January 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

Saturday Jan. 15, 2022
9:00 AM to noon
With Bryan Flaig 

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. 

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.