Events
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Minnesota’s Sax-Zim Bog & the “Invasion of the Vole Snatchers”
Zoom Event CA, United StatesThursday, February 10 at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Sparky Stensass
Photo: "Boreal Owl" by Sparky StensassPlease register for the program HERE
After an Introduction to the Sax-Zim Bog and why it's the "magic mix" for boreal birds, we'll learn about the Invasion each winter of "vole snatchers": Great Gray Owls, Hawk Owls, Boreal Owls, Northern Shrikes, hawks, ermine, marten, fox, coyote and more survive and thrive on a diet of voles. And we'll also enjoy some HD video of these critters actually snatching voles. We'll also touch on the work of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog to preserve over 4,000 acres of bog lands for future generations of birds and birders.
Sparky Stensaas is the founder and executive director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (www.SaxZim.org). Sparky is also a naturalist, publisher, wildlife photographer and now YouTuber (really?). He is the author of 6 books on the natural history of the North Woods. You can see more of Sparky's images at www.ThePhotoNaturalist.com and his videos on YouTube “Sparky Stensaas”
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Corte Madera Ecological Reserve
Saturday February 19, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
Birding with Bryan FlaigLimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on February 9 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list.
Please register for this field trip HERE
This trip is perfect for beginning birders looking to learn how to identify waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as experienced birders interested in honing their skills
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve contains a variety of birding habitats, like tidal ponds, pickleweed marshes and a high tide refuge purchased by Marin Audubon in 2016. Much of the area has undergone extensive restoration for rare and endangered saltmarsh species.
On this field trip, we will hike a short distance to explore the marsh at high tide, searching for elusive Ridgway’s Rails and seasonal migrants. Later, we will walk to the shorebird overlook on the west side of the tidal pond, spending the majority of our time observing the wide variety of ducks, gulls, and wading shorebirds that frequent the area in winter.
Bryan Flaig has been monitoring bird activity at Corte Madera Marsh nearly every week since 2019 and recently completed Golden Gate Audubon’s Master Birding Program.
Restrooms are available at nearby stores, but not on the marsh. Bring binoculars, scopes, layers, water, and snacks. Plan for a 1.5 to 2 mile walk on flat terrain. Light rain does not cancel the trip.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Ecological Reserve is located behind Trader Joe’s in Corte Madera. Meet in the parking lot behind the store, accessed by the driveway on the southside of World Market.
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Birding in Nicasio & Tomales Bay
CA, United StatesBirding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Saturday - 3/5/2022
8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
Register for this field trip HERELimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Nicasio/Tomales Bay trip will be open starting on February 23 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list.
The rolling hills of central Marin are covered with pastures, horse ranches, forested ridges, homes, reservoirs and occupied by many interesting birds. We will look for them in and around Nicasio and along the nearby stream before heading 3 miles north to see what is on and around Nicasio Reservoir. This is Bob’s birding “patch” and he has found both Bald and Golden Eagles recently with a nice array of other birds in this vicinity.
We expect to travel the few miles to Point Reyes Station for a lunch break or picnic. In the afternoon we will explore the south end Tomales Bay. Then, as time allows, we can explore the eastern edge of Tomales Bay along Highway 1, which supports a winter population of thousands of ducks, geese and shorebirds. We might travel 10 miles north to see if an Eagle’s nest is having success. Heavy Rain cancels.
Directions: Meet at the ball field in Nicasio
From Hwy 101 in north San Rafael take Lucas Valley road west 10.3 miles then right turn onto Nicasio Valley road for 0.5 miles and park near the baseball field, the center of town.
For GPS use 1 Old Rancheria Rd Nicasio, the address for the Rancho Nicasio Restaurants. -
Turkey Vultures, California Condors, and the Migration of Raptors Through the Desert
Thursday. March 10 at 7:00 PM
By Kurt Leuschner
Photo: “Turkey Vulture Sunning Wings” by Stephen Myers
Please register for this event HEREEach Fall and Spring the desert comes alive with migrating birds. Turkey Vultures are one of the earliest and most interesting of these migrants. Where are the going and what special habits and traits set Turkey Vultures apart from other migrating raptors? Are they really raptors or scavengers or both? Many of the secrets about Turkey Vultures, California Condors, and the migration of birds will be unveiled in this presentation.
Kurt Leuschner is a Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert where he teaches courses on Conservation, Entomology, Field Ornithology, Native Plants, and GPS Navigation. He is the founder of the Desert Cities Bird Club and is the past President of Western Field Ornithologists and the Natural Science Collaborative of the Desert. His most recent publications are the Palms to Pines Birding and Nature Trail map and brochure and a Field Guide to Desert Golf Course Wildlife.
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Corte Madera Ecological Reserve
CA, United StatesSaturday March 12, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
Birding Bryan Flaig
CLICK HERE to register for this field tripLimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on March 4 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list.
This trip is perfect for beginning birders looking to learn how to identify waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as experienced birders interested in honing their skills
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve contains a variety of birding habitats, like tidal ponds, pickleweed marshes and a high tide refuge purchased by Marin Audubon in 2016. Much of the area has undergone extensive restoration for rare and endangered saltmarsh species.
On this field trip, we will hike a short distance to explore the marsh at high tide, searching for elusive Ridgway’s Rails and seasonal migrants. Later, we will walk to the shorebird overlook on the west side of the tidal pond, spending the majority of our time observing the wide variety of ducks, gulls, and wading shorebirds that frequent the area in winter.
Restrooms are available at nearby stores, but not on the marsh. Bring binoculars, scopes, layers, water, and snacks. Plan for a 1.5 to 2 mile walk on flat terrain. Light rain does not cancel the trip.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Ecological Reserve is located behind Trader Joe’s in Corte Madera. Meet in the parking lot behind the store, accessed by the driveway on the southside of World Market.
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Mt. Tam & Corte Madera Marshes – Birding in Marin Season 7 – Trip 4
CA, United StatesSaturday, April 2, 2022
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
8:30 AM to mid afternoon
Register for this field trip HERERegistration for this trip opens at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, March 23. 8:00 AM. Limit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. There will not be a waiting list.
Mount Tamalpais, rising like an icon above Marin, hosts some birds uncommonly seen in the rest of the county such as Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, and in the winter 1or 2 Townsend’s Solitaire. About twenty years ago our friend Dave MacKenzie discovered a TOSO feeding on mistletoe berries in some Sargent Cypress trees along the trail to Barth’s retreat and the bird or its children have returned every year since! But the trail, built by the CCC, California Conservation Corp, back in the 1930s has not withstood the test of time quite as well. So, if you are up for a vigorous though short (3.5mi) hike, join us to see what we can find.
After our lunch break back at Rock Springs with fine picnic Tables and a restroom, we intend to drive down to sea level to look at the Corte Madeira marshes. This area is very birdy so depending on the tidal height we expect to see a lot of birds there. Wintering shorebirds are gearing up for the return to their arctic nesting grounds so we may be able to see why how Black-bellied Plovers got their name. As the shorebirds molt into their breeding plumage, if we are diligent, we might even be able to tell the two Dowitcher species apart.
Directions: Meet at Rock Springs at 8:30. From Highway 1 in Stinson Beach or up 3.3mi from Tam Junction, take Panoramic Drive to it’s crest then go uphill 1 mile on Pantoll Road to the Rock Springs parking lot.
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Eye, Mind, Hand, Line: Identifying Birds Through the Eyes and Words of an Artist
CA, United StatesTHURSDAY, April 14 at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Keith Hansen
Register for this Speaker Series HEREIllustration by Keith Hansen
Our program focuses on highlights from Hansen’s Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada, artist-naturalist Keith Hansen’s sixteen-year project to illustrate the birds of the Sierra Nevada. From the tiniest hummingbirds to condors with nine-foot wingspans, Keith brings his artist’s perspective to the identification and characteristics of his avian subjects through his beautiful illustrations and unique descriptions.
Keith’s path to his life’s work began as a barefoot kid exploring the woods of Maryland. Captivated by birds, he began drawing them as a teenager. Gathering fundamental experience regarding avian anatomy, he studied and banded hundreds of birds over the years on California’s Farallon Islands through the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. His life has been a generous mix of art and travel as he illustrated numerous books, ornithological publications and countless private commissions.
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Corte Madera Ecological Reserve – April
CA, United StatesSaturday April 23, 2022
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Bryan Flaig
Register for this field trip HERELimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on April 13 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins please.
Join us for a spring bird walk to outer Corte Madera Marsh. We'll start by visiting the Marin Audubon Restoration Area and continue out to the edge of San Francisco Bay. We'll complete a 2.5 mile loop back to the flood control pond and finish at our starting location. The winter residents should be leaving and spring visitors arriving. We can expect to see red-wing blackbirds, several species of swallows, sparrows and boisterous Western Meadowlarks. We may also catch a glimpse of the resident osprey and peregrine falcon. We'll stop along the trees that line the main hiking trail to check for migrating warblers! This trip requires several miles of walking on flat terrain at a comfortable pace. It's the perfect trip for beginning birders and those who want to explore more of Corte Madera Marsh.
Restrooms are available at nearby stores, but not on the marsh. Bring binoculars, scopes, layers, water, and snacks. Light rain does not cancel the trip.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Ecological Reserve is located behind Trader Joe’s in Corte Madera. Meet in the parking lot behind the store, accessed by the driveway on the southside of World Market.
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Olompali State Historic Park – Novato
CA, United StatesSaturday, April 30, 2022
9 AM to 12 PM
Birding with Rich Cimino & Janet Bodle
Register for this field trip HERELimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Olompali trip will be open starting on April 20 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list. No drop-ins please.
It’s always an exciting time to birdwatch at Olompali State Historic Park! Some think spring is the best time. Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leaders Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle to bird the park. Late spring arrivals should be on hand as we 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: raptors, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, thrushes, and Hooded Oriole. The field trip will start at 9 AM in the parking lot. Heavy rain cancels.
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.
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Mount Burdell / Stafford Lake – or – Rush Creek
CA, United StatesSaturday, May 7, 2022
8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register for this field trip HERELimit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Mount Burdell trip will be open starting on April 27 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list.
Join Jim and Bob for a field trip to the gentle slopes of Mt. Burdell where we’ll listen to and observe the impressive variety of songbirds that make this area their springtime home. Species we might see include Lark Sparrow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, and Grasshopper Sparrow, among many other possibilities. In the afternoon we plan to continue birding at Stafford Lake or Rush Creek.
This will be a moderate hike with many opportunities to look at birds and spring wildflowers. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing. Bring water and snacks. We will meet at the end of San Andreas Drive in Novato.
Birding at Stafford Lake or Rush Creek will be decided the day of the event when we meet at Mt. Burdell.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 101 to Novato. Take the San Marin Dr./Atherton Ave. exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn west (left) on San Marin Dr. Go approximately two miles and turn right on San Andreas Dr. Drive nearly to the end of the road and park on the street. No restrooms available.