Conejo Valley Audubon

Monthly Program - September - Member Show & Tell
2024-09-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA, 93012

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
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).

🌊 Santa Clara River Estuary
2024-09-14 08:00 - 11:00 | Surfer’s Knoll, 1600 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA, 93001
Santa Clara River Estuary

The Santa Clara River Estuary (SCRE) is a great place to look for shorebirds during fall migration. Target species include Baird’s Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Red Knot, phalaropes, and more! Park at the Surfer’s Knoll parking lot of Spinnaker Dr. at 8 a.m.

Be advised that we may walk out onto the mudflats, so bring water shoes or shoes you don’t mind getting muddy!

Trip leader – Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

🌳 Bob Kildee Tams
2024-09-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Bob Kildee Community Park – Tamarisk Trees, 1051 Eston St., Camarillo, CA, 93010, United States
Migrating warblers need a place to stop and refuel during their long fall migrations, and the row of tamarisk trees at Bob Kildee Park provides ample food for these little songbirds! Just be prepared to be looking up into the trees a lot! Park along Eston St. or Curt Dr. at 8 a.m.

Trip leader – John Mueller (818) 625-9584

🛝Valle Lindo Park
2024-09-28 08:00 - 11:00 | Valle Lindo Park, 889 Aileen St., Camarillo, California, 93010, United States
With a beautiful combination of sycamores and pines, Valle Lindo produces some lovely habitat for migrating vagrant songbirds. Past species seen here include Yellow-throated Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Palm Warbler, and Blue-headed Vireo!

Trip Leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

Plantpalooza and Eco Fest
2024-09-28 09:00 - 14:00 | Coneo Creek Park North, behind Thousand Oaks Library., 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, California, United States
Join COSF for this free, family-friendly outdoor event, where you can learn about Conejo Valley native plants, water-wise gardening and sustainable living. CVAS will have a booth there to share about our Lawns to Habitat Grant and give away some native plants.

Coneo Creek Park North, behind Thousand Oaks Library.

🦆 Ventura Settling Ponds
2024-10-05 08:00 - 11:00 | Ventura Settling Ponds, 1400 Angler Ct., Ventura, CA, 93001, United States
The Ventura Settling Ponds are a great habitat to see both migrating warblers and most species of our over-wintering waterfowl. Potential warbler migrants include Nashville, MacGillivray’s, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend’s Warbler, with a good chance for a rare species or two! Meet outside the gates along Angler Court at 8 a.m. Trip leader – Frank DeMartino (856) 906-8733

🦅*Bonus Field Trip* Hawkwatching at Grant Park.
2024-10-05 11:30 - 15:00 | Grant Park, 398 Ferro Dr., Ventura, California, 93001, United States
Didn’t get enough birdwatching earlier this morning at the Ventura Settling Ponds? Then, come join us for some afternoon hawkwatching at Grant Park. During the fall migration, raptors use hot thermals rising from the ground to easily glide hundreds of miles in a day. The topography of Grant Park is perfect for creating these thermals, and many raptors have been found migrating along the ridge of the foothills, including Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Golden Eagles, Broad-winged Hawks, and our resident Turkey Vultures and Red-tails!

We will meet along Brakey Rd. between Ferro Dr. and Summit Dr. Parking is somewhat limited along this particular spot, so additional parking is available down at Father Sierra Cross. It is about a 1/4 mile walk up to the top of the hill, and it is moderately steep at times, so come prepared. We will be spending the time at the top for a couple of hours, so it might be helpful to bring a camping chair to sit on (there is also a small bench up there as well). There is no shade, so make sure to wear a hat, long-sleeved shirts, and sunscreen.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

October Monthly Program - Cuba Birding
2024-10-07 19:00 | California
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology or on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/6155249106

Ever wonder what it would be like to bird in Cuba? In one word, wonderful! Perhaps it is a bit more complicated than traveling to other international destinations, however birding in Cuba is very manageable. Cuba is the home of 28 endemic species of birds, including the smallest hummingbird in the world!

Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin, local birder, naturalist and travel enthusiast will share her Cuba birding experience from this past February. Her mantra is, “Look for an elephant, see an elephant, look for a bird and see everything.”

🗻 Mt. Pinos
2024-10-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Mt. Pinos, Cuddy Valley Rd., Frazier Park, CA, 93225, United States
Join us as we go into the mountains to find some alpine birds! We will carpool from the Janss Park & Ride at 7 am. Janss Park & Ride is located on the east side of the 23 freeway at the Janss Road Exit by the soccer fields. Alternately, meet at 9:00am at the Mt. Pinos Nordic Base parking lot at the end of Mount Pinos Road (GPS: Cuddy Valley Rd, Forest Rte 9N24, Frazier Park, CA 93225 – or – coordinates 34.8134, -119.1263). Please note that each vehicle that parks at the Mt. Pinos Nordic Base parking lot will need to display a valid adventure pass. Bundle warm! Target species include – Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and Evening Grosbeak. Trip leader – Richard Aremerding (310)-701-3878.

🏝️ Anacapa Island
2024-10-20 08:00 - 17:00 | Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard), 3600 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA, 93035, United States
During migration, many birds can find themselves lost at sea and have to scramble to find the nearest land. Islands therefore are a great spot to find rare vagrant migrants. We will explore Anacapa to look for any rarities, check the seacliffs for boobies, and of course, watch the water on the way in for pelagic birds!

We will be leaving from Oxnard (Channel Islands Harbor, NOT Ventura Harbor) at 9:30 a.m. and will be on the island until 3:30 p.m. So, please bring food, water, and warm clothing! Also, be sure to purchase a ticket to the island AND a ticket back. One-way tickets are $33 for adults and $30.50 for seniors.

🚜Arnold Rd. and the Oxnard Plains
2024-10-27 08:00 - 11:00 | Oxnard Plains Sod Fiels, Arnold Rd., Oxnard, CA, 93033, United States
The Oxnard plains are a great area for migrating shorebirds and open-habitat songbirds, particularly the sod fields. Likely target species include Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, and Pacific Golden-Plover. Potential rarities include Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Mountain Plover, Red-throated Pipit, and longspur species! This is definitely a good place to bring a scope! Meet at the parking lot at the end of Arnold Rd. at 8 a.m. *Update* New trip leader – Marc Better (510) 919 – 5283.

🦅Bitter Creek NWR
2024-11-02 09:30 - 17:00 | California
Join us as we venture up Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge to look for the California Condor! Be advised, roads will not be suitable for low-clearance vehicles. In fact, 4×4 cars are necessary (if you have a 4×4 car, please contact Sammy). To carpool up, we will meet at the Porter Ranch Park and Ride.at 7:45 a.m.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

November Monthly Program
2024-11-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA, 93012
The Importance of Sierra Meadows for Birds, Other Wildlife, and People

Ryan Burnett with Blue Point Conservation

Wet meadows cover less than 2% of the vast Sierra Nevada, but they are ecosystem workhorses that punch far above their weight. These emerald jewels can support an incredible diversity of birds and other wildlife, including a number of threatened and endangered species. These meadows also play important roles in the function of watersheds; storing, purifying, and cooling water. They can store a tremendous amount of carbon helping mitigate the climate crisis. They are also culturally significant places for many indigenous communities.

Unfortunately, most wet meadows are in a degraded state, reducing their ability to provide these services. Ryan Burnett with Blue Point Conservation will discuss the importance of Sierra Meadows and how, through a large partnership he leads, we are working to restore their vitality.

Also available on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/6155249106.

🦆 Arroyo Simi
2024-11-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Arroyo Simi (Madera), 20 E Easy St, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, United States
Arroyo Simi has a great assortment of shorebirds, ducks, herons and gulls. It is easily accessed via a level bike path that runs from Madera Street to First Street and on through most of Simi Valley. We will walk slowly along the mostly natural bottomed channel scanning for birds like Green Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Belted Kingfisher, and White-faced Ibis. Other possible birds include Hooded Merganser and Blue-winged Teal. Meet at the entrance to the bike path at Easy Street in Simi Valley, just east of Madera Road. Trip Leader – Don Klabunde (805) 428-9839.

🦉 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

Monthly Program--Colombia: South America’s Birding Mecca
2024-12-02 19:00 - 20:30 | California
Get ready for a dive into South America’s birdiest country! Together we’ll explore Colombia’s unique ecology, breathtaking scenery, and unparalleled avian diversity! Colombia holds the record with nearly 2,000 bird species and an impressive 80 endemics!

During our time together, we’ll discuss what has given rise to such incredible diversity. Topics include the country’s five regions, how the Andes Mountain Range formed into three distinct cordilleras, the importance of the mighty Rio Magdalena, and national conservation successes. From sloth-eating Harpy Eagles to shy antpittas, and menageries of colorful tanagers and hummingbirds, Colombia’s astonishing diversity will leave you wanting more!

Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz owns and operates a bird-guiding business and lifestyle brand called BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus). With a background in biology, ecology, and outdoor education, Benny has worked for over 13 years as a naturalist guide, expedition trip leader, and international bird guide. Benny offers guided birding outings in Southern California and small-group birding tours to his favorite tropical locales like Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/6155249106.

✈️International Field Trip: Colombian Central Andes (Dec. 6-14, 2025)
2024-12-06 00:00 - 2024-12-14 23:59 | California
*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 | California
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

🎄Christmas Bird Count
2024-12-22 00:00 - 23:59 | California
Each year around Christmas, we (and hundreds of other Audubon chapters) participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is always held between Dec. 14th & Jan. 5th. This annual bird count encompasses the United States and Canada, as well as Central and South America, the Pacific Islands, West Indies, and Bermuda. The data collected helps scientists learn more about the status and distribution of our birds.

Everyone is welcome to participate, from beginners to experienced birders. Those of you who are less experienced will be teamed up with others who can help you identify the birds. Count teams are assigned areas around the Conejo Valley, Oxnard Plain, Camarillo, Santa Monica Mountains and other areas within our count circle. Most teams begin in the early morning and end as the sun sets. After the count, participants sometimes gather together for a pot-luck supper and do a general tally of the count.

Contact Dave Pereksta for info at (805) 659-5740 or pereksta@pacbell.net

🌳Las Robles Open Space
2024-12-28 08:00 - 23:00 | Las Robles Open Space, 400 S Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91362, United States
The oak woodland and chapparal in the open space south of Thousand Oaks is quite beautiful in winter and provide a good place to see overwintering migrants like Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and maybe even Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Meet at the Los Robles trailhead at the end of Moorpark Rd.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

Ventura County New Year's Bird Count 🎩🕊️
2025-01-04 08:00 - 17:00 | California
Join us for a county-wide count of wintering birds in Ventura County, from the east to the west, the mountains to the seas! Please note this count is different from the CBC’s in that:

1) This covers the entire county, not just the CBC circle. This allows us to cover some areas in Oak Park, Moorpark, Simi Valley, the mountains, etc. that aren’t covered in the CBC counts.

2) This isn’t a nationally organized event, but rather something for our curiosity and desire to understand more about the species that overwinter in our county. While we don’t have any direct plans for how this data can be used, we plan on keeping annual records for future use on local conservation planning, habitat management, etc!

If interested in helping out, please get in touch with Lukas Le Grice (lukaslegrice@gmail.com) or Sammy Cowell (samueldavidcowell@gmail.com)

JANUARY MONTHLY PROGRAM
2025-01-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo
Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery

On January 1st, 2014, Dorian Anderson boarded his bicycle for the adventure of a lifetime. His two-wheeled journey was an ecofriendly twist on the Big Year. While his predecessors utilized cars, planes, and boats, Anderson’s goal was to replicate their transcontinental travels without the use of petroleum, a herculean challenge no one before him had accepted. He ultimately survived subzero temperatures, drifting snow, gusting winds, lightning storms, mountainous ascents, dog attacks, crumbling roads, and several accidents. By December 31, he’d amassed 618 bird species across 18,000 miles of riding, totals no one imagined possible when he set off with zero cycling experience. Anderson will speak about the genesis of his bike-birding project, provide a thrilling recount of his travels, highlight the birds he saw, and reveal how his adventure changed his life. His personality and enthusiasm are infectious, and his tales of birding, cycling, and self-discovery will inspire others to venture into the outdoors, take note of the birds around them, and make positive changes in their own lives.

Dorian started birding in his Philadelphia backyard at age seven, included the Delaware Valley and Jersey Shore during his preteens, and attended several of Victor Emanuel’s youth birding camps as a teenager. He envisioned himself as an ornithologist but got distracted by molecular biology and alcohol, so his childhood passion for birds lay comatose until he got sober at age 30. Despite that alcoholism and drug abuse which plagued him through his twenties, he completed a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Stanford, did predoctoral biomedical research at Harvard University, and earned his Ph.D. in Developmental Genetics and Molecular Cell Biology from New York University. He then spent three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Molecular Neuroscience at Massachusetts General Hospital. Exhausted by the academic rat race and searching for direction, he resigned his postdoctoral position to undertake his Biking for Birds project. Momentum from that life-changing pivot opened many doors including public speaking, travel writing, and tour guiding. He worked in Colombia as a consultant for the National Audubon Society and is currently an international birding guide for Tropical Birding. He is an accomplished bird photographer and has just published his memoir: Under the Influence: Cycling across America in Search of Birds and Recovery.

Salton Sea 🌵🌊*CANCELLED*
2025-01-11 08:00 - 2025-01-12 17:00 | California
*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.
