Birding the Island of AlamedaSunday April 3, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.Chris and Gary BardWith shoreline all around it, Alameda offers some of the Bay Area’s best bird-ing. How many species will we find as we tour the island? We’ll look for nesting Peregrine Falcons, Black Oys-tercatchers, and shorebirds in breeding plumage ready for their migrations north. Limited to 16 people.

Audubon Canyon RanchSunday April 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Rich Cimino & Janet BodleOverlooking Bolinas Lagoon, the cre-ation of Audubon Canyon Ranch as a nature reserve in the 1960s was a major victory for Golden Gate Audubon and a key step in saving West Marin from suburban sprawl. We’ll bird the ranch’s Martin Griffin Preserve and learn the history of this remarkable place. Limited to 8 people.

Birds! Camera! Action – East Bay Photo Day Sunday April 3, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Glen TepkeJoin expert bird photographer Glen Tepke as we visit two or three sites in the East Bay, sharing knowledge and ideas about equip-ment and techniques while attempting to photograph a wide variety of birds. Both beginning and avid bird photographers wel-come. Limited to 8 people.

Fault Line Birding – Bird Census at San Andreas Reservoir Sunday April 3, 7 a.m. to noonNoreen Weeden and Eddie BartleyParticipate in a spring breeding birds sur-vey at the San Francisco Watershed in San Mateo County, near the fault line and along the north arm of the San Andreas Reservoir. This area is normally closed to the public, but authorities are considering opening trails for hiking and biking, which could impact native plants and birds. Results of the bird survey will be documented in comments to protect the watershed. Limited to 8 people.

Join the fun in our seventh annual Birdathon! Taking place throughout the month of April, Birdathon offers a fabulous array of one-of-a-kind birding trips and nature experiences.

Golden Gate Audubon field trips are free during the other 11 months of the year. But because Birdathon is our main fundraiser, we ask everyone joining a Birdathon trip to raise money from friends or make a donation themselves.

Why fundraise rather than donate? It’s the magical multiplier effect. If 200 people each donate $50 to go on trips, it generates $10,000. But if those same 200 people each raise $300 from friends…we reach our goal of raising $60,000 to protect Bay Area birds! Give it a try!

We can provide tips and one-to-one support to help you fundraise. Every participant who raises or donates $100 will receive a Birdathon 2016 t-shirt with our Spotted Towhee logo. Visit our web site at goldengateaudubon.org/birdathon for details on trips, prizes for top fundraisers, and the 2016 Birdathon Awards Celebration on Sunday, May 15.

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BIRDATHON 2016 FIELD TRIPS

Mines RoadSunday, April 10, 8 a.m. – late afternoonSteve and Carol LombardiEver seen a roadrunner? Or a Phainopepla, the beautiful “black Cardinal?” Come to remote Mines and San Antonio Valley Roads in this still-empty corner of the Bay Area. Our route will take us along isolated roads and varied habitat from Livermore through the moun-tains of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. Limited to 20 people.

South Bay Salt PondsSaturday, April 16, 3 to 6 p.m. California Coastal Conservancy, Dom Mosur & Pamela Llewellyn Experience the inspiring restoration of the South Bay salt ponds! California Coastal Conservancy experts will explain the science and history of this $1 billion effort to transform industrial salt ponds into wildlife-rich tidal marshes. Along this four-mile walk in Alviso, we’ll also look for shorebirds, waterfowl, and nesting Caspian Terns. Limited to 20 people.

Birding the Peninsula with Murphy’s MOBSaturday, April 16, 7:45 a.m. to lunchtime Dan and Joan Murphy The Peninsula’s shoreline offers some of the richest bird habitats on San Francisco Bay. Join Murphy’s MOB (Multiple Observers) to enjoy the beginning of shorebird migration. We’ll start at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, then head north to Foster City and Sneath Lane. Beginners welcome. Limited to 25 people.

Spring Birding at Point ReyesSunday, April 17, 8 a.m. until noon Rusty ScalfThis gentle five-mile hike will take you through lush riparian habitat with Virginia Rails and Wilson’s Warblers, grassland with Savannah Sparrows and Northern Harriers, chapar-ral with Wrentits, and sand dunes with late-migrant shorebirds and Red-necked Grebes. Along the way, enjoy wildflowers and ocean views! Limited to 12 people.

Behind the Scenes at the AcademyThursday, April 7, 6:30 to 8 p.m. (with option to stay later)Jack Dumbacher, Director of Mammals and OrnithologyEnjoy a private tour of the world-renowned bird collection at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Ornithology Director Jack Dumbacher will guide you through the collection of 100,000 bird specimens dating back to the 1800s. Afterwards, enjoy free admission to the Academy’s monthly Night Life event, including a demonstration of preparing a bird to be a museum specimen. Limited to 12 peo-ple, age 21 or over.

Return to Inspiration Point Friday, April 8, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.Alan Kaplan The MacGillivray’s Warbler returns each year, so why shouldn’t we? Join this reprise of Alan’s popular walk along the Inspiration Point trail, a nearby EBMUD trail, and Nimitz Way. We’ll look for warblers, vireos, and maybe a thrasher or gnatcatcher too. Alan will again match participants’ Birdathon donations up to a total of $500! Limited to 20 people.

Birding San Francisco with Murphy’s MOBSaturday, April 9, 7:15 a.m. until lunchtimeDan and Joan MurphyJoin Murphy’s MOB (Multiple Observ-ers) for a fun, fast-paced tour of San Francisco’s best birding spots, start-ing at the Presidio and continuing on to Land’s End and Seal Rocks, Golden Gate Park, and Lake Mer-ced. If you haven’t birded much in The City before, this is a great intro-duction led by a founder of the San Francisco Christmas Bird Count. Limited to 25 people.

Point Reyes Lighthouse AreaSaturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m.Martha WessitshThis is a great time of year for migrants, particularly around the Lighthouse and the Fish Docks at Point Reyes. We’ll meet at Drakes Beach, bird around there for awhile and then caravan to some of the other good areas available nearby – the alphabetized ranches, and of course the Lighthouse and Fish Docks. Limited to 15 people.

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Birding By Ear in Tilden Park – Dawn ChorusSunday, April 17, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.Denise WightPopular birding-by-ear instructor Denise Wight will lead you on an early morn-ing hike through the rich habitat around Vollmer Peak in Tilden Park, when birds are most active and vocal. Limited to 10 people.

Birding By Ear in Tilden Park – Mid-morning Sunday, April 17, 9 a.m. to noonDenise WightYes, you can sleep in and still enjoy the beauty of bird song! Birding-by-ear instructor Denise Wight will lead you on a mid-morning hike around Vollmer Peak in Tilden Park and help you identify the songs surrounding you. Limited to 10 people.

California Condors at the PinnaclesSaturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Rusty Scalf The California Condor, North America’s largest land bird, became extinct in the wild in 1987 – but thanks to dedicated work by conservationists has been rein-troduced to a few key habitats including Pinnacles National Park. We’ll join Richard Neidhardt, a condor expert who spends ten-hour days radio-tracking these endangered birds and knows the life sto-ries of the Pinnacles’ individual condors. Limited to 12 people.

Birding Boot Camp: Hone Your Observational SkillsSaturday, April 23, 8:15 to 10:30 a.m.Allan Ridley and Helen McKennaWhether we’re beginning or experienced birders, there’s always more to learn. In the lovely and bird-filled setting of Golden Gate Park’s Botanical Garden, get tips on how to improve your observa-

tional skills. You’ll learn how to focus your binoculars on birds in motion, spot birds in thick foliage, effectively describe birds and their locations, and remember what you see. Limited to 15 people.

Behind the Scenes at International Bird RescueSaturday, April 30, 10:30 to mid-to-late afternoon Cindy MargulisInternational Bird Rescue is the world’s leading rehabilitator of wild aquatic birds, celebrating its 45th anniversary this spring. Discover what makes them so special, and help raise crucial funds to support both IBR and GGAS by par-ticipating in this fascinating Birdathon trip. We’ll tour their specialized facili-ties and meet experts in waterbird care. Afterwards, we’ll caravan in our cars to enjoy some great birding at a surprise destination(s). Limited to 12 people.

146 (!) Birds in a Day in the East Bay ParksSaturday, April 30, dawn to duskDave RienscheJoin this quest for 146 Birds in a Day… all within lands of the East Bay Regional Park District! Led by EBRPD Wildlife Biologist Dave “Doc Quack” Riensche, you will get nose-to-beak with numerous birds while visiting several active bird research and rehabilitation sites. Limited to 10 people.

Behind the Gates at Hayward ShorelineSunday, May 8, 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. Bob LewisCelebrate Mother’s Day by viewing nesting colonies of Forster’s Terns and endangered California Least Terns – in a part of Hayward Regional Shoreline that’s off-limits to the general public. Along with the terns, you should see Black-necked Stilts, American Avocets, baby Marsh Wrens, and perhaps Red-necked Phalaropes and Black Skimmers. Limited to 15 people.

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Birds and Wine in Sonoma CountySunday, April 10, 7 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m.Bruce MastSonoma County: the words conjure internationally renowned wine-making and some of California’s best birding. Experience the best of both worlds with this exploration of Sonoma’s beautiful back country. Bird along Pine Flat Road in the morning, led by Bruce Mast, one of the top 20 eBirders in Sonoma County. Then stop for a gourmet picnic lunch and private wine tasting at the premium, family-owned Robert Young Estate Winery. More birding in the afternoon, Transportation is provided so you can relax, enjoy as much wine as you want, and focus on the birds and beautiful spring wine country scenery. Ila

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Golden Gate Audubon Society2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Berkeley, CA 94702

Return service requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDOakland, CA

Permit No.1702

www.goldengateaudubon.org Printed with 30% postconsumer waste content.

Golden Gate Audubon Society • www.goldengateaudubon.org • ggas@goldengateaudubon.org • (510) 843-2222

For Birdathon details and registration, see www.goldengateaudubon.org/birdathon. Save the date for the Birdathon Awards Celebration—Sunday, May 15!

New to Birdathon? New prize of Pentax binoculars for the top first-time fundraiser!

Amazing Birdathon 2016 field trips inside!

“Big Six” Trips – April 9 and 17 Never tried fast-paced, competitive birding? This could be your year! Both Glen Tepke and Bob Power are friendly, welcoming leaders who will take you on a fun, adrenaline-packed six-hour outing. (Times listed include drive/carpool time.) Which birding team will reign supreme?

Big Six Hours in Southern Alameda CountySaturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Bob PowerBob is aiming to see over 100 species of birds in this fast-paced sampler of southern Alameda County hotspots. Will he make it? Only one way to find out! Limited to 8 people.

Big Six Hours in OaklandSunday, April 17, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Glen TepkeLast year Glen’s team spotted 104 species in six hours in Oakland… and that was in pouring rain! Help them beat that number this year, hopefully with help from the sun. Limited to 8 people.

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