eBird/GBBC Data Entry Best Practices document

Sunday, October 26
Birding Photography, Coyote Pt, San Mateo (8:30 - 11:30)

Want some hints on capturing those beautiful birds in their habitats, in flight, or in other activities? Join this field trip with two experienced bird/wildlife photographers for tips on how to set up your camera to catch them in motion or still. We'll help with camera settings, using various automatic and manual settings to get the best results with the capabilities of modern digital (and film) cameras. Recommended equipment: telephoto lens (fixed or zoom) and tripod. $6 vehicle admission fee (or check out a County Parks Pass at your local library)

Directions: 1701 Coyote Point Dr, San Mateo, meet in the parking lot next to the Yacht Club.

Leaders:  Sonny Mencher and Marshall Dinowitz    Register

Wednesday October 29
Palo Alto Baylands, Palo Alto (9:00 - 12:00)

Meet at the Lucy Evans interpretive center at the Palo Alto Baylands for a leisurely walk where we will explore this San Francisco Bay treasure. We should see a variety of ducks and other waterbirds and we will look for wintering sparrows.

Directions: 2775 Embarcadero Rd.

Leader:  Donna Pomeroy    Register

Friday October 31
Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma (8:30 - 10:30)

Established in 1892, Cypress Lawn is a historic garden cemetery and arboretum occupying over 200 acres.

Directions: 1370 El Camino Real, meet at the gate. SamTrans stop.

Leader:  Max Hollenback    Register

Sunday November 2
Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont (10:00 - 12:00)

This park comprises 1,266 acres of marshland and rolling grassland-covered hills located along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. EBird cites 222 species at the Vistors Center!

Directions: $5.00 vehicle admission fee, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road

Leader:  J.R. Blair    Register

Monday November 3
Filoli: Estate Trail, Woodside (9:30 - 12:00)

This is a moderate 2-2.5 mile moderate walk. Habitats include riparian corridors, mixed oak, redwoods, madrone, and woodlands.

Directions: From Hwy 280, exit at Edgewood Rd and head west. At the T intersection, turn right onto Canada Rd. In 1/2 mile turn left into the property. Admission fee.

Leaders:  Kimberlie Moutoux    Register

Thursday November 6 (rescheduled from October 9th)
Central Park, San Mateo (9:00 - 10:00)

A morning outing for those with limited time or mobility. This is a terrific opportunity if you've not been to Central Park. This 16.5 acre park was the first in San Mateo! The hour- long walk will introduce you to some year-round residents and SMCBA's Cavity Nesters Recovery Program.

Directions: Meet in front of the Japanese Tea Garden.

Leaders:  Doug Brown and Ed Ching    Register

Saturday November 8
Wavecrest, Half Moon Bay (9:30 - 12:30)

Bioblitz, not the typical field trip, this event focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a limited period of time using the iNatural app on electronic devices. With completion of more of the Coastal Trail there is a need for a baseline survey. Join SMCBA and Coastside Land Trust for this fun community science event.

Directions: 399 Wavecrest Road, Half Moon Bay

Leader:  Cat Chang, Davena Gentry, and Barbara Dye    Register

Sunday, November 9
San Bruno Mtn, San Bruno (8:30 - 11:30)

San Bruno Mountain Park is a unique open-space island amid the peninsula's urbanization. It is home to a wealth of wildlife, hidden pockets of woodland, sheltered canyons, and great views. We'll trek about one mile on mostly flat dirt and asphalt trails. $6.00 Vehicle entry fee.

Directions:  555 Guadalup Canyon Parkway

Leader:  Doug Brown    Register

Tuesday, November 11
Union Cemetery, Redwood City (9:00 - 10:00)

If you've not been to the Historic Union Cemetery, here's a great opportunity to learn some of its fascinating history. This hour-long outing will also introduce you to SMCBA's conservation efforts through the Cavity Nesters Recovery Program.

Directions:  316 Woodside Rd.

Leader:  Christin New    Register

Friday November 14
Nob Hill Pond, Redwood Shores (9:00 - 11:00)

This is a very productive area for a variety of ducks and other waterbirds. Easy, mostly level trails. Bring scopes if you have them. Restrooms in the nearby shopping center.

Directions:  From Hwy 101 take Redwood Shores Parkway, go past the Nob Hill shopping plaza and turn right on Bridge Parkway. Turn right at Tiller Lane, continue to Spar Lane and go left. There is a cul-de-sac at the end where we’ll meet.

Leader:  Donna Pomeroy    Register

Saturday November 15
Wavecrest, Half Moon Bay (9:00 - 12:00)

SMCBA provides docents for this outing to benefit Coastside Land Trust. Wavecrest is the single most important site on the San Mateo Coast for wintering raptors, which can be seen hunting in the property's broad fields. Raptors and other species rely on its expansive grasslands, wetlands, and roosting sites. $15 fee to attend.

Directions:  399 Wavecrest Rd by Smith Field, 1.5 miles south of SR 1 & 92.

Leader:  leader    Register

Sunday November 16
Lower La Honda Creek Open Space, La Honda (9:00 - 11:30)

The main trail of Lower La Honda Creek OSP is the old Ranch Road, with a gentle slope uphill through coastal grasslands. This is an active grazing area, so please use caution around cattle. After an out and back of 1.8 miles, we will jot off onto the Grasshopper Loop trail, which is a 1.1 mile loop that goes from grasslands through oak woodland and then redwood forest, back to grasslands.

Directions:  Meet 900 Sears Ranch Rd, off Hwy 84.

Leader:  Christin New    Register

Monday November 17
Filoli: Spring Creek Trail (9:30 - 12:00)

Join us for a 3 mile hike. This trail gains 100' elevation in 1/4 mile on a dirt path - not recommended if you have mobility issues. We will spend most of the morning on the California Trail in the Oak and Madrone forest and the Spring Creek Trail through the Redwoods. The California Trail is over dirt paths with a slight incline and is one mile long. The Spring Creek Trail is 1/2 mile on a narrow dirt track with a 100' elevation gain. Admission Fee.

Directions:  From Hwy 280, exit at Edgewood Rd and head west. At the T intersection, turn right onto Canada Rd. In 1/2 mile, turn left into the property.

Leader:  Kimberlie Moutoux    Register

Sunday November 30
Wavecrest, Half Moon Bay (8:30 - 12:00)

This is a 2-3 mile level walk through a vital hawk and raptor wintering site ending with an ocean scan for loons and other seabirds. Scopes are useful. We expect to see Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, White-tailed Kites, and others!

Directions:  Meet at 399 Wavecrest Rd by Smith Field, 1.5 miles south of SR 1 & 92.

Leader:  Ginny Marshall    Register