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

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

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 migrants 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 seen lots ... Read more

Last weekend was International Dawn Chorus Sunday, making this our (almost) Annual Dawn Chorus Birdwalk. Note special meeting place and time. No regular First Friday walk today! Early Birdwalk, No regular Birdwalk. Dawn Chorus: What are the birds saying so early and who are they saying it to? Leader: Alan Kaplan LNKPLN67@gmail.com, landline (510) 526-7609 ... Read more

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

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

The focus of the May field trip will be looking for late migrants.  May can bring a surprise migrant, and there should still be migrating flycatchers, vireos and warblers moving through. In previous years, we have had a Western Wood Pewee, a Western Tanager and a Black Headed Grosbeak. Nesting birds could include Pigeon Guillemots, ... Read more

This will be a half day walk in a good variety of habitats: Baccharis chaparral, grassland, Monterey Pine and Eucalyptus woodland. This area has been historically good for Lazuli Bunting, Pygmy Nuthatch and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. Wear good hiking shoes and bring water. Indoor restrooms at the parking lot. We’ll cover about 2.5 miles.  Leader: Rusty ... Read more

We are well into spring and the Blake Garden is full of activity! Come bird the garden with us to observe bird species nesting and fledging young. We have had a turn-around in species from wintering birds to summer residence. The garden is full of bird chatter now with territorial disputes. If you are a ... 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

Vollmer Peak, at 1,905 feet tall, is considered the highest point in the Berkeley Hills and a magnet for migrating birds and rarities.  The combination of hilly, shrubby, and open habitats give us excellent opportunities to view a variety of birds, while also enjoying spectacular views from the Bay to Mt. Diablo (and all the ... Read more

We will meet at the bottom of the Woodminster Cascade (the series of fountains)  for a walk through the forest of Joaquin Miller Park. Expect our resident breeding birds and migrating birds if we're lucky!  This walk will be moderately strenuous with elevation gain on both stairs and trails. Leader: Megan Jankowski, mindfuldocumentation@gmail.com, (415) 515-0732 ... Read more

Curious about birding Point Reyes but unsure of where to go? Join ranger Carlo Arreglo and explore some of the park's birding "hotspots."  Birdwatchers of all levels are welcome. We'll start at the Bear Valley area then drive towards the Outer Point with possible stops at Drakes Beach, A, B, and C ranches, the lighthouse ... Read more

All are welcomed on this easy-paced trip around Stow Lake in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. We will go around the lake, about one mile. The path is flat and paved, with many benches spaced along the way. Accessible bathrooms and parking are behind the boat house. Afterwards you have the option of exploring Strawberry ... 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