American Canyon Wetlands
1ST WALK: Saturday, 9am, walk lasts about 2 hours
Led by Jaime A. Chavez, Ph.D.
Registration required, limited to 10 participants
Jaime Chaves is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Biology at San Francisco State University. His work focuses on how birds adapt and diversify, combining field ecology and genomics, with long-term research on Galápagos birds, including Darwin’s finches. Jaime is an active birdwatcher and enjoys connecting with others through birding and nature-based community events, including bird counts and field days with local organizations.
Walk description:
Join us for a guided walk through the American Canyon Wetlands in Solano County, where we’ll explore the area’s diverse ecosystems and keep an eye (and ear) out for local birdlife. We’ll move at an easy pace, talking about wetland habitats and the birds that rely on this landscape—from waterfowl to shorebirds to resident species. This walk is designed for anyone curious about birds, ecology, or simply spending time outdoors
Directions to sitewill be provided upon registration.
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2ND WALK: Saturday, 12:30-4:30pm, walk lasts about 4 hours
Led by Fred Werner, Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Registration required, limited to 25 participants
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The Napa River's tidal floodplain hosts a wealth of birds each winter. Wetlands Edge Park in the city of American Canyon provides easy access to ponds, woods, mudflats and open water habitats. We'll walk a ~ 2-mile gravel/dirt loop to pick up landbirds (likely American Kestrel, White-tailed Kite, Western Bluebird; possible Peregrine Falcon, Hermit Thrush and Common Yellowthroat), marsh birds (probable Mute Swans, Marsh Wrens and all 4 resident heron species; possible Ring-necked Pheasants, Virginia Rails and Sora). This area has a high diversity of winter ducks (13 duck species are likely and another 5 are possible) a number of waders and shorebirds as well as possible Bald Eagles, Osprey, Kingfishers, and more.
Rain, fog or shine. Carpool if you can, there are restrooms at the parking lot. It's easy to turn around at any point if you need to leave early. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have them, though no equipment or experience necessary. We'll have a scope and extra binocs.
Directions to site: will be provided upon registration.
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SATURDAY WALKS // SATURDAY TALKS // SUNDAY WALKS // SUNDAY TALKS
Dickson Unit at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Birds from Farm to Marsh
Saturday, 9-11am, walk lasts about 2 hours
Led by: Clay Anderson, Youth program manager, Golden Gate Bird Alliance​​
goldengatebirdalliance.org
​Registration required, limited to 15 participants
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Join Sonoma Land Trust and Clay Anderson of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance for an easy bird walk at Dickson Ranch, a young, renovated marsh with some exciting things happening! We will be looking to identify some amazing migratory birds like: Canvasback duck, American Widgeon, Lincoln Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Green-winged Teal, Say's Phoebe and Western Sandpiper. We will also be looking at the ecological differences between 30yrs and 15yrs of marsh rehabilitation. Other resident birds we'll be looking for include: Great Blue Heron, White-tailed Kite, Common Yellow throat, Marsh Wren, Wilson's Snipe and Northern Harrier.
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Clay Anderson has been birding since he was 7yrs old, He obtained his formal degree in Art at San Jose City College and has worked for numerous nature focused organizations for over 30yrs. He holds 15+ yrs experience as a naturalist and Environmental Educator. He is the current Youth Program Manager for Golden Gate Bird Alliance going on 8yrs, and teaches Ornithology at Merritt College. ​
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Directions to site will be provided upon registration.
Lynch Canyon Open Space Park
Saturday, 9am-12pm, hike lasts about 3 hours
Be there at 8:30am, hike starts at 9am sharp
Led by: Andrew Ford, Napa Solano Audubon Society hike leader
www.napasolanoaudubon.com
No registration required just show up
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Andrew Ford is a naturalist and ornithologist for the Napa Solano Audubon Society and a botanist, arborist and senior biologist with Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. out of Walnut Creek. His alma mater is California State University, Humboldt where he honed his knowledge. He is a lifetime resident of Fairfield-Suisun City and has been birding for many years all over the state and country. When he's not out birding and botanizing, he is volunteering and educating the public and students about the natural world.
Join Andrew Ford for a trip through the foothills and canyons of Lynch Canyon Open Space Preserve. The many microhabitats and grasslands that make up this area allow for a unique lend of bird species. This is one of the better locations to observe raptors. We are likely to observe raptors such as Red-Tailed Hawk (both light and dark morph birds), American Kestrel, White-Tailed Kite, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Northern Harrier, Merlin, and Ferruginous Hawk and possibly our resident Golden Eagles. Other species likely to be found are our plethora of oak woodland and wintering birds including Fox Sparrow, White- and Golden-Crowned Sparrow, Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, Hutton’s Vireo and possibly waterfowl, shorebirds, cormorants and passerines around the cattle pond. If we are lucky we might find Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Rufous-Crowned Sparrow and/or Burrowing Owl. Please come and explore with us and come see the variety of birds that make this wonderful location their home!
IMPORTANT NOTES: $6 parking fee. No potable water so bring your own water. Anybody with health conditions should avoid the walk. There are hills and inclines that may not be suitable for those who have had any surgeries lately or have walking issues. People should bring snacks or a lunch as we will not be at the cars until around noon. Children are welcome but MUST be accompanied by an adult. No strollers or pets!
​Meet here for this hike: 3100 Lynch Canyon Road, Fairfield
Directions to Lynch Canyon Open Space Park: From San Francisco/I-80 East. Take Exit 36 at American Canyon/ Hiddenbrook Pkwy. and take a left onto McGary Rd. Take a left onto Lynch Rd. and proceed under the freeway. From Sacramento/I-80 West. Take Exit 39A at Red Top Rd., go under the freeway and turn west (right) on McGary Rd. Take a right onto Lynch Rd. and proceed under the freeway.
Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail
Saturday, 10am to 3:30pm
Self-guided walk
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One mile loop trail with views of San Pablo Bay and Mt Tamalpais. Look for scope stations staffed by Napa Solano Audubon Society and Golden Gate Bird Alliance members​ and other expert birders.
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There are many birds to be seen including raptors, songbirds, and egrets. This hike is easy terrain, but may be muddy if there have been recent rains.
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Park in parking lot off Dump Road, Mare Island
Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo to where it dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), turn right on Dump Road and drive to parking lot (landmarks: information sign and porta potty).
Guided Walk & Birdwatching at Cullinan Ranch
Saturday, 11am-12:30pm, walk lasts about 1 1/2 hours
Led by Rose Harman, Biologist at Ducks Unlimited
Registration required, limited to 20 participants
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Walk along the Cullinan Ranch Trail and observe diverse arrays of shorebirds and waterfowl in the adjacent ponds as you walk along the trail. The 1.3-mile trail is out-and-back, approximately 2.6-miles round-trip. The trail is paved and flat; but consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, umbrella, and jacket as there is no shade or rain protection along the trail. Walk will be held rain or shine. Enjoy a snack on the benches at the turnaround spot where the trail meets South Slough.
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Directions to site will be provided upon registration.
Pacific Flyway Center Wetland “Ken Hofmann Walk in the Marsh”
Saturday, 9am, walk lasts about 2 hours
Led by: Aaron N.K. Haiman, Senior Environmental Scientist,
Wildlife Conservation Board
@abirdingnaturalist
Registration required, limited to 20 participants
Aaron N.K. Haiman volunteered from a young age with bird research organizations before receiving a BS in Environmental Science from UC Berkeley as well as MS degrees in Avian Science and Animal Behavior from UC Davis. Aaron guides bird walks, mentors high school students in ecology and sustainability, leads a youth bird-a-thon team, gives presentations on birds and habitat restoration, and is active on social media and YouTube using the handle "A Birding Naturalist". He works for the State of California and lives in West Sacramento.
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On this birding walk, you will see waterfowl, herons and other marsh birds. Unpaved dirt areas. Recommend waterproof shoes or hiking boots, long pants, hat, binoculars or spotting scope if you have one. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Preview the “Ken Hofmann Walk in the Marsh” before it’s 2027 unveiling. Join Aaron Haiman on this rare available to the public walk, you will see waterfowl, herons, marsh and endemic bird species. Recent bird count results identified over 70 species including owls and a bald eagle. There are 3.25 miles of paved trail primarily flat, however some parts of the walk may be off-trail closest to the wetlands.
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Important Note: There are no restrooms, potable water or trash receptacles on site. Location, Fairfield-Hwy 680. Directions will be provided upon registration.
South End of Mare Island
Saturday, 8:00am to sunset, walk lasts about 2 hours
Mare Island Preserve and Regional Park
Self guided tour
You can see a variety of birds including songbirds and osprey. You'll have views of Carquinez Strait, San Pablo Bay, and Mt. Tamalpais. View the live cam to get a preview, spbfriends.org/osprey-cam
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This is considered moderate terrain for experienced hikers.
Start at 167 O'Hara Court, Vallejo
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Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo to where it dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), follow the signs to “Mare Island Preserve” and navigate to 167 O’Hara Ct at the end of Azuar Drive.
Skagg’s Island
Saturday, 9:30am to 1:30, walk lasts about 4 hours
Led by Mark Stephenson (President, Napa Solano Audubon Society), Meg Marriott (Wildlife Biologist, San Pablo Bay and Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuges, USFWS), Murray Berner (has led over 70 field trips to the Island), and Adrian Johnson (Co-Manager, West County Hawkwatch)​
Registration required, limited to 40 participants. We will divide into two groups of 20
Brush and grassland, the Island is notable for its wintering and resident hawks, owls, and falcons. That will be our focus. The 18 species of regularly occurring raptors include Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, and Merlin. Songbirds and aquatic species are well-represented. A typical February field trip finds about 40 species. This is a four-mile round-trip hike over uneven terrain. No driving will be allowed.
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Directions will be provided upon registration.
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Auto Tour of Mare Island
Saturday, 9:00am, lasts about 2 hours
Led by Robin Leong, Napa-Solano Audubon Society and international birder
No registration required, just show up
Auto tour on Mare Island for osprey and nesting great blue herons, common ravens, great egrets, double crested cormorants, and maybe a bald eagle. We will be very lucky to see if they are breeding.
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Meet at the parking lot nearest to Building 69.
Bird walk at the Mare Island Preserve
Saturday, 1:00pm, walk lasts about 2 hours
Led by Robin Leong, Napa-Solano Audubon Society and international birder
No registration required, just show up
We may see a variety of birds including songbirds and osprey. You'll have views of Carquinez Strait, San Pablo Bay, and Mt. Tamalpais.
Meet at 167 O'Hara Court, Vallejo
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Directions: go west on Tennessee Street in Vallejo. It continues as G Street on Mare Island after you cross the drawbridge. G Street dead ends into Azuar Drive on Mare Island, turn south (left), follow the signs to “Mare Island Preserve” and navigate to 167 O’Hara Ct at the end of Azuar Drive. Continue past the cemetery and park at the wide spot in the road before the locked gate. If the parking area is full, return to 167 O’Hara Court where the portable toilet is located.
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Tour the C.A. Thayer: The Last Pacific Lumber Schooner
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1pm and 3pm
Led by National Park Service Rangers from the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
Registration required, each tour limited to 10 people
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Join a park ranger for a 20-minute program on the lumber schooner C.A. Thayer to look for birds from a unique perspective and to learn about the ship's role in Pacific Coast maritime history and culture.
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Meeting location will be provided on registration.