Birding Tours and Classes
The following classes are sponsored by the Point Reyes Field Institute
Winter Birds of San Luis Obispo
January 27 - 29
Many habitats are found in this dynamic corner of the state and the result is a wide variety of wintering and resident birds. We will explore Morro Bay which is a critical feeding area for thousands of brant, ducks, shorebirds, raptors and other birds. Less common species here include Black Skimmer, Royal Tern and Eurasian Wigeon. Unique stunted forests hold California THrasher, gnatcatcher and Roadrunner. Montana D'Oro State Park is a stunning landscape of rocky coves and seastacks where oystercatchers, Surfbirds and three species of cormorants feed. Gray Whales and Sea Otters are some of the more charismatic marine mammals here. A totally different habitat of grasslands and alkali shrub land will be explored at the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Many raptors such as Ferruginous Hawk and Prairie Falcon winter here while Burrowing Owl and many other species nest.
Birds of the Delta: A Natural History Cruise
Saturday, February 4. 2012 • 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Come aboard for a wonderful day exploring the rich habitats of the California Delta system. Our trip will begin in Antioch and we will cruise the meandering tidal channels in comfort aboard the Delphinus charter boat with its high-viewing platform. We will search for shorebirds, raptors and thousands of waterfowl, such as Tundra swans, Snow geese, White-fronted geese, numerous ducks and even stately Sandhill cranes that spend the winter in the Delta. In years past, participants have sighted six or more species of raptor in the first hour, including harriers, kites and Peregrine falcons. Enjoy a specialized look at the rich natural and human history of the California Delta at a time of the year when bird life is most abundant.
Petaluma River Birding Walk and Cruise
Monday, April 16 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Take advantage of a spring low tide during this land and water birding trip. We'll begin our exploration with a walk around the marshes, wetlands and ponds of Shollenberger Park in Petaluma, rich with breeding plumage avocets, dowitchers and other sandpipers at this time of year. Raptors fly overhead while many ducks feed in this important wetland. Cruise down the Petaluma River in the afternoon and out into San Pablo Bay aboard the Delphinus charter boat. By following the river as it meanders past sloughs, oxbows and marches, gain a better understanding of this vital link to your natural world. On San Pablo Bay, it is likely that we'll see large rafts of ducks, many feeding godwits and willets as over wintering birds will still be present. Other highlights include a heron rookery and perhaps a curious muskrat, river otter or sea lion. For many decades, the Petaluma River was the third busiest river in California and contains much cultural, as well as natural history. You will hear about some of this history, as well as learn more about sloughs, wetlands, estuaries and rivers during this adventure.
This program is sponsored by Paradise Birding. Please contact them for registration and details.
Southern California: Cactus Blossoms and Spring Migration
March 10 - 16, 2012
From coastal San Diego Coast to the Imperial Valley, Southern California exhibits some of the greatest habitat diversity in North America. We will search for cormorants, loons, brant, Royal Tern, Surfbird and Wandering Tattler along the coast. Nearby habitats are nesting areas for Cassin’s Kingbird as well as Wrentit, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Gnatcatcher and Thrasher. Our journey east takes us through the Laguna and Cuyamaca Mountains. In oaks and pines we will look for White-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Quail and Chickadee. Anza Borrego State Park will serve as the base of our desert explorations for two days. Scott’s Oriole, Costa’s Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Gambel’s Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Lucy's Warbler and Black-throated Sparrow are just some of the birds we'll observe in mesquite washes and cactus gardens. A dazzling display of wildflowers, resulting from abundant rains this winter, should be a backdrop to our birding walks. Lastly the enigmatic Salton Sea will also be a major focus. Least Bittern, Yellow-footed Gull, Black Skimmer and a stunning variety of shorebirds, grebes, herons, ducks and other waterbirds are found here. In adjacent desert habitats we will look for Gila Woodpecker, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Abert’s Towhee, Cactus Wren and Burrowing Owl. While the roughly two hundred bird species we will see are the main objective of this varied tour, the amazing variety of plants, reptiles, mammals and butterflies will also be a component. I hope you will join Steve Shunk of Paradise Birding and myself on this wonderfully rich trip. Please view their website for a detailed itinerary and more information.
The following tour is sponsored by Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Audubon Field Workshop - Southeastern Arizona
May 11 - 20. 2012
with Bob Power and David Wimpfheimer
Registration: programs@scvas.org;
Madera and Cave Creek Canyons, the Huachuca and Chiricahua mountains, Patagonia Roadside Rest area, and enough specialty birds to satisfy the most avid birders; in short, one of the top birding destinations in North America. We’ll immerse ourselves in the mountains, canyons, and desert lowlands as southeastern Arizona comes alive with the songs and calls of birds during the nesting season. Join us to seek all of the area’s specialty birds from Lucifer Hummingbird to Elegant Trogon to Red-faced Warbler and many, many more, on the birding trip of a lifetime!
Summer Birds of the Mono Basin
July 21–22
sponsored by the Mono Lake Committee
This field seminar will concentrate on the identification and ecology of birds that breed in the Mono Basin and others that migrate by Mono Lake during the summer. In sagebrush meadows and riparian and montane forests, the class will explore a number of sites, mixing short leisurely walks with periods of observation and natural history discussion. Woodpeckers, corvids, flycatchers, warblers, and other passerines display fascinating, varied behaviors. However, a major focus will be Mono Lake and other wetlands where phalaropes and other shorebirds feed. David Wimpfheimer has been educating and interpreting birds and California's natural history for over 20 years. His seasoned focus and knowledge make for enjoyable and educational outings.
The following classes are sponsored by the Point Reyes Field Institute
Coastal Walk with the Shorebirds
August, 2012
Come spend the day looking for and observing migrant shorebirds that have traversed thousands of miles from their Arctic breeding areas. Some may stay within the rich habitats well into the winter. Others will pause only briefly before traveling south. Join David for a hike on Limantour Spit or around Abbotts Lagoon, depending on where the birds are. Both are wonderful places to learn the difference between a plover and a phalarope or how to tell sanderlings from other sandpipers. We will focus on identification and behaviors of shorebirds and other avian residents.
Fall Migration at the Point
October 6 - 7, 2012(tentative date)
By focusing our visit on the Point Reyes Headlands and staying overnight at the Historic Lifeboat Station, we’ll have a unique opportunity to experience this special area and its avian inhabitants. On Saturday, a series of short walks may take us to the Lighthouse, Chimney Rock and Drakes Beach. Depending on weather patterns, many migrant warblers, sparrows and other passerines concentrate in the surrounding cypress groves and willow patches. Ranch ponds and marsh habitat hold shorebirds while scoters, loons and other waterbirds rest on Drakes Bay...there is almost always a surprise. We’ll spend the night in this dramatic setting and watch a digital presentation on the birds of Point Reyes. Sunday morning may find us visiting some of the same locations as the previous day, but we may also take a walk at Abbotts Lagoon. The variety of sandpipers, ducks, terns and other waterbirds there in the fall can be dramatic. Many raptors take advantage of this rich feeding area, as well. Accommodations, with optional Friday evening arrival, are included at the Historic Lifeboat.
Birding 101
Fall 2012
Fall and winter are actually the seasons of greatest abundance for many birds at Point Reyes. Coastal estuaries such as Limantour Estero are extremely rich feeding areas for thousands of ducks, shorebirds, grebes and other waterbirds. Over ten species of hawks, falcons and other raptors occur in large numbers due to these rich feeding conditions. Warblers, thrushes, kinglets, flycatchers and other landbirds are also found here in huge numbers. The annual Christmas Bird Count often records more individuals of many species than any other location in the country. This class will cover the basics of field identification in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. While observing birds in a variety of habitats, this program will offer insights into the use of binoculars, scopes and field guides. David will share techniques that will enhance your birding skills. Come discover why birding is one of the most popular pastimes in the country, and why Point Reyes is one of the best locations to enjoy it.
Birding 202
Fall 2012
This class will expand on the concepts and skills covered in Birding 101. Participants will learn ecological associations—why certain birds are found in specific habitats and not others. Identification of more challenging groups including distant raptors, female ducks, and shorebirds, as well as sparrows, thrushes, and pipits (LBJs or “little brown jobs”) will also be a focus. This class will visit a variety of West Marin habitats that were not explored during the first class. Behaviors and calls of forest and other birds will also be covered. Registration in Birding 101 is not necessary to enjoy this fun and informative day of birding in Point Reyes.
Winter Birds of Tomales Bay
January 2013
Tomales Bay is an important wintering area for thousands of loons, grebes, ducks and other waterbirds. The tidal flats, marshes, rocky shores, and beaches provide diverse feeding areas for raptors, shorebirds and waders. We will focus on bird identification and behavior during short and easy walks. Our trip begins in the town of Tomales and we will car-caravan to several sites along the east shore of the Bay, including Lawson’s Landing, and Cypress Grove Preserve. The latter is a research center of Aububon Canyon Ranch (www.egret.org) which protects nearly 500 acres of important and diverse lands on Tomales Bay. The class will end with an overlook of the Giacomini wetlands, one of the largest wetland restoration projects on the California coast.