Saturday Bird Festival Events

Date

Saturday, March 6, 5:30 am to 6 pm

Description   

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park contains all the rugged characteristics that most people associate with a desert environment. Even so, it is home to a variety of bird species. This full-day trip will leave early and arrive in the desert as the sun rises. Likely birding locations include the sand dunes at Old Springs Road, Borrego Palm Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert SP visitor's center, Borrego Sink, and Tamarisk Grove. Focus species include Long-eared Owl, Greater Roadrunner, Costa's Hummingbird, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Crissal and LeConte's thrashers, Phainopepla, and Black-throated Sparrow. There may be a few stops in the mountains on the return trip. Bob Miller was born and raised in the desert southwest and is knowledgeable on the life, history, and geology of the area. Jeff Coker often leads trips for us with Southwest Birders.

Cost

Leader

Bob Miller and Jeff Coker

Date

Saturday, March 6, 6:30 am to 4 pm

Description   

Dos Picos County Park is situated amidst rugged brush-covered slopes northeast of San Diego. It supports mature coast live oak woodland and chaparral vegetation on nearby slopes. Typical birds found include Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall's woodpeckers, Cassin's Kingbird, Hutton's Vireo, Western
Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, and Spotted Towhee. Nearby the Santa Maria Valley is characterized by native grasslands, where 19 species of raptors can be found. Focus birds include Ferruginous Hawk, White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Prairie Falcon, Mountain Bluebird, Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Bald and Golden eagles. Fred Sproul leads birding adventures for the Wildlife Research Institute of Ramona. Andrew Fisher is a tireless student of all fauna especially skilled with Southern California birds, also with impressive knowledge and stories from Kenya where he spent much of his youth.  He has been especially important with WRI's Golden Eagle project, migratory bird banding, and conducts professional wildlife surveys.

Cost

Leaders

Fred Sproul and Andrew Fisher

Date

Saturday, March 6, 6:30 am to 4 pm

Description   

This unique trip provides opportunities to see many of southern California 's distinctive bird species. The Marine Corps Camp Pendleton offers a mixture of willow-sycamore-oak woodlands alongside sage scrub, chaparral, grasslands, beach, and lakeside habitats. Expect to see many species of waterfowl including Canvasback, Western Snowy Plover, Black-necked Stilt and other shorebirds, Royal and Forster's terns, White-tailed Kite, California Quail, White-throated Swift, Downy Woodpecker, Bushtit, California Thrasher, California Gnatcatcher, and Lesser Goldfinch. Maryanne Bache is a field biologist focused on endangered species and is the former education and outreach director of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. Ed Kershner serves as the head of the Wildlife Management Branch at Marine Corps Camp Pendleton.

Cost

Leaders

Maryanne Bache, Ed Kershner, and Beth Forbus

Date

Saturday, March 6, 7 am to 4 pm

Description   

The rugged yet scenic Islas Coronados are situated in Mexican waters within sight of much of San Diego. Their steep-sided slopes are an important sanctuary for birds, marine mammals, and other sealife. Trip participants can expect to see many pelagic bird species on this 8-hour boat trip aboard Grande to the islands via the "birdy" Nine Mile Bank. We'll see auklets, murrelets, shearwaters, phalaropes, fulmars, three species of loons, three species of cormorants, and five to six species of gulls. Rock-loving coastal birds such as Black and American oystercatchers, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, and Surfbird may be seen. We'll observe breeding colonies of Brown Pelicans and Brown Boobies and we'll try to find the elusive Blue-footed and Masked boobies that have been seen off and on for the past three years. We should see migrating Gray Whales, pods of dolphins, Harbor Seals, Elephant Seals, and California Sea Lions. Leaders include Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik and five local seabirding experts.

Cost

$90 Sandwiches, snacks, and drinks can be purchased aboard the boat

Leaders

Clay Taylor, Terry Hunefeld and five Southern California pelagic birding experts

Date

Saturday, March 6, 7 am to 3:30 pm

Description   

This special trip takes you to Tecate's renowned Rancho La Puerta, a 3000-acre nature preserve and spa just over the Mexican border. There you are likely to see Nuttall's and Acorn woodpeckers, California Thrasher, Bewick's Wren, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, Bushtit, Black Phoebe and many others. It's possible to see Golden-crowned, Fox and Sage sparrows, Red-breasted and Red-naped sapsuckers, Phainopepla, Lawrence's Goldfinch, and Cedar Waxwing, among others. You will enjoy an organic vegetarian lunch from the spa's private gardens. Phil Pryde has been birding and teaching birding classes for San Diego Audubon for over 20 years. He is a retired professor from San Diego State University and author of “San Diego: An Introduction to the Region.” Joe Sweeney is the resident birder at Rancho La Puerta and author of “I Know I Should Exercise, But….” Joe's Ranch list is 138 species (all viewed on foot). PLEASE NOTE: You will need a passport that is valid 6 months after the date of this trip. Consider how much gear you are carrying—you will have to carry it across the border on your return.

Cost

Leaders

Phil Pryde and Joe Sweeney

Date

Description   

San Diego's coastal wildlife refuges are located at the south end of San Diego Bay. During the winter season a diverse variety of land and water birds can be observed at such places as South San Diego Bay NWR and the Tijuana Slough NWR. Expected species are Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Black Skimmer, Caspian and Forster's terns, Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and maybe even Peregrine Falcon. We will finish up at the Chula Vista Nature Center, located on the Sweetwater Marsh NWR, to see raptors including Bald and Golden eagles as well as a presentation on the Light-footed Clapper Rail captive-breeding program.

Cost

Leaders

Fish and Wildlife Service Staff

Date

Saturday, March 6, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Description   

Our popular birdwatching kayak trip returns to south San Diego Bay. Join San Diego Audubon conservation chair Jim Peugh, a frequent kayaker and birder on our bays, as he takes this small group to visit the edges of salt marshes and open water areas to get up-close views. Shorebirds, herons, and other species await as you enter their habitat in a truly special manner. If you have ever wanted to try kayaking, this is the trip for you. Participants will receive training. Tandem kayaks will be provided. As with any boating activity, you may get wet; for your comfort, bring along a dry change of clothes.

Cost

Leaders

Jim Peugh and Ted Godshalk

Date

Saturday, March 6, 9:30 am to 11 am

Description   

This workshop will introduce the birder to the basics of digital bird photography, from obtaining the images to processing images to obtain the best results.  Topics include field techniques, use of Photoshop and presentation ideas for your images.  Thomas A. Blackman, a birder since junior high, is a long time San Diegan with a degree in zoology. He has worked as a photographer for several San Diego State University departments.  Tom's images can be viewed at obeach.smugmug.com.  His birding travels have taken him to many famous birding areas worldwide.

Cost

Presenter

Tom Blackman

Date

Saturday, March 6, 9:30 am to 11 am

Description   

Sumi-e is the ancient Asian art of painting using ink, water, brush, and paper. One of the most important principles of the distinctive form of Japanese sumi-e is seido, or “living moment”, in which the artist infuses into the painting the perceived nature or spirit of the bird, animal, or flower being painted. In this workshop, Takashi Ijichi, sumi-e artist and teacher with the Taka Sumi-e Society and San Diego Community College, introduces the principles of sumi-e, then guides participants in creating paintings of birds infused with the spirit of satori, or Zen. More than just a painting workshop, participants will come away with a new way of looking at the spirit of birds. Each participant will receive an ink stone, ink stick, 2 brushes, rice paper, felt, and brush holder, and will be able to complete a bird painting during the workshop.

Cost

$40 (includes art supplies)

Presenter

Takashi Ijichi

Date

Saturday, March 6, 11:30 am to 1 pm

Description   

David Stump, a professional illustrator and long-standing contributor to San Diego Audubon, will guide you through a unique experience of exploring the beauty of birds with the eye, the hand, and a soft pencil. He will explore the artistic anatomy of songbirds through a series of live demonstrations and projected graphics. There will be a bit of the history of birds in art, a visual presentation of avian form and movement, and a review of birds from skeletal frame to the ephemeral (yet highly mathematical) patterns of feathers. Bring some drawing pencils and a good sketch pad . . . and see birds with new eyes.

Cost

Presenter

David Stump

Date

Saturday, March 6, 11:30 am to 1 pm

Description   

Southern California is home to more than 20 species of raptors. Hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls are awe-inspiring birds with enhanced powers of sight, flight, and hunting. Nancy Conney, founder of Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education, presents a special program emphasizing the importance of these magnificent birds. Her program features rehabilitated live birds, offering unique opportunities for close and detailed examination. Great for kids and families.

Cost

Presenter

Nancy Conney

Date

Saturday, March 6, 1:30 pm to 3 pm

Description   

Feeling like a detective? You can explore the diet of owls in this workshop. Many parts of an owl's prey remain undigested and these remains are regurgitated in the form of a compact pellet. Each participant will have a sterilized pellet to dissect and find skeletal remains of it previous meals. Susan Briesch has introduced pellet dissection to students throughout the San Diego area. Great for kids and families.

Cost

$25 Children 12 and under $10

Presenter

Susan Breisch

Date

Saturday, March 6, 1:30 pm to 3 pm

Description   

Digiscoping—capturing stunning wildlife images through your spotting scope—is the hottest topic in recreational birding today. Jeff Bouton of Leica Sport Optics, is an avid digiscoper who has published over 30 digiscoped images in numerous publications. In this seminar, Jeff will share the basics of getting started, including: advantages and limitations of various camera types, best bets for mounting cameras to scope for maximum effectiveness and simplicity. There will be a short classroom session followed by a short field session which should leave you prepared with all of the basics you need to capture spectacular wildlife  memories of your own. Participants are encouraged to bring their spotting scopes, digital still cameras and camcorders and scope adaptors as every system has differing limitations and require slightly different techniques to maximize potential.

Cost

Presenter

Jeff Bouton

Date

Saturday, March 6, 3:30 pm to 5 pm

Description   

In this workshop we will learn the tools of imitating birds vocally so you can interact with wild birds and enhance your bird watching experience. We will discuss where and when to use calls and which calls get the best responses. You will be stretching your vocal chords beyond their normal limits, so bring drinking water and laughter. Nicole can imitate 158 bird calls and has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Ellen Degeneres Show, and teaches bird calling workshops throughout the western United States . Please visit her website for more information. Great for kids and families.

Cost

Presenter

Nicole Perretta

Date

Saturday, March 6, 3:30 pm to 5 pm

Description   

A humorous narrative about the many mistakes, accidents, and embarrassing situations Bill Thompson has experienced in his 30-plus years as a bird watcher. He urges the audience to avoid these same perils and pitfalls and even offers tips for how to do so. This light-hearted talk pokes fun at how we bird watchers have our own language, dress code, and food preferences. It's guaranteed to generate laughs or Bill will clean the binoculars of everyone present.

Cost

Presenter

Bill Thompson

Date

Saturday, March 6, 4 pm to 5:15 pm

Description   

Join our leaders for a birding walk along the San Diego River Estuary, just across from the Marina Village Conference Center . Expect to see wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. Barbara Moore is the San Diego Audubon field trip chair and leads dozens of bird walks each year.

Cost

Leaders

Barbara Moore and others

Date

Saturday, March 6, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Description   

Just like other children, Bill Thompson's kids loved watching TV and playing on the computer. Just like other parents, he worried that they weren't getting outside enough, that they were losing their connection with nature. Much has been said about "nature deficit disorder" as described in the recent bestseller “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv. Fortunately, there are things we can do. Kids are fascinated by birds, which makes birding an excellent way to get kids out of the house and into the natural world. Bill spent three years working with his daughter Phoebe's elementary-school class to create a new bird book for kids. “The Young Birder's Guide to Eastern Birds,” is intended to give young people ages 8 to 12 an introduction to the world of birds in a way they can appreciate and enjoy. It is a part of the Peterson Field Guide Series published by Houghton Mifflin. He'll discuss how the book was created, how to get kids interested in nature, and will share stories about his own birding adventures as a young birder. Bill will also offer insights into countering nature deficit disorder.

Cost