Sandy Ritchie
Lake Merritt /Arrowhead Marsh—High Tide
We should find a good variety of wintering ducks and gulls at Lake Merritt. Then we will then drive to Arrowhead Marsh for the high tide around 11:15 AM; the rising tide should flush out rails. The area is also good for shorebirds and more wintering ducks on the estuary. A visit to Garretson Point […]
Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek
Shollenberger Park 1400 Cader Lane, Petaluma, CA, United StatesBoth sites are good for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors.Carpool leaves Sunvalley parking lot at 7:30 AM. Take I-680 across the Benicia Bridge. Go west on I-780 to I-80 towards Sacramento, exit to SR 37. Follow SR 37 to Lakeville Road, then turn right. Before reaching Petaluma, look for the water recycling […]
MDAS Field Trip — Mitchell Canyon
Mitchell Canyon 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA, United StatesMitchell Canyon Thursday, April 28, 8 AM to 1 PM Leader: Sandy Ritchie, 925-685-8048 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. Rating: Category 3, hot, dusty trail, 3+ miles Elevation […]
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 — 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 — 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 — 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 […]
MDBA Field Trip — Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh at High Tide
Lake Merritt 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA, United StatesWinter 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 to pass the gate at Children's Fairyland is usually required. We will move to Arrowhead Marsh at around 9:45AM, […]
MDBA Field Trip — Shollenberger Park/Ellis Creek
Shollenberger Park 1400 Cader Lane, Petaluma, CA, United StatesBoth of these locations are great for wintering waders, shorebirds, waterfowl and a few raptors. Bring lunch and a beverage. This trip is appropriate for birders of all experience levels, including beginners. Hike rating: Category 2 - Moderate. Walking some distance and gentle slopes. Elevation change: Minor Leader: Sandy Ritchie, (925) 381-2514 Meet: Point Blue […]
MDBA Field Trip — Mt. View Sanitary and McNabney Marsh
Mountain View Sanitary District 3800 Arthur Rd, Martinez, CA, United StatesWe'll begin by scanning McNabney Marsh from the viewing platform, then head over to Moorhen Marsh at Mt. View Sanitary District---one of the first water treatment facilities in the US to be developed as bird habitat. We expect to see a variety of waterbirds at these locations, from grebes and ducks to waders and peeps. […]
MDBA Field Trip — Mitchell Canyon
Mitchell Canyon 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton, CA, United StatesWe 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 may still be blooming. This is a good trip for beginners. Trail Rating: Category 3. 3+ miles on a potentially hot, dusty trail. Elevation change: up […]