Benicia Christmas Bird Count - Monday, December 15, 2025 - Join a Team!
2025-12-15 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
We’d be delighted if you could join us for a day of birding at this year’s Benicia Christmas Bird Count (BCBC). The Benicia Count was founded in 1930 (95 years ago!) and this year Tom Slyker and Robin Leong are organizing this FUN event. The BCBC count circle includes the communities of Benicia, East Vallejo, Cordelia, West Suisun City, as well as parts of Grizzly Island and all of Grizzly Bay. We will have many teams birding the area, with experienced team leaders and various levels of hiking & walking involved. To join this year’s CBC please sign up using our Google Form at https://bit.ly/3JGFrbF. You can find a link to this form along with additional CBC information on our website at https://napasolanobirds.org/. If you have any problems with accessing the form or you want more information about the CBC, Contact Tom Slyker or 707-771-1918 to let us know you are interested in joining our group of birders for this year’s event. Be sure to let Tom know the type of surface & the level of exercise that would be best for you and we will match you with a count team suited to your request. This year we will be serving Mexican food at our compilation dinner which will be held in the Community Center Room of the Church of Latter-day Saints at 1125 Southampton Road, Benicia, CA 94510. HAPPY BIRDING! Tom Slyker

Angwin Christmas Bird Count - Thursday, January 1st, 2026 - Join a Team
2026-01-01 08:00 - 17:00 | CA
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. The count is an important measure of local birdlife, and has gained added importance as a tool to monitor changes in numbers & distribution of birds in the wildfire burn zone that impacted about forty percent of the count circle in 2020. Our compilation dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Building – 1360 Oak Ave. St. Helena, CA 94574 – situated at the corner of Oak Ave & Adams St., where we will share highlights of each count teams’ birding adventures. For details & how to participate: Contact Murray Berner

NSAS Speaker Series Presents: "Birding from Here to There" with Harry Fuller Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
2026-01-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Napa Valley Lutheran Church, 1796 Elm St., Napa, CA 94558, 94558
About the Presentation: We will explore what San Francisco’a natural history was like BEFORE the missions and the Gold Rush. Which bird species became known to science because they were found in the Bay Area? Then we will digitally explore the best birding spots along I-5 heading north. Where is there a Lewis’s Woodpecker community near the freeway? When we get just inside the Oregon border, we’ll spend some time looking for Great Gray Owls.
About the Presenter: Harry Fuller has lived in Oregon since 2007. Before retirement he managed TV and Internet newsrooms in San Francisco and London. Harry has written four natural history books, including Birding Harney County; Great Gray Owl in California, Oregon and Washington; and San Francisco’s Natural History, Sand Dunes to Streetcars. Oregon State University Press published Edge of Awe in 2019. It is an anthology of essays about Malheur and the Steens. Fuller contributed the chapter on Common Nighthawks at Malheur. He has been leading bird trips and teaching birding classes since the 1990s. Currently he leads trips for the Malheur Field Station, Salem Audubon Society, and the Klamath Bird Observatory, and provides private guiding service. His birding journal is online: ecowise.wordpress.com.
Use this information to attend the meeting virtually:
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Beginners Bird Walk - January 11
2026-01-11 09:00 - 12:00 | American Canyon Wetlands, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon
Start the new year off with a pleasant walk along the American Canyon Wetlands Preserve on Sunday, January 11 starting at 9:00 AM.
What you’ll see are ducks, shorebirds, sparrows and warblers that have completed their nesting season and returned south to over winter in our area. Along with the visitors there are also a good number of the resident birds that live in our local area year-round. It’s a great time to be birding at the wetlands as the location offers an opportunity to observe a wide variety of wintering birds.

The walk is open to birders of all levels and ages. Napa Solano Audubon membership is encouraged but not required. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, January 11, 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 and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both 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 on a weekly basis since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see.
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.

NSAS Field Trip to Consumnes River Preserve Saturday, January 17th with Bruce Thomsen & Mark Stephenson
2026-01-17 08:00 - 16:00 | Consumnes River Preserve, 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt, CA, 95632, United States
The Cosumnes River Preserve protects one of California’s last remaining undammed rivers and its associated ecosystems: wetlands, riparian oak forest, grasslands, and sloughs. It is home to more than 250 species of birds, over 40 fish species and more than 230 plant species. We will walk nature trails observing woodland and riparian birds and boardwalks searching for close-up views of waterfowl. Next on the trip we will head over to the Woodbridge Ecological Preserve. This preserve provides California’s largest area of freshwater marsh wintering habitat. Featured here are the majestic sandhill crane, along with geese, swans and many other waterbirds. The trip will conclude at the Nature Conservancy’s Staten Island. Staten Island has been a wintering destination for sandhill cranes moving along the Pacific Flyway for more than 40 years. Situated in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Staten Island’s 9,200 acres are located between the North and South Forks of the Mokelumne River, with thousands of acres of crops in production annually, that provide both foraging and roosting habitat for these beautiful cranes.

Beginners' Bird Walk Sunday, Jan. 25, American Canyon Wetlands, 9:00 AM
2026-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Wetlands Edge Park, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon, CA, United States
Recently the weather has been cooperating with sunny days, and our Beginners walk on January 11 was delightful. We are anticipating that our good fortune will continue with enjoyable birding weather for our next Beginners Bird walk on Sunday, January 25. So, if you’d like some company as you learn about birding, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our next Beginners’ Bird Walk on Sunday, January 25, at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a while.

It’s a great time to bird at the wetlands as the location offers an opportunity to observe a wide variety of wintering birds. What you’ll see are ducks, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors. You’ll see both the migrant species that call the local wetlands their home for the winter season and our resident birds that live in the area year-round. And if we are lucky, we’ll see an Allen’s Hummingbird which is an early spring migrant that will be coming from the south to look for nesting sites in our area.

The walk is open to birders of all levels and ages. Napa Solano Audubon membership is encouraged but not required. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, January 25, 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 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 and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both 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 on a weekly basis since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see.

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.

Winged Migration Expo - Building 69 - January 31st - February 1st
2026-01-31 - 2026-02-01 | Winged Migration Expo, 1001 Waterfront Ave, Vallejo, CA, 94592, United States
Stay tuned for many events, including birding field trips, expert speakers, educational tabling, interactive kids activities, food and drink vendors, area hikes, and historic ship viewing are scheduled for this year’s Winged Migration Expo. Activities will be held at Building 69, Mare Island, Waterfront Avenue between Kansas and 4th Street, parallel to Nimitz Ave. Many Birding Field Trips will be held throughout the weekend led by experienced Birders. For more information, a complete schedule, and to see how you can support this year’s festival visit their website: wingedmigrationexpo.com

The Ins and Outs of Vaux's Swifts with Michael Heim on Thursday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m.
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA, 94510
The Ins and Outs of Vaux’s Swifts with Michael Heim on February 12th at the Benicia Public Library at 7:00 p.m.
About the Program: Have you ever wondered where large flocks of migratory birds find places to roost during travel? During their flight from northern breeding grounds to Central America, Vaux’s swifts convert chimneys at an abandoned North Bay brickworks into a temporary home. Near sunset, thousands of swifts may be seen entering the chimneys for an evening’s rest after a day of flight. Guest speaker Michael Helm will share the natural history of the swift and ongoing research to monitor and document the birds. His videos will make you feel that you are watching the birds in person. Michael will give us an overview of Vaux’s Swifts including current population studies observed on breeding territory and along migration routes. He will share highlights from classes he has taught at the S.F. Academy of Science and an update on the use of audio detection and motus tracking. His presentation will include amazing video’s of swifts in flight and entering the chimney at McNear’s Brick Factory in San Rafael.
About the speaker: Michael Helm is a retired engineer/scientist and part of a volunteer research team that monitors Vaux’s swifts. One of his interests is in adopting emerging technologies to keep this work sustainable and more useful to conservation and science.

Beginners' Bird Walk - February 15
2026-02-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Wetlands Edge Park, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon, CA, United States
NSAS Beginners Bird Walk on Sunday, February 15

Recently the weather has been cooperating with sunny days, and our Beginners walks have been excellent outings. Now the weather pattern is changing and rain is coming. We need the water, so this is great news for the flowers and plants, but it may put a damper on our next Beginners Bird walk which we are scheduling for Sunday, February 15. If the weather cooperates and we can avoid the rain, then Carol and I will be leading a walk at American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park on the 15th. If it is wet weather, we’ll cancel the walk and try again on Sunday, February 22, weather willing.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate. If it does, we’d be delighted to have you join us for our next Beginners’ Bird Walk on Sunday, February 15, at the American Canyon Wetlands Edge Park. No reservations are necessary, just plan to show up and enjoy being outdoors for a while.
It’s a great time to be birding at the wetlands as the location offers an opportunity to observe a wide variety of wintering birds. What you’ll see are ducks, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors. You’ll see both migrant species that call the local wetlands their winter home and our resident birds that live in the area year-round.
The walk is open to birders of all levels and ages. Napa Solano Audubon membership is encouraged but not required. It’s free, it’s fun, and loaner binoculars are on hand if you need them. If you have questions about this outing, please e-mail Tom Slyker at solanobirder@gmail.com.

Meeting time and location: We will meet at 9 AM on Sunday, February 15, 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 and Carol Boykin will be leading this walk. Both 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 on a weekly basis since 2016. This monitoring has provided the participants with a wealth of knowledge about the birds you might see.

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.

NSAS Field Trip to Las Gallinas WTP and Hamilton Wetlands - Sunday, February 22nd 8:00 a.m.
2026-02-22 08:00 - 15:30 | Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, 300 Smith Ranch Rd., San Rafael, CA, 94903, United States
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – ~3:30 PM
Leader: Mark Stephenson
The Las Gallinas are the birding community nickname for the treatment ponds and surrounding agricultural fields and tidal marsh at LGVSD’s Wastewater Treatment Reclamation Project. The area includes two wastewater treatment ponds, a freshwater pond with islands for nesting habitat, and several miles of flat levee trails. It attracts thousands of birds, including waterfowl such as ducks and geese; waders such as herons and egrets; Sora, Virginia, Black & Ridgway’s Rails, and Least and American Bitterns; songbirds; as well as varied raptors. This casual walk is on two miles of flat trails.
After Las Gallinas we will visit Hamilton Wetlands another portion of the North Bay Wetlands that hosts many water birds and is transforming its habitat with many native marsh plants to serve as protection from Sea Level Rise.
Directions:
From Hwy 101 exit at Smith Ranch Road. Drive east on Smith Ranch Road to McInnis Park. Turn left after immediately crossing the railroad tracks and drive about .5 mile through the LGVSD gates and into the parking lot at the end of the road. There is additional parking along the road to the parking lot if full. Please be sure to park off of the roadway.
Carpool from Napa:
Meet in front of Grocery Outlet on Imola Avenue. Leaves at 7:15.
What to bring: Binoculars, spotting scope, water, lunch, sturdy shoes, layered clothing.
