BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Mount Diablo Bird Alliance - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Mount Diablo Bird Alliance
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20240310T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20241103T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20250309T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20251102T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250904T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250904T203000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250818T035858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T042947Z
UID:9087-1757012400-1757017800@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:Monthly Program: September 2025
DESCRIPTION:Lime Ridge Open Space\nRon Graydon\nMount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday\, September 4 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm\, 1540 Marchbanks Drive\, Walnut Creek\, CA 94598. \n\n6:30 PM Doors Open\n7:00 PM Announcements\n7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle\n7:30 PM Main Program: Lime Ridge Open Space\n*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea \nRon Graydon’s program on Lime Ridge Open Space will focus on the Northern Concord section of the Lime Ridge Open Space. It will include the geologic formation of the Diablo Range\, and specifically Lime Ridge. The program will also include the human history of the Diablo Valley\, including Lime Ridge\, human impact\, natural history and ecology. Finally\, Ron will discuss the Friends of Lime Ridge\, and their efforts toward ecological restoration. \nRon Graydon has over fifty years experience in environmental education and activism. Ron has a B.S. degree in Conservation of Natural Resources\, an interdisciplinary environmental major\, from U.C. Berkeley\, with an emphasis in environmental education and impact analysis. \nUpon retirement Ron hiked almost daily near his home at Lime Ridge Open Space in Concord. He was consequently inspired to form the Friends of Lime Ridge\, which is a volunteer group involved with the ecological restoration of the park. They have planted about seventy-five Oak and Buckeye trees\, developed three native plant gardens\, installed four Bluebird nesting boxes\, and conducted park clean ups\, nature walks\, and invasive plant removals. \nWhite-tailed Kites. Photo by Ron Graydon
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/monthly-program-sept2025/
LOCATION:The Camellia Room at The Gardens at Heather Farm\, 1540 Marchbanks Drive\, Walnut Creek\, CA\, 94598\, United States
CATEGORIES:Monthly Program
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sign-scaled.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Ariana Rickard":MAILTO:arianajrickard@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250907T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250907T143000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250903T231111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T003329Z
UID:9097-1757233800-1757255400@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Drakes Breach and Pt. Reyes National Seashore
DESCRIPTION:Point Reyes is one of the premiere birding locations in Northern California\, a great spot to find rarities during migration. We’ll meet at Drake’s Beach\, where there is excellent birding and a comfort stop\, and then head out to the “fish docks.” We may skip the lighthouse overlook on this trip and see if that time can be better spent elsewhere. \nBring water and lunch as this area is remote. \nRating: Category 2 — some walking on paved roads and groomed trails with significant grade.\nElevation change: 150 ft\nLeader: Matt Tarlach\, mdbafieldtrips@gmail.com\, 925 482 6129\nMeet: Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center\, Drake’s Beach\n1 Drakes Beach Road\, Inverness\, CA 94937\nGPS: 38.027828257127936\, -122.96201741318059 \nDirections: Depending on your starting point\, take the best route to highway 101 north of San Rafael. From 101\, take Lucas Valley Road to Nicasio. At the reservoir turn left. Follow signs to Point Reyes Station\, and when you get to town turn left onto US-1. After passing through town (the Bovine Bakery is a traditional stop for breakfast pastries)\, turn right from US-1 onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd and follow it for 15 miles to Drakes Beach Road. Turn left and continue down Drakes Beach Road to the parking lot at the end. Leader will be parked near the visitor center. \nDue to limited parking at several stops on the Outer Point\, this field trip is limited to 12 participants. Sharing a car is helpful! There’s room to leave extra cars at the Drake’s Beach meeting point. \nSign up HERE:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/drakes-beach-point-reyes-national-seashore-registration-1598818371789 \n(Photo of Virginia Rail by Maren Smith)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/drakes-beach-point-reyes-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center\, 1 Drake Beach Rd\, Inverness\, CA\, 94937\, United States
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/VIRA_PtReyes_Maren169-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250911T200000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250903T231647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T002459Z
UID:9100-1757613600-1757620800@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Vaux's Swifts at McNear Brickyard\, San Rafael
DESCRIPTION: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! \nLeader: Maureen Lahiff\, MLahiff@aol.com\, 510.484.6529\nHike Rating: 1. This is essentially stationary observing\, so there is very little walking\, but a lot of standing. Those who find a portable stool or lawn chair helpful are welcome to bring one. \nCheck for more details and sign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vauxs-swifts-at-mcnear-brickyard-tickets-1598157314549
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/vauxs-swifts-mcnear-brickyard-sep-2025/
LOCATION:McNear Brickyard\, 1 McNear Brickyard Rd.\, San Rafael\, CA\, 94901
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Vauxs-SwiftsHealdsburgTripMarenSmith-853.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maureen Lahiff":MAILTO:MLahiff@aol.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250913T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250913T113000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250903T234617Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T000127Z
UID:9102-1757750400-1757763000@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Mt. Wanda
DESCRIPTION:This hike is especially good for beginning birders! \nMt. Wanda is part of the John Muir NHS. We’ll walk through oak woodlands and oak savannah habitats\, climbing uphill on a rugged 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 also Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks\, Towhees\, and Oak Titmouse. \nHike Rating: 3\, Vigorous (by birding standards). About 2.5 miles walking on fire roads and single track trails\, with 475′ elevation gain.\nLeader: Cheryl Abel\, 925-957-6229\nMeet: Parking lot at the Mt. Wanda Trailhead\, intersection of Alhambra Ave and Franklin Canyon Rd in Martinez.\nGPS: 37.98916055076219\, -122.12963777237545 \nDirections: 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. \nThis hike is limited to 15 participants. Participants acknowledge the MDBA Liability Waiver (available during registration). \nSign up HERE:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-mt-wanda-john-muir-nhs-martinez-tickets-1583881063899
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/mt-wanda-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Mount Wanda Trailhead\, XVQ9+QW\, Martinez\, CA\, 94553\, United States
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/mt_wanda.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250920T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250920T103000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250904T011546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T014142Z
UID:9107-1758355200-1758364200@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Lime Ridge
DESCRIPTION:Join the Friends of Lime Ridge for this special walk introducing MDBA members to this unique area right in our backyard. \nNo signup required! Meet at the public parking lot off of Treat Blvd at 8 AM.\nGPS: 37.948153622668165\, -122.0087961986339 \nLeaders: Matt Tarlach and Ron Graydon (Friends of Lime Ridge)\nHike Rating: 2\, moderate. About a mile + of walking on gravel roads\, with some grades. \n(Photo of American Kestrel by Wayne Regelmann)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/lime-ridge-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Lime Ridge Open Space Treat Boulevard\, Lime Ridge Open Space Treat Boulevard\, Concord\, CA\, 94518
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AMKE_BodegaBay_Reggelman.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250921T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250921T123000
DTSTAMP:20260430T001540
CREATED:20250904T015424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T022818Z
UID:9111-1758443400-1758457800@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Coyote Hills\, Fremont
DESCRIPTION:Ducks & Peeps! \nThis morning walk will take us on multiple trails within the beloved Coyote Hills Regional Park complex to search for southbound\, migrating shorebirds and inbound\, wintering waterfowl. We’ll first check out the reedy margins of the marshes on Chochenyo and Muskrat trails\, keeping an eye out for chatty Common Yellowthroats and Marsh Wrens\, and maybe even a secretive rail. Then\, we’ll cross the scrubby hills of Lizard Rock Trail\, where White-tailed Kites are not uncommon\, on our way to Bayview Trail. The trail is only a few yards away from the salt marsh evaporation ponds–the perfect place to search for flocks of migrating shorebirds. Some luck and a bit of scoping may even yield rarer species such as Snowy Plovers. \nShorebird ID can be both challenging and rewarding. This walk is especially good for intermediate birders looking to gain more experience with this tricky taxon\, but as always\, all skill levels are welcome! \nScopes are useful here. Carpooling is encouraged. \nThe trail is mostly unpaved and there is only one restroom at the trailhead. At this time of year it can be cool and windy\, or hot by mid-day. Please bring plenty of water\, sunscreen\, an extra layer (it can be cold and windy)\, a snack\, and any other equipment you need for hiking. \nTrip leader: Elisa Fernandes-McDade (elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com)\nHike Rating: 2 – Some hills; more than 1 mile of walking\nMeeting Point: The parking lot at 8000 Patterson Ranch Rd.\, Fremont\, CA 9455. At the picnic benches in front of the Coyote Hills Visitor Center.\nGPS: 37.55357607169418\, -122.09052546393971 \nDirections: (From Walnut Creek and north) Head south on I-680 South. Take Exit 46A onto CA-24 West. Stay in the left three lanes to stay on CA-24 West for 11 miles. Then\, continue onto I-980 West for 2 miles. Next\, merge onto I-880 South and continue straight for 20 miles. Take Exit 22 for Alvarado Blvd toward Fremont Blvd North and continue onto Deep Creek Rd. After 1 mile\, turn right onto Paseo Padre Pkwy and continue straight for 1.2 miles. Then\, turn right onto Patterson Ranch Rd and continue straight for 1.5 miles. Make a U-turn at the end of Patterson Ranch Rd to park in the visitor center parking lot. \nOR \n(From Walnut Creek and south) Head south on I-680 for about 45 miles. Then\, take Exit 14 for Auto Mall Pkwy toward Durham Rd\, and take a left onto Auto Mall Pkwy. Then\, use the right lane to merge onto I-880 North toward Oakland. Continue for 5 miles. Then\, take Exit 21 for Decoto Rd/CA-84 West toward Dumbarton Bridge and use the middle lane to turn left onto Decoto Rd/CA-84 West. Continue for 1 mile. Then\, take Exit 37 for Ardenwood Blvd toward Newark Blvd. Continue on Ardenwood Blvd for 0.3 miles\, then take a left onto Patterson Ranch Rd. Continue on Patterson Ranch Rd for 2 miles. Make a U-turn at the end of Patterson Ranch Rd to park in the visitor center parking lot. \nIf the Visitor Center parking lot is full\, there is parking at the Bay Trail parking lot located on Patterson Ranch Rd 0.5 miles before the visitor center. \nSign up HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-coyote-hills-tickets-1598160393759 \n(Photo of White-tailed Kite by Alex Cho)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/coyote-hills-sep-2025/
LOCATION:Coyote Hills Regional Park\, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road\, Fremont\, CA\, 94555
CATEGORIES:Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/White-tailed-Kite-Coyote-Hills-Alex-Cho.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Elisa Fernandes-McDade":MAILTO:elisa.fernandesmcdade@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR