Birding with Ted

Surf to Redwoods Tour, Santa Cruz
2014-07-26 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Santa Cruz, CA, United States
Sat. July 26, 9am-4pm
Santa Cruz, on the northern end of Monterey Bay, is famed as a friendly college town. But it is also studded with wonderful parks and bordered by rocky shorelines, all with great numbers of birds. Natural areas include ponds, ocean headlands and inlets, wetlands, beaches and redwood forests. We will try to sample as many areas as possible. Ducks, raptors, shorebirds, grebes, pelicans, woodpeckers and songbirds are numerous in different locations. Minimal walking, broken up by short drives to different areas.

Crab Cove, Alameda
2014-08-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Crab Cove, Alameda, CA, United States
Sat. Aug. 2, 9am-12pm
Crab Cove and the Alameda shoreline, with miles of unspoiled beaches, is a magnet for shorebirds, gulls, herons and egrets, terns, grebes and ducks of all kinds. This is a convenient local spot to see legions of godwits, peeps, curlews, Black turnstones, occasional phalaropes and oystercatchers, Black-bellied Plover and Forster’s, Caspian and Elegant terns, among others. Forty species in a morning is not unusual; early migratory birds will be starting to arrive from the Arctic to enliven the shoreline with even greater numbers and variety

Bolinas Lagoon Birding Tour, Bolinas
2014-08-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Bolinas Lagoon, CA, United States
Sat. Aug. 16, 9am-4pm
Bolinas Lagoon and the Marin coast are two natural treasures of the Bay Area, luckily preserved for wildlife and people alike. Along this spectacular coast we can expect to see many ducks, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, terns, cormorants and egrets. After a picnic lunch in Bolinas, we’ll explore the village, visit wildlife artist Keith Hansen’s studio and hike the beach. Low to moderate amounts of walking, level terrain.

Monterey Bay Weekend Birding Tours
2014-08-22 08:00 - 2014-08-24 17:00 | Monterey Bay, Monterey, CA, United States
Fri.-Sun. Aug. 22-24, 2014
Monterey and nearby Big Sur are two of the most spectacular coastlines of California. Monterey Bay, with its unique marine ecology, has a great concentration of wildlife: birds, monarch butterflies, sea mammals and migrating whales. The list of outstanding spots to see birds and mammals is long: Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing, the Salinas and Carmel River estuaries, Pt. Lobos and Julia Pfeiffer State Park, among many. During this exciting weekend we can expect to see Sea otters as well as pelicans, terns, plovers, herons and egrets, raptors and many kinds of shorebirds and songbirds. Totals bird species usually seen ranges from 80- 100. The weekend begins at noon Friday at Elkhorn Slough (near Moss Landing on Hwy 1) and ends at 1pm Sunday in Monterey. Tour fee does not include accommodations, meals or transportation. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration.

Arrowhead Marsh/ML King Shoreline, Oakland
2014-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | San Leandro Bay, San Leandro, CA, United States
Sat. Sept. 6, 9am-12pm
This large marsh on San Leandro Bay (near the Oakland Airport) has extensive tidal flats, marshes and grasslands, all of which attract large numbers of waders, terns, shorebirds, avocets, ducks, stilts, Burrowing Owls, songbirds, ducks and raptors. Clapper Rails are also possible. Walk is a level, easy one-mile loop. If we have time, we’ll hop on over to Crown Beach in Alameda for more shorebirds (Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary).

Bodega Bay Bird Tour, Sonoma
2014-09-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Bodega Bay, CA, United States
Sat. Sept. 20, 9am-4pm
Bodega Bay, nestled on the Sonoma coast west of Sebastopol, is one of the best birding locations of the North Bay, designated an IBA (Important Bird Area) by the American Bird Conservancy. The marshes, headlands, coves and willow thickets that surround the bay host great numbers and varieties of birds. Peregrine falcons, Snowy plovers, loons, shorebirds, turnstones, perhaps a late osprey, songbirds, ducks and wildfowl swim and dive in the calm waters. Rarities occasionally turn up, such as the Steller’s Eider, Emperor goose and Red-throated Grebe. We will spend the day circling the bay, visiting Bodega Head, Doran Beach, Owl Canyon, Spud Pt. Marina and Hole-in-the-Head. Minimal walking; bring lunch (or purchase one) and drinks.

Merced National Wildlife Refuge, Merced, Central Valley
2014-10-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Merced National Wildlife Refuge, 7376 Wolfsen Rd, Merced, CA, 95341, United States
Sat. Oct. 4, 9am-4pm
Merced NWR is one of several San Joaquin Valley wildlife refuges that comprise the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Together they total more than 50,000 acres. This combination of marshes, ponds, riparian areas and farmlands host many thousands of birds each fall and winter. Ducks, owls, geese, swans, shorebirds, Sandhill Cranes, raptors of all kinds, songbirds and waders are in such numbers and variety it takes your breath away. In the afternoon we’ll visit another refuge in the area. Bring lunch and drinks, there is no local place to buy them. This is primarily a car tour, with minimal walking.

Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto
2014-10-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Sat. Oct. 11, 9am-12pm
This section of Palo Alto shoreline and marshlands has some of the greatest variety and numbers of wildfowl, shorebirds, raptors, waders and songbirds of any in the Bay Area. Herons and egrets, stilts, Avocets, many shorebirds, ducks such as Ruddies, Canvasback, Cinnamon and Green-winged teal, terns and raptors, among many others, are common in the fall. Easy and moderate level of walking.

Klamath Refuge Weekend Tour
2014-10-23 08:00 - 2014-10-26 17:00 | Klamath Refuge, tule lake, CA, United States
Thurs.-Sun. Oct. 23-26, 2014
Every year hundreds of thousands of migrating wildfowl, shorebirds and raptors pass through the great Klamath Basin refuge on the California-Oregon border. This is very wild, open and rugged country. The refuge covers many thousands of acres of marshes, forests and lakes. Fall at Klamath is the greatest spectacle of migrating birds on the West Coast, with the snow-capped peak of Mt. Shasta to the south. A great variety 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. Each day will provide new refuges and opportunitiesto view wildlife and birds. Typical bird species observed are between 70-80. Walking is minimal, on level terrain.Thursday through Saturday accommodations will be in nearby Klamath Falls, Oregon. Tour begins Thurs. afternoon, after check-in, and continues to noon Sunday morning. From the Bay Area drive time is about 6-7 hours, car-pooling recommended. Amtrak service to Klamath Falls and van transportation on site is available. Lodging and travel information provided at time of registration. Cost does not include transportation, lodging or meals.

Gray Lodge/Sacramento Refuge Wildfowl Weekend
2014-11-14 08:00 - 2014-11-16 17:00 | CA
Fri.-Sun. Nov. 14-16, 2014
This weekend tour of several of the Central Valley’s legendary birding areas should produce great numbers of raptors, ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, Sandhill cranes and songbirds. More than 300 species of birds and mammals, both resident and migratory, use the refuges of the Sacramento Valley, including almost half of the Pacific flyway’s waterfowl population. Several million ducks and geese migrate through the area during the fall. The tour will begin at 2pm Friday at the Sacramento NWR and continue Saturday at Gray Lodge. Sunday morning we will visit nearby Colusa refuge and depart by early afternoon. Local accommodations will be in Yuba City. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration. Cost does not include transportation, lodging or meals .

Davis Raptor Center and Lake Solano
2014-11-29 09:00 - 16:00 | UC Davis, Davis, CA, United States
Sat. Nov. 29, 9am-4pm
This fall tour begins at the Raptor Center at UC Davis, where we’ll view Great Horned Owls, Golden Eagles, accipiters and several species of hawks. At nearby Putah Creek we’ll search for Red-tails, Western bluebirds, warblers, kinglets, finches and blackbirds. Heading west to Winters, we’ll lunch at a local diner. Then it’s off to Lake Solano where birds include many kinds of ducks (including mergansers and Wood ducks), woodpeckers and songbirds. Along the lake shore we’ll search for elusive Phainopeplas and Pygmy owls. Finally we head up to dramatic Lake Berryessa for White-throated swifts, raptors and wrens, among others. This is an exciting tour with a constantly changing landscape, wonderful scenery and many birds. Walking is minimal.

Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael
2014-12-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael, CA, United States
Sat. Dec. 6, 9am-12am
At Las Gallinas, hundreds of acres of grasslands and wetlands (ponds, marsh) surround a small waste-water treatment facility. The marshes recede in all directions for hundreds of yards, and are surrounded by the beautiful unspoiled hills of Marin. Acre for acre, it has some of the greatest diversity of birdlife I’ve ever seen, a favorite resort of many kinds of ducks, herons, egrets, shorebirds, raptors, rails and songbirds. Numbers are very impressive, 30-50 species of birds common in winter. Walking tour is a little less than two miles around pond.

Sandhill Crane Tour, Cosumnes Preserve
2014-12-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Cosumnes Preserve, 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt, CA, 95632, United States
Sat. Dec. 13, 9am-4pm
Located in the Sacramento Delta (at Galt, north of Lodi), this wetland preserve has enormous numbers of migratory waterfowl, Tundra swans, raptors (Red-tails, harriers, kestrels), shorebirds and songbirds. Sandhill Cranes are everywhere this time of year, their gargling yodels carrying over the marshes for great distances as they fly over. Walking along the Cosumnes River we can see warblers, kinglets, thrushes, finches and wrens flitting through the trees. Wildfowl such as scaup, Gadwall, teal, Shovelers, Wigeon and Pintail hide among the reeds dotting the wetlands. Occasionally Peregrine falcons, Great Horned Owls and bitterns can be spotted. In the afternoon we’ll visit Woodbridge Road for even more waterfowl and raptors. Minimal walking. Bring lunch and drinks for a picnic lunch at the Cosumnes Visitor’s Center.

San Joaquin Valley Birding Tour
2014-12-26 08:00 - 2014-12-28 17:00 | CA
Fri.-Sun. Dec. 26-28, 2014
The great complex of San Joaquin wildlife refuges near Los Banos, including Merced, West Bear Creek, Kesterson and San Luis, comprise over 50,000 acres of wetlands, teeming with migratory birds. They are the winter quarters for tens of thousands of raptors, ducks, egrets and shorebirds. Sandhill Cranes, Snow and Ross’ geese, Ferruginous hawks, Cinnamon and Green-wing Teal, Great Horned Owls, Boat-tail Grackles, Water Pipits and Bald eagles are only a few of the many species. Mammals also make their homes here, such as Coyotes, cottontails, river otter and Tule Elk. Typically we see 80-90 bird species at these refuges, some in the thousands. The tour begins at noon Friday at the Merced Refuge, continues Saturday at Los Banos and Sunday morning we’ll search for the Tule Elk at San Luis. En route we’ll stop at refuge HQ near Los Banos, not far from our hotel. This classic valley wildlife tour will provide wonderful photographic and birding opportunities. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration. Cost does not include transportation, lodging or meals.

San Luis/Merced National Wildlife Refuge Tour
2015-01-17 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sat. Jan. 17, 9am-4pm
This large wildlife preserve in the San Joaquin Valley totals more than 50,000 acres of marshes and riparian woodlands, and provides one of the greatest wildlife spectacles still found in California. In the winter, the marshes hold countless thousands of geese, raptors, ibis, ducks and great flocks of shorebirds, all in constant motion. Sandhill cranes give their long trumpeting calls as they fly overhead, and thousands of Snow geese suddenly fly up from the ponds. Great Horned owls sit silently in the willows. Over the course of the day, we usually observe fifty or more species of birds, and occasionally mammals such as otters, elk or deer. Bring lunch and drinks; tour is mostly by car, with minimal walking. Outstanding opportunities for bird photography.

Birds of the Alameda Shoreline and Crab Cove
2015-01-31 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Sat. Jan. 31, 2015, 9am-12pm
The Alameda shoreline, with miles of sandy white beaches and stunning views of the bay, is one of our local environmental treasures. During the fall and winter it is also a magnet for hundreds of shorebirds — dunlin, godwits, peeps, curlews, plover, avocets and stilts, with lesser numbers of turnstones and oystercatchers — totaling thousands of birds. During a morning walk we usually see over 40 different species of shorebirds, egrets, grebes and ducks, sometimes in great numbers. Best of all, it’s part of a relaxing morning of beautiful beaches, salt air and panoramic views of the bay. Too good to be true? Come see for yourself. Good opportunities for bird and marine photography.

Raptors of Panoche Valley & Mercey Hot Springs
2015-02-21 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sat. Feb. 21, 9am-4pm (NEW)
Deep in the inner coastal range 20 miles south-west of Los Banos, lies Panoche Valley. This very wild and scenic country is home to many varieties of exciting birds, including Golden Eagles, Prairie falcons, bluebirds, Rock and Canyon wrens, Lawrence’s goldfinches, Chukars (large colorful partridges) and Mountain plover. Our destination on this tour is Mercey Hot Springs, a resort known for its Long-eared and Barn owls. The $30 resort day-use fee (additional) includes optional hot-tub or heated pool break. Bring lunch, drinks and a full tank of gas. Overnight accommodations at the resort are usually available to extend your stay. Nearby are Mission San Juan Bautista and Pinnacles National Park (home to California condors), both also wonderful places to visit. Good opportunities for nature and bird photography.

Mendocino Seacoast Weekend Tour
2015-02-27 - 2015-03-01 | CA
Fri.-Sat. Feb. 27- March 1
Mendocino County is renowned for its great northern seacoast, rural charm and deep wild forests. Rugged headlands are pounded by enormous breakers; unspoiled rivers like the Navarro and Albion meet the sea to create expansive beaches. The town of Mendocino itself appears to be a transplanted New England village. State parks protect the coastline, including McKerricher, Van Damme and Russian Gulch, and 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 search for Surfbirds, mergansers and the elusive Harlequin, a spectacular sea duck. Inland, as we search the woodlands for warblers, thrushes and kinglets, we will also note colorful fungi that bring the forest floor to life. Mendocino is part of the heritage of old-time California, a paradise for nature photographers. We will be staying at the Beach House Inn in Ft. Bragg, but nearby there are also many comfortable B&Bs. Transportation, lodging and meals are not included in the tour cost.

Birds of Sunol & Alameda Creek
2015-03-02 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Sat. May 2, 9am-12pm
Tucked away in southeastern Alameda County, Sunol is one of the wildest and most beautiful of Alameda’s parklands, far from towns and highways. It is also bisected by crystalline Alameda Creek, teeming with songbirds of all kinds, such as phoebes, wrens, orioles, nuthatches, warblers and Western tanagers. High dramatic crags have Golden eagles and falcons soaring overhead. Noisy (and eccentric) Acorn woodpeckers fly among oak woodlands lining the steep hillsides. Along the trails we can encounter Lazuli Buntings, Yellow-billed Magpies, Western bluebirds, Nuttall’s Woodpeckers and many others. One word sums it up: extraordinary. (Parking fee)

Baylands Preserve Tour, Palo Alto
2015-03-07 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Sat. March 7, 9am-12pm
Home of the secretive Black Rail, this section of Palo Alto shoreline and marshland 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. Occasionally Peregrine falcons grace the skies over the marshes and we find Burrowing owls near the Ground squirrel burrows. Commonly we see more than 40 species in a morning. Easy walking along the trails is slightly more than a mile.

Monterey Bay Weekend Birding Tour
2015-03-13 - 2015-03-15 | CA
Fri.-Sun. March 13-15
Even considering the spectacular coastline of California, Monterey and Big Sur stand out. With its unique marine ecology, Monterey Bay has a great concentration of wildlife: birds, overwintering monarch butterflies, sea mammals and migrating whales. Outstanding wildlife locations dot the area: Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing, Salinas and Carmel River estuaries, Pt. Lobos and Julia Pfeiffer State Park, among many. During this exciting weekend we can expect to see Sea otters and Sea Lions as well as pelicans, plovers, herons and egrets, raptors, and many kinds of shorebirds, ducks and songbirds. From 80 to 90 species of birds is typical during a weekend. We meet noon Friday at Elkhorn Slough (at Moss Landing, south of Santa Cruz), and the tour ends Sunday in Monterey. Tour includes half-day bay cruise for whales and pelagic birds (additional). Tour fee does not include meals, accommodations or transportation. We will stay at the Monterey Bay Lodge, not far from the beach. Information on directions and birds will be provided at registration. Many excellent wildlife and bird photography opportunities.

Bodega Bay Tour, Sonoma Coast
2015-03-21 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sat. March 21, 9am-4pm
Scenic Bodega Bay, nestled on the Sonoma coast west of Sebastopol, is one of our most exciting local birding locations, designated an IBA (Important Bird Area) by the American Bird Conservancy. The great headlands, coves and marshes surrounding the bay protect great numbers and varieties of birds, such as Peregrine falcons, Brant geese, plovers, loons, shorebirds, songbirds and many species of ducks. Numerous rarities have also turned up here, such as the Emperor Goose and Red-throated Grebe. We will circle the bay, visiting locations such as Bodega Head, Doran Beach, Owl Canyon, Spud Pt. Marina and Hole-in-the-Head. Minimal walking; bring lunch (or purchase one locally) and drinks. Good photographic opportunities. Optional dinner after the tour.

Gray Lodge/Sacramento Refuge Wildfowl Weekend
2015-03-27 - 2015-03-29 | CA
Fri.-Sun. March 27-29
This weekend tour of several of the Central Valley’s legendary birding areas should produce great numbers of raptors, ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, Sandhill cranes and songbirds. More than 300 species of birds and mammals, both resident and migratory, use the refuges of the Sacramento Valley, including almost half of the Pacific flyway’s waterfowl population. Several million ducks and geese migrate through the area during the fall, and many stay to overwinter. The tour will begin at 1pm Friday at the Sacramento NWR and continue Saturday at Gray Lodge. Sunday morning we will visit nearby Colusa refuge and depart by early afternoon. Local accommodations will be in Yuba City. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration. Cost does not include transportation, lodging or meals. Great bird photography opportunities.

Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Preserve at Moss Landing
2015-04-04 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sat. April 4, 9am-4pm
Elkhorn Slough, situated in the middle of Monterey Bay near Moss Landing, has a fabled reputation as one of the greatest concentrations of marine mammals (large numbers of Sea otters and Sea Lions) and birdlife anywhere in California. The Elkhorn River mouth and coastline have a great variety of pelicans, ducks, shorebirds and terns, plus raptors, cormorants, grebes and occasionally owls. On one memorable trip we were treated to a Sea Otter mother with a baby nestled on her chest, not fifty feet away. We typically observe fifty species or more bird species. Bring (or buy at Moss Landing) lunch and drinks. Walking is at a casual pace, about two miles. Excellent photo opportunities.

Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael
2015-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Sat. April 11, 9am-12pm
At Las Gallinas, hundreds of acres of grasslands, ponds and marshes extend from a small water treatment facility. The marshes recede in all directions for hundreds of yards, and are surrounded by the beautiful hills of Marin. Acre for acre, it has some of the greatest diversity of birdlife I’ve ever seen, a favorite winter and spring 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. Leisurely walking tour around the ponds is about one-two miles. Total species observed usually range from 40 to 50. Great photographic opportunities for waterbirds.

Birds of the Bay Area, Summer, 2015
2015-05-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Albany Senior Center, Masonic and Marin Ave., Albany, CA, United States
Albany Class: May 4 – July 13 (Mon. 9am-12pm)
Meets at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic (near Solano Ave.), Albany
Register at the Albany Senior Center (Masonic and Marin Ave.) or call Robin Mariona, Recreation & Community Services Coordinator, for more information: (510) 524-9124
Email: rmariona@albanyca.org Registration: $85
The class meets Monday mornings for 10 weeks (no class May 25th) with six fieldtrips and four class sessions. The class is designed for beginning and intermediate level birding students, and will discuss binocular use, bird biology, field guides and bird identification/ observation. Fieldtrips to scenic parks and preserves such as Sibley Regional Park, the Martinez Shoreline, Garin Dry Creek and Sunol will provide a great diversity of birdlife and practical experience in techniques of observation. Total species observed usually ranges 70-80, with a great variety of raptors, shorebirds, woodpeckers, wildfowl and songbirds. Birds frequently observed include Pied-billed grebe, Bushtit, House finch, Raven, Red-winged Blackbird, California quail, Avocet, Willet, Chestnut-backed chickadee, Widgeon and Ruddy duck, Red-tailed hawk, White-tailed kites, Bewick’s wren, Great and Snowy Egret, Nuttall’s and Acorn woodpecker, Brown Pelican, Anna’s Hummingbird, Barn, Cliff and Tree swallows, Killdeer, Mallard, Forster’s tern and Great Blue heron. Car-pooling available for field trips.

Magpies, Orioles and Roadrunners: The Mines Road Tour
2015-05-09 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sat. May 9, 9am-4pm
Mines Road is a trip through wild and rugged country into the vanished landscape of Alameda County. It begins at the Concannon Winery in Livermore, and winds past sycamore-lined creeks, oak woodlands and chaparral-covered hillsides. It boasts a legendary assortment of birds, including Golden Eagles, Yellow-billed Magpies, Phainopeplas, Roadrunners, Red-shouldered hawks, orioles and Great Horned owls. Even Lawrence’s goldfinches and Lewis’ woodpeckers are possible. Bring drinks or lunch, or buy one at the Junction Café. We expect to see at least 50 species for the day. This tour is primarily roadside birding, with very little walking. Meet at Concannon Winery in Livermore, 9am.

Birds of the Bay Area, Summer, 2015
2015-05-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Meets at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
(Two sections, Albany and Berkeley)
Berkeley Class: May 13 – July 15 (Weds. 9am-12pm)
Meets at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst (at ML King Way), Berkeley
Registration fee is $85 for the whole term and $45 for half term. Individual trips are $30. Register at the website or do so at the first class.
The class meets every Wednesday morning for 10 weeks, with six fieldtrips and four class sessions. Classes will discuss binocular use and techniques of bird identification, observation, biology, behavior and distribution. Fieldtrips to beautiful nature preserves such as the Hayward Shoreline, Rush Ranch and Temescal Regional Park will provide practical experience in bird observation techniques. Total species observed averages 75, with a great variety of raptor, shorebird, wildfowl and songbird species seen. Birds frequently observed include Red-winged Blackbirds, bluebirds, Great and Snowy egrets, California quail, Avocet, stilt, Willet, Chestnut-backed chickadee, Red-tailed hawks, White-tailed kites, Bewick’s wren, Wilson’s warblers, Nuttall’s and Acorn woodpeckers and Double-crested cormorants, among many. Class includes films, lectures, book reviews and readings, and is designed for beginning and intermediate level students. Car-pooling available for field trips.

Monterey Bay Weekend Birding Tour
2015-05-15 - 2015-05-17 | CA
Fri.-Sun. May 15-17
Even considering the spectacular coastline of California, Monterey and Big Sur stand out. With its unique marine ecology, Monterey Bay has a great concentration of wildlife: birds, overwintering monarch butterflies, sea mammals and migrating whales. Outstanding wildlife locations dot the area: Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing, Salinas and Carmel River estuaries, Pt. Lobos and Julia Pfeiffer State Park, among many. During this exciting weekend we can expect to see Sea otters and Sea Lions as well as pelicans, plovers, herons and egrets, raptors, and many kinds of shorebirds, ducks and songbirds. From 80 to 90 species of birds is typical during a weekend. We meet noon Friday at Elkhorn Slough (at Moss Landing, south of Santa Cruz), and the tour ends Sunday in Monterey. Tour includes half-day bay cruise for whales and pelagic birds (additional). Tour fee does not include meals, accommodations or transportation. We will stay at the Monterey Bay Lodge, not far from the beach. Information on directions and birds will be provided at registration. Many excellent wildlife and bird photography opportunities.

Sierra Nevada/Sierra Valley Weekend Tour
2015-06-05 - 2015-06-07 | CA
Fri.-Sun. June 5-7
When you visit the Sierras and see these unspoiled forests, sparkling rivers, lakes and magnificent peaks, you understand John Muir’s inspiration. Our headquarters for this summer weekend will be the Sierra Valley, 25 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It is a vast and wild landscape of forests, lakes, mountains and small villages. The area provides homes for a extraordinary variety of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, wildflowers and giant conifer cathedrals. We will visit Lake Davis, the Iron Bridge marshes, the Feather River, Yuba Pass, Plumas-Eureka State Park and several other locations. Common summer birds include sapsuckers, warblers, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Bald Eagles, Osprey, White Pelicans, Mt. Bluebirds, White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Cranes, Black–billed Magpies, Nighthawks, ducks and hummingbirds. Common songbirds include flycatchers, finches, swallows, nuthatches and thrushes. We typically see 80-100 species over the weekend. The trip begins at noon Friday in Sierraville and ends Sunday at noon. Spectacular nature photography opportunities. Tour cost does not include accommodations, meals or transportation. Lodging, directions and birding information will be provided at registration.
