Date: 9/23/26 5:30 pm From: Liz West via groups.io <elizwest...> Subject: [SJBirds] This Saturday's Field Trips.
SJ Birders:
Beginner’s Bird Walk @ River Islands
September 26 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
FREE
Join leader Henry Koertzen for a beginning bird walk for folks of all ages. We will start at the gravel parking lot at the south entrance of River Islands (at the river side of the road) . We will walk the smooth paved path, accessible by a stroller or wheelchair.
We will do a two mile loop. First we will follow the path along the San Joaquin River, and then we will cross over to return around the lake. Note: there are no bathroom facilities at the site.
Directions
Take exit 460 (Manthey Rd) from I-5(S).
Turn right onto Manthey Road.
At the first stop sign turn left onto Stewart Road.
When you reach the first roundabout the parking area is on the right.
Point Reyes National Seashore Trip
September 26 @ 8:45 am - 5:00 pm
Guide – Ralph Baker
Point Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County, offers some of the finest birding in the United States. The park’s coastal location and its wealth of unspoiled habitats, estuaries, grasslands, coastal scrub, and forest attract many migrating and wintering birds.
The Point Reyes peninsula projects some 10 miles seaward from the “mainland” and acts as a sort of funnel. Many land birds travel south along the coast during fall migration and when they reach the end of the peninsula, they see open water ahead of them and tend to stop and rest before heading “out to sea”. Many vagrants (birds that may have made errors in navigation and thus are unexpected in this area) pass through during September and October and the number of birds seen on or over the water from the fish docks can be astonishing. According to eBird, over 73% of the naturally occurring bird species in California have been reported in Marin County! We’ll see how many we can find.
The precise locations we will bird will depend upon what is being reported in the days leading up to the trip. This will be an all-day trip, so dress in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable, and wear comfortable shoes, as we may do a considerable amount of walking. Also bring water, lunch/snacks, a scope (if you have one) and don’t forget your binoculars. Mosquitoes are not usually a problem and there are restrooms available.
Please RSVP to Ralph at <sharks_hockey_maniac...>
Directions: Meet at 8:45am at the Bear Valley Visitor Center, 1 Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
