Field Trips
Marin Audubon Field Trips are open to the public. Bring lunch, field guide, and binoculars.
Information & Questions:
(415) 299-2514
Currently scheduled upcoming field trips are listed here by date in ascending order (i.e., soonest first). For a complete list of past and currently scheduled field trips click here.
Big Rock and Loma Alta
Location: Lucas Valley
Trip Leader(s): Len Blumin
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Time: 1:00 PM
Description: The north slope of Loma Alta above Lucas Valley Road is high and dry, with great vistas. This is not the place for a lot of species, but we should see some birds you may have not seen before, such as Grasshopper, Rufus-crowned and Lark Sparrows, Horned Larks, and Lazuli Buntings. Western Meadowlarks should provide the melody. This is also a great place for raptors. All are welcome to join us for a leisurely walk of about a mile on a wide, graded road. Some of this is uphill. Please bring plenty of water. Directions: Take Hwy 101 to Smith Ranch/Lucas Valley Rd exit, head west on Lucas Valley Road. Big Rock Trailhead is about 5 miles west of Hwy 101 on Lucas Valley Road. The trailhead is on top of the rise and a large solitary rock, Big Rock, is on the right. Park on the south side of the road (turn back by making a safe turn on a driveway a bit further along on the right). Trail heads south from the starting point.
Marin Headlands
Location: Marin Headlands Visitor Center, GGNRA
Trip Leader(s): Dan Singer
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Time: 1:00 PM
Description: Dan Singer is a well-known ornithologist who serves on the Board of Directors of the Western Field Ornithologists, is Vice-Chair of the California Bird Records Committee, and is an eBird editor and reviewer for California. He has been birding since he was nine. We will meet Dan at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center where there is parking and bathrooms. We will then carpool to some of Dan’s favorite birding spots in the Headlands, including several of the historic Batteries and tree groves. We will study the local breeding species as well as hunt for late spring migrants. With some luck perhaps we\'ll even find a vagrant.
Bring water, lunch, hat and sunscreen. Dress in layers as the weather can be unpredictable. Directions: From the North Bay – Follow 101 south through the Waldo tunnel. Take the last Sausalito exit just before the Golden Gate Bridge. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. Pass under 101, at the stop sign go straight onto Alexander Avenue. Turn left on Bunker Road, a brown sign saying Marin Headlands Visitor Center marks the intersection. Go through the one-way tunnel and drive about 2 miles. Turn left onto Field Road. The visitor center will be on the right side of the road. The address is Fort Barry, Bldg 948, Sausalito.
Tolay Lake Regional Park
Location: Sonoma County
Trip Leader(s): Gene Hunn
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
Start Time: [not specified]
End Time: [not specified]
Description: Save the date. More to come.
Monterey Bay Pelagic Birding Weekend
Location: Monterey Bay
Trip Leader(s): Terry Colborn
Host: Vicky Van Meter, vicky.vanmeter@gmail.com, 415-299-2514
Start Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013
End Date: Sunday, September 15, 2013
Start Time: [not specified]
End Time: [not specified]
Description: Terry Colborn is leading a weekend birding trip to the Monterey Bay area, September 14-15, 2013, for Marin and Mt. Diablo Audubon Societies. This annual two day trip to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula will feature a pelagic trip on Saturday with Monterey Seabirding (www.montereyseabirding.com) and land birding on Sunday. Monterey Seabirding uses a local skipper with over 30 years of experience. Leaders and spotters include Roger Wolfe, Dan Singer, Blake Matheson and Todd Easterla. All four are seasoned, life-long birders and have exceptional knowledge of the status and distribution of California birds. This two-day trip is planned to coincide with the start of fall seabird migration. Over the years, the Monterey Bay, Elk Horn Slough area has produced some excellent vagrants and a nice array fall of migrants. Possible areas to be visited on Sunday include Point Pinos, Salinas River State WMA, Moss Landing, Moonglow Dairy and Elkhorn Slough. Specific locations will be determined prior to the weekend, and will be based upon current information on any rare bird sightings, weather conditions, tides, etc. This very popular weekend pelagic trip is limited to a maximum of 25 participants. The cost is $95.00 per person. (Note: we are holding the price to last year's rate.) Sign-ups will be taken on a first-come, first served basis. Make your check payable to Terry Colborn and mail to: 1714 Magnolia Place, Davis, CA 95618. Include each participant's full name, address, cell phone number and email. Your payment in full is your reservation. Your space will be confirmed upon receipt of your check. In the event the boat trip is cancelled by Monterey Seabirding, due to weather conditions, etc., participants will receive a full refund. Meeting details and accommodations information will be sent to all participants well in advance of the trip. For questions, contact Terry at tlcgdc@aol.com, or by phone: 530.758.0689.