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Calendar: All Activities
May June July August Field Trip  Kid Friendly 
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Saturday May 25 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Frank Vanslager: (650) 961-1505. Possible Grasshopper Sparrow and Lazuli Bunting. Bring extra layers of clothing in case it's foggy and cold. No Facilities Available. Directions: Meet at the Vista Point Pullout located on the Bay side of Skyline Blvd. (Hwy 35) a little over a mile northwest of Page Mill Rd. Arastradero Open Space Preserve
Sunday May 26 8:15 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Rich Page: (408) 377-1092. Trip involves moderately strenuous hiking. Rain Cancels. Directions: From I-280 take Page Mill Rd. west. Turn right on Arastradero Rd. and meet in the parking lot about a half-mile on the right. FULL: Audubon Field Seminar: "Breeding Birds of Yuba Pass, Sierra Valley, and the Gold Lakes Region"
Friday May 31 through June 3rd.
Location: Sierra Valley
Cost: $125 members; $160 non-members.
Leader: Bob Power. A chance to explore a unique habitat with stunning birds! More... Top
June Palo Alto Summer Bird Count
Saturday June 1 All Day
If you missed the Palo Alto Christmas Bird Count (or enjoyed it), and you would like to do it when it is warmer, then the summer count is for you. It is always on the first Saturday of June, this year the 1st. We use the same count circle, and we use the same great group of leaders. Actually everything is the same as a Christmas count, except we take note of breeding behavior.
So if you are a regular to this count, please contact your region coordinator and let them know you are available. If you don't know who that is, or are new to the count, then contact Jack Cole - 408-996-0434 or SNOYOWL@Yahoo.com - and he'll direct you to a person and place. As usual, all levels of experience are welcome. It's a Great Time Out! Smith Creek/Twin Gates "Birding by ear" field trip
Sunday June 2 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Frank Vanslager: (650) 961-1505. Probable birds include Horned Lark, Grasshopper Sparrow, woodland and riparian breeding birds. This is a moderately strenuous hike over rolling hills. Directions: From I-680 take Alum Rock Ave. northeast, turn right on Mt Hamilton Rd. go past main entrance to Grant Ranch County Park (approx. 9 miles). Continue uphill another two miles to Twin Gates parking lot on the left. New Almaden Township
Wednesday June 5 8:30 AM (Half day)
Leader: Janna Pauser: (408) 569-9264. Easy walking. Bring water. NOTE: This is the first Wednesday of the month. Lunch Optional. Directions: From Hwy 85 in San Jose, take Almaden Expwy south for 4.3 miles and bear right onto Almaden Rd., through New Almaden township. Park in the Almaden-Quicksilver Hacienda parking lot on your right. We'll bird through New Almaden township on Almaden and Bertram Rds. City of Sunnyvale Landfill
Wednesday June 5 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Leader: Freddy Howell and Allen Royer. Contact organizer Silviana Ruiz (408) 730-7545 to attend. Birding geared toward beginners. Bring binoculars; loaners also available. Rain cancels. Donald M. Somers Water Pollution Control Plant, junction of Borregas and Caribbean. Meet at Trailhead at north end. Birdathon Awards Dinner
Wednesday June 5 6:00 PM
Location: SCVAS headquarters - McClellan Ranch Preserve, Cupertino
All Spring Birdathon participants are invited to attend the awards dinner at the SCVAS headquarters at McClellan Ranch Preserve. We will present the awards and honor all participants. There will be free food, refreshments, games, quizzes, raffles, surprises, and fun for all! It's our thanks for a job well-done. There is a checkbox RSVP on the Results Form or call the office (408-252-3747) to RSVP. More...
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
Saturday June 8 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Bob Reiling: (408) 253-7527. This is a moderately strenuous walk with some elevation change. Highlights include possible Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Tanager. Bring extra layers of clothing as temperatures can vary wildly even at this time of year. Lunch Optional. Directions: Meet at the northeast corner of Skyline Blvd. (Hwy. 35) and Page Mill Rd (the corner nearest San Francisco and the bay). IMPORTANT: Do not park in the Russian Ridge Parking Lot! Stevens Creek County Park
Sunday June 9 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Allen Royer: (408) 288-7768 A top riparian birding spot in the South Bay for migrants and local breeding birds. Entrance fee required. Lunch Optional, Rain Cancels.
Directions: From I-280 in Cupertino take Foothill Expwy exit south 2.1 miles (it becomes Stevens Canyon Rd.), turn left into first park entrance and meet in the Chestnut Picnic Area, the first parking lot. Eve Case Bird Discussion Group
Tuesday June 11 10:00 AM (time TBC)
Location: Home of Pat Dubois, 17150 Buena Vista Ave, Los Gatos, (408) 395-4264.
Annual Picnic Lunch - please bring something to eat and something to share. Birds for 2013/2014 discussions will also be decided. "Nature Journaling" with John Muir Laws
Wednesday June 12 3-4:30PM
Location: McClellan Ranch Preserve, Cupertino.
Cost: FREE! There is no RSVP needed to attend.
Join us each month for a 1.5 hour technique workshop at McClellan Ranch; each workshop will focus on a different technique or topic (schedule available online at www.johnmuirlaws.com). June's Workshop Topic: "TBA"
The club and workshop program is inter-generational and family friendly. Both seniors and families - with mature children who have demonstrated an interest in nature sketching - are encouraged to participate. More...
Rancho del Oso (coastal Big Basin State Park)
Saturday June 15 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Rich Page: (408) 377-1092. This is a moderately long but fairly level hike along the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. Possible highlights include Swainson's Thrush, Winter Wren, Wilson's Warbler, and Woodpeckers. Be prepared for variable weather; dress in layers.
Directions: Take Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz and then go north on Hwy 1. Meet at the beach parking area alongside Hwy 1 just north of the Waddell Creek Bridge (at MP 36.30, which is 2 miles south of Ano Nuevo State Reserve and seven miles north of Davenport). Annual Meeting and Potluck
Wednesday June 19 6 PM
Held at McClellan Ranch Preserve, this meeting is a chance to help shape the chapter for the next year AND get some great socializing in too! We'll also honor some of our outstanding volunteers during the meeting.
SCVAS will provide drinks and dessert - please bring a main or side dish to share. And don't forget to bring your own plates and utensils to help us reduce waste! Click Here for more details.
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FULL: Audubon Field Workshop: "Alaska -- Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks."
Friday June 21 through July 5th.
Cost: $3950/person, double-occupancy; $975 single supplement.
Leader: Bob Power and David Wimpfheimer Two spectacular parks for a truly breath-taking adventure! More... Top
July Charleston Slough
Saturday July 13 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Nick Yatsko: (408) 247-5499. All are encouraged to attend but birding will be geared toward the beginning birder.
Directions: Meet at Terminal Way at the end of San Antonio Rd. north off Hwy 101 in Mountain View. FULL: Audubon Field Seminar: "Eastern Sierra Mid-Summer Birding Dream"
Tuesday July 16 through July 21st.
Location: Saddlebag and Mono Lake and Beyond!
Cost: $175 members; $210 non-members.
Leader: Bob Power. A high alpine summer adventure! More... Summer Nature Days: Day Camps for Grades 2-6
Monday July 22 through Friday, July 26th. 9:00AM-3:00PM
Location: Various locations.
Cost: $270/child for SCVAS members; $295/child for non-members
Bugs, Birds, Plants, Creeks, and more! Join SCVAS, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) and Shoreline at Mountain View as we explore the wonderful world around us. A great chance to be outdoors and get dirty! Registration is now open but space is limited - don't wait! Details and directions for each session will be sent upon confirmed registration. ************************************** More... Top
August Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Saturday August 10 8:30 AM (Half day)
Leader: Bob Reiling: (408) 253-7527. Plan on a 3-4 mile walk (half of it in sand), fog, bright sun and wind. There is a $10 per car parking fee. Bring a scope, lunch, liquids, and dress in layers. Possible birds include Bank Swallow, Marbled Murrelet and early returning shorebirds. Lunch Optional. Directions: The entrance is along Hwy 1 about 30 miles south of Half Moon Bay or 20 miles north of Santa Cruz. Meet at the far (south) end of the parking lot. TBC: Young Audubon Summer Adventure: Bird Banding with SFBBO
Saturday August 17 8:00 AM-10:00 AM (arrive at 7:45AM)
Location: Meets at McCarthy Ranch in Milpitas
Cost: $25/family (or $8/child, $10/adult)
Join the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) to see a live bird banding demonstration and experience conservation science in action. View a wild bird up close and explore restored habitat! PLEASE NOTE: Details are still being confirmed. Sign-ups for this activity open on June 1st.
Location: McCarthy Ranch in Milpitas, located one exit west of the 237/880 interchange. Meet at the [former] Borders Bookstore parking lot at the McCarthy Ranch. More specific directions will be sent to registered participants the week prior to the activity. ************************************** More... Charleston Slough
Sunday August 18 8:00 AM (Half Day)
Leader: Nick Yatsko: (408) 247-5499. All are encouraged to attend but birding will be geared toward the beginning birder.
Directions: Meet at Terminal Way at the end of San Antonio Rd. north off Hwy 101 in Mountain View. | 
