SCVAS is offering a two-part online class (beginning/intermediate-level) on one of our most confusing groups—the Flycatchers! Class members will gain access to our private discussion group where you can pose questions or photos. Matthew Dodder will be your instructor. Sign up and join the fun!
Monday: March 15 & March 22, 7:00 - 8:30 PM via Zoom. Sign Up Now →
Fire is an integral part of California’s ecosystem. Our executive Director Matthew Dodder and others discuss wildfire management’s benefits and hazards and its impact on the Black-backed Woodpecker and other native species in San Jose Inside.
Pete Dunten reports on the latest round of rare bird sightings in Santa Clara County. See the archive for past observations and how to report rarities.
Winter seems to hold more bird surprises than other seasons. Why is that? Matthew explores our winter wonders from waterfowl to woodpeckers to warblers. And hawks of course.
As 2020 draws to a close, we have been thinking about what we’re grateful for this year. Your continuing support, alongside our volunteers and staff, has helped us thrive in a most challenging year. Thank you!
The Winter 2021 issue of The Avocet newsletter is here!
Read the Latest Issue Now or explore our Avocet Archives going back to 1929!
Need help finding great birding spots and figuring out what to look for? Check out our self-guided field trips for December.
Punch Magazine explores the Emily Renzel Wetlands with the help of our Executive Director, Matthew Dodder. Article starts on p. 100.
Read More → (or Download PDF )
International Bird Rescue’s featured photographer is our own Vivek Khanzodé, a long-time member of the Board and presenter for Bay Area Bird Photographers.
On Wednesday, November 18 John Richardson took us on an exploration of Tanzania’s National Parks!
Members have been telling us in their own words what they’re observing in their yards, and sharing their pictures too. See what your friends and neighbors have been seeing in their backyards and send your backyard bird sightings to backyardbirds@scvas.org.
Need help finding great birding spots and figuring out what to look for? Check out our self-guided field trips for November. The fall season is a great time to observe wintering ducks at the bay or any of Santa Clara County’s inland lakes and ponds. Or, now that the weather is cooling, head to the grassy hills at Coyote Lake County Park or try the redwoods along the John Nicholas Trail. You can even bird by bike at Ogier Ponds!
Local photographer Luis Villablanca gave a presentation on the Sierra Nevada’s spectacular bird life. Catch the presentation on our YouTube channel!
Backyard birding is a great way to learn about birds, connect with nature, and have fun! Check out our Backyard Bird of the Month, Notes and Tips from a Backyard Birder, and Common Backyard Birds.
The Silent Auction has officially ended. Winners of the auctioned items will be notified by Wednesday October 7.
Check out our Silent Auction! From now until Sunday, October 4 at 11:59pm, you have a chance to bid on dozens of awesome items and support SCVAS at the same time.
The Founder of Saved By Nature showed us how the lives of youth and adults of all backgrounds and abilities can be improved by experiences outdoors. Talk was Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm . The video is now available on our YouTube channel.
We have published our first Annual Report — full of information about our programs, goals, history, volunteers and, of course, financial information.
We had a lovely time at last night’s Annual Meeting. For those who missed it, you can watch the event on our YouTube Channel.
Artist and author John Muir Laws lead us in a lively discussion of using journaling to improve your birding skills. This Speaker Series talk, which happened on September 16 at 7pm, is now available on our YouTube channel.
SCVAS member Vayun Tiwari was recently chosen as winner of the National Audubon Society’s youth photography award.
