Fort Mason (San Francisco)
Meet in front of the Community Garden to explore several different habitats in this compact part of GGNRA. This will be the beginning of winter, which means all our wintering species should be present, and the species count can be as high as 50. We'll explore Aquatic Park for Red-Breasted Mergansers and other ducks, grebes ... Read more
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (Gridley)
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
Coyote Lagoon Bike Ride (Fremont)
We will cycle about 10 miles from Warm Springs BART to Coyote Creek Lagoon and back: 5 miles on city streets and 5 miles on gravel trail. Beginners welcome! https://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bay/Visit/Coyote.Creek.Map.html We will look for wintering ducks, shorebirds, waders and other species in the slough east of the trail and the marsh to the west. ... Read more
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
Still the high season for birds at Lake Merritt, the oldest bird sanctuary in the country, with all the winter visitors still here. Come take advantage of a hoped-for break in the weather and enjoy them! MASKS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD TRIP Leader: Ruth Tobey, ruthtobey@gmail.com, (510) 717-3264; Hilary Powers, hilary@salamanderfeltworks.com This trip is free ... Read more
Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve (San Francisco)
A new Trailhead has been officially opened on Clarendon Ave where there is usually ample parking on weekends. 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 ... 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
Arrowhead Marsh and Alameda Bike Ride: Bart to Bart
High Tide near 11:30. Winter high tides are a good time to see rails, and if there has been enough rain, lots of ducks and shorebirds in the seasonal wetlands. Return will be to Fruitvale BART. Bring lunch and liquids, and dress in layers. All levels of birders welcome. Bicycle helmet required. Rain cancels. e-mail ... Read more
Salesforce Park
Please join us in Salesforce Park. We will take a leisurely stroll 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
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
Love is in the Air! Birds do it, in marvelous ways. It was Chaucer who put Valentine’s Day and birds together in his Parliament of Fowls. A gentle walk to Jewel Lake and back on a wide dirt trail past the refurbished ponds in the meadow. A few benches along the way. Come for a ... Read more
SF 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
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
Blake Garden (Kensington)
The bare trees of winter may soon change to buds and leaves, obscuring views of the bird species that frequent them. Now is the time to learn your winter and resident birds before spring hides them. Come bird with us at the Blake Garden. Winter is a great time to hone in on your skills ... Read more