Speaker: Rich Cimino
Host: Douglas Waterman
Thursday, January 13^th
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.

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.