? Ventura Settling Ponds
2024-05-11 07:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Ventura Settling Ponds, 1400 Angler Ct., Ventura, CA, 93001, United States
While most waterfowl species have left the ponds this time of year, there are still tons of birds around! Large numbers of swallows and swifts gather over these waters, so be on the lookout for Purple Martins and potentially even Black Swifts! Other songbirds call this area home for the breeding season like Swainson’s Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, and plenty of Yellow Warblers!

Trip leader: Frank De Martino (856) 906 – 8733

🌯 Birds and Burritos
2024-11-16 17:00 - 18:15 | Margarita’s Mexican Grill, 702 Lindero Canyon Rd, Oak Park, CA, 91377, United States
Join us at 5 p.m. at Margaritas Mexican Grill for some delicious food and socializing before our evening field trip to look for owls!
Please text or call Sammy Cowell (818 470-7098) if you plan on coming so we can make a reservation.

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2024-06-12 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-07-10 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-08-14 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-09-11 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-10-09 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-11-13 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-12-11 08:00 - 09:30 | Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa, 4803 Lynn Rd, Newbury Park, CA, 91320
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walks at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each month. We will meet at 8:00 am at the main parking lot, which is accessible off Lynn Road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park.
Rancho Sierra Vista is an excellent place to see many of the oak woodlands birds that are common in the Conejo Valley area. We will take time to introduce beginning birders to these species and will teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Contact walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK).

? CVAS Pelagic - Santa Barbara Channel (departing from Oxnard)
2024-06-13 08:45 - 13:00 | Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard), 3600 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA, 93035, United States
If you’ve never been birding out on the open ocean waters, this is a perfect opportunity to get your feet wet! Join us as we cruise around the eastern Santa Barbara Channel looking for pelagic birds like jaegers, alcids, storm-petrels, shearwaters, and boobies. We may stop by to look at the Anacapa Arch from the boat, but we will NOT be landing on Anacapa Island.
This trip is 3 hours and will stay in the Santa Barbara Channel within Ventura County waters. Check-in is at 8:45 a.m. We will be riding with Island Packers, departing from Oxnard harbor at 9:30 a.m. We will return to the harbor at 1 p.m. One ticket is $50. This trip is limited to 70 passengers, and you must RSVP by May 23. Click here to find out how to pay and secure your spot!
Contact fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org for more information.

🦉 Owling at Palo Comado Canyon
2024-11-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Palo Comado Canyon, 6613 Smoke Tree Ave, Oak Park, CA, 91377, United States
Join us as we look for owls in Palo Comado Canyon! We will listen and look for Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, and Western Screech Owls! We may also run into other nighttime creatures as well!
Meet at the Sunrise Meadows Open Space Trailhead on Smoke Tree Ave. in Oak Park at 6:30 p.m. Bring flashlights and/or headlamps! For those interested, we will also be meeting for dinner at Margaritas Mexican Grill in Oak Park at 5 p.m.
As this was a popular trip last year, please contact Sammy Cowell (818 470 7098) so we can keep the trip from getting too crowded!

🦅Group Falconry Experience
2024-11-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Hawk on Hand Falconry Services, 4235 Monterey Rd, Los Angeles, California, 90032, United States
If you’ve ever wanted to hold a bird of prey on your hand, then this is the experience for you! We will be visiting Hawk on Hand Falconry Services in downtown Los Angeles to learn about the ancient art of falconry and get hands-on experience working with different raptor species!

We’ll meet 3 species (Jasper the Harris Hawk, Kanoni the Augur Buzzard, and Archie the Barn Owl). Each individual participant will get get to hold and fly multiple birds, practicing basic falconry techniques.

Cost is $100 per participant, and group size is limited to 15 people. We are still working on how to reserve/pay for our entire group. So, please do not buy tickets just yet. Instead, simply contact Sammy Cowell at fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org if you are interested!

If you want to carpool together, we will meet at Kanan Park and Ride off the Kanan exit south of the 101 freeway at 9:30 a.m.

🥾 Santa Paula Canyon
2024-11-30 08:00 - 13:00 | Santa Paula Canyon, Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead, Santa Paula, California, 93060, United States
*Disclaimer: This is a moderately difficult hike with multiple stream crossings. If you do not feel comfortable walking across wet rocks or up steep hills, consider skipping this trip*

Nestled in the Topatopa Mountains between Santa Paula and Ojai, Santa Paula Canyon feels like a retreat into the wild. Along the river, we will be looking for American Dippers, and along the cliffs, we will be looking out for Golden Eagles.

We will meet at the trailhead which is past Thomas Aquinas college. Parking can be sometimes limited at the trailhead, so carpooling is encouraged.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

✈️International Field Trip: Colombian Central Andes (Dec. 6-14, 2025)
2024-12-06 00:00 - 2024-12-14 23:59 | CA
*This trip is scheduled for 2025, but advertised at this date to give a year’s notice for those who are interested*
With more avian species (>1,900) than any other country in the world, Colombia is a birder’s paradise! Join us on this 9-day adventure exploring the Central Andes, famed for its high level of species diversity. Explore the Andean cloud forest, paramo habitats, and farmland searching for flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more! We will visit the Otun Quimbaby Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, Rio Blanco Reserve, and Los Nevados National Park. Specialty endemic target species include; Cauca Guan, Chestnut Wood-Quail, Crested Ant-tanager, Buffy Helmetcrest, and more!
Flame-faced Tanager (Tangara parzudakii)
Cost is $3675 with final payments due September 3rd, 2025. Airfare is not included. Click the link to view the day-to-day itinerary. Contact Sammy Cowell (fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org) or Debbie Jordan (debbie@holbrooktravel.org) for more info!
Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager

🌳 Mission Oaks Park
2024-12-07 08:00 - 11:00 | Mission Oaks Park, 5501 Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA, 93012, United States
The trails around Mission Oaks Park offer a nice refuge for many interesting overwintering songbirds. Possible uncommon/rare species that we can find here include Plumbeous Vireo, White-throated Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Summer Tanager, and more!

Meet at the parking lot of Mission Oaks Blvd. by the tennis courts.

*New trip leader*: Ryan Burnett (530) 258-6742

❄️ Winter Wonderland in Minnesota (dates flexible)
2024-12-12 08:00 - 2024-12-15 17:00 | CA
Interested in birding other places in the country? Then, join us for an out-of-state experience to Minnesota! We will be primarily targeting species that live in the boreal forests of Canada but are pushed father south during the winter. Hopeful songbirds include Boreal Chickadee, Common Redpoll, Snow Bunting, Bohemian Waxwing, and more! Potential raptors include Snowy Owl, Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk-owl, and Boreal Owl!

Rough itinerary is as follows:

Thursday, December 12th: Fly into/bird around Minneapolis

Friday, December 13th: Drive to Duluth, bird Lake Superior. Drive to Sax-Zim Bog (potential owling in evening)

Saturday, December 14th: Sax-Zim Bog

Sunday, December 15th: Return to Minneapolis fly out

We may try and split rental cars/lodging to reduce costs. Group size will be limited to 8-10 people. If interested, please contact Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098 or fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org

Salton Sea 🌵🌊*CANCELLED*
2025-01-11 08:00 - 2025-01-12 17:00 | CA
*This trip has been cancelled*

This oasis in the desert beckons! For this overnight trip, we will start early Saturday afternoon, near the north end of the Salton Sea, and then probably bird down the west side of the lake to Unit 1. We’ll spend the night in Brawley, bird a little around the town early on Sunday. We will continue to work our way north on the east side of the lake, stopping at several hotspots before heading home Sunday afternoon. Please note that the trip will require limited driving on unpaved roads.

Please contact Peter Robertshaw (peterrobertshaw@verizon.net, 909-771-9720) for the details and to arrange for carpooling and lodging recommendations.

Target birds: thousands of Snow and Ross’s Geese, Sandhill Cranes, lots of ducks and waders, rails, raptors, Burrowing Owls, Mountain Bluebirds and Plovers, and desert species like Gambel’s Quail, Abert’s Towhee, doves, Gila and Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers, and Vermilion Flycatcher.

Mt. Clef Open Space/CLU ⛰️🌵
2025-01-19 08:00 - 11:00 | Briar Bluff (CLU), 200 Bainbridge Ct, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, United States
Poke through the prickly pear patches (but try not to get poked!) as we look for roadrunners, Cactus Wren, and the endangered California Gnatcatcher! If time permits, we may go down to CLU and explore different habitats on campus. Meet at the end of Bainbridge Ct. at 8 am. Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098.

Pt. Mugu Naval Base ✈️🪖
2025-01-24 08:00 - 13:00 | Pt. Mugu Naval Base, 10A Naval Air Rd., Port Hueneme, CA, 93041, United States
Join us as we explore Ventura County’s most biodiverse hotspot (please note, that this trip is open to current CVAS members only). The Navy must background check each attendee before attendance, so members will need to email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org to complete and return the form by January 3rd! Also, this trip lasts longer than our normal field trips (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.), and you are not allowed to be on the base without our trip leaders. So, if you cannot make it the whole time, please come another time.

Target species include Brant, Black Skimmer, shorebird species, Vermillion Flycatcher, and more!

Trip Leaders – Martin Ruane and David Pereksta.

Bard Lake 🦢
2025-02-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Bard Lake, 2100 Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, United States
Bard Lake is a 230-acre reservoir operated by Calleguas Water District. After a brief introduction by the water district, we will walk around the 3-mile loop around the reservoir looking at different duck and gull species (note: golf carts are available for those who would like them). The lake is typically closed to the public, so this is a special treat for CVAS! Make sure to email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org to complete the liability form! Trip leader – Sammy Cowell

Lake Sherwood 🦆🏘️
2025-02-08 08:00 - 11:00 | Lake Sherwood, 2201 Stafford Rd., Westlake Village, CA, 91361
Look for waterfowl and oak woodland denizens at the foothills of the Santa Monica’s! Space is limited, so call Bob Zwiegler (805) 496-0377 to get your name onto the list to get through the Stafford Rd. gate. Meet at 8 a.m.

Carrizo Plains 🌷
2025-02-22 00:00 - 23:59 | Carrizo Plain Meeting Point, 32660 CA-33, Maricopa, CA, 93252, United States
Take a trip to the beautiful Carrizo plain where Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles, Mountain Bluebirds, and Mountain Plovers like to spend the winter! This is an all day trip, so be prepared! Meet at 8 a.m. at the corner of Hwy 166/33 and Soda Lake Rd. Trip leaders: Thelma Williams and Dee Lyon (805) 427-0987

🛶Lake Piru
2025-03-08 08:00 - 11:00 | Lake Piru, 4780 Piru Canyon Rd, Piru, CA, 93040
Meet at 8:00 am at Warring Park in Piru. We’ll look for the largest bird in North America, the California Condor as well as other large raptors, plus waterfowl, and early spring migrants. The entrance fee will be $5 per car for this field trip, instead of the normal $10, so be sure to tell them you are part of the CVAS birding group.

Trip leaders: Peter Robertshaw (909) 771-9720.

© Don Klabunde

Beginner Bird Walk
2025-03-12 08:00 - 11:00 | CA
Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa

Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walk at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each month. We will meet at 8:00 am at the main parking lot, which is accessible off Lynn Road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park. Rancho Sierra Vista is an excellent place to see many of the oak woodlands birds that are common in the Conejo Valley area. We will take time to introduce beginning birders to these species and teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.

Contact walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

🦅Lake Casitas
2025-03-15 08:00 - 11:00 | Lake Casitas, 11311 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura, CA, 93001, United States
Thanks to Ojai Rotary Club, we will be able to charter a small boat out onto the lake! Space is limited, so please text Sammy at (818) 470-7098 or email him at fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org if you are interested in coming on this trip. Meet outside the lake entrance at 8:00 am, and we’ll carpool in, since the cost is $20 per car.

Trip leaders: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098 and Jerry Maryniuk

🦗Potrero Open Space
2025-03-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Rancho Potrero, 5020 Lynn Rd, Thousand Oaks, California, 91320, United States
*DATE CHANGE*

Sunday, Mar 23nd: Potrero Open Space

Meet at 8:00 am in the Rancho Potrero Trailhead parking lot off Lynn Road. This open space is ideal habitat for a variety of grassland species! We’ll specifically be looking for the local population of Grasshopper Sparrows that winter and breed in the area. Vesper Sparrow and Western Meadowlark overwinter as well, and swallows and kingbirds might be arriving early.

Trip leader: Ryan Burnett (530) 258-6742

🛣️ Cañada Larga Road
2025-03-29 08:00 | Canada Larga Road, 180 Canada Larga Rd, Ventura, CA, 93001
Saturday, Mar 29th: Cañada Larga Road

The ranchland along Cañada Larga Road provides great habitat for many grassland species, and the riparian habitat along the creek is a great place to spot early migrants. Meet at 8:00 am at the beginning of the road, and we will drive up the canyon together, stopping at various points.

Trip leader: Marc Better (510) 919-5283

🪽Sisar Canyon
2025-04-05 08:00 - 11:00 | Sisar Canyon, 12799 Sisar Canyon Rd, Ojai, CA, 93023
Sisar Canyon is a great spot to see migrating warblers, vireos, and flycatchers as they forage throughout the oaks and riparian of the canyon. It’s also a decent spot to see Black-chinned and Costa’s Hummingbirds! Meet at 8 am at the parking lot off Sisar Rd. Parking is very limited, so carpooling is suggested.

Trip leader: Spencer Seale (805 746-9789).

🪻Conejo Valley Botanical Garden
2025-04-13 08:00 - 11:00 | Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
As migration heats up, the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden offers birds a nice resting stop in the middle of Thousand Oaks. There is a decent chance to see multiple different warbler species, vireos, flycatchers, orioles, and other migrants.

Meet at the parking lot off Jeaunine Dr.

Trip leader: David Person (805 469-6806)

🐻 Bear Divide
2025-04-19 06:00 - 10:00 | Bear Divide Picnic Area, 21525 Santa Clara Truck Trail, Canyon Country, CA, 91387, United States
Bear Divide is a narrow pass in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County that funnels thousands of birds through a tiny gap in the mountain ridge with hundreds of birds flying by at eye level per minute. Dawn flight is the best time to witness this spectacle, so we plan to be at Bear Divide by 6 a.m. If you want to carpool, contact Sammy Cowell to arrange a meeting spot. There may also be an opportunity to watch banders catch and tag migrants with mist nets.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818 470-7098).
