A baby Barn Owl found under a nest box at Deer Island in Novato died from rat poison.
Source: California News Wire Services
Link: http://patch.com/california/novato/owlet-dies-rat-poison-prompts-anti-rodenticide-campaign
Document: Owlet Dies from Rat Poison.pdf
Field Trips
Jun
03
Bear Valley & Five Brooks – Birding in Marin – Season 8, Trip 6
JUNE 3 @ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
June 3rd – 8:30 AM – Mid Afternoon
Birding with Jim White & Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip
Registration is required for this trip. Registration for the Bear Valley/Five Brooks trip will be open starting on May 24 at 8:00 AM.
Join Jim and Bob on this trip as part of their yearly series of Marin walks. We will start our day at Bear Valley in search of nesting birds. Next, we’ll travel to Olema Marsh and Whitehouse Pool for a look at some different habitats. Our final stop of the day will be Five Brooks where we have a chance of finding Wood Duck at the retired logging pond. We will also look for birds in the Douglas Fir forest.
DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101 take Sir Francis Drake Blvd toward Point Reyes for about 20 miles. At Olema turn right onto Hwy 1.
In 600 feet, turn left onto Bear Valley Rd. In approximately 0.5 mile, turn left at the entrance to Point Reyes National Seashore Headquarters at Bear Valley. We will meet at the picnic tables near the parking lot.
Jun
09
King Mountain Preserve – Larkspur
JUNE 9 @ 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Friday, June 9, 2023
8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Birding with Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle
All participants are welcome to join this trip. No registration required.
Join us on King Mountain for a bird walk that welcomes beginners as well as experienced birders. This accessible Preserve, rising above the main streets in Larkspur, is frequented by hikers, but not so much by birders. Janet and I survey King Mt. as part the Marin Audubon Breeding Bird Atlas project. We would like to introduce Marin Audubon birders to this location.
It’s breeding season so any of the breeding migrants are probable, such as Lazuli Bunting, Black-throated Grey Warbler, and Yellow Warbler. Resident birds such as Wrentit and Pileated Woodpecker have been seen recently.
While the steep trail provides some excellent views, it can get quite warm. Bring liquid and wear a wide brimmed hat.
Directions from the corner of Magnolia Ave and Ward St in Larkspur: coming from north, turn right on Ward (left from the South), right on Hawthorne Ave, left on Willow Ave. Park and meet at trail head gate (Citron Fire Rd.) on Willow Ave.
Contact Cell – (925) 353-0266
Jul
01
Big Rock and Las Gallinas – Birding in Marin, Season 8, Trip 7
JULY 1 @ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday, July 1, 2023
8:30 AM to 3 PM
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip
Registration required for this trip. Registration opens on June 21 at 8:00 AM
Trails at Big Rock, rather steep, allow us to view some of the expansive grasslands and forested ravines in Marin. Some of the grassland nesting birds we will be looking for include Lazuli Bunting, Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, and Ash-throated Flycatcher. We will also have a vast amount of sky visible so swallows, swifts, and raptors may appear with a chance for a Golden Eagle.
At midday we expect to drive Lucas Valley Road to Las Gallinas where we will be looking for American and Least Bitterns, Green Heron, Cinnamon Teal, Common Gallinule, and Great-tailed Grackle.
DIRECTIONS: From Highway 101 in San Rafael, exit on Lucas Valley Rd and go west approximately 5.5 miles (look for the big rock). We will be walking approximately 3 miles. Because this area can get quite hot this time of year, be sure to wear a hat, use sunscreen and carry plenty of water.