Field Trips
Marin Audubon Field Trips are open to the public. Bring lunch, field guide, and binoculars.
Information & Questions:
(415) 299-2514
Currently scheduled upcoming field trips are listed here by date in ascending order (i.e., soonest first). For a complete list of past and currently scheduled field trips click here.
Thursday Morning Walk at Las Gallinas
Location: Las Gallinas Storage Ponds
Trip Leader: Susan Kelly and Friends
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Description: Beginner birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds at McInnis Park. There is always something interesting to see and over 100 species have been reported over the course of a year. Winter is a busy time at the ponds and provides an opportunity to study ducks and geese. Hawks are frequent and we see the graceful Northern Harrier on virtually every trip. This is great way to start learning the raptors, waterfowl, and other groups, as well as getting tips on optics, birding books, and birding etiquette. Directions: From Highway 101 take the Smith Ranch Road exit; go east toward the McInnis Park entrance. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks and go the end of the road to the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds parking lot. Meet the group by the bridge just past the parking lot. The walk starts at 8:30 but late arrivals should easily be able to find the group.
Sacramento Delta Boat Trip
Location: Antioch Marina and California Delta
Trip Leader: David Wimpfheimer
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Sunday, February 5, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 4:30 PM
Description: Join us (on Superbowl Sunday) aboard Dolphin Charters' Delphinus 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 Delphinus 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 uncommon species such as Swainson's Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and Great Horned Owl. Large numbers of shorebirds, Sandhill Crane, Tundra Swan, Snow, Canada and White-fronted Geese, ducks, as well as gulls, terns, bitterns and passerines make the cruise a highlight for birders. We also will learn about the history, ecology and politics of the levees and the Delta as we travel through its meandering channels. The trip is limited to 25 participants and the cost is $95. This trip is full. Please contact Vicky Van Meter if you wish to be on the wait list.
Capay Valley Birding
Location: Capay Valley
Trip Leader: Terry Colborn
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: [not specified]
Description: Join Terry Colborn for a delightful day in picturesque Capay Valley. As the harbinger of the coming spring season, the almond orchards should be at peak bloom. Our stops will include historic Capay Cemetery, Cache Creek and several favorite birding spots in idyllic Capay Valley. We'll look for Yellow-billed Magpie, Lewis' Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Phainopepla, Western Bluebirds and resident raptors, as well as any lingering wintering raptors. We also hope to see some early spring arrivals such as Barn and Violet-green Swallows, Lawrence's Goldfinch, and perhaps a warbler species or two. Past trips have produced Golden and Bald Eagles, Western Kingbird and Prairie Falcon. We should also see some early spring wildflowers along with Redbud, that very conspicuous flowering shrub along the roadside. Terry will meet everyone at Community Park in Esparto at 8:30am. Participants who wish to may want carpool from there. Directions to Esparto: From Marin County, take Hwy 37 east to Vallejo then go east on I-80; just past the new Nut Tree Center take I-505. Travel I-505 north for about 20 miles to the Route 16 exit and turn left (west). Esparto is located about 4 miles west on Route 16 - the park is in the center of town. Driving time is about 1 1/2 hrs but allow a little extra time, as there may be early morning fog. Bring lunch, liquids and dress in layers and wear sturdy footwear, as we will do a little walking. Heavy rain cancels. For more information contact Terry at: (916) 705-8991 or www.tlcbirding.com .
Thursday Morning Walk
Location: Las Gallinas Storage Ponds
Trip Leader: Susan Kelly and friends
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Thursday, March 1, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Description: Beginner birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds at McInnis Park. There is always something interesting to see and over 100 species have been reported over the course of a year. Late winter is a busy time at the ponds and provides an opportunity to study ducks and geese. Hawks are frequent and we see the graceful Northern Harrier on virtually every trip. This is great way to start learning the raptors, waterfowl, and other groups, as well as getting tips on optics, birding books, and birding etiquette. Directions: From Highway 101 take the Smith Ranch Road exit; go east toward the McInnis Park entrance. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks and go the end of the road to the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds parking lot. Meet the group by the bridge just past the parking lot. The walk starts at 8:30 but late arrivals should easily be able to find the group.
Del Valle Regional Park
Location: Livermore
Trip Leader: Rich Cimino
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 2:00 PM
Description: Join Rich Cimino to explore Del Valle Park in the East Bay, 10 miles south of Livermore. Rich has been birding this area for 35 years and is active in many environmental groups, particularly in the East Bay. Rich is an enthusiastic teacher and leads birding trips throughout the West through Yellow Billed Tours. This will be a walking birding trip on mostly flat surfaces. We will bird several habitats, including lake, shoreline, cattail swamp and oak woodlands. Yellow-billed Magpie frequent this area. Bring lunch, fluids, scopes, and layered clothing. Rain cancels trip. Directions: Del Valle Regional Park is located on Del Valle Road off Mines Road south of Livermore ($6.00 per vehicle parking fee). Exit I-580 eastbound or westbound in Livermore at North Livermore Avenue. Head south and proceed through town (North Livermore Avenue will become South Livermore Avenue in town). About 1.5 miles outside town, turn right at Mines Road, go about 3.5 miles and continue straight on Del Valle Road (Mines Road turns left). The park entrance is about four miles ahead. We will meet in the Eagle View Group Camp parking area just beyond the entry kiosk. To find us in case of late arrival, call Rich on his cell at 925-353-0266. WWW.EBPARKS.ORG/PARKS/DELVALLE
Hudeman Slough
Location: Hudeman Slough, Sonoma
Trip Leader: Murray Berner
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Start Time: 8:00 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Description: Murray Berner will be our guide at Hudeman Slough in southeastern Sonoma Co. Murray leads a weekly field trip for Napa-Solano Audubon and is the primary author of the Napa Breeding Bird Atlas. His current primary interest is songbird migration. Hudeman Slough is a unit of the Sonoma Wetland Enhancement Project. The flooded freshwater lowlands attract waterfowl and shorebirds. Eurasian Wigeon is here most winters and a Ruff was present in December 2011. With sufficient rain, several thousand ducks are present. By mid-morning, raptors are aloft, including Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle and various falcons. Harriers and kites will be courting. Songbirds include those typical of North Bay tidal marsh plus Loggerhead Shrike and lots of wintering sparrows. River otter is common. A 2.5 mile levee loop trail provides access. Be at the parking lot at 8:00 AM. Directions: Hudeman Slough access is off Ramal Rd between Skaggs Island Rd and Hwy 12. To get to Ramal Road from Marin, take 101 North to 37 East (toward Vallejo), then at the big Infineon Raceway sign, take a left onto 121 N/Carneros Highway. Follow 121 for about 8 or 9 miles. You will pass the Fremont Diner on your left and then Ramal Road will be on your immediate right. Continue on Ramal Road for about 2 miles. The gravel parking area is adjacent to a large open hay barn on the south side of the road. There are no bathroom facilities at Hudeman. Allow about 30-40 minutes from north Marin. http://www.sonomahikingtrails.com/parks/hudeman-slough-wetlands/
Silently Seeking Songbirds: Practicing the Art of Listening
Location: Mt Burdell, Novato
Trip Leader: Susan Kelly and Marian Porter
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Start Time: 7:30 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Description: Join Susan Kelly and Marian Porter on Mt. Burdell to listen to spring bird songs. Serious birders know that silence is essential to locating and observing spring songbirds. This trip, limited to the first 15 who sign up, will take us up the gentle slopes of Mt. Burdell where we'll listen to and observe the impressive variety of nesting songbirds that make this area their summertime home. Birds we hope to find include Bullock's Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Kingbird and Lark Sparrow. We'll visit with each other at the beginning of the trip, but otherwise we'll practice silence to better find and appreciate the birds we're seeing and hearing. Marian is a professional biologist from Vancouver, Canada. She has worked on bird surveys for the Canadian government and waterfowl surveys for Ducks Unlimited. Marian was an area leader for our Southern Marin CBC last year and for many years was an area leader for CBCs in the Vancouver area. Susan has been birding for several years and is the co-compiler for Marin Audubon's two Christmas Bird Counts. Bring comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, water and snacks. To sign up and to receive directions, please contact Susan Kelly at S.Kelly@sbcglobal.net.
Las Gallinas Storage Ponds Thursday Morning Walk
Location: Las Gallinas Storage Ponds
Trip Leader: Susan Kelly and Friends
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Thursday, April 5, 2012
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Description: Beginner birders are especially welcome on the first Thursday of each month for a leisurely walk around the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds at McInnis Park. There is always something interesting to see and over 100 species have been reported over the course of a year. Spring is a busy time at the ponds and provides an opportunity to study ducks and geese. Hawks are frequent and we see the graceful Northern Harrier on virtually every trip. This is great way to start learning the raptors, waterfowl, and other groups, as well as getting tips on optics, birding books, and birding etiquette. Directions: From Highway 101 take the Smith Ranch Road exit; go east toward the McInnis Park entrance. Turn left immediately after crossing the railroad tracks and go the end of the road to the Las Gallinas Storage Ponds parking lot. Meet the group by the bridge just past the parking lot. The walk starts at 8:30 but late arrivals should easily be able to find the group
Mines Road/Del Puerto Canyon
Location: Mines Road/Del Puerto Canyon
Trip Leader: Terry Colborn
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012
Start Time: [not specified]
End Time: [not specified]