Conejo Valley Audubon

?Ventura Settling Ponds
2023-10-07 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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 – Tina Tan (909) 531-9544

Monthly Program - October 2023
2023-10-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA, 93012
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM – 7:00pm
OCTOBER MONTHLY PROGRAM
Friends of the California Condors Wild and Free
Presented by Debbie Parisi
California condors are a critically-endangered species. In the 1980s, there were as few as 22 birds remaining, but with breeding programs and government protections, the population has rebounded – growing to 561 as of December 2022. Condors live throughout the western United States and Baja, Mexico.
Debbie will review the history of the California condor and what led to its endangered status. She will also talk about the California Condor Recovery Program and how with its partners including the SB Zoo and USFWS, we are “Saving the California Condors.”
Debbie is a board member of the non-profit Friends of California Condors, Wild & Free. The organization supports the USFWS refuges that are home to the endangered California Condor. She has been a USFWS volunteer since 2008 working on the refuges as a CACO nest monitor and radio telemetry tracker in support of the California Condor Recovery program. She also completed the CA naturalist program and has a level 3 wildlife track and sign.
In Person
Masks will be required, and the in person group will be limited to a maximum of thirty to allow for social distancing purposes, so please RSVP to the Programs Coordinator to reserve a seat.
Via Zoom
To attend this meeting, use this link (https://zoom.us/j/6155249106) at the meeting time.

Laguna Road Tams ?
2023-09-30 08:00 - 11:00 | Laguna Road Tamarisk Trees, 3690 Laguna Rd., Oxnard, CA, 93033, United States
Like Bob Kildee, the row of tamarisks here along Laguna Road provide a great rest stop for migrating warblers and other songbirds! Parking is somewhat limited along this busy road, so carpooling is encouraged! Trip leader – Frank DeMartino

Matilija Forest ?
2023-09-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Matilija Dam Parking, 450 Matilija Canyon Rd., Ojai, CA, 93023
The cottonwood and willow forest upstream of Matilija Lake provide great habitat for mixed foraging flocks of migrating songbirds. The terrain is rugged; hiking sticks and water shoes/boots are encouraged! Park by Rattlesnake Canyon along Forest Route 5N13 (may be subject to change, depending on road conditions). Trip leader – Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

Sycamore Canyon ?️
2023-09-16 08:00 - 11:00 | Sycamore Canyon, 9000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California, 90265
The creek and sycamore trees at this aptly named campground provide great refuge for all sorts of migrating birds. Parking costs $9 for three hours, so carpooling is encouraged! Trip leader – Matthew Page (805) 990-6534

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2023-09-13 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).

Monthly Program - September 2023
2023-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA, 93012
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM – 7:00pm
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY PROGRAM
MEMBER SHOW & TELL
Each September, our first meeting of the season is dedicated to the birding trips and adventures of our members, so you are invited to show off your recent, or not-so-recent photos.
Bring them on either thumb drive or other medium to WFVZ for the meeting, or for those who wish to share your photos via Zoom or need technical advice, please contact Don Klabunde for instructions and the link where you can upload your files. Then, as long as you have a microphone on your computer, you will be able to narrate your own show on Zoom during the meeting.
Whether or not you need advice, please let Don or Chrystal know if you plan to participate, so we can schedule your contribution.
In Person
Masks will be required, and the in person group will be limited to a maximum of thirty to allow for social distancing purposes, so please RSVP to the Programs Coordinator to reserve a seat.
Via Zoom
To attend this meeting, use this link (https://zoom.us/j/6155249106) at the meeting time.

Bob Killdee Tams ?
2023-09-09 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

Santa Clara River Estuary ?
2023-09-02 08:00 - 11:00 | Surfer’s Knoll, 1600 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA, 93001
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. Trip leader – Dee Lyon (805) 427-0987

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2023-07-12 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-06-14 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-05-10 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-04-12 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.
Please register in advance by contacting walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK).

How to: eBird ??
2023-07-10 19:00 - 20:30
In this special, online event, you will learn the ins and outs, tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird platform! Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced birder, eBird offers an interactive, data-driven platform to engage all levels! Learn how to explore a local area, report rarities, set up alerts, and much more!
Presenter: Sammy Cowell

Beginner Bird Class ?
2023-07-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, United States
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with field guides and equipment, and learn about the local birds in the area! Suitable for all ages!
What to bring: Binoculars (if you have them; if not, we can supply them!), field guides, and a cheerful attitude!
Donation: A $10 donation per class is encouraged, but not required! Donations will go to the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden. PayPal, card, cash, and check are all accepted.
Location: Our third class will be held at Rancho Simi Community Park. There, we will look at the duck pond and Arroyo Simi to become familiar with some basic waterfowl and wading birds. Meet at the parking lot off Royal Ave.
Please contact Matthew Page (southern.pacific.9735@gmail.com, or 805-990-6534) if you are planning on attending!

Beginner Bird Class ?
2023-06-24 08:00 - 11:00 | Hill Canyon, Hill Canyon Rd, Camarillo, CA, 93012
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with field guides and equipment, and learn about the local birds in the area! Suitable for all ages!
For Week 2, we will be heading to Hill Canyon along Santa Rosa Road. Some birds to become familiar with beforehand: California Quail, White-throated Swift, Ash-throated Flycatcher, House Wren, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown-headed Cowbird, Yellow Warbler.
What to bring: Binoculars (if you have them; if not, we can supply them!), field guides, and a cheerful attitude!
Donation: A $10 donation per class is encouraged, but not required! Donations will go to the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden. PayPal, cash, and check are all accepted.
Trip leader: Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin, 805-405-5632

Beginner Bird Class ?
2023-06-17 08:00 - 11:00 | Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
Interested in learning more about birds, but unsure where/how to start? Join us over the course of three weekends as we go over the basics of birdwatching, become familiar with field guides and equipment, and learn about the local birds in the area! Suitable for all ages!
What to bring: Binoculars (if you have them; if not, we can supply them!), field guides, chairs, and a cheerful attitude!
Donation: A $10 donation per class is encouraged, but not required! Donations will go to the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden. PayPal, card, cash, and check are all accepted.
Please contact Sammy Cowell (samueldavidcowell@gmail.com or 818-470-7098) if you are planning on attending!

Owling at Palo Camado Canyon ?
2023-06-10 20:00 - 21:30 | Palo Comado Canyon, 6613 Smoke Tree Ave, Oak Park, CA, 91377, United States
Join us as we do some nighttime birding (aka “owling”). We will listen and look for Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, and Western Screech Owls! Meet at the Sunrise Meadows Open Space Trailhead on Smoke Tree Ave. in Oak Park at 8 p.m. Bring flashlights and/or headlamps! Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098.

Birds and Burritos ?
2023-06-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Margarita’s Mexican Grill, 702 Lindero Canyon Rd, Oak Park, CA, 91377, United States
Join us at 6:30 p.m. at Margaritas Mexican Grill for some delicious food and socializing before our evening field trip! Please text or call Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098 if you plan on coming.

Santa Clara River (SCR) Estuary
2023-05-27 08:00 - 11:00 | Surfer’s Knoll, 1600 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA, 93001
Meet at Surfer’s Knoll parking lot. We will walk along the beach looking at shorebirds and gulls, specifically the nesting California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers! Trip leader: Marc Better (510) 919-5283

Mt. Pinos Field Trip
2023-05-20 07:00 - 15:00 | Janss Road Park and Ride, 1336 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91362, United States
Head to higher elevations and hopefully see some mountain birds (Mountain Chickadees, Clark’s Nutcrackers, White-headed Woodpecker, Brown Creeper). Bring a day pack with food, water and clothing layers; weather is unpredictable.

Note: As of April 22nd, the road to Mt. Pinos was open. A sign by the road said tire chains were required, but this was not being enforced. Unless we get more snow before the date of this field trip, the road should be clear of ice and snow. Check nordicbase.org or http://www.frazmtn.com/fmcoc/snowcond.htm for road conditions.
Leader is Richard Armerding (call or text: 310-701-3878).
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. On a recent Saturday, a ranger was ticketing cars without passes. An Adventure Pass may be purchased locally at Big 5 Sporting Goods. Or you can stop at the 7-11 in Castaic and purchase one.

Ventura River Estuary and Emma Wood State Beach
2023-05-13 08:00 - 11:00 | Ventura River Estuary, Shoreline Dr., Ventura, CA, 93001
We will explore the Ventura River Estuary for any migrating shorebirds and gulls. Then, we will explore Emma Woods State Beach shoreline and forest. Park along Shoreline Drive at Surfer’s Point Park. From there, we will walk west along the bike path toward the estuary. Bring shoes or boots that you don’t mind getting wet if we need to cross the estuary! *Update* Trip leader Max Breshears (805) 218-0979.

Birds and Burgers
2023-05-06 20:00 - 21:30 | Hozy’s Grill, 1760 Lemonwood Dr, Santa Paula, CA, 93060
If you can’t make the field trip, but still want to hang out with your fellow bird nerds, come join us each month for food and drinks! This month, we will be going to Hozy’s Grill in Santa Paula at 8:15 p.m.

Two Rivers Park
2023-05-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Two Rivers Park, River St., Fillmore, CA, 93015
Meet at Two Rivers Park of River St. in Fillmore for some evening birding. We will walk around the park at dusk and look at the ponds; specifically, we will be looking for Lesser Nighthawks! Afterwards, meet at Hozy’s Grill around 8 p.m. in Santa Paula for some food and drinks! Trip leader Tina Tan. (909) 531-9544

Monthly Program - May 2023
2023-05-01 19:00 - 20:30 | CVAS Monthly Program Zoom Meeting
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM – 7:00pm
MAY MONTHLY PROGRAM
BIRDING THE SPINE OF SOUTH AMERICA:
TRAVELS THROUGHOUT THE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE ANDES MOUNTAINS
By David Pereksta
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Photo by David Pereksta
The Andes Mountains form the backbone of South America; extending along the entire length of the western side of the continent through seven countries from Venezuela to Chile. The longest mountain range in the world, it is 5,530 miles long and 124 to 435 miles wide with an average height of 13,123 feet! The latitudinal and altitudinal changes lead to an incredible diversity of ecosystems, which is reflected in the mind-blowing biodiversity of the region including staggering numbers of birds. From the tropical Andes of the north, dry Andes in the central part of the range, and wet Andes in the south, thousands of bird species occur there, including some of the world’s most iconic birds. David Pereksta has spent several months birding in the Andes from Colombia to Chile where he has encountered over 1,000 bird species. David will take us on a photo journey to the Andes that highlights the diversity of habitats including rain forests, volcanos, deserts, salt plains, cloud forests, and glaciers. He will share some of the unique birds that are found in these habitats including a variety of endemic species and some of the most wanted birds in the world. From birds you have never heard of, to ridiculous numbers of hummingbirds and tanagers, this presentation will illustrate why the Andes is one of the world’s premier birding destinations.
David Pereksta is an Avian Biologist with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, where he studies and analyzes the effects of offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy development on birds off the Pacific coast and Hawaii. Prior to his position at BOEM, Dave worked on endangered species issues with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Throughout his career with various Federal and State agencies, he has studied several imperiled bird species including Snowy Plovers, Piping Plovers, Least Terns, Ospreys, Northern Goshawks, Brown Pelicans, Spotted Owls, and Ivory-billed Woodpeckers.
An avid birder for over 45 years, Dave has traveled throughout North America, South America, the American tropics, the South Pacific, and East Asia including leading trips to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile. He has seen over 2,200 species of birds in his travels; photographing 1,700 species along the way.
In Person
Masks will be required, and the in person group will be limited to a maximum of thirty to allow for social distancing purposes, so please RSVP to the Programs Coordinator to reserve a seat.
Via Zoom
To attend this meeting, use this link (https://zoom.us/j/6155249106) at the meeting time.

Matilija Riparian Field Trip
2023-04-29 08:00 - 11:00 | Matilija Dam Parking, 450 Matilija Canyon Rd., Ojai, CA, 93023
Meet at 8:00 am. Due to flood damage, the road is limited to residents only, so park on Matilija Canyon Rd. (Forest Rt. 5N13) just as it comes off Hwy 33. From there, the group will walk up to the Matilija overlook and down the road to access the riparian forest. This can be a difficult excursion for some, so bring proper hiking gear, sunscreen, and plenty of water
Leader is Matthew Page (805) 990-6534.

Mission Oaks Field Trip
2023-04-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Mission Oaks Park, 5501 Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA, 93012, United States
Meet at 8 am atthe parking lot off Mission Oaks Blvd. Target species will be spring migrants (warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, orioles).
Leader is Sangeet Khalsa (805) 861-4648.

Bird-Friendly Garden Tour
2023-04-16 09:00 - 15:00
See what folks have done with California natives in their gardens.
RSVP by April 7th!
More information.

Bear Divide Field Trip
2023-04-15 07:30 - 11:00 | Bear Divide Picnic Area, 21525 Santa Clara Truck Trail, Canyon Country, CA, 91387, United States
Meet at Janss Park & Ride opposite T.O. Library, at 7:30 am to carpool, or meet at Bear Divide on Sand Canyon Rd. The flow of migrants peaks at dawn, and is mostly done by 9 am.
Leader is Dee Lyon (805) 427-0987

Sisar Canyon Field Trip
2023-04-08 08:00 - 11:00 | Sisar Canyon, 12799 Sisar Canyon Rd, Ojai, CA, 93023
Meet at 8 am at the parking lot off Sisar Rd. Parking is very limited, so carpooling is suggested. Target species will be spring migrants (vireos, warblers, flycatchers).

Leader is Spencer Seale (805) 746-9789.
