Birding with Ted

Rush Ranch Owl Prowl new!
2016-11-12 09:00 - 12:00 UTC | Rush Ranch, 3521 Grizzly Island Rd, Suisun City, CA, 94585, United States
We return to early frontier California at Rush Ranch, part of the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area near Fairfield. This is a Gold Rush-era farm complete with horse corrals and old barns, set within 2,000 acres of grasslands and marshes. The land has been preserved for the public by the Solano Land Trust. Sweeping to the horizon in all directions, the grasslands are the hunting ground of many owls, such as the Great Horned, Barn, Burrowing and Short-eared. Raptors include Red-tailed hawks, harriers, White-tailed Kite and Kestrels, among others. We listen to the music of singing meadowlarks as we walk the fields, and occasionally glimpse Loggerhead shrikes on the fence lines. So if you’re partial to wide open spaces and large wing-swept predatory birds, this trip is sure to become a “rapturous” memory! Moderate walking, good genre and landscape photography.

Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael
2016-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Las Gallinas Wetlands, San Rafael, CA, United States
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 shorebirds of all kinds.

Davis Raptor Center, Winters & Lake Solano
2016-12-10 10:00 - 16:00 | UC Davis Raptor Center, 1340 Equine Ln., Davis, CA, 95616, United States
This tour will highlight several beautiful locations: Winters, a charming valley town, the Davis Raptor center and Lake Solano. We’ll start at the Davis Raptor Center south of Sacramento in the morning for ducks, raptors and woodpeckers along Putah Creek. At the center we frequently see Golden eagles, Red-shouldered and Swainson’s Hawks, Great Horned and Screech owls, among others. After lunch at the historic little town of Winters, we’ll head off to nearby Lake Solano. Surrounded by stunningly beautiful hill country, this woodedlake has a great variety of songbirds, woodpeckers and ducks in the spring. Commonly found species include mergansers, Bufflehead, Wood ducks, teal, goldeneye and Widgeon, together with grebes, cormorants, geese, herons and egrets. Woodpeckers usually include sapsuckers, Nuttall’s, Flickers, Downies and occasionally Lewis’. We usually spy a total of 40-50 different species. Great water bird and landscape photography.

Birds of the Bay Area: Winter 2017
2017-01-04 09:00 - 12:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
Registration fee is $95 for the whole term and $50 for a half term. Individual trips are $30. Register online or contact me.
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, behavior and distribution. Fieldtrips to beautiful parks and shorelines such as Pt. Molate, Coyote Hills, Garin Dry Creek/Hayward Hills, Arrowhead Marsh and the Hayward Shoreline will provide practical experience in bird observation techniques. Total species observed during the semester usually averages 90-100, with a great variety of raptor, shorebird, wildfowl and songbirds seen. Birds frequently observed include Western, Horned and Eared grebes, Cinnamon and Green-winged teal, Canvasback, Widgeon, Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup ducks, Avocets, stilts, Great Blue Herons, Black-bellied plover, Anna’s hummingbirds, Chestnut-backed chickadee, Red-tailed hawks, White-tailed kites, Say’s phoebe, Bewick’s wren, Western bluebirds, Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s Warblers, Nuttall’s and Acorn woodpeckers and Double-crested cormorants, among many. Class sessions include films, lectures, book reviews and readings, and encourages students at all levels of birding experience. Car-pooling available for field trips.

Hayward Hills & Garin Creek Tour
2017-01-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Garin Dry Creek Regional Park, 1320 Garin Ave, Hayward, CA, 94544, United States
This wild and open expanse of East Bay hills is part of Garin Dry Creek regional park, high above the city of Hayward. Our bracing tour will also include riparian groves and oak woodlands, additional habitats for many varieties of songbirds. Warblers, kinglets, finches and thrushes fly or forage in the woody thickets along the tree-lined creek. Flying in circles overhead or sitting as silent sentinels watching our peregrinations, Kestrels, Red-shoulder and Red-tail hawks await our discovery. Western bluebirds may hover or cavort over the grasslands. Occasionally we spy relative rarities, such as the Loggerhead shrike, or the striking, stripe-headed Lark sparrow. Ducks and grebes are also possibilities in a nearby secluded woodland pond, such as Ring-necks, Mallards and Pied-billeds. Altogether, this tour will be a fine morning full of a great variety of birds, raptors, songbirds, woodpeckers and wildfowl.

Bodega Bay Tour, Sonoma Coast
2017-01-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Bodega Bay, CA, United States
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 bird-filled and colorful locations such as Bodega Head, Doran Beach and Owl Canyon. Minimal walking; bring lunch (or purchase one locally) and drinks. Great marine photography.

The Nature of America: Ecology, Wildlife and Conservation
2017-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This new course surveys the history of North America’s wildlife and human ecology of the last two centuries (1800-2000) up to the present. Major themes this semester will include: endangered wildlife, lives of great 19th and 20th century biologists and naturalists; the natural history of major eco-regions such as Alaska, California and the Southwest, and the birth of the conservation movement. Classes will also occasionally focus on individual mammals, reptiles or birds, such as buffalo, beaver, alligators, moose or the Passenger pidgeon. The influence on the conservation movement by John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, David Brower, Aldo Leopold and Rachel Carson will be examined. It will conclude with current environmental challenges (global warming, human population increase, resource management) and the explosive growth of new conservation initiatives, national organizations and strategies. The course includes use of films, lectures, readings, fieldtrips and guest lecturers.

Music and Civilization of the Renaissance
2017-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This course celebrates the music and civilization of the European Renaissance (ca. 1450-1600). Course topics will include musical style (such as polyphony and the popular song), musical notation , the mass, madrigals, the Burgundian school, ancient instruments, the Early Music revival of the 20th century and others. The lives and music of Josquin des Prez, Ockeghem, Dowland, Palestrina, Orlando de Lasso, Praetorius, Susato, Milan, Gesualdo, Byrd and others will be examined in light of innovations in art, science, technology, politics and ideas. Course includes performances on CDs, class recitals, lectures, readings and films.

History by Hollywood: Cinematic Visions of the 20th Century
2017-02-01 14:00 - 16:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This class examines recent history by showing films that depict the lives of people caught up in the important events of the 20th century. Through historical dramas and satires such as Gandhi, The Third Man, Paths of Glory and Dr. Strangelove, major issues of the last century have been brought to life by great film-makers. This semester films about the 1960’s and ‘70’s will include Silkwood, The Graduate, 8 1/2, Apocalypse Now and Annie Hall by directors such as Stanley Kubrick, Federico Fellini, Mike Nichols and Woody Allen. The lives and performances of stars such as Mastroianni, Nicholson, Keaton, Brando and Streep will be highlighted. The films interpret events of the last half of the 20th century, a period of great innovation, revolution and conflict in Western civilization. Discussion, commentary and analysis of the films and their historical context will follow showings.

Current Events and Film: the Art of the Documentary
2017-02-02 10:00 - 12:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This course presents documentary films that examine current social, economic and political issues around the world. In the last two decades films such as The Fog of War, Waiting for Superman, Fahrenheit 9/11, An Inconvenient Truth and Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room have brought complex national and international issues to the attention of millions. In the process they have helped to increase awareness and educate the public on important issues in the news. Film topics this semester will examine issues such as the weapons industry, gender identity, national security, the Middle East, the environment, immigration and health care. Course format includes films, lectures, class discussion, readings and guest lecturers.

Late Renaissance and Baroque Art in European Civilization
2017-02-02 14:00 - 16:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
This course surveys the development of new traditions in European art, architecture and civilization from the late Renaissance (ca. 1550/1600) through the Baroque period (ca. 1600/1700) in European civilization. The Golden Age of Dutch painting (Rembrandt, de Hooch, Ruisdael, Hals, Vermeer) will be highlighted. It will examine the lives, work and historical background of artists such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Titian, Tiepolo, Hals and Velasquez. Class format includes films, internet, readings, class discussion, lectures and fieldtrips to local museums.

Birds of the Bay Area: Spring 2017
2017-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
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, behavior and distribution. Fieldtrips to beautiful parks and shorelines such as Pt. Molate, Coyote Hills, Garin Dry Creek/Hayward Hills, Arrowhead Marsh and the Hayward Shoreline will provide practical experience in bird observation techniques. Total species observed during the semester usually averages 90-100, with a great variety of raptor, shorebird, wildfowl and songbirds seen. Birds frequently observed include Western, Horned and Eared grebes, Cinnamon and Green-winged teal, Canvasback, Widgeon, Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup ducks, Avocets, stilts, Great Blue Herons, Black-bellied plover, Anna’s hummingbirds, Chestnut-backed chickadee, Red-tailed hawks, White-tailed kites, Say’s phoebe, Bewick’s wren, Western bluebirds, Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s Warblers, Nuttall’s and Acorn woodpeckers and Double-crested cormorants, among many. Class sessions include films, lectures, book reviews and readings, and encourages students at all levels of birding experience. Car-pooling available for field trips.

The Birds of the Sierras: Summer 2017
2017-06-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2017-06-15 09:00 - 12:00 | North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
June 7 and 14 and June 15-18 (Thurs.-Sunday) Meets at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berkeley, & the Sierras (Sierra Valley)
Registration fee is $175
This course includes two Wednesday morning classes (9am-12pm) in Berkeley and a weekend birding tour of the Sierra Valley, just north of Lake Tahoe. The class sessions will provide information on the many birds of the Sierras, which include sapsuckers and other woodpeckers, numerous warblers, kinglets, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Osprey, White Pelicans, Mt. Bluebirds, White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Cranes, Black–billed Magpies, Nighthawks, Clark’s Nutcrackers, ducks, hummingbirds and many additional songbirds. Visiting different settings such as Lake Davis, the Sierra Valley marshes, the Feather River, Yuba Pass and Plumas-Eureka State Park, we expect to see between 80-100 different bird species and numerous wildflowers, butterflies and small mammals. The weekend trip begins at noon Thursday in Sierraville and ends Sunday at noon in Portola. I will provide a list of local accommodations (including campgrounds) for your stay. We typically visit two locations per day, break for lunch and share dinner in the evenings. Lodging and most meals are not included in the tour price. Contact me for any additional information you may need, including birds and natural history of the area, lodging and car-pooling to the Sierras. Class space limited — early registration advised!

Beaches, Boardwalks, Surf and Shorelines: A Birder’s Tour of Santa Cruz
2017-09-23 10:00 - 16:00 | 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 2531 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Sat. Sept. 23, 10am-4pm
Santa Cruz, located on the northern end of beautiful Monterey Bay (south of San Jose), is famed for its beaches, boardwalk, high surf and university. But with its many parks, rocky cliffs and dramatic coastline, this Coney Island of the West is also a favorite spot for birds. Its many wild areas include ocean headlands and inlets, beaches and redwood forests. We will try to sample as many habitats as possible as we tour the city, from the seacoast to hillside woodlands. We anticipate many birds of all kinds, from ducks, raptors and shorebirds to grebes, pelicans and songbirds. We usually see about 40-50 different species in a day, of all kinds. We will also visit two local sites to view thousands of over-wintering monarchs! Minimal walking, less than a mile, broken up by short drives to different parks. Bring or buy lunch there; meet at Natural Bridges State Beach entrance. Quickest route from the East Bay is 880 to 17 south to Santa Cruz, then Hwy 1 west (Cabrillo Hwy) a short way to Natural Bridges State Beach. Meet at the entrance to the park.

Shorebirds at Shollenberger Park Wetlands, Petaluma
2019-10-12 09:00 - 12:00 | 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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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 | CA
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.
