Marin Audubon Society

Farallon Islands Boat Trip - From Clipper Yacht Harbor, Sausalito
2025-10-26 08:30 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Farallon Islands Boat Trip – From Clipper Yacht Harbor, Sausalito
Sunday, October 26, 2025
8:30 AM to 4 PM
With David Wimpfheimer
Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens on September 14 at 8:00 AM.
REGISTER HERE
A waitlist will open if the trip sells out. Add your name to the list by clicking Contact Organizer prompt on the ticketing page.
Join us for a day of seabird and marine mammal watching as we head out to the Farallon Islands and offshore waters. Naturalist David Wimpfheimer will be our guide aboard Captain Christian’s power catamaran, Outer Limits. When we last did this cruise, sightings included Humpback Whales, Laysan and Black-footed Albatross, Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros and Cassin’s Auklets, shearwaters and jaegers. We will get a close-up look at the islands and hear about their interesting natural and human history. This is a trip that both experienced and first-time birders and nature lovers enjoy.
A rain jacket and pants are recommended no matter what the weather on shore. If you get seasick easily, this is not the trip for you. We will be on the boat all day.
Rescheduling might be necessary at the last minute due to sea conditions.
The trip costs $165. A waitlist will open if the trip sells out. Add your name to the list by clicking Contact Organizer prompt on the ticketing page.
If you cancel your registration by October 20 and we can fill your spot with someone else on the waitlist, you will be reimbursed, minus a small transaction fee, unless you would like to convert your registration fee into a tax-deductible donation to MAS.
DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 101 to the Marin City/Sausalito exit, head south on Bridgeway. Turn left at Mollie Stone’s onto Harbor Drive and proceed to the parking area at the end. We will meet on the south side of the parking lot to check in before boarding. Plan to arrive by 8:30 AM for check-in and instructions.

Las Gallinas & Hamilton Wetlands
2025-11-01 08:30 - 15:00
Birding in Marin, Season 10 – Trip 11
Saturday, November 1, 2025
8:30 AM to mid afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this Field Trip
Registration required. Registration opens at 8 AM on October 22
Join Jim and Bob on an easy, birdy walk of 1.5 miles around the Las Gallinas ponds where we are likely to see 10 species of ducks, five of herons, five of raptors, five of sparrows and some rails like Ridgway’s, Sora, and Virginia with Gallinules, coots, swans and geese!
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.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 0.5 miles, immediately after crossing the RR tracks, left turn and follow the road another 0.5 mile 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 Dr and turn right. Go east to Hanger Ave and park along the levee behind Hanger 7.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2025-11-06 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, November 6, 2025
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
On this trip we especially welcome beginning birders to join Mark Clark, along with bird enthusiasts of all levels, on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, rails and swallows. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. Heavy rain cancels. There is a portable restroom in the parking area for public use.
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.

Motus Wildlife Tracking System
2025-11-13 19:00 - 21:00
Thursday, November 13
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Speaker: Kianna Leung
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (‘Motus’) is an international collaborative research network that uses automated radio telemetry to study the movements of birds, bats, and insects. Motus, meaning “movement” in Latin, uses coordinated arrays of receiver stations that detect animals carrying miniaturized radio transmitters, enabling researchers to simultaneously track hundreds of individuals at local to hemispheric scales. Developed as a program of Birds Canada, Motus provides key insights into animal movement and behavior that are fundamental to wildlife conservation and habitat management. This presentation will provide an overview of the Motus system and its research applications.
Speaker Bio:
Kianna Leung is a Motus Technician with Birds Canada and is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is currently working to support the growth of the Motus network in Western Canada and has assisted with the development and implementation of Motus-based research projects across northern British Columbia. Since joining the BC Motus team in 2022, Kianna has had the pleasure of collaborating on projects focusing on White-throated Sparrows and Bank Swallows.

Bothin Marsh Preserve - Mill Valley
2025-11-21 08:00 - 11:00
Friday, November 21, 2025
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Birding with Michelle Muir
Register HERE for this Field Trip
Registration required. Registration opens at 8 AM on November 11
Michelle Muir along with Rich Cimino welcome beginning birders, and bird enthusiasts of all levels, on a walk through the Bothin Marsh Preserve. Enjoy scenic bay views as we look for early winter waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and an occasional raptor. Some that we hope to see include American Wigeons, Green-winged Teal, Buffleheads, Black-necked Stilts, Greater Yellowlegs, Egrets and a several species of gulls and sandpipers. This will be a 3 mile relatively flat and easy to navigate walk, primarily on the Mill Valley-Sausalito Multiuse Pathway with a few dirt path detours. We will meet at the entrance to the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, near the flagpole circle. Restrooms are available at the Sewage Agency, about 15 minutes into our walk, and at the Community Center at the end of our walk.
Heavy rain cancels, with a rescheduled date of Friday, December 5, 2025. Participants will be notified of cancellation via email by 6:30 am the morning of the walk.
Directions: From Hwy 101, take exit 447 toward Blithedale Ave. Continue on Blithedale for about .7 miles and turn left at Camino Alto to the Mill Valley Community Center.

Rodeo Lagoon and Marin Headlands
2025-11-26 07:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
7:30/8:15 AM to noon **Please note below start times for this field trip
Birding with William Legge and David Wiechers
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens on Sunday, November 16 at 8 AM.
Join William and David for this fifth fall migration field trip at Rodeo Lagoon. This is their long-time “patch,” which never seems to disappoint birders with daily variations in species and a good chance of an unusual sighting. On this trip, our group will be targeting scarcer passerines and other mid-fall migrants. We will begin the morning with a Sea Watch from Rodeo Beach at 7:30 AM. Those arriving later may join us at 8:15 AM for a circuit of the lagoon. A brief mid-morning ‘coffee-stop’ is planned at Headlands Center for the Arts and it would be appreciated if participants come willing to contribute via the onsite ‘tip-jar’ as a thank you to the Headlands Center for the Arts for accommodating our group. This field trip is less suitable for beginners.
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.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2025-12-04 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, December 4, 2025
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
On this trip we especially welcome beginning birders to join Mark Clark, along with bird enthusiasts of all levels, on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, rails and swallows. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. Heavy rain cancels. There is a portable restroom in the parking area for public use.
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.

Bahia, Horseshoe Pond and Rush Creek
2025-12-06 08:30 - 15:00
Birding in Marin, Season 10 – Trip 12
Saturday, December 6, 2025
8:30 AM to mid afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this field trip
Registration is required and opens November 26 at 8 AM
MAS acquired and restored to tidal action the diked bay lands around the residential Bahia neighborhood. As the ebbing tide exposes the mudflats thousands of shorebirds now descend to feed, while on the flood tide hundreds of ducks and some gulls float, forage and loaf about. The oak-wooded ridge stretching from Hwy 101 to Bahia, also saved from development by MAS, holds Oak Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, Hutton’s Vireo, at least four woodpecker species and many sparrows in the winter.
Horseshoe Pond (Homeowners Lagoon) at the southeast end of Topaz is a great place to look for wintering ducks. Goldeneyes, Scaup, Canvasbacks, Buffleheads, and Mergansers seem to like it and it has been Marin’s best place for Barrow’s Goldeneyes the last few years.
After lunch we plan to look at the nearby Rush Creek area from the Airport Rd which parallels Hwy 101 north of Atherton.
DIRECTIONS: From 101 in north Novato take Atherton Avenue east, take the Y left onto Bugeia which becomes Bahia Drive, near the end at the bottom of the hill take a right onto Topaz, follow Topaz to its end and park.

Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve
2025-12-07 08:30 - 12:00
Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve
Sunday, December 7, 2025
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Birding with Lisa Hug
Register HERE
Registration is required. Registration opens November 26 at 8 AM.
This field trip is an eBird workshop for those participating in the Christmas Bird Count in Southern Marin County. We will walk the Corte Madera Marsh Ecological Reserve starting at the Marin Audubon Society site Lookout. The walk is level and easy. We will be making observations using eBird. We will see waterfowl and shorebirds in the estuary as well as upland suburban residents. Experienced birders and Christmas Bird Count Leaders as well as eBird newbies can enjoy counting and compiling together in an informal and fun setting.
Directions: From 101 North, take Lucky Drive Exit to Wornum, turn left on Tamal Vista Blvd and left on Madera Blvd. Go under freeway and take a left on Redwood Highway and turn right into the Trader Joe’s /World Market mall. Stay to the right and park behind World Market.
From 101 South take the Corte Madera exit left over the freeway on Tamalpais Dr. Take a left on Redwood Blvd. and Right into the World Market Mall, staying right and parking behind. Meet in the parking lot.

Elephant Seals at Point Reyes: 45 Years and Still Growing Strong
2025-12-11 19:00 - 21:00
Thursday, December 11
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Speaker: Dr. Sarah Allen
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
Elephant seals were hunted to extinction at Point Reyes over 150 years ago, but in 1980, the colony recolonized the Point and gradually spread throughout the peninsula. Younger colonies may exhibit novel behaviors such as male altruism and adaptations to changes in climate. Marine protected areas such as national seashores and marine sanctuaries are critical to the recovery and persistence of species and ecosystems.
Speaker Bio:
Sarah Allen grew up in Marin County where she learned and has a passion for conservation. Sarah received her M.S. and Ph.D. studying marine birds and mammals from UC Berkeley and retired after 26 years as an employee of the National Park Service (NPS), 15 years of which were at Point Reyes National Seashore and then as Science Program Lead for the Pacific Region. She previously worked for 15 years with Point Reyes Bird Observatory. She has authored and co-authored publications, including the UC Press, Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast: Baja, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia. Sarah lives with her husband in Inverness, California.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2026-01-01 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, January 1, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, to join leader Mark Clark on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds and raptors. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. 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 a portable restroon in the parking area for public use.

Dragonflies
2026-01-08 19:00 - 21:00
Thursday, January 8
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Speakers: Kathy Biggs and Sandra von Arb
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
Learn about the colorful and interesting Dragonflies and their unique biology with enthusiast Kathy Biggs and field biologist Sandra von Arb. These co-authors of Dragonflies (Anisoptera) of California will teach about the 47 species that occur here, how to identify them and present what the Dragonflies need for survival, where to find them and their migratory habits. Seeing these colorful beauties on your screen will be a delight.
Speaker Bios:
Kathy Biggs has been a nature lover all her life. When she built a wildlife pond in the backyard in 1996, dragonflies arrived and she found her true passion. Wanting to share her passion, she developed websites for her wildlife ponds, and those matured into her authoring California’s first Dragonfly Guide, Common Dragonflies of California, as well as other publications.
She manages the eGroup CalOdes and is a member of several other Odonate groups, and tracks flight data and distribution for California and the greater southwest.
Sandra von Arb has been a professional wildlife biologist for 30 years, focusing on sensitive and endangered species in northern California, southern Oregon, and northern Illinois. She is a co-founder of Biodiversity Education and Research Foundation, whose mission is to foster ecological stewardship through science and education.

Skaggs Island Road
2026-01-16 10:00 - 14:00
Friday, January 16, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Birding with Daniel Edelstein
Register HERE for this Field Trip
Registration required. Registration opens January 6 at 8 AM.
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 Island Road.
Please be careful turning into this road when coming from Marin County. 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).

Corte Madera Marsh
2026-01-22 09:00 - 12:00
Corte Madera Marsh
Thursday, January 22, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Birding with Michelle Muir and Rich Cimino
Register HERE
Limit of 15 participants for this trip.

Registration is required. Registration opens January 12 at 8 AM.

This trip is perfect for both beginning birders looking to learn how to identify waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as experienced birders interested in honing their skills. We will explore the Corte Madera Ecological Reserve. Much of the area has undergone extensive restoration for rare and endangered saltmarsh species. On this field trip, we will walk the Reserve starting at the Marin Audubon Society site lookout. The walk is level and easy, about two miles.
Dress with warm layers, and bring binoculars, scopes, snacks and water. In case of rain, participants will receive an email by 7:00am the morning of the field trip informing them of cancellation. There are restrooms at nearby stores, though no public restrooms on the walk.
DIRECTIONS: Corte Madera Marsh 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.

Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park - San Rafael
2026-02-01 12:00 - 14:00
Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park – San Rafael
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Noon – 2:00 PM
Birding with Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle
No registration required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
Jean and John Starkweather Shoreline Park is a narrow strip of parkland in east San Rafael that stretches for 2 miles along the Bayshore and freshwater ponds. We will walk a section of the Bay Trail that travels the edge of the park, including two ponds, and will be provided with plentiful birdwatching of wintering diving ducks, dabbling ducks, wetland waders, peeps, shorebirds and possible rail.
Directions: Meet in the Target parking lot, 125 Shoreline Parkway, at the southeast corner close to the pond vista point. Bring your scope. Rain at any level cancels.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2026-02-05 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, February 5, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, to join leader Mark Clark on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds and raptors. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. 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 a portable restroon in the parking area for public use.

Winter Birds of the Delta - Boat Trip
2026-02-08 08:30 - 16:00
Sunday, February 8, 2026
8:40 AM to 4:00 PM
Birding with David Wimpfheimer
Register HERE for the Boat Trip
Registration for this trip opens January 6 at 8 AM.
The trip costs $130. Limit of 25 participants for this trip.
This popular cruise is a winter highlight for birders and provides a specialized look at the richness and history of the California Delta. After meeting at 8:40 for sign in and instructions, we’ll depart from the Antioch Marina at 9 AM
As we head east, we enter sloughs and waterways with views out over the flooded agricultural fields that provide a refuge for flocks of geese, ducks, swans and shorebirds that nest in the north but winter here. Well known birder and naturalist David Wimpfheimer will provide commentary and captain Ronn Patterson will fill in bits about the history of the delta.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate is provided, bring lunch and snacks. As bad weather can cancel as with any winter trip, there is an inclement weather date set for February 22. Light rain will not cancel.
Waitlist: A waitlist will open if the trip sells out. Add your name to the list by clicking Contact Organizer prompt.
Cancellation: If you cancel your registration before February 1 and we can fill your spot with someone else on the waitlist, you will be reimbursed, unless you would like to convert your registration fee into a tax-deductible donation to MAS.
Directions: Approximately one week prior to the trip, ticketholders will receive instructions and directions to the Antioch Marina, where the trip begins and ends.

Phalaropes in the Big City: Can Human Habitats Help Save the Birds of America's Saline Lakes?
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00
Phalaropes in the Big City: Can Human Habitats Help Save the Birds of America’s Saline Lakes?
Thursday, February 12
7:00-9:00 PM
Speaker: Nathan Van Schmidt
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
Wilson’s Phalaropes and Red-necked Phalaropes are exceptionally unique shorebirds that specialize in hypersaline habitats. Nathan will discuss the challenges facing phalaropes within the San Francisco Bay and across their intercontinental migration. He will discuss monitoring data within the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, how saline lakes like California’s Mono Lake have declined under the pressure of unstainable water withdrawal and climate change and key research questions and next steps that the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) plans to address these conservation science needs.
Speaker Bio:
Nathan Van Schmidt is the Director of Regional Strategies at SFBBO. He obtained his B.S. from University of Wisconsin – Madison and his Ph.D. at U.C. Berkeley. He currently leads monitoring and research on non-breeding waterbird guilds, colonial waterbird breeding activity, waterbird disease and abatement research, and is the Lead Author of the Central Coast Regional Report for California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment.
Photo Credit: Don Dvorak

Hamilton Wetlands - Novato
2026-02-20 08:30 - 12:00
Friday, February 20, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with David Sexton and Matt Keller
No registration required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
Birders of all experience levels are welcome to join us for an exciting morning at Hamilton Wetlands with Point Blue Conservation Science! Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available. We recommend bringing your own pair of binoculars, water, sun protection, layers of clothing, and comfortable walking shoes. We will be on a wide, flat compacted dirt/gravel levee. A fully accessible bathroom will be available at the start and end of the event.
Directions: meet at Point Blue’s Novato Baylands native plant nursery at 737 Aberdeen Road, Novato, CA. From Hwy 101, take exit 458 to merge onto Nave Dr toward Hamilton Field. Turn right onto Hamilton Pkwy. Turn left through an open gate onto Aberdeen Rd, then keep to the right at the fork to proceed to the nursery.

Rodeo Lagoon - Marin Headlands
2026-02-25 07:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
7:30/8:00 AM to noon **Please note below start times for this field trip
Birding with William Legge and David Wiechers
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens on Sunday, February 15 at 8 AM.
Limit of 15 participants for this trip.
With early spring migration underway will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, grebes, loons, gulls, 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 late winter and early summer passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:00 AM for a circuit of the lagoon. A brief mid-morning ‘coffee-stop’ is planned at Headlands Center for the Arts and it would be appreciated if participants come willing to contribute via the onsite ‘tip-jar’ as a thank you to the Headlands Center for the Arts for accommodating our group. This field trip is less suitable for beginners.
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 signal light. Proceed through the tunnel on Bunker Road to the Rodeo Lagoon Parking Lot at the end and meet by the bridge over the channel to the beach.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2026-03-05 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, March 5, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, to join leader Mark Clark on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors and swallows. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. 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 a portable restroon in the parking area for public use.

Bluebirds in the 21st Century
2026-03-12 19:00 - 21:00
Bluebirds in the 21st Century
Thursday, March 12
Speakers: Georgette Howington and Mike Azevedo
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
Throughout history, the bluebird has been iconic in many cultures, inspiring art, music, poetry, songs and mythology. Tonight, we invite you to learn about bluebirds and how they are an indicator of ecosystem health, as well as their important place in the ecosystem, where they are incredibly effective at controlling insect populations. Also, we will discuss how conservation efforts such as nest box programs have stabilized their populations in North America.
Speaker Bios:
Georgette Howington is State Co-Director of the California Bluebird Recovery Program and has been a nest box monitor for 25 nesting seasons. She is a certified Horticulturist and UC Davis Naturalist of the Mt. Diablo Region. Her affiliation as a conservationist includes membership in Mt. Diablo Bird Alliance.
Mike Azevedo is co-director for the California Bluebird Recovery Program. Mike has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management and has been a wildlife enthusiast for four decades, serving as a naturalist and park ranger. He works with several Audubon Societies in the South Bay.
Photo Credit: Rajesh Ramani

Rodeo Lagoon - Marin Headlands
2026-03-25 07:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
7:30/8:00 AM to noon **Please note below start times for this field trip
Birding with William Legge and David Wiechers
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens on Sunday, March 15 at 8 AM.
Limit of 15 participants for this trip.
With early spring migration underway will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, grebes, loons, gulls, 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 late winter and early summer passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:00 AM for a circuit of the lagoon. A brief mid-morning ‘coffee-stop’ is planned at Headlands Center for the Arts and it would be appreciated if participants come willing to contribute via the onsite ‘tip-jar’ as a thank you to the Headlands Center for the Arts for accommodating our group. This field trip is less suitable for beginners.
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 signal light. Proceed through the tunnel on Bunker Road to the Rodeo Lagoon Parking Lot at the end and meet by the bridge over the channel to the beach.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2026-04-02 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, April 2, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, to join leader Mark Clark on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors and swallows. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. 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 a portable restroon in the parking area for public use.

Birds, Plants and Wildflowers of Mt. Burdell
2026-04-02 08:30 - 13:30
Thursday, April 2, 2026
8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Birding with David Edelson and Michelle Muir
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required. Registration opens Monday, March 23 at 8 AM.
Limit of 15 participants for this trip
On this moderate 4-mile hike, we will look and listen for birds, and also stop to appreciate native plants and habitat, particularly wildflowers which should be in abundant bloom.
Mount Burdell, a Marin County Open Space Preserve located just west of Novato, is a hotspot of plant and avian diversity, with diverse oak woodlands, grasslands, serpentine outcrops and a vernal pool (Hidden Lake). Some of the birds we’ll hope to see include spring migrants like orange-crowned warblers, house wrens, lark sparrows, and Bullock’s orioles, as well as year-round residents like oak titmice, Bewick’s wrens, western bluebirds, and multiple species of woodpeckers. This trip is suitable for all levels of birders and plant enthusiasts.
We’ll meet at the San Andreas trailhead. To get there, exit Highway 101 at San Marin Drive, go west approximately 2.5 miles, turn right (north) on San Andreas Drive and go roughly .6 mile to the trailhead. There is parking along the road but no bathrooms or water. We are planning a 4-mile hike which includes some uphill and/or rocky sections where hiking poles might be useful. We recommend hiking shoes or trail shoes with good traction. Please bring lunch/snacks, ample water, sunscreen, a hat, and of course binoculars.

Adelie Penguins: Their Past, Present and Future in a Changing Antarctica
2026-04-09 19:00 - 21:00
Adelie Penguins: Their Past, Present and Future in a Changing Antarctica
Thursday, April 9
Speaker: Grant Ballard
Event is free. Register HERE for this speaker series.
Topic:
Point Blue Conservation Science has monitored the Adelie penguins of Antarctica for decades, witnessing firsthand the profound effects of climate change, including the recent, rapid decline in Ross Sea ice that is now threatening their survival. Grant will share recent research made possible by their advanced technology and extensive, multi-decade datasets, including new findings into the evolutionary past of penguins, and will show how comparing their ancient history with their current condition and challenges can teach us about the unique and globally important Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Speaker Bio:
Grant joined Point Blue as a volunteer in 1991 and is currently Chief Science Officer, responsible for overall leadership and coordination of Point Blue’s scientific activities. He has a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland and a BA in English from Cornell University and has expertise in evaluating climate change impacts on wildlife and human populations.
Photo Credit: Annie Schmidt

Dominican University - San Rafael
2026-04-15 08:30 - 11:30
Wednesday April 15, 2026
8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Birding with Rich Cimino and Janet Bodle
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required. Registration opens on April 5 at 8 AM.
Limit of 12 participants for this trip.
Spring migration birding on the Dominican University grounds will take us to riparian, sycamore and oak habitat. Species we hope to see might be, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin Viero as well resident birds.
Address for Dominican University is 50 Acacia Ave in San Rafael – meet at the free visitors parking lot at the intersection of Grand and Acacia avenues (the Conlan Center lot).

Rodeo Lagoon - Marin Headlands
2026-04-22 07:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
7:30/8:00 AM to noon **Please note below start times for this field trip
Birding with William Legge and David Wiechers
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens on Sunday, April 12 at 8 AM.
Limit of 15 participants for this trip.
With early spring migration underway we will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, grebes, loons, gulls, 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 late winter and early summer passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:00 AM for a circuit of the lagoon. A brief mid-morning ‘coffee-stop’ is planned at Headlands Center for the Arts and it would be appreciated if participants come willing to contribute via the onsite ‘tip-jar’ as a thank you to the Headlands Center for the Arts for accommodating our group. This field trip is less suitable for beginners.
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 signal light. Proceed through the tunnel on Bunker Road to the Rodeo Lagoon Parking Lot at the end and meet by the bridge over the channel to the beach.

The Ponds at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) - San Rafael
2026-05-07 08:30 - 12:00
Thursday, May 7, 2026
8:30 AM to noon
Birding with Mark Clark
Registration is not required. All participants are welcome to join this trip.
We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels, especially beginning birders, to join leader Mark Clark on our monthly walk around the ponds at Las Gallinas. On our search we’ll be looking for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors and swallows. We are likely to spot some interesting species, so come assist in our search.
The packed dirt paths around the ponds are wide, flat and easy to navigate. 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 a portable restroon in the parking area for public use.

Birds, Plants and Wildflowers of Mt. Burdell
2026-05-12 08:00 - 13:30
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Birding with David Edelson and Michelle Muir
REGISTER HERE
Registration is required. Registration opens Saturday, May 2 at 8 AM.
Limit of 15 participants for this trip
On this moderate 4-mile hike, we will look and listen for birds, and also stop to appreciate native plants and habitat, particularly wildflowers which should be in abundant bloom.
Mount Burdell, a Marin County Open Space Preserve located just west of Novato, is a hotspot of plant and avian diversity, with diverse oak woodlands, grasslands, serpentine outcrops and a vernal pool (Hidden Lake). Some of the birds we’ll hope to see include spring migrants like orange-crowned warblers, house wrens, lark sparrows, and Bullock’s orioles, as well as year-round residents like oak titmice, Bewick’s wrens, western bluebirds, and multiple species of woodpeckers. This trip is suitable for all levels of birders and plant enthusiasts.
We’ll meet at the San Andreas trailhead. To get there, exit Highway 101 at San Marin Drive, go west approximately 2.5 miles, turn right (north) on San Andreas Drive and go roughly .6 mile to the trailhead. There is parking along the road but no bathrooms or water. We are planning a 4-mile hike which includes some uphill and/or rocky sections where hiking poles might be useful. We recommend hiking shoes or trail shoes with good traction. Please bring lunch/snacks, ample water, sunscreen, a hat, and of course binoculars.
