Monthly Trips
On the first weekend of each month PRBO offers 2-hour birding trips to one of our research locations or other habitats in the North Bay. This is a great chance to meet our biologists, learn about regional birds and habitats, and discover some of the birding hotspots!

Please check our accessibility information in each bird walk description or call the number below for further inquiries. Interested in what birds we may see? Please see our bird lists from previous walks.

Walks are from 9-11 am, are free to PRBO members and cost $10 per person for non-members. *For more information regarding walks, times, or directions, please contact Missy Wipf at (707) 781-2555, ext 302 or mwipf at prbo dot org. Sign-ups are not necessary, but please let us know if you are bringing a group of 5 or more. You can become a member of PRBO at the bird walk (individuals $40; family $55).

*To determine if a PRBO monthly bird walk is cancelled due to weather, please call (707) 781-2555, ext 355. RAIN CANCELS

PRBO urges birders and wildlife watchers to act responsibly while viewing birds and other wildlife. Please heed restrictions on access to land, respect nesting birds, and avoid disturbing birds and other wildlife while you are viewing them. For more information you can review the American Birding Association's code of ethics.

2008 Monthly Bird Walks - check back for more updates!

Marbled Godwits and Willets

Sunday, January 6: Wetland Waterbirds at Shollenberger Marsh
Observe migratory and resident shorebirds, ducks, and waders, and learn about their unique adaptations as we hike the levee trail surrounding this Petaluma wetland – the site of PRBO’s San Francisco Bay Research Center & Headquarters. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance will also be sharing their knowledge of the wetlands on this walk! DIRECTIONS: Take Lakeville exit off Hwy 101; follow Lakeville eastbound and turn right on S. McDowell Blvd. Turn right onto Cypress, second building on right. Follow parking lot to the back end at Shollenberger Park wetlands. Meet at 9 am. Check out a bird list for this walk.

Saturday, February 2: Seabirds & Seals at Chimney Rock
Join a PRBO biologist as we visit the point of Point Reyes National Seashore to take a look at some of PRBO's seabird study species. We will be looking for elephant seals finishing their breeding season, seabirds beginning theirs, and migrating gray whales. Learn about the amazing adaptations that allow seabirds to survive along the rugged West Coast. Meet in the Drakes Beach parking lot at 9:00 am. Bring $5.00 (under 16 free) to ride the bus from Drakes Beach to Chimney Rock (roads are closed to most cars during the winter). Walk follows a paved road, which is steep; there is a narrow, dirt trail to the seal overlook which we will visit. Buses are not wheelchair accessible, but folks can register with Park staff in morning, and follow in their car behind bus and meet us at Chimney Rock. Check out the bird list from past walks!

Sunday, March 9: Birding Bahia Marsh
Join tidal marsh biologists as we watch for signs of nesting behavior, search for songbirds, and listen for Black Rails at this Bay Area marsh. Take Atherton Ave. east of 101 to Bugeia Lane. Follow Bugeia to the last Marin Open Space trail head (up over a big hill and down into a housing development. The road ends here at the trailhead. Its on the opposite end of the Rush Creek trailhead. Check out the bird list from past walks!

Saturday, April 5: Wood Ducks and Woodpeckers at Five Brooks
PRBO biologists share their expertise on Spotted Owls as we search for Wood Ducks, woodpeckers, and spring’s first migrants. Meet at Five Brooks parking lot, about 10 minutes south of Olema on Hwy 1. Check out the bird list from past walks!

Saturday, May 10: Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Redwood Creek!
Join PRBO biologists on this very important day for migratory birds as we explore the riparian habitat, check mist-nets for songbirds and observe biologists safely band and release songbirds. We will keep our eyes and ears out for signs of nesting and discuss how and why we monitor songbirds. Meet at the Muir Woods National Monument parking lot for a shuttle ride (first one at 7:15 am) to PRBO’s mist netting station at Redwood Creek. Then celebrate the IMBD festival with shade-grown coffee and organic chocolate at Muir Woods!. Full event is from 7 am - 12 noon. Check out our bird list from past walks!

Saturday, June 7: Exploring Oak Woodlands at Mount Burdell, Novato (Marin County Open Space)
This is sure to be a fantastic birding adventure in oak woodlands. We'll likely see nesting migrants, including Bullock's Orioles and Western Kingbirds. From Hwy 101, take the San Marin/Atherton exit and go west on San Marin Blvd. Turn up San Andreas Dr. Meet at the Marin Open Space gate at the top of San Andreas Dr. Please make sure to bring water, as the temperature is usually very warm. There are NO restroom facilities. Check out the bird list from past walks! Learn more about Marin County Open Space Preserves.

Sunday, July 6: Muddy Hollow Migrants and Mist-netting
We will hike through the central part of the Burn Zone of the 1995 Mt. Vision Fire, examine the remarkable extent of vegetative recovery, and discuss how monitoring songbird response to natural disturbances like this can teach us many important lessons. We'll also have a chance to experience science-in-action as we check mist-nets for songbirds and observe bird banding. A great opportunity to see birds up close and learn about breeding biology. Meet at the Muddy Hollow parking lot at 9:00 am. Check out the bird list from past walks!
Directions: From San Rafael, follow Sir Francis Drake about 18 miles until Olema. You will arrive at a “T” intersection in Olema; turn RIGHT onto Shoreline Highway (Hwy 1). Follow directions listed here http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/muddy.html. There are NO bathroom facilities at Muddy Hollow, but there are some at Limantour Beach.

Saturday, August 2: Stopover at Bodega Bay
This is a fun walk to learn about and observe migrants at this important migration stopover site. Learn about the critical role that wetlands play in the lives of waterbirds, and why so many of these birds are migratory superheroes. We'll likely see adult and young Caspian Tern, Heermann's Gull, Brown Pelicans and many shorebirds. Meet at 9:00 am in the main parking lot (paved) at Doran Beach about ¼ of a mile past the park kiosk, next to a grove of cypress trees. Please bring $6 to park (try to car pool!). A mix of paved, bumpy dirt trail, and sandy beach. Please visit the following link for more information on Doran Park http://www.sonoma-county.org/PARKS/pk_doran.htm. Check out the bird list for past walks!

Caspian Tern

Sunday, September 7: Abbott’s Lagoon - Beaches are Habitat!
This special walk led by PRBO Snowy Plover biologists will focus on the conservation and protection of threatened Snowy Plovers and beach habitat. Biologists will discuss the successes and challenges from the breeding season for Snowies. This walk also coincides with fall migration so we'll spend time admiring some far-flung, feathered travelers, including waterfowl and shorebirds. Meet at Abbott’s Lagoon parking lot at 9:00 am. Narrow, dirt trail and sandy beach. Check out the bird list from past walks. Please visit the link below for directions- http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/directions_inpark_piercepoint.htm#CP_JUMP_149236

Point Reyes Beach

Saturday, October 4: Rush Creek Preserve (Marin Open Space), Novato
A walk through beautiful wetland, grassland and oak woodland habitats with great opportunities to view migratory and resident shorebirds, dabbling ducks, songbirds, and raptors. Meet at the Marin Open Space trailhead on Binford Rd at 9 AM. DIRECTIONS: Take the Hwy. 101 San Marin/Atherton exit and go eastbound on Atherton Ave. to the east side of overpass; turn left on Binford Rd., around commuter parking lot, for short distance; park on shoulder near gated trailhead on right. A well-maintained dirt road, mostly flat. Check out the bird list from past walks! Learn more about Marin Open Space's Rush Creek Preserve.

Sunday, November 2: Winter Birds at Helen Putnam Park, Petaluma
Winter brings a completely new group of birds to northern California. As we walk along we will search for some of Sonoma County’s winter residents, including the secretive Varied Thrush, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned kinglets, and Golden-crowned Sparrows. Meet near the entrance to the parking lot on the right at 9:00 am. Bring $5 to park. Check out the bird list from past walks! Learn more about Helen Putnam Regional Park, 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma, CA 94952, http://www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_helen.htm.

Saturday, December 6: Wintering Waterbirds on Bolinas Lagoon: Join us to welcome back the wintering populations of shorebirds and waterfowl to this beautiful lagoon. We'll work on waterbird ID at a few stops alongside the Lagoon. Bring rubber boots for exploring the pickleweed marshes at Pine Gulch. Meet at 9:00 am in the large dirt parking lot next to Bolinas School, 125 Olema Bolinas Rd, in Bolinas. Check out the bird list from past walks!

Bird Lists from past Monthly Bird Walks:

Sunday, January 6, 2008. Shollenberger Wetland, Petaluma, CA
1. Horned Grebe
2. Pied-billed Grebe
3. American White Pelican
4. Double-crested Cormorant
5. American Bittern
6. Mute Swan
7. Canada Goose
8. Mallard
9. Gadwall
10. American Wigeon
11. Northern Shoveler
12. Blue-winged Teal
13. Domestic Mallard
14. Canvasback
15. Lesser Scaup
16. Common Goldeneye
17. Bufflehead
18. Ruddy Duck
19. Turkey Vulture
20. American Coot
21. Black-bellied Plover
22. Pacific Golden Plover
23. American Avocet
24. Black-necked Stilt
25. Greater Yellowlegs
26. Marbled Godwit
27. Least Sandpiper
28. Dowitcher sp.
29. Bonaparte's Gull
30. Ring-billed Gull
31. Western Gull
32. Black Phoebe
33. Say's Phoebe
34. American Crow
35. Marsh Wren
36. Western Bluebird
37. American Robin
38. European Starling
39. American Pipit
40. Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler
41. Common Yellowthroat
42. Savannah Sparrow
43. White-crowned Sparrow
44. Song Sparrow
45. Western Meadowlark
46. Red-winged Blackbird
47. House Finch
48. Lesser Goldfinch
49. House Sparrow

Sunday, February 4, 2007. Chimney Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore
1. Red-throated Loon
2. Pacific Loon
3. Common Loon
4. Horned Grebe
5. Eared Grebe
6. Western Grebe
7. Clark's Grebe
8. Pelagic Cormorant
9. Brandt's Cormorant
10. Scaup sp.
11, Surf Scoter
12. Bufflehead
13. Red-breasted Merganser
14. Turkey Vulture
15. Red-tailed Hawk
16. American Kestrel
17. Western Gull
18. Herring Gull
19. Common Murre
20. Great Horned Owl
21. Anna’s Hummingbird
22. Black Phoebe
23. Say's Phoebe
24. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
25. Western Bluebird
26. Varied Thrush
27. Hermit Thrush
28. Yellow-rumped Warbler
29. Savannah Sparrow
30. White-crowned Sparrow
31. Song Sparrow
32. Oregon Junco
33. Western Meadowlark
34. Red-Winged Blackbird
35. Brewer’s Blackbird

Sunday, March 9, 2008. Bahia Wetlands, Novato, CA
1. Snowy Egret
2. Canada Goose
3. Mallard
4. American Wigeon
5. Northern Shoveler
6. Blue-winged Teal
7. Greater Scaup
8. Bufflehead
9. Ruddy Duck
10. Turkey Vulture
11. Cooper's Hawk
12. Red-shouldered Hawk
13. Red-tailed Hawk
14. Cooper's Hawk
15. Anna's Hummingbird
16. Osprey
17. California Quail
18. American Coot
19. Killdeer
20. American Avocet
21. Greater Yellowlegs
22. Ring-billed Gull
23. California Gull
24. Mourning Dove
25. Acorn Woodpecker
26. Red-breasted Sapsucker
27. Downy Woodpecker
28. Nuttall's Woodpecker
29. Black Phoebe
30. Hutton's Vireo
31. Western Scrub-jay
32. Common Raven
33. American Crow
34. Violet-green Swallow
35. Tree Swallow
36. Oak Titmouse (with nest material)
37. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
38. Bushtit
39. White-breasted Nuthatch (with nest material)
40. Bewick's Wren
41. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
42. Western Bluebird
43. Northern Mockingbird
44. European Starling
45. Yellow-rumped Warbler
46. Spotted Towhee
47. California Towhee
48. Golden-crowned Sparrow
49. White-crowned Sparrow
50. Song Sparrow
51. Oregon Junco
52. Red-winged Blackbird
53. House Finch
54. Lesser Goldfinch
55. American Goldfinch
56. House Sparrow

Saturday, April 5, 2008. Five Brooks, Pt. Reyes National Seashore
1. Double-crested Cormorant
2. Mallard
3. American Wigeon
4. Ring-necked Duck
5. Bufflehead
6. Turkey Vulture
7. Red-shouldered Hawk
8. Osprey
9. Peregrine Falcon
10. California Quail
11. American Coot
12. Band-tailed Pigeon
13. Allen's Hummingbird
14. Belted Kingfisher
15. Hairy Woodpecker
16. Pileated Woodpecker
17. Pacific-slope Flycatcher
18. Black Phoebe
19. Warbling Vireo
20. Steller's Jay
21. Western Scrub-jay
22. Common Raven
23. American Crow
24. Violet-green Swallow
25. Tree Swallow
26. Barn Swallow
27. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
28. Bushtit
29. Pygmy Nuthatch
30. Winter Wren
31. Wrentit
32. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
33. Western Bluebird
34. American Robin
35. Hermit Thrush
36. European Starling
37. Wilson's Warbler
38. Spotted Towhee
39. California Towhee
40. Golden-crowned Sparrow
41. White-crowned Sparrow
42. Song Sparrow
43. Oregon Junco
44. Brown-head Cowbird
45. Red-winged Blackbird
46. Brewer's Blackbird
47. House Finch
48. Red Crossbill
49. Pine Siskin
50. American Goldfinch

Saturday, June 7, 2008. Mount Burdell, Novato (MCOS)
1. American White Pelican
2. Turkey Vulture
3. Red-shouldered Hawk
4. Red-tailed Hawk
5. Anna's Hummingbird
6. Allen's Hummingbird
7. Mourning Dove
8. Acorn Woodpecker
9. Nuttall's Woodpecker
10. Olive-sided Flycatcher
11. Black Phoebe (with food and nest)
12. Ash-throated Flycatcher
11. Hutton's Vireo
12. Western Scrub-jay
13. American Crow
14. Common Raven
15. Violet-green Swallow
16. Oak Titmouse
17. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
18. Bushtit (with young)
19. White-breasted Nuthatch
20. Brown Creeper
21. Bewick's Wren
22. House Wren
23. Western Bluebird (with young)
24. Northern Mockingbird
25. European Starling
26. Black-headed Grosbeak
27. California Towhee
28. Spotted Towhee
29. Lark Sparrow
30. Oregon Junco
31. Brewer's Blackbird
32. Bullock's Oriole
33. House Finch
34. Lesser Goldfinch

Sunday, July 6, 2008. Muddy Hollow Mist-netting Site, Point Reyes National Seashore
1. Turkey Vulture
2. Red-tailed Hawk
3. Osprey
4. California Quail
5. Band-tailed Pigeon
6. Anna's Hummingbird
7. Allen's Hummingbird
8. Hairy Woodpecker
9. Northern Flicker
10. Western Wood-pewee
11. Pacific-slope Flycatcher
12. Black Phoebe
13. Hutton's Vireo
14. Western Scrub-jay
15. Common Raven
16. Barn Swallow
17. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
18. Bushtit
19. Bewick's Wren
20. Wrentit
21. American Robin
22. Swainson's Thrush
23. European Starling
24. Common Yellowthroat
25. Wilson's Warbler
26. Hooded Warbler
27. Spotted Towhee
28. California Towhee
29. White-crowned Sparrow
30. Song Sparrow
31. Brown-headed Cowbird
32. Brewer's Blackbird
33. Purple Finch
34. American Goldfinch

Sunday, August 5, 2007. Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay
1. Common Loon
2. American White Pelican
3. Brown Pelican
4. Double-crested Cormorant
5. Great Blue Heron
6. Great Egret
7. Snowy Egret
8. Green Heron
9. Turkey Vulture
10. Black-bellied Plover
11. Killdeer
12. Greater Yellowlegs
13. Willet
14. Whimbrel
15. Marbled Godwit
16. Ruddy Turnstone
17. Black Turnstone
18. Surfbird
19. Sanderling
20. Western Sandpiper
21. Least Sandpiper
22. Red-necked Phalarope
23. Ring-billed Gull
24. California Gull
25. Western Gull
26. Heerman's Gull
27. Caspian Tern
28. Anna's Hummingbird
29. American Crow
30. Barn Swallow
31. European Starling
32. Savannah Sparrow
33. White-crowned Sparrow
34. Song Sparrow
35. Brewer's Blackbird
36. American Goldfinch

Saturday, September 8, 2007. Abbott’s Lagoon, Pt. Reyes National Seashore
1. Common Loon
2. Horned Grebe
3. Eared Grebe
4. Pied-billed Grebe
5. Western Grebe
6. Clark's Grebe
7. American White Pelican
8. Brown Pelican
9. Double-crested Cormorant
10. Pelagic Cormorant
11. Great Blue Heron
12. Great Egret
13. Canada Goose
14. Gadwall
15. Northern Shoveler
16. Blue-winged Teal
17. Surf Scoter
18. Common Merganser
19. Turkey Vulture
20. White-tailed Kite
21. Osprey
22. Peregrine Falcon
23. California Quail
24. Semipalmated Plover
25. Killdeer
26. American Avocet
27. Marbled Godwit
28. Black Turnstone
29. Sanderling
30. Baird's Sandpiper
31. Western Sandpiper
32. Dowitcher sp.
33. Common Snipe
34. Red-necked Phalarope
35. Ring-billed Gull
36. California Gull
37. Western Gull
38. Heermann's Gull
39. Forester's Tern
40. Elegant Tern
41. Common Murre
42. Great Horned Owl
43. Anna's Hummingbird
44. Belted Kingfisher
45. Say's Phoebe
46. Downy Woodpecker
47. Western Scrub-jay
48. Common Raven
49. American Crow
50. Barn Swallow
51. Bewick's Wren
52. Marsh Wren
53. Wrentit
54. European Starling
55. Yellow Warbler
56. Common Yellowthroat
57. Spotted Towhee
58. Savannah Sparrow
59. White-crowned Sparrow
60. Song Sparrow
61. Red-winged Blackbird
62. Brewer's Blackbird
63. American Goldfinch

Saturday, October 7, 2006. Rush Creek Preserve, Novato, CA
1. American White Pelican
2. Great Blue Heron
3. Great Egret
4. Snowy Egret
5. Canada Goose
6. Mallard
7. Northern Pintail
8. Gadwall
9. American Wigeon
10. Northern Shoveler
11. Blue-winged Teal
12. Cinnamon Teal
13. Green-winged Teal
14. Turkey Vulture
15. Red-shouldered Hawk
16. Virginia Rail
17. American Coot
18. Black-necked Stilt
19. American Avocet
20. Greater Yellowlegs
21. Western Sandpiper
22. Least Sandpiper
23. Ring-billed Gull
24. Belted Kingfisher
25. Anna’s Hummingbird
26. Northern Flicker
27. Downy Woodpecker
28. Nuttall's Woodpecker
29. Black Phoebe
30. Stellar's Jay
31. Western Scrub-jay
32. Oak Titmouse
33. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
34. Bushtit
35. Marsh Wren
36. Golden-crowned Kinglet
37. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
38. American Robin
39. Hermit Thrush
40. Cedar Waxwing
41. European Starling
42. California Towhee
43. Spotted Towhee
44. Fox Sparrow
45. Song Sparrow
46. Oregon Junco
47. Golden-crowned Sparrow
48. White-crowned Sparrow
49. Red-winged Blackbird
50. American Goldfinch

Saturday, November 3, 2007. Ragle Ranch Regional Park, Sonoma County
1. Great Egret
2. Turkey Vulture
3. Red-shouldered Hawk
4. Rock Pigeon
5. Anna's Hummingbird
6. Acorn Woodpecker
7. Downy Woodpecker
8. Nuttall's Woodpecker
9. Northern Flicker
10. Black Phoebe
11. Hutton's Vireo
12. Steller's Jay
13. Western Scrub-jay
14. Common Raven
15. American Crow
16. Oak Titmouse
17. Chestnut-backed Chickadee
18. Bushtit
19. White-breasted Nuthatch
20. Bewick's Wren
21. Winter Wren
22. Golden-crowned Kinglet
23. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
24. Western Bluebird
25. American Robin
26. Hermit Thrush
27. Northern Mockingbird
28. European Starling
29. Cedar Waxwing
30. Yellow-rumped Warbler
31. Townsend's Warbler
32. Spotted Towhee
33. California Towhee
34. Golden-crowned Sparrow
35. Fox Sparrow
36. Song Sparrow
37. Lincoln's Sparrow
38. Oregon Junco
39. House Finch
40. Lesser Goldfinch
41. American Goldfinch

Sunday, December 2, 2007. Bolinas Lagoon
1. Horned Grebe
2. Western Grebe
3. Brown Pelican
4. Great Egret
5. Snowy Egret
6. Mallard
7. Gadwall
8. Northern Pintail
9. American Wigeon
10. Eurasian Wigeon
11. Northern Shoveler
12. Green-winged Teal
13. Scaup sp.
14. Common Goldeneye
15. Bufflehead
16. Ruddy Duck
17. Turkey Vulture
18. Red-tailed Hawk
19. Bald Eagle
20. Peregrine Falcon
21. American Coot
22. American Avocet
23. Willet
24. Long-billed Curlew
25. Marbled Godwit
26. Ring-billed Gull
27. Mew Gull
28. Ring-billed Gull
29. California Gull
30. Glaucous-winged Gull
31. Western Gull
32. Anna’s Hummingbird
33. Nuttall's Woodpecker
34. Black Phoebe
35. Say's Phoebe
36. Western Scrub-jay
37. American Crow
38. Marsh Wren
39. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
40. European Starling
41. American Pipit
42. Cedar Waxwing
43. Common Yellowthroat
44. Song Sparrow