Hill Canyon
2026-01-24 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Meet at 8 am at Santa Rosa Valley Park, the equestrian parking area at the beginning of Hill Canyon. We will walk through the open space around the equestrian area including the short walk to the creek. Next, we’ll walk across the bridge and up the canyon in search of wintering birds. Rain will cancel this trip. Bathrooms are available at the parking area.

Leaders are Carol & Bill Langford (360) 742-6059

February Program-California Walnut Woodlands
2026-02-02 19:00 - 20:30 | CA
Rooted in Community: California Walnut Woodlands

The Ecological Significant to Avifuana

Changes in land use following Euro-American colonization resulted in the severe reduction of the endemic Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica) and its woodland habitat. Natasha Khanna-Dang studied the availability of trees and large shrubs and feeding behavior of birds in eight patches of California walnut woodland in Los Angeles County during the breeding and nonbreeding periods of 2023. Natasha will join CVAS’s monthly meeting via Zoom to discuss the findings on the importance of these woodlands to the larger ecosystem and will discuss how ecological research can intersect with both conservation and social justice issues.

Natasha Khanna-Dang works as an urban conservation biologist based out of Los Angeles, California. They completed their Master of Science degree in Environmental Science at California State University, Los Angeles in 2024.Natasha is also an environmental educator and believes in the importance of intersectional ecology – ecological research that intersects with issues of environmental and social justice.

SEE PROGRAMS PAGE

Bard Lake
2026-02-06 07:45 | CA
Meet by 8:00 am at the boardroom of the Calleguas Municipal Water District office, 2100 Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. After a brief introduction by the CMWD staff, they will escort us on the 3 mile loop around the 230 acre reservoir looking for 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! All participants must show a signed waiver and their driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID when we gather. Please email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org for your copy of the waiver to sign in advance.

Trip leaders: Bill & Carol Langford (360) 742-6059

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2026-02-11 08:00 | CA
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, accessible from 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)

Great Backyard Bird Count
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-16 23:59 | CA
Done annually in February, the GBBC is a global, four day community science event where people of all ages and skill levels help track bird populations by simply watching birds anywhere they choose for 15 minutes or more. Participants can count birds on any of the four days and submit sightings using Merlin Bird ID, eBird Mobile, or the eBird website, with no separate registration required. The goal is to create a worldwide snapshot of where birds are and how they’re doing. It’s easy, fun, and meaningful whether you’re birding solo, with family, or as part of a community event.

More info at: https://www.birdcount.org/

Point Mugu Naval Base - NEW DATE
2026-02-13 08:00 - 13:00 | CA
Restricted to current CVAS members.

[NEW DATE] Sign-up deadline was Jan 20th. Check our Field Trips page for current updates, or email John Mueller, your Fieldtrip Chair for more Information: fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org.

Birds & Brews
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00 | CA
Birds & Brews – Tarantula Hill Brewing – Thousand Oaks

We will be picking-up the Birds & Brews social meetups in 2026 with our first meet in Thousand Oaks at Tarantula Hill Brewing on T.O. Blvd. We will be in the middle of the GBBC and this will be a good opportunity to meet other birders from the area and discuss progress, or anything else. RSVP if you’re interested so we can reserve a table ahead of time. Join our Conejo Valley Audubon Society (CVAS) WhatsApp community group from your phone or desktop and chat with others in real-time to discuss rare birds, get bird IDs or just get to know each other.

Carrizo Plain
2026-03-07 07:00 | CA
Meet at 7am on highway 33 under the bridge off Casitas Vista Road. Organize your own carpool with a vehicle suitable for bumpy dirt roads and a full tank of gas. We will meet at the dirt parking area under the highway 33 bridge (where many bikers and hikers park) and caravan up Hwy 33 to the south entrance of the National Monument via Soda Lake Road. Road conditions may vary so a higher clearance vehicle is recommended. Please bring water, food, and suitable clothing as this may be an all-day event depending on weather, traffic and overall conditions. There may be traffic in the valley due to the high wildflower bloom this season so there may be many visitors. Cell service will be limited.

Hopefully we will see lingering Mountain Plover and raptors, but there will also be a good chance of incoming Spring Migrants. We will be sensitive to the natural vegetation and only stay on roads and approved trails.

SIGN UP HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/conejovalleyaudubonsociety/event/915146/

Trip Leader – John Mueller (818) 625-9584

Annual Dinner/Auction
2026-03-14 17:30 | CA
Conejo Valley Audubon’s annual gala fundraiser. See ANNUAL FUNDRAISER page for details. Come and share the fun.

Lake Piru - CANCELLED
2026-03-28 08:00 | CA
Due to an event at the lake, the March 28 walk is cancelled. We hope to reschedule for May, so keep an eye out.

Meet at 8 am at Warring Park in the town of Piru. We will then carpool (Lake Piru entrance fee is $14 on weekends) and slowly go up the road to the lake entrance. The road up may have a better chance of seeing Condor, Eagles and other raptors. Once at the lake we’ll explore the shoreline, the grass park and trees and perhaps go a little further time permitting.

Bring a scope for waterfowl far out on the lake and check the weather as the Piru area experiences extreme weather conditions. Dress accordingly.

Trip Leader – Peter Robertshaw (909) 771-9720

Beginner Birding Class
2026-04-11 08:00 | Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (CVBG),, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks
Come learn the basics of birdwatching and how to use a field guide and binoculars. Learn to ID the birds in your backyard and our local parks. A bird walk in the Conejo Community Park will follow.

Meet at 8:00 am at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (CVBG), 400 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks. Drive to the parking lot on Jeaunine Drive. Class will be held in the Kids’ Adventure Garden. A $10 cash donation will be collected for CVBG. Bring water & snacks, wear comfortable shoes and binoculars if you have them. After this one class, you’ll feel ready to join our regular schedule of birding trips. Look for them on our website.

*Rain cancels*

RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/bsHUTi

Family Birding Event - LOCATION CHANGE
2026-04-18 09:00 - 11:00 | CA
In collaboration with Moorpark City Library, come and learn the basics of birdwatching. Learning activities for all ages and a bird walk through the park will help you ID the birds in your backyard and our local parks.

Please note the location change: Meet at 9 am at Tierra Rejada Park – 11900 Mountain Trail Street (Corner of Tierra Rejada Road), Moorpark, CA 93021

RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/2ZFUyS

Bear Divide - Migration Event
2026-04-26 05:00 - 10:00 | CA
[MEMBERS ONLY]Bear Divide in Los Angeles County gets thousands of migrants passing over the low ridge of the San Gabriel Mountains. Researchers have been using this spot for the past decade as a location to count Spring migrants going over the ridge to the north.We have been invited to view this event on Sunday, April 26th at the peak of migration.Because of the location and limited parking we are asking that all interested members sign up using the Mobilize website form attached below.https://mobilize.us/s/v1bw8GPlease read the details on Mobilize for directions, precautions and what to expect.We plan on meeting in Thousand Oaks (location provided for those who sign-up) at 5am to make it to Bear Divide at 6am just before sunrise to get a good spot and prepare for the quickly-moving birds.

Bird-Friendly Garden Tour
2026-04-26 09:00 - 15:00 | CA
Please join us on Sunday, April 26th from 9 AM until 3 PM for the 2026 CVAS Bird-Friendly Garden Tour

This tour will feature yards which provide habitat for our native birds and demonstrate the use of drought tolerant California native plants in the landscape. This year we will once again partner with the California Native Plant Society (CNPS Channel Islands). All of the gardens will be located in the city of Camarillo, and the hosts will be on site to answer questions.

If you are interested in attending this year’s tour, please RSVP to gardentour@conejovalleyaudubon.org NO LATER THAN Monday, APRIL 20th, 2026.

When registering, please include the FIRST and LAST NAME and EMAIL of each guest who will be attending, along with thePHONE NUMBER of the person who will be registering. You will receive confirmation within 72 hours of your RSVP. If you do not receive confirmation, please check your SPAM or Junk mail. If you do not find the confirmation, please resubmit your RSVP and add this e-mail to your safe-senders list.

Two days prior to the tour, you will receive a list of addresses.

After the tour, you will receive a follow-up e-mail with information relevant to planting a bird-friendly native garden habitat.

And we hope that our Bird-Friendly Garden Tour will inspire you to install a bird-friendly habitat of your own.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

· No restroom facilities will be available. Sorry

· No dogs will be allowed in any of the gardens.

· We encourage plant photography

· There will be no charge for this educational tour.

CVAS has a mission to make the public aware of the importance and beauty of birds, natural habitats, native plants and wildlife. At a time when bird populations are in decline due in large part to loss of habitat, we are dedicated toward promoting the creation of viable habitat for both local and migratory birds in our area. Our Bird-Friendly Garden Tours serve to educate and promote awareness about the importance of California native plants in supporting our bird populations, because native plants support the native bugs that birds feed to their babies. We encourage you to spread the word and bring your friends!

Bird Walk - Big Morongo
2026-05-03 08:00 | CA
Big Morongo Canyon is one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian habitats in CA, which is why the preserve is one of the best places in southern California for migrant flycatchers, warblers, vireos, and other species, but it also hosts some great breeding birds. Among other species, we can expect to see (or hear) Summer and Western Tanager, Brown-crested and Vermilion Flycatcher, Bullock’s and Hooded Oriole, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Bell’s and other Vireos, as well as migrants and desert residents, such as Costa’s and Black-Chinned Hummingbird, Verdin, Gambel’s Quail, Ladder-Backed Woodpecker. In the afternoon we may look for Black-throated Sparrow and Scott’s Oriole at Blackrock Campground.Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water, and layered clothing. This will be a joint trip with a small group of friendly birders from Sea and Sage Audubon in Orange County. Meet at 8:00 am at Covington Park. Take I-10 to Hwy 62, go north 10 miles to Morongo Valley and then turn right on Park Avenue. Trip Leader: Pete Robertshaw (909-771-9720)

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/YwQRiM

May Program-Public Lands
2026-05-04 19:00 - 20:30 | CA
Public Lands

Russell Galipeau will take us back in time to the establishment of federal lands, the role Congress and the President play, the agencies we have entrusted to care for them, and the threats they face.

Russell Galipeau is a member of the Conejo Valley Audubon Society. He has served 40 years with the National Park Service. His last assignment was Channel Islands National Park. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Ventura Land Trust.

SEE PROGRAMS PAGE

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2026-05-13 08:00 | CA
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, accessible from 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.

SIGN UP HERE: https://mobilize.us/s/PKd4R8

Walk leader: Richard Armerding (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

CVAS Annual Picnic
2026-06-07 08:00 - 12:00 | CA
Bird walk at 8 am and Potluck Picnic at 10:30 am. At south end of Moorpark Rd turn right and follow Greenmeadow Ave to the end. Meet under our usual oak tree. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Please bring your own table service, drinks and chairs, and this year, bring whatever dish you like.
