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,
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,
1 event,
Arrowhead Marsh (Oakland)
Arrowhead Marsh (Oakland)
Prepare for the new year by immersing yourself into the wonder of our birdy neighbors. We will have a guests Dr. Concha Saucedo do a land blessing and Susana Renaud lead a short nature mindfulness practice. All are welcome but LGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks are especially invited to a participatory, accessible field trip. We all ... Read more
0 events,
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
Lafayette Community Center
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
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,
1 event,
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
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
Staten Island and Consumnes River Preserve (Isleton)
Staten Island and Consumnes River Preserve (Isleton)
The Nature Conservancy manages the farmlands on Staten Island for the wintering Sandhill Cranes. The flooded fields have a variety of shorebirds, waterbirds and raptors. Tundra Swans are also likely. Cosumnes has a great variety of wintering ducks and is a fairly reliable place for Wilson’s Snipe. The Staten Island part of the trip is ... Read more
0 events,
1 event,
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to learn some new birding skills or brush-up on some rusty birding skills? Come bird with us at the Blake Garden. Winter is a great time to hone in on your skills by finding the resident and overwintering birds when many broad-leafed trees are bare. The Blake Garden ... Read more
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
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
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
2 events,
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
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,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Coyote Lagoon Bike Ride (Fremont)
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
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
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
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve (San Francisco)
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
Heron’s Head Accessible Birding Trip
Heron’s Head Accessible Birding Trip
All are welcome to join this accessible outing to see shorebirds and ducks that visit Heron's Head in the winter. Meet in the parking lot, which is small but has two ADA spots if needed. We will go at a leisurely pace to follow the main paved path on the jetty, about a mile round ... Read more
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
0 events,
1 event,
Arrowhead Marsh and Alameda Bike Ride: Bart to Bart
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
1 event,
Salesforce Park
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
0 events,
1 event,
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
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
0 events,
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
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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,
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,
1 event,
Arrowhead Marsh (Oakland)
Arrowhead Marsh (Oakland)
Prepare for the new year by immersing yourself into the wonder of our birdy neighbors. We will have a guests Dr. Concha Saucedo do a land blessing and Susana Renaud lead a short nature mindfulness practice. All are welcome but LGBTQ+ and BIPOC folks are especially invited to a participatory, accessible field trip. We all ... Read more
0 events,
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
Lafayette Community Center
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
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,
1 event,
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
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
Staten Island and Consumnes River Preserve (Isleton)
Staten Island and Consumnes River Preserve (Isleton)
The Nature Conservancy manages the farmlands on Staten Island for the wintering Sandhill Cranes. The flooded fields have a variety of shorebirds, waterbirds and raptors. Tundra Swans are also likely. Cosumnes has a great variety of wintering ducks and is a fairly reliable place for Wilson’s Snipe. The Staten Island part of the trip is ... Read more
0 events,
1 event,
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Blake Garden (Kensington)
Have you made a New Year’s Resolution to learn some new birding skills or brush-up on some rusty birding skills? Come bird with us at the Blake Garden. Winter is a great time to hone in on your skills by finding the resident and overwintering birds when many broad-leafed trees are bare. The Blake Garden ... Read more
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
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
Aquatic Park (Berkeley)
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
2 events,
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
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,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Coyote Lagoon Bike Ride (Fremont)
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
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Lake Merritt and Lakeside Park (Oakland)
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
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Mount Sutro Open Space Preserve (San Francisco)
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
Heron’s Head Accessible Birding Trip
Heron’s Head Accessible Birding Trip
All are welcome to join this accessible outing to see shorebirds and ducks that visit Heron's Head in the winter. Meet in the parking lot, which is small but has two ADA spots if needed. We will go at a leisurely pace to follow the main paved path on the jetty, about a mile round ... Read more
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
0 events,
1 event,
Arrowhead Marsh and Alameda Bike Ride: Bart to Bart
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
1 event,
Salesforce Park
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
0 events,
1 event,
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley)
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
0 events,
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
- There are no events on this day.
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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!