Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Saturday - 3/5/2022
8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
Register for this field trip HERE

Limit 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.

Saturday March 12, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
Birding Bryan Flaig
CLICK HERE to register for this field trip 

Limit 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.