<p>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 4275-4283 West Point Loma Blvd. San Diego 92107. To use GPS, put in just one address (eg. 4275). 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.</p>

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.

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.

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 want to add to their life list, learn more about identifying birds on the open water.
The group will meet in the Starboard 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.

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.

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!