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Calendar: Field Trips
Join one of our many free field trips led by a very experienced leader. You do not have to be a member to participate, although we are sure you will want to join us to support these popular activities.
Please carpool if possible. Bring binoculars, field guides, layered clothing, snack, and fluids.
Field trip leaders - please use this participant sign-in sheet (PDF).
May June July August Mt. Madonna County Park
Saturday May 18 8:30 AM (Half day)
Leader: Steve Tracey: (408) 966-3860. This half-day birding walk, climbing in the beginning and descending on the return trip, begins in mixed oak woodlands and passes through grasslands, chaparral and coastal forest where Redwood and Douglas Fir dominate the landscape. Be sure to bring liquids. Lunch Optional.
Directions: From Hwy 101 in Gilroy take Hwy 152 West (Hecker Pass Hwy). After about 6.4 miles turn right into the Sprig Lake parking lot. Alum Rock Park
Sunday May 19 8:00 AM (Half day)
Leader: Jim Johnson: (408) 996-3506. This is a moderately strenuous 3-4 mile walk. An entry fee will be required per car. Lunch Optional.
Directions: From Hwy 101 or I-680 take McKee Rd. northeast toward the hills then left on Toyon Ave., right on Penitencia Creek Rd. and continue into the park. Pass under the bridge and meet at the far end of the upper parking lot. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. | 
