Conejo Valley Audubon

California State University Channel Islands Field Trip
2023-01-15 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Old Hueneme Rd., Old Hueneme Rd, Camarillo, 93012
We will look for flycatchers, grassland birds and any unusual birds found on the Christmas Bird Count.
Trip Leader: Sammy Cowell (818-470-7098)

Point Mugu Navy Base Field Trip
2023-01-20 08:00 - 11:00
This field trip is open only to current members of Conejo Valley Audubon Society. Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed on this trip.
Contact Frank DeMartino ASAP to get your information submitted to the Navy.
We saw close to 70 species in November.

Lake Casitas Field Trip
2023-01-28 08:00 - 11:30 | Lake Casitas, 11311 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura, CA, 93001, United States
Meet at 8 am outside the gate off Hwy 150.
Leader is Tina Tan – tinastacytan@gmail.com

Carrizo Plain Field Trip
2023-02-04 08:00 - 16:00 | Carrizo Plain Meeting Point, 32660 CA-33, Maricopa, CA, 93252, United States
We’ll look for Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Golden Eagle, Mountain Bluebird, Horned Lark and Mountain Plover.
Meet at 8 am at the corner of Hwy 166/33 and Soda Lake Rd.
Please Note: The recent rains and flooding have caused significant damage to Highway 33 near Ojai, resulting in complete closure of this route. Please check for road conditions before driving to this field trip. An alternate route may be needed.
Leaders are Thelma Williams and Dee Lyon – (805) 427-0987.

Monthly Program - February 2023
2023-02-06 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
FROM THE ASHES:
LIFE AFTER WILDFIRE IN THE LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
Bryant Baker
What happens in the first days, weeks, and months after a fire comes to our region and leaves nothing but burnt stems and ash behind? What do our local ecosystems look like a year later? Two years later? Ten years later? These are the questions naturalist and photog-rapher Bryant Baker set out to answer during his explorations of burned areas in and around the Los Padres National Forest. Through this virtual visual journey, see the unique phases of ecosystem regrowth, learn about the different strategies plants and animals use to cope with wildfire, and find out what lies ahead as these places continue to recover.
Bryant Baker is the Director of Conservation and Research at Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Barbara, and dedicated to protecting the Los Padres National Forest and other public lands in the region. His research focuses on fire ecology and management in shrubland and forest ecosystems in California. Bryant is also a Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst and cartographer, and his maps on land use and wildfire have been published by major media outlets.
In addition to his conservation research, Bryant is a plant and landscape photographer spe-cializing in post-fire habitats and native plants in California. His work has appeared in books, magazines, and newspapers across the region.
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.

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2023-02-08 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-03-08 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-04-12 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-05-10 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).

Lake Sherwood Field Trip - FULL
2023-02-12 08:30 - 11:00 | Lake Sherwood, 2201 Stafford Rd., Westlake Village, CA, 91361
February 8, 2023: We’re sorry, but this field trip is full.
Meet at 8:30 am. Enter on Stafford Rd. off of Potrero Rd. We will see lots of great water birds and oak woodland denizens.
Leader is Mary Hansen. Call her at (805) 390-4586 to get your name onto the list to get in through the gate.

Foster Park Field Trip
2023-02-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Foster Park, 50 Casitas Vista Rd., Ojai, CA, 93001, United States
Meet at 9 am at Casitas Vista Rd. under the 33 Fwy overpass. We can park off the road there and walk into the park.
Text questions to leader Matthew Page at (805) 990-6534.

Monthly Program - March 2023
2023-03-06 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
CALIFORNIA’S NATIVE BEES

California is home to over 1,600 species of native bees, and they are a vital part of many ecosystems. They are important pollinators and a sign of a healthy garden. Through macro photography you’ll get to know more about these native bees, their special relationships with native plants, and what makes them so special to community science engagement.

Community Scientist, and Photographer Krystle Hickman is based in Los Angeles, California. Through her artful photography, she strives to increase awareness of the worrisome decline of native bee species and their biodiverse ecosystems. She regularly works to photograph and document the bees in public gardens like the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Arlington Garden, and she also collects data on rare bee species in the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as private yards with native gardens. Her photography has been featured in scientific journals, children’s books, and The LA Times.

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.

Annual Dinner and Auction
2023-03-11 17:30 - 21:30 | Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, United States
The 2020 Annual Dinner and Auction Is Finally Here!!!
Yeah, I know. It’s now 2023, but all the decorations and preparations for the 2020 event are still sitting in our family room waiting for the party.
It’s been a long time, and we’ve all missed each other. We’ve missed the fun. We’ve missed the live auction with the suave Don Klabunde. We’ve missed the silent auction and especially the raffle with the charming Thelma Williams whipping us up into a frenzy for those priceless white elephants.
Of course Palm Garden Hotel always serves up a delicious buffet dinner, CVAS is providing wine and the hotel has a full bar where serious adult beverages can be had for a price.
For those who haven’t experienced this event before, it’s not only a chance to get to know some of your fellow CVAS members, but also who knows what wonders you might be able to buy for a song – wonders from original works of art to one-of-a-kind adventures.

Las Llajas Canyon Field Trip
2023-03-18 08:00 - 11:00 | Las Llajas Canyon, 5715 Evening Sky Drive, Simi Valley, CA, 93063, United States
North on Yosemite Ave, right on Evening Star Dr, Simi Valley. Meet at the trailhead at 8 am.
Hilly terrain, bring water.
We’ll look for raptors, Roadrunners and Phainopeplas.
Leader is Dee Lyon (805) 427-0987

Canada Larga Road Field Trip
2023-03-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Canada Larga Road, 180 Canada Larga Rd, Ventura, CA, 93001
Meet at the start of Cañada Larga Road at 8 am.
We will look for sparrows, sapsuckers, raptors and other various field birds. This is car birding with several stops. Bring masks and water.
Leader is Chrystal Klabunde (805) 522-8023

Lake Piru Field Trip
2023-04-01 08:00 - 11:00 | Lake Piru, 4780 Piru Canyon Rd, Piru, CA, 93040
Meet at 8:00 am at the store/Condor Point, beyond the entrance. The entrance fee is $5 per car, (Normally it is $10, however the fee was reduced for this Fieldtrip, so be sure to tell them you are part of the CVAS birding group).
Target birds include spring migrants, raptors, and condors.
Leader is Peter Robertshaw (909) 771–9720.

Monthly Program - April 2023
2023-04-03 19:00 - 20:30 | CVAS Monthly Program Zoom Meeting
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR THIS PROGRAM – 7:00pm
BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING CALIFORNIA NATIVES
California native plants can make excellent, drought tolerant choices for our gardens, saving water and providing food and shelter for native insects, birds, and other animals, but there’s also a long history of how our local indigenous peoples made use of these plants.

Laura Pasetta Owner of Wild Rootz is a California Naturalist, Master Gardener, Herbalist,and Nature Photographer. She speaks on a wide variety of topics that include the Animals, Birds and Insects of California Ecosystems, Ethnobotany, and Drought Tolerant Gardening using California natives in our urban landscapes.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.
