Join one of our many free field trips led by a very experienced leader. You do not have to be a member to participate, although we are sure you will want to join us to support these popular activities.

Please carpool if possible. Bring binoculars, field guides, layered clothing, snack, and fluids.

Field trip leaders - please use this participant sign-in sheet (PDF).

February  March  April  May  June  July  August  

Calero Reservoir & Coyote Valley
Wednesday February 10 2:30 PM.
Leader: Don Starks, (408) 266-2969 Half Day. NOTE: This is an AFTERNOON field trip to catch raptors at their best! Rain Cancels.

South on Almaden Expwy until it ends; right on Harry; left on McKean; apx. 3 miles to Calero Reservoir Marina parking lot on right side of road. We will carpool from there. Possible fee.

Merced & San Luis Wildlife Refuges
Saturday February 13 8:30 AM.
Leader: Rich Page (408) 377-1092. Full day. Meet at the parking area near the first Observation Platform in Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Raptors, ducks, geese, Great Horned Owls, Sandhill Cranes and White-faced Ibis possible. This will primarily be a driving bird trip so FRS radios set to channel 11 will prove to be valuable. After the Merced Wildlife Refuge we will caravan to the San Luis Wildlife Refuge for lunch and more birding. Dress in layers; bring lunch, liquids, and a full tank of gas. Rain Cancels.

From Hwy 101 in Gilroy take Hwy 152 east thru Los Banos, (no services past Los Banos, so check your gas gauge), approx. 20 miles then north 7 miles on Rte. 59 to Sandy Mush Rd., turn left approx. 8 miles to Merced Wildlife Refuge, on the left. Allow 2.5 hrs driving time from San Jose, more if it?s foggy.

Alum Rock Park
Sunday February 14 8:00 AM.
Leader: Jim Johnson (408) 996-3506. Half day. This is a moderately strenuous 3-4 mile walk. Resident breeding birds (possible Rufous-Crowned Sparrow, and Canyon Wren if we are lucky) early migrants, and lingering winter birds. Be prepared for some mud! Lunch Optional, Rain Cancels.

From Hwy 101 or I-680 take McKee Rd. northeast toward the hills then left on Toyon Ave., right on Penitencia Creek Rd. and continue on into the park. Pass under the bridge and meet at the far end of the upper parking lot.

Morro Bay/Carrizo Plains
Friday February 19 through Sunday February 21.
Leader: Rick Fournier, e-mail: Rimbirding@aol.com or (831) 633-0572 (note corrected #). We will bird throughout San Luis Obispo County starting on the coast finishing up in the powerful yet peaceful landscape of Carrizo Plain. For you early birders, the weekend will kick-off birding Friday morning at 7:30AM meeting on the backside (facing out the harbor) of Morro Rock. We will then depart heading south to bird Ocean Campground, Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area with our final stop, the Santa Maria River Mouth. For those arriving Saturday, we will again meet at 7:30AM on the backside of Morro Rock spending the day birding the hot spots in and around Morro Bay. Sunday will be dedicated to Carrizo Plain, heading home in the afternoon. Bring food for lunches and be prepared for cool and possibly wet weather. Rain will not cancel the Morro Bay portion of the trip; however, heavy rains on Sunday may cancel the Carrizo Plains portion of the trip.

Reminder: Trip is limited to 15 participants, please e-mail or call to confirm participation.

Santa Cruz Coastal Hot Spots
Saturday February 27 7:30 AM.
Leader: Todd Newberry, Santa Cruz Bird Club (831) 426-8741. Half day (optional plus). A chance to visit local birding hotspots and to chase recently reported goodies. Dress in layers; Todd's trips go rain or shine. For those running late, at 8 AM we will be on West Cliff Dr., checking inter-tidal shelves as we approach the Natural Bridges overlook at the west end of West Cliff Dr.

Meet 7:30 AM at the lighthouse on W. Cliff Dr. From Hwy 17 take Hwy 1 "north" (toward Half Moon Bay), turn left on Bay St. (just after MacDonald's), go to its end, turn right onto W. Cliff Dr., follow bluff-top to lighthouse.

Coyote Hills Regional Park
Sunday February 28 8:30 AM.
Leader: Frank Vanslager (650) 961-1505. Half day. Meet at far end of Quarry Parking lot 1/4 mile past park entrance. An entrance fee should be expected. Lunch Optional, Rain Cancels.

Take Hwy 84, Dumbarton Bridge, east towards Newark. Exit right on Thornton, then left over freeway, as Thornton becomes Paseo Padre. Turn left at Patterson Ranch/Commerce Rd. into park.

Windy Hill OSP
Saturday March 6 8:00 AM.
Leader: Kirsten Holmquist, (408) 747-0988. Half day. Meet in parking lot at Sausal Pond edge of Preserve. Rain Cancels.

From I-280 in Portola Valley take Alpine Rd south (toward hills) about 2.9 miles to first stop sign, turn right on Portola Rd. and go 0.8 miles to parking lot on left side of road just past The Sequoias.

Stanford Campus
Sunday March 7 9:00 AM.
Leader: Dick Stovel (650) 856-6105. Half day. Local breeding birds, early returning migrants should be active. This field trip is highly recommended for beginning birders. Rain Cancels.

From Hwy 101 in Palo Alto take University Ave exit west through downtown and into Stanford campus (becomes Palm Dr). Meet at end of Palm Dr at entrance to Main Quad.

Honey Lake, Eagle Lake & vicinity
Friday March 19 through Sunday March 21
Leader: Bob Hirt (408) 821-2732. A weekend trip to a remote corner of northeast California to see Sage Grouse on their booming grounds. Other expected species include eagles, hawks, geese, ducks, cranes, woodpeckers and mountain specialties such as Townsend's Solitaire, Cassin's Finch, Mountain Bluebird, and Pinyon Jay. Trip limited to 20 participants, so please call leader for further details and to reserve a space.

Audubon Field Workshop: "Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan, Alabama" with Rick Fournier
Wednesday April 14 through Apr 18th.
Cost: Guide fees are $250/person; participants are responsible for all other expenses
Leader: Rick Fournier (831) 632-2473; rimbirding@aol.com. The entire island is a bird sanctuary. An incredible 345 species have been reported on the island. For more information about the trip, and to register, please contact Rick directly at the information provided above. There is an 8 student maximum, so don't wait to sign up!

A portion of the trip fees will be used for SCVAS conservation and education programs.

Rick Fournier has been an avid birder for over 20 years and has a full appreciation for all aspects of nature. Rick owns and operates Monterey Birding Adventures, leading personalized and small group tours.

Audubon Field Workshop: "Southeastern Arizona" with David Wimpfheimer & Bob Power.
Saturday August 7 through Aug 18th.
Madera Canyon, Cave Creek, the Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains, Patagonia Roadside Rest area, up to 15 species of hummingbirds, and enough specialty birds to satisfy the most avid birders; in short, one of the top birding destinations in the world. We'll immerse ourselves in the mountains, canyons, and desert lowlands of southeastern Arizona during the area's "2nd spring," seeking all of the area's specialty birds from Elegant Trogon to Red-faced Warbler (the list of specialty birds makes us giddy).

There is an 8 participant minimum, and 14 participant maximum for this trip, so sign up early! Fees: $1795/person, double-occupancy. $350 single supplement. Deposit required: $300.

Proceeds from this workshop support SCVAS? Education & Conservation Programs.

David Wimpfheimer is a naturalist and a biologist with a passion for the birds and natural history of the West. During his twenty years of expeditions, in addition to local classes for the Point Reyes Field Seminars, Marin Agricultural Land Trust and the California Academy of Sciences, he has led numerous tours to Mexico, Alaska, Scotland and other regions for groups including the Smithsonian Institution, Wild Wings, and Elderhostel. Although the majority of David?s field trips are geared toward teaching and interpreting the language of the avian world, he is just as experienced teaching the rich diversity of the natural world. From wild birds to wildflowers, David will make every visit to the natural world memorable and enjoyable.

Bob Power is the Executive Director for Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society(SCVAS). Bob has taught birding classes for Palo Alto Adult School and SCVAS for the past five years and delights in helping field trip participants not only find birds but confidently identify them. Bob and David have been co-leading field trips for four years and strike a wonderful balance between exhilarating birding and general enjoyment of the natural world.

"My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to both of you for your outstanding teamwork during the 'Big Day and More' field trip at last weeks' Mono Lake Chautauqua. The two of you worked together like seasoned pros - seriously. I really enjoyed the all-day field trip, and judging from the comments I heard from others, everyone had a great time. Thanks again for your outstanding leadership." -Terry Colborn