Drop in for a continental breakfast and coffee before your field trip departs.
Some of the items we offer:
Assorted fruit
Assorted pastries
Assorted spreads
Yogurt
Cereal
Oatmeal
Coffee- regular and decaf
Hot water for tea
If your field trip comes with a sack lunch, you must pick it up in the Marine Room before the field trip departs. Lunches that are not picked up by 8:00 am will be considered unclaimed and may be redistributed.
Santee Lakes is always birdy, with waterfowl and canopy birds to choose from. Alex Eisengart will help you navigate the challenges of changing light in this afternoon workshop. The park is the border of the city of Santee and Mission Trails Regional Park which gives it a great diversity of birds, but they are all habituated to humans. It’s the perfect spot for bird photography. Expect to walk away with lots of duck, coot, and grebe images. We will also focus on perching birds. The light is going to be great, and our photos will be too. This is a photography workshop! Be prepared to get down and dirty when photographing birds (if you want). A lot of our subjects are on the ground, so you are encouraged to put your camera as close to eye level as possible. Alex will be there to help you get the best shot and work with your camera settings, so don’t worry about that!
This field trip is a "meet-you-there" trip. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meeting location.
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 who are fluent in English and Spanish. 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 Buena Vista Audubon Society for a relaxing and educational field trip as we explore some of North County’s premier birding hotspots—Whelan Lake and Guajome Park. This walking and birding adventure will be perfect for bird enthusiasts of all levels.
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 outcroppings, such as Surfbirds and Wandering Tattlers. It is also an excellent 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.
Stroll with the San Diego Bird Alliance Photo Club to watch birds and photograph them. This activity recognizes that everyone in the group has knowledge and something to share. The group will break into smaller groups and explore the area, sharing knoweldge and experiences as they go.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
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 accomplished artist and former SDBA Board President, David Stump, for a two-day immersive drawing workshop focused on the anatomy and elegance of birds. Through guided instruction, you’ll learn to draw birds from the inside out—starting with their skeletal and muscular structure and progressing to their intricate feather patterns.
Using just a pencil and paper, you'll explore how to reveal the underlying design and natural beauty of living birds. Whether you're a beginner or experienced artist, this workshop will help you refine your observational skills and deepen your understanding of avian form.
Each participant will receive a 16-page illustrated workbook, covering seven structured lessons over the two sessions. Instruction will be further supported by a 60+ slide visual presentation featuring anatomical drawings and reference photos.
What to Bring:
Note: This is a two-part workshop. Please plan to attend both sessions.
Here's a Bird Festival version of our poplar Birding for Beginners Course. This master class consists of three classroom/field components. Take one, some or all! You can sign up for each class you want individually.
In this class, we explore variation: the common taxa of birds of San Diego. It's a quick look at all of the birds that live here! Then we'll go out and look for birds and identify the groups they belong to.
Experience birds from a completely different point of view, in kayaks! Learn about the restoration efforts in South Bay. Join us for a peaceful and immersive birding kayak trip in San Diego Bay, one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in Southern California. As we paddle through the calm waters of the bay, we'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. All while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding wetlands, tidal flats and nearby wildlife refuges. In late February, the bay is teeming with resident and migratory birds preparing for spring breeding. Keep your eyes peeled for Brant geese and Northern Pintails swimming in the shallows while American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers often forage along the edges. Shorebirds like Black-bellied Plovers and Western Sandpipers can be spotted probing the mudflats for food. The majestic Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans glide over the water. You might also catch a glimpse of Great Blue Herons hunting along the shoreline. This kayak trip provides a unique vantage point for observing these birds up close in a serene environment. Kayak experience not necessary!
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 California 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 California 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.
Birding at San Elijo
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. The Slough is located at 4275 West Point Loma Blvd. San Diego 92107. We will meet on the side walk 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.
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.
Get ready to look at both birds and photography through entirely new eyes—or should I say, through entirely new neural pathways.
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.
Lightroom 101 is a hands-on introduction class to Adobe Lightroom photo processing software. We will learn how the program works, workflow, how to import images and basic photo processing. Participants are encouraged to bring in their own laptop with the latest Lightroom application loaded on it and to work along with the instructor.
Drop in to see our exhibitors from Birding Business! We have two exhibit halls open: The Bayview room and the Dockside room.
Bayview exhibitors:
ABA
Opticron
Zeiss
Birds & Nature Portugal
The Biggest Week in American Birding
KS Nature Photography
Valley Nature Center
Kowa
Holbrook Travel
Hunt's Photo and Video
Aggressor Adventures
Red Hill Birding
Hawke Optics
Canopy Family
Swarovski Optik
Kite Optics
Neblina Forest
Rockjumper Worldwide Expeditions
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours
Wild Birds Unlimited
Land Sea and Sky
Sabrewing Nature Tours
Icaro Birding
Vortex
Magview Digiscoping
Dockside exhibitors:
Avian Behavior Conservancy
FM Roberts Publications
Christina Baal
Trogon Tours
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
Beakwings
Birding Uganda Safaris
Beaumont and Port Arthur CVBs
Jaggar Design
Jackpots Pottery
Canyonlands
Wild Delight
With Kelly Smith from the American Birding Association
Description TBD
Endangered raptors. A dedicated crew of citizen scientists. A fragile desert environment. The HAWKWATCH film follows a local birders as they attempt to establish a legacy: protecting the Swainson’s Hawk migration in Southern California. The “Hawksters” strive for success, but aging, climate change, business development, and even Mother Nature herself produce obstacles that threaten it all.
HAWKWATCH has been in production since early 2023. In addition to filming two full seasons of hawk migration through Borrego Springs, California*, the cast and crew traveled to Veracruz, Mexico, Antelope Valley, California, and Corpus Christi, Texas to capture on film the incredible spectacle of avian migration and nesting. This documentary showcases the intense beauty and sense of awe inspired by the annual hawk migration, and the efforts that the local Hawksters are attempting to keep it alive.
HAWKWATCH visually depicts the perilous existence of raptors during their 20,000 mile journey, and the power of individuals to try to make a difference for their world.
Meet the filmmakers and the Hawkwatchers (Hal Cohen as well as Tracee Geernaert, and Candace Hess )!
San Elijo Lagoon is one of the best spots in San Diego County, with a significant emphasis on waterfowl. Alex Eisengart will guide you through the challenges of waterfowl photography with afternoon lighting. San Elijo Lagoon is nestled between the ocean, a highway, and dense housing to the north and south. This estuary acts as a safe haven for all sorts of bird species, including both species of wigeon, coots, shorebirds, all sorts of ducks, and even aerial predators like Peregrine Falcons. As this park is in a fairly urban location, the birds are habituated to humans. This is a photography workshop! Be prepared to get down and dirty when photographing birds. A lot of our subjects are on the ground or at ground level (on the water), and Alex will be encouraging you to get eye-level. Alex will also help anyone and everyone with settings, positioning, and bird ID, so don’t worry about that!
This is a meet-you-there field trip. Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
Join a beginner friendly workshop of illustrating specimens that focuses on pollinators. The workshop will ignite curiosity and inspiration where you will take a moment to carefully study specimens texture, shape, color, and patterns through an artistic approach. The artist, Desiree Hanau will share basic artistic techniques using watercolor and ink to achieve a beautiful and thoughtful illustration of the specimens.
Belly up to the bar for a selection of wines and beers on tap.
Embark on an easy walk to the San Diego River Mouth, a prime spot for observing coastal and migratory birds, 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. 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!
Take flight with artist David Lozeau as he reveals how birding sparks inspiration, renews creativity, and finds its way into his artwork. This engaging talk dives into the unexpected intersections of art and nature—where feathers, color, and curiosity all play a role in fueling creativity.
Join OM System Rep Mike Amico for some insights on the OM System gear and benefits for Photographing Birds. Mike will go over camera features that will help you to enhance your photography as well as offer some basic tips to get you started on your journey. Don't have an OM System camera? That's OK, most of Mike's tips will work for any camera system. So, come and join Mike for some fun talking about Photography and Birds!
Tickets will be on sale on the San Diego Bird Alliance Website. Current festival registrants will receive notification when registration opens.
Join us for a birding adventure with Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall, hosts of the Bird Joy podcast. The proceeds from this field trip benefit scholoarships to Camp Surfbird, our birding camp for teens.
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.
Registration for Camp Surfbird is accessed on the San Diego Bird Alliance website. Scholarships may be available.