San Francisco Botanical Garden
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
Lafayette Community Center (Lafayette)
This trail features a variety of mature trees and grassy hillsides alongside a stretch of riparian habitat. Raptors, nuthatches, and woodpeckers are sighted regularly, along with a variety of sparrows. This is a dirt trail, wide in most areas, mostly level although there are some elevation changes. There are no areas to sit along this ... Read more
Albany Mudflats, McLaughlin Shoreline State Park (Albany Bulb)
Migration is a fantastic time to see exciting shorebirds around the Bay. So it's time once again to resume our monthly visits to the Albany shoreline. Returning birders, newcomers and all levels of experience welcome! For a sense of how this walk goes, here's a recent blog: https://goldengateaudubon.org/blog-posts/albany-mudflats-mclaughlin-eastshore-state-park-albany-bulb/ We'll meet 45 minutes after (a low) ... Read more
Blake Garden (Kensington)
We are nearing the end of summer, when most breeding birds have finished their efforts at Blake Garden and their young have dispersed to find their own territories. Come join us to seek out a wide variety of resident species throughout the garden on our monthly walk. We may find a few early fall migrants, ... Read more
Middle Harbor Shoreline (Oakland)
Join us for a walk along the Oakland shoreline focusing on early arriving shorebirds and hoping for up to four species of terns. We will begin about an hour after low tide. Walking is mostly on paved paths with a short section of sand. Scopes are very beneficial at this location and appreciated. Leader: Megan ... Read more
Evening Bat Walk Lake Chabot Marina (Castro Valley)
Susan will lead us out and back on a 3-mile round trip walk to watch and hear (she’ll bring her “bat detector”) the bats foraging over the lake. Lake Chabot hosts several species of bats, both residents and migrants. Come out and join the fun. The trail is paved with some moderate up-and-down. Bring appropriate ... Read more
Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve (San Francisco)
Meet at the Aldea Community Center, 155 Johnstone Dr at 8:00 AM. We’ll walk about two miles, with significant climbing on mostly well-graded trails, but there are rocky spots and exposed roots. We’ll look and listen for birds. Just past mid Aug, we should see summer and resident birds—mostly done breeding or with nearly mature ... Read more
Valle Vista EBMUD Watershed (Moraga)
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
Abbott’s Lagoon Pt Reyes National Seashore (Marin)
We will bird the coastal scrub, lagoons, and ocean. We hope to find migrant shorebirds and resident Snowy Plovers. Abbott's Lagoon has historically been good for Baird's Sandpiper and we may get lucky. Meet at 9 am at the Abbott's Lagoon parking lot (bathrooms but no water). Bring scope, liquids, lunch. Plan on walking 4 ... Read more
Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline, Oakland
Arrowhead Marsh - MLK Regional Shoreline Park 81 Swan Way, Oakland, CAJoin us to restore shoreline habitat for endangered Ridgway's Rails and other waterfront birds in this lovely, popular Oakland park. Our work sessions always include some time looking for and learning about local bird life! Wear closed-toe shoes, and bring and wear a Covid mask. You may bring your own gloves, or we can provide ... Read more
Fort Mason (SF)
Meet in front of the Community Garden to explore several different habitats in this compact part of GGNRA. The focus will be looking for early migrants. The garden and the battery could have Orioles, Warblers, Tanagers and Flycatchers. We'll also scan Aquatic Park for shorebirds and water birds. Restroom in meadow, ample parking if there ... Read more
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
All shapes and sizes are welcome though LGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks are especially invited to this participatory field trip. We all benefit when anyone shares their observations, knowledge and enthusiasm! We should expect to see water and land birds by sight and ear. Binoculars help, so let Rachel know in advance if you’d like a ... Read more