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: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
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260102T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260102T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T183813
CREATED:20251127T013642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T013937Z
UID:9224-1767342600-1767362400@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh
DESCRIPTION:Winter ducks on Lake Merritt and other birds are usually easy to see from the sidewalk. The lake is one of the few places in the Bay Area where Barrow’s Goldeneyes can sometimes be seen. An entry fee past the gate at Children’s Fairyland is usually required.\nWe will move to Arrowhead Marsh before 10:00AM\, arriving in time for the king tide. Ridgeway’s Rails are one of the highlights here\, though we will see many other birds. A visit to Garretson Point will follow. Bring lunch and drinks.\nThis trip is appropriate for birders of all experience levels\, including beginners. \nHike rating: Category 1–Easy\nLeader: Sandy Ritchie\, (925) 381-2514\nMeet: Lake Merritt parking lot off Bellevue Avenue\, 8:30 AM\nDirections: Take SR 24 to Oakland and I-980\, take 27th Street exit and turn left. Cross Broadway and Harrison\, then join Grand Avenue. Turn into park at Children’s Fairyland (fee possible) and follow around to parking lot entrance on right between boathouse and aviary. \nGPS for meeting point: 37.80631305974147\, -122.25644134214993 \nThis field trip is limited to 15 participants. Register HERE:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-lake-merritt-and-arrowhead-marsh-at-high-tide-tickets-1974274909400 \n(Ridgway’s Rail photo by Beth Branthaver)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/mdba-field-trip-lake-merritt-and-arrowhead-marsh-jan-2026/
LOCATION:Lake Merritt\, 699 Bellevue Ave\, Oakland\, CA\, 94610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RIRA_ArrowheadMarsh_Branthaver.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260106T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260106T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T183813
CREATED:20251127T014247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T014537Z
UID:9226-1767690000-1767708000@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Putah Creek
DESCRIPTION:This is a great chance to see a variety of birds and ducks along Putah Creek and Lake Solano. Possible species include Osprey\, Lewis’s Woodpecker\, Phainopepla\, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser. Dress warmly; this is a cold\, windy area. Bring lunch. Exact itinerary to be determined the day of the trip. Rain cancels. \nHike rating: 1 – Easy.\nElevation change: Minor\nCo-Leaders: Maren Smith\, 925-322-9477\, and Susana de Trapaga\nMeet: 9 AM at the large gravel pull-out on the right side of Putah Creek Road\, west of the Lake Solano dam.\nGPS: 38.489104513137754\, -122.01167874098729\nDirections: When driving from the Bay Area to Vacaville on I-80\, take Exit 51A at Cherry Glen and Lagoon Valley Roads. Turn left to cross over the freeway\, heading north\, and drive approximately 1 mile on Cherry Glen Road to stop sign at Pleasants Valley Road. Turn left on Pleasants Valley Road. Drive 12 miles and keep an eye out for Yellow-billed Magpies and raptors. Turn right on Putah Creek Road\, and drive about 1.2 miles\, to the large gravel parking turn-out on the right (with “no camping\, no dumping” signs). About 1 hour drive from Walnut Creek area. \nBring $8 cash—in exact bills—for the parking fee! \nThis hike is limited to 20 participants. All field trips require registration and participants must acknowledge the MDBA liability waiver. Register HERE:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/putah-creek-birding-tickets-1972930092015 \n(Photo: Female Phainopepla at Putah Creek by Isaac Aronow)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/putah-creek-jan-2026/
LOCATION:Putah Creek Road\, 3836 Putah Creek Rd\, Winters\, CA\, 95694\, United States
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/240103_PutahCreek_PHAI_Aronow-topaz-scaled.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Maren Smith":MAILTO:marensmithbkk@yahoo.com
GEO:38.4889042;-122.0146615
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Putah Creek Road 3836 Putah Creek Rd Winters CA 95694 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3836 Putah Creek Rd:geo:-122.0146615,38.4889042
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260108T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260108T203000
DTSTAMP:20260429T183813
CREATED:20251129T205753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251129T210846Z
UID:9237-1767898800-1767904200@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:Monthly Program: January 2026
DESCRIPTION:Bornean Bristlehead. Photo by Bob Lewis. \nThe Importance of Islands to Avian Evolution\nBob Lewis\n\n \nMount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday\, January 8 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm\, 1540 Marchbanks Drive\, Walnut Creek\, CA 94598. \n6:30 PM Doors Open\n7:00 PM Announcements\n7:15 PM Refreshments and Raffle\n7:30 PM Main Program: The Importance of Islands to Avian Evolution\n*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea\n\n  \nIslands play a pivotal role in both the evolution of new avian species and the extinction of others. Because islands are isolated landmasses\, species that arrive there evolve separately from their parent groups\, eventually becoming unique through genetic drift. However\, because island species are restricted to small areas with limited populations\, they are highly susceptible to natural disasters—such as hurricanes\, volcanic eruptions\, tsunamis\, and rising sea levels—as well as human-caused pressures. This talk focuses on the issues unique to islands and how we might protect these vulnerable species. \n\n\nBob has taught birding classes in the Bay Area for over 25 years and is an avid traveler\, specifically seeking out islands in search of birds. He is a board member of the Farallon Islands Foundation\, an organization dedicated to fostering life on islands. He has visited many of the world’s major biodiversity hotspots\, including Madagascar\, Borneo\, Hawaii\, Indonesia\, New Guinea\, New Zealand\, and Cuba.\n\n  \nEastern Crested Berrypecker. Photo By Bob Lewis
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/monthly-program-jan2026/
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/2025/11/Bornean-Bristlehead-5276.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Ariana Rickard":MAILTO:arianajrickard@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260122T091500
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260122T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T183813
CREATED:20251127T014641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T014851Z
UID:9228-1769073300-1769086800@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Bridgeway Island Pond\, West Sacramento
DESCRIPTION:Bridgeway Island Pond in West Sacramento is a low-key birding hotspot\, offering fairly close views of an assortment of waterfowl and shorebirds. In past years it’s been a great spot for Blue-winged Teal\, as well as American Avocet\, Cinnamon Teal\, and Sora. Easy access with a mostly flat\, grassy area. Not much walking will be required\, more standing and observing at different areas along the pond. We’ll make another bird-related stop afterwards\, to be determined based on weather. Last year we visited the Raptor Center in Davis. \nThis is a good trip for beginning birders! \nHike rating: 1 – Easy.\nLeader: Mona Lange\, 510-414-2959\nMeet: the McDonalds at 2244 Lake Washington Blvd. in West Sacramento at 9:15 AM for a restroom stop\, proceeding to the pond by 9:30.\nDirections: Take 80 East toward Sacramento. Exit at Enterprise and Harbor Blvd (exit 81) and go Right. Take the 2nd Left to Industrial Blvd. After a few miles Industrial Blvd changes its name to Lake Washington Blvd. Make a Left on Southport Parkway and then first left to enter the shopping center. Another first Left then leads to the McDonalds.\nGPS for the 9:15 meeting point at McDonalds: 38.556747929224194\, -121.5399085526047 \nAfter McDonalds we’ll go back out to Southport making a Right onto it. Going a few more miles\, make a Right on Oakland Bay Drive. First Right onto Bowen Island street which changes to Solomon Island Rd as it goes around the corner. First Right takes you to where we’ll park for the pond\, on Pender Island Street. We may have to park in the neighborhood also.\nGPS for the Pond\, where we expect to arrive by 9:30: 38.540701884803845\, -121.57782606798398 \nThis outing is limited to 12 birders of any experience level\, including beginners. Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-bridgeway-island-pond-west-sacramento-tickets-1974369101130 \n(Photo: Blue-winged Teal\, by Mona Lange)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/mdba-field-trip-bridgeway-island-jan-2026/
LOCATION:McDonald’s West Sacramento\, 2244 Lake Washington Blvd.\, West Sacramento\, CA\, 95691
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BWTE_BridgewayPond_Lange-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260125T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260125T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T183813
CREATED:20260125T050416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260125T052617Z
UID:9282-1769355000-1769364000@mtdiablobirds.org
SUMMARY:MDBA Field Trip -- Woodbridge Road & Sandhill Crane Fly-In
DESCRIPTION:This outing is especially suitable for people with mobility issues. \nA very special trip arranged with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. At 3:45 PM we’ll meet their volunteer docents at the South Unit of the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve\, near Lodi\, where they will introduce us to the many waterfowl and shorebirds that winter in the area. \nAbout 90 minutes before sunset\, we will move over to the blinds that overlook the roosting area for Sandhill Cranes. We’ll be able to sit and watch as hundreds of cranes fly in for the evening. It’s a spectacular event! \nThis trip is open to all MDBA members of any birding level of experience\, and especially suitable for those with mobility issues. The platform overlooking the ponds at the South Unit—our first stop—is about 40 yards from the handicapped parking spots\, up a short\, accessible ramp. The blinds where we’ll sit and watch the cranes fly in are also just a short walk over level ground from the parking spots. There are toilets at the South Unit (and I think at the North Unit too\, though I’m not sure.) \nMDBA trip coordinator Matt Tarlach plans to drive a carpool to accommodate any member who doesn’t want to drive this distance (Woodbridge Reserve is a little over an hour from Heather Farm)\, or drive back after dark. If you would like to ride with this group\, please email ASAP after signing up\, so he knows how many would like to join the carpool. We may rent a minivan or other vehicle\, depending on what’s needed. \nLeader: Matt Tarlach\, MDBAFieldtrips@gmail.com\nHike Rating: 0. A few very short walks over flat terrain.\nMeet: Carpool will meet at Heather Farm. If driving on your own\, meet at 3:45 at the South Unit of Woodbridge Ecological Reserve\nGPS for the meeting point: 38.15775478150474\, -121.44355433233056 \nTrip goes rain or shine. The blinds are open and unheated\, so dress to sit outdoors until after sunset\, about 90 minutes. \nThere is room in the blinds for about 25 people but parking for only about 14 cars. Plan to drive with a friend\, or to share a casual carpool with another member. \nDue to the capacity limit and expected strong interest\, this trip is for MDBA members only. Members may bring a guest; if you’d like to bring more than one guest please email the leader before booking. If you may bring children\, please consider the need to sit quietly outdoors\, on a cool evening\, for over an hour. \nThere is no charge by MDBA for this event—including for the carpool\, if needed. However\, every attendee must have a Lands Pass from the CA DFW: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Lands-Pass \nSign up at the link below. And if the outing is ‘Sold Out’\, please join the waitlist! There are usually some cancellations from the early bookings:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/woodbridge-road-sandhill-crane-fly-in-tickets-1980437460757 \n(image of Sandhill Cranes by Sharon Anderson)
URL:https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/mdba-field-trip-woodbridge-road-sandhill-crane-fly-in-jan-2026/
LOCATION:Woodbridge Ecological Reserve\, 7730 W Woodbridge Rd\, Lodi\, CA\, 95242
CATEGORIES:Birding,Field Trips
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mtdiablobirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sandhill-Cranes-Thornton-Sharon-Anderson.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR