Location: Novato, CA Trip Leader(s): Bob and Sande Chilvers Start Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020 Start Time: 8:30 AM End Time: 12:00 PM Description: Join us again at Pacheco Pond where we'll be watching for signs of resident breeding birds beginning the nesting season. There aren't many eBird reports from Pacheco Pond for this time of year, so help us fill in the gaps in our knowledge and compile a day list to be shared online. Pacheco Pond doesn’t have the glamour of many of our Marin birding locations, but it does have the distinction of being "the best publicly accessible freshwater'ish pond in Novato with adjacency to other bird-rich areas." (Thank you, Jack Gedney.) The area provides habitat for a variety of ducks, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Gallinule, Sora, and Virginia Rail. The adjacent non-native eucalyptus provides additional habitat for both songbirds, egrets, and a number of raptors including Peregrine Falcon. Thank you, Bob and Sande, for continuing as our competent and friendly guides on this popular monthly walk. We welcome bird enthusiasts of all levels and help each other to find and identify the birds. The area around Pacheco Pond is mostly flat, but we will be walking across some rocky, uneven surfaces. Dress in layers and bring binoculars, scopes, and water. Heavy rain cancels. DIRECTIONS: Take the Bel Marin Keys Blvd exit from Highway 101. Travel east on Bel Marin Keys Blvd for 2 miles passing through a commercial industrial section until arriving at a small parking area on the right, which faces the pond. We will meet in the parking area and walk to the trail a short distance up the road.

Location: Novato, CA Trip Leader(s): Bob Atwood Start Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Start Time: 9:00 AM End Time: 12:00 PM Description: Located west of Novato, Stafford Lake is a beautiful but less birded area that is productive for waterfowl and raptors. Approximately 172 species of birds have been spotted at Stafford Lake throughout the years with our group likely to see a considerable variety of the resident as well as wintering birds. The county park has facilities and plenty of parking. The mostly level terrain and water views make for pleasant birding as we walk around a portion of the lake and the surrounding area. Heavy rain cancels. DIRECTIONS: From Highway 101 in Novato, take the exit for San Marin Drive west 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Novato Blvd. and follow for 2.6 miles. The park is on the left. Turn left after the gatehouse and travel to the parking lot. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle. If you have a Marin County library card, you can check out a free library park pass from any Marin County Free Library.