November interesting bird trips

SEA AND SAGE

DANA POINT HEADLANDS & HARBOR — Wednesdays: Nov. 4, & March 2 — (8:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Join Diane Etchison for a bird walk at Dana Point headlands and harbor. We will start at the headlands, which is home to many California Gnatcatchers and has great views of the ocean and harbor. Then descend to cover the lower side of the bluffs, the point, and Baby Beach where terns, loons, and grebes are often seen. The last area will be the mouth of the San Juan Creek where Gulls congregate.

Directions: Exit Fwy 5 at Pacific Coast Hwy and turn left at Dana Point Harbor Drive. Park in the lot at the corner of Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive. We will car-pool up the hill to the headlands, back down the hill to the Ocean Institute parking area, and then to Doheny State Park. Be prepared to pay an entrance fee to Doheny State Park if you don't have a State Parks pass.

Diane Etchison, Leader

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POMONA

Saturday, November 7, 2015
Mt. Baldy Village and Vicinity

Join Dan for a trip to the Mt. Baldy area for species such as White-headed Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, nuthatches, Mountain Chickadee, American Dipper, and Townsend’s Solitaire. Meets 7:00 a.m. at Memorial Park (we’ll carpool from there) and trip is limited to 12 persons.  Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Call or email the trip leader if you plan to attend and to check trip status.  
Leader:  Dan Gregory (909) 944-2259 or danrcrenee@verizon.net

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PASADENA

North Slope San Gabriels
Saturday, November 14, 2015
7:30 am - early afternoon

We will explore areas on the northern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains, such as Grassy Hollow Visitor's Center, Jackson Lake, and locations in Valyermo. We will search for high-altitude species as well as wintering raptors. Ferriginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle are possible, as are Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsuckers. Unusual species (e.g. Lewis's Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Swamp Sparrow) have been found in some years. Time permitting, we may look for Mountain Plovers or longspurs in the nearby Antelope Valley.

It may be cold, especially at higher elevations, so bring warm clothes. Also, bring lunch. We will meet at Pearblossom Park, which is at the corner of 121st st. East and East avenue V14 in Pearblossom, just south of Hwy 138 (Pearblossom Highway).

Mark and Janet Scheel


SEA AND SAGE

MORRO BAY

Come join us in Morro Bay, winter home to thousands and thousands of shorebirds, many species of raptors and passerines. We have planned a wonderful weekend of birding and exploration for you. Beginning on Friday afternoon, we will have a chance to take a leisurely harbor cruise to see some of the water birds up close, and to learn a little about the area. That evening, you may wish to dine at one of the many dockside restaurants in the town.

The next two mornings, we will meet early in order to have plenty of time to bird the local hot spots. We will be looking for shorebirds, do a little seabird watching, and bird some of the very bird rich riparian and woodland locations nearby. After lunch on Saturday and Sunday, you will be free to do a little exploring on your own. Perhaps you may wish to revisit some of the places we went as a group, maybe consult the San Luis Obispo Online Birding Guide, compiled by Morro Coast Audubon, or just spend a leisurely afternoon walking along the beach to enjoy the beauty of the area.

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PASADENA

Magpie Bird Study Group
Santa Fe Dam
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Meet in the first parking lot, directly ahead as you enter the park.

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, have a sack lunch, and have a short business meeting. All PAS members welcome!

Julia Ray and Sid Heyman

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PASADENA

Big Santa Anita Canyon
Saturday, November 21, 2015
6:30 am - noon

Join us for a fall hike as we search for Pacific Wren, American Dipper, Canyon Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Hutton's vireo, and other lower montane species.

We're planning to hike past Sturtevant Falls as far as the Cascade Picnic Area for a total of about six miles. Parking at Chantry Flat is crowded on weekends so please carpool and arrive early if possible.

Bring sturdy shoes, water, some food, sunscreen, a hat, warm clothing, and an Adventure Pass for your car. Heavy rain cancels but drizzle does not.

Leader: Lance Benner


SFV

Monthly Field Trip:
Ventura Harbor and Water Treatment Ponds
Sat, November 21, 8am – 11am
Where Monthly Field Trip: Ventura Harbor and Water Treatment Ponds

Description
Directions: From the San Fernando Valley, take the 101 Freeway to the city of Ventura, exit Seaward Avenue, turn left over the freeway, then immediately left (south) on Harbor Blvd. to Spinnaker Drive and proceed to the end. Look for birders in the last parking lot on the left.
Leader: Richard Barth, (310) 276-0342.


WHITTIER

Prado Dam Field Trip November 21

Our November field trip is going to be to the Prado Dam area. Exact logistics are still up in the air, so check back for additional details. Prado is good for gulls, waders, and songbirds.
There is a $10/vehicle charge to enter Prado Regional Park on the weekends, so carpooling will be a good plan.
Bring the usual gear — binoculars, hat, sunscreen, and a lunch. Weather can be pretty much anything this time of year, so just check the forecast.