Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.

This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge! This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever.

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Description TBD

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join Professional Photographer Krisztina Scheeff / KS Nature Photography for a look at the amazing courtship behaviors of Western and Clark's Grebes...and other species that live on the lakes of North County San Diego. 

What to bring: binoculars, water, snack if you like, camera if you like, and your happy self. Other gear: hat, sunscreen, bug spray (some days there are little tiny flies like to visit the water’s edge). Please wear comfortable shoes, hiking boots are ideal. Walk is on flat paved road with a short walk on sand to the shore, about 2 mile round trip. We will walk slow, birding and taking photos as we go. 

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.

This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join us for a captivating birding event exploring North County Birding Hotspots in San Diego, hosted by the Palomar Audubon Society. This guided tour will take you to two of the region's prime birdwatching locations: Whelan Lake and Batiquitos Lagoon. Both sites offer an exceptional variety of bird species, from waterfowl to migratory songbirds, making them perfect for birders of all levels. Our first stop, Whelan Lake, is known for its scenic beauty and diverse bird populations. As we stroll along the trails, keep an eye out for Eared Grebes and Westeren Grebes gracefully diving in the water. You may also spot Northern Shovlers and American Wigeons in the lake's calm waters. On the surrounding brush and trees, look for Spotted Towhees, Cactus Wrens, and Black-Throated Sparrows. Next, we will head to Batiquitos Lagoon, a coastal wetland that provides a crucial stopover for migrating birds along the Pacific Flyway. As we walk the trails and boardwalks, be on the lookout for Long-Billed Curlews, Marbled Godwits, and Sanderlings foraging along the mudflats at low tide. Whimbrels and Least Sandpipers are also common here, while the lagoon’s shallow waters attract Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets hunting for fish. This event is a wonderful opportunity to explore the birding treasures of North County San Diego while learning from knowledgeable guides from the Palomar Audubon Society. Bring your binoculars, a field guide, and your love of birds as we explore these hotspots and discover the fascinating world of local and migratory bird species. Whelan Lake and Batiquitos, with Palomar Audubon Society.

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge! This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever!

The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center, with breakfast served before our early morning departure. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip. The start time of this trip indicates the time the bus intends to leave. Please plan accordingly.

Experience the breathtaking La Jolla Cove coastline, where birds and sea mammals thrive along the rugged shores. This outing offers views of birds that prefer rocky outcropings, such as Surfbirds and Wandering Tattlers. It is also an exellent opportunity to see pelagic birds from land. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Black Oystercatcher, Black-vented Shearwater, and Pelagic Cormorant. Participants are encouraged to bring a spotting scope or borrow one to fully take in the spectacular coastal wildlife.

You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. Lunch is not provided.

Tecolote Canyon is one of several protected urban canyons in the San Diego area. It was once home to the Kumeyaay people, who named it for the small owls found there. Now managed by the City of San Diego, it features several miles of trails, native plants and wildlife. 

Birds that are here for the entire year include hawks, Anna’s Hummingbird, California Thrasher, House Wren, Wrentit, and both California and Spotted Towhees. 

Expect a moderate walk with some uneven ground, as well as slight uphills. Restrooms are available in the Nature Center.

We will meet in the parking lot for the Tecolote Canyon Nature Center. You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. 

Join us for Birding & Biking at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations.
This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels. Starting at Marina Village, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows. As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Elegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars. Cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for them!  Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.

This field trip includes use of a bicycle and a helmet. If you have your own bike, please sign up for the Birding by Bike (BYOBike)

Join us for Birding & Biking at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations.
This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels. Starting at Marina Village, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Western Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows. As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Elegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars. Cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for them!  Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.

 
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.

If you sign up for this version of the field trip, you must bring your own bike and helmet.

A walk with Opticron's Chip Clouse and the Friends of Famosa Slough for birding and to learn about the extraordinary continuing effort of the local community to save this urban oasis for birds. Famosa Slough is located in the heart of urban San Diego between Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Ocean Beach. This marine protected area sits within a remnant 30-acre wetland. Famosa Slough, a narrow 12-acre natural channel connecting the San Diego River estuary and the Pacific Ocean, allows tidal salt water to mix with fresh water from the local watershed to form a unique estuarine environment. During high tides, larval marine fish and invertebrates are able to enter the wetland. Calm, protected, brackish water provides habitat for fish, crustaceans, and plants. Because it is a significant feeding and resting site for ducks, herons, terns, and a multitude of shorebirds, birdwatching is popular here.  Participants will want to bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen, water and snacks if you want them. Much of the area is viewable from a flat dirt, accessible area. The dirt paths around parts of the slough are not all easily accessed using wheel chairs or other mobility assisting devices. There are no restroom facilities at the Famosa Slough.

You must provide your own transportation for this field trip. The Slough is located at 4275 West Point Loma Blvd. San Diego 92107. We will meet on the sidewalk in front of the viewing area on the south side of West Point Loma Blvd. Park on the street. It is a busy street so cross carefully.

Learn more about Famosa Slough and Friends of Famosa Slough in this KPBS news story.

Experience birds from a completely different point of view, in tandem kayaks! Learn about the ReWilding efforts in Mission Bay. Paddle through calm, serene waters as we explore this beautiful coastal ecosystem. This field trip offers a great opportunity to observe birds from the water, with views into Kendall-Frost Marsh (we are unable to paddle into the marsh) and Fiesta Island. In late February, Mission Bay is a prime spot for birdwatching as it serves as an important stopover for migratory species. Keep an eye out for Pacific Loons and Eared Grebes. You'll see Willets and Long-billed Curlews foraging along the shores. Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons perch in trees along the shore, while Osprey hunt from the air above. As we paddle through the tranquil waters, the chances to observe bird behaviors up close are abundant. This field trip is an unforgettable way to connect with nature for beginners and seasoned birders.

You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.

Join representatives from Swarovski Optik for a walk around Marina Village Conference Center, looking for native birds. They know the birds and will have optics for you to try.

This new Master Class series introduces birders to the joy of journaling, inviting us to slow down, look closer, and record the wonder we encounter. Join Barbara Swanson as she opens the door to sketching and writing as a joyful practice for all birders—no experience needed. Later, in one or two guided field sessions, use your new journaling skills to create more immersive, memorable experiences. By week’s end, you'll carry home a notebook full of memories and a more mindful way of seeing birds and the natural world.

The field trip that accompanies this class is from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at Santee Lakes. Please remember to sign up for the field trip, too! The cost for the two programs together is $40.

Step into the ancient art of falconry with this unforgettable two hour experience. Guided by expert local falconers, you’ll witness breathtaking flight demonstrations and learn how humans and raptors have partnered for centuries. Then, with expert support, you’ll have the rare opportunity to launch a bird of prey from your own hand and experience its powerful return. Carefully designed for the safety of both participants and the birds, this experience leaves participants with a deeper appreciation of both tradition and the wild power of these extraordinary creatures.

Join Sky Falconry for a special hands-on experience interacting with live birds of prey. This experience takes you meandering through oak groves and meadows on a private ranch in the San Diego Mountains with master falconers as your guides. Experience the awe of a Harris' Hawk dropping from high in the trees and flying hundreds of feet to land gracefully on your glove. See the astounding differences and flight styles of the enigmatic, elusive Barn Owl next to the agile, sleek Lanner Falcon. The falcon will demonstrate a magnificent display of aerial acrobatics in a simulated hunt, and the owl will demonstrate its graceful, silent flight. We will have ample photo opportunities with all three raptor species followed by a Q&A. 

You must provide your own transportation to and from this experience.

Pelagic birds share so many field marks in common: dark backs, light bellies. Their differences are in wing shape and flight style. Stan Walens will help you understand the differences and prepare you for an easier time identifying the birds you will see on your pelagic trip.  He will also share tips on how to prepare your body for a day on the water.

A festival version of our popular Birding for Beginners class. This first class will explore What is a Bird and What is a Birder, and will lay some groundwork for the next two days of classes.

This new Master Class series introduces birders to the joy of journaling, inviting us to slow down, look closer, and record the wonder we encounter. Join Barbara Swanson as she opens the door to sketching and writing as a joyful practice for all birders—no experience needed. Later, in one or two guided field sessions, use your new journaling skills to create more immersive, memorable experiences. By week’s end, you'll carry home a notebook full of memories and a more mindful way of seeing birds and the natural world.

The classroom presentation that accompanies this class is from 10:30 - noon at Marina Village Conference Center. Please remember to sign up for the class, too! The cost for the two programs together is $40.  You must provide your own transportation to and from this field trip.

San Diego is famous for its pelagic birding, where you can see species not usually visible from land with some of the most knowledgeable pelagic birders around! This trip is great for folks who have never been on a pelagic trip before and are nervous about being stuck on a boat for 6 hours.  Add to your life list, and learn more about identifying birds on the open water! The group will meet briefly in the Terrace room for some important information sharing prior to the trip. The group will then walk approximately 0.25 mile to the Marina, on flat sidewalk, to board the boat.

Belly up to the bar for a selection of wines and beers on tap.

An easy walk to the San Diego River Mouth at low tide. This walk follows sidewalks to the street, crosses Quivira Way and proceeds on dirt paths along the river, stopping for views of shorebirds on the sand bars. Embark on a scenic birding walk from the Marina Village Conference Center to the San Diego River Mouth, a prime spot for observing coastal and migratory birds, especially during low tide. The walk, approximately 1 mile round trip, takes you along the water’s edge, offering a close-up view of diverse bird species, particularly on the sandbars exposed by the receding tide. 

If you have mobility challenges, you can drive over separately and join us at the viewing site at approximately 4:00 pm. The viewing point is in a large dirt parking lot across from the Aquarius Grill on Quivira Way. Look for the big group of people with spotting scopes!  

Program TBD

Birding at San Elijo