Down For the Count: Exploring Bird Diversity at Point Reyes
Point Reyes National Seashore - Bear Valley Visitors Center 1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, United StatesFor fifty years the Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been an annual tradition monitoring the winter populations of over two hundred species of birds here. Point Reyes National Seashore and adjoining areas rank in the top ten of over two thousand counts nationwide in terms of species diversity. This remarkable accomplishment is mostly […]
MDAS Field Trip—Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh–High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesLake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh--High Tide Monday January 3, 8:30 AM-1 PM Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 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 past the gate […]
Monthly Program: January 2022
Zoom CA, United StatesBirding Info: Highlights Of The 2021 Christmas Bird Counts Jerry Britten Mt. Diablo Audubon Society President Jerry Britten will report highlights of the 2021 Christmas Bird Counts. Main Program: Audible Mount Diablo Joan Hamilton, founder and owner, Audio Guides to the Outdoors Joan Hamilton is a writer, editor, and multimedia producer. She is founder and […]
MDAS Field Trip—East Contra Costa County
Big Break Regional Shoreline 69 Big Break Road, Oakley, CA, United StatesEast Contra Costa County Wednesday, January 12, 9 AM-1 PM Leader: Paul Schorr, 925-988-0070 We will be birding at Big Break/Delta Science Center, Iron House Sanitary, and possibly other places in the 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—Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek
Shollenberger Park 1400 Cader Lane, Petaluma, CA, United StatesShollenberger Park/Ellis Creek Saturday, January 15, 8:30-2 PM Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 Both of these locations are great for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Bring lunch and a beverage. Rating: Category 1-Easy Elevation change: N/A Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 Meet: Point Blue parking lot at 8:30 AM Directions: Take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge. Go west […]
MDAS Field Trip—Martinez Waterfront Birds
Waterbird Regional Preserve, Martinez 2701 Waterfront Rd., Martinez, CA, United StatesMartinez Waterfront Birds Tuesday, January 25, 9 AM-2 PM Leader: Tracy Farrington, 925-788-6223 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. Rating: Category 1--Easy […]
Monthly Program: February 2022
Zoom CA, United StatesBirding Info: Mt. Diablo Audubon Society draft Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging statement Mt. Diablo Audubon board members Juan Pablo Galván Martínez, Ariana Rickard, and Krista Vossekuil will present a draft Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement for the chapter. Main Program: Mount Diablo—an Island in Suburbia Michael Marchiano, Naturalist Michael will provide an overview […]
MDAS Field Trip—Thornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve
Westgate Landing Regional Park 4GF5+HP, Terminous, CA, United StatesThornton Area/Cosumnes Preserve Saturday, February 5, 8:45 AM-1 PM Leader: Ethan Chickering, 925-890-3833 The major portion of the birding is done along Woodbridge Road and the Isenberg Crane Reserve, and at the Cosumnes River Preserve. In winter these areas are thick with Sandhill Cranes, Snow, Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese. Also present will be many […]
MDAS Field Trip—Bodega Bay
Tides Restaurant Bodega Bay 835Bay Highway, Bodega Bay, CA, United StatesBodega Bay Saturday, February 12, 9:15 AM-2 PM Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979 Many opportunities for spotting great birds are available on this trip. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl sometimes number in the 1000s. We will not be attacked by any of The Birds in Hitchcock's famous movie. After meeting at The Tides Restaurant, we will stop […]
MDAS Field Trip—Walnut Creek City Parks
Heather Farm Park 301 N San Carlos Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, United StatesWalnut Creek City Parks Wednesday, February 23, 8:30 AM-1 PM Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979 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: N/A […]
MDAS Field Trip—Los Banos/Panoche Valley
McDonald's Gustine 430 1st Ave, Gustine, CA, United StatesLos Banos/Panoche Valley Saturday/Sunday, February 26-27, two full days Leaders: Beth Branthaver and Hugh Harvey On Saturday this trip takes us through marshy areas of the Central Valley, where we should see large numbers of waterfowl, raptors and waders. Sunday will be a visit to the Panoche Valley, which may have more raptors and other […]
MDAS Field Trip — Contra Loma Regional Park
Contra Loma Reservoir 1200 Frederickson Ln, Antioch, CA, United StatesContra Loma Regional Park Wednesday, March 2, 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 […]
Monthly Program: March 2022
Zoom CA, United StatesBirding Info: The Mt. Diablo Audubon board will provide an overview of the chapter's activities, projects, and programs. Main Program: SF Baykeeper and the State of the Bay Sejal Choksi-Chugh Sejal Choksi-Chugh, Executive Director of San Francisco Baykeeper, will discuss the state of the Bay and the major issues Baykeeper is tackling. San Francisco Baykeeper […]
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 8, 9 AM to Noon Leader: Randy Huey, 925-518-8439 Starting at the Mt. View Sanitation District Administration Building, we will spend most of our outing walking around the several large ponds making up Moorhen Marsh. Parking is free, and there are restrooms at the beginning of the […]
MDAS Field Trip — Valle Vista
Valle Vista RVC6+WQ, Moraga, CA, United StatesValle Vista Friday, March 18, 8 AM-Noon Leader: Don Lewis, 925-284-5480 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 Upper San Leandro Reservoir. Rating: Category 2, Moderate Elevation change: Some moderate changes Leader: Don […]
MDAS Field Trip — Lake Lagunitas
Lake Lagunitas WCX2+JX, Fairfax, CA, United StatesLake Lagunitas Wednesday, March 23, 9 AM-1 PM Leader: Hugh Harvey, 925-935-2979 Spring is approaching and we will enjoy birds and flowers on the north slope of Mount Tamalpais. The lake is part of the watershed for Marin Water District. An $8 entry fee is required. After birding below the dam, we will hike around […]
MDAS Field Trip — Tomales Bay State Park
Heart's Desire Beach Hearts Desire Beach, Inverness, CA, United StatesTomales Bay State Park Saturday, March 26, 8:30 AM-1 PM Leader: Linda Shinn, 925-597-0234 A popular site for birding along Tomales Bay, including a hike from Heart's Desire Beach to Indian Beach. We return uphll around the wet meadow behind Indian Beach. Some water fowl, forest birds and Osprey are possible. Rating: Category 2-Moderate Elevation change: Moderate […]
MDAS Field Trip — Orinda Connector Trail
Orinda Connector trail VQXQ+XR, Orinda, CA, United StatesOrinda Connector Trail Wednesday, March 30, 8 AM-11 AM Leader: Don Lewis, 925-284-2906 Meet: Trail head at Camino Pablo and Bear Creek Road 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. […]
MDAS Field Trip — North Briones
Briones Regional Park (North) XV37+VX, Martinez, CA, United StatesNorth Briones Tuesday April 5, 8:30 - Noon Leader: Cheryl Abel, 925-957-6229 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 with about 3 miles round trip. Bring liquids & a snack if you wish. Rating: Category […]
Monthly Program: April 2022
Zoom CA, United StatesMain Program: Cooperation and conflict in the communal world of the Acorn Woodpecker Walt Koenig Acorn Woodpecker, best known for their unique habit of storing acorns by the thousands in special structures known as “granaries”, exhibit one of the most complex social systems of any bird. Family groups of this species, sometimes numbering a dozen […]