Ventura River Estuary and Emma Wood State Beach
2023-05-13 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

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.

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2023-06-14 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-07-12 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).

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

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

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2023-09-13 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-10-11 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-11-08 08:00 - 09:30, 2023-12-13 08:00 - 09:30, 2024-01-10 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.
Contact walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK).

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

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

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

?Ventura Settling Ponds
2023-10-07 08:00 - 11:00 | 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

?Oxnard Plains Sod Fields
2023-10-15 08:00 - 11:00 | Oxnard Plains Sod Fiels, Arnold Rd., Oxnard, CA, 93033, United States
The Oxnard plains are a great area for migrating shorebirds and open-habitat songbirds, particularly the sod fields. Likely target species include Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, and Pacific Golden-Plover. Potential rarities include Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Mountain Plover, Red-throated Pipit, and longspur species! Meet at the parking lot at the end of Arnold Rd. at 8 a.m. Trip leader – Ryan Burnett (530) 258-6742

?Oxnard College
2023-10-21 08:00 - 11:00 | Oxnard College, 4000 S Rose Ave., Oxnard, CA, 93033, United States
The Oxnard College campus is a severely under-birded area of the county, with a potential for many interesting migrants and rarities! Past species of interest have included Swamp Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Pine Warbler, and Prairie Warbler, to name a few! Parking on campus is not allowed without a permit, so park along Bard Road and meet at the parking lot at 8 a.m. Afterward, we will head over to Mik’s Pizza for lunch! Trip leader – Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

?Lake Piru
2023-10-28 08:00 - 11:00 | Lake Piru, 4780 Piru Canyon Rd, Piru, CA, 93040
Join us as we look for late fall migrants, early wintering waterfowl, and of course, condors at Lake Piru! 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 field trip, so be sure to tell them you are part of the CVAS birding group). Trip Leader – Peter Robertshaw (909) 771–9720.

✈️Pt. Mugu Naval Base
2023-11-03 08:00 - 11:00 | Pt. Mugu Naval Base, 10A Naval Air Rd., Port Hueneme, CA, 93041, United States
Open to current CVAS members only! The Navy must background check each attendee before attendance, so members will need to email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org to get and complete the form before October 13th! Join us as we explore the amazing wetland habitat around Pt. Mugu. Target species include Brant, Black Skimmer, shorebird species, Vermillion Flycatcher, and more! Trip Leaders – Martin Ruane and David Pereksta. Email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org for more information.

?Mt. Pinos
2023-11-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Mt. Pinos, Cuddy Valley Rd., Frazier Park, CA, 93225, United States
Join us as we go into the mountains to find some alpine birds! 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. Bundle warm! Target species include – Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and Evening Grosbeak. Trip leader – Richard Aremerding (310)-701-3878.

?️ Arroyo Vista Community Park
2023-11-18 08:00 - 11:00 | Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark, CA, 93021, United States
Bordering the Arroyo Simi in Moorpark, this park provides a good mix of open space and shrubs for a variety of bird habitat. Meet at the end of the parking lot by the footbridge over the arroyo at 8 a.m. Target species include – Lark Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatch, wintering warblers and waterfowl. Afterwards, we will meet at the Country Harvest Cafe for brunch around 11:30 a.m. Trip leader – Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098.

?Sapwi Trails Community Park
2023-11-25 08:00 - 11:00 | Sapwi Trails Community Park, 2225 Westlake Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91362, United States
Sapwi trails provides excellent habitat for overwintering sparrows and raptors. Meet at the Westlake Rd. parking lot at 8 a.m. Just be mindful of the flying discs! Target species include Golden-crowned Sparrows, sapsuckers, and raptor species. Trip leader – Steve and Karen Rusch (805) 208-1851

? Saticoy Settling Ponds
2023-12-02 07:00 - 09:00 | Saticoy Ponds, 3127 Los Angeles Ave, Oxnard, CA, 93036
We will be looking for waterfowl at the spreading ponds from 7 AM to 9 AM. All participants must have read the rules for United Water, signed the waiver, and emailed to birding@unitedwater.org. Please email field trips@conejovalleyaudubon.org by November 30th for waiver and rules. Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

? Arroyo Simi
2023-12-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Arroyo Simi (Madera), 20 E Easy St, Simi Valley, CA, 93065, United States
Arroyo Simi has a great assortment of shorebirds, ducks, herons and gulls. It is easily accessed via a level bike path that runs from Madera Street to First Street and on through most of Simi Valley. We will walk slowly along the mostly natural bottomed channel scanning for birds like Green Heron, Black-necked Stilt, Belted Kingfisher, and White-faced Ibis. Other possible birds include Hooded Merganser and Blue-winged Teal. Meet at the entrance to the bike path at Easy Street in Simi Valley, just east of Madera Road. *Update* new trip leader – Pete Robertshaw (909) 771-9720.

? Conejo Creek North Park/Thousand Oaks Library
2023-12-23 08:00 - 11:00 | Conejo Creek North Park/Thousand Oaks Library, 1379 E Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91362, United States
For those sticking around for the holidays, join us as we casually bird at Conejo Creek North Park by the Thousand Oaks library. The ponds host a variety of waterfowl species, sometimes mountain bluebirds show up in the grass fields, and there may be a rare sapsucker or two around in the pepper trees! Park on the west side by the freeway and meet at the main pond at 8 AM. Trip leader: Bonnie Clarfield-Bylin (805) 405-5632

?Salton Sea
2024-01-13 - 2024-01-14
This oasis in the desert beckons! For this overnight trip, we will start early Saturday afternoon, near the north end of the Salton Sea, and then probably bird down the west side of the lake to Unit 1. We’ll spend the night in Brawley, bird a little around the town early on Sunday. We will continue to work our way north on the east side of the lake, stopping at several hotspots before heading home Sunday afternoon. Please note that the trip will require limited driving on unpaved roads.

Please contact Peter Robertshaw (peterrobertshaw@verizon.net) for the details and to arrange for carpooling and lodging recommendations.

Target birds: thousands of Snow and Ross’s Geese, Sandhill Cranes, lots of ducks and waders, rails, raptors, Burrowing Owls, Mountain Bluebirds and Plovers, and desert species like Gambel’s Quail, Abert’s Towhee, doves, Gila and Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers, and Vermilion Flycatcher.

✈️ Pt. Mugu Naval Base
2024-01-19 08:00 - 13:00 | Pt. Mugu Naval Base, 10A Naval Air Rd., Port Hueneme, CA, 93041, United States
For those who weren't able to attend the November field trip (or who want to visit the base again), here's another opportunity! Please note, that this trip is open to current CVAS members only! The Navy must background check each attendee before attendance, so members will need to email fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org to complete and return the form before December 29th! Also, this trip lasts longer than our normal field trips (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.), and you are not allowed to be on the base without our trip leaders. So, if you cannot make it the whole time, please come another time. Target species include Brant, Black Skimmer, shorebird species, Vermillion Flycatcher, and more! Trip Leaders – Martin Ruane and David Pereksta.

?Mt. Clef Open Space/CLU
2024-02-03 08:00 - 10:00 | Briar Bluff (CLU), 200 Bainbridge Ct, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, United States
Poke through the prickly pear patches (but try not to get poked!) as we look for roadrunners, Cactus Wren, and the endangered California Gnatcatcher! If time permits, we may go down to CLU and explore different habitats on campus. Meet at the end of Bainbridge Ct. at 8 am. Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098.
