Come see what's happening at Lake Merritt as spring winds toward summer. Most of the winter migrants will be gone, but we have a chance to see some laggards, plus some local residents in the family-growth business.... MASKS REQUIRED FOR THIS WALK.  Leader: Hilary Powers, hilary@salamanderfeltworks.com, Lyla Arum, lyla.arum@gmail.com This trip is free but advance ... Read more

All shapes, 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!  Binoculars help, so let Rachel know in advance if you’d like a loaner pair. We'll explore 1-2 miles on flat terrain from the parking lot to ... Read more

This is a shorter trip with less walking than our usual field trips at this location.  We will enjoy quality time, what Malcolm Margolis calls “deep hanging out,” but will finish before it gets really hot and the park gets very crowded on Memorial Day Weekend. Special target birds include California Quail, Wilson’s Warbler, Pacific-slope ... Read more

Please join us in Salesforce Park. We will take a leisurely birdwalk through the park and encounter common and not so common year round residents and migrant birds throughout the year. This trip is especially good for beginners as we often have very close views of the birds and can really closely study their distinguishing ... Read more

Join me for an easy, flat stroll (about a mile) around Hilltop Lake in Richmond to look for seasonal (e.g. Hooded Orioles) and resident passerines, woodpeckers, raptors and more. Freshwater pond surrounded by willows, cattails, and native and ornamental trees and shrubs.The trail is paved and there are cement block benches in 2 places. We’ve ... Read more

Today’s theme: Features of Nests, Eggs, and Incubation. Why are eggs “the most perfect thing”? How do cigarette butts benefit baby birds? Is nest building all instinct? Meet at the Tilden Nature Area parking lot at the entrance to the Environmental Education Center/Little Farm. We’ll walk a wide path to Jewel Lake and back. Restrooms ... Read more

The UCSF Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve is a 61-acre remnant of more than 2000 acres of eucalyptus trees planted by Adolf Sutro in the late 1800s. UCSF has instituted a long term management plan for the OSP with the initial phase focused on removing dead and dying trees to improve fire safety. Some tree ... Read more

We will walk a relatively flat 2 miles, round trip, up the Abrigo Trail from Bear Creek Staging area through oak woodland and grassland to Maud Whalen campground.  Hope to see Bullock’s Orioles, Lazuli Bunting, Ash-throated Flycatchers, nesting Barn Swallows, Western Kingbird plus various woodland species.    Restrooms or portapotty at the start and supposedly ... 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

Special target birds include California Quail, Wilson’s Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Pacific Wren. This is a great trip for those who want to start learning to identify birds by sound, as several of the birds that make their homes here or arrive for the summer have distinctive songs and calls. (I’ll email some suggested birds ... Read more

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

Join us for dusk birdsong at Tilden Regional Park. Dawn chorus is much talked about, but birds sing in the evening as well. The star of this show will probably be Swainson's Thrush, though others sing well into the evening. Once light fails, we might hear an owl. Leader: Rusty Scalf, rscalf@sonic.net This trip is ... Read more