Female Bufflehead Ducks ©Tony Woo
Bay Area Duck Class with
Lisa Myers
TWO THURSDAY CLASSES:
JANUARY 17 & 24, 7:00PM – 8:30PM
SATURDAY FIELD TRIP:
JANUARY 26, 8:30AM – Noon
Every winter the San Francisco Bay Area becomes
a magnet for many different species of ducks. With
our salt water bay and fresh water ponds, birders can observe many great species of waterfowl. Ducks are also a lot of fun to identify. Male ducks have striking field marks which make their ID much easier than many of the other bird groups. This class will consist of two evening lectures at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher and one Saturday morning field trip. Fee: $55
Bird Identification Workshops at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher with Lisa Myers – Open to all levels
These workshops have proven extremely popular as customers learn how to identify the birds coming to their yards and into the Bay Area. Workshops take place at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher, 7:00PM – 8:00PM. Free
The one hour workshops will focus on four different bird species we can expect to see in our local area. We'll go over the field marks you can use to make the ID. We'll also talk about behaviors, food preferences and even vocalizations. We ask that you bring your own folding chair to the store that night and you will need to have a field guide with your for class. Call the store to save your spot: 408-358-9453.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 Workshop: Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl, Western Screech Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl.
Tuesday, March 12 Workshop: Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Violet Green Swallow, Purple Martin
American Kestrel ©Tony Woo
Winter Raptor Workshop with
Biologist Ryan Phillips
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
8:30AM – 12:30PM
Eagles, hawks and falcons are all considered raptors. They are always a favorite because of their impressive field marks, and their hunting lifestyle. This is the time of year we have a higher concentration of Northern California raptors. Many different species of raptors escape snow country and spend their winter in the Bay Area. We will spend part of our morning
at the new south county open space and end in Coyote Valley. Ryan will discuss the different raptor families found in the Bay Area this time of year. We well be on the look-out for Bald & Golden Eagles, Northern Harriers, Red-tail and Ferruginous Hawks in addition to Peregrine & Prarie Falcons, American Kestrels and Merlin. Carpooling will be encouraged. Lisa Myers will also be there to help spot birds. Fee: $45
You can meet at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher at 8:00 am, or meet at
the trip location by 8:30 am. Walks end by 10:00 am. These two
hour Saturday walks are open to all who are interested in birding. If
the forecast calls for an 80–100% chance of rain in Los Gatos, the trip cancels. Unless you have a county or senior parking pass, some locations require a parking fee. A reminder to our location will also be found on the store’s phone message.
JAN 5 Call the store Friday night for location.
JAN 12 No walk. Let's Go Birding tour to the Merced NWR.
JAN 19 Los Gatos Creek Park. Meet off Hacienda on Dell Ave. at Vendell Way.
JAN 26 No morning walk. Join our Duck Class with Lisa Myers.
FEB 2 Belgatos Park off Blossom Hill Road.
FEB 9 No morning walk. Join our Raptor Workshop with Ryan Phillips.
FEB 16 Oka Ponds in Los Gatos off Lark.
FEB 23 Lexington Reservoir Off 17 Take the Bear Creek Road exit and meet at the dam.
MAR 2* Meet-up McClellan Ranch Cupertino (SCVAS headquarters).
*Meet-up indicates a morning when birders will meet on site at 8:15 AM without Lisa.
Tours below require a reservation, please call the store to save your spot,
408-358-9453.
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
7:45 AM – 4:00 PM
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian areas. It was established in 1951 under the Lea Act to attract wintering waterfowl from adjacent farmland where their foraging actvities were causing crop damage. In the last few decades, changes in local agricultural practices and Refuge management activities have reduced these wildlife/crop issues. The Refuge plays host to the largest wintering populations of lesser Sandhill Cranes and Ross' geese along the Pacific Flyway. Each year more than 20,000 cranes and 60,000 arctic-nesting geese make the Refuge home for six months. Here they mingle with thousands of other visiting waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds—making the Refuge a true winter phenomenon. Fee: $70 (includes transportation, gas, entrance fees. Tip to driver is separate). Waitlist only.
Birding the Santa Cruz Mountains with Leaders Biologist Ryan Phillips and Lisa Myers
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
8:00AM – 4:00PM
We'll take advantage of our proximity to the Santa Cruz Mountains and sped the day looking for early migrants returning to our area to breed. We will also be on the look-out for the resident breeders that make the mountains their home. There are many wonderful open spaces throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains including Castle Rock State Park. We are hoping the new Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space will open by this date! Our final route will be decided before the tour. Fee: $70 (includes transportation and entrance fees.)
