News

San Francisco Bay Joint Venture honors Barbara Salzman

If you have ever participated in any stage of wetland restoration work in Marin County, you have surely met the one and only Barbara Salzman!  Barbara has been working in the field of conservation and advocating on behalf of wetlands and habitats threatened by...

Every bird matters!

While you're enjoying Marin's beautiful beaches this summer be on the lookout for sick or injured seabirds. June 30th was a bright sunny morning at Fort Baker and a happy day for 7 Brown Pelicans that volunteers returned to the ocean. The volunteers were working for...

Baby barn owl found at Deer Island in Novato died from rat poison

A baby Barn Owl found under a nest box at Deer Island in Novato died from rat poison. Source: California News Wire Services Link: http://patch.com/california/novato/owlet-dies-rat-poison-prompts-anti-rodenticide-campaign Document: Owlet Dies from Rat Poison.pdf

Marin beaches are some of the cleanest in the state

Good news: Marin beaches are some of the cleanest in the state, according to a report by the environmental group Heal the Bay. Those rated an A or A+ include: Dillon Beach, Shell Beach, Miller Park, Rodeo Beach, Stinson Beach, Heart's Desire, Lawson's Landing, Chicken...

The Birds of Point Reyes Peninsula checklist now available

A new checklist, The Birds of Point Reyes Peninsula, is now available. It documents the nearly 500 species recorded to date and they're in current taxonomic order. For each species, it includes seasonal bar graphs, status, and relative seasonal abundance. Excellent...

National Audubon has declared 2018 to be the Year of the Bird

National Audubon has declared 2018 to be the Year of the Bird. March's featured action: Grow Native Plants. Find out more at http://www.audubon.org/yearofthebird. Source: National Audubon Society Date: Mar 02, 2018 Author: Link: http://www.audubon.org/yearofthebird...

MAS Jr Birdwatcher Program Makes News

MAS Jr Birdwatcher Program Makes News Source: Ross Valley Reporter Date: Jun 24, 2010 Link: http://marinscope.com/articles/2010/06/24/ross_valley_reporter/news/doc4c2255645da1f816124810.txt

First condor nest in Pinnacles in 100 years

First condor nest in Pinnacles in 100 years Source: S F Chronicle Date: Mar 10, 2010 Author: Peter Fimrite Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/10/BAV01CD6K6.DTL&tsp=1

Wind turbines: ‘Eco-friendly’ – but not to eagles

Wind turbines: 'Eco-friendly' - but not to eagles Source: Telegraph - UK Date: Feb 26, 2010 Author: Christopher Booker Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/7437040/Eco-friendly-but-not-to-eagles.html

Wind Energy’s Ghosts

Wind Energy's Ghosts Source: American Thinker Date: Feb 15, 2010 Author: Andrew Walden Link: http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/02/wind_energys_ghosts_1.html

2010 Winter Wings Festival

2010 Winter Wings Festival Mark Your Calendar! Source: Klamath Basin Audubon Society Date: Jan 07, 2010 Author: Link: http://www.winterwingsfest.org/

Brown pelican removed from endangered species list

Brown pelican removed from endangered species list. A century-long effort to protect the bird is no longer necessary, federal officials say. Source: Los Angeles Times Date: Nov 12, 2009 Author: Jim Tankersley...

Field Trips

Apr 01

Nicasio / Tomales Bay – Birding in Marin – Season 8, Trip 4

APRIL 1 @ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 1st – 8:30 AM to mid-afternoon
With Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this field trip 
Registration for this trip is required. Registration opens Wednesday, March 22 at 8 AM. 

The rolling hills of central Marin are covered with pastures, horse ranches, forested ridges, homes, reservoirs and occupied by many interesting birds. We will look for them in and around Nicasio and along the nearby stream before heading three miles north to see what is on and around Nicasio Reservoir. This is Bob’s birding “patch” and he has found both Bald and Golden Eagles recently with a nice array of other birds in this vicinity.

We expect to travel the few miles to Point Reyes Station for a lunch break or picnic. In the after- noon we will explore the south end Tomales Bay. Then, as time allows, we can explore the eastern edge of Tomales Bay along Highway 1, which supports a winter population of thousands of ducks, geese and shorebirds. We might travel 10 miles north to see if an Eagle’s nest is having success. Heavy Rain cancels.

DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 101 in north San Rafael take Lucas Valley Rd west 10.3 miles then right turn onto Nicasio Valley Rd for 0.5 miles and park near the baseball field, the center of town. For GPS use 1 Old Rancheria Rd Nicasio, the address for the Rancho Nicasio Restaurant. Meet at ball field in Nicasio.

Apr 06

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Sanitary District (LGVSD) – San Rafael

APRIL 6 @ 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Thursday, April 6, 2023
8:30 to 11:30 AM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers 

All participants are welcome to join this trip. No registration required. 

Beginning birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas ponds. Join our friendly leaders as we search for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Bird enthusiasts of all levels help each other to find and identify the birds, and there are usually several experienced birders to assist. You don’t even have to arrive on time because we spend the first 30 – 60 minutes studying the birds around the first pond and the group is easy to find. 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 an outhouse in the parking area for public use. 

Apr 12

Rodeo Lagoon – Marin Headlands

APRIL 12 @ 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 – 7:30 AM to noon
Birding with William Legge & David Wiechers
Register HERE for this field trip

Registration is required for this trip. Registration opens April 2 at 8:00 AM.

With spring migration underway will be looking out for migrant wildfowl, shorebirds, grebes, loons 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 passerine migrants. Join us for a Sea Watch at 7:30 AM or arrive later at 8:30 AM for a circuit of the lagoon.

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. 

May 04

The Ponds at Las Gallinas Sanitary District (LGVSD) – San Rafael

MAY 4 @ 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Thursday, May 4, 2023
8:30 to 11:30 AM
Birding with Sande and Bob Chilvers 

All participants are welcome to join this trip. No registration required. 

Beginning birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas ponds. Join our friendly leaders as we search for waterfowl, waders, songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Bird enthusiasts of all levels help each other to find and identify the birds, and there are usually several experienced birders to assist. You don’t even have to arrive on time because we spend the first 30 – 60 minutes studying the birds around the first pond and the group is easy to find. 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 an outhouse in the parking area for public use. 

May 06

Mount Burdell / Stafford Lake or Rush Creek – Birding in Marin, Season 8, trip 5

MAY 6 @ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, May 6, 2023
8:30 AM to mid afternoon
Birding with Jim White and Bob Battagin
Register HERE for this field trip

Registration for this trip is required. Registration opens April 26 at 8:00 AM.

Join Jim and Bob for a field trip to the gentle slopes of Mount Burdell where we’ll listen to and observe the impressive variety of songbirds that make this area their springtime home. Species we might see include Lark Sparrow, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting and Grasshopper Sparrow, among may other possibilities. In the afternoon, we plan to continue birding at Stafford Lake or Rush Creek.

This will be a moderate hike with many opportunities to look at birds and spring wildflowers. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing. Bring water and snacks. We will meet at the end of San Andreas Drive in Novato.

DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 101 to Novato, exit at the San Marin Dr/Atherton Ave exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left (west) on San Marin Dr. Go approximately two miles and turn right on San Andreas Dr. Drive nearly to the end of the road and park on the street. No restrooms available.