Angeles Crest, Charlton Flats, Chilao, Buckhorn. A yearly trip to the Alpine habitat - nice and cool while the city sweats. Join us for such birds as Steller’s Jays, Band-tailed Pigeons, nuthatches, Brown Creepers and White-headed Woodpeckers. It’s a lovely place for a picnic too, so bring an elegant repast if you wish.

    [535 B3] Meet at 7:30 a.m. on Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) just north of the intersection with Highway 210 (Foothill Freeway) in La Canada. We will carpool up Angeles Crest Highway. A National Forest pass is required - cost $5/day per car. Available at Sports Chalet, Adventure 16, Big 5, or the Clear Creek Visitor Center on the way up Angeles Crest. Bring snacks, lunch and drinks.

Angeles Mountains Owl Search. Saturday evening. Something always seems to get in the way, but we'll try again to get up Angeles Crest Hwy and find some owls. Time: later afternoon to well after dark. Call leader for reservation. Leader: Chuck Almdale 818-894-2541

Annual Picnic. Tapia Park. Immediately following our monthly Sunday morning Malibu Lagoon bird walk, we’ll head to Tapia Park for a picnic brunch and a bit more birding, of course.  There won’t be many wildflowers this year but we should see some oak woodland birds.
            Of course you are all welcome to come to the picnic even if you miss the birdwalk at the Lagoon.  Bring your favorite dish (enough for 6-8 people).  We’ll supply cold drinks and ice but please bring your own reusable plates, utensils and cups – we’ll have some extras but we’d rather not use “throw-aways”.  We’d like to reduce the amount of solid waste our party generates.   Bring a folding chair and your binoculars.  We plan to meet at Tapia at about 11 a.m. and eat at about 11.30.  
            We hope to have a small raffle at our picnic, contingent on donations, of bird and nature-oriented material.  If you have anything you’d like to bring, please do.

            [588 H7]  From the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu , take Malibu Canyon Rd. north (at Pepperdine).  The park entrance is on the left, 4.7 mi. north of PCH (and just after the traffic light at Piuma Rd. ).  From the San Fernando Valley, take the Ventura Fwy to the Las Virgenes exit and go south toward Malibu .  (The road will change names to Malibu Canyon in a few miles.)  The park entrance is on the right, 1.5 miles south of the traffic light at Mulholland Drive .  There is a day use fee for each car that does not have a California State Park pass.
            Approximately 500 feet from the entrance kiosk, take the 1st left (there is a sign for the Salvation Army Camp).  Go another 2/10 miles and look for our colorful blue and yellow SMBAS banner.

Antelope Valley Raptor Experience. This is be a great trip for the raptor enthusiast. We will be birding primarily the northwest and west end of the Antelope valley. The most likely raptors to be seen will be the Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Harrier and Black-shouldered Kite. Other possible species include Rough-legged Hawk, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Golden Eagle and Merlin. We also keep our eyes open for Mountain Bluebirds and other interesting birds in the fields.

    [90 A3 California]  Take I-5 north until you get to Sylmar. Then take Highway 14 north towards Palmdale. Just before Palmdale take the Avenue S turnoff east followed by a quick right turn into the parking lot (this is a Park-And-Ride parking lot during the week). Meet in the lot at 8:00 a.m. Bring lunch, drinks, and additional water, and dress for the weather.

Ballona Jetty and Fresh Water Marsh. The breakwaters at Marina del Rey (the Ballona Jetty) are a good place to find rock-loving birds you don’t get at the beach, as well as the usual suspects in the gull and tern community and perhaps an unusual sparrow or two. After exploring the jetty we will go to the opposite end of the wetlands and bird the freshwater marsh next to Lincoln Blvd. This marsh has an ever-expanding bird list that has passed 150 species.
            From Lincoln Blvd. in Playa del Rey take Jefferson Blvd. towards the ocean. Jefferson will merge into Culver Blvd as you continue. Turn right on Pacific Ave (almost at the end of Culver) and go to about 64th Ave. where you will find a parking lot between Pacific and the Del Rey Lagoon. Park and then continue along Pacific on foot for a few blocks to the bridge across Ballona Creek where we will meet at 8:00 a.m.
            -- Contact: Chuck Almdale (818-894-2541)

Ballona Freshwater Marsh. Everyone should visit this newest birding hot spot in LA County. Open since Spring '03, its bird list is already over 150 species, with rarities often appearing. Our first trip of the fall will show you around this small but productive wetland.

Big Sycamore Canyon. The canyon is good habitat for orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks, House Wrens, various flycatchers, and a local subspecies of the Canyon Wren, C. m. youbetcha, the Guaranteed Canyon Wren. In the springtime we pay special attention to nesting birds, especially the local Great-horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, House Wrens and orioles. There has been something like normal rainfall this year so we expect a good number of birds.

    [96 C2 California] Big Sycamore Canyon State Park is about 5 miles north of the LA/Ventura county line on Pacific Coast Highway. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the creek bridge next to the rest rooms on the inland side of PCH. There is a parking lot inside ( fee $10!) and some parking along PCH if you get there early enough. 

Butterbredt Spring Christmas Count. This is the one trip every year where you can count on meeting real birders, the kind that bring their cross-country skis when the weather turns iffy. No espresso-sipping wimps on this trip! All seriousness aside, dress warmly, bring $5 for the compilation fee, pack a lunch and snacks and be ready to spend all daylight time (it gets dark around 4:30 p.m.) in the Butterbredt count circle as we do our part to count all the birds that were too macho to fly south for the winter.

    Click on Christmas Counts to visit the national website. This is Citizen Science at its best!

    [80 B3  California]  Contact the coordinator for exact instructions (the count circle instructions are different from our regular field trips to Butterbredt). We’ll be happy to arrange carpools if you don’t want to do any driving. Family guide: long car ride, possible cold weather; gotta love the birds.

Butterbredt Spring Halloween. Join us on our annual Halloween Campout! Travel will be on graded dirt roads. Birds we hope to see are the typical desert species (Golden Eagle, Sage Sparrow, etc.) and fall migrants such as (we hope) large flocks of Pinyon Jays. Bring a pumpkin for the annual Carving Exhibition and Ghostly Tree Display. Family guide: great fun for children over 10. In fact, we would like to encourage families to attend this camping trip. We have been invited to stay at Sageland Ranch, home of Keith Axelson. There will be camping space for all, but please bring enough water for cooking and washing, and some firewood would be greatly appreciated too. You can cook on the main campfire or on one of the barbecues.

    NB: this field trip requires a signed release form which will be available at the beginning of the trip or by sending a SASE to Lillian Almdale, 15737 Tuba St., San Fernando, CA 91343.

    [80 B3 California] From Santa Monica: take the San Diego Freeway north to Highway 14 which goes east and then north to the Antelope Valley. From Mojave continue on Highway 14 about 20 miles to the Jawbone Canyon turnoff. Take Jawbone Rd. for 6.2 miles and take the right fork. Go another 5.7 miles to the Butterbredt Sign, turn right and go another 0.9 miles to the spring. Travel time is about 2½   - 3 hours from Santa Monica. Meet at the spring at 8:30 a.m. Leave your name and telephone number with the contact person in case of cancellation due to bad weather.

Butterbredt Spring Spring Campout. Our annual spring camping weekend at the Butterbredt Spring Wildlife Sanctuary and the riparian habitat of Kelso Creek, surrounded by the high desert. Birds we will see are desert residents, spring migrants (three years ago we saw all eleven western warblers at the spring), and specialties such as Piñon Jays and Golden Eagles. Travel will be on graded dirt roads, passable by almost any car. We will camp in a spot close to Kelso Creek and north of Kelso Valley. Don’t leave Mojave without filling up on gas and bring water for cooking and washing. Family guide: a great camping trip.
    NB: this field trip requires a signed release form which will be available at the beginning of the trip or by sending a SASE to Lillian Almdale, 15737 Tuba St., San Fernando, CA 91343.
    See the Halloween directions above.    

California Native Plant Society annual plant sale. Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM.  Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd, just west of Hayvenhurst, north side of Magnolia, by 101 freeway in Encino.  Come early on Saturday for best selection.

Carrizo Plain. Sandhill Cranes, Mountain Plovers, shrikes, eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, sparrows, larks, Tricolored Blackbirds and scintillating Mountain Bluebirds, all are likely. If that isn't enough, more open space and quite than you thought possible in So. Calif. You must call leader to participate. No fee, carpooling preferred. Leader: Chuck Almdale
    NB: this trip will be canceled if weather conditions are bad or possibly if Soda Lake is dry! Our press deadline is too far ahead of the trip to be sure about Soda Lake, so please call the leader during the week before the trip to confirm.

    [78 A5  California] Take I-5 north to Hwy. 166, the first exit from I-5 after it splits off from Hwy. 99. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the junction of Highway 166 and the Elkhorn Grade Road, approximately 1.6 miles west of Maricopa, which is 23 miles west of I-5. Allow about 2 hours driving time from Santa Monica.

Central Coast Birding Rally: Showcasing northern Santa Barbara County sites on the Central Coast Birding Trail which includes sites between Ventura and Monterey Counties, the fifth annual Central Coast Birding Rally will be held the first weekend of October.  A reception to acquaint visitors to the area will be held Friday evening.  The rally itself will run from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday followed by a Santa Maria style bar-b-cue and auction of birding related items Saturday afternoon.  A Big Day at Nojoqui Falls will take place on Sunday.  The entire event is free to participants, having been funded by La Purisima Audubon and the business community of northern Santa Barbara County.  For more information, visit our web page at http://lpas.westhost.com/rally or write LPAS, PO Box 2045, Lompoc, CA 93438

Visit Charmlee Wilderness Park to enjoy the Butterfly Garden, see how and why butterfly gardens work and learn how to create your own. Margaret Huffman will be your guide. Butterfly Garden books, plants and seeds will be for sale. Bring water, a snack, and $3 for parking. Binoculars will add a lot to your fun. 2 hours. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter, North American Butterfly Association LANABA.

    August 1, 2002 News Update: Margaret says, "The Butterfly Garden at Charmlee has been eaten by hungry mammals, thanks to the Fire Department hacking off what they must have been using before now. So I won't be able to show off the garden [for a while]."

Coastal Cleanup Day. You and your family can make your contribution to the Bay by joining us in the biggest cleanup of the year. From 9:00 a.m. until noon, volunteers will be given supplies and instructions on how to carry out a beach cleanup. Coastal Cleanup Day is perhaps the largest volunteer day on the planet. At last count, not only was every coastal state in the USA participating, but so were 73 other countries. Here in Southern California, CCD reminds us that the beach begins at our front door. Trash travels from our streets through the storm drains system onto our beaches and into our bay.
    Our chapter will be concentrating its efforts at Malibu Lagoon, but you can call 1-800-HEALBAY for information and other places to volunteer.

Descanso Gardens.  This is a place rapidly gaining a reputation as a good migrant trap, as well as offering nesting space for woodpeckers and the occasional strange warbler. Needless to say, the gardens themselves are glorious and worth the trip on their own.

    [535 A4] Take the Glendale Freeway (2) north to Verdugo Blvd. Go East (right) on Verdugo to Descanso Dr. Turn right on Descanso and go a few hundred yards to the Gardens, on the right. Meet at the entrance (fee is $5) at 8:00 a.m.

Eaton Canyon Natural Area. Great birding all year round, an excellent Nature Center, large oak terrace, some water in the stream most years, many footpaths, excellent picnic facilities. Habitat includes chaparral, oak woodland and riparian. Will be hot in summer, pleasant to hot in the spring. We can expect over forty species - pretty good considering no shorebirds. In spring 2002 there were a Brown Thrasher and several Calliope Hummingbirds!
    [536 E6] From Interstate 210 in Pasadena, exit on Sierra Madre Blvd., go north on Altadena Drive to the entrance on the right, just north of New York Drive. Meet at 8:00 a.m.

Evening Meeting Place. [671 E2] We meet at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th Street (between Colorado and Broadway), Santa Monica. Parking is under the building; metered spaces are free after 6:00 p.m., and there are numerous free Visitor Parking spaces on the 3rd level. We meet on the first floor - the room number will be posted. Meetings begin at 7:30 sharp with a little business, and our main presentation. Refreshments will be served.

Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Beverly Hills. Bring picnic dinner! This is a time to celebrate the warm evenings of late Spring.  After dinner we will look for Wood Ducks (guaranteed), quail, California Thrasher, Golden-crowned Sparrows and whatever else we can find before dusk. As the sun sets we will look for the nest of Great-horned Owls and the Barn Owls that have been seen. We haven’t been to this location in a long time and it is a lovely place.
            Directions: turn north on Beverly Drive from Sunset Blvd. This intersection is complicated (seven directions of traffic!) so be careful. If you’re coming from the west, Canon Drive is the street before Beverly; coming from the east, Rexford Drive is just before Beverly. Go north and be sure to stay left at the 4/10 and 7/10 mile marks to stay on Beverly. At the 1.5 mile mark at the signal (and fire station) turn right on to Franklin Canyon Drive. Keep going north until you see a gate and the nature center and parking area. Picnic at 5:00 p.m. and the bird walk at 6:00 p.m.

Hopkins Wilderness Park. This is a small park, but known for its ability to trap migrants. The hours for the park are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but we will be allowed in early on this occasion only! 

   Park address is 1102 Camino Real in Redondo Beach. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. After doing a couple of circumnavigations we will proceed to Madrona Marsh (see below), a short distance away, and continue searching for those Spring Migrators.

Huntington Beach Central Park & Bolsa Chica. We will look for migrants in Central Park for about two hours and then go for the shorebirds at the Bolsa Chica Reserve. The park is widely known as a migrant trap; Bolsa Chica frequently features uncommon shorebirds.
    [21 B6 Orange County]  Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Slater Avenue parking lot at Huntington Beach Central Park.  (1) From Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach go north on Golden West Street about 3 miles. Turn right on Slater Avenue and watch on your right for the parking lot.  (2) From the San Diego Freeway in Westminster take Golden West Street south about 2.3 miles. Turn left on Slater Avenue and watch on your right for the parking lot. 

Hyperion Water Treatment Plant Tour

Friday, November 3rd. If you've wondered just where it all goes after vanishing down the drain, or if you shudder to think about it, this week-day trip is for you. The tour will consist of a slide show, Q&A and a guided tour of the facility. You'll be astonished at what they have to deal with and how they do it.

            You must sign up in advance for this trip with the leader, Chuck Almdale (818-894-2541). Walking shoes without open toes (e.g. no sandals) are mandatory. Carpooling is available. If you plan to drive yourself, Chuck needs the following information from you: (1) Your name; (2) Automobile information: make, model, color, and licence plate number.

            This information will be sent to the tour director at Hyperion, so Chuck will need it no later than Tuesday, Oct. 31. The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. on November 3rd (Friday).

King Gillette Ranch

State Park docent Peggy Mueller will again lead us on this 2nd annual hike. This is a 1-way, 4-mile, approx. 4-hour hike, mostly level with one small up-and- down slope. Starting at Paramount Ranch (free parking!) we'll pass thru former Prez's Reagan Ranch, meadows, past Chumash relics, riparian areas, streams, a Sci-Fi movie set, and other wonders galore! Bring water, sturdy shoes and lunch. We will carpool by parking most cars at the beginning and two cars will be parked at the end for the return trip. The RTD shuttle seems to be out of commission.
            From the Las Virgenes Road/Mulholland Hwy. intersection, Paramount Ranch is 2.3 mi. west on Mulholland, then 0.2 miles north on Cornell Rd. to park entrance (2813 Cornell Rd., Agoura). From Hwy 101, exit #36 Kanan Rd., south 0.5 miles to Cornell Way, left 0.1 mile to Cornell Rd. and continue 2.3 miles to park entrance.
            - Coordinator: Chuck Almdale, 818-894-2541; contact Chuck for time and reservations.

Madrona Marsh. 
    [763 D6]  The Madrona Marsh Nature Center and parking are at 3201 Plaza del Amo in Torrance. From the 405 Freeway take Hawthorne Blvd. south 3.4 miles to Torrance Blvd. Turn left and go a half mile to Madrona Ave. Turn right and go a half mile to Plaza del Amo. Turn left and watch for the parking lot on the left. 

Marina del Rey - Birding by Kayak (and walking the Ballona Wetlands). During spring, Southern California’s shore birds leave for Canada and Alaska. Clouds of flocks perform spectacular precision aerial maneuvers over the water. Others species arrive to spend the summer here. Pelicans, terns, and herons molt into their most colorful plumages. Terns and swallows engage in courtship displays. Offshore we can see migrating pelagic birds and marine mammals. Catch the action from an on-the-water perspective. (There will be a bird walk along Ballona Creek for those who don’t wish to Kayak.)
            Reservations are required. Basic instruction in kayaking is provided. Bring your binoculars (preferably waterproof). Wear shoes that can get wet, a hat & sunscreen, a long sleeve windbreaker, and long pants. Nylon is better than cotton. UCLA provides kayak, paddle, PFD (lifejacket) and wetsuit. Meet at the Aquatic Center at 7:30 a.m. Fee $21.
            For those not kayaking, the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.  Meet in the parking lot of the Del Rey Lagoon.  Bring a jacket, the wind can get chilly along the jetty.
            [672 B2]  UCLA Marina Aquatic Center, 14001 Fiji Way Marina del Rey. Parking at Lot 52 on Fiji Way. Please register in advance. Call (310-823-0048) for registration, information and directions.
            Leaders - Bob Gurfield (310-453-1831) Kayak; Lillian Almdale (818-894-2541) Walk

Malibu Creek State Park. 

This is always a lovely walk and we have the opportunity of seeing uncommon wintering birds such as Golden Eagle, Lewis', Red-breasted and Red-naped Woodpeckers, Western Bluebirds, Merlin and others. Deer, Bobcat and Coyote are possibilities. Joining us will be Peggy Mueller, park docent, who will fill us in on the history, flora and fauna of the park. Leader: Chuck Almdale 818-894-2541

            [588 G5] Ventura Fwy (101) to Las Virgenes Rd. South on Las Virgenes Rd, 3 miles to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Park entrance is 0.25 mile south of the intersection on Las Virgenes Rd /Malibu Canyon Rd. From Pacific Coast Hwy, north on Malibu Canyon Rd to park entrance. 

Malibu Lagoon. We visit the lagoon every month, and there is always something to see. Spring and Fall bring the largest number of species, with Fall giving us the best chance at migratory rarities. In Winter we have all our resident species so bird numbers are pretty good. Even in Summer we have a good showing, and of course the weather is even more perfect. Please join us for an easy walk on the beach, and sometimes an extension to the grounds at Adamson House or to the lush grass and reclamation ponds at Pepperdine University. We stay out until 11:30 or noon but we never get far away from the start and you can easily come for a shorter trip if you wish. Species seen range from 40 in the summer to 75 during migration.

      Adult Walk - beginner or experienced - 8:30 a.m. We put out special effort to make our monthly Malibu Lagoon walks attractive to first-time and beginning birdwatchers. So please, if you are at all worried about coming on a trip and embarrassing yourself because of all the experts, we remember our first trips too. Somebody had to show us the birds, and it’s our turn now.

      Children and Parent Walk - one hour session - 10:00 a.m. The Children’s Walk is Back! We start at 10:00 for a shorter walk and to allow time for families to get it together on a sleepy Sunday morning. We will have kid-experienced leaders so please bring the kids to the beach! We have an ample supply of binoculars that children can use without striking terror into their parents - we want to see families enjoying nature. (If you have a Scout Troop or other large group of kids please contact Mary Prismon to make sure we have enough binoculars.)

      Malibu Lagoon is at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road. Now that the parking lot is finished (fee - $10) we will meet somewhere beside the lot, but because of print deadlines, we don’t know exactly where. We will try to be obvious. You may also park either along PCH north of Cross Creek Road or on Cross Creek Road itself but be careful - some parts of PCH are off-limits (read the signs carefully). Lagoon parking in the shopping center lot is not permitted. We meet probably (!) next to the parking lot entrance where there is a pedestrian passage open to the back of the lagoon.

Matilija Nursery. For the Wild Gardeners who lust after more plants, or those who had to miss the sale of native plants on October 15-16, Margaret has scheduled a trip to the Matilija Nursery in Moorpark for October 29^th at 11 a.m. Here you will find a huge selection of native plants to choose from. The nursery is about 52 miles from the intersection of the 405 and the 10, so the drive will take a little over an hour.
            Go north on the 405 to the 118 Freeway; go west 16 miles to the New Los Angeles Ave. exit; go west 6.6 miles to Balcom Canyon Rd. Turn right and go north for approximately two miles to Stockton Rd. Turn right and go east/northeast for approximately three miles to Waters Rd. and make a left heading northwest for approximately one and a half miles and the nursery is on the left at 8225 Waters Rd. There's a map on the website at www.matilijanursery.com/maps.htm  Car-pooling is strongly recommended. Please let Margaret know if you're planning to come:

Morongo Valley. Morongo Valley is one of the finest birding spots in southern California, known for rare eastern migrants as well as the local specialties such as the Vermilion Flycatcher, Summer Tanager and Brown-crested Flycatcher. Most of the common desert species should also be seen. There are motels in 29 Palms and Yucca Valley and dry camping facilities in Joshua Tree National Monument for those who wish to stay over Sunday night or arrive on Saturday. The hours for the reserve are from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Family Guide: can be quite hot; not for younger children.
    [100 C2 California] Meet at 8:00 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot beyond the public parking lot in Covington Park. To reach Covington Park take Interstate 10 east to Highway 62 (29 Palms turnoff), which is beyond the Highway 111 turnoff to Palm Springs. Go north for about 10 miles to the town of Morongo Valley, then watch on the right for signs to Covington Park. Allow 15 minutes more for this drive than you would for going to Palm Springs.

Morro Bay. For the first time in nearly 10 years we are proposing a long-distance field trip to the Central Coast. You can get up very (4:00 a.m.) early to motor north, or either camp (BRRRR!) or motel (ZZZZZZ) in upper Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo Counties. Birding starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Natural History Museum overlooking Morro Bay and goes till 4:00 p.m., working our way south along birding hot spots. Plan on scoping hundreds if not thousands of wintering White Pelicans and Brant in the Bay, in addition to heron species, coastal woodland passerines, and soaring raptors. Possible Monarch butterfly stop also.
            The proposed itinerary has numerous drive-and-view stops, so we require advance sign up. Email or phone trip leader Lu Plauzoles at 310.779.0966. Insufficient sign-ups by Feb 5th will cancel.

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival.  Migrate to one of the country's pre-eminent birding spots and join the Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) for the Annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. Morro Bay, an important stop on the Pacific Flyway is recognized worldwide for its diversity of both resident and wintering birds with over 200 species identified during past Festivals. This event is sponsored by MCAS and gives you the chance to join local and national birding experts on a variety of field trips and workshops
    For more information about the Festival, check out our website at www.morro-bay.net/birds, which is updated on a regular basis, or call the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, (800)-231-0592. Registration deadline is December 31^st and early signups are encouraged as the most popular events fill up quickly.

Mount Pinos. Pinos is a great area for birds, especially mountain birds such as Clark's Nutcrackers, White-headed Woodpeckers, Calliope Hummingbirds, Mountain Quail, Green-tailed Towhee and the large-billed form of Fox Sparrow. We will also go to places that give us an excellent chance to see one or more of the released California Condors! We will bird early and then go for butterflies. The wildflowers will be out in force.
    This trip is scheduled as a day trip but the leader usually camps Saturday night at the Mt. Pinos campground; on Sunday we return on the most scenic route available, possibly through Lockwood Valley and Highway 33. Also, the night sky is crystal clear so if you are camping, bring your astronomical scope! Family Guide: lots of driving; lots of walking; can be hot.
    [88 C1 California] Take I-5 north to the Frazier Park exit. Go west on Frazier Mountain Road about 6 miles. The name then changes to Cuddy Valley Road. Continue northwest about 6 miles to the intersection of Cuddy Valley and Mill Potrero Roads. Total: about 12 miles from I-5. Meet at 8:00 a.m. Even if you are not camping, this is an all-day trip, so bring food and water. If you are camping, Mt. Pinos campgrounds have no water either.

O'Melveny Park.   This has always been a popular birding area. There are both good riparian and chaparral/oak habitats and prospects for migrating spring warblers, but the chief attraction is hummingbirds. Also, very excellent restrooms and picnic facilities.
    [1 E3]  Take the Balboa Blvd. exit south from the Golden State Freeway (I-5), or take the Balboa Blvd. exit north from the Simi Freeway (118) and go to Orozco St. Turn west on Orozco to Sesnon, turn left on Sesnon to the park entrance. Meet in the second parking lot in the park at 8:30 a.m.

Paramount Ranch to Malibu Creek State Park Birds & Wildflowers Walk. For a special treat, docent Peggy Mueller will lead us on another exploration of this area, this time a 1-way, 4-mile, approx. 4-hour hike. Mostly level with one small up & downslope. Starting at Paramount Ranch (free parking!) we'll pass thru former Prez's Reagan Ranch, meadows, past Chumash relics, riparian areas, streams, wonders galore! Bring water, sturdy shoes and lunch. We will arrange to have a couple of cars waiting (parked) at the end of the walk to carpool us back to the beginning. The RTD shuttle is not operating as of this writing.

From Las Virgines Rd - Mulholland Hwy intersection, Paramount Ranch is 2.3 mi. west on Muholland, then 0.2 miles north on Cornell Rd to park entrance (2813 Cornell Rd. Agoura). From Hwy 101, exit #36, Kanan Rd., south 0.5 mi to Cornell Way, left 0.1 mile to Cornell Rd & continue 2.3 miles to park entrance. Meet at 8:30 a.m. Coordinator: Chuck Almdale 

Point Mugu. This trip is by reservation only. The rules set down by the Point Mugu Navy base regarding participation and cancellation make it necessary to require a $10 deposit for each person attending; this will be refunded to you on the day of the trip or if you cancel no later than three days before the trip. Please send your reservation request and check (made out to Santa Monica Bay Audubon) to Maja Block, 11826 Navy St., Los Angeles, CA 90066. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and a note with the full name of each person attending and his/her Social Security number and your phone number for confirmation and information. Reservations must be postmarked on or after January 1^st  (we want to give everyone an equal chance to get a spot on this trip, so postmarks before January 1^st will not be allowed). The deadline is February 1^st. Write that letter now, put a little note where the stamp ought to go, and stick it to the refrigerator. For further information, contact  Maja Block. A naturalist at the base will lead the trip.
    Don't miss this trip! Mugu has its own wetlands, endangered species study areas, and is next door to a duck club; neither sprays for mosquitoes and the result is a large and healthy bird population. We always see lots of birds and lots of species. No mosquitoes either, at this time of year. Family guide - gotta love the birds.

Salton Sea: Most people stay overnight, but you can come for just Saturday. Ibis, raptors, shorebirds, geese, sparrows and much more, plus Zone-tailed Hawk, Yellow-footed Gull, Burrowing Owls, Gila Woodpecker, Vermillion Flycatcher, Abert's Towhee; plus Eurasian Collared, Inca, Common and Ruddy Ground-Doves are all possible. We always try for the incoming Sandhill Cranes and Ibis at sundown. Call leader to sign up, confirm meeting time & place, and for motel information. Leader: Chuck Almdale 818-894-2541.

    [108 D1 California] (where we have met in previous years) Meet at Davis Road (the Wister Wildlife sign-in point), 37 miles south of Mecca on Highway 111 at 9:00 a.m. Driving time from L.A. is about three hours. Car pooling is definitely recommended and staying overnight is a good idea. Camping is available, or you can motel it in Brawley or El Centro. This is not a reservation-only trip but please call the trip leader if you plan on going. We'd hate to find your bleached bones on our way back. Family guide: long car drive but room to roam at the end of it.

Sand Dune Park (Manhattan Beach). Not well known to most people, this small park is well-known to South Bay birders as a migrant trap. We will go here specifically to find rare birds. If time permits, we will do the same at Wilderness Park, a little inland of Sand Dune.

    [732 F4] 33rd and N Bell Ave in Manhattan Beach, a few blocks south of Rosecrans.

Santa Anita Canyon. Good selection of breeding and migrating birds including warblers, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Band-tailed Pigeon, three hummers and Dipper possible. Black Swifts also possible. Pack in dinner and water. Meeting time 6:00 p.m. because the Black Swifts only show up at twilight.
    [537 1D] Take the 210 Fwy toward Arcadia, and take Santa Anita Avenue N about 2 miles to the parking lot at the very end of the road. Meet at the trailhead at the bottom of the lot. 4 mile round trip moderately strenuous walk through oak and chaparral canyons. 

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. Join Ellen Vahan on a docent-guided tour of these wonderful gardens which feature a world-class collection of California native plants. Obviously we can expect some good bird life attracted to the plants and insects. They have an entire hilltop of ceanothus (California Lilac), desert landscaping, oak woodland, pond with turtles, and an excellent store with books on native plants and gardening. They also have a nursery with native plants for sale. They do not have a café on the premises, but they do have park benches and restrooms so bring a picnic lunch or snacks. Soft drinks are available from vending machines.            

            Take Hwy. 101 to Santa Barbara and turn right (north) on the [West] Mission St. turnoff. Go half a mile to State St. and turn left. Go two blocks and turn right on East Los Olivos St. Go one mile to Foothill Blvd (SR 192). Remember that about halfway to Foothill you will pass by the Santa Barbara Mission and the name of the road will change from Los Olivos to Mission Canyon . If you get lost in Santa Barbara at any time just follow the signs to the Mission and go from there. Turn right on Foothill for 2/10ths of a mile and turn left (north) on Mission Canyon Road (again!). Go north for half a mile to the Botanic Gardens (1212 Mission Canyon Rd., 93115). There is lots of parking.

            Total distance from the Sunset Blvd./Pacific Coast Highway intersection in Santa Monica is 83.5 miles, going through Oxnard on PCH. Family Guide: good for the whole family. Entrance fee is $7 general, $5 for seniors (over 60).  This trip is by Reservation Only so please contact the leader if you intend to go. Meet Ellen at the entrance at 9:45 a.m.
            Leader: Ellen Vahan (310-476-3359)

Sepulveda Basin. The Sepulveda Basin bird list reached 200 species at the beginning of 1996. Work continues on improving the habitat here and there are plans for further expansion. In the winter, the lake in the Wildlife Area sees almost every species of waterfowl that visits the county. In the summer, Pied-billed Grebes, Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-herons, American Coots, Anna's Hummingbirds, Cliff Swallows and Blue Grosbeaks breed.

    [531 1F] From I-405 in the San Fernando Valley, exit on Burbank Blvd. Go west to Woodley Ave. and turn right. Go right at the second park entrance, make the first right and go to the Wildlife Area parking lot.

Solstice Canyon.  Join Chuck Bragg on this easy 2.1 mile round trip stroll along one of the only year-round streams in the Santa Monica Mountains. California Bay trees, Coast Live Oaks, and California Sycamores line the creek and host Acorn Woodpeckers, other chaparral and riparian birds, perhaps late spring migrants, as well as butterflies like Western Tiger Swallowtail and California Sister. Bring lunch if you want to picnic under the trees. Parking is limited, so carpool if you can.  Family Guide: suitable for everyone but toddlers.
            [628 C7] From the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and the Pacific Coast Hwy. drive north 11.2 miles to Corral Canyon Road. Turn inland and go a short distance to the entrance to Solstice Canyon State Park on the left. Gate opens at 8:00 a.m., give or take a few minutes. There are a few parking spots at the entrance and a larger lot further up the hill. Meet at the upper parking lot at 8:15 a.m.
            Leader: Chuck Bragg (310-454-9662)

Trish Meyer’s Bird-Friendly Garden. Have you considered "wildscaping" your back yard to make it more attractive to birds as well as other wildlife? By using a combination of California native and other compatible plants, you can create a beautiful garden that's a magnet for wildlife - as well as one that's water conserving, low maintenance, and ecologically appropriate.

            Chris and Trish Meyer converted what used to be an ivy-covered hillside garden in Sherman Oaks to a wildlife habitat for birds and other creatures. It's a true case of grow it and they will come; Chris and Trish have spotted over 50 different birds from hummingbirds to hawks in their own backyard habitat. They will share the secrets to their success, including growing "natural birdseed" and designing a water feature built especially for the birds. They will also provide a list of desirable plants. For more on the concept of wildscaping, visit their website, www.wildscaping.com .

            The Meyer's garden was featured in the 2005 and 2006 Theodore Payne Foundation Native Plant Garden Tour.

            We will meet at 11:00 a.m. (when the butterflies are awake). Since this is a private home, we have to limit the number of people attending at one time. Please email Margaret Huffman to reserve your spot and receive driving instructions.

Upper Newport Bay -- Birding by Kayak. Birdwalk 8am, kayak 8:30am - 11:30am. Our new president will be leading the walk. Coinciding with one of the highest tides of the year, we plan to look for the normally skulky rails, in addition to the usual suspects: grebes, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, waders and passerines, including the rare and local California Gnatcatcher. Meanwhile, Bob Gurfield will guide kayakers through the floating flocks. Birds don't seem to recognize kayakers as a threat, so close approaches are common. Kayakers must contact Bob Gurfield and pay $15 to reserve a kayak. Leaders: Bob Gurfield 310-453-1831, Lu Plauzoles 310-395-6235.

    Families with children over the age of 10 are encouraged to participate. Those who only want to paddle for an hour or less are also encouraged to participate. Wear clothes that can get wet, including windbreaker, long pants, hat, sun screen. Waterproof binoculars, and athletic gloves recommended. Family Guide - not recommended for children under 10.
    This trip is limited to 15 people. Please call Bob to find out if there is any space left. For those who do not wish to kayak, we will have a birdwalk on the south side of the back bay while the kayaks are out (directions below for walkers). When they return, at about 11:00 a.m., we may have lunch there or, more likely, we will go to the San Joaquin Marsh Sanctuary for some fresh water birding and a visit to the Audubon Center run by the Sea and Sage Audubon chapter.

    [889 C6] Directions to the Newport Aquatic Center: from Santa Monica south on 405; south on 55 which ends shortly on Newport Blvd; continue towards beach; left on 17th Street; left on Dover, with an immediate right into the Dover Shores Community. Follow blue Newport Aquatic Center signs down the hill to 1 Whitecliffs Drive, Newport Beach. NAC phone is (949-646-7725). We will meet there at 8:00 a.m.; the kayak rides will take about 2 hours.

    Directions for walkers: take the San Diego freeway south to Jamboree Blvd. Go right (south) on Jamboree to Back Bay Drive near the Newporter Inn. We will work our way along Back Bay Drive (it's one-way only) keeping our heads down for rails. Meet at 8:30 a.m. where Back Bay Drive becomes a one-way only road. (If the road is closed we will go to San Joaquin Marsh). We usually see about 70 species of birds.

             Leaders - Bob Gurfield (310-453-1831) Kayak; Lu Plauzoles (310-395-6235) Walk

Vagrant Search: Jan 6, 2007 8:am Winter Rarities Search  Oddities always turn up on the Christmas counts, so we go look for them. No promises made, but prior trips have yielded Eastern Phoebe, Dusky-capped & Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Pine Warbler, Painted Redstart and Summer Tanager. Call for reservation and carpooling. Leader: Chuck Almdale 818-894-2541

Ventura County Game Preserve. This private duck hunting club is located right next to Point Mugu Naval Airbase, and offers many of the same birds. In many cases we can get closer to the birds than we can at Point Mugu. Admission is by permission only, and attendance may be limited. Mark the date on your calendar - more details will come as soon as we know them.

Sunday, February 15th. Because Mugu Naval Airbase no longer has a naturalist available on weekends, we are unable to make our annual visit. Instead, we decided to bird on the adjoining property. On this preserve we expect to see many of the birds we see at Point Mugu.
    This field trip is by reservation only.  Please call trip leader after February 2nd to confirm your space.  Management has asked us to limit the number of participants to 30 max. We will be carpooling from the buildings. If you have a FRS, please bring it along. One per car is very helpful. Family Guidelines: well-behaved adults and teens - this is private property and there are restricted areas.
    Directions: take Pacific Coast Highway north to Point Mugu Naval Airbase. Take the Hueneme Road exit and go west about 1 3/4 miles to Casper Road; left on Casper until it ends and then left to the farm buildings that are the Game Reserve HQ. Meet there at 8:30 a.m. Traditionally we eat our brown bag lunches in the clubhouse.

Western Foundation for Vertebrate Zoology. Most people aren't aware that this Camarillo institution has a large collection of bird skins in addition to one of the largest egg collections in the world. Join us for mid-week tour. Call leader before March 1st for reservation, carpooling and information. $3 suggested donation. Leader: Chuck Almdale 818-894-2541

Wildflower Show -- California Native Plant Society . Whatever the weather, native plants will be blooming in the Santa Monica Mountains and in the gardens of members of the California Native Plant Society. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the Society will put on a Wildflower Show at Malibu Bluffs Park, west of Pacific Coast Hwy. at Malibu Canyon Road. Books, gift items, native plants and refreshments will also be for sale and Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society will have a table displaying some of the best bird-friendly natives. Celebrate spring with your friends at this pretty, fragrant show.

Wild Gardners Workshops: In 6 weeks or less the winter rains will begin, so now is the time to plan your bird garden. Figure out where you’re going to have regular water features and grow bird-friendly plants. Bring a sketch of your garden, including existing plants and water features, to the sale of native plants October 14^th or 15^th so that Margaret Huffman can help you select plants for your situation during one of her workshops. She will hand out more detailed suggestions at our evening meeting on October 3rd.
    Workshop Times: 11-12 and 2-3 on Saturday, October 14th; 2-3 on Sunday, October 15th. Location: During the Native Plant Sale at Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, CA 91436.

Wilson Canyon. This has always been a popular birding area. There are both good riparian and chaparral/oak habitats and prospects for migrating spring warblers, but the chief attraction is hummingbirds. The trails are good and very scenic. The park has facilities for picnics and good restrooms.
    [482 A1] Take the Foothill Fwy. (210) to Roxford. Go north a short way to Olive View. Turn right on Olive View and go east to Bledsoe (~1  mile from freeway turnoff). Now turn left on Bledsoe 3/10 mile to Saranac Lane. Turn right on Saranac to Wilson Canyon entrance. Turn left at entrance and follow the road up to the parking lot overlooking the dam.  Family Guide: good for all ages.

smbas