Ohlone Audubon Society

North Livermore/Springtown
2025-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | North Livermore/Springtown, 2010 Bluebell Dr, Livermore, California, 94551
Contact ka*******@*ol.com

We will walk along the Arroyo, where we can expect wading birds such as stilts and egrets, ducks, incl. Cinnamon Teal, and many wintering and resident songbirds. Rails and snipe are possible. The open fields are productive for raptors – Golden Eagle and Ferruginous Hawk have been seen here. Wide, level trails make walking easy. Bring your scope if you have one. Heavy rain cancels.

Directions: Take I-580 east to Exit 54 for First Street/Springtown Blvd; turn left onto First Street, which becomes Springtown Blvd. Turn right (east) on Bluebell Dr. and continue about a mile and a half to Marlin A. Pound Neighborhood Park. We will meet at the bridge crossing the Arroyo. Park on either side of the street. No restrooms are on our route, so you may wish to make a pit stop before arriving at the meeting point.

Leaders: Kathy Robertson & Karen Kramer

Location North Livermore/Springtown

Owling in Garin Regional Park
2025-02-05 17:30 - 19:00 | CA
February 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 5:30pm – 7pm

Leader: Bob Toleno RSVP: bo*@****no.com

Though highly sought after, owls are often the most difficult birds for us to see, for the obvious reason that most are typically only out after dark. On this trip, we’ll take a short walk (less than a mile over flat ground) into Garin Regional Park, with the primary goal of finding Western Screech-Owls, and getting a flashlight on them so all participants can get a look. February is when they’re starting their nesting cycle, so they should be active and vocal as soon as it gets dark. We will likely also hear Great Horned and American Barn Owls.

These trips will be limited to only FIVE participants per outing. You MUST RSVP to bo*@****no.com and specify which date you would like to go.

Try to have a back-up date in mind, also, in case the date you choose is already full. The meeting location and directions will be provided via email before the trip. If all trips fill up, there will be a waiting list. Any rain or wind at all will cancel an outing, though I will do my best to reschedule cancelled trips, if possible.

Location Owling in Garin Regional Park

Scott Harris: RaptorQuest: Chasing America's Raptors
2025-03-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
Title: RaptorQuest: Chasing America’s Raptors

Description: Scott Harris spent 17 months chasing 53 Raptors across 34 states – his version of a Raptor Big Year. RaptorQuest is about his adventures, misadventures, successes and failures. From -36 degree days, to ones over 100 degrees, to just getting on the bird just in time, to the frustrations of missing one by minutes. It’s about the birds of course, but it’s also aboutthe people he met, the things he learned and why he’s already working onhis next adventure.

Presenter: Scott Harris and his wife Randi retired to South Carolina in March of 2020 – something Scott will tell you was one of the best decisions they have made

in their 45 years of marriage. It was also when he first started birding – a hobby he never imagined himself participating in, but now can’t imagine living without.His interests and hobbies include the largest collection of John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in the worldand playing harmonica in a blues band. He has written more than fifty books in the past seven years and the one he’ll be discussing is his first entrée into the world ofbirding and birds.That book, RaptorQuest: Chasing America’s Raptors, is the story of hisyear-long adventure tracking down every species of Raptor in the Lower 48states.

Location: Zoom

Register here:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsf-iupj4iGNwWOZRGoiFQxSQ-ANlL8dNP#/registration

Flows of Water and Waterbirds Across California
2025-04-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
Description: Nathan Van Schmidt will be talking about research on the challenges facing waterbirds of the Pacific Flyway. Over a million waterbirds utilize San Francisco Bay for migratory stopover or over-wintering habitat each year, including many species which have already lost substantial habitat elsewhere within the Western United States. Their habitat needs complicated efforts to restore tidal marsh throughout the Bay Area, and a careful design of a balanced mosaic of habitats may be necessary to ensure the diverse species’ persistence. He will dig into over two decades of monitoring data on ten foraging guilds including shorebirds, ducks, gulls, terns, fisheaters, and more within the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project and nearby remaining commercial salt production ponds, and draw connections between challenges facing these regions and other waterbird populations across the western United States. The talk will dive deep into the ecology of two unique waterbirds with specialized habitat needs — Wilson’s Phalaropes and California Black Rails — the former of which was recently petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act due to threats to saline lakes across the Great Basin.

About the Speaker: Nathan Van Schmidt is a Science Director at San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO), running their Waterbird and Climate Change research programs. A native of the midwest, he obtained his B.S. from University of Wisconsin – Madison and moved to the Bay Area in 2011 to obtain his Ph.D. at U.C. Berkeley, where he studied how anthropogenic wetlands allowed Black Rails to persist through California’s droughts. He has worked as a researcher in the U.S. Geological Survey, U.C. Santa Cruz, and the International Crane Foundation. In his current role he leads monitoring and research on the Project’s non-breeding waterbird guilds, community scientist monitoring of colonial waterbird breeding activity across the nine counties of the Bay Area region, waterbird disease and abatement research, and is the Lead Author of the Central Coast Regional Report for California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment. His interdisciplinary research couples long-term field ecology datasets on bird populations and their habitats with climate and land-use change forecasting to assess how species persist in human-dominated landscapes.

Sabercat Creek
2025-04-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Sabercat Creek, 43851 Ibero Way, Fremont, CA, 94539, United States
Sabercat Creek trail follows a stream in Fremont with excellent riparian woodland in addition to many ornamentals. There are also grassy hillsides with sites for perching birds. We have a good chance to see both Allen’s and Anna’s Hummingbirds and have a five woodpecker day. Since we will be in the middle of Spring migration we should see great birds. We will start the trip from Old Mission Community Park where parking is plentiful and restrooms available. After a couple of blocks of street walking we will access the trail at its Pine Street entrance. Sabercat Creek has seen extensive excavations for fossils so there are many interpretive signs and even an online audio tour if you would rather listen to it than the birds. The trail is mostly level and paved the entire way. Total length is 3.2 miles but since it is an out-and-back, you can turn around whenever you wish.
Directions: Old Mission Community Park is at 1000 Pine Street in Fremont. Heading south on I680, take the first Mission Blvd exit. Turn left on Mission and then right on Pine. The park will be at the intersection of Pine and Ibero Way.
From I-880 take the Auto Mall Parkway/Durham Road exit. Head east on Durham Road then left on Paseo Padre Parkway. Make a right on Camino del Campo and then left on Ibero Way to the park.

Bay Point Regional Shoreline
2025-04-12 05:30 - 08:30 | Bay Point Regional Shoreline, McAvoy Road in Bay Point, CA, Bay Point, CA, United States
“Secretive Marsh Birds Sunrise Saunter”
This pre-dawn adventure will focus on finding California Black Rail, Sora, Virginia Rail and American Bittern. During our stroll along the one-mile, flat Harrier Trail, we will explore its namesake bird while enjoying views of kites, shrikes, shorebirds, and wonderful waterfowl. We will use “Doc Quack’s” special access code to visit this newly restored marshland, so you must be there by 5:30 am as all access gates will be locked at 0545. Dress in layers and bring light rain gear as needed. This is a wheelchair-accessible field trip. Pre-registration is required, and all are welcome. Rain cancels the field trip.
Directions: From Highway 4 in Bay Point, exit at the Bay Point/San Marco Boulevard exit and go north onto Willow Pass Road, towards the river. After about one-half mile, turn left onto Port Chicago Highway. Proceed for about 1.25 miles and take McAvoy Road to the trail staging area on the left.
Reservations required by 4/9/2025 to dr*******@*****ks.org

Garin Regional Park - Birding by Ear
2025-04-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Garin Regional Park, 1320 Garin Ave, , Hayward, CA, 94544, United States
Come explore by ear and other gadgets the willow and sycamore-lined creekside supporting an amazing array of insects, which in turn provides food for foraging and nesting Neotropical songbirds, such as Tree Swallows, Swainson’s Thrush, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Wilson’s Warbler, and much more. Research has revealed that this rural setting provides habitat for nearly 150 bird species of which more than 65 are breeding birds.
Directions/address: From Hwy 880 in Hayward, take the Industrial Parkway exit and travel east to Mission Blvd. Make a right onto Mission Blvd. and travel one block to Garin Ave and then make a left. The park entrance is approximately one mile uphill, address 1320 Garin Avenue, Hayward.

Pine Canyon, Walnut Creek
2025-04-19 08:30 - 12:00 | Pine Canyon, 1700 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut Creek, 94598, United States
Enjoy a nice walk through oak woodlands in the Diablo foothills. Paved trails and moderate hills will give us a chance to see birds such as Cassin’s Vireo, Rock and Canyon Wrens, and possibly nesting Peregrine Falcons. Scopes can be useful in certain areas, but they are not necessary. Meet at the Diablo Foothills Staging Area parking lot (1700 Castle Rock Rd.) at 8:30 am.
Directions: Take I-680/24 to Ygnacio Valley Rd. Turn right onto Ygnacio and then turn right again at Walnut Ave. (NOT Walnut Blvd.). Follow Walnut Ave. to the traffic circle and bear right onto Castle Rock Rd. Drive past the horse stables to Diablo Foothills parking area, 1700 Castle Rock Rd.

Test Trip #2
2025-04-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
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Mill Creek Road, Fremont
2025-04-26 08:30 - 12:00 | Mill Creek Road, Fremond, CA
Mill Creek Road, Fremont
Mill Creek Road is an underappreciated birding hotspot in Fremont. It parallels Mill Creek, which creates a rich riparian habitat that flows from Mission Peak. In late April, we hope to see migrants like Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, migrating warblers, as well as Rufous Hummingbird, and maybe even a Calliope Hummingbird. Resident Rufous-crowned Sparrow should be singing, and we’ll likely hear the song of the recently arrived Grasshopper Sparrow, too. Lazuli Buntings and Black-headed Grosbeaks should be relatively abundant and singing on their breeding territories. We’ll walk about 1.5 – 2 miles on a paved road up the fairly gentle hill and then back again.
Directions: From I-880 S, take Auto Mall Pkwy east, then get on I-680 north for 2 miles, exit on Mission Blvd, turn right, then turn left on Mill Creek Rd after just a couple blocks. Park on the street near the corner of Mill Creek Rd and Linmore Dr.
There are no restrooms, so be sure to stop at the McDonalds or a gas station on Mission Blvd beforehand to use the facilities.

Test Registration Event
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | North Livermore/Springtown, 2010 Bluebell Dr, Livermore, California, 94551
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The Most Overlooked Birds in North America: Females
2025-05-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Zoom
May 2025 Membership Meeting
The Most Overlooked Birds in North America: Females

Description: Female birds often hide in plain sight. Typically drabber and more inconspicuous than males, there is an unconscious bias towards male birds in birdwatching, photography, and even in our scientific knowledge about birds. This talk explores the history of focus on male birds, why it’s important to focus on females, and gives female bird identification tips. Joanna challenges the audience to confront their own biases in our pursuit of birds
Speaker: Joanna Wu is a PhD student studying female birds in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. She previously worked at the National Audubon Society and is a member of the Galbatross Project, a group of birders, scientists, writers, and conservationists who are passionate about spreading awareness about female birds.

Location Zoom
Click here to Register for the Zoom meeting

Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo State Park
2025-05-14 08:30 - 12:00 | Mitchell Canyon, Mt. Diablo State Park, 96 Mitchell Canyon Rd, Clayton, CA, 94517, United States
Enjoy an easy to moderate walk on a dirt road for a two to three mile round trip. Migration will be in full swing, so we’ll be looking for flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and warblers, in addition to the resident woodpeckers and raptors. Scopes can be useful, but they are not necessary. Lunch is optional as we recap the list after the walk.
Directions: Take SR-24 east or 680-north to Walnut Creek; exit at Ygnacio Valley Rd. Proceed east 8.5 miles to Clayton Rd; turn right. Drive one mile to Mitchell Canyon Rd.; turn right. At the end of the road, enter the park after paying the $6 entry fee. Meet at the parking lot. Restrooms are available.

Annual Potluck Picnic & Installation of Officers
2025-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Lake Chabot Regional Park, 17600 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley , CA, 94546
Bird Walk: 4PM
Setup: 5PM
Dinner: 6PM
Location: Lake Chabot Regional Park
Group picnic area near restrooms
17600 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley
Our annual meeting dinner will take place outdoors with a potluck picnic, (in-person!) with us flocking together at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. Time to catch up with fellow members about birds, happenings, or life, over delicious food. We will also be installing our new Board of Directors for FY 2025-26..
Come early—Kathy Robertson will lead a bird walk beforehand.
Please bring your own table service, utensils, and a dish to share (about 10 to 12 servings)
Last names: A-G: dessert; H-O: salad,
P-Z: entrée, vegetable or side dish.

Beverages will be supplied, courtesy of OAS. (Visitors are requested to refrain from alcoholic beverages in the park).
Directions: In Castro Valley on I-580 westbound, take the Strobridge Avenue exit. Turn right on Strobridge, right on Castro Valley Boulevard, and left on Lake Chabot Road. The Lake Chabot Marina is about two miles ahead on the right. In Castro Valley on I-580 eastbound, exit at Redwood Road and go left, go left at Castro Valley Boulevard, right at Lake Chabot Road, and follow the directions above. From I-580 in San Leandro, exit at Fairmont Drive and go east (uphill). The marina entrance will be to the left at the bottom of the hill. (Parking fee/EBRPD pass)

Location 17600 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley

Niles Hotspots
2025-05-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Alameda Creek Trail, Niles CA
Leaders: Kathy Robertson & Karen Kramer
We will visit several birding spots in the Niles area, along the Alameda Creek channel and adjacent riparian areas, in the hopes of seeing spring migrants and nesting birds, including orioles, warblers, and waterfowl. Pre-registration is not required, and all are welcome. Heavy rain cancels. Meet at the Niles Community Park.
Directions: To reach the park from I-880, take Decoto Rd. northeast about 2 miles. Turn right on Alvarado Niles Blvd. and stay on it for about 2.5 miles (it becomes Niles Blvd.) Turn right on H Street. The park is at the end of H Street. From I-680, take Niles Canyon Rd. (Hwy 84) southwest to Fremont. Cross Mission Blvd. to reach Niles Blvd., and bear right on Niles Blvd. to go through the main part of Niles. Turn left on H Street. The park is at the end of H Street. From Mission Blvd. north or south, turn onto Niles Blvd. and follow directions above.

Location Alameda Creek Trail, Niles CA
Map at Google map

Point Reyes - Spring Migration
2025-05-29 07:30 - 15:30 | Point Reyes National Seashore, 11315 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes Station, CA
Contact bo*@****no.com

Thursday, May 29, 7:30am – 3:30pm
Leaders: Bob Toleno & Kate Reed
RSVP required, limited to 12 participants
Late spring can be an excellent time for migrants and rarities at the birding hotspots in outer Point Reyes National Seashore. This all-day caravan-style birding trip will visit some of the prime birding locations on the outer point, such as the fish docks, lighthouse, various ranches, and Drake’s Beach, where we’ll have lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit the RCA building cypresses, and finish up at the Inverness Tennis Club.
We will leave from Bovine Bakery in Point Reyes Station promptly at 7:30am so we can get to the outer point as early as possible. You should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early if you want to get coffee and delicious pastries from the bakery. Wear layers—the outer point can be chilly! Bring lunch, liquids, sunscreen, and a full gas tank. We will try to bring as few cars as possible to the outer point because parking is very limited in places.
Directions: Take the Richmond Bridge to Hwy 101N, take Lucas Valley Rd exit and turn left, then turn right on Nicasio Valley Rd, left on Petaluma-
Point Reyes Rd, and left on Shoreline Hwy (Hwy 1).
The address of Bovine Bakery is 11315 Shoreline Hwy, Point Reyes Station, CA.

Location Point Reyes National Seashore

The Extremes of Inyo County Tour
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-05 | CA
Contact bo*@****no.com

June 1 – 5, 2025
Leaders: Bob Toleno & Juli Chamberlin

Cost: $825 per person for shared room; $950 for private room. Cost includes all food and lodging, and any surplus benefits Ohlone Audubon Society.
Email: bo*@****no.com

THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL

On the southeast flank of the Sierra Nevada range, Inyo County spans a huge range of habitats and elevations, and offers some of the best inland birding in California. On this proposed tour, we would explore those extremes, from moist fir and aspen forests in the Sierra Nevada to the dry bristlecone pine forest of the White Mountains, which contain the oldest living things on our continent. From the rich lowland riparian areas of the Owens Valley to the natural and artificial oases of the extreme deserts of the region, including the lowest place on the continent, Death Valley.

In addition to all the great breeding birds, early June is prime time to find migrants, especially vagrants from eastern North America. As nocturnal migrants fly over the deserts, when the sun rises, they must find patches of habitat where they can feed so they can continue northward. The artificial and natural oases act as magnets for migrating birds, and in early June, many of those can be rare eastern birds. For example, in just one short morning walk at Furnace Creek a few years ago, I was able to see Gray Catbird, American Redstart, Bobolink, Indigo Buntings, and two Cape May Warblers! You just never know what can show up.

If you’re interested, please email to let me know. At least six participants would be needed to make the tour work, and the maximum number would be ten. This would be a caravan-style tour, so participants would need to arrive in their own vehicles (carpooling is always encouraged, when possible). Lodging would be in motels and hotels, meals in restaurants, and all would be reserved for you in advance. It should be a lot of fun in a unique and exciting birding area in California!

Download the PDF Itinerary

Location Inyo County

Behind the Scenes at “Tern Town” – Hayward Interpretive Center
2025-06-14 08:30 - 11:00 | Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave, Hayward, CA, 94541
Leaders: David “Doc Quack” Riensche & Maggie Clark
RSVP: ma***********@***il.com
(The trip will be canceled if inclement weather is forecast)
Join us for a behind the locked gates tour at the Hayward Shoreline. We will have an opportunity to see nesting California Least Tern, Western Snowy Plovers and Black Skimmers. We may see migrating Black Terns and numerous other summer shorebirds. Scopes will be essential as we will want to minimize disturbances to nesters. We will have to go in together so be sure to arrive on time. The trip is limited to 20 participants; you must RSVP to the email address above to join this outing.
Directions: From I-880 in Hayward, exit onto Hwy 92 West toward the San Mateo Bridge, then take the Clawiter Road/Eden Landing Road exit. Go straight through the light (do not turn onto Clawiter). Make the first left onto Breakwater Avenue. Turn left to stay on Breakwater Avenue. Go all the way to the end of the street and park near the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center.

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary
2025-07-26 12:30 - 14:30 | Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Alameda, CA, 94501
San Francisco Bay is one of the most important areas for migrating shorebirds on the west coast of North America. When the tide is just right, Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary can provide excellent views of these migrating shorebirds, and in July, most will still be in full breeding plumage. Meet at the Elsie Roemer viewing platform where Broadway meets Shore Line Drive. Bring a scope if you have one. All are welcome, no RSVP required.
Directions: From Hayward or San Leandro, take I-880 to Davis Street exit west then turn right on Doolittle Drive to the bridge to Alameda, where the street becomes Otis Drive. Turn left at Broadway, drive southwest to Shore Line Drive, and park along the street.

Hayward Shoreline - Grant Ave
2025-08-09 09:30 - 12:00 | CA
Leaders: Kathy Robertson and Rich Nicholson
Meet at the Grant Avenue staging area in San Lorenzo for a walk along the canal to the shoreline and south to reach Oro Loma Marsh. We expect to see shorebirds such as Red Knots, Short-Billed Dowitchers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Black-Bellied Plovers as well as gulls and terns and maybea resident Osprey.
Directions: From I-880 north take the Hesperian Blvd exit. Make a sharp left onto Hesperian and a right on Grant Avenue. Continue west on Grant to the parking lot near the end of the road.

Autonomously-Monitoring Birdboxes: An Eco Innovate Initiative!
2025-09-02 19:30 - 21:30 | CA
Eco Innovate is a youth-founded nonprofit combining technology and sustainability. Starting in early 2024 with their founding project, Birdboxers, the organization innovated a system to revolutionize the field ofnestboxmonitoring. They utilize technology to power autonomous remote-monitoring systems which remove the manual aspects of nestbox monitoring for ornithology and climate change research.They have installed 15 Birdboxesat local gardens and parks in the Bay Area, and have received over 40,000 data points from these installations. Founding members of Eco Innovate are Pooja Verma, Sophie Le, Lisa Sun, Sai Sri Lashya Gillella and, Harshitha Loganathan.

Membership Appreciation Picnic
2025-09-14 11:00 | CA
Ohlone Audubon Society Invites You to
The Sara Matthews & Helen Sowers
MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION PICNIC
Date: Sunday, September 14th, 2025
Schedule: Field Trip with Bob Toleno at 11:00, Lunch at Noon (RSVP required), Presentations at 1:00
Location: 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch, 12461 Mines Road, Livermore
Presenters:

History of 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch – Nancy Mueller
Bluebird Boxes at 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch – Irv Tiessen
Audubon California Conservation Ranching Program Staff

This picnic is to show appreciation to members for their support.
You and your family are invited to a catered (no charge) luncheon.
Please RSVP to Pat Gordon – pa****@*ol.com
Directions: From 580 East take exit 52B North Livermore Avenue. Turn right on Livermore Ave. and head south. Take Livermore Ave. all the way to the very end where it takes a left and becomes Tesla Road. At the flrst stoplight, turn right onto Mines Road. Once you are on Mines Road you will drive about five miles and come to a Y. Just before the Y there is a sign that shows you can turn left towards San Jose, or go straight up the hill to Lake Del Valle. You will turn left there to continue driving on Mines Road. Continue on Mines Road for about another 4 miles. Watch for the 8.7 mile marker. The gate for the ranch is on the right just past that mileage marker.
Location: 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch, 12461 Mines Road, Livermore

Rodeo Lagoon & Hawk Hill
2025-10-07 08:00 - 13:00 | CA
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 8am – 1pm
Leader: Bob Toleno bo*@****no.com
Join us in the Marin Headlands for fall migration. We’ll start the morning at Rodeo Lagoon, birding the willows, mostly looking for passerine migrants and rarities. At around 11am, as the day warms up, we’ll drive the short distance to Hawk Hill to spend some time scouring the sky for migrating raptors.
Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Hawk Hill sits near the southernmost end of the Marin County peninsula. Late September is the peak of raptor migration, and because they prefer not to fly over water, the peninsula acts as a “funnel” to concentrate them over this point. 17 different species have been documented migrating over Hawk Hill, including some not usually seen near the coast, like Swainson’s, Ferruginous, and Broad-winged Hawks, and even the occasional Prairie Falcon. Bring water, sunscreen, and a scope if you have one. We’ll watch the raptors fly out over the Golden Gate. Many of the birds will be distant, but leaders will help teach you how to ID raptors by shape.
Directions: Take the Richmond Bridge to Hwy 101 south, then exit on Alexander Rd (exit 442). Make a left on Bunker Rd, go through the tunnel, drive 2 miles, then make a left on Field Rd, where you’ll immediately see a parking lot. Make sure not to park in the 30-minute limit spaces.

River Gates: From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego: Audubon’s Conservation Impact across the Pacific Flyway
2025-10-07 19:30 | CA
Presenter: River Gates, Pacific Shorebird Conservation Coordinator, National Audubon Society, Latin America and the Caribbean and Alaska Programs
Title/Description: From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego: Audubon’s Conservation Impact across the Pacific Flyway
River will discuss the migratory connectivity of waterbirds along the Pacific Flyway, emphasizing the critical role of coastal estuaries and interior wetlands in Alaska and California’s Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. She will also highlight Audubon’s conservation initiatives across the Flyway that are making lasting impacts on the protection and restoration of migratory bird habitats.
Presenter Bio: River Gates joined Audubon in 2017 and has more than 20 years of experience in leading international shorebird conservation and research projects in the Pacific and East Asian-Australasian Flyways. She earned her M.S. in wildlife conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2011, studying the breeding and migration ecology of Dunlin. River co-created the Pacific Americas Shorebird Conservation Strategy and serves as the coordinator for the partnership. She advises shorebird conservation programs more broadly through her service on the following executive councils: U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network’s Hemispheric Council, and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group.

Location Via Zoom

Migratory Marvels at Coyote Hills Regional Park
2025-10-10 07:30 - 10:00 | CA
Migratory Marvels at Coyote Hills Regional Park – Visitor Center, Fremont.
Friday, October 10, 2025 7:30 – 10:00 am
Leaders: David “Doc Quack” Riensche & Maggie Clark fi********@***********on.org
RSVP: ma***********@***il.com
The trip will be canceled if inclement weather is forecast (i.e., high heat, high wind, and rain)
Fall is one of the best times to bird Coyote Hills. Winter sparrows and raptors are back and migrating shorebirds and songbirds will still be passing through. Depending on water levels, plenty of winter ducks should be on hand. 60 species are possible when conditions are good! Come help us find them. Rain cancels. $5 parking fee payable at kiosk, free to East Bay Parks annual pass holders.
Directions: To reach the park from I-880, take SR-84 towards the Dumbarton Bridge. Exit at Paseo Padre Parkway, turn right on Paseo Padre and go about one mile. Turn left on Patterson Ranch Rd. Meet at the Visitors’ Center at the end of the road.

Big Break Regional Shoreline
2025-10-26 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Big Break Regional Shoreline
Sunday, October 26, 2025 9am – noon
Leader: Bill Hoppes
Big Break Regional Shoreline has an excellent mix of habitats. First off, it has one of East Bay Regional Park District’s Visitors Centers as well as an excellent 3-D model of the SF Bay and Delta. We will first visit the fishing platform that has excellent views of the “Big Break” and the Carquinez Strait. After that, we will follow trails that edge willow runs, grasslands and sloughs. Birding is always good here and we have good chances to see anything from Sandhill Cranes to White-faced Ibis to our own White-tailed Kite. Bring a spotting scope, if you have one.
Directions: Take I-880 north to CA-24 east to I-680 north to CA-242 north to CA-4 east to CA-160 toward Sacramento. After half a mile, exit on Main St and make a right, then make a left on Big Break Rd.

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
2025-11-01 08:00 - 10:30 | CA
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Saturday, November 1, 2025 8:00-10:30 am
Leader: David “Doc Quack” Riensche
RSVP dr*******@*****ks.org
The trip will be canceled if inclement weather is forecasted (i.e., high heat, high wind, and rain)
Join “Doc Quack” for some “fowl fun” in the shadow of California’s Capital city, where over 100,000 waterfowl annually winter! The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is an Important Bird Area, supporting globally significant numbers of waterfowl, continentally significant numbers of Least Sandpipers and Northern Pintails, and nationally significant numbers of American White Pelican, Canvasback and Dunlin. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, so bring your scope!
Meet at the Auto Tour Route, packed gravel lot at the end of East Chiles Road
Directions: To reach the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, located approximately 6 miles east of the cities of Davis and 2 miles west of Sacramento, use Interstate 80 and take the East Chiles Road exit. At East Chiles Road (also known as Road 32B) turn left and travel roughly 0.2 miles (east) to the packed gravel access road and follow it up to the top of the levee berm. Here you will make a left turn through the gate and follow the road into the Wildlife Area. The Auto Tour Route is at the end of East Chiles Road.

Penguin Quest - Birding in the Southern Ocean
2025-11-04 19:30 - 22:30 | CA
Ohlone Audubon Society member Harvey Trop will share the results of a long term, personal project to observe and photograph all the penguin species on the planet, along with the diverse environments they call home. He will also show some photos of the other birds that call the Southern Ocean home.

Bio: After a long career developing manufacturing and testing technology for fiber-optic based telecommunication hardware, Harvey retired in early 2020. Since then, he has focused his time on travel and his interest in wildlife photography.

Location Zoom
Click here to register for the Zoom meeting

Vargas Plateau
2025-11-12 08:30 - 11:30 | CA
Vargas Plateau
Wednesday, November 12, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Leader: Vicki Robinson
Join us as we explore this East Bay park. Vargas Plateau rises from the bay plain to an elevation of 1,000 feet, overlooking Niles Canyon, Fremont, Union City, Newark and the San Francisco Bay. A prime location for birdwatching, especially raptors, we will look for Golden Eagles and hawks such as Red-tailed and Cooper’s, along with owls, turkeys, and grassland birds, like Horned Lark and American Pipit.
Directions: From I-680 in Fremont, exit at Vargas Road and go north. Drive about 1.6 miles to Morrison Canyon Road and turn right. The staging area is about 0.4 miles up on the left. Carpooling is recommended as the staging area parking is limited and there is no street parking in the area.

Skywest Golf Course
2025-11-17 09:00 - 11:30 | CA
Monday, November 17, 9am – 11:30am
Leaders: Kathy Robertson & Bob Toleno
bo*@****no.com

This former golf course sits on the eastern edge of Hayward Regional Shoreline, in between San Lorenzo and Hayward. Long thought by many to be off limits, it was only relatively recently discovered by birders. We’ll walk on the old golf cart paths around the course, looking for songbirds, woodpeckers, raptors, and waterfowl in the old ponds.

Directions: From I-880 take the A St exit heading west. Turn right on Hesperian Blvd, then almost immediately turn left onto Golf Course Rd. Park in the lot at Kennedy Park.
