Napa Solano Audubon Society

Winged Migration Festival - Friday, January 30 - Sunday, February 1 - Mare Island
2025-09-08 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mare Island, 34 Nimitz Avenue, Vallejo, CA, 94592

Weekly Walks with Andrew Ford Start-up on Saturday, September 6th, 2025
2025-09-06 08:00 - 12:00 | John F. Kennedy Park, 3291 Streblow Drive, Napa, CA, 94503, United States
Our 1st Weekly Bird Walk of the Fall will begin at Kennedy Park in Napa at 8:00 a.m. Andrew sent out an eBlast describing this week’s walk . If you did not receive an eBlast and are already signed up, don’t forget to check your Spam folder. If you would like to receive Field Trip eBlasts, you may sign up on our Home Page by clicking on the green Activity Sign-up Button at the top of the page.
Description:
Kennedy Park is paved road with parks and trees tracing the course of the Napa River as it meanders its way into the Bay. Marshes line the exterior boundaries of the park. Napa College forms its eastern border and a golf course to the south. We explore the many aspects of the park. We are likely to see Western Gull, California Gull, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Western Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, American Avocet, Black-Necked Stilt and a plethora of waterfowl and shorebirds in the mudflats. Black Rail is an uncommon, but not unheard of, addition in the marshes. Osprey, White-Tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Red-Tailed Hawk and Red-Shouldered Hawk patrol the skies and marshes. Great-Horned Owl sometimes hang out in the redwoods. On rare occasions, Bald Eagle has been observed on the River.

Birdwatchers should be meet at the furthest parking lot near the boat launch no later than 08:10 a.m.

Coastal Clean-up Day Saturday, September 20th from 9:00 - 12:00 Noon
2025-09-04 08:00 - 17:00
Join our Coastal Clean-up Team Captain, Betty Labastida for a fun morning helping to clean-up Napa Creek in downtown Napa. You may even have a chance to see the beavers that are building their dam nearby! Betty will be there with equipment to help, but wear work clothes, bring work gloves and lend her a hand at the corner of Main Street and Pearl in the small parking lot. For more information on Napa RCD’s Coastal Clean-up day visit: https://naparcd.org/events/cleanup2025/ .

Last Beginners Bird Walk of the Season
2025-06-08 08:00 - 12:00 | 182 Dempsey Drive, Benicia, CA 94510
Join us for our last Beginners Bird walk of the season, this Sunday, June 8! We will explore Benicia Community Park for a chance to see Bullock’s orioles, Ospreys, Western kingbirds, Western bluebirds, and more!
So, if you are dipping a toe into birding, dusting off a pair of binoculars, or joining us for the hundredth time, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our last Beginners Bird Walk of the season this Sunday, June 8 at Benicia Community 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!
We are approaching our summer hiatus and this will be our last walk of the season! Walks will resume in the fall. 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@hotmail.com.

What to bring
Hats, sunscreen, and layers are a good idea as this location can be both sunny and windy. Temperature is projected to range between the low 60s to low 70s. 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. We expect that the walk will take between 2 – 3 hours and we should be finished by noon.

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.

Meeting Time and Location
​We will meet at the eastern portion of the parking area by the playground and “Big Slide” at:

182 Dempsey Drive, Benicia, CA 94510

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7gEXpq62ePpYt52Q6

NSAS June Field Trip to Yuba Pass and the Sierra Valley with Mark Stephenson and Bruce Thomsen
2025-06-05 - 2025-06-08 | Yuba Pass and Sierra Valley Field Trip, Forest Rte 12, Calpine, CA, 96124, United States
We will take 4 days to explore this bountiful region visiting some of the best locations it has to offer. The Yuba Pass encompasses High Sierra habitats including boggy meadows, willow and alder thickets, aspens groves and coniferous forests. Within the mountain ecosystem we hope to observe Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Clark’s Nutcracker, Sooty Grouse, Mountain Quail, Red-breasted and Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Townsend’s Solitaire and Hermit Thrushes, Hammond’s and Dusky Flycatchers, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, as well as a variety of warblers and sparrows. Over the summit, the Sierra Valley consists of vast areas of sagebrush and grassland along with extensive wet meadows and marshland with the heart of the valley being fed by perennial springs and tributaries of the Feather River. This rich ecosystem is home to Sage Thrasher, Horned Lark, Savannah and Vesper Sparrows, along with Swainson’s and Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, Golden and Bald Eagles that frequently soar overhead. The marshlands are home to a number of waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, Black- crowned Night-Heron, American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rails, American Avocet, Willet, Wilson’s Snipe, Marsh Wren, Savannah and Vesper Sparrows, Yellow- headed Blackbirds as well as Cliff and Barn Swallows. Stay tuned for our Field Trip eBlasts for more detailed information.

NSAS Speaker Series: The Land Trust of Napa Valley - with Mike Palladini Thursday, May 8th 7:00 p.m.
2025-05-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Program: In addition to an overview of the Land Trust and our preserve system, Mike will present on a broad cross section of LTNC land stewardship projects and activities relating to habitat restoration, wildfire and climate resilience, rare, threatened, and endangered species conservation, and recovery, watershed restoration, biological resources assessment and monitoring, along with the Land Trust’s field trips, public access, education and outreach programs.
About the Presenter: Mike Palladini is the Stewardship Director at the Napa Land Trust, where he oversees the stewardship of over 20,000 acres across 23 protected natural areas. His responsibilities include managing habitat and watershed restoration, conducting biological resource assessments and monitoring, advancing conservation science research, and enhancing wildfire and climate change resilience. Additionally, Mike plays a key role in ensuring public access to the Land Trust’s preserves.

Napa Earth Day Festivities 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
2025-04-12 11:00 - 16:00 | Oxbow Commons, 1068 McKinstry St., Napa, CA, 94558
Napa Earth Day Activities 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Come by the Oxbow Commons Park behind the Oxbow Market from 11:00 – 4:00 p.m. and visit the all of the tabling activities and venders that contribute to Earth Day. Stop by the Napa Solano Audubon’s table and learn all about our many programs. There will be food and activities for all ages.

Earth Day Napa Creek Cleanup 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
2025-04-12 09:00 - 11:30 | Napa Creek 1245 Main St, Napa, CA 94558, 1245 Main St, Napa, CA, 94558
April 12, 2025 Earth Day Activities: Napa Creek Clean-up 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Here is a wonderful opportunity to make our world cleaner for birds and ourselves. Betty Labastida chairs this event through Napa RCD (Napa Resource Conservation District). She will greet you with buckets, gloves and pickup devices although if you have your own, please bring them. Wear your grubby clothes because depending on your physical ability you can walk down to clean up the edges of the creek. … Or just normal dress and walk the sidewalks. When you bring the garbage back to Betty, she will sort out all the recyclables!

NSAS Speaker Series: Exploring Florida Birds with Mark Stephenson - Thursday, April 10th 7:00 p.m. - Benicia Public Library
2025-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA, 94510
About the presentation:
Mark hasn’t been birding back in Florida since he was a teenager in the 60’s wading through swamps in search of Limpkins, Wood Storks and Flamingos with his brother Tom. His family used to drive down from Ithaca, NY in their Rambler station wagon every couple of years on a vacation to visit his grandparents who lived in Brooksville, North of Tampa. During those years they convinced their parents to take them on birding excursions to visit the Everglades, Pine Island, Sanibel Island’s Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and as far South as they could travel down into the Keys. Those were the good old days with plenty of Herons and Egrets to go around. During the last 2 years he has returned to bird Florida in April 2024 on the Atlantic side from Orlando to the tip of the Keys. He traveled there again over New Years 2025 on the Gulf side in the vicinity of Fort Myers. He visited a number of new exciting birding locations and photographed some of Florida’s most exciting birds! His presentation will take a look at some of the best birding locations that Florida has to offer as well as close-up looks at Florida’s many Herons, Gulls, Terns, Shorebirds, Raptors, Woodpeckers, Warblers and other impressive Passerines.
About the Presenter:
Mark has been the President of Napa-Solano Audubon for the past 5 years. He began birding in the 4th grade and his birding knowledge expanded dramatically when his family moved to Ithaca, NY where he birded regularly with Dr. Arthur Allen, founder of Cornell’s Laboratory of Ornithology and other leading experts from the Lab. During college he worked summers at Sapsucker Wood’s and for the Massachusetts Audubon Society before heading west and directing Environmental Education Summer Camps, Expedition and Education Programs at Foresta Institute. After a career of more than 30 years in public education in Benicia and Napa Schools, he is enjoying retirement and Northern California birding. Mark turned from his passion for portrait and landscape photography to focus on birds. With his son Lucas, he has traveled to every corner of California, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Costa Rica searching for birds and taking their photos.

NSAS April Field Trip to the East side of Lake Berryessa - with Larry Kent & Robin Leong - Sunday April 5th
2025-04-05 08:30 - 15:00 | Eticuera Creek Day Use Area, 8600 Knoxville Road, Napa, 94558, United States
Date: Saturday April 5, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 or longer
Meet: Meet at Eticuera Creek Day Use Area, 8:30 am.
Leaders: Robin Leong and Larry Kent
Carpool: Meet 7:15 at River Park shopping center.
What to bring: Binoculars, spotting scope, water, lunch, sturdy shoes, layered clothing.
This is your chance to bird east side of Lake Berryessa with the experts at a beautiful time of year. Highlights might be Lewis Woodpecker, Osprey on nest, Bald Eagle on nest, White tailed Kite, Yellow-billed Magpie.
Registration Information: To sign up for this Field Trip, click on the Registration link below, complete the Registration Form and click the Submit Button. We encourage you to sign-up early as this trip is popular and bound to fill up quickly. This field trip has a limit of 15 NSAS Members. The first 15 members to register will be active participants in this outing and additional registrations will be placed on a waiting list.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/4Q3HCfdXJ3FjqLrA6

NSAS March Field Trip to Pinnacles National Park with Bruce Thomsen & Rusty Scalf - Monday/Tuesday, March 24th & 25th, 2025
2025-03-24 - 2025-03-25 | Pinnacles National Park, 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA, 95043
About the Trip: Our next field trip will be to Pinnacles National Park, home to our California Condor. This two-day trip will start on Monday visiting Pinnacles National Park looking for California Condors and spring migrants. We will visit several areas in the park looking for oak woodland species: red-shouldered hawk, cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, white-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, oak titmouse, California quail, acorn woodpeckers, and northern flickers. Visiting the canyon areas there is a possibility of a canyon wren, California thrasher, greater roadrunner, lark sparrow, sage sparrow, rufous-crowned sparrow, spotted towhee and a variety of early migrants. Flying high in the sky we can observe California Condors along with golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and the possibility of several falcons.
Registration Information: A Registration Form will be sent out for this trip this Saturday, March 1st at 9:00 a.m. for all members subscribed to the Field Trip eBlast List. Be sure to check your Spam Folder if you don’t receive one. Sign-up as soon as you receive the Registration Form as this trip is popular and bound to fill up quickly. This field trip has a limit of 15 NSAS Members. The first 15 members to register will be active participants in this outing and additional registrations will be placed on a waiting list.

Beginner's Bird Walk Sunday, March 16th, 9:00 a.m. at American Canyon Wetlands
2025-03-16 09:00 - 23:30 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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 Dr, American Canyon, 94503, United States
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
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,84893971391#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)
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Find your local number:https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbNn5O3imI

NSAS Weekly Bird Walk with Andrew Ford, Sat. 11/2/24, Pena Adobe/Lagoon Valley Park
2024-11-01 08:00 - 17:00
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
