Field Trips
Field trips Are open to fully vaccinated participants, and are designed to allow for social distancing. Trips will be limited to the number of participants suitable for the location. Registration is required for each trip. There will be no waiting lists, and zero “Drop-ins” will be allowed. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we navigate through these complicated “Covid” times!
Upcoming Events › Field Trips
October 2021
Birding at Olompali State Historic Park
Saturday, October 9th
9AM - 12PM
Birding with Rich Cimino & Janet Bodle
It’s always an exciting time to birdwatch at Olompali State Historic Park! October can bring fall surprises. This year, with the fires in the northern part of the state, Olompali Park may become home to species typically not seen in the park seeking shelter. Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leaders Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle to bird the park. We will walk the old ranch road to the park’s reservoir. We hope to see a wide variety of species that thrive in the park’s oak savanna and open grasslands. The field trip will start at 9 AM meeting in the front of the visitor center.
DIRECTIONS: Exit Hwy 101 at Atherton Ave/San Marin Dr in Novato. Follow the signs to Olompali State Historic Park. A right turn onto the Old Redwood Hwy frontage road will take you to the park. There is an $8 parking fee. Recently the park gates have been opening by 8:30AM.
Tickets will be available on September 30th at 8AM. There is a limit of 10 participants for this trip. No waiting list at this time, and no drop-ins allowed.
All participants must be fully vaccinated.
CLICK HERE to register for this field trip.
Find out more »Rodeo Lagoon – Marin Headlands
Wednesday, October 20th
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with William Legge and David Wiechers
Join William and David for one of their fall migration field trips at Rodeo Lagoon. This is their longtime “patch,” which never seems to disappoint birders with daily variations in species seen and unusual sightings. On this particular trip, our group will be targeting Parasitic Jaeger, migrating shorebirds, warblers, early winter wildfowl and passerine migrants.
We will begin the morning with a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM. Those arriving later may join us at 8:30 AM for a circuit of the lagoon.
Registration for this trip will be open starting on October 11 at 8:00 AM. There is a limit of 12 participants for this trip. There will not be a waiting list, and no drop-ins allowed.
DIRECTIONS: Head south on Hwy 101 and take the last Sausalito exit just before the Golden Gate Bridge. At the exit stop sign, turn right and go under the freeway, then follow the road down to the left. Within 300 feet turn left at the sign to the Marin Headlands (This is the only available left turn before you begin the descent into Sausalito). You should see the tunnel with the five-minute light. Proceed through the tunnel on Bunker Rd to the Rodeo Lagoon Parking Lot at the end. Meet by the bridge over the channel to the beach or join MAS birders with scopes along the nearby beach area.
Click HERE to register for this field trip.
Find out more »November 2021
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve & Newly Restored Golden Gate Wetlands
Wednesday November 3rd, 2021
9:00 AM to noon
Birding with Rich Cimino
Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on October 25 at 8:00 AM. Limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop ins, please. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please register via TicketBud HERE
Purchased in 2016 by Marin Audubon, this important bayland property has undergone extensive restoration work in subsequent years thanks to the hard work of Marin Audubon Society board members, hired restoration specialists, and volunteers. The area is now a restored marsh that supports an important population of Ridgway’s Rails and other special status species and includes a newly created high tide refuge habitat where hired crews have planted 16,200 native upland plants.
Regularly scheduled workdays are held here for those who might like to help with the continuing restoration work, but on this particular day, we will join Rich for a tour of the area with a focus on BIRDS! Recently Rich began visiting the area regularly and will share his discoveries with us. High tide is approximately 11 AM, species we may see are ducks, long- legged waders, shorebirds, rails, plovers, White-tailed kites, Osprey, American Pipits, Savannah Sparrows and Western Meadowlarks.
No restrooms are available here. Bring binoculars, scopes, layers, water, and snacks, planning a 1.5 to 2 mile walk, light rain does not cancel the walk.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Ecological Reserve is located behind Trader Joe’s at the eastern end of Industrial Way in Corte Madera. Meet and park behind Trader Joe’s.
Find out more »Birding in Marin – Las Gallinas & Hamilton Wetlands
Saturday November 6th, 2021
8:30 AM - 2 PM
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Registration for this trip will be available starting on October 27 starting at 8AM. Limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins allowed, please. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Register via TicketBud HERE.
Join Jim and Bob on an easy birdy walk of 1.5mi around the Las Gallinas ponds where we are likely to see 10 species of ducks, 5 of herons, 5 of raptors, 5 of sparrows and some rails like Ridgeway’s, Sora, and Virginia with Gallinules, coots, Swans and Geese! Shall we try to identify the duck species by females? I wonder if the Merlin will be back. These oxidation ponds, where a large portion of Marin’s waste water is converted to useful nutrients and clean enough to return safely to the San Francisco Bay ecosystem, demonstrate how we can provide for wildlife and live in harmony with nature.
After lunch we are going to visit the Hamilton Wetlands, restored by the Army Corp of Engineers in the recent 5-10 years to the SF Bay ecosystem, which have become the winter home of some ten thousand birds. It is remarkable that thru the 2nd World War and the Cold War years the US Air Force stayed on alert and could launch jet fighter planes in minutes from an airport here to defend the Bay Area. We will try to find 10 species of shorebirds here while staying alert to many other possibilities.
Directions: From 101 north San Rafael take the Lucas Valley/Smith Ranch Road exit east. In about .5mi, immediately after crossing the RR tracks, left turn and follow the road another 0.5 miles to the Las Gallinas parking at the end.
To the Hamilton Wetlands return to 101 North, take the second exit, Nave Drive toward Hamilton. Stay on Nave, Dr.heading north, to Main Gate Drive and turn right. Go east to Hanger Avenue and park along the levy behind Hangar 7.
Find out more »Birding at Willow Creek Road – Jenner CA
Saturday, November 13, 2021 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Birding with Teresa and Miles Tuffli Registration for this trip will be open starting on November 4 at 8:00 AM. There is a limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins allowed. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please register via TicketBud HERE. Head up the Sonoma County coast to bird Willow Creek Road in Jenner. We’ll have the chance for multiple raptor species, including potential for Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, and maybe even Bald Eagle. Many year-round passerines will be frequenting the willows, alders, and scrub. With a view of the Russian River, we’ll look for some waterbirds as well. We’ll meet at the Russian House #1 restaurant and bird the road’s entrance on foot. We’ll then move all cars down the road to a large pullout. We’ll bird the willows, creek area, and river view on foot before consolidating cars and continuing down the road, stopping to bird various sections. For a peek at the area, check out Miles and Teresa’s recap of birding Willow Creek Road back in July. No bathrooms. Heavy rain cancels. Bring binoculars, layers, sunscreen, water, lunch, or snacks. Please carpool if possible. DIRECTIONS: Russian House #1 is at 9960 Hwy 1, Jenner, CA. It is 9 miles north of Bodega Bay (15–20 minutes), directly along Hwy 1, on the right just before the Russian River bridge.
Find out more »Birds of the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays Cruise with Dolphin Charters
Sunday, November 14, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE to register for the field trip. Registration for this trip opens October 8 at 8AM. There will be a waiting list if this trip sells out, and you will be notified if space becomes available.
San Francisco Bay, the largest and one of the most important estuaries along the Pacific Flyway, is right in our own backyard. Join us as we cruise from Berkeley toward the Golden Gate Bridge and north into San Pablo Bay, hugging the shorelines and waters that are home to thousands of wintering birds. We will pass ten islands, under two bridges, and up two creeks in four counties in search of migrating and resident waterfowl, shore-birds and marine mammals. This trip offers water bird and marine mammal viewing in stunning locations, many of which can only be seen by boat. In addition to the many ducks, loons, pelicans and gulls that come into the Bay for the winter, we can also expect to see resident cormorants, grebes, terns, and murres.
Dress in layers, and bring liquids and lunch. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please bring a mask for any time spent inside the cabin.
The trip costs $120. Limited to 25 people.
Registered participants will receive directions to the Berkeley Marina and other instructions prior to the trip.
Find out more »Field Trips
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve & Newly Restored Golden Gate Wetlands
Wednesday November 3rd, 2021
9:00 AM to noon
Birding with Rich Cimino
Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on October 25 at 8:00 AM. Limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop ins, please. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please register via TicketBud HERE
Purchased in 2016 by Marin Audubon, this important bayland property has undergone extensive restoration work in subsequent years thanks to the hard work of Marin Audubon Society board members, hired restoration specialists, and volunteers. The area is now a restored marsh that supports an important population of Ridgway’s Rails and other special status species and includes a newly created high tide refuge habitat where hired crews have planted 16,200 native upland plants.
Regularly scheduled workdays are held here for those who might like to help with the continuing restoration work, but on this particular day, we will join Rich for a tour of the area with a focus on BIRDS! Recently Rich began visiting the area regularly and will share his discoveries with us. High tide is approximately 11 AM, species we may see are ducks, long- legged waders, shorebirds, rails, plovers, White-tailed kites, Osprey, American Pipits, Savannah Sparrows and Western Meadowlarks.
No restrooms are available here. Bring binoculars, scopes, layers, water, and snacks, planning a 1.5 to 2 mile walk, light rain does not cancel the walk.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Ecological Reserve is located behind Trader Joe’s at the eastern end of Industrial Way in Corte Madera. Meet and park behind Trader Joe’s.
Birding in Marin – Las Gallinas & Hamilton Wetlands
Saturday November 6th, 2021
8:30 AM – 2 PM
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Registration for this trip will be available starting on October 27 starting at 8AM. Limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins allowed, please. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Register via TicketBud HERE.
Join Jim and Bob on an easy birdy walk of 1.5mi around the Las Gallinas ponds where we are likely to see 10 species of ducks, 5 of herons, 5 of raptors, 5 of sparrows and some rails like Ridgeway’s, Sora, and Virginia with Gallinules, coots, Swans and Geese! Shall we try to identify the duck species by females? I wonder if the Merlin will be back. These oxidation ponds, where a large portion of Marin’s waste water is converted to useful nutrients and clean enough to return safely to the San Francisco Bay ecosystem, demonstrate how we can provide for wildlife and live in harmony with nature.
After lunch we are going to visit the Hamilton Wetlands, restored by the Army Corp of Engineers in the recent 5-10 years to the SF Bay ecosystem, which have become the winter home of some ten thousand birds. It is remarkable that thru the 2nd World War and the Cold War years the US Air Force stayed on alert and could launch jet fighter planes in minutes from an airport here to defend the Bay Area. We will try to find 10 species of shorebirds here while staying alert to many other possibilities.
Directions: From 101 north San Rafael take the Lucas Valley/Smith Ranch Road exit east. In about .5mi, immediately after crossing the RR tracks, left turn and follow the road another 0.5 miles to the Las Gallinas parking at the end.
To the Hamilton Wetlands return to 101 North, take the second exit, Nave Drive toward Hamilton. Stay on Nave, Dr.heading north, to Main Gate Drive and turn right. Go east to Hanger Avenue and park along the levy behind Hangar 7.
Birding at Willow Creek Road – Jenner CA
Saturday, November 13, 2021 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Birding with Teresa and Miles Tuffli Registration for this trip will be open starting on November 4 at 8:00 AM. There is a limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins allowed. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please register via TicketBud HERE. Head up the Sonoma County coast to bird Willow Creek Road in Jenner. We’ll have the chance for multiple raptor species, including potential for Ferruginous Hawk, American Kestrel, and maybe even Bald Eagle. Many year-round passerines will be frequenting the willows, alders, and scrub. With a view of the Russian River, we’ll look for some waterbirds as well. We’ll meet at the Russian House #1 restaurant and bird the road’s entrance on foot. We’ll then move all cars down the road to a large pullout. We’ll bird the willows, creek area, and river view on foot before consolidating cars and continuing down the road, stopping to bird various sections. For a peek at the area, check out Miles and Teresa’s recap of birding Willow Creek Road back in July. No bathrooms. Heavy rain cancels. Bring binoculars, layers, sunscreen, water, lunch, or snacks. Please carpool if possible. DIRECTIONS: Russian House #1 is at 9960 Hwy 1, Jenner, CA. It is 9 miles north of Bodega Bay (15–20 minutes), directly along Hwy 1, on the right just before the Russian River bridge.
Birds of the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays Cruise with Dolphin Charters
Sunday, November 14, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE to register for the field trip. Registration for this trip opens October 8 at 8AM. There will be a waiting list if this trip sells out, and you will be notified if space becomes available.
San Francisco Bay, the largest and one of the most important estuaries along the Pacific Flyway, is right in our own backyard. Join us as we cruise from Berkeley toward the Golden Gate Bridge and north into San Pablo Bay, hugging the shorelines and waters that are home to thousands of wintering birds. We will pass ten islands, under two bridges, and up two creeks in four counties in search of migrating and resident waterfowl, shore-birds and marine mammals. This trip offers water bird and marine mammal viewing in stunning locations, many of which can only be seen by boat. In addition to the many ducks, loons, pelicans and gulls that come into the Bay for the winter, we can also expect to see resident cormorants, grebes, terns, and murres.
Dress in layers, and bring liquids and lunch. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Please bring a mask for any time spent inside the cabin.
The trip costs $120. Limited to 25 people.
Registered participants will receive directions to the Berkeley Marina and other instructions prior to the trip.
Field Trips Webinar Recordings Archive
2021
March
– Rare Birds of Marin 2020 – by Joseph Zeno, John King, Lucas Corneliuseen and Mark Schulist
February
– GIS Conservation – The Breeding Birds of Marin County – by William Wiskes – CLICK HERE
January
– Marin’s Breeding Birds (How We Know What We Know) by Dave DeSante – CLICK HERE
– New Breading Bird Atlas – by Juan Garcia – CLICK HERE
2020
September
– Snowy Plovers: A Natural History, Breeding Biology & Conservation – CLICK HERE
– Pacific Flyway Shorebird Surveys – CLICK HERE
October
– Diurnal Raptors of Marin – CLICK HERE
– The Natural History of Osprey in Marin County – CLICK HERE
– Red-Tales: Hawkish Behaviors and Migratory Stories – CLICK HERE
November
– Improving Habitat for Central Valley Waterbirds – CLICK HERE