SATURDAY WALKS // SATURDAY TALKS // SUNDAY WALKS // SUNDAY TALKS
Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail
Sunday, 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 Alliance members​
​
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.
​
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
Sunday, 8am to sunset, hike lasts about 2 hours
Self guided tour of Mare Island Preserve and Regional Park
​​
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
​
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.
​
Vallejo People’s Garden
Sunday, 10am to 12pm, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by Vilma Aquino & Suzanne Briley
www.vallejopeoplesgarden.org
​
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
​
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
Sunday, 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)
​​
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
Pacific Flyway Center Wetlands
Sunday, 9am, hike lasts about 2 hours
Led by: Tom Harris
Napa Solano Audubon Society​​
www.napasolanoaudubon.com
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
American Canyon Wetlands
THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
Sunday, 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!
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.
​
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.
Lynch Canyon Open Space Park
THIS HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
​
Sunday, 8am to 12pm, hike lasts about 4 hours
Led by: Andrew Ford,
Napa Solano Audubon Society hike leader
www.napasolanoaudubon.com
Join Andrew Ford for a trip through the foothills and canyons of Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve. The many microhabitats and grasslands that make up this area allow for a unique lend of bird species. This is one of the better locations to observe raptors. We are likely to observe raptors such as Red-Tailed Hawk (both light and dark morph birds), American Kestrel, White-Tailed Kite, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Merlin, and Ferruginous Hawk and possibly our resident Golden Eagles. Other species likely to be found are our plethora of oak woodland and wintering birds including Fox Sparrow, White- and Golden-Crowned Sparrow, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, Hutton’s Vireo and possibly waterfowl, shorebirds, cormorants and passerines around the cattle pond. If we are lucky we might find Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Rufous-Crowned Sparrow and/or Burrowing Owl. Please come and explore with us and come see the variety of birds that make this wonderful location their home!
​
IMPORTANT NOTES: $6 parking fee. No potable water so bring your own water. Anybody with health conditions should avoid the walk. There are hills and inclines that may not be suitable for those who have had any surgeries lately or have walking issues. People should bring snacks or a lunch as we will not be at the cars until around noon. Children are welcome but MUST be accompanied by an adult. No strollers or pets!
​
Meet here for this hike: 3100 Lynch Canyon Road, Fairfield
Directions to Lynch Canyon Open Space Park: From San Francisco/I-80 East. Take Exit 36 at American Canyon/ Hiddenbrook Pkwy. and take a left onto McGary Rd. Take a left onto Lynch Rd. and proceed under the freeway. From Sacramento/I-80 West. Take Exit 39A at Red Top Rd., go under the freeway and turn west (right) on McGary Rd. Take a right onto Lynch Rd. and proceed under the freeway
Mare island Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites
Sunday, 3pm, 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
​