San Mateo County Bird Alliance Field Trips

SAS Field Trip
Filoli Field Trip

Pre-registration is required for all field trips!

Advance registration and field trip size limit: SMCBA is currently requiring RSVPs for all field trips and is limiting the trip size. We are using Eventbrite as our reservation platform. Please no drop-ins.
Please: Out of respect for our members and community, we ask participants to take sensible precautions for everyone's health when carpooling and sharing spaces. If you're not feeling well, please cancel.
Participants required to sign liability waivers to participate: SMCBA is now using a electronic Waiver and Photographic Release Form that is sent to participants about a week before the event that is easily signed on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Trip cancellations: If the weather is bad enough that you don't want to go on a field trip that day, chances are your trip leader doesn't want to go either! Field trips will typically be cancelled for heavy rain, but not for light mist.
Please note that rain or Air Quality Index over 150 cancels, unless otherwise stated. Bring binoculars, water, snacks, sunscreen, and dress in layers as weather can change.

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

2025

eBird/GBBC Data Entry Best Practices document

Pre-registration is required for all field trips!

>>> Registration links will be added when available<<<

Sunday April 27
Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park (10:00 – 12:00)

Beginner and family-friendly bird walk on fairly level trails exploring the upland and wetland areas of the park. Raptors, egrets, and LBBs (little brown birds) can be seen. Loaner binoculars available.

Directions: From US 101, take Marsh Road east (SR84 East), then continue straight into the park.

Leader: Chris MacIntosh Register: https://bit.ly/4iiEJNu

Sunday April 27
Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz (8:30 – 1:00)

Join us for a ~ 2.5 mile mostly level walk through a variety of habitats including Douglas-firs and coast redwoods while coastal prairie covers much of the flatter terrain. Drier areas include oak woodland, knobcone pines, and manzanitas. $10.

Directions: Wilder Ranch SP is located west of SR 1, north of Santa Cruz, 1842 Coast Road. State Parks Pass or $10 fee.

Leader: Nelle Lyons Register: https://bit.ly/4iij1t1

Sunday May 4
Año Nuevo State Park, Pescadero, (8:30 – 12:30)

Año Nuevo State Park is one of the most picturesque and ecologically rich areas along the central California coast. The Park boasts sweeping dunes, sheer cliffs, and panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is a major seal and sea lion rookery with a variety of unique bird species. A moderate 3 to 4 miles on dirt and sand trails with some stairs. Requires State Parks Pass or $10 fee.

Leader: Nelle Lyons Register: https://bit.ly/3DkANNl

Tuesday May 6
Filoli: Estate Trail, Woodside (9:30 – 12:00)

This is a 2–2.5 mile moderate walk. Habitats include mixed oak, redwood, madrone woodlands, riparian corridor, and historic horse pastures.

Directions: from Hwy 280, exit at Edgewood Rd and head west. At the T intersection, turn right onto Canada Rd. In 1⁄2 mile, turn left into the property. Admission fee.

Leader: Kimberlie Moutoux Register: https://bit.ly/4khY7fq

Tuesday May 6
UCSC Arboretum, Santa Cruz, (9:00 – 12:00)

The Arboretum is a popular birding spot. We're on unpaved trails with some elevation changes. As we are visiting on the first Tuesday of the month the admission fee is waived.

Directions: Approaching Santa Cruz from the north on SR 1, turn left on Bay Street and proceed east. Turn left at the High St. traffic light at the base of campus (don't go in the main entrance). Proceed on High Street for approx.1/2 mile to the entrance.

Leader: Nelle Lyons Register: https://bit. ly/43f3VQX

Saturday May 10
Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park (10:00 – 12:00)

Directions: From US 101, take Marsh Road east (SR84 East), then continue straight into the park.

Leader: JR Blair Register: https://bit.ly/4bgLUUj

Wednesday May 14
Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz (8:30 – 1:00)

Directions: Wilder Ranch SP is located west of SR 1, north of Santa Cruz, 1842 Coast Road. State Parks Pass or $10 fee.

Leader: Nelle Lyons Register: https://bit.ly/4bgIZuR

Saturday May 17
Lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, La Honda (8:00 – 11:30)

Easy, mostly level 2-3 mile walk in scrub, grassland, and a small forest. We'll look for resident grassland species including Wild Turkey, California Quail, and raptors. A primitive restroom is available, water is not.

Directions: Take SR 84 to La Honda, turn north on Sear Ranch Rd (opposite Applejacks bar) and follow it to the preserve parking lot, 900 Sears Ranch Rd.

Co-Leaders: Troy Pittock and Christin New Register: https://bit.ly/3D9XljU

Sunday May 18
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, Half Moon Bay (8:00 – 12:00)

This is a leisurely 3-4 hour walk of ~3 miles in this bird-rich gem on a level, gravel, former ranch road leading to the historic barn. Migrating breeding birds will be arriving.

Directions: Take SR1 south from Half Moon Bay and then turn east at Higgins Canyon Rd.

Leader: Ginny Marshall Register: https://bit.ly/3QzM7Zh

Sunday May 18
San Bruno Mountain, Brisbane (8:30 – 11:30)

San Bruno Mountain Park is a landmark of local and regional significance, standing as a unique open-space island in the midst of the peninsula's urbanization on the border of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. It is home to a wealth of wildlife, hidden pockets of woodland and sheltered canyons. We'll walk about 1 mile on most flat dirt and asphalt trails. $6.00 Vehicle entry fee.

Directions: 555 Guadalupe Canyon Parkway.

Leader: Doug Brown Register: https://bit.ly/41zWVwO

Tuesday May 20
Filoli: Spring Creek Trail, Woodside (9:30 – 12:00)

Join us for a 3 mile hike. This trail gains 100' elevation in 1⁄4 mile on a dirt path - not recommended if you have mobility issues. We will spend most of the morning on the California Trail in the Oak and Madrone forest and the Spring Creek Trail through the Redwoods. The California Trail is over dirt paths with a slight incline and is one mile long. The Spring Creek Trail is 1⁄2 mile on a narrow dirt track with a 100' elevation gain.

Leader: Kimberlie Moutoux Register: https://bit.ly/4hgVNmp

Saturday May 31
Coyote Pt. Bird Photography (8:30 – 12:30)

Want some hints on capturing those beautiful birds in their habitats, in flight, or in other activities? Join this field trip with two experienced bird/wildlife photographers for tips on how to set up your camera to catch them in motion or still. We'll help with camera settings, using various automatic and manual settings to get the best results with the capabilities of modern digital (and film) cameras. Recommended equipment: telephoto lens (fixed or zoom) and tripod.

Co-Leaders: Sonny Mencher and Marshall Dinowitz Register: https://bit.ly/4kixgzJ

Wednesday June 4
Filoli: Estate Trail, Woodside (9:30 – 12:00)

This is a 2–2.5 mile moderate walk. Habitats include mixed oak, redwood, madrone woodlands, riparian corridor, and historic horse pastures.

Directions: from Hwy 280, exit at Edgewood Rd and head west. At the T intersection, turn right onto Canada Rd. In 1⁄2 mile, turn left into the property. Admission fee.

Leader: Kimberlie Moutoux Register: https://bit.ly/4ihT0KA

Sunday June 15
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, Half Moon Bay (8:00 – 12:00)

This is a leisurely 3-4 hour walk of ~3 miles in this bird-rich gem on a level, gravel, former ranch road leading to the historic barn. Migrating breeding birds will be arriving.

Directions: Take SR1 south from Half Moon Bay and then turn east at Higgins Canyon Rd.

Leader: Ginny Marshall Register: https://bit.ly/41gQUna

Wednesday June 18
Filoli: Spring Creek Trail, Woodside (9:30 – 12:00)

Leader: Kimberlie Moutoux Register: https://bit.ly/4iiSsnK

Wednesday June 18 – Sunday June 22
Sierra Valley for Beginning and Intermediate Birders – Multi-day field trip!

Sierra Valley is a year-round birding paradise. In summer it is home to breeding songbirds, waders, and waterbirds. Sierra Valley's habitats support the Sierra Nevada's greatest diversity and abundance of birds. We will also spend some time in the Yuba Pass area. Our trip leader, J.R. Blair is the former Director of the San Francisco State University, Sierra Nevada Field Campus. The trip will commence at 1:00 PM on Wed, June 18 at the Field Campus in Sierra City and end about 12 PM on Sun, June 22. Our days will begin at 8:30 am. Participants are responsible for their own food, lodging, and transportation. Carpooling may be an option. Limit 10 people. Accompanied young birders welcome.

Leader: J.R. Blair Register: Email fieldtrips@smcbirdalliance.org for reservations

Consider sharing your enthusiasm for birds by becoming a field trip leader or co-leader. One doesn't have to be an expert; we'll train you and provide support to make it an enjoyable experience for all! Or if you know of some other areas that would be good for outings, please email fieldtrips@smcbirdalliance.org

Additional outings will be added as they become available. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for last-minute opportunities!