PLEASE NOTE: Because of Covid-19, we require advance registration and are limiting the size of trips. Some trips require masks; but you are always welcome to wear a mask, even if it’s not required.
Field Trips
Golden Gate Audubon offers more than 150 field trips annually for birders of all levels. Our trips explore local areas from Golden Gate Park to the East Bay shoreline and hills, as well as such wildlife-rich destinations as California’s Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada.
Local trips are generally free except for any park entrance fees. Advance registration is required. For most trips, registration will open two weeks before the trip date and close a few days before the trip. We are currently limiting the size of most trips to allow for social distancing; no drop-ins, please.
See the calendar below (which you can also view as a list) for information on upcoming trips. Once registration opens for a trip, you will find a sign-up link on its information page.
We also sponsor trips to other parts of the U.S. and to international destinations, including Latin America, Africa, and Australia. See our Travel with GGAS page for upcoming travel opportunities.at
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
This is a great place to see at least some of the birds fairly close up, and a rewarding place to bird for both beginners and experienced folks. It’s a great place for families, as they can easily leave the trip at any time the kids (or adults) have had enough for the day. Bring ... Read more
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Salesforce Park
Salesforce Park
Sitting above the new Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco, Salesforce Park is an oasis for humans and urban birds alike. Join this meditative and educational stroll, which will focus on observing resident and migrant birds. This trip recurs on the first Wednesday of each month. Observant kids of all ages are welcome with adults. ... Read more
0 events,
3 events,
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
A gentle stroll to Jewel Lake and back on a wide dirt trail past the ponds in the meadow. A few benches along the way. Come along for a short while or the whole time. Leader: Alan Kaplan: LNKPLN67@gmail.com, landline (510) 526-7609 for messages This trip is free but advance registration is required. Registration will ... Read more
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Blake Garden (Kensington)
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
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
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
2 events,
Sacramento Valley Weekend Trip
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
Point Molate (Richmond)
Point Molate (Richmond)
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
2 events,
SF Botanical Garden
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
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
VALLE VISTA EBMUD WATERSHED
VALLE VISTA EBMUD WATERSHED
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
Meeker Slough and Hoffman Marsh (Richmond)
Meeker Slough and Hoffman Marsh (Richmond)
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
2 events,
Lake Merritt (Oakland)
Lake Merritt (Oakland)
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
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (Gridley)
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
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Hilltop Lake Park (Richmond)
Hilltop Lake Park (Richmond)
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
1 event,
Bort Meadow (Oakland)
Bort Meadow (Oakland)
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
0 events,
1 event,
Miller-Knox Shoreline Park (Richmond)
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
1 event,
Fort Mason (San Francisco)
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
1 event,
Elsie Roemer to Arrowhead Marsh Bike ride
Elsie Roemer to Arrowhead Marsh Bike ride
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 on this ~12 mile roundtrip bike ride visiting Elsie Roemer and Arrowhead marsh from the Frutivale Bart station. Leader: Kathy Jarrett, (510) 547-1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com This trip is free but ... Read more
0 events,
1 event,
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
December is the absolute peak month for birds at Lake Merritt: everybody likely to come is probably here, and nobody has left yet. Goldeneyes . . . maybe Barrow's Goldeneyes . . . and who knows, maybe that Tufted Duck reported in October and seen at least once since then.... MASKS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD ... Read more
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Wren Day/St. Stephen’s Day at Tilden (Berkeley)
Wren Day/St. Stephen’s Day at Tilden (Berkeley)
Our almost-annual Hunt (to see) the Wren Day Birdwalk, with folklore, culture, song, legend and biology of The Wren and relatives. Why is it “The King of All Birds”? 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. ... Read more
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0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
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About our Field Trips
Our trips welcome birders of all skill levels, especially beginning birders. We encourage experienced birders to help the newcomers in the group. And beginners: Don’t be shy! We warmly invite you to identify yourself at the start of the walk so the leaders and more experienced birders can help you.
Cancellations: Heavy rain almost always cancels trips. Other cancellations may be posted on the GGAS-Chat discussion group, described below. If you’re uncertain about whether a trip has been cancelled, please contact the trip leader.
We invite your feedback on any aspect of our trips (leadership, venues, schedules). Send an email to Field Trip Coordinators Steve Lombardi at hotrock175@gmail.com or Christina Tarr at christina.tarr@gmail.com. For questions about individual trips, contact the leaders. If you cannot reach a leader, contact our office at 510.843.2222 or email hotrock175@gmail.com.
Summaries of field trips from 2004-2020 are available online in our Trip Report Archives. For more recent trip sightings, see eBird.
GGAS chat group
Join our online chat group to get updates about field trips and share general birding/conservation discussions. Membership is free: visit groups.io/g/GGAS-Chat and click on the “subscribe” link
Pelagic trips, including the Farallones
We are not affiliated with these birding-by-boat trips but list them for your convenience. Please contact them directly for details, cost, and reservations.
Alvaro’s Adventures
Web: alvarosadventures.com
Email: alvaro@alvarosadventures.com
Alvaro Jaramillo leads outstanding trips and brings experienced sea-birders along as spotters. His trips leave from a variety of harbors, including Monterey (with the submarine canyon in Monterey Bay). The Farallon Islands trips leave from Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay.
Oceanic Society
Web: oceanicsociety.org
They offer whale watching trips that include the Farallones. For these, look at the biographical sketches of the guides and ask which trips have guides who are enthusiastic about birds as well as marine mammals. These trips leave from Sausalito and San Francisco. Follow the links for whale watching and then Farallones. Web site has phone numbers.
Grebe Courtship
Web: eyesofthewild.com
Email: faithrig@gmail.com
Watch the courtship rituals of the Western and Clarke’s Grebe from a comfortable 10-seat boat on Clear Lake. The best time to witness the grebe courtship displays is in late spring and early summer.
Seeking New Field Trip Leaders
If you’re a birder with favorite spots you’d like to share, consider joining our cadre of volunteer field trip leaders. It might sound a little scary (“Who, me? I can’t lead a field trip!”) but it’s really fun and quite easy.
We can provide training walks and mentors, help you write trip descriptions, and find background resources on the birding spots you love. You don’t need to be able to identify every bird: You’ll be successful by organizing an enjoyable walk at an interesting location.
If you’re interested (even if you’re maybe a little interested, but also a little nervous) contact Maureen Lahiff, Adult Education Committee chair, at 510.484.6529, MLahiff@aol.com or Field Trip Coordinator, Steve Lombardi at hotrock175@gmail.com.
Upcoming Field Trips
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
This is a great place to see at least some of the birds fairly close up, and a rewarding place to bird for both beginners and experienced folks. It’s a great place for families, as they can easily leave the trip at any time the kids (or adults) have had enough for the day. Bring ... Read more
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Salesforce Park
Salesforce Park
Sitting above the new Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco, Salesforce Park is an oasis for humans and urban birds alike. Join this meditative and educational stroll, which will focus on observing resident and migrant birds. This trip recurs on the first Wednesday of each month. Observant kids of all ages are welcome with adults. ... Read more
0 events,
3 events,
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
A gentle stroll to Jewel Lake and back on a wide dirt trail past the ponds in the meadow. A few benches along the way. Come along for a short while or the whole time. Leader: Alan Kaplan: LNKPLN67@gmail.com, landline (510) 526-7609 for messages This trip is free but advance registration is required. Registration will ... Read more
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Blake Garden (Kensington)
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
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
Garretson Point/Arrowhead Marsh (MLK Shoreline)
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
2 events,
Sacramento Valley Weekend Trip
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
Point Molate (Richmond)
Point Molate (Richmond)
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
2 events,
SF Botanical Garden
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
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
VALLE VISTA EBMUD WATERSHED
VALLE VISTA EBMUD WATERSHED
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
Meeker Slough and Hoffman Marsh (Richmond)
Meeker Slough and Hoffman Marsh (Richmond)
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
2 events,
Lake Merritt (Oakland)
Lake Merritt (Oakland)
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
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area (Gridley)
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
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Hilltop Lake Park (Richmond)
Hilltop Lake Park (Richmond)
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
1 event,
Bort Meadow (Oakland)
Bort Meadow (Oakland)
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
0 events,
1 event,
Miller-Knox Shoreline Park (Richmond)
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
1 event,
Fort Mason (San Francisco)
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
1 event,
Elsie Roemer to Arrowhead Marsh Bike ride
Elsie Roemer to Arrowhead Marsh Bike ride
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 on this ~12 mile roundtrip bike ride visiting Elsie Roemer and Arrowhead marsh from the Frutivale Bart station. Leader: Kathy Jarrett, (510) 547-1233, kathy_jarrett@yahoo.com This trip is free but ... Read more
0 events,
1 event,
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
December is the absolute peak month for birds at Lake Merritt: everybody likely to come is probably here, and nobody has left yet. Goldeneyes . . . maybe Barrow's Goldeneyes . . . and who knows, maybe that Tufted Duck reported in October and seen at least once since then.... MASKS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD ... Read more
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Wren Day/St. Stephen’s Day at Tilden (Berkeley)
Wren Day/St. Stephen’s Day at Tilden (Berkeley)
Our almost-annual Hunt (to see) the Wren Day Birdwalk, with folklore, culture, song, legend and biology of The Wren and relatives. Why is it “The King of All Birds”? 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. ... Read more
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
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Birding Ethics Statement
Golden Gate Audubon Society adheres to the Code of Birding Ethics of the American Birding Association and to the National Audubon Society’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography.
Please follow these codes whether you are birding by yourself or attending a GGAS or other birding event.
The golden rule of birding: When in doubt, first consider the welfare of the bird.
Thanks for being a responsible birder!