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SBVAS 2007-2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
Field Trips, Bird Walks, Meetings, etc. |
| Aug 26 | Salton Sea | Mar 2 | BBW: Hidden Valley | |
| Sep 5 | Board Meeting | Mar 5 | Board Meeting | |
| Sep 15 | San Diego | Mar 8 | Bolsa Chica | |
| Sep 19 | General Meeting | Mar 19 | General Meeting | |
| Oct 3 | Board Meeting | Apr 2 | Board Meeting | |
| Oct 7 | BBW: San Jacinto Wildlife Area | Apr 6 | BBW: Robidoux Nature Center | |
| Oct 13 | Bearpaw Ranch | Apr 16 | General Meeting | |
| Oct 17 | General Meeting | Apr 19 | Torres-Martinez Ponds/Salton Sea | |
| Nov 4 | BBW: Robidoux Nature Center | Apr 20 | Mojave Narrows | |
| Nov 7 | Board Meeting | May 3 | Big Morongo | |
| Nov | General Meeting CANCELLED | May 4 | BBW: Fairmount Park | |
| Nov 18 | San Jacinto Valley | May 4 | Box Springs Mountains | |
| Nov 23-25 | Morro Bay | May 7 | Board Meeting | |
| Dec 2 | BBW: San Jacinto Wildlife Area | May 10 | Whitewater Canyon | |
| Dec 5 | Board Meeting | May 17 | Bearpaw Ranch | |
| Dec 8 | Daggett & Newbury Springs MEETING LOCATION CHANGED! |
May 21 | General Meeting | |
| Dec 14 - Jan 5 | Christmas Bird Counts | Jun 4 | Board Meeting | |
| Dec 19 | General Meeting | Jun 7 | Wrightwood | |
| Jan 2 | Board Meeting | Jun 18 | General Meeting | |
| Jan 6 | BBW: San Jacinto Wildlife Area | Jul 2 | Board Meeting | |
| Jan 12 | Salton Sea | Jul 12-13 | Kern River & Greenhorn Mountains DATES CHANGED! |
|
| Jan 16 | General Meeting | Aug 6 | Board Meeting | |
| Feb 3 | BBW: San Jacinto Wildlife Area | Aug 24 | Salton Sea | |
| Feb 6 | Board Meeting | |||
| Feb 9-10 | Santa Barbara | |||
| Feb 20 | General Meeting | |||
| Feb 24 | San Jacino Wildlife Area |
SBVAS board meetings convene the FIRST Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm, general meetings on the THIRD Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm. All meetings are held at the San Bernardino County Museum. Note: The June and December general meetings begin at 6:30 pm and are potluck dinners. |
San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, CA 92374
Comfortable shoes or hiking boots and a hat.
Drinking water, snacks and lunch.
Binoculars, spotting scope and field guide.
Sunday, August 26, 2007 - 5:30 am
Insane Jaunt to the Salton Sea
John Green (951) 686-2956
How would you like to see birds like Wood Stork, Laughing and Yellow-footed Gulls, Gull-billed and Black Terns, Ruddy Ground-dove, Burrowing Owl, and Bronzed Cowbird? All those and more may be yours at the mere price of 110 degree average daily highs in the pungent glory and spectacle of the Salton Sea in summertime. With luck, perhaps something like an Anhinga, Tricolored Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, or Magnificent Frigatebird will appear (or is it just the heat?).
DO NOT COME ON THE TRIP WITHOUT:
LOTS OF WATER, a large ice chest, lots of ice, lunch, and snacks,
a hat and sunscreen, a working air conditioner, and a full tank of gas (top off in Indio)
Meeting place will be at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area. Going south on Hwy 111 along the east shore of the Sea, turn right at Davis Road which is signed for the Wister Unit. Proceed to the parking lot on your left. If you reach the town of Niland on Hwy 111 you have gone 5 miles too far. We'll meet at 5:30 am, just before sunrise to beat the heat as much as we can, and we'll bird until we've had enough. Our route will be deterined by where the Wood Storks are and where other birds of interest are being seen. Motels are available in Calipatria, Brawley, and Indio for those wishing to spend Saturday night in the area.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 8:00 am
San Diego, Tijuana Estuary
Gene Cardiff (909) 875-5358
At the peak of fall migration, San Diego can offer extraordinarily interesting birding prospects. Why not join us for possible views of as many as 20 different species of shorebirds, several varieties of rare warblers, and maybe a chance sighting of a tropical kingbird, bobolink, or yellow-green vireo. To get there, take I-15 south to Highway 163, south to I-8 and south again on I-5 to Chula Vista, west on the J Street off ramp, to the boat launch. We will gather at 8:00 am at the boat launch ramp on Marina Way. Please join us and don't forget to bring a sack lunch and something to drink. It will probably be sunny so don't forget your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. We should be able to see lots of shorebirds and plus a great day at the beach. Please call Gene at home if you have any questions. As always, everyone is welcome to come and join in.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Flora of the Santa Ana River by Oscar Clarke and Greg Ballmer
The recently published Flora of the Santa Ana River and Environs, with References to World Botany, by Oscar F. Clarke, Danielle Svehla, Greg Ballmer, and Arlee Montalvo will be the focus of a presentation at our first program of the year. Oscar is the motivating spirit and well of knowledge upon which this book is based; the co-authors provided the added energy, enthusiasm, and production skills to make it happen. The Santa Ana River is central to the regional ecology of the greater Los Angeles-Inland Empire area. Its main stem and tributaries drain about 2400 sq. miles, linking the Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Gabriel, and San Jacinto Ranges, plus Chino Hills, with the Pacific Ocean and provide the most extensive network of riparian habit linkages in cis-montane southern California. Diverse habitats within the watershed support a proportionately great diversity of plant species. This book covers 1365 lowland taxa (occurring below 3000 feet elevation), of which 496 are exotic species. About 900 of the more frequently encountered and/ or biologically most significant species are illustrated in some detail, together with keys to aid in their identification This work is more than a compendium of plants known to occur along the river, its tributaries, and associated upland habitats. It is also a testament to Oscar Clarke's lifetime of accumulated botanical knowledge, including diverse information on plant origins, ecology, anthropogenic uses, and taxonomic relationships. Oscar is a self-taught botanist and naturalist in the broadest sense. One of Oscar's primary interests in producing this work is to reach a broad audience in conveying his enthusiasm for learning and love for plants and the broader natural environment. Please join us for what promises to be a terrific program illustrated by wonderful photographs and full of fascinating information.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Sunday, October 7, 2007 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613
Leaders: Jennifer and Michelle TobinFor those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.We will meet at the main parking lot at the wildlife headquarters. From Riverside go south on Interstate 215 then east on Ramona Expressway. Turn north (left) on Davis Road which soon becomes dirt. The entrance to the wildlife area is approximately 3 miles down Davis Road on the right. Turn here and the parking area will be on your left. You can no longer enter the wildlife area from the north. Please contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 8:00 am
Bear Paw
Gene Cardiff (909) 875-5358This is a beautiful spot and very accessible from the Riverside/San Bernardino area so we expect to see a lot of you there. Birding in the area will be led by Gene Cardiff. To really enjoy the day, bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, water and maybe a jacket for the mountains, depending on the weather, and don't forget a lunch if you are planning to stay for awhile. Again, all are welcome. Please call Gene at home if you have any questions.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County MuseumWhales: Touching the Mystery by Doug Thompson
Why do whales living wild and free in the ocean seek encounters with humans? In his program based upon his new book and companion DVD, Whales: Touching the Mystery, Doug will share with us some of his more than thirty years experience studying gray whales and exploring the mystery of this extraordinary interspecies connection. Doug is an accomplished author, ecologist, naturalist, conservationist, expedition leader, lecturer, educator, award-winning filmmaker and photo journalist. Doug has organized and led over one hundred long-range natural history expeditions, from Mexico to New Zealand. As a marine naturalist and activist he will share with us his love for the whales, the places where they are found and the people he has met along the way. He will call us into the complex and fragile underwater world where whales dwell and we will find that whales have much to teach us about social skills, communication and ways of finding balance within our blue planet. Please come join us for what is certain to be an extraordinary evening with a wonderful speaker.Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at Robidoux Nature Center
Doug Karalun (909) 425-5355For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.The nature center is located at 5370 Riverview Drive in Rubidoux. From Highway 60, 2.7 miles west of the junction of Interstate 215 and Highway 60, exit at Rubidoux Blvd and go south to Mission Blvd and turn right. Turn left onto Riverview Drive (Limonite Avenue) and drive a half mile and turn left again onto Riverview Drive. The nature center will be on the left approximately 1.2 miles. If the gate is locked, please park outside and walk into the Nature Center. Be sure to pull well off the pavement. Please contact Doug Karalun (909-425-5355) for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
November General Meeting CANCELLED
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 7:00 am
Northern San Jacinto Valley
Tony Metcalf (909) 242-7038 and Dave Goodward (909) 783-2417Ah, cooler weather. Wintering birds of prey and waterfowl, coastal sage scrub and wetlands, all close by. Please join us for our fall field trip to the northern San Jacinto Valley. We have two goals for this trip. First is to have fun. Second, is to see 100 species. We always accomplish the first goal and have come very close to the second. Maybe this is the year - Mystic Lake is full. The northern San Jacinto Valley is known for its high species diversity. We have ranked highest in number of bird species seen for inland areas in North America for Audubon's Christmas Bird Counts, and are usually in the top 1-2% for all counts. At the heart of the region is the public San Jacinto Wildlife Area.We will meet at the parking lot at the gates of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. From Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona, then north on Davis road three miles to parking lot. From Hemet, go west on Ramona to Davis road. From Redlands, go east on 10, then south on 91, then east on 60 or go south on Redlands Blvd, east on 60, East on Gilman springs, south on Bridge Street, west on Ramona and north on Davis road. As Davis is a dirt road, it is not recommended if there have been recent rains. The dirt roads are too dangerous for normal travel when wet. You can call or e-mail Tony Metcalf or the San Jacinto Wildlife Area headquarters (951-654-0580) for updated road info to the Wildlife Area.
Friday-Sunday, November 23-25, 2007
Morro Bay
Gene Cardiff (909) 875-5358Plan to join us for a long weekend exploring exciting habitats for great numbers of birds. We will rendezvous at 8:00 am on Friday, November 23 at Osos group camp at Morro Bay State Park. The Ranger at the entrance is a good source of information. On Friday morning we will bird by walking around near the campground. Those birders that arrive late can meet us for lunch in Osos group camp. The campground has been reserved starting the evening of Thanksgiving through Sunday morning. Camping costs will be approximately $5.00 per person per night.On Friday afternoon we will bird Morro Bay South to Montana de Oro. Saturday we will head north up the coast on Highway 1 to Cambria and north of San Simeon. There will be a short field trip Sunday morning before we depart for home. Call Gene if you are able to join us because we do have limited space or if you have any additional questions.
Sunday, December 2, 2007 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613
Leaders: Jennifer and Michelle TobinVisiting the wildlife area in winter allows great opportunities to view waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.We will meet at the main parking lot at the wildlife headquarters. From Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona Expressway. Turn north (left) on Davis Road which soon becomes dirt. The entrance to the wildlife area is approximately 3 miles down Davis Road on the right. Turn here and the parking area will be on your left. You can no longer enter the wildlife area from the north. Please contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 9:00 am
Daggett & Newbury Springs
MEETING LOCATION CHANGED!
Leader: Gene Cardiff (909) 875-5358We will look for wintering birds at Newberry Springs and Daggett areas in the alfalfa fields and ponds, especially birds of prey. If we have the time we may head over to Harper Dry Lake and see what we can find there. We will meet at the BLM campground in Afton Canyon at 9:00 AM (after breakfast). To get there, take I-15 north through Barstow to Afton Road and turn right on the improved dirt road to the campground. Bring a lunch, water, snacks and warm clothesBring a lunch, water, snacks and warm clothes, because summer may be over by then. After lunch we will caravan and do some more looking for hawks and other birds. For more information on weather etc., call Gene at the number above.
December 14, 2007 - January 5, 2008
108th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 6:00 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County MuseumCome & Celebrate the Holidays
Our traditional potluck dinner will be held at the San Bernardino County Museum, on Wednesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. Turkey, ham and beverage will be provided. Please bring your own table service & your favorite dish to share, a salad, vegetable, casserole, side dish, or dessert. Plan to do a little last minute holiday shopping at our bookstore. For our program please bring fifteen of your favorite nature slides to show.Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Sunday, January 6, 2008 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Doug Karalun (909) 425-5355Visiting the wildlife area in winter allows great opportunities to view waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.We will meet at the main parking lot at the wildlife headquarters. From Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona Expressway. Turn north (left) on Davis Road which soon becomes dirt. The entrance to the wildlife area is approximately 3 miles down Davis Road on the right. Turn here and the parking area will be on your left. You can no longer enter the wildlife area from the north. Please contact: Doug Karalun (909) 425-5355 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 7:00 am
Salton Sea Goose & Crane Trip
Chet McGaugh (951) 781-3699 & John Green (951) 686-2956This trip at times has been called the "waterfowl trip," the "goose trip," and "a wonderful field trip." It is all of that, and more. Perhaps a glimpse at last year's list will help stoke the fires of desire: American White Pelican (hundreds), American Bittern, White-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Snow Goose (thousands), Ross's Goose (hundreds), Greater White-fronted Goose, Bald Eagle, four falcon species, Sandhill Cranes, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Burrowing Owl, Mountain Bluebird, and American Redstart. We tallied over 100 species, and didn't have to count individuals (for an opportunity to count every single bird on and around the sea, join us at the Salton Sea North Christmas Bird Count on January 5th).We will meet at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area at 7:00 a.m. Exit Highway 111 at Davis Road and look for us in the parking lot there. We will bird around the south end of the sea; also the surrounding agricultural lands looking for raptors, Mountain Plovers, and the always entertaining Sandhill Cranes.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Hooked on Galapagos Birds by Tom Kaminski
"Hooked on Galapagos Birds," which Audubon Naturalist News calls "stunning," will be presented by award-winning nature video producer Tom Kaminski. According to the News, it "captures in the most exciting way the sights and sounds of the birds of the Galapagos. His underwater shots of Galapagos penguins and his intimate views of the mating antics of boobies and albatrosses are highlights of a thoroughly enjoyable [DVD]...." The program provides and eyeball-to-eyeball view of most of the birds that occur in the Galapagos Islands, as well as maps and a glimpse of Quito, Ecuador. Among the most amazing video sequences is one that in slow-motion shows a Frigatebird trying to steal a Boobie's food from it in mid-air. Time permitting, a brief Q&A session will follow his presentation.Kaminski owns and operates Avian Video Center. In addition to "Hooked on Galapagos Birds," his production credits include "Hooked on Hummingbirds," part of which appeared on Discovery Channel's Animal Planet program; "Hummingbirds! A Natural History;" "Hummingbirds of the Northwest Andes: A Sampler;" and other nature and travel videos. He launched his business in 2002 after 30 years in broadcast journalism, college teaching, and corporate communications for major aerospace firms. Kaminski and his wife, Jan, reside in Rolling Hills Estates. Please come and enjoy this extraordinary program. Everyone is always welcome. Our doors open at 7:00 PM and our meeting starts at 7:30 PM.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613
Leaders: Jennifer and Michelle TobinVisiting the wildlife area in winter allows great opportunities to view waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.We will meet at the main parking lot at the wildlife headquarters. From Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona Expressway. Turn north (left) on Davis Road which soon becomes dirt. The entrance to the wildlife area is approximately 3 miles down Davis Road on the right. Turn here and the parking area will be on your left. You can no longer enter the wildlife area from the north. Please contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday-Sunday, February 9-10, 2008
Weekend in Santa Barbara
John Green (951) 686-2956 and Steve Myers (760) 843-4009This is a nice time of year to visit the Santa Barbara area. The full contingent of wintering regulars and rarities should be present and accounted for. Our coastal target birds will include a lot of gulls, including Glaucous-winged, Thayer's, and Mew; Royal Terns, lots of shorebirds including Snowy Plover, Black Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, both Turnstones, and Wandering Tattler; Wood Ducks, Surf Scoter, Pacific, Common, and Red-throated Loons; Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorants, and much more. We'll expect plenty of land birds along the way too. We're starting further north this year, so will have an opportunity to see Chestnut-backed Chickadee and Yellow-billed Magpie as well. The Santa Barbara area always has some fine rarities as well. We can't be sure what will be on hand, but last year at this time, rarities in the area included: Cackling, Ross's, and Snow Geese; Eurasian Wigeon, Laughing Gull, Zone-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, Eastern Phoebe, Tropical Kingbird, Black-throated Green Warbler, Painted Redstart, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Orchard Oriole. We'll plan on getting over 100 species during the weekend.Arrive each day with a full tank of gas, lunch, your binocular, and anything else you'll need for a full day of birding. The leaders will have scopes, but more scopes are always welcome! We may be using FRS radios, so bring yours if you have them. Some of the places we visit may charge parking or entry fees, so be prepared for that as well. This year's field trip will start at the northwestern corner of Santa Barbara County on Saturday. We will meet at 8:00AM at the Santa Maria River Estuary (Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve). Exit Highway 101 at Main Street (Highway 166) in Santa Maria and drive west 11 miles to the entrance of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve. Continue past the kiosk 2 miles to the parking lot. We will bird there, then work our way south birding until everyone has had enough, or until it is dark, whichever comes first.
Then on Sunday we will start in Santa Barbara at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. Coming from the north, exit Highway 101 on the left at Cabrillo Blvd (exit 94b) toward Coast Village Road / Hot Springs Rd. Make a sharp right onto East Cabrillo Blvd / CA-225. Turn right on Los Patos then left into the parking area at the edge of the lake. Coming from the south, exit Highway 101 on the left at Cabrillo Blvd (exit 94C). Turn left onto E. Cabrillo Blvd, then right on Los Patos as above. We'll bird there then head out. Our route will be determined by where our target birds are, and where other birds of interest are being seen. IF YOU ARE COMING ON SUNDAY ONLY, call John's cell phone: (951) 751-0733 on Saturday evening to find out where and when we will start on Sunday.
You will need to arrange your own accommodations for Friday and/or Saturday nights. Friday night would be best in Santa Maria, Saturday in Santa Barbara. There are plenty of motels in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and the surrounding communities, and a few campgrounds, but reservations are always a good idea. If you'd like to prepare for your visit, online resources including bird checklists, seasonal distribution, and links to other resources and more are on the Santa Barbara County Birding Pages.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Kenya: Birds & Wildlife in the Gem of East Africa by Roy Poucher
Come along on a photographic safari to Kenya with Roy Poucher and Bird Odysseys, getting up close and personal with its flashy birds, charismatic large mammals, and breathtaking landscapes. Your visual tour will transport you via stunning photography to the vast grasslands of the Serengeti and other wild locales. View life's dramas lived out by colorful and comical-looking birds and by the big game of hippos, rhinos, zebras, elephants, giraffes and lions. Grasp the mind-boggling millions of Lesser Flamingoes blanketing Lake Nakuru in pink. Enjoy the antics of the gangly Secretary Bird and of the largest flying bird in the world, the Kori Bustard, as it displays for females. Fish Eagles capture their dinner before your eyes and weavers construct their nests. Warthogs, cape buffalos, elephants and hippos gently tend to their young close to your safari van. Visit beautiful and bird-rich Lakes Baringo and Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, the verdant and biologically diverse Kakamega Forest, and famous Treetops Lodge, built above big game watering holes in Aberdares National Park. Come to this fun presentation for the entire family! Feel as if you were on the journey with us!Roy Poucher is an international tour leader and with his company Bird Odysseys has led trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and Kenya. He has also led groups to North Dakota, the Great Lakes, Southeast Arizona, and Texas. A trip to Thailand is planned for January 2008. Trips to Costa Rica and Australia are in the works.
Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 8:00 am
San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Tom Paulek: (909) 928-3698We will meet at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area Headquarters. This day will be about waterfowl - ducks, geese, ibis, and birds of prey that make the beautiful San Jacinto Valley their winter home. Plan on staying all day (bring a lunch) or just for part of the morning.As the north from Theodore is now closed, from Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona then north on Davis road three miles to parking lot. From Hemet, go west on Ramona to Davis road. from Redlands, go south on Redlands blvd. east on 60, east on Gilman Springs, south on Bridge street, west on Ramona and north on Davis Road. Call 909-928-3698 if you have any questions. This route is not recommended if there have been recent rains. The dirt roads are too dangerous for normal travel. Everyone is always welcome and this is an especially good day for new birders and families. The weather could be cool, so dress accordingly.
Sunday, March 2, 2008 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at Hidden Valley
Contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613
Leaders: Jennifer and Michelle TobinFor those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.We will meet at the wildlife area’s nature center. To get to Hidden Valley from the 91 freeway, take the Arlington Ave. exit and go west just over seven miles to the entrance, which is a signed, gated dirt road on the right. (The entrance is about one mile past the intersection of Arlington and La Sierra avenues.) Follow the dirt road down and to the right and up to the nature center building on the left. Please contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 8:00 am
Bolsa Chica & Orange County Coast
Dori Myers 714-779-2201
Please join us for what should be a great day of birding in the wetland areas of Orange County. Expect to see a large variety of wintering birds including ducks, shorebirds, grebes, herons, egrets, terns, cormorants, etc. We ought to find gulls and raptors and some song birds. With any luck we will see 50 or more species just in the morning. After birding Bolsa Chica (until around noon) we will go to Newport Back Bay or the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary to eat our lunch and finish the day.To reach Bolsa Chica, take the 91 freeway south to the 55 (Newport freeway). Continue on the 55 to the 405 and go north towards Long Beach. Exit at Beach Blvd. (south) and continue to Pacific Coast Highway. Turn right and head north on PCH, past Huntington Beach. We will meet in the parking lot of the Ecological Preserve (Bolsa Chica) on the inland side of Pacific Coast Hwy at the signal between Seagate and Warner. Please bring a lunch if you intend to stay for the day. Also bring binoculars, bird book and a scope if you have one. It can get cold along the coast in winter so dress in layers.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
A Geography of Birds by Dr. Tim Krantz
Join us for this wide-ranging talk on the geography of birds of the world by SBVAS' own Dr. Tim Krantz. From the origins of the earliest birds, when Archaeopteryx was gliding through tree tops over the heads of dinosaurs, to the modern distributions of birds around the world. From plate tectonics to Wallace's Line, Dr. Krantz will take us on a whirlwind tour providing new perspectives on how the families of modern birds have evolved and adapted to their changing environments. We will explore the striking similarities of New World and Old World families, in which birds have developed convergent adaptations and appearances under similar conditions on each of the continents, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from tropical rainforests to the driest deserts of the world.Dr. Krantz is the Chair of the Environmental Studies Program and Latin American Studies Program at the University of Redlands. Growing up in Redlands, he obtained his Bachelors Degree from the University of Redlands, with an emphasis in Ethnobotany--the cultural uses of plants. His Masters Degree from Stanford University in Latin American Studies, doing research on people and parks in Central America, and his Ph.D. is from the University of California at Berkeley in Geography, compiling a thorough flora of the San Bernardino Mountains. He served for six years on the San Bernardino County Planning Commission in the 1980s, is the founder of the Big Bear Valley Preserve System, protecting pebble plains and montane meadow habitats with dozens of endangered plant species. He began the first wintering bald eagle censuses in Big Bear in the late 1970s, is the Director of the Salton Sea Database Program and served for seven years on the Salton Sea Science Subcommittee, established by then Secretary of Interior, Bruce Babbitt. Dr. Krantz is also the Chairman of the Crafton Hills Open Space Conservancy and serves on the Board of Directors for SBVAS, where he is actively involved in work to assemble a wildlife corridor connecting the San Bernardino Mountains to San Timoteo Canyon and the San Jacinto Mountains.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Sunday, April 6, 2008 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at Robidoux Nature Center
Contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613
Leaders: Jennifer and Michelle TobinFor those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.The nature center is located at 5370 Riverview Drive in Rubidoux. From Highway 60, 2.7 miles west of the junction of Interstate 215 and Highway 60, exit at Rubidoux Blvd and go south to Mission Blvd and turn right. Turn left onto Riverview Drive (Limonite Avenue) and drive a half mile and turn left again onto Riverview Drive. The nature center will be on the left approximately 1.2 miles. If the gate is locked, please park outside and walk into the Nature Center. Be sure to pull well off the pavement. Please contact: Cathy Tobin (951) 684-9613 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Wild Utah: America's Redrock Wilderness by Bob Brister
"Wild Utah: America's Redrock Wilderness" is a multimedia slide show featuring stunning images by noted wilderness photographers and narrated by Robert Redford. The show also documents citizen efforts to designate public lands in southern Utah's spectacular canyon country as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The journey through redrock splendor invigorates and motivates viewers to participate in the movement to protect these unique lands. "Wild Utah" was made possible through the generous donation of photos, music, words and narration from concerned Utahans who wish to pass this heritage onto future generations. Along with wonderful visuals, a presentation outlining the current status of the Utah wilderness movement will be given by Bob Brister, Interregional Outreach Coordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. This inspirational and informational event is a must see for people wishing to become personally involved and make a difference in this tremendous American public lands conservation effort. Come enjoy, learn, and take action to preserve some of the most unique and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.Saturday, April 19, 2008 - 8:30 am
Torres-Martinez Ponds/Salton Sea
Dave Goodward (909) 783-2417
We will meet at 8:30 at the Arco Station on Hwy 86 near Mecca. Come down Highway 86 from Indio, turn left to the Arco by the sign to Mecca/Hwy 111. We can carpool from the Arco Station in case parking is limited at the ponds, which are at the end of Lincoln Ave., the first right after the Arco Station just before you get to Mecca/Hwy 111. Give me a call if you intend to come, and I will update you on parking.Torres-Martinez Ponds are on the west side of the Whitewater Delta. They were recently created by the Torres-Martinez Tribe, and have been generally off-limits to the public. Now that the riparian vegetation is growing and the birds have discovered the ponds, the tribe has generously agreed to allow a SBVAS field trip. Expect to see many of the usual duck and grebe species, a smattering of shorebirds, hopefully a Peregrine or Merlin, and nesting Great Blue Herons. The stroll around the ponds should take about two hours. Energetic birders can then take the half mile hike out to the Whitewater delta, for hordes of gulls and pelicans as well as shorebirds molting into breeding plumage. This is a great chance to visit what is becoming a great birding location at the north end of the Salton Sea. Bring sunscreen, hats and water.Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 7:30 am
Mojave Narrows
Steve Myers (760) 843-4009
Our (nearly) annual trip to Mojave Narrows Regional Park will take place on April 20. We will meet at Pelican Lake at 7:30 a.m. From San Bernardino, go north on Interstate 215 toward Barstow. Continue over Cajon Pass to the Victorville area. Take the Bear Valley Road exit, and turn right (east). Go approximately 4 miles and turn left on Ridgecrest (watch for County Regional Park sign). After entering the Park (there is an entrance fee), turn right on a dirt road just past the horse stables, and follow this road to Pelican Lake.Be prepared for an entire day of walking: bring sturdy shoes or boots (trails can be muddy), water, lunch, and snacks. There is a snack bar (with bare minimums) at the Park. Because we hike a rather long loop trail in the morning, we typically eat lunch fairly late (1:30- 2:00), so it’s best to come prepared with snacks. The last few hours before sunset we will likely visit other birding spots in the Victor Valley, including Jess Ranch, Spring Valley Lake, and the pond at Victor Valley College. For more information call Steve at (951) 634-9767 (days), or (760) 843-4009 (evenings).
Migration should be in full swing and we expect to see a lot of warblers, flycatchers (including Vermilion), tanagers (including Summer) and a variety of desert and riparian species. Come for the morning or stay all day. See you there!Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 7:00 am
Big Morongo
Chet McGaugh (951) 781-3699The first week in May is about the best time for observing migrant land birds in Southern California and Big Morongo is one of the best places for it. In addition to migrant warblers, vireos and flycatchers, we expect to see the breeding specialities including vermilion flycatcher, yellow-breasted chat, summer tanager, blue grosbeak, Bullock’s oriole and hooded oriole.Join us for a morning birdwalk on the trails and roads of the preserve and surrounding areas. We will meet at the preserve parking lot at 7:00 a.m. To get there, take I-10 to Highway 62, go north ten miles to Morongo Valley, then turn right on Park Avenue to Covington Park. Turn left at Covington Park, then do a quick right-left-right into the preserve. Weather is typically good this time of year. Bring water, snacks and lunch if you plan to make a day of it. Some of us will probably stay out all day. Who knows where the afternoon will lead us?
Sunday, May 4, 2008 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk at Fairmount Park
Doug Karalun (909) 425-5355For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local wildlife habitats. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Binoculars and bird guides will be provided for use during the walk. However, please bring your own if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water. The walk is free and no reservations are needed. Everyone is welcome and student lists will be signed.To reach Fairmount Park from downtown Riverside take Market Street north to the signal at Fairmount Park and turn left. (just before the train engine) Turn immediately to the left towards the tennis courts then right into the parking lot. Follow the lot all the way to the end and park near the bandstand. Please contact: Doug Karalun (909) 425-5355 for further information. Rain or other conditions may cause last minute changes. You may call ahead to confirm location and time.
Sunday, May 4, 2008 - 8:00 am
Box Springs Mountain
John Green (951) 686-2956We will meet at the upper parking lot of Box Springs Mountain Reserve. Our main target birds here will be Black-chinned, Rufous-crowned, and “Bell’s” Sage Sparrows, which should be present and singing. We’ll look for them and more while going on a figure eight loop hike through the fragmented chaparral and sage scrub and past several springs. A few of the other resident and/or breeding birds to be expected on the trip include Greater Roadrunner, Black-chinned and Costa’s Hummingbirds, Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Wrentit, Rock and Canyon Wrens, California Thrasher, and Bullock’s and Hooded Orioles. We will, of course, also be hoping for a nice crop of migrants including flycatchers, vireos, warblers, buntings, grosbeaks, and ??? Over 170 species of birds have been recorded in the Box Springs, but 40 species is a more realistic goal for this trip. We should also see some wildflowers and shrubs in bloom, and a variety of butterflies, reptiles, mammals, etc. as well. THIS INCLUDES RATTLESNAKES, which have been encountered on the trip in recent years. Other concerns include ticks, poison oak, and stinging nettle. None of these are abundant, and can be avoided with reasonable care. The walk is all on official trails, but some are narrow. The full hike is about 3.5 miles, with a couple of climbs, and a maximum elevation gain of about 650 feet. Those not wanting the full walk can break back to the parking lot at the end of the first loop of the figure eight (that first loop is about 1.25 miles and 450 foot elevation gain). Expect to arrive back at the parking lot by lunchtime.We will meet at 8:00 am. From Highway 60 in Moreno Valley take the Pigeon Pass Road / Frederick Street exit. Take Pigeon Pass north and continue for about 4.2 miles. When Pigeon Pass makes a sharp turn to the right, you will continue straight on Box Springs Mountain Road for about 1.3 miles to the parking area. There is a $2 per person parking fee box. We will do a lot of walking, so wear appropriate shoes and dress comfortably in layers. Some trails may be overgrown, long pants are advised. Carry water and snacks. There are picnic tables at the parking area, so bring a lunch if you’d like to eat after the hike. See you there!
IMPORTANT: This trip is not suitable for large groups, only a limited number of students can be accommodated. A maximum of five students can attend, but only if they call and register with me in advance. Students are expected to show interest, have binoculars, and attend the full trip. Signature for school credit will be provided at the end of the walk. I may be able to loan a pair of binoculars if arranged well in advance. There is a Beginning Bird Walk available at Fairmount Park on the same day as this trip for those desiring an easier walk, or if this trip is full.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 8:00 am
Whitewater Canyon
Steve Myers (760) 843-4009
This trip is a new addition to the SBVAS field trip lineup. Portions of Whitewater Canyon have long been more or less closed to public access, but the former trout farm is now the "Whitewater Canyon Preserve," managed by The Wildlands Conservancy. If you visited the trout farm in the past, you will not know the place now. Most of the facilities have been removed, and habitat restoration is under way. There are still a few ponds with trout, but riparian and desert scrub habitat should be teaming with birds on this trip. The canyon hosts nesting Summer Tanagers and Brown-crested Flycatchers, and migrants should be easy to find. In addition to the Preserve, we will visit Bonnie Bell, a small community in the canyon that contains excellent cottonwood and willow forest and woodland, somewhat reminiscent of Big Morongo.Meet at the Whitewater Canyon Preserve at 8:00 am. To reach the Preserve, go east on I-10, past the turn-off for Highway 111, and take the Whitewater exit. Turn left, pass over I-10, and watch for Whitewater Canyon Road on your left. The Preserve is at the end of Whitewater Canyon Road, approximately 5 miles north of I-10. Bring sturdy footwear, water, lunch, and the usual essentials.
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - 9:00 am
Baby Birds at Bearpaw
Cin Greyraven (909) 794-0509
Join us for a trip into the hidden world of nesting birds at Bearpaw Nature Sanctuary in Forest Falls. Biologist Cin Greyraven will lead the group in its search for evidence of breeding behavior in the common birds of the chaparral and forest. Since 1994, Bearpaw Sanctuary has been part of the National Nest Box Trail system, offering homes to Western Bluebirds, Oak Titmice, House Wrens, Mountain Chickadees, and Ash-throated Flycatchers. Learn what types of nest boxes work best and how monitoring data by average citizens across the continent can contribute to scientific research. Learn how to monitor a nest box without disturbing the nesting effort. Enjoy a peek inside the usually inaccessible world of cavity nesters, and learn to recognize different species by their nests, eggs, and chicks. Bring binoculars for long-distance viewing and cameras for close-up snapshots. Children are welcome. The gate code is #7282. For additional information, call (909) 794-0509.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 7:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Endemic Birds and Other Wildlife of Ethiopia by Kurt Leuschner
Thanks to support from San Bernardino Valley Audubon, Kurt Leuschner had the unique opportunity this past November to travel to Ethiopia on a 10-day National Audubon-sponsored study tour. Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea are home to over 30 endemic bird species, making this a must-see region for world listers. From White-cheeked Turacos to Black-winged Lovebirds, you'll be amazed at the variety of unusual species found here and nowhere else in the world! But birds were just one reason that Leuschner and 13 others from Audubon and the Sierra Club journeyed so far. Audubon's Population and Habitat Campaign has been drawing much-needed attention to the often detrimental effects of human population growth on habitats for birds and other wildlife. With Ethiopia being the second most populous country in Africa, it was a logical place to hold the second annual Population, Health and Environment (PHE) Conference. For 3 days at the United Nations in Addis Ababa, important global and regional issues concerning population growth and its effects on human health and the environment were discussed, ideas were exchanged, and future work was planned. Field trips before and after the conference to various U.S.AID-funded project sites afforded the U.S. group of delegates the opportunity to see your tax dollars at work. Along the way the group had the chance to see to many of the bird and mammal species that reside only in Ethiopia. In this program you'll be introduced to these East African specialties and to the environmental challenges facing Ethiopia and the world.Kurt Leuschner has been a member of Audubon since the 1970s - active with Los Angeles Audubon leading field trips to Ballona Wetlands and participating in Christmas Bird Counts in Malibu and Los Angeles in his early years, and later, after moving to Palm Desert, joining San Bernardino Valley Audubon and founding the Desert Cities Bird Club in 1995 - serving the birders of the Coachella Valley area. When he's not leading birding trips to Joshua Tree, the Salton Sea, Anza-Borrego, Zzyzx, Arizona, or Africa, you'll find him teaching at College of the Desert - courses in Conservation, Birds, Native Plants, and Entomology. Lately he has become more aware of the importance of grassroots activism and he'll be traveling to Washington D.C. in June with the other PHE delegates to do some lobbying on behalf of Audubon for foreign aid and the environment. Please come enjoy Kurt's program. Everyone is always welcome.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Saturday, June 7, 2008 - 7:00 am
Wrightwood
Gene Cardiff (909) 875-5358The San Gabriel Mountains trip will start at the California Department of Forestry Mormon Rocks Station on Highway 138 at 7:00 am. Take I-15 north from San Bernardino or south from the Victor Valley and turn toward Palmdale on Highway 138. The CDF Station is located 1.5 miles up Hwy 138 on the left side of the road, opposite the large sandstone formation called the Mormon Rocks. (There are no restrooms at the CDF Station, use the restrooms at the gas stations near the off ramp.) After birding that area for 30-45 minutes, we will proceed up Lone Pine Canyon Rd into Wrightwood. We will enjoy a snack at the Twin Lakes Club and then will proceed up Highway 2 to the Arch Picnic Grounds at Big Pines and to the Table Mountain Campground amphitheater. We will have lunch at Table Mountain. After lunch, we will proceed to Valyermo where we will bird the Paradise Springs area and St. Andrew's Priory. If the cherries are ripe, we will stop to pick fresh cherries.Bring a lunch, liquids and a good pair of shoes. We will look for mountain birds such as the white-headed woodpecker, Clark's nutcracker, red crossbill, green-tailed towhee, Townsend's solitaire, and black-chinned sparrows. Please don’t forget: you will need an Adventure Pass (we will stop at the ranger station).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 6:30 pm
SBVAS General Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Come & Celebrate the Summer
Help us celebrate the end of our chapter's year, the beginning of summer, and the joy of nature at our June potluck dinner. We will begin our evening of camaraderie at 6:30 pm, an hour earlier than usual. SBVAS will supply a turkey and a ham as well as beverages. Please bring a dish to share - a salad, vegetable, casserole, or dessert. Please remember to bring your own table service. Officers will be installed. This usually takes only a few minutes and then our members will provide the program by bringing 10-15 of their favorite nature slides to share. This is a great annual event and is fun for everyone. Come enjoy good friends, good food, and what is certain to be a teriffic evening.Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
DATES CHANGED!
Saturday-Sunday, July 12-13, 2008
Weekend trip - South Fork Kern River & the Greenhorn Mountains
Steve Myers (760) 843-4009This is a joint trip with the Mojave Desert Bird Club. Meet at 5:00 am at the Victorville Park & Ride at I-15 and Bear Valley Road for carpooling. Exit I-15 at Bear Valley Road, turn left, and left again onto the frontage road (Amargosa Road). The park and ride is another left, almost immediately. We will arrive at the South Fork Kern River Preserve around 7:00 am, and will look for specialties such as the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer Tanager, Brown-crested Flycatcher, and the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. As the day heats up, we will head up into the relatively cool Greenhorn Mountains. The Greenhorns are at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, and offer extensive coniferous forests, wet meadows, and spectacular views. We expect to see many of the typical high mountain birds, and the Greenhorns are the southern range limit of birds such as the Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk, and Winter Wren (note that these are not guaranteed!). On Saturday night we will be camping at a primitive campground (no water or toilets of any kind) in the Greenhorns. This trip can be terrific for both birds and butterflies.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - 7:00 pm
SBVAS Board Meeting - San Bernardino County Museum
Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 5:30 am
Insane Jaunt to the Salton Sea
John Green (951) 686-2956How would you like to see birds like Wood Stork, Stilt Sandpiper, Laughing and Yellow-footed Gulls, Gull-billed and Black Terns, Burrowing Owl, Gila Woodpecker, and Bronzed Cowbird? All those and more may be yours at the mere price of 110 degree average daily highs in the pungent glory and spectacle of the Salton Sea in summertime. With luck, perhaps something like an Anhinga, Tricolored Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, or Magnificent Frigatebird will appear (or is it just the heat?). Highlights on last year's trip included Reddish Egret, Ruff, and Gray Flycatcher.
DO NOT COME ON THE TRIP WITHOUT:
LOTS OF WATER, a large ice chest, lots of ice, lunch, and snacks,
a hat and sunscreen, a working air conditioner, and a full tank of gas (top off in Indio).
Meeting place will be at the Wister Unit of the Imperial Wildlife Area. Going south on Hwy 111 along the east shore of the Sea, turn right at Davis Road which is signed for the Wister Unit. Proceed to the parking lot on your left. If you reach the town of Niland on Hwy 111 you have gone 5 miles too far. We'll meet at 5:30 am, just before sunrise to beat the heat as much as we can, and we'll bird until we've had enough. Our route will be deterined by where the Wood Storks are and where other birds of interest are being seen. Motels are available in Calipatria, Brawley, and Indio for those wishing to spend Saturday night in the area.
Please notify Tom Benson with updates, additions, or corrections to this calendar.
Updated April 19, 2008.