🟢 Birder's Night Market

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 4 pm - 8pm
Location: Sand City Art Park, 525 Ortiz Ave. Sand City, CA, 95039
This year, we're excited to bring back the Birder's Night Market, a fun, family-friendly evening celebrating birds, art, and community!
Browse booths featuring local artists, nature-inspired vendors, and conservation organizations while enjoying hands-on activities for all ages. Try your hand at linocut printing, make your own bird-themed button, join a bird art workshop, explore fascinating bird taxidermy displays, and enjoy a live falconry presentation with Kenny Elvin. Grab a bite to eat, connect with fellow nature lovers, and discover the incredible people and organizations helping protect our local environment.
Whether you're a lifelong birder or simply looking for a unique evening out, we can't wait to see you there!
Location: Sand City Art Park, 525 Ortiz Ave, Sand City, CA

🟢 Birds and Brews Trivia Night

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Watsonville
Activity Level: Lots of brain activity, but stationary!

The Central Coast Bird Collective is excited to help wrap up this year's Monterey Bay Festival of Birds weekend with our fifth (!) annual Birds & Brews Trivia Night -- and looking forward to being back at Fruition Brewing in Watsonville (918 E Lake Ave).

Enjoy an evening of good eats, good drinks, and (hopefully) a good time playing bird and bird-adjacent trivia! Compete for birdy prizes with a team of up to six people. If you have a large group attending, be prepared to split up for some friendly competition. Arriving solo? We will help you find a flock to join :)

Seating is first come first serve. Start brainstorming those team names! Check-in for the evening begins at 4:45 pm and the first question will start at 5:15 pm.

Meeting Spot: Fruition Brewing Watsonville, 918 E Lake Ave. Watsonville, CA 95076

🔴 101 Rana Creek Preserve [Sold Out]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 8am - 12pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous hike along a dirt path, adjustments can be made

Please join The Wildlands Conservancy for a birding walk on the Rana Creek Preserve! Not yet open to the public, it will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the exceptional birding Carmel Valley has to offer. The walk will follow an unused road through some of the best oak woodland habitat remaining in Central California. Home to California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, and Yellow-billed Magpies. This location also offers the chance to encounter many other oak-loving species. Prepare for walking in mostly sunny conditions by bringing water, sunscreen, and sun protection. Please carpool where possible.

Leader: Everitt Keneipp and the Wildlands Conservancy
Meeting Spot: 35351 E Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley CA

🔴 102 Plants for Birding at Asilomar [Sold Out]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 2pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy

Spend time learning about how the plants we choose affect what birds we see! Join for birding at Asilomar Conference Grounds and visiting the Greenhouse there.

Leader: Amanda Preece
Meeting Spot: Asilomar Conference Grounds

🟢 201 Family Birding & Bird Art with MPRPD [9 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 2:30pm- 4:30pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate

The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) invites families to:
Look for birds in the parks they call home, and watch how they use their wings and tails to fly through the air! Then use your observations to inspire your very own paper feather design, wing, or tail that you can wear! Materials and binoculars provided.

Leader: Nicole Bonello with MPRPD Staff and Volunteers.
Location: Garland Ranch Regional Park Visitors Center

🔴 202 Birds and Burritos w/ Latino Outdoors- Elkhorn Slough [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9am- 12pm
Location: Elkhorn Slough Reserve
Activity Level: Moderate, first part of trail is an easy ADA section, then goes downhill on gravel/dirt path (uphill coming back)
Bilingual Leader

A bilingual, family friendly, beginner birding walk at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Come explore a walk through different habitats around the Slough and get to know some of the pajaritos of the area. Through Latino Outdoors, the walk will end with burritos and a game of Nature Loteria by the Visitor Center.

Una caminata de observación de aves bilingüe, ideal para familias y principiantes, en la Reserva Elkhorn Slough. La caminata incluirá recorrer diferentes hábitats y conocer algunos de los pajaritos que se encuentran aquí. La caminata finalizará con burritos y un juego de lotería natural en el Centro de Visitantes.

Leader: Juan Ramirez
Meeting Spot: The Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

🟢 203 Oak Woodland Bird Walk & Habitat Restoration with C4SM [15 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9am- 1pm
Location: Marina
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate- depending on what you choose to do

Join C4SM near Locke Paddon Park for a variety of activities supporting the wonderful habitat right by the Marina Library. Join for a walk in the oak woodland area and then help join the ongoing restoration project! Help plant native plants, check out the garden beds, remove ice plants and other invasives, and more! This is a great way to join ongoing community work and support the birds and birding habitat of the woodland right against the wetlands.

Leader: Communities for Sustainable Marina
Meeting Spot: Next to Marina Library playground (190 Seaside Cir., Marina, CA).

🔴 204 Rana Creek Preserve [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8am - 12pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous hike along a dirt path, adjustments can be made

Please join The Wildlands Conservancy for a birding walk on the Rana Creek Preserve! Not yet open to the public, it will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the exceptional birding Carmel Valley has to offer. The walk will follow an unused road through some of the best oak woodland habitat remaining in Central California. Home to California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, and Yellow-billed Magpies, this location also offers the chance to encounter many other oak-loving species. Prepare for walking in mostly sunny conditions by bringing water, sunscreen, and sun protection. Please carpool where possible.

Leader: Everitt Keneipp and the Wildlands Conservancy
Meeting Spot: 35351 E Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley CA
We do encouraging carpooling as this is deep Carmel Valley

🔴 205 Hasting Natural History Reservation [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9am- 12pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate, some variation in where to walk but not all flat or even ground

Explore the Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley. Hastings has been a biological field station of UC Berkeley’s Museum of Vertebrate Zoology since 1937 and is not open to the public. Enjoy this rare opportunity to talk with Hastings staff and long term researchers about acorn woodpeckers, western blue birds and more!

Leader: Hastings Reservation Staff
Meeting Spot: Hastings Reserve, 38601 East Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
We do encouraging carpooling as this is deep Carmel Valley.

🔴 206 Coastal Nature Walk: Birds, Otters & Wildlife of Moss Landing [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8:30am- 11am
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Easy, flat dirt walking path and dirt roadway

Slow down and explore the rich habitats along Jetty Road, where the Pacific Ocean meets Elkhorn Slough. This easy natural history walk goes beyond bird identification to explore the plants, wildlife, tides, and ecological connections that make this one of the Monterey Bay's most fascinating places. Along the way, look for terns, shorebirds, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and marine mammals including southern sea otters, harbor seals, and California sea lions. A great walk for beginners looking for a greater exploration of the biodiversity of the area.

Leader: Christine Jira
Location: Jetty Rd, Moss Landing

🟢 220 Accessible Birding for Everyone: Ensen Community Park (Birdability) [5 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9:30 am- 11:30 am
Location: Salinas
Activity Level: We will cover approximately ½ mile, primarily on flat gravel paths. Some short sections may include a slight incline or uneven ground. This trip is accessible for those who use rollators.

Join us for a visit to one of the newest parks in Salinas! This special park was developed in conjunction with the neighboring community and was spearheaded by the Big Sur Land Trust. More habitat restoration work is nearing completion, and this spot will be one of the best birding spots in Salinas. We'll have the opportunity to scan the skies for raptors, check on the new landscaping plants, and explore the wild, native plant area. This trip will introduce participants to various resources that are available to learn about birds, commonly seen local birds, and tips and tricks to identify them, plus guidance on how to locate and observe birds no matter where you are.
Bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and water, and a desire to learn about the diverse ecosystem. Indicate in the registration if you need binoculars. Optional: download the nature apps Seek by iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID prior to the walk.

Leader: Birdability Captains Alexander Clementson and Bev Gatliff
Meeting Spot: 99 La Posada Dr, Salinas, CA 93906, USA. We’ll meet at the main parking lot.

🔴 301 Watsonville Slough Farms with LTSCC and WWW [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 7:30am -11am
Location: Watsonville
Activity Level: Easy, with some uneven ground
Photo skill: Beginner-Advance
All ages welcome
Bilingual event!

Birding and a photo walk in one? Join the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and Watsonville Wetlands Watch for a morning stroll at Watsonville Slough Farm for birding and photography. Learn to identify birds and snap a photo! Already an avid birder and photographer? Find and snap a photo off your bird list and upload to ebird.

About the space: Watsonville Slough Farm contains 245 acres of wetland and upland habitat, along with the 245 acres of farmland. With overlapping wetland and grasslands, this area is an important bird nesting and foraging habitat, supporting as many species of raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, and Cooper’s Hawks. Fall is an excellent season for birding this location, with sightings of grebes, cormorants & pelicans, ducks, herons & egrets, and more!

Leader: Land Trust Santa Cruz and Watsonville Wetlands Watch
Meeting Spot: Watsonville Slough Farm- Bee Barn, 560 Harkins Slough Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

En Espanol:

Fecha: domingo, 11 de Octubre 2026
Horario: 7am -11am
Nivel de actividad: Fácil, con terreno irregular
Nivel de habilidad fotográfica: Principiante a Avanzado
Todos son bienvenidos! Evento bilingüe!

¡Únete al Land Trust del Condado de Santa Cruz y a Watsonville Wetlands Watch para un paseo en Watsonville Slough Farm! Aprende a identificar aves y tomar fotos. ¿Ya eres un ávido observador de aves y fotógrafo? Encuentra y toma una foto de un ave de tu lista y súbela a eBird.

Watsonville Slough Farm contiene 245 acres de humedales y hábitat terrestre, junto con 245 acres de tierras agrícolas. Con humedales y pastizales superpuestos, esta área es un hábitat importante para la anidación y alimentación de aves, albergando a especies de rapaces como el halcón cola roja, el cernícalo americano y el halcón de Cooper. El otoño es una excelente temporada para la observación de aves en este lugar, con avistamientos de somormujos, cormoranes y pelícanos, patos, garzas y garcetas, ¡y más!

Donde congregarse: Watsonville Slough Farm- Bee Barn, 560 Harkins Slough Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

🔴 302 Rana Creek Preserve [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8am - 12pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous hike along a dirt path, adjustments can be made

Please join The Wildlands Conservancy for a birding walk on the Rana Creek Preserve! Not yet open to the public, it will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the exceptional birding Carmel Valley has to offer. The walk will follow an unused road through some of the best oak woodland habitat remaining in Central California. Home to California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, and Yellow-billed Magpies, this location also offers the chance to encounter many other oak-loving species. Prepare for walking in mostly sunny conditions by bringing water, sunscreen, and sun protection. Please carpool where possible.

Leader: Everitt Keneipp and the Wildlands Conservancy
Meeting Spot: 35351 E Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley CA

🔴 303 Birdability Field Trip: Accessible Asilomar [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy, ADA accessible

Join us for a fully ADA accessible birding adventure at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds! We will be looking for classic Monterey pine forest species such as Pygmy Nuthatches and Acorn Woodpeckers, plus raptors like Red-shouldered Hawks and White-tailed Kites. Getting down to the coast, we can spy on shorebirds like the Black Oystercatcher, Whimbrel and cormorant species. We will have a spotting scope to share as well. We'll travel at a slow pace to better locate birds and have regular stops as needed. Bring a hat and sunscreen as there is little shade on the trail. On the flip side, if it's foggy it could be cold, so bring a jacket too.
You may park anywhere on the Asilomar Conference Grounds for free as long as you're in a designated parking space. The closest parking is Lot F: take a right at the fork as you enter the Conference Grounds. Two handicapped parking spots are available directly adjacent to the Social Hall/Guest Check-In building. We will meet on the west-side patio of the Social Hall/Guest Check-In building for this field trip. There is an ADA accessible restroom inside the Social Hall, along with a cafe to get a hot drink and snack as needed.

Leader: Amanda Preece
Meeting Spot: 800 Asilomar Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (also listed as Phoebe's Cafe on Google Maps)

🔴 312 Sea Watch / Seabird Sit Spot [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 3pm- 5pm
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy, Stationary birding with optics (can be a seated activity)

Jutting out at the extreme southwestern edge of Monterey Bay, Pinos Pinos is one of the best spots to seawatch on the West Coast. “Seawatching” is a type of birding that’s rather self-explanatory: watching the sea from land with the goal of seeing seabirds! The key to successful seawatching is a mix of geography, seasonality, weather, patience, and persistence. With the deepwater Monterey Canyon and its cold, nutrient-rich waters upwelling just offshore from Point Pinos, which is situated at the outermost tip of the Monterey Peninsula, an immense diversity of seabirds and marine mammals can be seen here throughout the year. In the fall and winter, migrating seaducks, loons, and alcids can be expected in abundance.

Strong offshore winds can push these species usually only seen by boat closer to the Point, making seawatching an accessible way to go seabirding without the price of a pelagic trip ticket or risk of seasickness. However, it can still be bitterly cold and blustery on the best seawatching days, so it’s always best to check the weather before heading out and dress comfortably for long periods of stationary birding! We’ll bring spotting scopes and binoculars to share, and will plan to remain at Pinos Pinos for the duration of the field trip, where you’ll have the opportunity to practice identifying seabirds by their flight style, behavior, and shape as they navigate the waves offshore. This event is beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone new to seawatching!

Leader: Monterey Audubon Society
Meeting Spot: Point Pinos

🟢 313 Birds & Poetry at Historic Tor House [3 remaining]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 10 am- 1 pm
Location: Carmel
Activity Level: Easy, light walking with stops for poetry reading. Trails are mostly flat, but not quite roller friendly

Join for a morning of poetry and birds! This slower moving walk on a limited access property is great for those with an appreciation of Carmel history, poetry and nature! It will start at The Tor House Garden with a poetry reading and bird watching from the garden space. Then walk the property for some birding and more stops for poetry written by Robinson Jeffers. Likely birds to see are Pelicans, Cormorants, a variety of song birds. Tor House is near the Carmel River and may have some riparian dwelling species passing through.

Leader: Evalina (BSP) and Tor House Docents
Meeting Spot: Tor House (26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel) - parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged and come a bit early to find space.

🟢 314 Siente el Slough con Latino Outdoors [Sold Out]

Date: October 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Will involve kayaking for around 2 hours. No experience is necessary, but come prepared for paddling.

Join Latino Outdoors Central Coast for a bilingual guided tour of Elkhorn Slough in celebration of Monterey Bay Festival of Birds. Great for families and no experience required.
Únase a Latino Outdoors Central Coast para un tour guiado en Elkhorn Slough en celebracion del Festival de Aves de la Bahia de Monterey. Familias bienvenidas y no se requiere experiencia.


Leader: Juan Ramirez and Latino Outdoors Central Coast
Meeting Spot: Kayak Connection, Moss Landing

🟠 103 Arboretum Birding [2 remaining]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 9 am - 11:30 am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity: Easy to Moderate, mostly dirt paths, starting flat with some uphill

The fields and forests of the UC Santa Cruz campus are home to a diversity of birds! With migration season, enjoy observing both resident birds and passers through- from hummingbirds to hawks. We will begin our walk in the UCSC Arboretum, an internationally famous collection of plant species from the climatically similar regions in Australia and South Africa. We will emerge into the Great Meadow above where hawks and vultures are regularly observed hunting and interacting. We will also stop to observe the plentiful array of other bird species that call this campus home, and grow our bird lists as we go. Children are encouraged to attend.

Leader: TBA
Meeting spot: Meet at UCSC Arboretum, Arboretum Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Meet at the interpretive sign near the roundabout in the parking lot.
Entrance fee: $10-13 per person. Free for Arboretum members.

🔴 104 Birding Ponderosa Lodge [Sold Out]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 8:30am - 11:30am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate. Mostly dirt roads and forest trails through pine and oak woodland. Surfaces may be uneven with some gentle inclines.

Join the wonderful Paul Miller for a walk through a unique area of the Santa Cruz Mountains that is typically closed to the public. Part of the federally protected Zayante Sandhills region, this remarkable habitat supports several rare and endangered species, including the Mount Hermon June Beetle. Dominated by pine forests and live oaks, the area is also home to an impressive diversity of birds. Pileated Woodpeckers are a regular highlight, along with Acorn Woodpeckers, Pygmy Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Northern Flickers, and many other forest species.

Leader: Paul Miller
Meeting Spot: We'll meet at Juvenile Hall (3650 Graham Hill Rd.) in the first parking lot off the road before walking into Ponderosa Lodge, part of the Mount Hermon property, to explore this special landscape.

🔴 105 Beginner Birding: Younger Lagoon / Antonelli Pond [Sold Out]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Moderate

California's coastal prairie is one of the state's most biologically diverse ecosystems. Join this beginner-friendly bird walk through the special-access Younger Lagoon Reserve, across UCSC's coastal prairie, and down to Antonelli Pond.
This diverse landscape includes coastal prairie, willow thickets, riparian habitat, and a large freshwater pond, offering excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of birds. Antonelli Pond regularly hosts Pied-billed Grebes, Green Herons, Belted Kingfishers, and a variety of waterfowl. During fall and winter, we'll keep an eye out for the elusive American Bittern, Palm Warbler, wintering sparrows, and raptors hunting over the open fields.
After the walk, participants can continue birding on their own with a visit to nearby West Cliff Drive and the beaches of Santa Cruz's Westside.

Leader: Jenny Rieke
Meeting Spot: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Meet at the whale skeleton for check in and the group will walk over to Younger Lagoon together.

🔴 106 California Specialties [Sold Out]

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. – Full-day trip (end time will vary)
Location: Moss Landing to Paicines (San Benito County)
Activity Level: Moderate, mostly car-based

Experience an incredible diversity of California birds on this full-day, car-based caravan from the Monterey Bay coast to the inland foothills of San Benito County. We'll begin in Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough, searching for coastal specialties including loons, alcids, Snowy Plovers, and other shorebirds before heading inland through a variety of habitats in search of some of California's most sought-after species.
Target birds may include Yellow-billed Magpie, Bell's Sparrow, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Tricolored Blackbird, and many others, depending on conditions.
Please note: This trip begins in Moss Landing but ends near Paicines and does not return to the starting location as a group. Participants should plan for a full day in the field, and the exact ending time will depend on bird activity and travel conditions.

Leader: Kumaran Arul
Meeting Spot: Moss Landing (exact meeting location provided prior to the trip). Participants will caravan and arrange carpools before departing.

🔴 107 Birds Through the Eyes of a Nature Journal [Sold Out]

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Low, light walking with stationary journaling
Materials: Sketchbook or journal and pen, colored pencils/other journaling materials optional

Want to feed your love of birds while learning who's at the feeder? Or remember the details of a new bird you spotted? Discover how a birding journal can enrich your birding while sharpening the skills you already use in the field.

Learn how and practice simple strategies to strengthen your observation skills, improve recall, bird song, behaviors, and deepen your understanding of birds. Simple strategies done through sketches, notes, and curiosity. Whether you're keeping a life list or enjoying the birds in your yard, you'll create a lasting record of your encounters, notice more, ask better questions, and enrich every birding adventure.

We will meet in the parking lot at Jetty Rd. No drawing experience is needed, just curiosity and a love of birds. Bring a sketchbook or journal and pen. Colored pencils are optional. Journaling kits will be available for purchase.

Leader: Melinda Nakagawa
Meeting Spot: Moss Landing Jetty Rd

🔴 108 Elkhorn Ranch Birding and Nature Tour [Sold Out]

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 8 am - 11 am
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Moderate. Walking on uneven dirt roads with some uphill.

This is a rare opportunity to bird on the historic Elkhorn Ranch, a privately owned property in Moss Landing that is seldom open to the public. Home to Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery, the ranch originally produced California native grass seed for restoring the surrounding landscape and continues to supply locally sourced seed for habitat restoration projects throughout the region.
Beyond the nursery, we'll explore rolling hills, oak woodlands, willow-lined wetlands, conifer groves, a freshwater pond, and overlooks of Elkhorn Slough. Keep an eye out for White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, California Quail, Western Meadowlarks, woodpeckers, sparrows, and migratory songbirds throughout the ranch. Around the pond and wetlands, look for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and other waterbirds, while the ranch's nest boxes are often bustling with Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Western Bluebirds.

Leader: Vicente Martinez, Bird School Instructor
Meeting Spot: The parking lot at J & S Army Surplus Store - 1956 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039. Meet in the lot. We will arrange groups to drive to the ranch.

🔴 109 Sunset Boat Trip [Sold Out]

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Easy, ADA accessible electric catamaran

This Friday evening boat trip takes place aboard Monterey Bay Eco Tours' El Cat, a fully electric catamaran custom-built in Moss Landing. As the evening light settles over Elkhorn Slough, you'll glide silently through one of California's most important wetlands and a vital stop along the Pacific Flyway.
October brings an exciting mix of resident and migratory birds. Watch for Brown Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Brandt's, Double-crested, and Pelagic Cormorants, Belted Kingfishers, and a variety of shorebirds including Marbled Godwits, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, and dowitchers. Early fall waterfowl may also begin arriving, adding to the diversity of species found throughout the slough.
Along the way, you'll also have opportunities to observe southern sea otters, harbor seals, California sea lions, and other wildlife that make Elkhorn Slough such an exceptional estuary.

Leader: Monterey Bay Eco Tours
Meeting Spot: 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing CA 95039
Parking is available across the street.

🔴 110 Point Pinos and Lighthouse Loop [1 remaining]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy, flat but gravel walkways

Looking for coastal and seabirds? Join us at Point Pinos and the rocky shores of Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove! This is a great spot to look for coastside birds like Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, Ruddy Turnstones, Black Oystercatchers among others. We'll look for a variety of gulls and cormorants and might also spot sea otters or harbor seals in the ocean.

Depending on recent sightings and if timing allows, we may bird watch in a nearby hotspot to look for any fall migrants or vagrants.

Leader: Monterey Audubon Society
Meeting Spot: Meet in the gravel parking lot on the ocean side of the road across from the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

🔴 111 Owls of Robinson Canyon [Sold Out]

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 9 pm - 12 am
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Easy - mostly a car caravan, making stops to listen and look for owls.
Robinson Canyon is one of California's premier locations for owling. We'll travel by car to several listening stops, searching for the calls and, with luck, glimpses of the area's nocturnal birds. Western Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls are the species most often encountered, while Northern Pygmy-Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Barn Owls, and the endangered California Spotted Owl are all possible.
Please note that this trip focuses on listening for owls, and most birds are more likely to be heard than seen. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, dress warmly, and be prepared for a memorable night in one of California's best owling locations.

Leader: Steve Rovell
Meeting Spot: REI Parking Lot- 145 General Stilwell Dr Marina, CA 93933. There is an option to meet at the Safeway in the Mid-Valley Shopping Center in Carmel Valley if the leader is informed beforehand.

🔴 112 Evening Bird Walk at Laguna Grande [Sold Out]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 5:30pm- 7pm
Location: Seaside/Monterey
Activity Level: Easy; one-mile paved, accessible loop with frequent stops.

Families, beginning birders, and anyone looking for a relaxed bird walk are invited to explore Laguna Grande, a shallow freshwater lake on the border of Monterey and Seaside. This easy, one-mile accessible loop follows a wide, paved trail around the lake.
Cattail marshes, willow thickets, and open water provide habitat for a wide variety of birds. In October, look for Pied-billed Grebes, Great Blue Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Belted Kingfishers, American Coots, and a variety of ducks and migrating songbirds. Phalaropes are occasionally seen during fall migration, and one of the highlights is the large Double-crested Cormorant rookery. With more than 250 bird species recorded here, every visit offers something new.
Kids and beginning birders are especially encouraged!

Leader: Bird School Project- Natalie Shuman
Meeting Spot: Monterey side of Laguna Grande Regional Park, 401 Virgin Ave., Monterey, CA 93940. Meet at the picnic tables next to the volleyball court.

🟢 113 Pajaro Dunes & River Mouth - Special-Access Birding [6 remaining]

Date: Friday October 9, 2026
Time: 7 am- 11 am
Location: Watsonville
Activity Level: Moderate - mostly flat, but some hiking on sand and uneven surfaces.

We will be birding along the Watsonville Slough to the beach at Pajaro Dunes, a private, gated community. Meet at the end of Beach Street near the gate at Pajaro Dunes. Please do not park in the Palm Beach State Park lot – it is a $10.00 day-use fee. We will consolidate into as few vehicles as possible. Each participant must provide their license plate info and a cell phone number to get a pass. There are a few parking spots as you enter the gate, straight ahead, as well as to the right, for registration.

We will proceed along the slough and make an initial stop at Avocet Circle to bird a hotspot there. Afterward, we will proceed to the parking lot on Sandpiper Lane, about 3/4 mile south on Rio Boca beyond the ball field and before the tennis courts.

We will bird the confluence of the slough and Pajaro River, then proceed to bird the beach. A jaeger or falcon is possible! We will study the differences between plovers, Sanderlings, Willets, godwits, curlews, and Whimbrels. Afterward, and time permitting, we will go to Shorebirds Pond, also a private community at the end of Shell Road. PLEASE park along the road - do not use the spaces by the entrance gatehouse. They will allow us to use their restroom. We will bird around the allowed areas. Migrant warblers are possible in the eucalyptus trees, as well as interesting birds in and by the pond. This trip offers a variety of freshwater marsh species, passerines, shorebirds, seabirds, raptors, and ducks! I will check us in at both locations.

Leader: Lisa Larson
Meeting Spot: We will be meeting at the end of Beach Street near the gate at Pajaro Dunes. Please do not park in the Palm Beach State Park lot – it is a $10.00 day-use fee. We will consolidate into as few vehicles as possible.

🟠 207 Arboretum Birding [4 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 9am- 11:30am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity: Easy to Moderate, mostly dirt paths, starting flat with some uphill

The fields and forests of the UC Santa Cruz campus are home to a diversity of birds! With migration season, enjoy observing both resident birds and passers through- from hummingbirds to hawks. We will begin our walk in the UCSC Arboretum, an internationally famous collection of plant species from the climatically similar regions in Australia and South Africa. We will emerge into the Great Meadow above where hawks and vultures are regularly observed hunting and interacting. We will also stop to observe the plentiful array of other bird species that call this campus home, and grow our bird lists as we go. Children are encouraged to attend.

Leader: TBA
Meeting Spot: Meet at UCSC Arboretum, Arboretum Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Meet at the interpretive sign near the roundabout in the parking lot.
Entrance fee: $10-13 per person. Free for Arboretum members.

🔴 208 Birding Ponderosa Lodge [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8:30am- 11:30am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate. Mostly dirt roads and forest trails through pine and oak woodland. Surfaces may be uneven with some gentle inclines.
Join the wonderful Paul Miller for a walk through a unique area of the Santa Cruz Mountains that is typically closed to the public. Part of the federally protected Zayante Sandhills region, this remarkable habitat supports several rare and endangered species, including the Mount Hermon June Beetle. Dominated by pine forests and live oaks, the area is also home to an impressive diversity of birds. Pileated Woodpeckers are a regular highlight, along with Acorn Woodpeckers, Pygmy Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, Northern Flickers, and many other forest species.

Leader: Paul Miller
Meeting Spot: We'll meet at Juvenile Hall (3650 Graham Hill Rd.) in the first parking lot off the road before walking into Ponderosa Lodge, part of the Mount Hermon property, to explore this special landscape.

🟠 209 Pinto Lake- A Local Favorite [1 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8 am - 10:30 am
Location: Watsonville
Activity Level: Moderate - This is a large park so be prepared for some stairs, sometimes narrow trails, poison oak and close to 3 miles of walking.
Bilingual Leader

Pinto Lake is home to numerous raptors, woodpeckers, waders, songbirds and especially waterfowl in the fall. If you are looking for California specialities there should be California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Steller's and California Scrub-jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, California Thrasher and Towhee. We’ll wander the trails of Pinto Lake County Park searching for these and other birds. This trip is recommended for both beginners and experienced birders as something unusual nearly always shows up.

Leader: Carlos Mendoza
Meeting Spot: Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076. Park in the lot near the dog park (first lot on the right). Meet in front of the dog park.

🟠 210 Beginning Mindful Photography Workshop [1 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 10am- 1pm
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Easy, primarily flat dirt walking area, stopping for photography
Materials: Bring your camera and any associated tools you want to learn with

Ever wanted to master bird photography? This hands-on workshop is perfect for beginners. Join Seraphina Landgrebe, an award-winning photographer with extensive teaching experience both locally and internationally. Elevate your skills and capture stunning bird photos under her expert guidance.
These workshops are focused on learning basic and advanced photographic skills with the intention of learning to ID birds. Mindful photography means when in the field photographing one is aware of and observant of the environment as well the "Birds Space" to not disturb them or habitat.
Don't miss this chance to learn from the best and take your bird photography to the next level! For more of Seraphina's work, visit: https://seraphinalandgrebe.smugmug.com

Leader: Serephina Landgrebe
Meeting Spot: Jetty Rd, Moss Landing

🟠 211 Advanced Mindful Bird Photography Workshop [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 2pm- 5pm
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Easy, primarily flat dirt walking area, stopping for photography

Ever wanted to master bird photography? This hands-on workshop is perfect for birders well into their photography journey. Join Seraphina Landgrebe, an award-winning photographer with extensive teaching experience both locally and internationally. Elevate your skills and capture stunning bird photos under her expert guidance.
These workshops are focused on learning basic and advanced photographic skills with the intention of learning to ID birds. Mindful photography means when in the field photographing one is aware of and observant of the environment as well the "Birds Space" to not disturb them or habitat.
Don't miss this chance to learn from the best and take your bird photography to the next level! For more of Seraphina's work, visit: https://seraphinalandgrebe.smugmug.com

Leader: Seraphina Landgrebe
Meeting Spot: Jetty Rd, Moss Landing

🔴 212 Elkhorn Ranch Birding and Nature Tour [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 8 am - 11 am
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Moderate. Walking on uneven dirt roads.

This is a rare opportunity to bird on the historic Elkhorn Ranch, a privately owned property in Moss Landing that is seldom open to the public. Home to Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery, the ranch originally produced California native grass seed for restoring the surrounding landscape and continues to supply locally sourced seed for habitat restoration projects throughout the region.
Beyond the nursery, we'll explore rolling hills, oak woodlands, willow-lined wetlands, conifer groves, a freshwater pond, and overlooks of Elkhorn Slough. Keep an eye out for White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, California Quail, Western Meadowlarks, woodpeckers, sparrows, and migratory songbirds throughout the ranch. Around the pond and wetlands, look for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and other waterbirds, while the ranch's nest boxes are often bustling with Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Western Bluebirds.

Leader: Kevin Condon
Meeting Spot: The parking lot at J & S Army Surplus Store - 1956 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039. Meet in the lot. We will arrange groups to drive to the ranch.

🔴 213 Pinnacles Birding [1 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 7:00 am- 3:00 pm
Location: Pinnacles, carpooling from Hollister
*This trip will have an extra fee for National Park entrance*
Activity Level: Moderate to strenuous

Join us for a fun carpooling trip to Pinnacles National Park on Saturday, October 10th. We will go south on Highway 25, entering the park on its east side and from there hike the 2.5 mile Reservoir Loop. This hike is listed as "moderately" difficult and does include a fairly steady climb of several hundred feet as well as spots where participants will have to walk over uneven surfaces and duck below low rock overhangs. In exchange for this, we get to pass through a variety of habitats, including oak groves, chaparral, and riparian woodland. Afterwards we will eat our lunch picnic style at the Visitors Center near the campground, which presents one of our best chances for picking up California Condor. Other possible birds include Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, Yellow-billed Magpies, Acorn and Nuttall's Woodpeckers, California Thrasher, Wrentit, White-throated Swifts, and Bell's Sparrow.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and hiking clothes, bring plenty of water, and be aware that there is very little in the way of food available for purchase in the park so please make sure to bring your lunch with you in the morning. After our trip to the park and time permitting, we will return to Hollister using several of the back roads through the Santa Ana Valley, an excellent area for raptors and grassland birds. The plan is to be back in Hollister by 3:00 pm.

Leader: RJ Adams
Meeting Spot: Meet at 8 am at the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and Nature Center , $30 per car entrance fee, unless you have an annual pass.
For individuals interested in carpooling, please meet at the Starbucks at 1730 Airline Highway in Hollister at 6:45 a.m. We will then leave for Pinnacles at 7:00 sharp. The park does fill up rapidly so getting there first thing in the morning is important and carpooling will help everyone.

🟢 214 Fall Migration Birding at Palo Corona [9 remaining]

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Moderate 2-mile loop that is flat and mostly paved

The Carmel River runs through the Rancho Cañada Unit of Palo Corona Regional Park and includes the South Bank Trail. This is a natural vagrant trap in the fall. Past field trips saw six species of warblers and six species of sparrows among a wider variety of birds. It’s also a good place for out-of-towners to build their California state list!


Leader: Rita Carratello
Meeting Spot: Meet in the parking lot for Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. Meet in front of the flagpole, next to the visitor center.

🔴 215 Owls of Robinson Canyon [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 9 pm- 12 am
Location: Carmel Valley
Activity Level: Easy - mostly a car caravan, making stops to listen and look for owls.
Robinson Canyon is one of California's premier locations for owling. We'll travel by car to several listening stops, searching for the calls and, with luck, glimpses of the area's nocturnal birds. Western Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls are the species most often encountered, while Northern Pygmy-Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls, Barn Owls, and the endangered California Spotted Owl are all possible.
Please note that this trip focuses on listening for owls, and most birds are more likely to be heard than seen. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, dress warmly, and be prepared for a memorable night in one of California's best owling locations.
Leader: Steve Rovell
Meeting Spot: REI Parking Lot- 145 General Stilwell Dr Marina, CA 93933. There is an option to meet at the Safeway in the Mid-Valley Shopping Center in Carmel Valley if the leader is informed beforehand.

🟢 216 Coastal Birding & Wildlife at Lovers Point [7 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM- 11 AM
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy, mostly following the coastal trail pathway. Can be a mix of gravel but stays flat with varying width

Starting at the rocky point in Pacific Grove, journey along the Coastal Trail to take in sea and shore birds. Walking along the southern point of the Monterey Bay with rocky tide pools galore, you can find many Gulls, Oystercatchers, Surfbirds, Pelicans and more! This is a great trip for those looking to practice with their shorebirds, interested in the potential viewing of both birds and marine mammals. Christina comes with the artist's eye for the birds, and Erin brings in a biologist background, both creating a wonderful experience for birders from a variety of interests and experiences.

Leaders: Christina Baal and Erin Lehnert
Meeting Spot: Lovers Point, meet by the butterfly statue in the grass park

🔴 217 Pelagic Birding [Sold Out]

Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Monterey
Activity Level: Easy (ocean conditions may vary)

Monterey Bay's deep submarine canyon and cold-water upwelling create one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the West Coast, making it an exceptional destination for pelagic birding. Join Monterey Bay Whale Watch, Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, and Monterey Audubon Society as we venture offshore in search of the incredible seabirds and marine wildlife that thrive in these nutrient-rich waters.
Depending on conditions, you may encounter shearwaters, gulls, pelicans, phalaropes, alcids, jaegers, and other pelagic species. Keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life that frequently share these waters.
Please note that ocean conditions can vary, and we strongly recommend taking seasickness precautions if you are prone to motion sickness.
Restrictions: For safety reasons, individuals with serious heart conditions or who have recently had surgery may not participate. There are no age restrictions.

Leaders: Monterey Bay Whale Watch, Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, and Monterey Audubon Society

Meeting Location: Monterey Bay Whale Watch, 84 Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940.

🟢 218 Special Access Birding: Younger Lagoon Reserve + Antonelli Pond [10 remaining]

Date: Saturday October 10, 2026
Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Moderate
California's coastal prairie is one of the state's most biologically diverse ecosystems. Join this beginner-friendly bird walk through the special-access Younger Lagoon Reserve, across UCSC's coastal prairie, and down to Antonelli Pond.
This diverse landscape includes coastal prairie, willow thickets, riparian habitat, and a large freshwater pond, offering excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of birds. Antonelli Pond regularly hosts Pied-billed Grebes, Green Herons, Belted Kingfishers, and a variety of waterfowl. During fall and winter, we'll keep an eye out for the elusive American Bittern, Palm Warbler, wintering sparrows, and raptors hunting over the open fields.
After the walk, participants can continue birding on their own with a visit to nearby West Cliff Drive and the beaches of Santa Cruz's Westside.
Leader: Phil Brown
Meeting Spot: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Meet at the whale skeleton for check in and the group will walk over to Younger Lagoon together.

🟢 219 Birding Glenwood Open Space: Meadows, Wetlands & Forest [12 remaining]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8 am- 11 am
Location: Scotts Valley
Activity Level: Moderate, dirt trails with light uphill

Explore this scenic preserve managed by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley, where meadows, wetlands, and forest provide habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. Once the proposed development site of a golf course and tract home community, Glenwood now provides protected habitat for a large number of rare and endangered species, including the Ohlone Tiger Beetle, Opler’s Longhorn Moth, Scotts Valley Spineflower, and Northwestern Pond Turtle. Notable bird species encountered here in the fall include Northern Flicker, California Thrasher, Wrentit, Western Bluebird, and several woodpecker species.

Leader: Elena Scott
Meeting Spot: East Glenwood Open Space Preserve Parking
(37.06862553719356, -122.00499933039178)

🟠 304 California Specialties & Nest Boxes at Quail Hollow Ranch [7 remaining]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 10am- 12pm
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Moderate

Quail Hollow Ranch hosts a great diversity of habitats, including the endemic Santa Cruz sandhills, offering a good opportunity to see many of the western birds and California specialties. There is a chance to encounter Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Thrasher, Wrentit, and more. This is also an excellent opportunity to see Quail Hollow nest box projects for Western Bluebirds, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and other cavity nesters while birding the area.

Leader: Chris Soriano
Meeting Spot: Parking lot at Quail Hollow Ranch - 800 Quail Hollow Rd, Felton, CA 95018. Park in the free parking lot and meet in front of the park office.

🟢 305 Beginner Birding + Special Access: Younger Lagoon Reserve [9 remaining]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 11:30am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity Level: Moderate

California’s coastal prairie habitats are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the state. Join Jess on a beginner friendly bird walk through the special access Younger Lagoon Reserve, coastal prairie at UCSC, and down to Antonelli Pond. The property embraces a large, freshwater pond as well as adjacent riparian lands. Antonelli Pond attracts a variety of waterbirds and the surrounding willow thickets are a haven for migrants and some nesting riparian species. Pied-billed Grebe nests here, and Green Heron and Belted Kingfisher are regular much of the year. Search for a rare American Bittern in the fall and winter. To the west of the pond, search in the open scrub and adjacent areas for fall and winter raptors, sparrows, and other birds of open fields. Palm Warbler is a regular fall visitor, and a variety of unusual sparrows turn up here. After this trip, you can walk or drive down the road to explore West Cliff Drive and the beaches on the Westside of Santa Cruz.

Leader: TBA
Meeting Spot: 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Meet at the whale skeleton for check in and the group will walk over to Younger Lagoon together.

🔴 306 A Walk Among the Hawks- 10/11/26 [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 9am- 11:30am
Location: Santa Cruz
Activity: Easy to Moderate, mostly dirt paths, starting flat with some uphill

The fields and forests of the UC Santa Cruz campus are home to a diversity of birds of prey. Our group will learn the basics of where to look for raptors and how to quickly identify birds to family, genus, and species. September is migration season for hawks so we will observe both resident birds and passers through. We will begin our walk in the UCSC Arboretum, an internationally famous collection of plant species from the climatically similar regions in Australia and South Africa, and emerge into the Great Meadow above where hawks and vultures are regularly observed hunting and interacting. We will also stop to observe the plentiful array of other bird species that call this campus home, and grow our bird lists as we go. Children are encouraged to attend.

Leader: Zeka Glucs of the Predatory Bird Research Group
Meeting spot: Meet at UCSC Arboretum, Arboretum Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Meet at the interpretive sign near the roundabout in the parking lot.
Entrance fee: $10-13 per person. Free for Arboretum members.

🔴 307 Elkhorn Ranch Birding and Nature Tour - 10/11/26 [Sold Out]

307 Elkhorn Ranch Birding and Nature Tour

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8 am - 11 am
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Moderate. Walking on uneven dirt roads.

This is a rare opportunity to bird on the historic Elkhorn Ranch private property in Moss Landing. Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery, located on the property, originally produced California native grass seed for the ranchland’s restoration. The nursery now produces seed for restoration projects throughout the area. You’ll be able to go beyond the nursery on this trip to walk the hills. Birding is superb here, since there is a freshwater pond, as well as grassy hillsides, oaks, willows, conifers, and a stunning overview of Elkhorn Slough.

Leader: Kevin Condon
Meeting Spot: The parking lot at J & S Army Surplus Store - 1956 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039. Meet in the lot. We will arrange groups to drive to the ranch.

🔴 308 Morning Boat Tour - Birding the Elkhorn Slough [1 remaining]

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Time: 10 am - 11:30 am
Location: Moss Landing
Activity Level: Minimal walking and wheelchair accessible catamaran

Join us on a one-of-a-kind, electric-powered catamaran ride for a wildlife tour along one of California’s largest intertidal waterways and a major pit stop along the Pacific Flyway, the Elkhorn Slough. Fall migration season is kicking off, and we are seeing an increase in bird species and diversity. A naturalist will be on board to assist in bird and wildlife spotting, providing insight into the natural wonders of the Slough, talk about the conservation efforts taking place in the area, and to answer any questions. Our naturalists are experienced and always informed about the happenings in the Slough to educate you about the nature of the wetland, its inhabitants, and fun facts about the area. There is a bathroom on board as well!

Leader: Monterey Bay EcoTours
Meeting Spot: 10932 Clam Way, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Parking available across the street.

🔴 309 Point Pinos Birding [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8 am - 12 pm
Location: Pacific Grove
Activity Level: Easy, flat but gravel walkways

Looking for coastal and seabirds? Visit the area around Point Pinos and the rocky shores of Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove! This is a great spot to look for coastside birds like Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, Ruddy Turnstones, Black Oystercatchers among others. We'll look for a variety of gulls and cormorants and might also spot sea otters or harbor seals in the ocean. Depending on recent sightings and if timing allows, we may bird in a nearby hotspot to look for any fall migrants or vagrants.

Leader: Vinayak Hebbagil and Shweta Shidhore
Meeting Spot: Meet in the gravel parking lot on the ocean side of the road across from the Point Pinos Lighthouse.

🔴 310 Beginner Friendly Birding at Hatton Canyon [Sold Out]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8:30 am - 12 pm
Location: Carmel
Activity Level: Easy
Bilingual Leader

Everyone from experienced to beginning and young birders are encouraged to join on this Hatton Canyon and the Carmel Mission trail will offer a leisurely birding walk on flat trails (3.2 miles out and back) through riparian and tall pine woodlands. This is a heavily forested area with a large number of bird species. Regularly seen and heard species include Pygmy Nuthatches, Wrentits, Acorn Woodpeckers, California Thrashers, Band-tailed Pigeons, both Scrub and Steller's Jays, and California Quails. Last year we also saw fifteen Townsend's Warblers and one Black-throated Gray Warbler along this walk. Open to all birding levels, this trip will be slow-paced, and we will be taking the time to appreciate bird behavior along the way. We will be listening for birds as well as looking for them and we will be keeping an e-bird list as we go. Se habla español.

Leader: Nicole Barden
Meeting Spot: Hatton Canyon - Meet at the parking area behind the "From Scratch Restaurant" located off Carmel Rancho Blvd. (36.541124, -121.907868)

🟢 311 Beginner & Family Birding at Laguna Grande [11 remaining]

Date: Sunday October 11, 2026
Time: 8am- 11am
Location: Seaside/Monterey
Activity Level: Easy, dirt trail is ADA accessible

Families, beginning birders, and anyone looking for a relaxed bird walk are invited to explore Laguna Grande, a shallow freshwater lake on the border of Monterey and Seaside. This easy, one-mile accessible loop follows a wide, paved trail around the lake.
Cattail marshes, willow thickets, and open water provide habitat for a wide variety of birds. In October, look for Pied-billed Grebes, Great Blue Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Belted Kingfishers, American Coots, and a variety of ducks and migrating songbirds. Phalaropes are occasionally seen during fall migration, and one of the highlights is the large Double-crested Cormorant rookery. With more than 250 bird species recorded here, every visit offers something new.
Kids and beginning birders are especially encouraged!
Leader: Daniel Quackenbush
Meeting Spot: Near the Chili's parking lot on the Seaside side of Laguna Grande Regional Park