SATURDAY WALKS // SATURDAY TALKS // SUNDAY WALKS // SUNDAY TALKS
American Canyon Wetlands
1ST HIKE: Saturday, 7am, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by Jeff Miller, Center for Biological Diversity
www.biologicaldiversity.org
2ND HIKE: Saturday, 9am, hike lasts about 2 hours
Beginner's Bird Walk
Led by Karina Garcia, Napa Solano Audubon Society
You might see a list of amazing birds including Green Winged Teal and other waterfowl, a variety of shorebirds including American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts, as well as a variety of raptors, possibly the secretive Virginia Rails and Soras. You can check out the American Canyon Wetlands eBird hot spot to see birds that have been recently seen at this location. This hike is easy terrain over paved trails, wear your comfortable shoes!
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Karina is currently a student at Solano College and has volunteered and worked with the Napa-Solano Audubon society since September 2023. During her time with the Audubon society, Karina has helped with Western Bluebird nest box monitoring, Heron and Egret nesting colony surveys, in-classroom bird lessons for 5th graders, and has helped guide the beginner bird walks.
Meet in parking lot for the Wetlands Edge Park, 2 Eucalyptus Drive in American Canyon
Directions:
From Vallejo, take Hwy 29 north towards Napa. Turn left off of Hwy 29 onto Rio Del Mar. There is a stop light at this location. Immediately after turning onto Rio Del Mar, turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot.
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From Napa, drive south on Highway 29 till you reach Rio Del Mar. Turn right onto Rio Del Mar and immediately turn right onto Eucalyptus Drive. Continue west on Eucalyptus until you reach the parking lot. From eastern Solano County take Hwy 80 to American Canyon Road. Go west on American Canyon Road until it ends at Wetlands Edge Road. Turn right on Wetlands Road and go north until you hit Eucalyptus Road. Turn left on Eucalyptus Road and you will be at the Wetlands Edge Park parking lot.
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Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail
Saturday, 10am to 3pm
Self guided walk, one mile loop trail with views of San Pablo Bay and Mt Tamalpais.
Look for scope stations staffed by Napa Solano Audubon Society
and Golden Gate Bird Alliance members​
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There are many birds to be seen including raptors, songbirds, and egrets.
This hike is easy terrain, but may be muddy if there have been recent rains.
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Park in parking lot off Dump Road, Mare Island
Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo to where it dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), turn right on Dump Road and drive to parking lot (landmarks: information sign and porta potty).
South End of Mare Island
Saturday, 8am to sunset, hike lasts about 2 hours
Self guided tour of Mare Island Preserve and Regional Park
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You can see a variety of birds including songbirds and osprey. You'll have views of Carquinez Strait, San Pablo Bay, and Mt. Tamalpais. View the live cam to get a preview, spbfriends.org/osprey-cam
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This is considered moderate terrain for experienced hikers.
Start at 167 O'Hara Court, Vallejo
Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo to where it dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), follow the signs to “Mare Island Preserve” and navigate to 167 O’Hara Ct at the end of Azuar Drive.
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Vallejo People’s Garden
Saturday, 10am to 12pm, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by Vilma Aquino & Suzanne Briley
www.vallejopeoplesgarden.org
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You'll explore the garden's diverse collection of tropical plants, fruits, vegetables, and California natives that attract local wildlife and birds. Discover the medicinal benefits of certain plants, which may offer natural remedies for common ailments. For more information, contact us at info@vallejopeoplesgarden.org.
This hike is considered easy terrain
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Meet at 1055 Azuar Avenue, Vallejo (garden is behind this address) on Mare Island.
Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo to where it dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), left on E. Poplar, look for fenced garden on the right.
Skaggs Island
THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
Saturday, 9:30am to 1:30, hike lasts about 4 hours
Led by Mark Stephenson (President, Napa Solano Audubon Society), Meg Marriott (Wildlife Biologist, San Pablo Bay and Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuges, USFWS), Murray Berner (has led over 70 field trips to the Island), Adrian Johnson (Co-Manager, West County Hawkwatch)
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You'll see beautiful brush and grassland, the Island is notable for its wintering and resident hawks, owls, and falcons. That will be our focus as we are on the hike. Songbirds and aquatic species are also well-represented. A typical February field trip finds about 40 species.
This hike is registration only, space is limited. REGISTRATION CLOSED
Dickson Ranch / Sears Point (Sonoma Land Trust)
1ST HIKE: Saturday, 7am, hike lasts about 2 hours
2ND HIKE: Saturday, 9:30am, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by: Clay Anderson
Youth program manager, Golden Gate Bird Alliance​​
www.goldengatebirdalliance.org
Join Sonoma Land Trust and Clay Anderson of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance for an easy bird walk at Dickson Ranch, a young, renovated marsh with some exciting things happening! We will be looking to identify some amazing migratory birds like: Canvasback duck, American Widgeon, Lincoln Sparrow, Western MeadowLark, Green-winged Teal, Say's Phoebe and Western Sandpiper. We will also be looking at the ecological differences between 30yrs and 15yrs of marsh rehabilitation. Other resident birds we'll be looking for include: Great Blue Heron, White-tailed Kite, Common Yellow throat, Marsh Wren, Wilson's Snipe and Northern Harrier.
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Clay Anderson has been birding since he was 7yrs old, He obtained his formal degree in Art at San Jose City College and has worked for numerous nature focused organizations for over 30yrs. He holds 15+ yrs experience as a naturalist and Environmental Educator. He is the current Youth Program Manager for Golden Gate Bird Alliance going on 8yrs, and teaches Ornithology at Merritt College. ​
Start at Hwy 37 & Lakeville Road
Directions: The hike starts at the intersection of Lakeville Hwy and Hwy 37, on Reclamation Road, southeast of Petaluma, Sonoma County.
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This hike is registration only, space is limited. REGISTRATION CLOSED
Pacific Flyway Center Wetlands
Saturday, 9am, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by: Fred Werner
Golden Gate Bird Alliance​​
www.goldengatebirdalliance.org
On this hike, you will see waterfowl, herons and other marsh birds. Unpaved dirt areas. Recommend waterproof shoes or hiking booths, long pants, hat, binoculars. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Check out this article about what they are focusing on at the new Pacific Flyway Center.
This hike is registration only, space is limited. REGISTRATION CLOSED
Mare island Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites
Saturday, 12pm, lasts about 1 hour
Led by: Sarah McKibbin, Habitat Restoration
Project Manager, Solano Resource Conservation District
The tour will showcase overwintering sites around Mare Island
Start at Meet at St. Peter's Chapel Park, 1181 Walnut Avenue, Mare Island
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