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 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.

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.

Description TBD

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. 

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 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. 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.

The festival version of our popular Birding for Beginners class. 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!

With Kelly Smith from the American Birding Association

Description TBD

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 late-morning 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.

Description TBD

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!  

Description TBD

Description TBD