Conejo Valley Audubon Society

CSU Channel Islands
2026-09-26 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
With a wide variety of habitats, the Cal State Channel Islands campus is an excellent place to view a diversity of bird species, everything from shorebirds to sparrows.

We will meet off Old Hueneme Road at 8 a.m. When traveling south on Lewis Road, turn left on Potrero Road, and then quickly after, left on Old Hueneme Road (it is more of a side road than a main road).

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/oofrw8

Location: CSU Channel Islands - Potrero Road & Hueneme Road, Ventura County, CA 93012

Conejo Community Park
2026-09-19 08:00
Fall migration is in full swing, and our local Conejo Community Park and Botanical Garden is a great place to bird with all of its oak trees.

We will meet at the western entrance off Gainsborough Road (Dover and Hendrix) at 8 a.m. (there is additional parking off Gainsborough, near the baseball field/botanic garden)

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/tCJAfH

Location: Conejo Community Park - 1175 Hendrix Ave, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

September Program: Member Show & Tell
2026-09-14 19:00 - 20:30
Each September, our first meeting of the season is dedicated to the birding trips and adventures of our members, so you are invited to show off your recent, or not-so-recent photos.

Bring your photos on either thumb drive or other medium to WFVZ for the meeting, or for those who wish to share your photos via Zoom or need technical advice, please contact Don Klabunde at Photographer @ConejoValleyAudubon.org for instructions and the link where you can upload your files. Then, as long as you have a microphone on your computer, you will be able to narrate your own show on Zoom during the meeting.

Whether or not you need advice, please let Don know if you plan to participate, so he can schedule your contribution.

Join us at the Western Foundation!

We have the privilege of holding our meetings at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (also known as the Bird Museum), 439 Calle San Pablo in Camarillo. If you arrive when the doors open at 6:30, you’ll have the rare opportunity to look around the museum’s collections for a half hour before the meeting starts at 7:00 pm. (Also check out wfvz.org)

CVAS’s meetings will be hybrid, simultaneously live at WFVZ (recommended) and on Zoom. The link to join on Zoom is https://zoom.us/j/6155249106.

If you’re interested in joining us for dinner before the meeting, text Chrystal at (805) 261-9885 and meet us at WoodRanch Camarillo at Daily and Lantana by 5:00 pm.

See the Programs Page

Malibu Lagoon
2026-09-12 08:00
If you’re interested in practicing gull and shorebird ID, then Malibu Lagoon is the fall is a great place to start!

We will be meeting at the Agoura Hills Park and Ride off Canwood Street and Kanan Road at 7:30 a.m. and then carpooling from there.

If you're meeting us there, there is a parking lot at PCH/Cross Creek Road, but it is metered; you can park on PCH, if available, but do not park in the Cross Creek shopping center.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/cADzsG

Location: Malibu Lagoon State Beach - Cross Creek Road & Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa
2026-09-09 08:00
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walk.

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 teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.

These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each month. We will meet at 8:00 am at the main parking lot, accessible from Lynn Road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/s5QwzO

Walk leader: Richard Armerding (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

Location: Ranch Sierra Vista/Satwiwa - Via Goleta & Lynn Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

Bob Kildee Park
2026-09-05 08:00
Bob Kildee Park is a great place to look for migrating warblers and other songbirds!

We’ll be looking for all sorts of warbler species (Nashville, Black-throated Gray, Hermit, Townsend’s, Yellow-rumped, Wilson’s, Yellow, to name a few), plus birds like Western Flycatcher, Western Warbling Vireo, and maybe a couple of rarities. Just be warned, your neck may hurt afterwards from looking up so much.

Meet on the east side of the park on Eston Street at 8 a.m.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/1T8yEH

Location: Bob Kildee Park - 1124 Eston St, Camarillo, CA 93010

Sycamore Canyon & Mugu Rock
2026-08-29 08:00
Part of Point Mugu State Park, with coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus, and sycamore groves about 4 miles south of Mugu Rock off Highway 1.

Highlights: Thrashers, towhees, migrant flycatchers and warblers, grosbeaks, and woodpeckers.

Park on the highway or pay a day-use fee.

Facilities: Restrooms and showers at Sycamore Cove day-use area and the adjacent campground, picnic tables, and drinking water. No facilities along the canyon trails themselves.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/XI5PtA

Location: Sycamore Canyon Campground - 9000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Ventura River Estuary
2026-08-22 08:00
Where the Ventura River meets the Pacific, this estuary supports one of the county's most reliable spots for shorebirds and waterbirds year-round.

Osprey work the channel for fish alongside Double-crested and Brandt's Cormorants, while Brown Pelicans cruise low over the water. Look for Willets, Sanderlings, and a rotating cast of plovers working the tideline, plus gulls and terns resting on the sandbar.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/qA6hVA

Location: Ventura River Estuary - Main Street & Peking Street, Ventura, CA 93001

Raptor Release
2026-08-16 14:00 - 15:00
Members only event with the Ojai Raptor Center

Event will be held in the Conejo Valley area on Sunday, August 16, in the afternoon. If you're not a member yet, join us.

Please RSVP to Sammy: 818-470-7098, fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org

Location: Conejo Valley area - exact details will be provided

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa
2026-08-12 08:00
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walk.

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 teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.

These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each month. We will meet at 8:00 am at the main parking lot, accessible from Lynn Road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/hMMXHf

Walk leader: Richard Armerding (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

Location: Ranch Sierra Vista/Satwiwa - Via Goleta & Lynn Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

Santa Clara River Estuary
2026-08-08 08:00
Where the Santa Clara River meets the Pacific Ocean in Ventura, this dynamic estuary combines river, lagoon, salt marsh, mudflats, beach, and coastal dune habitat.

Seasonal changes in water levels and sand berms create constantly changing conditions that attract a remarkable diversity of birds.Highlights: Snowy Plover and Least Tern (both nesting nearby), Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Willet, Whimbrel, Caspian and Elegant Terns, Brown Pelican, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, and a variety of ducks and gulls.

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/doOJX3

Location: Surfer's Knoll - 1538 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Birds and Baseball: Elysian Park & Dodger Stadium
2026-06-21 08:30 - 16:00
Let's be honest: this one's mostly an excuse to catch a Dodger game. But since Elysian Park wraps right around Dodger Stadium, we figured we might as well do some birding first!

Join Sammy Cowell for a Big Sit at Elysian Park before the first pitch, 8:30 am - 10:30 am. The park is one of the oldest in LA and a surprisingly good urban birding spot, a nice way to warm up before settling into your seat for the 1 PM game against the Baltimore Orioles. (Yes, we're aware of the irony of birders rooting against the Orioles. We'll work through it.)

Tickets: Everyone is responsible for purchasing their own ticket to the game, but if we get a group of 15 or more, we can unlock group discount pricing, so spread the word! If there's enough interest, we will coordinate the group ticket purchase. Express your interest when you RSVP so we can gauge numbers.

Please RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/961640/

Location: Elysian Park - Academy Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Condor Country Nature Festival - Shiell's Park, Fillmore
2026-06-13 10:00 - 15:00
Come find us at the Condor Country Nature Festival on Saturday, June 13 at Shiell's Park in Fillmore! The festival is free, family-friendly, and runs from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Stop by the Conejo Valley Audubon Society table for hands-on activities and to learn about birds in our region. Whether you're a lifelong birder or just getting started, we'd love to connect with you and share what CVAS is all about.

The festival features dozens of local conservation organizations, children's activities, food trucks, and of course, the chance to celebrate one of nature's most remarkable comeback stories, the California Condor.

Learn more: https://www.friendsofcondors.org/festival

Location: Shiell's Park - 649 C St, Fillmore, CA 93015

Beginner Bird Walk at Satwiwa / Rancho Sierra Vista
2026-06-10 08:00 - 10:30
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walk at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. 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 teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them.

These walks are held on the second Wednesday of each month.

We will meet at 8:00 am at the main parking lot, accessible from Lynn Road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.Contact walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

Please RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/964722/

Location/directions: Use the entrance off Lynn Road, near Dos Vientos. Follow the road to the 3rd and final parking lot with restrooms.

CVAS Annual Picnic
2026-06-07 08:00 - 12:00
Bird walk at 8 am and Potluck Picnic at 10:30 am. At south end of Moorpark Rd turn right and follow Greenmeadow Ave to the end. Meet under our usual oak tree. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited. Please bring your own table service, drinks and chairs, and this year, bring whatever dish you like.

Please RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/958586/

California Breeding Bird Atlas Bird Walk at Satwiwa / Rancho Sierra Vista
2026-06-05 08:00 - 10:30
Put your birding skills to work for science on this guided morning walk through the beautiful habitat at Satwiwa / Rancho Sierra Vista. This walk is part of the California Bird Atlas (CBA) Big Weekend, a statewide celebration of breeding birds, and every observation we make together will contribute real data to California's first comprehensive statewide Breeding Bird Atlas.

Along the way, leader Sammy Cowell will show participants how to use eBird to log birds with breeding codes, turning an enjoyable morning outing into a meaningful contribution to bird conservation. Whether you're new to eBird or already a regular user, you'll come away with the skills and confidence to atlas on your own throughout the five-year project.

Satwiwa offers a rich mix of chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian habitat, prime breeding territory for many of our local species. Come ready to look, listen, and learn!

Please RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/961627/

Location/directions: Use the entrance off Lynn Road, near Dos Vientos. Follow the road to the 3rd and final parking lot with restrooms.

California Breeding Bird Atlas Webinar
2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:00
California is home to more breeding bird species than any other state in the U.S., yet until now, there has never been a comprehensive, statewide effort to document exactly where they all are. That changes with the California Bird Atlas (CBA), a landmark five-year citizen science project running from 2026 through 2030.

Join Sammy Cowell for this Zoom webinar to learn what the CBA is, why it matters for bird conservation, and, most importantly, how you can contribute right here in the Conejo Valley. Whether you're an experienced eBirder or just getting started, your observations can help fill critical gaps in California's bird distribution data for decades to come.

Topics will include how the atlas works, how to use eBird breeding codes, and how to make the most of your local birding outings as meaningful contributions to the project.

Webinar link: https://zoom.us/j/6155249106

Please RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/961623/

Put what you learned into action! Join Sammy for a birdwalk at Satwiwa / Rancho Sierra Vista on Friday, June 5.

Beginner Bird Walk - Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2026-05-13 08:00
Conejo Valley Audubon invites birders of all experience levels to attend our monthly Beginner Bird Walk 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, accessible from 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 teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.

SIGN UP HERE: https://mobilize.us/s/PKd4R8

Walk leader: Richard Armerding (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

May Program-Public Lands
2026-05-04 19:00 - 20:30
Public Lands

Russell Galipeau will take us back in time to the establishment of federal lands, the role Congress and the President play, the agencies we have entrusted to care for them, and the threats they face.

Russell Galipeau is a member of the Conejo Valley Audubon Society. He has served 40 years with the National Park Service. His last assignment was Channel Islands National Park. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks and the Ventura Land Trust.

SEE PROGRAMS PAGE

Bird Walk - Big Morongo
2026-05-03 08:00
Big Morongo Canyon is one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian habitats in CA, which is why the preserve is one of the best places in southern California for migrant flycatchers, warblers, vireos, and other species, but it also hosts some great breeding birds. Among other species, we can expect to see (or hear) Summer and Western Tanager, Brown-crested and Vermilion Flycatcher, Bullock's and Hooded Oriole, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Bell's and other Vireos, as well as migrants and desert residents, such as Costa's and Black-Chinned Hummingbird, Verdin, Gambel's Quail, Ladder-Backed Woodpecker. In the afternoon we may look for Black-throated Sparrow and Scott's Oriole at Blackrock Campground.Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water, and layered clothing. This will be a joint trip with a small group of friendly birders from Sea and Sage Audubon in Orange County. Meet at 8:00 am at Covington Park. Take I-10 to Hwy 62, go north 10 miles to Morongo Valley and then turn right on Park Avenue. Trip Leader: Pete Robertshaw (909-771-9720)

Please RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/YwQRiM

Bird-Friendly Garden Tour
2026-04-26 09:00 - 15:00
Please join us on Sunday, April 26th from 9 AM until 3 PM for the 2026 CVAS Bird-Friendly Garden Tour

This tour will feature yards which provide habitat for our native birds and demonstrate the use of drought tolerant California native plants in the landscape. This year we will once again partner with the California Native Plant Society (CNPS Channel Islands). All of the gardens will be located in the city of Camarillo, and the hosts will be on site to answer questions.

If you are interested in attending this year’s tour, please RSVP to gardentour@conejovalleyaudubon.org NO LATER THAN Monday, APRIL 20th, 2026.

When registering, please include the FIRST and LAST NAME and EMAIL of each guest who will be attending, along with thePHONE NUMBER of the person who will be registering. You will receive confirmation within 72 hours of your RSVP. If you do not receive confirmation, please check your SPAM or Junk mail. If you do not find the confirmation, please resubmit your RSVP and add this e-mail to your safe-senders list.

Two days prior to the tour, you will receive a list of addresses.

After the tour, you will receive a follow-up e-mail with information relevant to planting a bird-friendly native garden habitat.

And we hope that our Bird-Friendly Garden Tour will inspire you to install a bird-friendly habitat of your own.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

· No restroom facilities will be available. Sorry

· No dogs will be allowed in any of the gardens.

· We encourage plant photography

· There will be no charge for this educational tour.

CVAS has a mission to make the public aware of the importance and beauty of birds, natural habitats, native plants and wildlife. At a time when bird populations are in decline due in large part to loss of habitat, we are dedicated toward promoting the creation of viable habitat for both local and migratory birds in our area. Our Bird-Friendly Garden Tours serve to educate and promote awareness about the importance of California native plants in supporting our bird populations, because native plants support the native bugs that birds feed to their babies. We encourage you to spread the word and bring your friends!

[CANCELLED] Bear Divide - Migration Event
2026-04-26 05:00 - 10:00
UPDATE: The weather forecast tomorrow, Sunday, for the mountains near Sylmar call for early morning rain and then overcast conditions with increasing wind. We are working with the on-site banding team to see if the next two weekends may be an option. Thank you for your understanding.

Bear Divide in Los Angeles County gets thousands of migrants passing over the low ridge of the San Gabriel Mountains. Researchers have been using this spot for the past decade as a location to count Spring migrants going over the ridge to the north.We have been invited to view this event on Sunday, April 26th at the peak of migration.Because of the location and limited parking we are asking that all interested members sign up using the Mobilize website form attached below.RSVP https://mobilize.us/s/v1bw8GPlease read the details on Mobilize for directions, precautions and what to expect.We plan on meeting in Thousand Oaks (location provided for those who sign-up) at 5am to make it to Bear Divide at 6am just before sunrise to get a good spot and prepare for the quickly-moving birds.

Family Birding Event - LOCATION CHANGE
2026-04-18 09:00 - 11:00
In collaboration with Moorpark City Library, come and learn the basics of birdwatching. Learning activities for all ages and a bird walk through the park will help you ID the birds in your backyard and our local parks.

Please note the location change: Meet at 9 am at Tierra Rejada Park - 11900 Mountain Trail Street (Corner of Tierra Rejada Road), Moorpark, CA 93021

RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/2ZFUyS

Beginner Birding Class
2026-04-11 08:00 | Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (CVBG),, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks
Come learn the basics of birdwatching and how to use a field guide and binoculars. Learn to ID the birds in your backyard and our local parks. A bird walk in the Conejo Community Park will follow.

Meet at 8:00 am at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden (CVBG), 400 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks. Drive to the parking lot on Jeaunine Drive. Class will be held in the Kids’ Adventure Garden. A $10 cash donation will be collected for CVBG. Bring water & snacks, wear comfortable shoes and binoculars if you have them. After this one class, you’ll feel ready to join our regular schedule of birding trips. Look for them on our website.

*Rain cancels*

RSVP: https://mobilize.us/s/bsHUTi

Lake Piru - CANCELLED
2026-03-28 08:00
Due to an event at the lake, the March 28 walk is cancelled. We hope to reschedule for May, so keep an eye out.

Meet at 8 am at Warring Park in the town of Piru. We will then carpool (Lake Piru entrance fee is $14 on weekends) and slowly go up the road to the lake entrance. The road up may have a better chance of seeing Condor, Eagles and other raptors. Once at the lake we’ll explore the shoreline, the grass park and trees and perhaps go a little further time permitting.

Bring a scope for waterfowl far out on the lake and check the weather as the Piru area experiences extreme weather conditions. Dress accordingly.

Trip Leader – Peter Robertshaw (909) 771-9720

Annual Dinner/Auction
2026-03-14 17:30
Conejo Valley Audubon's annual gala fundraiser. See ANNUAL FUNDRAISER page for details. Come and share the fun.

Carrizo Plain
2026-03-07 07:00
Meet at 7am on highway 33 under the bridge off Casitas Vista Road. Organize your own carpool with a vehicle suitable for bumpy dirt roads and a full tank of gas. We will meet at the dirt parking area under the highway 33 bridge (where many bikers and hikers park) and caravan up Hwy 33 to the south entrance of the National Monument via Soda Lake Road. Road conditions may vary so a higher clearance vehicle is recommended. Please bring water, food, and suitable clothing as this may be an all-day event depending on weather, traffic and overall conditions. There may be traffic in the valley due to the high wildflower bloom this season so there may be many visitors. Cell service will be limited.

Hopefully we will see lingering Mountain Plover and raptors, but there will also be a good chance of incoming Spring Migrants. We will be sensitive to the natural vegetation and only stay on roads and approved trails.

SIGN UP HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/conejovalleyaudubonsociety/event/915146/

Trip Leader – John Mueller (818) 625-9584

Birds & Brews
2026-02-15 15:00 - 17:00
Birds & Brews - Tarantula Hill Brewing - Thousand Oaks

We will be picking-up the Birds & Brews social meetups in 2026 with our first meet in Thousand Oaks at Tarantula Hill Brewing on T.O. Blvd. We will be in the middle of the GBBC and this will be a good opportunity to meet other birders from the area and discuss progress, or anything else. RSVP if you’re interested so we can reserve a table ahead of time. Join our Conejo Valley Audubon Society (CVAS) WhatsApp community group from your phone or desktop and chat with others in real-time to discuss rare birds, get bird IDs or just get to know each other.

Point Mugu Naval Base - NEW DATE
2026-02-13 08:00 - 13:00
Restricted to current CVAS members.

[NEW DATE] Sign-up deadline was Jan 20th. Check our Field Trips page for current updates, or email John Mueller, your Fieldtrip Chair for more Information: fieldtrips@conejovalleyaudubon.org.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2026-02-13 00:00 - 2026-02-16 23:59
Done annually in February, the GBBC is a global, four day community science event where people of all ages and skill levels help track bird populations by simply watching birds anywhere they choose for 15 minutes or more. Participants can count birds on any of the four days and submit sightings using Merlin Bird ID, eBird Mobile, or the eBird website, with no separate registration required. The goal is to create a worldwide snapshot of where birds are and how they’re doing. It’s easy, fun, and meaningful whether you’re birding solo, with family, or as part of a community event.

More info at: https://www.birdcount.org/
