Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve (San Francisco)

We’ll cover about two miles with significant climbing on mostly well-graded trails with some rocky spots and exposed roots (sutrostewards.org/trail-map) in the UCSF Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve. The preserve is a 61-acre remnant of more than 2000 acres of eucalyptus trees planted by Adolf Sutro. We will be looking and listening for birds and ... Read more

Coyote Creek Lagoon (Fremont)

Part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR. Late November should provide lots of shorebirds, rails, waterfowl, and land birds, and maybe a few raptors. We will walk about 3.0 miles total on both wide, flat trails on the levee and some narrower trails through the marsh. The only benches are a short distance ... Read more

VALLE VISTA EBMUD WATERSHED

Birding in the Moraga area on level trails and fire roads owned by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). This area features a variety of habitats: chaparral and scrub, grassland, pine-oak woodland, marsh, and the top of the reservoir. Likely birds include raptors, sparrows, California Thrasher, nuthatches, wrens, and the shy Wood Ducks. We will ... Read more

American Canyon Wetlands (Napa)

Come explore this wonderful area with me. We’ll stroll along a flat, easy 2 to 2.5 miles around Napa River wetlands with bordering woodland and grassland to see ducks, shorebirds, waders (including more Black-crowned Night Herons than you can count), raptors, woodpeckers, wintering sparrows and more. Check out the birds you may see at eBird ... Read more

Miller-Knox Shoreline Park (Richmond)

Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline is truly one of the gems of the East Bay. Along the shoreline, beautiful views of the Bay complement the opportunity to see a variety of waterbirds. As you head inland, you pass through open fields, dense scrub, and then up into the rolling hills, some of which are blanketed in forest. ... Read more

Fort Mason (San Francisco)

Meet in front of the Community Garden to explore several different habitats in this compact part of GGNRA. Although migration is over, there are a number of wintering species at Fort Mason, and the species count in November can be as high as 50.  We'll explore Aquatic Park for returning ducks, grebes and loons.  We'll ... Read more

Dotson Family Marsh and Giant Marsh (Contra Costa County)

At Dotson Family Marsh, we are likely to see sparrows and Western Meadowlarks in the grassland areas, as well as shorebirds feeding on the mudflat as the tide goes out. At the Giant Marsh, we will look for birds on the shoreline, in San Pablo Bay and in the upland eucalyptus groves. We will be ... Read more

Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)

We're into the peak season at Lake Merritt - just about everybody arrived; nobody departed. This is probably your best chance of seeing Barrow's Goldeneyes on the trip. No promises, but they tend to show up near the islands first, then move down toward Laney College, where we don't go....   MASKS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD ... Read more

Aquatic Park (Berkeley)

Celebrate Buy Nothing Day by collecting bird sightings! All are welcome but LGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks are especially invited to a participatory field trip. We all benefit when anyone shares their observations, knowledge and enthusiasm.  There should be large birds that can be seen without binoculars, including migratory and winter water birds. We will likely ... Read more

Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)

This is a great place to see at least some of the birds fairly close up, and a rewarding place to bird for both beginners and experienced folks.  It’s a great place for families, as they can easily leave the trip at any time the kids (or adults) have had enough for the day. Bring ... Read more

Salesforce Park Bird Walk

Salesforce Park

Sitting above the new Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco, Salesforce Park is an oasis for humans and urban birds alike. Join this meditative and educational walk, which will focus on observing resident and migrant birds. This walk recurs on the first Wednesday of each month. Observant kids of all ages are welcome with adults. ... Read more

Salesforce Park

Sitting above the new Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco, Salesforce Park is an oasis for humans and urban birds alike. Join this meditative and educational stroll, which will focus on observing resident and migrant birds. This trip recurs on the first Wednesday of each month. Observant kids of all ages are welcome with adults. ... Read more