 9:30-3:00 Both sites are good for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Hike rating: 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Meet: Porto Bodega Marina, https://goo.gl/maps/SxWebctFy9ZDyUqP6 Leader: Maureen Lahiff, , 510-484-6529 Directions: Take US 101 north to Petaluma. Exit at Washington and head SW. Washington becomes Bodega Ave, which becomes Petaluma-Valley Ford Rd, […]
MDAS Field Trip — Sunol Regional Park — CANCELLED
Sunol Regional Park 1895 Geary Road, Sunol, CA, United StatesTHIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR 2023 due to potentially hazardous road and trail conditions after the recent torrential rains. We hope to go birding at Sunol next year. Sunol Regional Park Tuesday, February 21 8:30 AM -12:30 PMGolden Eagles and other raptors, Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Dipper, and Canyon and Rock Wrens are possible. NOTE: The […]
MDAS Field Trip — Walnut Creek Parks
Heather Farm Park 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesWalnut Creek Parks Wednesday, February 22, 8:30 AM-1 PM Starting in Heather Farm Park, we will walk around the large, mostly natural pond, birding along the way. We will visit one or two other parks within the city, to be determined the day of the trip. Rating: Category 2-Moderate Elevation change: None Leader: Hugh Harvey Meet: The […]
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 […]