?Sisar Canyon
2025-04-05 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sisar Canyon, 12799 Sisar Canyon Rd, Ojai, CA, 93023
Sisar Canyon is a great spot to see migrating warblers, vireos, and flycatchers as they forage throughout the oaks and riparian of the canyon. It's also a decent spot to see Black-chinned and Costa's Hummingbirds! Meet at 8 am at the parking lot off Sisar Rd. Parking is very limited, so carpooling is suggested.

Trip leader: Spencer Seale (805 746-9789).

April Monthly Program-The Klabundes’ Great Eclipse Birding Adventure
2025-04-07 19:00
The Klabundes’ Great Eclipse Birding Adventure

On April 8th 2024, North America was treated to the spectacle of a total solar eclipse as the moon’s shadow passed across the continent, from Mexico to Newfoundland. Many of us scurried to points along the path of totality. Some were greeted by clouds, but others got lucky and had beautiful clear skies. Don and Chrystal Klabunde were among the lucky. So, join us on April 7th as they present photos from a few birding hot spots along their cross-country drive to Indiana as well as Don’s awesome photos of the 2024 total eclipse!

?Conejo Valley Botanical Garden
2025-04-13 08:00 - 11:00 | Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
As migration heats up, the Conejo Valley Botanical Garden offers birds a nice resting stop in the middle of Thousand Oaks. There is a decent chance to see multiple different warbler species, vireos, flycatchers, orioles, and other migrants.

Meet at the parking lot off Jeaunine Dr.

Trip leader: David Person (805 469-6806)

? Bear Divide
2025-04-19 06:00 - 10:00 | Bear Divide Picnic Area, 21525 Santa Clara Truck Trail, Canyon Country, CA, 91387, United States
Bear Divide is a narrow pass in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County that funnels thousands of birds through a tiny gap in the mountain ridge with hundreds of birds flying by at eye level per minute. Dawn flight is the best time to witness this spectacle, so we plan to be at Bear Divide by 6 a.m. If you want to carpool, contact Sammy Cowell to arrange a meeting spot. There may also be an opportunity to watch banders catch and tag migrants with mist nets.

Trip leader: Sammy Cowell (818 470-7098).

?Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
2025-04-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Big Morongo, 11055 East Dr., Morongo Valley, CA, 92256, United States
Big Morongo Preserve is one of the best places in southern California for migrant flycatchers, warblers, vireos, and other species but also hosts some great breeding birds. We can expect to see (or hear) Summer and Western Tanagers, Brown-crested and Vermilion Flycatchers, Bullock's and Hooded Orioles, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Bell's Vireo, as well as migrants and desert residents. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. In the afternoon we may look for Black-throated Sparrow and Scott's Oriole.Meet at Covington Park. Take I-10 to Hwy 62, go north 10 miles to Morongo Valley and then turn right on Park Avenue. Please contact

Pete Robertshaw (909 771-9720) ahead of time if you are interested, to better coordinate meeting times and carpools.

2025 CVAS Bird-friendly Garden Tour
2025-04-27 09:00 - 15:00
Our 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 the gardens will be located in Ventura. Hosts will be on site to answer questions. The tour is free of charge.

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!

If you are interested in attending this year’s tour, please RSVP to cvasbfgt@gmail.com NO LATER THAN Friday, April 18th, 2025.

When registering, please include the FIRST and LAST NAME of each guest who will be attending, along with your E-MAIL and a PHONE NUMBER. 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.

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.

?Santa Clara River Estuary
2025-05-03 08:00 - 11:00 | Surfer’s Knoll, 1600 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA, 93001
Meet at 8 am at the Surfer's Knoll parking lot off of Spinnaker Drive. The beginning of May marks the tail end of shorebird migration, the peak of songbird migration, and the beginning of the breeding season for summer residents, and Santa Clara River Estuary is a great place to see all of this in action! We will look for ducks, gulls, phalaropes, plovers, swallows, warblers, and more.

Trip leader - Sammy Cowell: (818) 470-7098

Monthly Program-NATIVE PLANTS AND FIRE SAFETY
2025-05-05 19:00 - 20:30
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy's Rewild Ojai Coordinator, Claire Woolson, will give a presentation and discussion on using native plants to create habitat for birds in your own backyard. Claire will talk about the importance of native plants and offer resources to add them to your yard. In addition, she will discuss wildfire and how to incorporate firewise tactics while still using native plants.

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.

Anyone interested in joining us for dinner at Wood Ranch Camarillo before the meeting, let Chrystal know you’re coming (805-261-9885), then meet at the restaurant by 5:00 pm.

?Birds and Burgers - Fillmore: Daniel Gourmet Food Co.
2025-05-10 06:00 - 18:50 | Daniel’s Gormout Foods Co., 751 Ventura Street, Fillmore, California, 93015, United States
*Time Change*

Join us before our Nighthawk field trip for food and drinks at Daniel's Gourmet Food Co. in Fillmore! Contact Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098, if you're interested in going!

?Two Rivers Park
2025-05-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Two Rivers Park, River St., Fillmore, CA, 93015
*Time change*

Meet at Two Rivers Park at River and C Street in Fillmore at 6:30 pm in the evening. We will be going just before dusk to hopefully see nighthawks come out! If you want, we will meet at Daniel's Gourmet Food Co. in Fillmore at 5 pm beforehand for food and drinks.

Trip leader - Sammy Cowell (818) 470-7098

Beginner Bird Walk Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa
2025-05-14 08:00, 2025-06-11 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, 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 teach the best techniques for locating and identifying them. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing, and bring water.

Contact walk leader Richard Armerding at (310) 701-3878 (texting is OK)

?️Island Scrub-Jay Pelagic trip to Santa Cruz Island
2025-05-18 08:00 - 17:30 | Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard), 3600 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard, CA, 93035, United States
This trip is organized by Island Packers, not CVAS. Tickets must be purchased through them either on the Island Packers website https://islandpackers.com/oxnard-to-scrub-jay/ or call (805) 642-1393. The cost is $138 per person. Leaves from Oxnard Harbor. Please arrive at 7:15 a.m., 45 minutes prior to depature.

We will take our time on our way over to the island, looking for shearwaters, alcids, and other pelagic species. Once on the island, we will spend an hour or so looking for the endemic Island Scrub-Jay and other unique island wildlife! Then, we will spend the rest of the afternoon cruising around the Santa Barbara Channel looking for more birds and other wildlife.

?Mount Pinos
2025-05-25 08:00 - 13:00 | Mt. Pinos, Cuddy Valley Rd., Frazier Park, CA, 93225, United States
Join us as we go into the mountains to find some alpine birds. To carpool, meet at 6 am at the Janss Park & Ride, located on the east side of the 23 freeway at the Janss Road Exit by the soccer fields. Alternatively, meet at 8:00 am 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 use coordinates 34.8134, -119.1263). Dress warm!

Target species include – Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Olive-sided Flycatcher, White-headed Woodpecker, Townsend’s Solitaire, Green-tailed Towhee, Red Crossbill and more!

Trip leader - Richard Armerding: (310) 701-3878.

Beginner Birding Class Part 1
2025-05-31 08:00
Our first class this year will meet at 8 am at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, 400 W. Gainsborough Rd., Thousand Oaks. Drive to the parking lot off of 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. All ages welcome! Two further classes will be June 7 and June 14, locations to be announced.

Please RSVP at education@conejovalleyaudubon.org

Lawns to Habitat and Ashes to Habitat Grant applications will be accepted until July 31
2025-06-01 00:00 - 2025-07-31 23:59
Find info and applications for the CVAS Lawns to Habitat and Ashes to Habitat Grants under our HABITAT PAGE.

*Last-minute Bonus Monthly Program* Yellow-headed Amazons of Belize by Jonathan Urbina ?
2025-06-02 14:00 - 15:00 | Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA, 93012
We have a last-minute special guest from Belize, Jonathan Urbina, presenting a bonus program about the Yellow-headed Amazon this Monday, June 2nd from 2-3 pm at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology.

Born and raised in Belize, Jonathan went to school at Murray State in Kentucky, majoring in environmental sciences. He has gone on to work in various conservation projects in Belize, including working with the highly sensitive Orange-breasted Falcon. Currently, he is an active birding guide, leading trips in both Belize and Guatemala.

We will try and have this program available via Zoom. Please check back here for the link!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86956744308?pwd=[REDACTED]

Beginner Birding Class Part 2
2025-06-07 08:00
Our second class will be at 8 am at Hill Cyn Trail off of Santa Rosa Valley road, Camarillo. This habitat location will assist you to put into practice your ongoing birding knowledge. Bring water & snacks, wear comfortable shoes and binoculars if you have them.

Please RSVP at education@conejovalleyaudubon.org

CVAS Annual Picnic
2025-06-08 08:00 - 12:00
Birdwalk 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.

Beginner Birding Class Part 3
2025-06-14 08:00
Our third class will be at 8 am at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. This offers a blend of habitats to continue to develop your birding skills. Bring water & snacks, wear comfortable shoes and binoculars if you have them.

Please RSVP at education@conejovalleyaudubon.org

Lawns to Habitat and Ashes to Habitat application deadline
2025-07-31 23:59

Lawns to Habitat Grant winners will be notified
2025-08-15 00:00 - 23:59
By August 15 all grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of experienced CVAS members, and winning applicants will be notified by email.

Find full info for the CVAS Lawns to Habitat and Ashes to Habitat Grants under our HABITAT PAGE.

Bird Walk - Camarillo Outlets
2025-08-31 08:00 - 10:00
Leader is John Mueller (818) 625-9584

Our first field trip of the year will begin with an easy location perfect for locating Fall migrants. Meet at 8 am at the corner of Camarillo Center Drive and Plaza la Vista, near the Crossroads church behind the Camarillo Outlets. Best parking is at the outlets along Camarillo Center Dr. Target species will be early fall migrants (warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles).

Santa Clarita River Estuary - Beach Bird Walk
2025-09-06 08:00 - 10:00
Meet at 8 am at the Surfer's Knoll parking area off Spinnaker Dr. Best parking is along Spinnaker as the parking lot now requires a fee. Target species will be fall shorebirds such as godwit, sandpipers, plovers, curlew, willet, whimbrel, yellowlegs, gulls and perhaps phalarope or something unexpected, . Expect to walk at least a mile in the sand, which could be hot. Flip flips and sunscreen highly recommended.

Leader is Dee Lyon (805) 427-0987

Monthly Program -- MEMBER SHOW & TELL
2025-09-08 19:00 - 20:30
MEMBER SHOW & TELL

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 them 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 username Photographer plus @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.

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.

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)

Warblers at Bob Kildee Park
2025-09-13 08:00 - 09:00
Meet at 8 am at the corner of Eston St. and Curt Dr. near the baseball fields in the center of Camarillo. Target species will be warblers, vireos, tanagers, orioles and whatever else we can find along the tamarisk trees on Eston St. We will be discussing the CVAS Warbler Bingo game and how to sign up and participate.

Leader is John Mueller (818) 625-9584

Sycamore Canyon Campground & Beach
2025-09-20 08:00 - 10:00
Meet at 8 am at the paid day-use parking area at the campground. Parking is $3/hr. Target species will be fall migrants and perhaps shorebirds at the beach. We won't be walking through anyone's campground, just the main roads near the parking area, the old bridge and then perhaps the beach across the street depending on what we find at the campground area.

Leader is TBD [text John at (818) 625-9584 for info].

Hawk Watch - Grant Park in Ventura
2025-09-27 11:00 - 13:00
Meet at 8 am at the parking area by the Serra Cross in Grant Park in Ventura. Target bird will be the Broad-Winged Hawk which has been recently spotted here. Last year it was first seen on Sept. 29th until Oct. 10th. Bring good walking/hiking shoes as we may climb modest trails.

There may be a change in date/time based on who is leading and where they're being seen.

Leader is Sangeet Khalsa (805-861-4648)

[CANCELLED] Laguna Road Tamarisks
2025-10-05 08:00
[CANCELLED]

DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, WE ARE CANCELLING THIS TRIP.

Meet at 8 am at the row of Tamarisk trees on Laguna Road just east of Pleasant Valley Road. Target species will be warblers of all sorts. This hundred-year-old row of trees has historically been one of the best places in California to find migrating warblers in the Fall. We will walk carefully along the road to listen and look for these beautiful yellow visitors.

Leader is John Mueller (818) 625-9584

Monthly Program - Free-Flying LA Parrot Project
2025-10-06 19:00 - 20:30
Free-Flying Los Angeles Parrot Project

Non-native parrots have become a very present and boisterous element of the urban ecosystems throughout Southern California. Now through the Free-Flying Los Angeles Parrot Project (FLAPP) on iNaturalist, we created a dataset focused on two of the more prominent species in Southern California, the Red-crowned and Lilac-crowned Parrots. After being introduced through the illegal pet trade, these sister-species have established their populations and even created mixed-species flocks that would not be possible otherwise. Our research has focused on distinguishing the two species based on morphological features, comparison of the environmental conditions between their respective native ranges and their introduced range, and we are now shifting to understanding how their genetic makeup has been affected.

Join Brenda Ramirez to learn how you can help contribute to our research from your own neighborhoods! Become a member of FLAPP on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/free-flying-los-angeles-parrot-project.

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.

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)

Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology collections

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.

Also

Anyone interested in joining us for dinner at Wood Ranch Camarillo before the meeting, let Chrystal know you’re coming (805-261-9885), then meet at the restaurant by 5:00 pm.
