Fall is a great time to see resident and overwintering birds at the Blake Garden when many broad-leafed trees are bare. The Blake Garden is a public garden and landscape laboratory. In 1957, the Blake Estate was deeded to the UC Berkeley’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. With nearly 1500 plant species and ... Read more

At Arrowhead Marsh, we'll listen and look for Sora, Ridgway Rails and Virginia Rails. We have a good chance to see them because of the "king tides", which happen at new moon and full moon  in December and January, when the Earth is closest to the sun in its elliptical orbit. There is a new ... Read more

Come bird and learn about the history of this part of Richmond and current issues with a proposed development at Pt. Molate. Jim Hanson of the California Native Plant Society, a member of the Pt. Molate Alliance, has kindly offered to co-lead this trip. Masha will focus on the birds and some plants,  Jim will ... Read more

We’ll meet at the Cosumnes Preserve near Thornton for close-up looks at waterfowl and shorebirds. Viewing here involves strolling on wide, flat paths adjacent to a large pond and marsh. We’ll then drive a short distance to Staten Island for Sandhill Cranes, swans, Cackling Geese, and other waterfowl. We’ll car-bird here, stopping periodically to scope ... Read more

Slowly stroll around the S.F. Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, exploring the many birds that thrive amidst several micro-habitats with more than 8,000 kinds of plants. This trip is oriented towards helping beginning birders develop their skills, and recurs on the first Sunday of each month. Entry to the Garden is free before 9 ... Read more

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

Walk up to 2.5 miles along the Bay Trail from Meeker Slough to dog park along tidal marshes to look for ducks, shorebirds, waders, passerines, raptors, and Ridgway Rail on a 4 to 2+ foot tide.  Bring binoculars.  Heavy rain cancels.  There are restrooms only at dog park but you go to Shimada Park before ... Read more

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 discover land birds by sight and ear too. ... Read more

Here’s another chance to experience the incredible spectacle of millions of waterfowl convening every winter to turn the Central Valley into a veritable avian Serengeti.  Join GGAS on a day trip to Gray Lodge, a California State Wildlife Area on the north side of the Sutter Buttes, “the world’s smallest mountain range”, in the center ... Read more

Join me for an easy, flat 0.75 mile stroll around Hilltop Lake in Richmond to look at ducks, woodpeckers, passerines, and maybe raptors and a wader or two. Freshwater pond surrounded by willows, cattails, and native and ornamental trees and shrubs. Check out ebird bar chart for this location at https://ebird.org/barchart?r=L1405454&yr=all&m=. Please bring binoculars. There ... Read more

This trail features a variety of mature trees and grassy hillsides alongside a stretch of riparian habitat, plus a very large open meadow surrounded by trees and chaparral. Varied thrush winter here, and are seen regularly. Raptors, nuthatches, California Thrashers, and woodpeckers are also sighted regularly, along with a variety of sparrows and Pine Siskin. ... Read more