BVAS offers a wide variety of field trips each month. If you would like more information on any of these trips, contact the listed trip leader or the Audubon Center at 760-439-2473, or just show up! If you have suggestions for future trips, or would like to volunteer as a trip leader, call the Field Trip Coordinator, Andy Brumbaugh, at 760-434-3334.

 

Pied-Billed Grebe

 

Snowy Egret

 

Black-Crowned Night Heron

May Field Trips

Sat.—May 3—8 a.m.—Whelan Lake Monthly Bird Count. Freshwater lake and riparian edge habitat. Directions: I-5 to Hwy. 76. East on Hwy. 76. Turn left at Douglas and continue to light at North River Rd. Turn left and meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of the road by the entrance gate. Leader: John Haddock, 760-941-7824.

Sat.—May 10—9 a.m.—San Elijo Lagoon Day. The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is sponsoring a day of birding, nature hikes, and other special activities in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. The regular monthly nature walk will take place as usual at 9 a.m. at the Rios Avenue trailhead. Other activities will be featured at both the Rios Avenue and Santa Carina trailheads. See notice below for more information. The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve features tidal mudflats, coastal wetlands, and five other distinct plant and animal communities.

May 16-19—Birding in Baja. SOLD OUT! To inquire about any late cancellations, call Andy Brumbaugh, 760-434-3334. Our four-day trip to condor country in Baja California will feature three nights at the historic Meling Ranch looking for free-flying condors and enjoying relaxed birding at the ranch and nearby locales. Cost of trip is $300/person, including lodging and meals.

Sat.—May 17—8 a.m.—Point Loma Bird Walk. Meet at the west end of Garden Lane. Garden Lane is a right (west) turn off Catalina Blvd. We will bird the neighborhood adjacent to Point Loma Nazarene University, the campus itself, Fort Rosecrans Cemetery (depending on current access policy at the cemetery), and Cabrillo National Monument ($5/car entrance fee). For carpooling meet at the La Costa Ave. Park & Ride at 7 a.m. Leader: Steve Brad, 760-633-1639.

Sat.—May 31—8 a.m.—Camp Pendleton Bird Walk. Meet at the Camp Pendleton main gate, off of I-5. Eric Kershner, wildlife biologist at Camp Pendleton, will lead us to various birding sites on the base featuring different habitats. We’ll organize some carpooling at the parking lot just inside the main gate to reduce the number of vehicles in our caravan on base. BVAS Leader: Steve Brad, 760-633-1639.

Sat.—May 31—8 a.m.—Buena Vista Lagoon Monthly Bird Count. Freshwater coastal lagoon. Directions: I-5 to 78 East. Exit Jefferson. Turn right and take another immediate right onto Lagoon View Dr. Go to end of road. Leader: Joan Fountain, 760-729- 1379.

Sat.—May 31—8:30-10:30 a.m.—Basic Birding Class at the Buena Vista Lagoon Landing. Directions: I-5 to Hwy. 78. Exit Jefferson. Turn right and go to stoplight. Turn right and park in Landing parking lot on the right hand side of road. Contact person: Tom Troy, 760-967-6915.