Location: Boat leaves from and returns to the Anioch Marina Trip Leader(s): David Wimpfheimer Start Date: Sunday, February 2, 2020 Start Time: 8:15 AM End Time: 4:30 PM Description: 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. 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. The cost will be $110 per person for Marin Audubon Chapter Supporting Members and $145 for all others. If you are not yet a Marin Audubon Chapter Supporting Member, please sign up now at www.marinaudubon.org to enjoy the reduced cost of this trip. Online registration is now closed. If you wish to be placed on a wait list, contact Jeanine Starritt at . Include the name, email address and phone number of each possible participant. Those confirmed on the trip will receive directions to the Antioch Marina and other instructions the week before the trip.

Location: Point Reyes National Seashore Trip Leader(s): Derek Lecy & Bob Atwood Start Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020 Start Time: 9:00 AM End Time: 12:00 PM Description: Start the day with Derek and Bob at Kehoe Beach followed by a midday caravan to McClures Beach. The coastal California subspecies of White-crowned Sparrow (Z. I. nuttalli) start to sing more vigorously in January, so we should be able to hear them well as we walk through the coastal scrub habitat to these beaches. Other species on our way to the beaches include Wrentit, Peregrine Falcon, and other raptors such as Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, and with luck, a Bald Eagle. On the beaches, a search of the gull flocks should be fun, and a good variety of wintering gulls is expected. We will take a long look out at sea as well in an attempt to try and find all three species of scoter–Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, and Surf Scoter. Both beaches can be one of the more reliable places in the county to encounter Black Scoter. We will keep our eyes open for a Harlequin Duck or any alcids flying out on the ocean as well. Participants should wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and warm clothing. Light rain or fog is a strong possibility. Expect to walk a quarter mile to each beach with a total of 2 miles of hiking on this trip. Bring lunch as we will break between locations for a quick lunch. High tide looks to be around 11 AM, which may impact our beach access at McClures (which we visit second), but we can always scope from above the beach or figure something out. Bring a scope if you have one. Heavy rain cancels. Directions: We will meet at the Kehoe Beach Parking area. From San Anselmo, take Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Olema. From Olema, continue north on Hwy 1 (SFDB), take the second left turn (SFDB west), continue through Inverness, turn right (north) onto Pierce Point Road, and drive approximately 4.6 miles to Kehoe Beach.