Shorebirds at Shollenberger Park Wetlands, Petaluma
2019-10-12 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Shollenberger Park, Petaluma, CA, United States
Sat. Oct. 12, 9am-12am
This large wetland complex of several hundred acres along the Petaluma River is a wonderful setting for viewing a great array of birdlife year-round. Against a panoramic view of the Marin hills to the south, herons, blackbirds or sandpipers can often be seen flying over the ponds. Particularly in the fall and winter it hosts large numbers of herons, ducks, egrets, sandpipers, hawks, geese and swans. Additionally, many species of songbirds, including sparrows, finches, pipits, bluebirds and jays, live in the thickets and woodlands around the ponds. It is also a good place to see Mute swans, the very impressive, large snow-white member of the wildfowl family. Altogether a very exciting place for birds this fall! Terrain is flat, with a leisurely walk of about 1-2 miles. The park is a short drive from 101 in Petaluma: from 101 make left (first exit in Petaluma, go east) on 116, or Lakeville Hwy; drive several blocks to S. McDowell, right again short distance to Cader Lane, right into parking lot. Meet there. Check Google maps for more info; about a 30-45 minute drive from the East Bay. Very scenic, with good opportunities for landscape and bird photography. A typical number of species seen in a morning is about 30-40.

Sandhill Cranes of the Sacramento Delta
2019-10-19 10:00 - 16:00
Sat. Oct. 19, 10am-4pm
A trip to the Sacramento delta during the fall and winter months is like returning to old California before the Gold Rush, in the 1840’s, when it teemed with wildlife of all kinds. In these pioneer days the valley was full of birds of every description and grizzlies, elk, beaver, otters and Mule deer roamed the land. The grizzlies are gone, but the Cosumnes River Preserve is still pretty close to paradise for bird-lovers! Located a few miles north of Lodi, just off I5, the preserve is home to tens of thousands of migratory birds from October to March. Ducks, Tundra swans, geese, raptors (Red-tails, harriers, Kestrels), shorebirds and many songbirds are there in great numbers. These birds include the majestic Sandhill Cranes, which spend the winter in the nearby fields and sloughs. They fly overhead in V- shaped patterns constantly bugling to one another. Songbirds, including warblers, swallows, kinglets, thrushes and finches, flit in and out among the large trees along the river’s edge. Scaup, Gadwall, teal, Shovelers, Wigeon, Pintail dabble among the wetlands pools and marshes. Even Great Horned Owls, Bitterns and Peregrine falcons can sometimes be spotted! In the afternoon after lunch we’ll visit nearby Woodbridge Road to see even more cranes, waterfowl and hawks. The trip is easy walking, less than a mile. Bring lunch, drinks and cameras for great photography. Allow for a two hour drive from the East Bay, slightly more from San Francisco or the peninsula. Two main routes: from 580 to I5 north, exit at Franklin Blvd. Slightly shorter route is directly through the delta: from 80 in the East Bay take 4 east to 160 north, near Antioch; then take 12 north-east to I5, and then north about 10 miles to Franklin Blvd. Exit, make right and go several miles to the Visitor’s Center, meet in the parking lot.

Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael
2019-11-02 09:00 - 12:00 | McGuiness Park, 350 Smith Ranch Rd, San Rafael, ca, 94903
Sat. Nov. 2, 9am-12pm
At Las Gallinas hundreds of acres of grasslands, ponds and marshes extend around a small water treatment facility. In the distance, the marshes are surrounded by the beautiful hills of Marin. It is an idyllic location. Acre for acre, it has some of the greatest diversity of birdlife I’ve ever seen, a favorite fall and winter resort for ducks, herons, egrets, shorebirds, raptors and songbirds. Harriers, Red-tails, White-tail kites, almost 10 species of ducks, pelicans, grebes, rails — all are found here, and numbers are frequently impressive. Join us for a leisurely, 1-2 mile walking tour around the ponds. Total species observed usually over 30, up to 50. Great bird photography! From the East Bay cross the Richmond Bridge, take 101 north and make a right at Smith Ranch Road (just north of San Rafael) to the entrance of McGuiness Park, where you make a left into the facility. Meet in the parking lot.

A Birder’s Tour of Santa Cruz: Beaches to Redwoods, Shorebirds to Songbirds
2019-11-08 - 2019-11-10
Fri-Sunday, Nov. 8-10
Santa Cruz, located just south of San Jose, is known for its beaches, amusement park, surfers and university. But with its dramatic coastline and many parks, this college town is also known for its great birding, especially in the fall and winter. Among the ocean headlands, beaches and forests you can find many ducks, raptors, shorebirds, grebes, pelicans and songbirds. On a typical day we see 40 or more species, from Peregrine falcons, Willets and Varied Thrushes to Black turnstones, phoebes, Oystercatchers and Bufflehead. Over this weekend we’ll explore many different areas, including Natural Bridges State Beach, Lighthouse Point, Seacliff State Beach in nearby Aptos, Neary Lagoon and many others. We’ll also visit two sites to view swarms of over-wintering monarch butterflies! Hikes are at a moderate pace, less than a mile per day, broken up by short drives to different parks. Tour is three days and two nights, and will begin noon Friday at the Santa Cruz Mission Inn, our headquarters for the weekend. The tour continues through early Sunday afternoon, when we take our leave of this memorable weekend. Driving directions provided at registration.

Migratory Birds of the Central Valley at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
2019-12-06 - 2019-12-08
Fri- Sunday, Dec. 6-8
This weekend tour of the San Luis NWR near Los Banos and Merced will provide an encyclopedic look at wintering birds of the Central Valley. The refuge is made up of several different preserves, including Merced, Grasslands and Los Banos, and together they total over 50,000 acres of wetlands and marshes. From October to March they host hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, shorebirds and raptors. Hawks of all kinds, from Red-tails and harriers to kites and falcons, are common. At the Sandy Mush Road preserve near Merced, Great Horned owls are always present, and even Bald eagles are occasionally seen. Sandhill cranes, Snow and Ross’ geese are scattered over the nearby fields, usually several thousand. Seeing the herds of giant Tule Elk near the refuge HQ will be another highlight of the tour on Saturday. This three day, two night tour is primarily by car, with minimal walking. Bird species seen per day typically are 40- 50, from raptors to wrens, Willets to warblers, Flickers to finches. We will meet 11am Friday at the Sandy Mush preserve west of Merced; allow 2-plus hours driving time from the East Bay and bring drinks and lunch. Quickest route from the Bay Area is 580 to I5 south, where you exit for 140 going east. Continue across the valley on 140 toward Merced, and use local roads to reach the preserve on Sandy Mush Road. We will meet in the parking lot near the entrance next to the viewing platform. After several hours of spectacular birding we will head over to La Quinta Inn in Los Banos, which will be our HQ for two nights during this Central Valley tour. (You may select other accommodations in the area, of course, but Los Banos is centrally located between most of the local wildlife preserves.) Contact me for any additional info on birds, hotels or directions that you may wish.

Birds of Bodega Bay and Sonoma Coast
2019-12-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Lucas Wharf Restaurant, 595 Hwy 1, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923
Sat. Dec. 14, 10am-4pm
Scenic Bodega Bay, nestled on the Sonoma coast west of Sebastopol, is one of our most exciting Bay Area birding locations in the winter. In recognition of its migration hot-spot status, it has been designated as an IBA (Important Bird Area) by the American Bird Conservancy. The great headlands overlooking the ocean and the marshes surrounding the bay protect great numbers and varieties of birds. These include Peregrine falcons, Brant geese, plovers, loons, shorebirds, songbirds and many species of ducks. Rarities like Harlequin ducks or Red-necked Grebes also make an occasional appearance. We will circle the bay, visiting locations such as Bodega Head, Doran Beach, Owl Canyon, Spud Pt. Marina and Hole-in-the-Head. We expect to see 40-50 species of birds, some in large numbers. Minimal walking; bring lunch (or purchase one locally) and drinks. Many opportunities for great outdoor and wildlife photography. Allow 1-2 hours driving time from the East Bay. On 101 north at Petaluma take Bodega Ave. west to Valley Ford Road, continue north and west to Hwy 1. Continue several miles north on Hwy 1. Check Google maps for additional info re directions. Meet at Lucas Wharf Restaurant), 595 Hwy 1, which is found on the water (on the left side) pretty quickly when you reach the coast.

Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert Tour
2020-01-02 - 2020-01-05
Thurs- Sunday, Jan. 2-5
The immense Salton Sea (343 square miles), located in southern California in the Imperial Valley, is a winter hot-spot for thousands of birds of all kinds, including ducks, rails, egrets, pelicans, ibis, cranes, geese, gulls and raptors. Over 400 species have been recorded around the sea and the surrounding Colorado Desert palm oases and preserves! These include Costa’s hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, Cattle egret, Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Ladder-backed woodpecker, Le Conte’s thrasher, Gila woodpeckers, Gambel’s quail and many others. Raptors such as Osprey, Merlin and Peregrine falcon are found locally, as well as Great Horned and Burrowing owls. Other desert wildlife we may spy includes Kit fox, Blacktailed jackrabbit, Zebratail lizards, Kangaroo Rats and Desert tortoise, among many. This four-day, three night tour will provide many opportunities to explore and observe the exciting birds and wildlife in many sites, often in great numbers. The Calipatra Inn, just south of the Salton Sea in Calipatra, will be our group HQ for the weekend, but you may choose from many other lodging options in the area. We anticipate observing at least 75 bird species during the four day stay, including many local desert specialties. Temps should be mild, in the 60s and 70s. Among many sites we plan to visit are the Sonny Bono NWR, Algodones Dunes, Coachella Valley Bird Center and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Our adventure begins Thursday at noon at the Calipatra Inn. Check with me for ground transportation options on the tour, including pick up at the San Diego airport.

The Birds of Lake Solano and Putah Creek at Winters
2020-01-18 10:00 - 16:00
Sat. Jan. 18, 10am-4pm
This day tour highlights several beautiful Sacramento Valley locations, including Putah Creek and Lake Solano. It starts at Winters, an old, charming valley town several miles west of I80 near Davis. We’ll stop for a snack and a walk along lush Putah Creek, looking for songbirds, woodpeckers, ducks, egrets and perhaps Kingfishers. Then we’ll head off to nearby Lake Solano. Surrounded by stunningly beautiful hill country, this wooded lake has a great variety of songbirds, woodpeckers and ducks in the warm winter months. Commonly found are mergansers, Bufflehead, Wood ducks, teal, goldeneye and Wigeon, together with grebes, cormorants, geese, herons and egrets. Woodpeckers frequently include sapsuckers, Nuttall’s, Flickers and occasionally Lewis’. Hard-to-find Phainopeplas are also occasionally seen around the lake, as are Lewis’ woodpeckers and Red-shouldered hawks. Totals for the day usually reach at least 40 different species, of every variety. Opportunities for good water bird and landscape photography. Bring lunch and drinks for a picnic at the lake, or purchase them in Winters when we arrive. Quickest route from the East Bay: take 80 to 505 north, left at Winters exit, and proceed to the center of town at Grant and Railroad Ave, where we will meet at the Putah Creek Café, 1 Main St., at 9am. Allow at least one hour for travel from San Francisco or the East Bay. You will love Winters and Lake Solano, everyone does!

Monterey Birds, Beaches & Heritage Tour
2020-01-24 - 2020-01-26
Fri-Sunday, Jan. 24-26
Monterey, with its fabulous beaches, art museums, restaurants, Aquarium and old Spanish adobes, is famous throughout the world. These unique features combine to make it a perfect weekend holiday, slightly more than a two-hour drive from San Francisco and the Bay Area. During this three day and two night weekend we’ll sample the best of these cultural and wildlife treasures, including Elkhorn Slough for shorebirds and Sea Otters, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the Steinbeck Center in nearby Salinas, Pt. Lobos coastal preserve and the endless Monterey beaches. We’ll search for terns, shorebirds, Oystercatchers, Avocets, ducks, cormorants and many songbirds both inland and along the coast. A half-day ocean cruise to see whales is another option. Other potential late-afternoon sites to investigate include old Spanish churches, the Robert Louis Stevenson House, restaurants and galleries! Nature, old colonial-era architecture and marine life photographic opportunities are everywhere. World-class and beach-front resorts, hotels and Airbnb rentals blanket the area. One favorite of ours, one block from the ocean, is the Monterey Bay Lodge (831) 372-8057. Visit their website at www.montereybaylodge.com for information on rates, pool, restaurant and other amenities. See you for a weekend in paradise!

Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
2020-02-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont, CA, United States
Sat. Feb. 1, 9am-12pm
This large regional park in Fremont (East Bay, north of San Jose) has everything: extensive cat-tail marshes, grasslands, hills and woodlands. It also has an outstanding Visitors’ Center, with dioramas and large frescos depicting birds, wildlife and Native Americans in ancient times. As a result of the different habitats, Coyote Hills teems with birds of all kinds. These include hawks, woodpeckers, shorebirds, ducks, owls and many songbirds. Frequently found are Green-wing and Cinnamon Teal, herons, egrets, White Pelicans, harriers and White-Tail Kites. Songbirds include warblers, thrushes, sparrows, Marsh Wrens, Western Bluebirds and Red-wing Blackbirds, among many. Great Horned Owls are resident and occasionally seen hiding in the eucalyptus trees. Walking is about 1-2 miles, mostly flat, with an occasional hill. Good landscape and bird photography. Species usually total 30-40 for a morning. Directions from Oakland: take 880 south to the Dumbarton Bridge (84) exit, then right a short distance to the Paseo Padre Parkway exit (turn before the bridge!) The park entrance is less than a half mile ahead on the left, at Patterson Ranch Road. Meet at the parking lot at the Visitor’s Center (found at the end of the park entrance road). Parking fee.

Bolinas Lagoon and Marin Coast Tour
2020-02-08 10:00 - 16:00
Sat. Feb. 8, 10am-4pm
The secluded coastal village of Bolinas, just south of Pt. Reyes National Seashore, is our destination today. It is nestled between the Pacific coast and the Inverness Ridge, in a spectacular location just north of Stinson Beach. This trip will combine birding along the lagoon and strolling along the beach with a tour of the village. We’ll visit the fascinating studio of the renowned bird artist Keith Hanson, which doubles as a mini-museum. After lunch in the village we’ll take a stroll along the dramatic and beautiful coastline. Birds typically seen include a great many shorebirds, herons and egrets, ducks and songbirds, with Osprey and Bald eagles possible. From the East Bay take the Richmond Bridge, 101 north and go west at San Rafael to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. This goes all the way to Olema near Pt. Reyes, where we will meet at the parking lot of the Farm House Deli (at the base of a very steep hill). The Deli is at the junction of Hwy 1 and SFD Blvd in Olema. Moderate amounts of walking, level terrain. Wonderful landscape and marine photographic opportunities. Allow 1.5 hours from the East Bay.

Steinbeck Country, the Pinnacles & Old San Benito Tour
2020-02-21 - 2020-02-23
Fri-Sunday, Feb. 21-23
Another one of our exciting trips this year will be a weekend tour of San Benito County to experience its many historic and wildlife treasures. This very rural area east of Monterey has a wonderful variety of birds, historic sites and great mountain scenery! This three-day, two night tour is packed with recreational, cultural and wildlife adventures: Pinnacles National Park, Mercey Hot Springs Spa, Mission San Juan Bautista and Elkhorn Preserve at Moss Landing (just north of Monterey). The area has some of the most exciting birding in California, including Long-eared, Barn and Great Horned owls, California condors (at Pinnacles National Park), Golden eagles, Chukers (very large colorful partridges), Mountain plover and Lawrence’s goldfinches, just for starters! We’ll meet Friday at 11am to begin the tour at the legendary Andersen’s Restaurant at Santa Nella, near Los Banos and I5. After lunch we’ll take off through the hills to Mercey Hot Springs. This old-fashioned spa is a hot-spot (literally and figuratively) for birds, with Lawrence’s gold-finches and several owl species (Great Horned, Long-eared, Barn). And of course their signature hot-tubs and heated pool. Depending on your preference, you can take a relaxing soak or search for owls. (Go to www.merceyhotsprings.com for a virtual tour.) Later in the afternoon we’ll drive through the dramatic Gabilan Mountains and stay overnight in Hollister, with several choices of lodging, either at the local Marriott or splendid old Victorian B&Bs. Saturday will be devoted to exploring the Pinnacles National Park, with its imposing volcanic spires and California condors circling overhead! Many other birds grace the skies here: Prairie falcons, Acorn woodpeckers and many songbirds. Returning to Hollister for the evening, on Sunday we will travel over to nearby Mission San Juan Bautista. This is one of the most atmospheric of the old missions, with the 200-year old Baroque chapel still in use. About noon we will continue north for our last stop, Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing. Among its wonderful wildlife are Sea Otters, seals and Sea Lions and a great selection of birds, such as loons, ducks, egrets, shorebirds, cormorants, gulls and turnstones. Elkhorn is where we’ll take our leave in the early afternoon. There will be many great chances for nature, landscape and bird photography. Most tours observe 60 or more bird species over the weekend. Directions to Andersen’s from San Francisco and the East Bay: take 580 to I5, drive south to Santa Nella, exit left, look for their trademark windmill (only one in the area)! Allow 2-2.5 hours from Oakland; from Santa Barbara or LA take I5 north and allow 3-4 hours. Additional Hollister accommodations and directions provided at registration. It should be a great adventure, combining cultural history, exciting wildlife sightings and landscapes of remarkable natural beauty.

Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
2020-03-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Sat. March 7, 9am-12pm
Home to thousands of migratory birds over the winter, this section of the Palo Alto marshes and shoreline has some of the greatest concentrations of wildfowl, shorebirds, raptors and waders of any in the Bay Area. Herons and egrets, stilts, Avocets, rails and shorebirds, terns, kites and harriers, Cinnamon and Green-winged teal, Canvasback and Ruddy ducks, among many others, are common from fall to early spring. Even an occasional Occasionally a Peregrine falcon or Burrowing owl can be seen near Ground squirrel burrows. We usually see more than 40 species in a morning. We stroll about a mile among the marsh trails, stopping and looking as we go. From the East Bay take the Dumbarton Bridge (84) across the bay to 101 and south to Oregon; exit and go left over the freeway, and follow the road past the little airport and park by the wading pool (full of ducks). Meet at the pool.

Birds of Pescadero Village & the San Mateo Coast
2020-03-14 10:00 - 16:00
Sat. March 14, 10am-4pm
The San Mateo coastline, with its miles of rocky headlands and deep blue ocean, small coves, inlets and sandy beaches, is one of the wonders of the Bay Area. The whole coastline from Pacifica to Santa Cruz is a national treasure for nature lovers! Perhaps the most diverse combination of these scenic natural areas is around Pescadero, a charming village about 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay. Coastal birdlife is extremely diverse, with shorebirds like curlews, godwits, Willets and plover, and raptors such as Red-tails, White-tailed Kites and harriers soaring over the inlets and lagoons. Many ducks, three species of cormorants, pelicans and songbirds (finches, sparrows, swallows) add additional excitement. Among the ocean headlands and crashing surf we can also find turnstones, heron and egrets, Oystercatchers and terns. Occasionally we spot rarities such as Snowy plovers or Harlequin ducks. We will break for lunch in the nearby village of Pescadero, sampling the small shops and village atmosphere. Species total is usually about 40-50 for the day, with minimal walking. Meet at Pescadero State Beach (in parking lot) at the junction of Hwy 1 and Pescadero Road, which is about 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay; park in the lot on the right (ocean) side. Allow 1.5-2 hours driving time from the East Bay, perhaps half this from San Francisco or Santa Cruz.

Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge Tour
2020-03-19 - 2020-03-22 | Klamath Refuge, tule lake, CA, United States
Thurs-Sunday, March 19-22
Every year at the great Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on the California-Oregon border, hundreds of thousands of migrating wildfowl, shorebirds and raptors pass through or spend the winter. This country is very wild, open and rugged, with wilderness sightlines extending to the horizon! The refuge alone covers many thousands of acres of marshes, forests and lakes. Experienced birders agree that fall at the Klamath NWR is the greatest spectacle of migrating birds on the West Coast, and all within sight of the snow-capped 12,000-foot peak of Mt. Shasta to the south. Endless varieties of birds, such as Sandhill cranes, Snow, White-fronted and Ross’ geese, shorebirds, Tundra swans, Gray Jays, ducks of every description, Bald Eagles, owls and many kinds of songbirds throng the area. Each day will provide new refuges, lakes and opportunities to view wildlife and birds. Total bird species observed for the weekend are typically at least 70-80. Walking is minimal, on level terrain. Group accommodations will be at the Shilo Inn in nearby Klamath Falls, Oregon. Tour begins Thursday afternoon after check-in at the Inn, and continues to noon Sunday morning. From the Bay Area drive time is about 6-7 hours, and car-pooling is recommended. Amtrak service to Klamath Falls and van transportation on site is available. Lodging, transportation and meals are additional.

Sunol: Alameda’s Hidden Wilderness
2020-04-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Sunol Regional Park, Sunol, CA, CA, United States
Sat. April 18, 9am-12am
Tucked away east of Fremont, in south-east Alameda County, is Sunol Regional Park, perhaps the most beautiful and wild of Alameda’s nature preserves. Covered in oak woodlands, surrounded by high crags and bisected by Alameda Creek, it is home to a great variety of birds, small mammals, butterflies and other wildlife. As we walk through the woodlands that line the creek, we hear the cackling of Acorn woodpeckers and see flycatchers, nuthatches, vireos, warblers and wrens flitting through the trees. On the hillsides several kinds of swallows cut their graceful patterns in the sky, accompanied by Western bluebirds and noisy Ravens. And occasionally we can see, soaring in the big open sky along the cliffs, Golden eagles, Red-tails and White-tailed Kites. Only one word sums up this secluded natural treasure: extraordinary! Great landscape photography opportunities. (Parking fee) For lunch try Sunol, a tiny nearby village, or the little town of Niles with their museum of silent film. (Charlie Chaplin once walked these streets!)

Magpies, Orioles and Roadrunners: The Livermore-Mines Road Tour
2020-04-25 10:00 - 16:00
Sat. April 25, 10am-4pm
Journeying along Mines Road is a trip through wild and rugged country into the vanished past of old Alameda County. We meet and begin in Livermore at the Concannon Winery at 10am and drive through 30 miles of cattle ranches, meandering creeks with huge sycamores, oak woodlands and chaparral-covered hillsides. This wild country hosts a great assortment of birds, including Golden Eagles, Yellow-billed Magpies, Phainopeplas, Red-shouldered hawks, orioles and Great Horned owls. Even hard-to-find Lawrence’s goldfinches, Roadrunners and Lewis’ woodpeckers are possible! Bring drinks or lunch, or buy one at the Junction Café around noon. We expect to see up to 50 species for the day. This tour is primarily roadside birding with very little walking. From the East Bay take 580 south-east to the North Livermore exit, and proceed a mile or so through town, when the road becomes South Livermore (but still the same road). Continue a short way to Tesla Road; Concannon Vinyard entrance is immediately on the left; park in the large lot next to the main building. (Google maps are useful for additional info on directions.) Make sure you have a full tank of gas for the 60-mile roundtrip journey from Livermore and back!

Mt. Diablo State Park: Monarch of the East Bay
2020-05-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Mt. Diablo, Mount Diablo State Park, Clayton, 94507, United States
Sat. May 9, 10am-1pm
At nearly 4,000 feet, Mt. Diablo sits in solitary splendor high above Contra Costa county, monarch of all it surveys. So high much of northern California can be seen from its summit, as well as, on a clear day, the Sierra Nevada! In addition to the extraordinary views, the great mountain has many bird and wildlife species and a great variety of wildflowers. On this morning tour we’ll explore the mountain’s birdlife, woodlands and wildflowers on the way to the summit. Once there we’ll roam the Visitors’ Center, which has many exhibits that explain the mountain’s history and geology. Birds of all kinds, such as Acorn woodpeckers, Peregrine falcons, bluebirds, warblers, nuthatches, Cliff and Barn swallows, Red-tailed hawks and Golden eagles can be seen on its slopes and woodlands. Great nature and landscape photography opportunities! Meet at the North Gate entrance where the tour begins. From Oakland/Berkeley take 24 to Walnut Creek, exit on Ygnacio Valley Road, stay on til Walnut Avenue, continue for short distance and make right to North Gate Road, continue to park entrance. Allow one hour driving time. State Park entrance fee.

Mendocino Seacoast Weekend Tour
2020-05-15 - 2020-05-17
Fri-Sunday, May 15-17
Mendocino County, three hours north of the Bay Area, is renowned for its rugged seacoast, rural charm and deep wild forests. Great headlands are pounded by enormous Pacific breakers, and unspoiled rivers like the Navarro and Albion meet the sea to create expansive beaches. The town of Mendocino itself appears to be a small, transplanted New England village. State parks embrace the coastline, including McKerricher, Van Damme and Russian Gulch. These parks are home to many forms of wildlife, birds and marine mammals. Loons, Black oystercatchers and turnstones, together with many species of ducks and songbirds, gulls and cormorants, patrol the oceans and forests. Among the headlands and crashing surf we’ll look for Surfbirds and other shorebirds, Pelagic cormorants, guillemots, mergansers and the elusive Harlequin, a spectacular sea duck. Off the coast we may spot whales on their epic migration north. Inland, we’ll search the deep conifer woodlands for warblers, thrushes and kinglets, and note colorful mushrooms on the forest floor. The whole Mendocino area has a unique 19th century feeling with wonderful restaurants, bookstores and craft shops. Nature photography opportunities are everywhere. We’ll be staying at the Beach House Inn in nearby Ft. Bragg, but there are many B&Bs available in the area. Lodging and meals are not included in the tour cost. Spectacular marine, coastline and woodland photography.

Rush Ranch & Grizzly Island Owl Prowl
2020-05-23 10:00 - 16:00 | Rush Ranch, 3521 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City, CA, 94585, United States
Sat. May 23 10am-4pm
This enormous state wildlife preserve (over 10,000 acres) near Fairfield is renowned for a great variety of birds and wildlife, with grasslands, marshes and wetlands that stretch for miles to the distant hills. To the south, far beyond the marshes, majestic Mt. Diablo rises above the horizon. Raptors and hawks of all kinds and songbirds such as Loggerhead shrikes, meadowlarks, Red-wing and Brewer’s blackbirds, are fairly common. Our first stop will be Rush Ranch (see www.solanolandtrust.org for more info), a complex of old-fashioned farm buildings with horses, corrals, steers and a massive old red barn. It is also home to several kinds of owls (Barn, Horned and Burrowing), which can usually be found with a little searching. White-tailed kites, Kestrels, herons, egrets and songbirds are present in the fields, marshes and groves of trees. We will then explore Grizzly Island after lunch to see some of these exciting birds, and we’ll search for the giant Tule Elk herd. Bring lunch and drinks. Allow an hour plus from the East Bay; take 80 to 12 (east), and enter the preserve in four miles (a right turn) at Grizzly Island Road. Meet at Rush Ranch, which is the first right (1-2 miles) after the turn from 12, enter on the right down the driveway, meet at the parking lot by the big old Red Barn, maybe 200 yards ahead. Great opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography.

Mountain Birds of the Tahoe Sierras at Strawberry Lodge
2020-06-05 - 2020-06-07
Fri-Sunday, June 5-7
Historic Strawberry Lodge (from 1858) is located two hours east of Sacramento, on Route 50 at Kyburz village, portal to the Sierras. It’s located in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area and is part of the 85,000 acre Eldorado National Forest, just south of Lake Tahoe. This dramatic landscape of mountain lakes (Wright’s, Echo & Loon among many) and forests of gigantic pine and fir will be our HQ for this mid- summer mountain tour. Bird life and wildflowers will be at their peak, with sunny weather and warm temps. The area includes many resorts and campgrounds, with boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and canoeing as additional options for non-birding pals and partners. Mountain specialties include Western tanagers, Red-breasted sapsuckers, Townsend’s warblers, Nighthawks, Clark’s nutcrackers, Mt. bluebirds, Green-tailed towhees, Black-backed and Lewis’ woodpeckers, Evening grosbeaks and Mt. chickadees are among more than 50-60 species typically seen. We will also visit nearby South Lake Tahoe for water birds and vistas of the great lake at Emerald Bay, with shops and restaurants to sample. Birding will be primarily by car, with hikes leisurely and short. Re amenitites and prices at the lodge, go to www.strawberrylodge.com, or call (530) 659-7200. The tour is three days and two nights, meeting at 1pm Friday at the lodge.

Sierra Valley Tour: Woodlands, Birds & Wildflowers of the Sierras
2020-06-25 - 2020-06-28
Thurs-Sunday, June 25-28
The Sierra Valley, a secluded mountain area with miles of sagebrush, forests and marshes, is only a half hour drive north of I80 and Tahoe. For the last several years we have provided this tour (four days and three nights) to explore the valley’s wilderness and observe many different birds and wildflowers. Among 60-70 species of birds often seen are Sandhill cranes, White-faced Ibis, Bald eagles, Snipe, Osprey, Horned larks, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and many ducks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and songbirds. We will visit the Iron Bridge marsh, Lake Davis, the village of Sierraville, the Feather River, Yuba Pass and the SFSU Field station near Bassett’s. We frequently stay in the little town of Portola at the north end of the valley, with many shops, museums, restaurants and even golf courses at nearby Blairsden. The tour package includes one class (optional) in Berkeley prior to the trip, on Weds. June 24th, 9-12am. Local campgrounds include Plumas-Eureka State Park, one of the best. Our favorite spot to stay in Portola, convenient to everything: the Sleepy Pines Motel; see www.sleepypinesmotel.com for more info. There are also many other motels and resorts in the area to choose from. Tour starts at Sierraville village at 1pm Thursday, and right after lunch we begin our tour of the valley. We say good-bye Sunday at noon to head home. Allow four hours travel from the Bay Area to Sierraville, right at the south entrance of the valley.

Monterey Birds, Beaches & Heritage Tour
2020-07-14 - 2020-07-17
Tues-Friday, July 14-17
The stunning natural beauty, museums, beaches, Aquarium and historic adobes of old Monterey are only two and a half hours away from San Francisco and the Bay Area. Over three days and two nights, we will sample the best of these cultural and wildlife treasures, including Elkhorn Slough for shorebirds and Sea Otters, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, the Steinbeck Center in nearby Salinas, Pt. Lobos coastal preserve and stroll the spectacular Monterey beaches. Among many local birds, we’ll search for terns, shorebirds, Oystercatchers, Avocets, ducks, cormorants and many songbirds. A half-day cruise for whale-watching is another possibility. Other potential late-afternoon sites to investigate include old Spanish churches, the Robert Louis Stevenson House, restaurants and galleries! Nature, historic and marine life photography opportunities galore! Accommodations: world-class and beach-front resorts, hotels and Airbnb rentals blanket the area. One favorite of ours, one block from the ocean, is the Monterey Bay Lodge (go to www.montereybaylodge.com) for more information on amenities such as their pool and restaurant. All in all, this is a weekend pretty close to paradise!

Yosemite, Mono Lake & Eastern Sierras Tour
2020-07-28 - 2020-07-31
Tues- Friday, July 28-31
This Eastern Sierra tour has become one of our most popular four-day trips! It includes visits to Tuolumne Meadows at Yosemite, ancient Mono Lake, the Eastern Sierra forests and the legendary ghost-town of Bodie. The nearby 10,000-foot mountains and forests make for spectacular scenery, together with high desert sagebrush and volcanic landscapes that roll on for miles. We’ll explore Mono Lake and its tufa towers, Lee Vining village, Bodie ghost-town (now a state park), have lunch at the old pioneer village of Bridgeport, see Mammoth Lakes and hunt for warblers at Lee Vining Canyon. Mono is a magnet for several hundred bird species, including phalaropes, shorebirds, grebes, pelicans, ducks, woodpeckers and raptors. These include Osprey, Mt. Bluebird, Pygmy nuthatches, Clark’s Nutcracker, Wood ducks, Audubon’s warblers, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Red-breasted Sapsuckers and hundreds of others. Walking the sagebrush-covered hills at Bodie we’ll search for the enormous Sage Grouse, one of the great birds of the Western high desert. We meet Tuesday afternoon at Boulder Lodge on June Lake, 10 miles south of Lee Vining village, right off H395. The Lodge has a pool, barbeque area and lakeside boating; rooms are large, accommodate several people and have kitchenettes. Visit www.boulderlodgejunelake.com for more info. The spectacular mountain peaks, Mono Lake and pioneer-era villages are great for photography of all kinds. Easiest route from San Francisco and the Bay Area: take 120 across the valley to Yosemite, go over Tioga Pass and then south 10 miles on 395 to June Lake and Boulder Lodge. Tour begins after check-in Tuesday afternoon. Allow at least six hours from the Bay Area to June L
