Napa Solano Audubon Society

Beginner's Bird Walk Sunday, March 16th, 9:00 a.m. at American Canyon Wetlands
2025-03-16 09:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, March 16! Spring is approaching and we have been seeing a variety of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds out on the water, with different raptors flying overhead. During our last walk we spotted an Allen’s hummingbird and a Merlin!
So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while and you want some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our Beginners Bird Walk this Sunday, March 16 at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a little while. All level and ages of birders are welcome!
Can’t make this trip? Not a problem as we plan on holding more Beginners Bird Walks thru Spring. These walks are open to birders of all levels and ages. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. Napa Solano Audubon membership is not required. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Karina Garcia at kg92794@gmail.com.
What you might see: We have been seeing numerous species of waterfowl, a variety of shorebirds including American Avocets and Black Necked Stilts, as well as a variety of raptors, while always keeping our eyes peeled for the secretive Virginia Rails and Soras. If you check out the American Canyon Wetlands eBird hot spot at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L590817 you’ll see the lists of birds that have been recently seen at this location.
Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon.
Directions: From Vallejo, take Hwy 29 north towards Napa. Turn left off of Hwy 29 onto Rio Del Mar. There is a stop light at this location. Immediately after turning onto Rio Del Mar, turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From Napa, drive south on Highway 29 till you reach Rio Del Mar. Turn right onto Rio Del Mar and immediately turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From eastern Solano County take Hwy 80 to American Canyon Road. Go west on American Canyon Road until it ends at Wetlands Edge Road. Turn right on Wetlands Road and go north until you hit Eucalyptus Road. Turn left on Eucalyptus Road and you will be at the Wetlands Edge Park parking lot.
Leaders: Karina Garcia and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both Karina and Carol are citizen science volunteers and participate in the Napa Solano Audubon’s CA Birdseasons project at the wetlands location. NSAS has been monitoring birds at this site every Monday morning since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see at this location.
What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, and layers are a good idea as this location can be both sunny and windy. We will be walking ~ 2 miles over paved trails so comfortable walking shoes will be needed. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, we will have extra binoculars for you to use. We will also have spotting scopes on hand for better views of some of the more distant birds. Water and snacks are items you should plan to carry with you.
Health & Safety: NSAS requests that all participants be vaccinated for Covid-19, with updated boosters. All participants will sign a Field Trip Waiver and Waiver of Liability.

NSAS Presents: Our Native American’s Reverent Relationship with Birds - with Charlie Toledo - March 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Napa Valley Lutheran Church
2025-03-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Program: Birds played a significant role in Native American Cultures. Ms. Charlie Toledo will share her knowledge of birds and the role they played in CA native American cultures. Birds were used by every Native American culture for food, medicine, art and ceremony. She will explore the reverent relationship that Native Americans had with these incredible animals.
About the Presenter: Charlie Toledo is of Towa descendent, native to New Mexico. She is the Executive Director of the Suscol Intertribal Council, a community-based organization, since 1992 located in Napa, California. She has extensive experience as public speaker, presenter, and community organizer in regional, statewide, national and international forums. Since 1982 she has worked in alternative healthcare fields, as well as background in mediation for individuals, families, and organizations. She has been an organic gardener since 1978. She has lifelong commitment to social justice and international work on Human Rights and Environmental social justice issues.

NSAS Beginner's Bird Walk - Sunday March 9th at American Canyon Wetlands
2025-03-09 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, March 9th! Spring is arriving and we have been seeing a variety of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds out on the water, with different raptors flying overhead. We have even spotted secretive Soras and Common Gallinules recently! So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while and you want some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our Beginners Bird Walk this Sunday, March 9 at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a little while. All level and ages of birders are welcome!
Can’t make this trip? Not a problem as we plan on holding more Beginners Bird Walks thru Spring. These walks are open to birders of all levels and ages. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. Napa Solano Audubon membership is not required. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Karina Garcia at kg92794@gmail.com.

Beginners' Bird Walk Sunday Feb 23, 9 - 12
2025-02-23 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Whether you just want to give birdwatching a try or are a seasoned birder, join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. No reservations are necessary. The event is free and open to the public. Loaner binoculars are available to use. Strollers are welcome.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon. Rain cancels.

NSAS Field Trip to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuges with Wendy Cole & Mark Stephenson - Saturday/Sunday February 22nd & 23rd
2025-02-22 - 2025-02-23 | Sacramento Valley National Wildlife Refuges, 2180 CA-20, Colusa, CA, 95932, United States
Our next field trip will be to a number of our incredible National and State Wildlife Refuges that dot the Sacramento Valley. We will begin at Colusa NWR and then head onto the Sacramento NWR. (Our route may vary based on recent eBird checklists and a pre-trip exploration.) All of the Sanctuaries host a wide variety of Ducks and Geese. We should have excellent views of Cinnamon, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, American and Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintails, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks as well as White- fronted, Snow, and Ross’s Geese. Along the way we should be able to locate flocks of Long-billed Curlews, Dunlin, Least and other migrating shorebirds, as well as White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans. Raptors will also be on our agenda with Red-tailed, Merlins, Coopers, Sharp-shinned and Bald Eagles expected along with possible Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared Owls. Other passerines and rarities will also be on our radar.
For those wishing to make this a 2-day event we will stay over in the vicinity of Willows/ Williams and head onto the CA Fish & Wildlife Gray Lodge Sanctuary near Gridley on Sunday. There will be many flooded fields along the way where we hope to view Tundra Swans, Ducks and Geese at close range. More details to follow.
Registration Details will be sent out in an eBlast later this month!

NSAS Presents: Colombia Birding with John Sterling Thursday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Benicia Public Library
2025-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA, 94510
About the Program: Colombia is one of the top birding destinations with over 1,900 species. John will give an overview of many of the top locations and rare and endemic birds from his recent tours. From Caribbean coast to pacific rainforest lowlands to the three ranges of the Andes and valleys in between and the Orinoco lowlands bordering Venezuela, he will illustrate the huge diversity with his photographs of fancy and exotic birds.

About the Presenter: John has been a hard core birder in California since he was shown a Pileated Woodpecker in 5th grade camp in 1971. He is a professional ornithologist and has worked for the Smithsonian Institution, US Forest Service research stations, HT Harvey & Associates, Arizona and Oregon state universities among other organizations since 1981. John has traveled extensively throughout California learning about local bird distribution and is an authority on that state’s avifauna. In 2015 he set the California’s new big year record with 501 species and has many big day records as well. He has traveled internationally as a guide and ornithologist for many institutions including projects as a Smithsonian ornithologist to Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, The Philippines, Sumatra, Canada and Russia.

About the Presenter:

Winged Migration Festival Saturday & Sunday February 1st & 2nd Mare Island and Bay Area Birding Locations
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-02 | Mare Island, 34 Nimitz Avenue, Vallejo, CA, 94592
The event offers a lineup of bird walks, hikes, presentations and kids craft activities to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the incredible journey of migratory birds, including a live raptor presentation and the chance to meet and learn about bats! We are hoping to inspire the next generation of Birders and Protectors of our Natural Environments.
The Winged Migration Festival will host numerous Field Trips, Presentations, Activities, Art and Food.
Presentations, Tabling and Food Venues will be located at Building 34 Nitz Ave. Mare Island, Vallejo CA
To learn more, and for a schedule of all events visit our Website at: Winged Migration Festival!

Monthly Field Trip to American River Parkway, Sacramento - Saturday, January 18th
2025-01-18 | American River Parkway, William B. Pond Recreation Area, Sacramento
Leader: Larry Kent
Directions: William B. Pond Recreation Area is located along the American River Parkway in Carmichael. Drive east on I-80 to Sacramento. At West Sacramento continue driving on Highway 50 toward Sacramento/South Lake Tahoe. Drive through Sacramento and exit onto Watt Ave (exit 11). Drive over the American River (do not turn onto American River Drive) and turn right onto Fair Oaks Blvd. Stay on Fair Oaks Blvd for approximately 2 ½ miles to Arden Way. Turn right onto Arden Way, then drive to the end of Arden Way where you will enter William B. Pond Recreation Area. The meeting area will be along the park road. There is a $7.00 entrance fee (this fee is good for all other parks along the American River Parkway for the day).
What we will see: The area runs along the American River with oak woodlands, riparian, grasslands, ponds and flowing water. We will be walking to and along the river on mostly flat ground. After birding the William B. Pond Recreation Area, we will visit other areas along the parkway. Along the river we hope to see a variety of ducks and geese including Greater White-fronted and Canada Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Common Merganser, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Pied-billed Grebes Snowy & Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, California, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. Woodland and riparian species may include Acorn, Nuttall’s, Hairy, Downy and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a variety of passerines including Titmice, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Bewick’s and Hose Wrens, Fox, Savannah, Song, Lincoln’s and White-throated Sparrows.
Carpooling: From Napa: Meet in the River Park Shopping Center to leave at 6:45 AM on the west side of Rite Aid Pharmacy (east side of where Sweeney’s Sport Shop was).
From Cordelia: Meet in the parking lot of the Cordelia Fairfield Library parking lot, 5050 Business Center Dr., Fairfield to leave at 7:00.
What to Bring: Be prepared for cool/cold weather, possible fog, good walking shoes, Lunch, binoculars, scope, snacks, water (or other beverage).
Registration: Registration forms will be sent out Saturday December 21, 9:00 am, so be sure to sign up to secure a spot. 15 participants.
If you need to cancel: Please notify Bruce Thomsen at least 48-hours in advance at (209) 728-4631 or brucethomsen@yahoo.com so that another person may take your spot.

Beginners' Bird Walk
2025-01-12 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Is your resolution to start a new hobby, meet friends, or to get outside more? Join us for a beginners bird walk to learn about birding and a local habitat. No experience needed. Loaner binoculars are available to use. Meet in the American Canyons Wetlands parking lot. Strollers welcome! RAIN CANCELS.

January Monthly Speaker Series: Badger Run Wildlife Rehab Center’s Mission: Caring for Injured Birds and Wildlife with Liz Burton - January 9, 2025 7:00 p.m. - Napa Valley Lutheran Church
2025-01-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Program: Liz will be sharing how she got started in Wildlife Rehabilitation, her original vision for Badger Run Wildlife Rehab, what happened along the way and where they are now. She will also give brief “case studies” of their Educational Ambassadors from injured bird intake to today. She will be happy to answer any questions about Wildlife Rehab or Exotic Rescue and the conclusion of her talk.
About the Presenter: Liz Burton is the Founder and Animal Care Manager of Badger Run Wildlife Rehab in Keno, OR. She has been devoted to wildlife rehabilitation for almost 50 years, ever since she was 16 when she discovered that most veterinarians won’t touch wildlife and how much injured creatures need advocates and caregivers. Liz holds a B.S. degree in Animal Ecology, Behavior and Evolution; training which she uses to help keep the wildlife in Badger Run Wildlife Rehab’s care comfortable and in good health both physically and mentally. She is also active in exotic pet rescue and educating exotic owners in the proper selection, husbandry and care of their animals.

Angwin Christmas Bird Count - Wednesday, January 1, 2025
2025-01-01 | CA
The 52nd Angwin CBC – Wednesday, January 1, 2024.
Start the New Year off with a blast by participating in the Angwin CBC! Birding opportunities are available throughout the count circle including the Napa Valley, Pope Valley, Lakes Berryessa, Hennessey, and Angwin. We have an excellent crew of experienced area leaders so everyone is encouraged to take part regardless of your ability level. The count is an important measure of local birdlife, and has gained added importance as a tool to monitor changes in numbers and distribution of birds in the wildfire burn zone that impacted about forty percent of the count circle in 2020. Our compilation dinner will be held at the Carnegie Building located at 1360 Oak Ave. St. Helena, CA 94574 at the corner of Oak Ave & Adams St. For details on how to participate contact Murray Berner at vireocity@hotmail.com .

Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids - Connolly Ranch - Rescheduled to Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2024-12-22 09:00 - 13:00 | Connolly Ranch, 3141 Browns Valley Road, Napa, CA, 94558
Children, bring your parents and come join us to look for birds in Napa’s local Parks on Sunday, December 22nd. The fun begins at 9:00 a.m. at Connolly Ranch. Participants will sign in, review birding strategies, have a binocular training, and break into small teams. Teams will then travel with their parents by car to nearby parks throughout Napa. Participants will hike with their team leaders, bird guide, checklist, and binoculars for 90 minutes of fun birding along a specific trail to record species and count birds. Children will experience the thrill of adding new birds to their list and keeping an accurate count of the birds they see. We will reconvene at Connolly Ranch at 12:00 Noon to share observations, tabulate birds, enjoy lunch, and meet a special surprise guest! Please note: This event has been rescheduled due to heavy rains forecast for the original date.
Preregistration is requested. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mv72t74ra
This half-day CBC4Kids is modeled on the traditional CBC’s geared largely towards experienced birders, but is a less rigorous citizen science adventure, designed as a fun activity for kids aged 7-16. Parents and their youngsters will join experienced birding leaders in Celebrating Nature, the Fun of Birding, and the Value of Citizen Science.

Beginners Bird Walk
2024-12-22 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, December 22 at 9:00 a.m. No reservations are necessary. The event is free and open to the public. Loaner binoculars are available to use.
Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon. Rain cancels.

Benicia Christmas Bird Count - Monday, December 16, 2024
2024-12-16 | CA
The 77th Benicia CBC – Monday, December 16th, 2024.
The Benicia Count was founded by Benician Emerson Stoner in 1930, 94 years ago! This year we will be counting all the birds we can find in the Benicia CBC circle which includes the communities of Benicia, East Vallejo, Cordelia, West Suisun City, as well as parts of Grizzly Island and Grizzly Bay. If all goes well, we’ll even send a boat out into the Benicia Straits! For the count we would like to have as many teams as possible and would encourage everyone to participate regardless of your level of birding expertise. Our teams will have experienced leaders to guide you and the more pairs of eyes that are on a team the more birds we will find. The routes we use for the count will have a range of hiking difficulty from flat paved surfaces to steeper hills and trails so let us know which type of surface might be best for you and we will match you to a count team that is suited for you. So, if you can join us for a day, or even half a day of birding, join us on Dec. 16th for this year’s Christmas Bird Count adventure. At the end of the day, we will be serving a hot meal at our compilation dinner where we will gather to discuss the birds we’ve seen and share the highlights of our day. Our dinner will be tentatively held at the Florence Douglas Senior Citizen Center located at 333 Amador St. Vallejo, CA 94590. This year, Robin Leong will be assisting Tom Slyker in organizing this fun event! If you think you can participate in this year’s Benicia CBC please let Tom and/or Robin know. Tom can be reached at SolanoBirder@gmail.com or 707-771-1918 and Robin’s email address is robin_leong@sonic.net. Hope to see you there!

Benicia Christmas Bird Pre-Count ** Changed Date to Sunday, December 15 and Location, Lynch Canyon Open Space Due to Rain and Rare Bird Sighting
2024-12-15 08:30 | Lynch Canyon Open Space, 3100 Lynch Rd, Fairfield, CA, 94503, United States
The trip has been changed to Sunday due to heavy rains forecast for Saturday and to Lynch Canyon in hopes of spotting the Thick-billed Kingbird that was located there last weekend! December’s Monthly Field Trip is our annual Benicia CBC Pre-Count with Tom Slyker & Robin Leong: Sunday, December 15th, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon: For those of you who enjoy birding areas close to home, or who plan on participating in this year’s Benicia Christmas Bird Count and would like to get a head start, this trip is for you! Robin and Tom will take you to Lynch Canyon, one of the Benicia CBC’s favorite locations, to look for exciting birds that have arrived in time for this year’s CBC that will be held the following Monday, December 16th!

Beginners Bird Walk
2024-12-08 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m. No reservations are necessary. The event is free and open to the public. Loaner binoculars are available to use.
Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon. Rain cancels.

Beginner Bird Walk
2024-11-24 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
NSAS Beginners Bird Walk, American Canyon Wetlands, Sunday, November 24, 9 am – noon. Rain cancels.

NSAS Speaker Series Presents: The Raptor Advantage with Dr. Craig Farquhar
2024-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Program: Learn about ‘the raptor advantage’ with this brief overview of what a ‘raptor’ really is; focusing on the main anatomical and physiological adaptations that are featured in these birds which are products of millions of years of evolution honing virtually every body part to a lifestyle that depends on being able to capture prey that would rather not be devoured.
About the Presenter: Dr. Craig Farquhar is a conservation biologist, raptor ecologist, and illustrator, formerly with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Austin, TX (retired 2018), currently teaching Raptor Ecology and Ecology of Rarity at Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. He received a PhD in Raptor Ecology and Wildlife Biology at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, later a Frank M. Chapman postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History, New York studying raptors in South America. He, along with co-author, Dr. Clint Boal published Raptors of Texas, in 2022.
Napa Solano Audubon is inviting you to our November 14th Speaker Series Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting Link:
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Meeting ID: 848 9397 1391
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NSAS Weekly Bird Walk with Andrew Ford, Sat. 11/2/24, Pena Adobe/Lagoon Valley Park
2024-11-01 08:00 - 17:00 | CA
This Saturday, November 2, we will travel to and explore Lagoon Valley Regional Park. There will be rainstorms in the evening but the weather is looking to be a bit cooler but very little rain during our day.

OVERVIEW
Lagoon Valley consists of many hiking trails among the hills and canyons and groves of mixed conifers and deciduous trees. Many waterbirds are in the filled reservoir and winter residents abound. The oaks are beginning to leaf-out, and some of our summer residents are beginning to arrive in the area. White-Breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Green Heron, Mallard, Double-Crested Cormorant, Red-Shouldered Hawk, White-and Golden-Crowned Sparrow, Great Blue Heron and Nuttall’s Woodpecker are guaranteed. Loggerhead Shrike, Common Gallinule, Lark Sparrow, Great-Tailed Grackle, Rufous-Crowned Sparrow, Osprey, Western Meadowlark, Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle and Tricolored Blackbird have been reported in the past. A plethora of waterfowl are on the reservoir. Swamp Sparrow is an unlikely but oft reported species here. Red-Necked Grebe and Trumpeter Swan is a rarity and reported. Neotropical cormorant was recently seen and we will definitely keep our eyes out.

Just a note for walkers, all birds in the above list were seen at one point and time. Birds will vary at location and though I mention the birds on this list, we may see many and we may see none. This all varies on the day!

WEATHER (PLEASE READ)
The weather is projected to be in the high 50s and overcast. It will be cool and possibly wet. There is rain predicted for the night before and a chance of small intermittent rain predicted for the full day. HEAVY RAIN WILL CANCEL. I WILL LET THE GROUP KNOW BY 0600 IF THE WALK WILL BE CANCELLED. Be sure to bring warm clothes; binoculars are a must. The trail is mostly paved. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes should be worn as it could be muddy off the trails and in the grass. Please dress according to the weather and location.

MISCELLANEOUS AND TRIP NOTES

NOTE: Car-poolers will share driving expenses, so bring some small bills if you plan to carpool. We also encourage a small donation for the trip leader to help offset costs. The park was enforcing parking fees, so we will meet on the eastern side of the park on Butcher Road (38.343743, -122.002880). Try to arrive early as the parking can be limited.

BIRD WALK LOCATION:
Where: Lagoon Valley Regional Park; 4699 Pena Adobe Rd., Vacaville, CA 95687 (Please meet on the Butcher Road side of the park at the provided coordinates (38.343743, -122.002880). Please have $6 ready if we need to park inside the park.

Date: 11/2/2024
Start Time: 8:00am
Approximate End: 12:00pm

Please find the link below for directions. Copy and paste to get directions. Link should work. I double checked it.

https://goo.gl/maps/3CGY5ddb5Fch8Zmx8

NSAS Beginners Bird Walk, American Canyon Wetlands, Sunday, October 27, 9:00 AM
2024-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk at American Canyon Wetlands on Sunday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m.! It is migration season and anyone who has joined our walks before knows that the wetlands are a great place to be during this exciting time! So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while and you want some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our Beginners Bird Walk this Sunday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m. at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a little while. Can’t make this trip? Not a problem as we plan on holding more Beginners Bird Walks throughout the Fall and next Spring. These walks are open to birders of all levels and ages. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. Napa Solano Audubon membership is not required. For more information see this activity on our calendar. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com .

NSAS October Field Trip to Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve Sunday, October 27th at 8:00 a.m.
2024-10-27 08:00 - 13:00 | Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve, 5318 Crystyl Ranch Drive, Concord, CA, 94521
Save Mount Diablo’s Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve is over 200 acres situated between the Crystyl Ranch residential development in Concord and Lime Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek. The preserve includes grassland, stream canyons, blue oak woodland, chaparral, and oak savannas. It’s home to rare species such as the northernmost stand of desert olive, rare Hospital Canyon Larkspur, and threatened Alameda Whipsnake. Deer, Coyote, Burrowing Owls, Kestrels, and lots of other wildlife live here too. The preserve’s high ridge line provides spectacular views of central Contra Costa County to Marin, Sonoma, and Solano counties. Save Mount Diablo’s free public Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve’s Mission is: “to afford opportunities for our community to connect with nature. By facilitating these experiences, we can help address the serious issue of the modern disconnection from nature that currently threatens our perpetual land conservation mission.”
Sign-up/Register Here
Car pool: Meet at Imola River Park Shopping center, west of Rite Aid. Leaving at 7:00 am.
Directions:
Hiker gate next to 5318 Crystyl Ranch Drive, Concord, CA 94521.
From Ygnacio Valley Road, turn onto Crystyl Ranch Drive and continue for about 1.5 miles, to the hiker gate located on the south side of Crystyl Ranch Drive between Autumn Oak Circle and Rolling Woods Way.
Watch for a Save Mount Diablo staff member or volunteer, who will open the access gate and direct you onto the access road. A sign will also be out to help alert you.
What to bring: Binoculars, spotting scope, good walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather, LUNCH, water, and snacks.
New Registration Process: A Registration Form will be sent out to you on Saturday, September 28th at 9:00 a.m. which is about a month before the Field Trip takes place. An eBlast Reminder will be sent out to you to confirm when the Registration Form will be emailed to you and when the Registration Period begins!

Weekly Bird Walk with Andrew Ford - Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 a.m. - Huichica Wetlands
2024-10-19 08:00 - 12:00 | Huichica Wetlands, Buchli Station Rd. Napa, CA, Buchli Station Road, Napa, CA, 94559
This Saturday, October 19th, we will be checking out the wetlands of Huichica Creek since we should have some water, waterfowl are returning and we SHOULD be right before the opener of the waterfowl season, slated to start Oct 26. We will be looking for the waterfowl and shorebirds in the flooded ponds. OVERVIEW: The wetlands are a small part of the Napa-Sonoma Marshes Complex. This area is a hotspot for wintering waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. Many interesting birds have been reported in the area in the past. We are likely to find Northern Shoveler, Double-Crested Cormorant, White-Tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Green-Winged Teal, American White Pelican, Eared and Horned Grebe, American Kestrel, Black-Necked Stilt, and American Avocet. Uncommon birds in the area include Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Short-Eared Owl, Bonaparte’s Gull, Dunlin and Osprey. Semipalmated Sandpiper and Eurasian Wigeon have been seen in the past. Just a note for walkers, all birds in the above list were seen at one point and time. Birds will vary at location and though I mention the birds on this list, we may see many or just a few. This all varies on the day! See Andrew’s eBlast or our Calendar for more details.
Directions: Head South from Las Amigas Road on Buchli Station Road. We will meet in the parking lot that is located at the very end of Buchli Station Road. Head down Buchli Station Road and go past Bouchaine Winery and past Rancheria Vineyard Management facilities at which point Buchli Station Road becomes a dirt road. Continue on until the road takes a sharp right hand turn and soon thereafter a left hand turn crossing the Railroad Tracks to the small parking lot. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m.
Google Map

Beginner's Bird Walk - American Canyon Wetlands - Sunday, October 13th 9:00 a.m.
2024-10-13 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
NSAS Beginners Bird Walk on Sunday, October 13

Join us for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m.! It is migration season and anyone who has joined our walks before knows that the wetlands are a great place to be during this exciting time!

So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while and you want some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our Beginners Bird Walk this Sunday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m. at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a little while. Can’t make this trip? Not a problem as we plan on holding more Beginners Bird Walks throughout the Fall and next Spring. These walks are open to birders of all levels and ages. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. Napa Solano Audubon membership is not required. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com.

What you might see: Last fall we were able to see Green Winged Teals by the hundreds, a variety of shorebirds including American Avocets and Black Necked Stilts, as well as a variety of raptors, while always keeping our eyes peeled for the secretive Virginia Rails and Soras. If you check out the American Canyon Wetlands eBird hot spot athttps://ebird.org/hotspot/L590817 you’ll see the lists of birds that have been recently seen at this location.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon.

Directions: From Vallejo, take Hwy 29 north towards Napa. Turn left off of Hwy 29 onto Rio Del Mar. There is a stop light at this location. Immediately after turning onto Rio Del Mar, turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From Napa, drive south on Highway 29 till you reach Rio Del Mar. Turn right onto Rio Del Mar and immediately turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From eastern Solano County take Hwy 80 to American Canyon Road. Go west on American Canyon Road until it ends at Wetlands Edge Road. Turn right on Wetlands Road and go north until you hit Eucalyptus Road. Turn left on Eucalyptus Road and you will be at the Wetlands Edge Park parking lot.

Leaders: Tom Slyker, Karina Garcia, and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both Carol and Tom are citizen science volunteers who participate in the Napa Solano Audubon’s CA Birdseasons project at the wetlands location. NSAS has been monitoring birds at this site every Monday morning since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see at this location.

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, and layers are a good idea as this location can be both sunny and windy. We will be walking ~ 2 miles over paved trails so comfortable walking shoes will be needed. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, we will have extra binoculars for you to use. We will also have spotting scopes on hand for better views of some of the more distant birds. Water and snacks are items you should plan to carry with you.

Health & Safety: NSAS requests that all participants be vaccinated for Covid-19, with updated boosters. All participants will sign a Field Trip Waiver and Waiver of Liability.

NSAS Monthly Speaker Series Presents: A Bit about Bats from NorCal Bats with Corky Quirk
2024-10-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA, 94510
About the Program: Bats play an important role in the ecosystem as major consumers of nocturnal insects. They have many adaptations to help them navigate the night sky, from flight to echolocation. Meet the fastest mammal on earth, the Mexican free-tailed bat and the new California State symbol, the Pallid bat. In her presentation, Corky will share her knowledge about California bats along with a close up and personal experience of live, local, native species of bats. This is a great presentation to come to in-person for close up views of Ms. Quirk’s live Bats!
Mary Jean (Corky) Quirk, Founder NorCal Bats
Corky Quirk is the founder of NorCal Bats, an organization that provides care for injured bats and educational programs for libraries, schools, nature programs, fairs and other community events throughout the region. Corky has been working intensely with native bats since 2004 and has educated thousands of people of the important role they play in our ecosystems. She works with injured and orphaned bats, returning them to the wild and keeps a captive colony of non-releasable bats for use in education. Corky is the Director of www.norcalbats.org and is permitted through the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife and the USDA to support their conservation work with bats. Corky is an experienced environmental educator who got her start with Camp Fire Girls & Boys. She has an undergraduate degree in natural resource planning and interpretation from Humboldt State University. In addition to her work with bats, she teaches three days a week at the Yolo Basin Foundation, a wetland education program in the Sacramento Valley.
Learn about these incredible, flying mammals and their importance as insect control wonders. Inform others about how they can help protect this amazing animal! You can join her efforts to dispel any misconceptions others might have about these furry creatures, and help save these highly valuable mammals through community education and rescue work.
Napa Solano Audubon is inviting you to our October 10th Speaker Series Zoom meeting.
Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84068798815?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 840 6879 8815
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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Beginner's Bird Walk American Canyon Wetlands - Sunday, September 29th 9:00 a.m.
2024-09-29 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
NSAS Beginner’s Bird Walk on Sunday, September 29

After a summer hiatus, our Sunday Beginner’s Bird Walks have resumed! This Sunday, September 29 we will be making another visit to the Wetlands Edge Park in American Canyon. It is now peak migration season which is an exciting time for birders. We are starting to see a wide variety of dabbling ducks and a plethora of recently returned shorebirds. We are also seeing the early arriving White-crowned and Gold-crowned Sparrows and are hoping to see some Yellow-rumped Warblers and maybe a Flicker or two as they should be arriving soon. It is the beginning of a very exciting time and anyone who has joined our walks before knows that the wetlands are a great place to be during migration!
So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while and you want some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our Beginner’s Bird Walk this Sunday, September 29 at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a little while.

Can’t make this trip? Not a problem as we plan on holding more Beginners Bird Walks throughout the Fall and next Spring. These walks are open to birders of all levels and ages. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. Napa Solano Audubon membership is not required. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com.

What you might see: Last fall we were able to see Green Winged Teals by the hundreds, a variety of shorebirds including American Avocets and Black Necked Stilts, as well as a variety of raptors, while always keeping our eyes peeled for the secretive Virginia Rails and Soras. If you check out the American Canyon Wetlands eBird hot spot at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L650670 you’ll see the checklists of birds that have been recently seen at this location. Usually, these checklists will document 50 – 60 species being seen during an outing at this time of year.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, which is located at 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon.

Directions: From Vallejo, take Hwy 29 north towards Napa. Turn left off of Hwy 29 onto Rio Del Mar. There is a stop light at this location. Immediately after turning onto Rio Del Mar, turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From Napa, drive south on Highway 29 till you reach Rio Del Mar. Turn right onto Rio Del Mar and immediately turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From eastern Solano County take Hwy 80 to American Canyon Road. Go west on American Canyon Road until it ends at Wetlands Edge Road. Turn right on Wetlands Road and go north until you hit Eucalyptus Road. Turn left on Eucalyptus Road and you will be at the Wetlands Edge Park parking lot.

Leaders: Tom Slyker, Karina Garcia, and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both Carol and Tom are citizen science volunteers who participate in the Napa Solano Audubon’s CA Birdseasons project at the wetlands location. NSAS has been monitoring birds at this site every Monday morning since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see at this location.

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, and layers are a good idea as this location can be both sunny and windy. We will be walking ~ 2 miles over paved trails so comfortable walking shoes will be needed. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, we will have extra binoculars for you to use. We will also have spotting scopes on hand for better views of some of the more distant birds. Water and snacks are items you should plan to carry with you.

Health & Safety: NSAS requests that all participants be vaccinated for Covid-19, with updated boosters. All participants will sign a Field Trip Waiver and Waiver of Liability.

Weekly Bird Walk with Andrew Ford to Skyline Wilderness Park Sunday, September 29th at 8:00 a.m.
2024-09-29 08:00 - 12:00 | CA
This SUNDAY, September 29, 2024 we will explore Skyline Wilderness Park.
OVERVIEW
Skyline is a rocky, mostly well used trail system which runs through the hills just outside of Napa through where the old state hospital used to reside. Traveling through the oak woodlands and mixed deciduous forest, we will look for some chaparral loving and wintering birds. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, California Quail, Oak Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, White- and Golden-Crowned Sparrow and Steller’s Jay and a variety of songbirds and raptors are likely to be found. White-Throated Sparrow, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Merlin, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Pileated Woodpecker and Wood Duck are possible within the park.
Just a note for walkers, all birds in the above list were seen at one point and time. Birds will vary at location and though I mention the birds on this list, we may see many and we may see none. This all varies on the day!
WEATHER
The weather is projected to be in the 50’s in the morning and in the Low 80s toward the afternoon with overcast conditions. Light jackets, sweatshirts, water are recommended; Binoculars are a must. The trails have consistent inclines with one steep section heading up the hill, but the trails are well marked and easy to walk on. Mosquitos are always looming in the grass and air, so please bring bug spray. Please wear comfortable, yet sturdy hiking boots or shoes. Please dress according to the weather and location.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Please meet at the Visitor Parking area just after the gate. There is a $6 fee to enter the park.
BIRD WALK LOCATION:
Where: Skyline Wilderness Park, 2201 Imola Ave., Napa, CA 94559 (There is a parking fee for the day of $6)
Date: 09/29/2024

Start Time: 8:00am
Approximate End: 12:00pm
Please find the link below for directions. Copy and paste to get directions.
https://goo.gl/maps/yNqQc4Z2rZm5D8Dy9

Weekly Bird Walk to Putah Creek with Andrew Ford - Sunday, September 22nd
2024-09-22 08:00 - 12:00 | Putah Creek Preserve, Pedrick Rd. & Willow, Canal, Davis, CA, 95616
Join Andrew Ford for his Weekly Bird Walk on Sunday, September 22nd at the Putah Creek Preserve .
Our fall migrators are passing through and some of our winter species are beginning to arrive.The preserve follows the flow of Putah Creek and straddles the border of Solano and Yolo Counties. This area consists of riparian habitat bordering agricultural fields to the north and east. Birds likely to be seen are Lesser Goldfinch, Western Bluebird, Green Heron, Red-Tailed Hawk, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Mallard, Tree Swallow, Belted Kingfisher and a plethora of other passerines. Wood Duck, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Black-Throated Gray Warbler and MacGillivray’s Warbler are possible. Hopefully American Kestrel will be present. Migrants are making their way to these prime habitat areas. Green-Tailed Towhee, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Cape May Warbler, Painted Bunting, Chestnut-Sided, Nashville and Black-And-White Warbler are rarities that have been spotted in the past. Northern Waterthrush and Tennessee Warbler have been recently seen. Just a note: all birds in the above list were seen at one point and time. Birds will vary at location and though I mention the birds on this list, we may see many and we may see none. This all varies on the day!
See Andrew’s eBlast for more information and location details. The Putah Creek Preserve Parking Lot where the group will meet is a left-hand turn (heading West) when driving North on Pedrick Rd. just after crossing the Putah Creek Bridge (on the North side of the bridge).

September's Monthly Field Trip to Rodeo Lagoon – Monday, September 16, 2024
2024-09-16 07:30 - 16:00 | Rodeo Lagoon, Mitchell Rd., Marin Headlands, CA, Marin Headlands, CA
Rodeo Lagoon is one of Marin’s largest freshwater lagoons separated from the Pacific Ocean by a narrow sandy beach. It is surrounded by willow groves and provides aquatic and mudflat habitat that supports waterfowl, migrating shorebirds and passerines. Regular visitors include: Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Goldeneye, Western & Pied-billed Grebes, Snowy & Great Egrets Great Blue and Black-crowned Night Herons, Gulls, Cormorants, Pelicans and Murres. Swainson’s Thrush, Wilson’s, Yellow, Townsend’s, Black-throated Gray and Yellow-throat Warblers and occasional Redstarts are found amongst the willow thickets. Rodeo Lagoon has hosted numerous rarities from White and Yellow Wagtails, to Vermillion Flycatchers and Eastern Phoebes, and even a Willow Warbler that visited in October 2022. The Lagoon is nestled under the shadow of Hawk Hill where migrating hawks regularly pass by. Northern Harriers, Red-tailed, Copper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks are daily visitors that soar along the flanks of the hill and high overhead on thermals before crossing the Bay. William Legge, our Leader, has surveyed the birds of Rodeo Lagoon for a decade and will know all of the best places to find these exciting Fall migrants.
In case you didn’t receive our list serve email to sign-up for this field trip, here is a Link to the Rodeo Lagoon Field trip:Registration Link: https://forms.gle/ppAkLjUrcMN5zk9w9

Beginners' Bird Walk – Sunday, September 15, 2024 - 9:00 - 12:00 Noon
2024-09-15 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Are you dipping a toe into birding, or dusting off a pair of binoculars for the first time in a while? If you want company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our first Beginners Bird Walk of the Fall Season.
Join us Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park for a fun morning of birding. We will meet in the Parking Lot at 9:00 am. This park hosts fresh and salt water habitats, grasslands, and Eucalyptus groves. It is a prime area for migrating Shorebirds and Waterfowl. Green-winged Teal, Pintails, Shovelers, and Gadwalls are frequent ducks that feed in the shallow waters. American Avocets, Marbled Godwits, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Dowitchers, and Least and Western Sandpipers feed on the mudflats. Riparian birds including Western Bluebirds, House Wrens, Common Yellow-throats, frequent the grasslands, marsh and forest edges, while Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks soar above. It is not uncommon to see a White-tailed Kite or an Osprey flying by with a fish in its talons. On any given day we hope to see anywhere from 50-80 species during the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons.
Leaders: Tom Slyker, Carol Boykin, and Karina Garcia will be leading this walk. They are citizen science volunteers who participate in the Napa Solano Audubon’s CA Bird Seasons Project at this wetlands location. NSAS has been monitoring birds at this site every Monday morning since 2016.
What to bring: Warm clothing in layers as it can get windy and cold at this location. We will be walking ~ 2 miles over paved trails so comfortable walking shoes will be needed. Bring binoculars if you have them. If not, we will have extra binoculars for you to use. Tom and Carol will have spotting scopes for better views of some of the more distant birds. Water and snacks are items you should plan to carry with you.
To Register and Questions Contact Coordinator Karina Garcia at kg92794@hotmail.com

Monthly Speaker Program Thursday, September 12th The Albatross of Kaua’i with Hob Osterlund
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Presentation: The Laysan Albatross is a large soaring seabird distinguished by sensational thousand mile flights from the Hawaiian Islands to the Aleutian Islands and the West Coast of the U.S. They breed mainly on islands and atolls in the Hawaiian Archipelago during the northern winter, and spend the non-breeding summer months from July-November in the North Pacific Ocean. Following the loss of hundreds of thousands of breeders early in the 20th century to feather hunters and military development, this species has recently colonized new breeding grounds in the main Hawaiian Islands and Guadalupe Island off the Mexican coast.
About the Presenter: Hob is a Safina Center Fellow and the founder of the Kauaʻi Albatross Network. She lives on Kauai and has helped to protect the Laysan Albatross and preserve their nesting habitat. She can often be found near the Kilauea Lighthouse helping visitors to observe these exciting birds of the sea! Hob Osterlund is the author of “Holy Mōlī: Albatross and Other Ancestors.” In 2018 she produced a documentary called “Kalama’s Journey”, which won a Telly Award. An advanced-practice nurse who spent her career working in acute hospitals on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, Hob performed a multi-ethnic pidgin-speaking comedy character called Ivy Push RN for national audiences. She now focuses her full time attention on advocacy for birds of Hawai’i, especially the magnificent Laysan Albatross. She is an engaging and entertaining speaker, so don’t miss out on this exciting presentation.
This is a hybrid meeting: In-Person and via Zoom
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89856106538?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 898 5610 6538
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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