San Mateo County, California

Sequoia Audubon Sponsored Field Trips

Visitors and guests are welcome!

All trips are open and suitable for beginners unless specifically marked.
Trips marked as Beginner's Trips include advice on binoculars and telescopes, and a short open-ended discussion on birding and the environment.
It is always a good idea to check with the field trip LEADER for confirmation on trips beyond the immediate area in case of last minute changes.
Note that some trips require reservations, see the individual descriptions for requirements.
Further information may be obtained from the listed Trip LEADER or from fieldtrips@sequoia-audubon.org.
A description for the event icons can be found at the bottom of the page.
NOTE: this listing also includes trips and events not sponsored by Sequoia Audubon Society - listed for your information, only.

Note: All phone numbers are for Area Code 650, unless otherwise stated.

Field trip to Radio Road pond, December 8, 2012. Field trip leaders were Sue Cossins, Sonny Mencher,
Martha O'Neal and Susan Peterson. Photo by Bob Cossins.

FIRST WEDNESDAYS

Weekday Walks and Field Trips with Leslie Flint on the First Wednesday of every month to some places we may not normally bird and not necessarily in San Mateo County. For all trips carpooling is preferred. Contact Leslie to arrange if a carpool location is not already suggested. Rain cancels trips.

Trip details found in dated listings below.

Leader: Leslie Flint (cell: 650-619-0836) lflint@earthlink.net

2013

Burleigh Murray State Park
Beginner's Walk
Saturday, May 11- 10am – Noon

Meet at the Burleigh Murray parking lot approximately 1 1⁄2 miles east of Hwy 1 on Higgins Road, Half Moon Bay. This walk will last one to two hours. The walk is an easy round trip out and back from the parking lot. Depending on pace, we will possibly go as far back as the historic barn. The habitats include mature eucalyptus groves, grassy valleys, and an extensive riparian corridor along the ranch road. Year-round resident birds as well as spring-summer breeders can be observed along this lovely hike.

Leader: Malia DeFelice maliadances@yahoo.com

Endangered Species Day Event
Bird watching at Pigeon Point
Friday, May 17, 2013, 8:30am to noon

Help us find endangered bird species from the bluff top at Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Marbled Murrelet would be a great find!

Directions: From Half Moon Bay go 21 ½ miles south on Hwy 1. Turn right into the parking area for the lighthouse. Walk to the ocean overlook to scan for seabirds.

Leader: Jennifer Rycenga smcbgeditor@earthlink.net

Garin Park, Hayward
Sunday, May 26, 8:00 am -11:30am

Garin Park is a great place to look for brightly colored birds and is a short trip from San Mateo. See Orioles, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Goldfinches and many more. Maybe we will find a baby coot. We will stroll around this mostly flat park, and may go down a wooded trail if the group wants.

Directions: Cross the San Mateo Bridge. Before you reach 880 take Industrial Blvd south. Stay on Industrial when it crosses 880 and turn right on Mission Blvd. Turn left on Garin. The park is at the end of the road. You may need to pay an entrance fee.

Leader: Ginny Marshall ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net

Point Reyes – whole day trip
Wednesday, June 12, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Note change of date from First Wednesday)

Early summer can be a good time to visit Pt. Reyes with the hope of some eastern vagrants and western migrants. Depending on the weather we may walk out to Chimney Rock as well as the Lighthouse so sturdy shoes and the ability to hike a mile are required. Clothing should be layered because the weather at Pt. Reyes is extremely variable.

Directions: Meet at the Drake's Beach parking lot at 9:00 a.m. Contact Leslie to carpool from San Mateo.

Leader: Leslie Flint (lflint@earthlink.net)

Alcatraz Island Breeding Bird Colonies
Saturday, June 15, 8:45am
(Accompanying Field Trip to the Alcatraz Presentation of Thurs, June 13)

(Tentative. Participants will be notified of any changes to time or date prior to paying fee.)

Limited to 25 people. $28 ($26.25 for seniors) for ferry ticket. Tour with a waterbird docent on Alcatraz Island for 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours. Stay and tour the other areas of the island open to visitors on your own following the waterbird tour. Participants are asked to register and pay in advance. Registered participants will meet at Pier 33 in San Francisco at 8:45 am to catch the ferry.

Call or text Nelle Lyons to reserve a spot. 650-515-9052

Arastradero Preserve
Sunday, June 23, 8:00am - Noon or so

June is an exciting time at Arastradero. Breeding birds are frantically feeding growing nestlings, fledlings are leaving the nest and summering species have all arrived. We will walk 2-4 miles and try for California Thrasher, Lazuli Bunting, Western Bluebird, Ash Throated Flycatcher and many more. Bring water.

Directions: Take 280 south to Page Mill Rd. Go right (west) on Page Mill. Turn right on Arastradero Rd. The preserve parking lot is on the right side of the road.

Leader: Ginny Marshall ginnybirder@sbcglobal.net

Additional Field Trips will be added as the information becomes available.