Birding at the Cosumnes River Preserve
CA, United StatesSaturday, December 11 2021 - 1 PM to 5:30 PM - CLICK HERE to register for this field trip
Birding with Kurt Rademacher
Registration for this trip will be open starting on December 1 at 8:00 AM. There is a limit of 15 for this trip. There will not be a waiting list, and no drop-ins allowed. All participants must be fully vaccinated.
At the junction of the Great Central Valley and Delta, the Cosumnes River Preserve is a 46,000-acre conservation project acquired and jointly managed through the collaboration of a number of conservation organizations and agencies. Here, the last un-dammed river on the west slope of the Sierra still routinely floods up in winter, fostering bountiful habitats of wetlands, savannah and riparian forest for wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors. Tundra Swans, Shovelers, American Wigeon, Green-winged & Cinnamon Teal, Pintails, White-faced Ibis, and White Pelicans are among the winter throngs. Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes are a highlight of our tour, and we’ll end up at Staten Island for sundown to witness the spectacle of some 15% of the Pacific Flyway’s cranes noisily settling down for their nightly roost.
DIRECTIONS: We’ll meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center parking lot at 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt. Allow about two hours from Central Marin via Hwys 37, 80 and 12 through Rio Vista to I-5, then north to Twin Cities Rd. exit. (Or you can take I-80 to Sacramento, then south on I-5 to Twin Cities Rd. exit.) On Twin Cities Rd. proceed east briefly to turn right (S) on Franklin Rd. about 1.7 miles to the parking area. You are wel- come to come earlier and enjoy your lunch on the Visitor Center veranda. After a briefing at 1 PM, we’ll enjoy a 1-mile loop hike on a trail and boardwalk, then drive to other key observation points on the preserve ending up at Staten Island. Come prepared with warm clothing for changeable weather including rain and mud for “Crane-down.”
Birding in Marin – Stinson Beach & Bolinas
CA, United StatesJanuary 8th, 2022 - 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM - CLICK HERE to register for this field trip
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Registration for this trip will be open starting on December 29 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.
Bob and I are pleased to share the bird rich Stinson Beach/ Bolinas birding area with you. Coupled with non freezing winter weather and many diverse habitats the CBC, Christmas Bird Counts, show this to be most specie rich, birdiest, area in Southern Marin county. These habitats include ocean, beaches, rocky shores, a large lagoon with acres of mudflats, Douglas Fir and Redwood forests, Alder riparian, parking lots, residential and more. The CBC data show an average of over 125 specie winter in this area. Plus many of these birds, like ducks, gulls and shorebirds, are rather easy to see as they float about on the water or walk along the shores. Can we find 100 specie today?
Thanks can given today to the founders of Marin Audubon and some conservation minded elders for the parks, open space, public access, and wildlife habitats in much of the country around Bolinas Lagoon. Dr Martin Griffith was instrumental in saving Bolinas harbor from a hotel and yacht club destination and is commemorated at the heron and egret rookery that we will pass along the east side of the lagoon.
So start your year list if you haven’t already. Bob is adept with ebird and will help by providing a list of the birds that we encounter today. We strive to help all of our participants to see or hear all of the birds but that is a goal, not quite reality. Let’s go birding!
DIRECTIONS: Meet at 8:30 AM at the Stinson Beach Parking Lot
Birding New Mexico – Following the Central Flyway
Zoom Event CA, United StatesSpeaker: Rich Cimino
Host: Douglas Waterman
Thursday, January 13th
Start: 7:00 PM (NOTE NEW TIME)
Photo caption - “Gray-crowned Rosy Finch”
Photo by Rich Cimino
Please register for the program HERE
 This month’s zoom presentation will take us into northeastern New Mexico-the Land of Enchantment. Currently eBird lists 556 bird species found in the state. From the Cottonwood Bosque Forest outside of Albuquerque to the aspen forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains surrounding Taos, it’s many birding spots include a variety of colorful habitats and landscapes. Rich Cimino will take us on a virtual tour of the New Mexico Central Flyway hotspot habitats during spring migration. Just a few of the birds found along the way include three species of Tanager, three of the Grosbeaks and the Cordellian Flycatcher.
Rich leads field trips for the Marin Audubon Society and works with the Corte Madera Restoration property, Point Blue Conservation and Golden Gate Raptor Watch. Rich is the owner and field guide for Yellowbilled Tours, offering small group birding tours to Alaska, Belize and other western U.S. states.
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve
CA, United StatesSaturday Jan. 15, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
With Bryan FlaigÂ
Limit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Corte Madera trip will be open starting on January 5 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list. CLICK HERE to register for this field trip.Â
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. Expect high tide around 9am.
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.Â
Birding in Marin – Season 7 Trip 2 – Sausalito and Tiburon
Saturday, February 5th
8:30 AM - mid afternoon
Birding with Jim White & Bob Battagin
There is a limit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Sausalito/Tiburon trip will be open starting on January 26 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list. Â
Sign up on TicketBud HERE
We are going to explore the bay from the Sausalito waterfront to the Golden Gate and Richardson’s Bay, around to Strawberry Point and finally 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 specie pairs like Eared and Horned or Clark’s and Western Grebes, Red-throated Loons, Pacific and Common Loons, and Greater or 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 and they lay large numbers of eggs that they stick to eel grass that birds especially gulls love. The roe are fancied by some diners and there is a purse seining fleet hungry for profit. The Dept. of Fish and Game is trying to maintain a sustainable catch. Last year near this time I think that 10 specie of gulls were located. So brush up on your gull IDs and join Bob and I along the shore.
Directions:Â Meet at the east end of Harbor Drive in Sausalito. 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.
Sacramento Delta by Boat
CA, United StatesSunday, February 6, 2022
(Super Bowl Sunday)
8:15 AM to 4:30 PM
Boat leaves from and returns to the Antioch Marina
With David WimpfheimerÂ
Online registration for this trip will begin on January 5, 2022. The cost will be $125 per person. The trip limit is 25 fully vaccinated participants.
Register for this field trip HERE
Join us aboard Dolphin Charters’ River Dolphin for a wonderful day of exploring the richness of the California Delta with naturalist David Wimpfheimer as our guide. Ronn Patterson, a Bay Area historian and naturalist, is captain of the River Dolphin and owner of Dolphin Charters. The boat is very comfortable, and the outer decks provide views over the levees of the amazing array of birds found in the Delta during the winter.Â
This rich area hosts a wide variety of raptors including Swainson’s Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and Great Horned Owls. Large numbers of shorebirds, Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, Snow, Canada and White- fronted Geese, ducks, as well as gulls, terns, bitterns and passerines make this cruise a highlight for birders. Uncommon mammals such as beaver, river otter, and mink often add interest to the cruise. We also will learn about the history, ecology and politics of the levees and the Delta as we travel through its meandering channels.Â
There will be a waiting list. To assure a spot for yourself, we recommend booking your space asap as this is always a popular trip. Those confirmed on the trip will receive directions to the Antioch Marina and other instructions the week before the trip.Â
Minnesota’s Sax-Zim Bog & the “Invasion of the Vole Snatchers”
Zoom Event CA, United StatesThursday, February 10 Â at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Sparky Stensass
Photo: "Boreal Owl" by Sparky Stensass
Please 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”
Corte Madera Ecological Reserve
Saturday February 19, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
Birding with Bryan FlaigÂ
Limit 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 HEREÂ
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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 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.
Turkey Vultures, California Condors, and the Migration of Raptors Through the Desert
Thursday. March 10Â at 7:00 PM
By Kurt Leuschner
Photo: “Turkey Vulture Sunning Wings” by Stephen Myers
Please register for this event HERE
Each 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. Â
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 tripÂ
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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 HEREÂ
Registration 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.
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 HERE
Illustration 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.
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 HERE
Limit 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.Â
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 HERE
Limit 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.
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 HERE
Limit 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.
Northern Spotted Owl Monitoring in Marin County
CA, United StatesThursday, May 12 - Start Time 7:00 PM
Speaker: Renee Cormier
Register for this Speaker Series HERE
Please join us for a presentation by Point Blue Conservation Science's, Renée Cormier, to learn about Northern Spotted Owl natural history, conservation of this iconic species, and the long-term monitoring of this species in Marin County. Northern Spotted Owls are federally "Threatened" and state "Threatened" in California, but Marin County – at the southernmost extent of their range – is a stronghold for this subspecies. Renée is an avian ecologist at Point Blue, where she started as an intern in 2002. In addition to her work on long-term landbird studies at the Palomarin Field Station, and migration studies of songbirds, and she has been working with Spotted Owls in Marin County since 2006.
Photo Caption; Adult Northern Spotted Owl
Credit: Maggie Brown/Point Blue
Bear Valley & Five Brooks – Birding in Marin – Season 7, Trip 6
CA, United StatesSaturday, June 4, 2022
8:30 AM to 3 PM
With Jim White & Bob Battagin
Register for this field trip HERE
Limit of 15 fully vaccinated participants for this trip. Registration for the Bear Valley/Five Brooks trip will be open starting on May 25 at 8:00 AM. There will not be a waiting list.
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:Â 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.Â
Become a chapter supporting member of the Marin Audubon Society starting at $35 a year, or RENEW your membership today! Your membership helps to fund important efforts such as our ongoing habitat restoration projects, the Monarch Rescue Project, and our Northern Spotted Owl Outreach program. We cannot do these important projects, along with our many other efforts, without the support of our dedicated members!
Tricolored Blackbird Ecology and Conservation in California’s Central Valley and Sierra Foothills
CA, United StatesThursday, June 9 at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Dan Airola
Register for the June Speaker Series Zoom program HERE
The Tricolored Blackbird has declined dramatically from its historical abundance to become a state-listed species, as a result of massive land-use changes in California’s Central Valley. The species has adapted and now occupies a variety of novel habitats, including agricultural fields and grazing lands in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  Dan Airola has studied Tricolored Blackbirds over the last decade in the valley and foothills to understand their population status, habitat requirements, future land use threats, and conservation management. He offers a conservation assessment addressing both the challenges of land use change and encouraging efforts to conserve the species.
Raised in Marin County, wildlife biologist and ornithologist Daniel Airola conducts research and conservation efforts for birds of concern in northern California. He is a member of the statewide Tricolored Blackbird Working Group and leads its Research Committee. Other research species include the Purple Martin, Yellow-billed Magpie, Swainson’s Hawk, and Osprey. His recent book on 30 years of Purple Martin research and management is available at cvbirds.org.Â
Lunar Viewing Event – Bahia
CA, United StatesFriday, June 10, 2022
8:30 -10:30 pm
With Ken George
No registration required!
Join Ken George, longtime member of San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, to share his homemade astronomical telescope to view the Moon at its optimal viewing angle and phase for the month. Ken has been giving free public night sky viewings for over 12 years at various locations in the North Bay Area, including Chabot Space and Science Center and many Marin Public Libraries. He also meets with fellow “Sidewalk Astronomers” on Mt. Tam once a month for free public star parties.
Directions:Â Exit 101N at Atherton/San Marin Dr (exit 463). At end of exit ramp, turn east (right) onto Atherton. In 0.8 miles, turn left onto Bugeia Ln. In approx. 1/2 mile, slight right onto Bahia Dr, continue approx.1 mile to stop sign. Turn right onto Topaz until near the end of the road. Meet at gate entrance across from Bahia Clubhouse.