Skagg’s Island Road

Wednesday, January 31, 2024
10 AM - 2 PM
Birding with Daniel Edelstein
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration required. Registration opens January 21st at 8AM.

Skaggs Island Road; flat, level hiking on road for no more than 1.5 miles; lunch at bridge ~.6 mile from the parking area at Highway 37.

Daniel invites you to discover the joy of a wilderness-like paradise — Skaggs Island Road — that often attracts dozens of shorebird and duck family members, in addition to uncommon, visiting non-breeding raptors such as Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and Merlin (along with sightings of White-tailed Kite and other raptor species).

Closed to the public, Skaggs Island Road is accessed by meeting our group in the parking area adjacent to Hwy. 37 (approximately 3 miles east of Reclamation Road and 2 miles east of the Highway 121/Sears Point Raceway intersection (at the stoplight). We’ll meet on the north side of Hwy. 37 where it intersects with Skaggs Is. Rd. and bird together while walking north on the road.

Please be careful turning into this road when coming from Marin Co. because oncoming traffic is often heavy.

Here’s a map link that shows where we’ll meet:

https://www.google.com/maps/search/Skaggs+Island+Road,+Highway+37/@38.1563398,-122.3935838,14z

Daniel is a freelance Birding Guide (WarblerWatch.com) and Consulting Avian Biologist. His web site (WarblerWatch.com) features abundant birding information, in addition to his 17-year-old warbler-centric blog (WarblerWatch.blogspot.com).

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Sanitary District – San Rafael

Thursday 1, February , 2024
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers 

No registration required.  All participants are welcome to join this trip.

Join old friends and meet new ones on our regularly scheduled walks on the first Thursday of the month at Las Gallinas. We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, on this leisurely walk around the ponds. Special thanks to Bob and Sande Chilvers for volunteering once again to lead our monthly walks in search of waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Among other birds, we will see various species of rails, swallows and teals. 

With fall migration underway, we are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search. We all help each other to find and identify the birds, and there are usually several experienced birders to assist. You don’t even have to arrive on time because we spend the first 30-60 minutes studying the birds around the first pond, and our group is easy to find. 

DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101, exit at Smith Ranch Rd. Drive east on Smith Ranch Rd. toward McInnis Park. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks and drive about 0.5 mile through the LGVSD gates and into the parking lot at the end of the road. Meet the group by the bridge just past the parking lot. There is an outhouse in the parking area for public use or you can use the bathrooms at nearby McInnis Park. 

Sausalito, Mill Valley, Strawberry Point

Birding in Marin, Season 9, Trip 2
Saturday, February 3, 2024
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration opens Wednesday, January 24 at 8 AM.

We are going to explore the bay from the Sausalito water front to the Golden Gate and Richardson’s Bay around to Strawberry Point and on to Blacky’s pasture in Tiburon. Many ducks, loons and grebes winter on the bay waters and we may find close comparative looks at similar species pairs like Eared and Horned or Clark’s and Western Grebes, of Red-throated, Pacific and Common Loons or Greater and Lesser Scaup. We are likely to find some shorebirds too, perhaps a Spotted Sandpiper or a rather rare Wandering Tattler.

Herring runs happen around this time of year and if we are lucky they will still be numerous. Herring deposit large numbers of eggs on eelgrass, which water birds, especially gulls, love to feast on. Last year near this time I think that 10 species of gulls were located. So brush up on your gull IDs and join Bob and I along the shore.

DIRECTIONS: Meet at the east end of Harbor Drive. Handicap Accessible. We will park where the birding is close, near level and smooth. Thanks to enlightened development planning, Harbor Drive and the rather posh Strawberry spit have fine public shoreline paths. 

Snowy Plovers

Zoom Event CA, United States

Thursday, February 8, 2024
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Speaker: Matthew Lau, U.S. National Park Service
Register HERE for this Speaker Series

Topic:
There is a small but locally significant breeding population of western snowy plovers at Point Reyes National Seashore. They are federally listed as Threatened and California state listed as a Species of Special Concern, but the local breeding population size has been gradually increasing over the past half decade due to intensive management and monitoring across the range. Matt will present on the fascinating breeding biology of western snowy plovers, cover local conservation issues that snowy plovers face, and review local population trends and ongoing research and management at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Winter Birds of the Delta – Boat Trip

Sunday, February 18th, 2024 - Rescheduled from 2/4 due to bad weather
8:40 AM to 4:00 PM
Birding with David Wimpfheimer
Register HERE for this Boat Trip

The trip costs $130. Registration for this trip opens January 8 at 8 AM.
A waitlist will open if the trip sells out. Add your name to the list by clicking Contact Organizer prompt. You may cancel your ticket for a refund until 9AM on February 2nd by clicking Contact Organizer on the Ticketbud site and leaving a message.

Tomales Bay State Park

Wednesday, February 28, 2024
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Birding with Rich Cimino
Register HERE for this field trip

Registration required. Registration opens February 18th at 8 AM.

As we bird the trails of the State Park on this field trip, we will also discuss the Forest Health & Fire Resilience management plan for the California State Parks.

Mt. Tam and Corte Madera Marshes

Birding in Marin - Season 9, Trip 3
Saturday, March 2, 2024
8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this field trip

Registration opens Wednesday, February 21st at 8 AM.

Mount Tamalpais, rising like an icon above Marin, hosts some birds uncommonly seen in the rest of the county such as Pileated WoodpeckerRed-breasted NuthatchPurple FinchRed Crossbill, and in the winter, 1 or 2 Townsend’s Solitaire.

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District

Thursday, March 7, 2024
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers

No registration required.  All participants are welcome to join this trip.

Join old friends and meet new ones on our regularly scheduled walks on the first Thursday of the month at Las Gallinas. We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, on this leisurely walk around the ponds. Special thanks to Bob and Sande Chilvers for volunteering once again to lead our monthly walks in search of waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Among other birds, we will see various species of rails, swallows and teals.

Re-discovering and Conserving the Black-Naped Pheasant-Pigeon, A Critically Endangered Species

Thursday, March 14, 2024
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Speaker: Jordan Boersma, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Register HERE for this speaker series

Topic:
Jordan will discuss the Black-naped Pheasant-Pigeon, a critically endangered species that hasn’t been documented by scientists since it was first described in 1882. In 2022, Jordan and his team embarked on an expedition to Fergusson Island, Papua New Guinea, and by leveraging the natural history knowledge of local hunters, was able to confirm the existence of this species, known locally as Auwo., thus demonstrating the invaluable role of Indigenous communities in ongoing efforts to relocate species lost to Western science. Plans are to build on the partnerships formed in 2022 to help conserve this elusive and culturally important species and continue to uncover natural history information about Auwo and other endemic taxa on Fergusson island.

Rodeo Lagoon – Marin Headlands

Thursday, March 7, 2024
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers

No registration required.  All participants are welcome to join this trip.

Join old friends and meet new ones on our regularly scheduled walks on the first Thursday of the month at Las Gallinas. We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, on this leisurely walk around the ponds. Special thanks to Bob and Sande Chilvers for volunteering once again to lead our monthly walks in search of waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Among other birds, we will see various species of rails, swallows and teals.

Loch Lomond Marina – San Rafael

SPECIAL INTRODUCTION TO BIRDING – WINTERING WATERBIRDS
Thursday, March 21, 2024
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Roger Harris
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration required. Registration opens on March 11 at 8:00 AM

Join Roger Harris and other Marin Audubon board members for a field trip specifically designed for people interested in getting some of the birding basics down. And there is no place better suited for that than the half-mile-long flat and paved levee path at the Loch Lomond Marina. With panoramic views of the surrounding bay, we should get close-up views of wintering waterbirds including Black Turnstones, diminutive Least SandpipersBlack Oystercatchers with bubblegum pink legs, Snowy Egrets sporting golden slippers, and a variety of ducks, grebes, gulls, and cormorants. This is a terrific place for photography, if you like, but each participant is requested to bring binoculars.

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Sanitary District (LGVSD)

Thursday, April 4, 2024
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers

No registration required.  All participants are welcome to join this trip.

Join old friends and meet new ones on our regularly scheduled walks on the first Thursday of the month at Las Gallinas. We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, on this leisurely walk around the ponds. Special thanks to Bob and Sande Chilvers for volunteering once again to lead our monthly walks in search of waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Among other birds, we will see various species of rails, swallows and teals.

With overwintering birds present, we are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search. We all help each other to find and identify the birds, and there are usually several experienced birders to assist. You don’t even have to arrive on time because we spend the first 30-60 minutes studying the birds around the first pond, and our group is easy to find.

Nicasio / Tomales Bay – Birding in Marin – Season 8, Trip 4

Birding in Marin, Season 8, Trip 4
Saturday, April 6, 2024
8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration is required. Registration opens Wednesday, March 27 at 8 AM

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 three 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 after- noon 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.

Olompali State Historic Park – Novato

Wednesday, April 10, 2024
8:30 AM to 12 PM
Birding with Rich Cimino

No registration required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.

This year we will be birding the Olompali Park well into spring migration. We will be looking for early spring migrant arrivals. It’s always an exciting time to birdwatch at Olompali State Historic Park. We’ll be looking for early spring arrivals such as the Western Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher and the Hooded Oriole. Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leaders Rich Cimino and others to bird the park. Early spring arrivals should be on hand as we walk the old ranch road to the park’s reservoir. Olompali State Park features oak savanna, open grasslands and riparian habitat: There is a good assortment of species, raptors, flycatchers, swallows, vireos, warblers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, thrushes, and orioles. Be early, the field trip will start at 8:30 AM in the parking lot. There is an $8.00 parking fee, pay by cell is now possible in the park. Rain cancels.

Monarch Butterfly

Thursday, April 11th
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Speaker: Mia Monroe and Ole Schell
Register HERE for this Speaker Series

Topic:
Where have all the monarchs gone?  Recent population trends and data on the Monarch Butterfly will be shared, as well as the good habitat work going on throughout Marin, especially Ole Schell's West Marin Monarch Sanctuary.  Tips for how you can help will be offered, and a few controversies will be discussed, such as the role of eucalyptus and the dangers of tropical milkweed.  Local photographers will be featured, and the work of the Marin Monarch Working Group will be a focus.

Rodeo Lagoon – Marin Headlands

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with William Legge & David Wiechers
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens April 7 at 8 AM.

With spring migration underway will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, shorebirds, grebes, loons and passerines. As usual, the weather will dictate our focus with onshore northwest winds ideal for spring sea watches, while offshore easterly winds promise a good selection of passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:15 AM for a circuit of the lagoon.

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Sanitary District – MAY

Thursday, May 2, 2023 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers All participants are welcome to join this trip. No registration required. Beginning birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas ponds. Join our friendly leaders as we search for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Bird enthusiasts of all levels help each other to find and identify the birds, and there are usually several experienced birders to assist. You don’t even have to arrive on time because we spend the first 30 – 60 minutes studying the birds around the first pond and the group is easy to find. Heavy rain cancels. DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101, exit at Smith Ranch Rd. Drive east on Smith Ranch Rd toward McInnis Park. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks and drive about 0.5 mile through the LGVSD gates and into the parking lot at the end of the road. Meet the group by the bridge just past the parking lot. There is an outhouse in the parking area for public use.

Mt. Burdell/Stafford Lake or Rush Creek – Birding in Marin Series

Birding in Marin, Season 9, trip 5
Saturday, May 4, 2024
8:30 AM to mid afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration is required. Registration opens April 24 at 8:00 AM.

Join Jim and Bob for a field trip to the gentle slopes of Mount 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 may other possibilities. In the afternoon, we plan to continue birding at Stafford Lake or Rush Creek.

Ethical Wildlife Photography

Thursday, May 9, 2024
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Speaker: Sarah Killingsworth
Register HERE for this Speaker Series

Topic:
Wildlife photography is an increasingly popular hobby, and time in nature observing wildlife can bring great joy to a photographer. Wildlife images can be powerful tools for conservation and education. At the same time, our time with wildlife impacts the individual animal and potentially the entire ecosystem. Using her own photos to highlight the concepts, Sarah will discuss photography ethics and etiquette - what they are, and why they matter. She will also share tips for photographing our natural world in ways that create impactful images.

Rodeo Lagoon – Marin Headlands – MAY

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Birding with William Legge & David Wiechers
Register HERE for this Field Trip

Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens May 5 at 8 AM.

With spring migration underway will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, shorebirds, grebes, loons and passerines. As usual, the weather will dictate our focus with onshore northwest winds ideal for spring sea watches, while offshore easterly winds promise a good selection of passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:15 AM for a circuit of the lagoon.