MARCH 1- 4, 2012KENN KAUFMAN

Keynote Speaker

MARINA VILLAGE AT MISSION BAY PARK

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

The 16th Annual San Diego

Bird Festival

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From sea to desert to mountaintop, San Diego County has a lot of birding to offer, with more than 500 species. Our birding area encompasses diverse habitats ranging from desert to mountains, shore to coastal wetlands, urban and suburban. We’ll even take you birding by bicycle and kayak.

The 2012 Bird Festival offers four pelagic trips, Thursday through Sunday, March 1 through 4. Swarovski Optik and SeaWorld San Diego are pelagic trip sponsors. Pelagic birding maestro Terry Hunefeld leads the trips and his co-leaders include Steve Howell, Paul Lehman, Guy McCaskie, and Todd McGrath.

Kenn KaufmanThis year’s banquet keynote

speaker is a field editor for Audubon magazine and a contributor to every major

birding magazine.

Welcome to the

From top: Cassin’s Kingbird, Cactus Wrens, Peregrine Falcon, Western Tanager, Burrowing Owl.

Photo by Jeffrey Gordon

The San Diego Audubon Society invites you to San Diego for the 16th annual San Diego Bird Festival, being held at the Marina Village Conference Center. Festival headquarters, overlooking a picturesque marina, is just steps away from San Diego’s species-rich San Diego River estuary. Nearby islands, Mexico’s Islas Los Coronados, complement the ocean view and offer the possibility of adding exotic pelagic bird species to festival-goers’ birding lists.

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In 2008, Kaufman was presented with the highest honor of the American Birding Association, the Roger Tory Peterson Award “for a lifetime of achievements in promoting the cause of birding.” Most of his time has gone into writing books, such as Kingbird Highway, Flights Against the Sunset, and Lives of North American Birds. His own Kaufman Field Guides series now includes volumes on birds (in English and Spanish), butterflies, mammals, insects, and the latest addition (2011) on advanced birding. He and his wife, Kim, keep busy with birds and rock music from their home base in northwestern Ohio.

In addition to keynoter Kenn Kaufman, internationally acclaimed birder and photographer Richard Crossley, author of the new field book series The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds, and The Shorebird Guide, is a special festival guest. He will lead a combination workshop and walk on Beginning Shorebird ID, where he will share his secrets for successful bird identification and lead a walk to the San Diego River Estuary for field observation.

Additional festival events include a special day for families and children on Sunday, March 4. Kid-friendly activities include a Beginning Bird Art Workshop, the Raptor Rap Workshop, and a Bird Calling Workshop. All family events on Sunday are free with no pre-registration needed, although we do ask you to check in at the San Diego Audubon Society registration desk at festival headquarters upon arrival for handouts and important information and announcements about Family Free Day events.

Early-birders attending the 2012 San Diego Bird Festival might also wish to take advantage of a popular festival feature: pre-registration. Early-birders are invited to stop by festival headquarters on Wednesday, March 1, 4-8 pm in the Seaside Room in Marina Village to pre-register while enjoying free drinks and snacks.

A new festival field trip in 2012 is Birding Balboa Park. Spend the morning birding one of San Diego’s cultural and natural landmarks, Balboa Park. Tucked among the Spanish Renaissance buildings created for the 1915 Panama Exhibition are numerous gardens and hiking trails that are home to a variety of bird and butterfly species. After the morning’s birding and touring, we’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at the San Diego Natural History Museum’s extensive avian collection and will see a demonstration of making a museum bird skin.

BIRDING & OPTICS EXPOOur exhibition area will be open to the public from noon to 5 pm Thursday through Sunday. Social mixers are held in the exhibition area from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday and Friday.

2012 San Diego Bird Festival

General InformationBIRD FESTIVAL REGISTRATION: Registration is made on-line on the San Diego Audubon website. Confirmation will be sent automatically at the completion of on-line registration. The nonrefundable Festival registration fee is $20 per person (but free for age 12 and under). Sunday Family Free Day events are free and do not require prior sign-up or a registration fee. Overnight trip sign-ups are done through the tour operators, not San Diego Audubon. Contact information for the tour operators is given in the overnight trip descriptions.

If you are unable to register on-line, fill out the worksheet found in the center of this brochure and mail it to us with your payment. We will confirm your registration by e-mail or by standard mail. The mailing address is:

San Diego Audubon Society4010 Morena Blvd., Ste. 100San Diego, CA 92117

STANDBY: The on-line registration form will indicate the number of remaining openings for each event. While there will not be standby lists maintained, any cancellations will release places for others.

Long-time festival favorites such as social mixers, the keynoter banquet, the silent auction, and the Birding & Optics EXPO are returning in 2012. EXPO is free and open to the public from 12 to 5 daily. The social mixers are on Thursday and Friday, 5 to 8 pm each night. The keynoter banquet with Kenn Kaufman is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Extend your West Coast festival birding experience with a POST-FESTIVAL TRIP to lush and birdy Costa Rica, March 5-12. Although Costa Rica is a small country, it is in the bird-rich neotropical region and has a huge number of birds recorded for its size, 894 species, more than all of the U.S. and Canada combined. The specially priced trip is sponsored by the San Diego Audubon Society and operated by Holbrook Travel. Reservations are made directly with Holbrook Travel.

Using this booklet, plan your 2012 San Diego Bird Festival and Audubon California Assembly field trips, workshops, and events. Space is limited on trips and in workshops, so please register early.

All workshops and events are held at Marina Village unless otherwise noted in the event description. All field trips depart from Marina Village where parking is plentiful and free.

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NOTE: This year we are converting to an on-line registration system. For up-to-the-minute registration information and availability of trips, workshops, or events visit sandiegoaudubon.org and click the Bird Festival tab or email any questions to birdfest@cox.net.

IN PERSON: Registration for field trips, workshops, and mixers can be done during the Festival (Wednesday evening and Thursday through Sunday) in person at the registration area in Marina Village. All events are subject to availability. Please keep in mind that many of our events fill well ahead of time.

RELEASE: Each person registered must sign a liability release. While there willbe release forms at the registration area, there is a copy on the Festival website that can be downloaded, read and signed. Please bring it with you or mail to our office. This will save time during Festival registration.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: If we cancel a Festival trip or workshop you will receive a full refund for that event. If you cancel an event by February 10th, you will receive a refund. If you cancel after February 10th, you will not receive a refund except in the case of medical emergency. To cancel events, e-mail us at birdfest@cox.net.

BIRDING & OPTICS EXPO: Our exhibitions and vendors are located in the Marina Village Seaside Room near the registration area. This area is open to the public from 12 to 5 pm Thursday through Sunday. For current information about our Festival including event status, cancellations, changes and possible new events added after this printing, please visit our website at sandiegoaudubon.org/birdfest.htm.

TRIP NOTES: We provide all trip transportation. All trips depart from and conclude at Marina Village. Buses or vans leave at the scheduled event time. Allow time to register and

pick up any lunches you have ordered.

WORKSHOP NOTES: All workshops are held at Marina Village in break-out rooms near the Seaside Room. Signs will direct you to the workshop location.

FOOD: Except as noted, our trips will not be stopping in areas where food can be purchased. Consider bringing a snack or lunch or purchasing (for $10) a lunch from us for Thursday through Sunday trips. Lunches should be ordered at the time of registration. Meals provided during specific trips are noted in the trip descriptions. Morning beverages and light snacks are provided at Marina Village. Food on the pelagic trips can be purchased aboard the Grande.

WEATHER: Weather in San Diego during March is mild, but rain is a possibility. Trips into mountains will experience cold temperatures – be sure to bring layered, warm clothing and closed-toe shoes for these trips. A change of dry clothing is recommended for kayak trips.

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Festival Location and Directions… The 2012 San Diego Bird Festival and Audubon California Assembly will be held at the Marina Village Conference Center, 1936 Quivira Way, on Mission Bay.

From Interstate 5:Take the Sea World Drive exit. From Sea World Drive, take West Mission Bay Drive on your right. When you see the large green sign that says Quivira Road, get in the farthest left of the two left turn lanes. Turn left, go one very short block and turn left again. Drive about one-half mile and Marina Village will be on your right. Turn right into the parking lot when you see the sign for the office. Then, just look for the Bird Festival signs that will direct you to our registration area, classes and our Optics Fair.

From Interstate 8:Take the West Mission Bay Drive exit to the right. You will be on Ingraham Street for a short distance from which you will take the next exit marked West Mission Bay Drive on your right. When you see the large green sign that says Quivira Road, get in the farthest left of the two turn lanes. Turn left, go one very short block and turn left again. Drive about one-half mile and Marina Village will be on your right. Turn right into the parking lot when you see the sign for the office. Then, just look for the Bird Festival signs that will direct you to our registration area, classes and our Optics Fair.

And Where To Stay…

The Dana on Mission Bay, www.thedana.com, is the Festival’s host hotel and the nearest hotel to Festival headquarters at the Marina Village Conference Center. It’s an easy walk and free shuttles will run each morning to Marina Village. To make a room reservation directly with The Dana, call toll-free 1-800-445-3339 or locally 619-222-6440 and mention that you are with the Bird Festival. Alternatively, log onto the San Diego Audubon website, www.sandiegoaudubon.org for a link to the special Festival rates at The Dana.

Campland on the Bay, www.campland.com, 1-800-422-9386 or locally 858-581-4260 is also close by and available for RV hookups. Located at 2211 Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego, Campland is on the northeast side of Mission Bay Park overlooking the Kendall Frost Wildlife Preserve. Campland offers a 20% discount on any site to Bird Festival registrants. Campland is a 5-minute drive from Marina Village via Pacific Beach Drive and Ingraham Street south to Quivera Basin. Links and phone numbers of additional nearby lodging options are listed on our website Festival page, www.sandiegoaudubon.org.

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POST FESTIVAL TRIP, MARCH 5-11 Costa Rica Trip Monday, March 5 – Sunday, March 11

Sponsored by San Diego Audubon SocietyOperated by Holbrook Travel

Join the San Diego Audubon Society and Holbrook Travel for a week-long, specially priced trip to lush and birdy Costa Rica. Although Costa Rica is a small country, it is in the bird-rich neotropical region and has a huge number of birds recorded for its size, 894 species, more than all of the U.S. and Canada combined. More than 600 species are resident, upwards of 200 species are migrant, including wintering North American songbirds, and 7 species are endemic. Visit the Caribbean lowland rainforest and Selva Verde Lodge and hike in the reserve with your local expert guide. The protected 500 acres of rainforest, Selva Verde offers many covered walks, birding trails, and lookout points. Selva Verde provides opportunities to see species such as the Keel-billed Toucan, Great Green Macaw, White-winged Becard, Sunbittern, Acadian Flycatcher, and Wood Thrush. The trip includes a two-hour boat ride on the Puerto Viejo River and a visit to the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Station, the Boxque de Pax and Quwbrada Gonzalez in Braulio Carrillo National Park. Optional horseback riding and river rafting are available. PLEASE NOTE: You will need a passport that is valid 6 months after the date of this trip. Cost: $1298 Excluding airfare. Single supplement $245 Leaders: Holbrook TravelNote: The Costa Rica trip is booked directly with Holbrook Travel. Contact Debbie Sturdivant, Debbie@holbrooktravel, call toll-free (866)748-6146, or visit www.holbrooktravel.com.SDAS.

Pre-Registration Mixer Sponsored by Holbrook Travel Wednesday, February 29, 4 pm – 8 pmJoin Bird Festival staff and volunteers Wednesday evening for a free pre-registration at festival headquarters. Light snacks and drinks will be served in the registration area in the Seaside Room of the Marina Village Conference Center. Staff and volunteers will be available to assist you in pre-registering for festival events. Guests who pre-register can avoid the early-morning registration rush on Thursday for the first field trips and workshops.Cost: Free to all registered festival participants

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29

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Birding 100 Trip #1 Thursday, March 1, 6 am – 6 pmThis popular trip is a whirlwind tour of San Diego County’s hottest birding spots to list over 100 species. Bring your lunch (or you can order one from us), as there is no stopping for anything but birds. Phil Pryde has been leading birding trips and teaching birding classes for San Diego Audubon for more than 25 years. He is a retired professor from San Diego State University, is the author of San Diego, An Introduction to the Region, and has led birding trip to all parts of the U.S. leads many birding trips. BJ Stacey is an excellent birder who serves on the board of the San Diego Field Ornithologists.Cost: $95 Leaders: Phil Pryde and B.J. Stacey Birding along the Border Trip #1 Thursday, March 1, 6 am – 3 pmThis trip into the Tijuana River Valley along the Mexican border will explore fabled birding hotspots like Dairy Mart Ponds, Border Field State Park, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and the Imperial Beach Pier. Every border trip sees 85 to 100 species including shorebirds, raptors, and other winter visitors. Special efforts are made to find local specialties such as Wrentit, California Gnatcatcher, California Thrasher, and California Towhee. Other possibilities include Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, eight species of raptors, many species of ducks, and if we’re lucky, our on-again, off-again Crested Caracara and Black-throated Magpie Jay. Bruce Rideout is a local birder and wildlife disease researcher who works on a number of avian endangered species recovery programs. Jan Nordenberg is an avid birder who enjoys local and international birding. Cost: $85 Leaders: Bruce Rideout and Jan Nordenberg Lake Hodges, Kit Carson Park Trip Thursday, March 1, 6 am – 2:30 pmOn this trip you will visit several areas of Lake Hodges, designated a Globally Important Bird Area, along with Kit Carson Park where you never know what will pop up. Bird sightings might include Greater Roadrunner, Coastal Cactus Wren, California Thrasher, California Gnatcatcher, and Western and Clark’s grebes dancing on the water; some of which may have young on their backs. Also possible are Wrentit, Ring-necked Duck, Osprey, White-tailed Kite, Cassin’s Kingbird, and some early migrants. Bring a lunch or buy one from us to enjoy with wine tasting at the beautiful Orfila Winery in Escondido. The Nails are active members and trip leaders for Palomar Audubon. Cost: $85 Leaders: Doug and Mickey Nail

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1

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San Diego’s Pacific Rocky Shores Trip Thursday, March 1, 6:30 am – 1:30 pm Portions of San Diego’s scenic Pacific coastline feature natural rocky cliffs, as well as rock jetties and breakwaters. These areas are inhabited by a select variety of birds. Trip participants will visit examples of these rocky coastal areas to observe birds such as Brandt’s and Pelagic cormorants, Wandering Tattler, Ruddy and Black turnstones, Surfbird, Black Oystercatcher, and even Black-vented Shearwater, Parasitic and Pomarine jaegers, Pacific and Red-throated loons, Brown Pelican, Surf Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Whimbrel, and Heermann’s Gull. For the past 30 years, Stan Walens has spent many hours scanning the ocean off La Jolla, amassing an extensive knowledge of these unique birds. Steve Ritt is an avian biologist in San Diego and a leader for Ventures Bird Tours.Cost: $80 Leaders: Stan Walens and Steve Ritt

North County Lagoons Trip Thursday, March 1, 6:30 am – 3:30 pm North San Diego County boasts several important coastal wetlands which encompass habitats as diverse as tidal salt marshes and mudflats, riparian woodlands, and sage scrub that support a wide range of species. This trip generally sights between 85 to 100 species, including a wide selection of Western specialties like Light-footed Clapper Rail, Western Snowy Plover, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, California Gnatcatcher, California Quail, Wrentit, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, California Towhee, California Thrasher, and Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds. Co-leaders Maryanne Bache and Andy Mauro bring a broad scope of experience to this trip. Maryanne is a field biologist focused on endangered species and is the former education and outreach director of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. Andy is past president of the San Diego Field Ornithologists and the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, and a board member of Buena Vista Audubon. Cost: $85 Leaders: Maryanne Bache and Andy Mauro

Pelagic Birding Trip #1 Sponsored by Opticron Thursday, March 1, 6:30 am – 2 pm Join eight California pelagic seabird experts for a 7-hour excursion on the comfortable 85-foot live-aboard Grande to view some of the numerous seabird species found offshore of San Diego. These species may include fulmars, shearwaters, auklets, murrelets, and jaegers. In past years pelagic birding trips during the Festival have spotted Black-footed Albatross, Manx Shearwaters, and Brown and Blue-footed boobies. We will make a special effort to find dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals and whales, including migrating California Gray Whales as they make their way back to Alaska from the warm lagoons of Baja California where they breed and give birth.

Cost: $80 (Food and drinks can be purchased aboard the boat) Leaders: Terry Hunefeld and crew

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Coastal National Wildlife Refuges Trip #1 Sponsored by FWS Thursday, March 1, 7 am – 2 pmSan Diego’s coastal wildlife refuges are located at the south end of San Diego Bay. During the winter season a diverse variety of land and water birds can be observed at such places as South San Diego Bay NWR and the Tijuana Slough NWR. Species expected to be seen include Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Black Skimmer, Caspian and Forster’s terns, Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and maybe even a Peregrine Falcon. We will finish up at the Chula Vista Nature Center, located on the Sweetwater Marsh NWR, to see raptors including Bald and Golden eagles as well as a presentation on the Light-footed Clapper Rail captive-breeding program. Cost: Free Leaders: Fish & Wildlife Service Staff

Gulls and Coastal Waterbirds Trip Thursday, March 1, 7 am – 3 pm This trip will visit several of the birdier coastal sites that host a wide variety of waterfowl, herons, shorebirds, gulls, and terns. While we will study all species found, there will be a special emphasis on gulls, including handouts and field discussions covering gull identification, aging, and status in the San Diego region. Between seven and nine gull species are likely to be found, hopefully including the uncommon Thayer’s and Mew gulls. Sites visited include the San Diego River Estuary, Mission Bay, J Street Marina in Chula Vista, and possibly Miramar Lake. Other species of interest may include Eurasian Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, Little Blue Heron, and Black Skimmer. Paul Lehman leads bird tours throughout North America for Wings, Inc. and is an associate editor for North American Birds magazine. He has been a principal consultant on several popular field guides, most recently as the chief consultant for the range maps in The National Geographic Society Field Guide To Birds, The Sibley Field Guides to Birds of Eastern and Western North America and several others. Barbara Carlson is an avid birder.Cost: $85 Leaders: Barbara Carlson and Paul Lehman

Birding by Bike Trip Thursday, March 1, 8 am - 3 pm Enjoy Southern California birding around Mission Bay by bicycle. The route will begin and end at Marina Village. The terrain is flat and the route is almost entirely on bike/pedestrian pathways. The trip is set up to allow for a short 6-mile ride, a 10-mile ride, or a 25-plus miles ride – you can drop out at the starting point when you wish. The ride could include spotting the elusive Clapper Rail, exotic gulls, three kinds of loons, and the Little Blue Heron. We will see more than 70 different birds

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that associate with the Mission Bay area. Bring a lunch or money for one at the many Pacific Beach snack stands while we watch some beach birds. Helmets are required; sunscreen and water are recommended. Jim Pea is a regular biking birder and maintains extensive eBird records of observations in the Mission Bay area. You may bring your own bike and helmet or rent a bike for $25 for the day, which includes delivery, pickup, and helmet. Cost: $70 Bike rental $25 Leader: Jim Pea Digiscoping Workshop Sponsored by Swarovski Optik Thursday, March 1, 11:30 am – 1 pm Digiscoping—the marriage of a spotting scope and a digital camera to document wildlife sightings—is the hottest topic in the birding world. Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik, who has been avidly digiscoping since 2001, will present a seminar on digiscoping. Topics will include choosing the best camera and scope combination for digiscoping, camera-mounting options, and shooting tips and techniques in the field. Tips on using a digital SLR behind the scope eyepiece will be included. Participants are encouraged to bring their own spotting scopes, digital still cameras, camcorders, and scope adaptors.Cost: $5 Presenter: Clay Taylor

Pelagic Birding Workshop Sponsored by Kowa Thursday, March 1, 1:30 am – 3 pm The ocean is full of interesting bird species ranging from shearwaters to jaegers to phalaropes. In order to get a good look at these specialized birds, a pelagic trip is required. This talk will cover many facets of pelagic birding from species identification to bird behavior to preparation for the trip. In order to fully enjoy the pelagic trip itself, we’ll discuss protocol on board as well as other ways to gain the most from your pelagic experience. The talk will prepare you for our four pelagic trips. Bring your binoculars and your willingness to learn! Jim Danzenbaker has been a lifelong birder and has studied shorebirds and other species over six continents. He has co-led over 250 pelagic trips for Shearwater Journeys and has led more than 15 neotropical birding tours to Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Jim has served as a naturalist and leader on 10 Antarctic tours. He currently lives in Washington State where he is the sales manager for Kowa Optics. Cost: $25 Presenter: Jim Danzenbaker

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Visit our website at sandiegoaudubon.org for any updated information on the San Diego Bird Festival trips and events.

Raptor ID Workshop Thursday, March 1, 1:30 pm – 3 pm

David Bittner, Wildlife Research Institute, shares his secrets for successful raptor ID. He will

show the differences between similar-looking species such as Sharp-shinned

and Cooper’s hawks, American Kestrel and Merlin, Prairie and Peregrine Falcon, Golden and Bald eagles, and

other buteo hawks. Bittner will point out the differences between Swainson’s,

Red-tailed, Ferruginous, and Rough-legged hawks in their various plumages. Also covered: Red-shouldered hawks, White Tailed Kites, Osprey, Harris Hawks, Crested

Caracara. Bittner has been studying raptors for over 44 years and has been

fascinated by raptors since age 11. Dave is the Director of the Wildlife Research Institute and lives in Julian. He is currently

working on multiple Golden Eagle projects for The Wildlife Research Institute.

Cost: $25 Presenter: David Bittner

Bird Photography Workshop Sponsored by Wildside Nature Tours Thursday, March 1, 3 pm – 5 pm This workshop will prepare you for a field trip with photography experts on Friday (see F5). Do you enjoy taking photos of birds and the natural world? Are you often disappointed with how your photos turn out but can’t figure out what you did wrong? Join professional nature photographer and tour leader, Kevin Loughlin, and local expert Gerry Tietje for a fun and informative “Basics of Digital Nature Photography Workshop.” Learn simple techniques to improve your photography. Explore the major elements that make a photograph a wall-hanger rather than a trash liner. Discover helpful tricks, through classroom instruction as well as hands-on practice (see F5 Field Trip), that will excite and inspire any budding photographer. Cost: $25 (workshop cost included in F5) Presenters: Kevin Loughlin and Gerry Tietje

Principles and Pitfalls of Field Identification with Kenn Kaufman Thursday, March 1, 3:30 pm – 5 pmIdentifying birds in the wild is not simply a matter of learning field marks. Often we can memorize all the field marks for a species and still have trouble identifying it, 12

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while in other cases we may recognize a bird without seeing any traditional field marks at all. In this program, based on a section from his recent Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding, Kenn will talk about some basic principles that make it possible to identify birds with more accuracy and confidence. He’ll also discuss some common pitfalls of ID, and how to avoid being tripped up by them. Cost: $35 Presenter: Kenn Kaufman

Mixer, Music, and Book Signing Sponsored by Princeton University Press Searcher Natural History Tours Thursday, March 1, 5 pm – 8 pmMeet fellow birders, compare the day’s experiences, explore the latest in optical gear, visit with birding travel specialists, and enjoy a refreshing beverage and finger foods, all while listening to relaxing live music. During the evening you’ll meet a man on a mission, internationally acclaimed birder and photographer Richard Crossley, author of the new field book series The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds, and The Shorebird Guide. His mission? To help people connect with and ‘see’ nature in a whole new way, through the magic of composite digital photography. Crossley will be signing copies of his books. And don’t miss the big buzz at the Searcher Natural History Tours booth, where a free trip aboard Searcher will be given away to one lucky mixer attendee. Cost: $10 Presenters: Richard Crossley and Celia Condit

Birds of the Anza-Borrego Desert Trip #1 Friday, March 2, 5:30 am – 5 pm Anza-Borrego Desert State Park contains all the rugged characteristics that most people associate with a desert environment. Even so, it is home to a variety of bird species. This full-day trip will leave early and arrive in the desert as the sun rises. Likely birding locations include the sand dunes at Old Springs Road, Borrego Palm Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert SP visitor’s center, Borrego Sink, and Tamarisk Grove. Focus species include Long-eared Owl, Greater Roadrunner, Costa’s Hummingbird, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Sage, Crissal, and Le Conte’s thrashers, Phainopepla, and Sage and Black-throated sparrows. Bob Miller is a birding guide specializing in the desert southwest where he was born and raised and is knowledgeable on the life, history, and geology of the area. Bob Theriault is a retired Anza-Borrego Desert SP Ranger, resident birder of Borrego Springs, and compiler of the Christmas Bird Count.Cost: $95 Leaders: Bob Miller and Bob Theriault

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Laguna and Cuyamaca Mountains Trip Friday, March 2, 6 am – 4 pm San Diego County’s mountains provide diverse birding environments, consisting of mixed oak and conifer forests interspersed with expanses of grassland and chaparral from 4,000 to just over 6,000 feet in elevation. Depending on the weather, this daylong trip will visit locations within these environments, such as Wooded Hill Road, Agua Dulce Creek, and Laguna Campground in the Laguna Mountains and Paso Picacho Campground in the Cuyamacas. Target species include Mountain Quail; Ferruginous Hawk; Acorn, Nuttall’s, and White-headed woodpeckers; Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Oak Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Western Bluebird. This trip generally occurs under good weather but is occasionally subject to cold with light snow accumulation. Participants should bring adequate clothing for cold temperatures and footwear suitable for walking in several inches of snow, just in case they are needed. Expect trail hiking up to 2 miles over fairly level wooded terrain. John Walters is a retired biology instructor who has been birding in San Diego County for over 20 years. He edits The Skimmer, the newsletter of the San Diego Field Ornithologists. Geoff Rogers is a wildlife biologist who has been birding seriously for over 20 years. Cost: $90 Leaders: Geoff Rogers and John Walters

Birding Along the Border Trip #2 Friday, March 2, 6 am – 3 pm This trip into the Tijuana River Valley along the Mexican border will explore fabled birding hotspots like Dairy Mart Ponds, Border Field State Park, Bird and Butterfly Garden, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and the Imperial Beach Pier. Every border trip sees 85 to 100 species including shorebirds, raptors, and other

winter visitors. Special efforts are made to find local specialties such as Wrentit, California Gnatcatcher, California Thrasher, and California Towhee. Other possibilities include Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, eight species of raptors, many species of ducks, and if we’re lucky, our on-again, off-again Crested Caracara and Black-throated Magpie Jay. Robert Patton is a long-time birder in our area and biologist working with the Least Tern recovery program. Elizabeth Copper has worked as a biologist and consultant specializing in ornithology since 1976, focusing on studies of bird distribution in California as well as monitoring and management of endangered species including the California Least Tern and

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Western Snowy Plover at various sites in San Diego County. Kenn Kaufman is our keynote speaker and noted author.Cost: $90 Leaders: Robert Patton, Elizabeth Copper, and Kenn Kaufman

Lake Hodges and Orfila Winery Trip Friday, March 2, 6:30 am – 1:30 pm On this trip we will visit Lake Hodges, designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, as well as, another culturally and civilized spot not too distant, favored by birders and oenophiles. Bird sightings might include Greater Roadrunner, Coastal Cactus Wren, California Thrasher, California Gnatcatcher, Western and Clark’s grebes (some with young, some displaying courtship behavior), Ring-necked Duck, Osprey, White-tailed Kite, Cassin’s Kingbird, and maybe some early migrants. Bring a lunch or buy one from us to enjoy, and we shall conclude with a bit of wine tasting at the beautiful Orfila Winery in Escondido. Millie and Peter Thomas lead local birding trips and Peter is the President of San Diego Audubon.Cost: $80 Leaders: Millie and Peter Thomas

Bird Photography Field Trip Sponsored by Wildside Nature Tours Friday, March 2, 6:30 am – 11:30 amThis field trip is the follow-up to the T13 Bird Photography Workshop on Thursday. “Hands-on” is the best way to learn. Practice, practice, practice is how you get better! This fun field trip with professional nature photographer and tour leader, Kevin Loughlin and local expert Gerry Tietje will expand upon what was learned in the previous day’s classroom session and allow budding photographers to practice professional techniques in local hotspots. Kevin and Gerry will be available to share their knowledge with immediate feedback to help boost your abilities.Cost: $85 (includes T13 workshop in cost) Leaders: Kevin Loughlin and Gerry Teitje

Pelagic Birding Trip #2 Sponsored by SeaWorld San Diego Friday, March 2, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm Join eight California pelagic seabird experts for an excursion on the comfortable 85-foot live-aboard Grande to view some of the numerous seabird species found offshore of San Diego. These species may include fulmars, shearwaters, auklets, murrelets, and jaegers. In past years pelagic birding trips during the Festival have spotted Black-footed Albatross, Manx Shearwaters, and Brown and Blue-footed boobies. An animal care specialist from SeaWorld will also be onboard to help participants identify non-feathered marine life. We will look for migrating California Gray Whales as they make their way back to Alaska from the warm lagoons of Baja California where they breed and give birth. Expect to see at least two species of whales, two to four of dolphins, California Sea Lions, and Harbor Seals.Cost: $95 (Food and drinks can be purchased aboard the boat) Leaders: Terry Hunefeld and crew

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Birding By Ear Workshop and Trip Friday, March 2, 6:30 am – 12 pmHow many times have you tried to see a bird with an obscured view, and only after much effort, after finally getting a good look at the bird have found it is a common species? Beginning and intermediate bird watchers tend to focus on visual identification of bird species. However most land birds are easily identified by their sounds. Birding by ear has an advantage over visual birding in that you are not limited to your field of vision to identify a bird. This course is intended for beginning and intermediate birders. It will consist of a 6:30 am workshop (bring your continental breakfast over from the registration area) to learn and review 12 to 20 species of local birds. After the workshop the group will depart on a field trip to a nearby chaparral habitat, identify birds in the field by sound, and put into practice what we have learned in the workshop. The focus will be on common species found in the San Diego chaparral habitat. Hank Ingersoll is the past president of the San Diego Field Ornithologists.Cost: $60 Leaders: Hank Ingersoll

Local Favorites Trip Friday, March 2, 7 am – 3 pmOld Mission Dam, Santee Lakes, and Lindo Lake are East County birding jewels surrounded by busy suburbs. Look for Downy and Nuttall’s woodpeckers, Wood and Ring-necked ducks, Western Bluebird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Osprey, Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned warblers, and maybe even Red-crowned Parrot. Jack Friery and Jim Kerr are active field trip leaders for the Palomar Audubon Society.Cost: $75 Leaders: Jack Friery and Jim Kerr

Coastal National Wildlife Refuges Trip #2 Sponsored by FWS Friday, March 2, 7 am – 2 pmSan Diego’s coastal wildlife refuges are located at the south end of San Diego Bay. During the winter season a diverse variety of land and water birds can be observed at such places as South San Diego Bay NWR and the Tijuana Slough NWR. Species expected to be seen include Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Black Skimmer, Caspian and Forster’s terns, Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and maybe even a Peregrine Falcon. We will finish up at the Chula Vista Nature Center, located on the Sweetwater

Marsh NWR, to see raptors including Bald and Golden eagles as well as a presentation on the Light-footed Clapper Rail captive-breeding program. Cost: Free Leaders: Fish and Wildlife Service Staff

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Birch Aquarium at Scripps Trip Friday, March 2, 8 am – 2 pm Join Birch Aquarium staffer and San Diego Audubon birder Catie Fyfe for a tour of the aquarium, located in scenic La Jolla with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the UCSD campus. After touring aquarium exhibits and a no-host lunch at the Birch’s Splash! Cafe, we will bird the Birch and Scripps grounds, walking downhill to The Shores for beach birding. We’ll then board the bus for a short ride to La Jolla Cove to see rocky coastal habitat and Brown Pelicans, Herrmann’s Gulls, nesting Brandt’s and Double-crested cormorants, California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. We’ll bird along scenic oceanfront, meeting the bus at La Jolla Rocky Shores for the return to Marina Village. Expect to see a variety of wintering shorebirds. There will be downhill slopes, sand, and stairs on the walk.Cost: $80 Leaders: Catie Fyfe, Jim Pea, and Birch staff

Intro to Birding Optics Workshop Sponsored by Eagle Optics Friday, March 2, 11:30 am – 1 pm

The successful birder will have at hand optical equipment that is suited to his or her needs and pocketbook. Explore the options and how to make objective decisions in the selection of binoculars and scopes. Ben Lizdas of Eagle Optics has years of experience with birding hardware and will guide participants through the many available choices.

Cost: $5 Presenter: Ben Lizdas

Winter Shorebird ID Workshop Sponsored by Kowa Friday, March 2, 1:30 am – 3 pm Wintering shorebirds are difficult, we all know that. When we try to ID them using a field guide our eyes are immediately drawn to the illustrations with the bright breeding plumages. Winter shorebirding is different. Studying bill shape and differentiating varying shades of gray are the name of the game. This workshop will focus on wintering shorebirds of California and we’ll focus on habitat, behavior, and plumage to identify the many shorebirds that call California their winter home. Bring your binoculars and your willingness to learn! Jim Danzenbaker has been a lifelong birder and has studied shorebirds and other species over six continents. He has co-led over 250 pelagic trips for Shearwater Journeys and has led more than 15 neotropical birding tours to Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Jim has served as a naturalist and leader on 10 Antarctic tours. He currently lives in Washington State where he is the sales manager for Kowa Optics.Cost: $25 Presenter: Jim Danzenbaker

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eBird: Birding Records Online Workshop Sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Friday, March 2, 3:30 pm – 5 pm This workshop begins outside with some brief birding on the Marina Village Conference Center grounds to gather bird data and demonstrate the use of a GPS unit. Once indoors, Brian Sullivan will provide an overview and demonstration of eBird, showing you how Cornell and Audubon have specialized eBird for California birders, and convince you that eBird is easy, fun, and rewarding. See results immediately when we enter the data on the birds we have just seen outdoors. Brian Sullivan helped create eBird at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Cost: $5 Presenter: Brian Sullivan

Better Birding Workshop Sponsored by Zeiss Friday, March 2, 3:30 pm – 5 pm What do good birders know that you don’t (yet)? Here are seven simple disciplines that will make any birder a better birder and increase your enjoyment of the time you spend in the field. Great for beginners and any birder who wants to improve. Steve Ingraham is the birding and naturalist product specialist for Carl Zeiss Optics. Cost: $25 Presenter: Steve Ingraham

Estuary Walk #1 Friday, March 2, 4 pm – 5:15 pm Join Festival and San Diego Audubon leaders for a birding walk along the San Diego River Estuary, just across from the Marina Village Conference Center. Expect to see wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. Rich and Susan Breisch have been active with the Christmas Bird Counts in San Diego and in leading field trips for San Diego Audubon. Cost: Free Leader: Susan and Rich Breisch and friends

Beer, Sliders, and Birds Mixer Sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Friday, March 2, 5 pm – 8 pm Meet fellow birders, compare the day’s experiences, explore the latest in optical gear, visit with birding travel specialists, and eat sliders and sip on a brew. There will be a presentation at 7 pm by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology from its extensive library collections, highlighting western and California bird species. Learn about the latest projects being conducted by the Lab, from backyard citizen science to birding expeditions to the remotest parts of the globe. Door prizes will be given away through the evening and a birding game could break out at any time.Cost: $10 Presenters: Cornell Lab of Ornithology staff

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Birds of the Anza-Borrego Desert Trip #2 Saturday, March 3, 5:30 am – 5 pm Anza-Borrego Desert State Park contains all of the rugged characteristics that most people associate with a desert environment. Even so, it is home to a variety of bird species. This full-day trip will leave early and arrive in the desert as the sun rises. Likely birding locations include the sand dunes at Old Springs Road, Borrego Palm Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert SP visitor’s center, Borrego Sink, and Tamarisk Grove. Focus species include Long-eared Owl, Greater Roadrunner, Costa’s Hummingbird, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Sage, Crissal, and Le Conte’s thrashers, Phainopepla, and Sage and Black- throated sparrows. Bob Miller is a birding guide specializing in the desert southwest where he was born and raised and is knowledgeable on the life, history, and geology of the area. Bob Theriault is a retired Anza-Borrego Desert SP Ranger, resident birder of Borrego Springs and compiler of the Christmas Bird Count.Cost: $95 Leaders: Bob Miller and Bob Theriault

SATURDAY, MARCH 3

Hawk Alley Trip Sponsored by Opticron Saturday, March 3, 6 am – 3 pm Dos Picos County Park is situated amidst rugged brush-covered slopes northeast of San Diego. It supports mature Coast Live Oak woodland and chaparral vegetation

on nearby slopes. Typical birds found include Red-shouldered and Red-tailed hawks, California Quail, Acorn and Nuttall’s woodpeckers, Cassin’s Kingbird, Hutton’s Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, and Spotted Towhee. Nearby the Santa Maria

Valley is characterized by native grasslands, where 19 species of raptors can be found. Focus birds include Ferruginous Hawk, White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Prairie Falcon, Mountain Bluebird, Lark Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Bald and Golden Eagles. Fred Sproul leads birding adventures for the Wildlife Research Institute of Ramona. Andrew Fisher is especially skilled

with Southern California birds. He has been involved with WRI’s Golden Eagle project, migratory bird banding, and conducts professional wildlife surveys. Chris Galvin is an Opticron rep and avid photographer and digiscoper.Cost: $90 Leaders: Fred Sproul, Andrew Fisher, and Chris Galvin

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Birding at Camp Pendleton Saturday, March 3, 6 am – 3 pm This unique trip provides opportunities to see many distinctive Southern California bird species. The Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton offers a mixture of willow-sycamore-oak woodlands alongside sage scrub, chaparral, grasslands, beach, and lakeside habitats. Expect to see many species of waterfowl, including Canvasback, Western and Clark’s grebes, Western Snowy Plover, Black-necked Stilt and other shorebirds, Forster’s Tern, White-tailed Kite, California Quail, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Bushtit, Wrentit, California Thrasher, California Gnatcatcher, and Coastal Cactus Wren. Maryanne Bache is a field biologist focused on endangered avian species and is the former education and outreach director of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. Carol McKie Manning has monitored endangered birds at Camp Pendleton for over 10 years. Cost: $90 Leaders: Maryanne Bache and Carol McKie Manning

Beginning Birders Shorebirds Workshop and Walk with Richard Crossley Saturday, March 3, 6:30 am – 12 pmIn this combination workshop and walk, join internationally acclaimed birder and photographer Richard Crossley, author of the new field book series The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds, and The Shorebird Guide, in this introduction to the shore birds of our area. He will share his secrets for successful bird identification and lead a walk to the San Diego River Estuary for field observation. Bring binoculars if you have them or let us know and we’ll loan you a pair. Cost: $55 Presenter: Richard Crossley

Islas Coronados Pelagic Trip #3 Sponsored by Swarovski Optik Saturday, March 3, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm The rugged yet scenic Islas Coronados are situated in Mexican waters within sight of much of San Diego. Their steep-sided slopes are an important sanctuary for birds, marine mammals, and other sealife. Trip participants can expect to see many pelagic

bird species on this 9-hour boat trip aboard Grande to the islands via the “birdy” Nine Mile Bank. We’ll see auklets, murrelets, shearwaters, phalaropes, fulmars, three species of loons, three species of cormorants, and five to six species of gulls. Rock-loving coastal birds should include Black and American oystercatchers, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, and Surfbird. We’ll observe breeding colonies of boobies, pelicans, and cormorants and try to find the elusive Blue-footed and Masked boobies that have been seen off and on for the past four years. We will make a special effort to find dolphins and whales, including migrating Gray Whales, pods of dolphins, Harbor Seals, Elephant

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Seals, and California Sea Lions. Our sponsor, Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik, will bring along a case of Swarovski binoculars for you to try and test at sea. Cost: $95 (Food and drinks can be purchased aboard the boat) Leaders: Clay Taylor, Terry Hunefeld, and crew

Birding at Rancho la Puerta Trip Saturday, March 3, 7 am – 2:00 pm This special trip takes you to Tecate’s renowned Rancho La Puerta, a 3,000-acre nature preserve and spa just over the Mexican border near the tranquil town of Tecate. In its readers’ poll Travel & Leisure Magazine recently selected Rancho La Puerta as the World’s Best Destination Spa. There you are likely to see Nuttall’s and Acorn woodpeckers, California Thrasher, Bewick’s Wren, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, Bushtit, Black Phoebe and many others. It’s possible to see Golden-crowned, Fox and Sage sparrows, Red-breasted and Red-naped sapsuckers, Phainopepla, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and Cedar Waxwing, among others. You will enjoy an organic vegetarian lunch from the spa’s private gardens. Phil Pryde has been leading birding trips and teaching birding classes for San Diego Audubon for over 25 years. He is a retired professor from San Diego State University and author of San Diego: An Introduction to the Region. Joe Sweeney is the resident birder at Rancho La Puerta and author of I Know I Should Exercise, But… . Joe’s Rancho list has over 150 species. PLEASE NOTE: You will need a passport that is valid 6 months after the date of this trip. Consider how much gear you are carrying—you will have to carry it across the border and through U.S. customs on your return.Cost: $125 Leaders: Phil Pryde and Joe Sweeney

Coastal National Wildlife Refuges Trip #3 Sponsored by FWS Saturday, March 3, 7 am – 2 pm San Diego’s coastal wildlife refuges are located at the south end of San Diego Bay. During the winter season a diverse variety of land and water birds can be observed at such places as South San Diego Bay NWR and the Tijuana Slough NWR. Expected species are Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Black Skimmer, Caspian and Forster’s terns, Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and maybe even a Peregrine Falcon. We will finish up at the Chula Vista Nature Center, located on the Sweetwater Marsh NWR, to see raptors including Bald and Golden eagles as well as a presentation on the Light-footed Clapper Rail captive-breeding program. Cost: Free Leaders: Fish and Wildlife Service

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Birding Balboa Park and the San Diego Natural History Museum Trip Saturday, March 3, 7:30 am –1 pm Spend the morning birding one of San Diego’s cultural and natural landmarks, Balboa Park. Tucked among the Spanish Renaissance buildings created for the 1915 Panama Exhibition are numerous gardens and hiking trails that are home to a variety of bird species. After the morning’s birding we’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at the San Diego Natural History Museum’s extensive avian collection with birds and mammals collection manager Phil Unitt. Phil will give a demonstration of bird skin preparation. Phil is the project manager of the comprehensive San Diego County Bird Atlas, published in 2004. Jim Wilson worked on the Bird Atlas for several years and remains an active volunteer in the birds and mammal department of the museum. Cost: $70 (Limited to 10 participants) Leaders: Jim Wilson and Phil Unitt

Birding by Kayak Trip #1 Sponsored by Family Kayak Adventure Center Saturday, March 3, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Our popular birdwatching kayak trip returns to south San Diego Bay. Join San Diego Audubon conservation chair Jim Peugh, a frequent kayaker and birder on our bays, as he takes this small group to visit the edges of salt marshes and open water areas to get up-close views. Shorebirds, herons, and other species await as we enter their habitat in a truly special manner. If you have ever wanted to try kayaking, this is the trip for you. Participants will receive training. Tandem kayaks will be provided. As with any boating activity, you may get wet; for your comfort, bring along a dry change of clothes. Cost: $50 Leaders: Jim Peugh and Ron Forster

Artistic Anatomy for Birds Workshop Saturday, March 3, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

David Stump, a professional illustrator and long-standing contributor to San Diego Audubon, will guide you through a valuable experience of exploring the beauty of birds with the eye, the

hand, and a soft pencil. Learn about the artistic anatomy of songbirds through both drawing demonstrations and projected graphics. You will be guided through a step-by-step drawing lesson to make a finished sketch of a popular songbird. Bring some drawing pencils and a good sketch pad… and see birds with new eyes. This workshop will be of value to those of all skill levels.Cost: $25 Presenter: David Stump

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Japanese Brush Painting WorkshopSaturday, March 3, 2 pm – 5 pm

Sumi-e is the ancient Asian art of painting using ink, water, brush, and paper. One of the most important principles of the distinctive form of Japanese sumi-e is seido, or “living moment”, in which the artist infuses into the painting the perceived nature or spirit of the bird, animal, or flower being painted. In this workshop, Takashi Ijichi, sumi-e artist and teacher with the Taka Sumi-e Society and San Diego Community College, introduces the principles of sumi-e, then guides participants in creating paintings of birds infused with

the spirit of satori, or Zen. More than just a painting workshop, participants will come away with a new way of looking at the spirit of birds. Each participant will receive a basic painting kit to keep, and will be able to complete a bird painting during the workshop. Cost: $45 (includes art supplies) Presenter: Takashi Ijichi

Bird Calling Workshop Saturday, March 3, 3:30 pm – 5 pm In this workshop for adults only we will learn the tools of imitating birds vocally so you can interact with wild birds and enhance your bird watching experience. We will discuss where and when to use calls and which calls get the best responses. You will be stretching your vocal chords beyond their normal limits, so bring drinking water and laughter. Nicole Perretta can imitate 160 bird calls and has performed on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno twice, “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” and teaches bird calling workshops throughout the western United States. Cost: $25 Presenter: Nicole Perretta

Estuary Walk #2 Saturday, March 3, 4 pm – 5:15 pm Join Festival and San Diego Audubon leaders for a birding walk along the San Diego River Estuary, just across from the Marina Village Conference Center. Expect to see wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. Rich and Susan Breisch have been active with the Christmas Bird Counts in San Diego and in leading field trips for San Diego Audubon. Cost: Free Leader: Susan and Rich Breisch and friends

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Photo byKimberly Kaufman

Saturday, March 3, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Sponsored by SDG&E

Join Kenn Kaufman for our annual Bird Festival Banquet. Kenn’s topic is “Birder Pride: Are you proud to tell people that you watch birds?” When Kenn Kaufman was a teenager, hitch-hiking around the continent and getting rides with hundreds of strangers, he always had to decide: should he tell these drivers that he was traveling just to chase birds? A lot has changed since those Kingbird Highway days. Today, birding is more widely accepted, and even Hollywood has taken notice of “Big Year” birding. Even so, some of us still may be reluctant to talk about birding in certain social situations. In this program, Kenn will look at the issue

of birder pride from all angles, including reasons

why we should be proud, reasons why birding is the coolest sport, and ways to deal

with non-birders who haven’t quite caught on to that coolness factor yet.

Cost: $55

Host: Peter Thomas, President, San Diego Audubon Society

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Inland County Trip Sunday, March 4, 5:30 am – 3:30 amMuch of San Diego’s bird diversity is due to the diversity of its habitats, and this trip will explore many of those unique to the southeastern region of the county. We will work our way east to desert scrub and then back through the mountains in search of sparrows, wrens, raptors, and woodpeckers. Special birds we hope to see include: up to 15 species of Emberizine sparrows, Rock, Canyon, and Catcus wrens, up to 15 species of diurnal raptors, Long-eared Owl, Acorn, Nuttall’s, and Ladder-backed woodpeckers, Tri-colored Blackbird, Band-tailed Pigeon, Phainopepla, Greater Roadrunner, Verdin, California Thrasher, Oak Titmouse, and Lawrence’s Goldfinch. Steve Ritt works in this region of the county as an avian biologist and is a leader for Ventures Bird Tours. BJ Stacey is an excellent birder who serves on the board of the San Diego Field Ornithologists.Cost: $90 Leaders: Steve Ritt and BJ Stacey

Birding 100 Trip #2 Sunday, March 4, 6 am – 6 pm

This popular trip is a whirlwind tour of San Diego County’s hottest birding spots to list 100 species. Bring your lunch, as there is no stopping for anything but birds. Millie and Peter Thomas lead local birding trips and Peter is President of San Diego Audubon. Cost: $95 Leaders: Millie and Peter Thomas

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NOTE: This year we are converting to an on-line registration system. For up-to-the-minute registration information and availability of trips, workshops, or events visit sandiegoaudubon.org and click the Bird Festival tab or email any questions to birdfest@cox.net.

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Torrey Pines State Reserve Trip Sunday, March 4, 6 am – 2 pm Torrey Pines State Reserve is one of the crown jewels of the California State park system. The Reserve consists of 2000 acres of land as it was before San Diego was developed. We will see a chaparral plant community, rare and elegant Torrey Pines, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating birds. In one area, guests will be able to search for birds in habitats as diverse as pelagic, beach, sandstone cliff, coastal lagoon, pine woodland, and chaparral. Jack Friery is an active member of the San Diego and Palomar Audubon chapters. He has led the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in several areas of San Diego in recent years. Both Kathy Estey and Jack are life

members of the Torrey Pines Docent Society and manage the monthly bird census at Torrey Pines State Reserve.Cost: $80 Leaders: Jack Friery and Kathy Estey

County Transect Trip Sunday, March 4, 6 am – 3 pm This trip will cover a broad transect of San Diego County from the mountains to the coast, allowing birders to sample a broad diversity of southern California species in one day. We will begin at nearly 4,000 feet at mixed pine-oak woodland, where we should expect such montane specialties as Oak Titmouse, Pine Siskin, Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, and Pygmy Nuthatch. From there we will view Lake Murray for its selection of waterfowl and maybe a rare gull, followed by a visit to coastal parkland for expected area denizens and maybe a surprise wintering rarity. A stop at the mouth of the San Diego River will produce coastal gulls, shorebirds and waders, finishing up along rocky shoreline habitat to catch up with the three species of cormorants, rocky shorebirds and some inshore pelagic species.Cost: $85 Leaders: Jay Keller and Jim Pea

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Beginning Songbirds Workshop and Trip Sunday, March 4, 6:30 am – 1 pmJoin the Nails for a one-hour beginner birding workshop and introduction to the songbirds of San Diego. This workshop will be targeted to new birders who know there’s a world of discovery out there for them. Doug and Mickey will discuss the basics of birding from equipment needs and use as well as a discussion of the major songbird species apt to be seen in the San Diego area. Following the workshop you will take a trip with the Nails to a local hot spot where you can practice the identification skills that you’ve learned and enjoy some of the passerines of San Diego. Bring binoculars if you have them or let us know and we’ll loan you a pair. The Nails are both active and avid bird watchers who travel widely “just to see the birds.” Cost: $60 Leaders: Doug and Mickey Nail

Oceanside Harbor and Whelan Lake Trip Sunday, March 4, 6:30 am – 2 pmWe will start by birding the Oceanside Harbor looking for gulls, cormorants, and other pelagic species – loons, jaegers, and Black Oystercatchers are possible. We will be walking on a jetty part way. Wear good walking shoes and spotting scopes are very welcome. Then we move on to Whalen Lake, a private bird sanctuary located between Camp Pendleton and the San Luis Rey River. Many duck species including Wood Duck and Redhead are possible. California Thrasher, California Quail, Spotted and California towhees, Nuttall’s and Downy woodpeckers, Roadrunner, Green Heron, egrets, and grebes are frequent visitors. John Haddock has birded and led walks in this area for 35 years. Cost: $80 Leaders: John Haddock and Jeff Coker

Islas Coronados Pelagic Trip #4 Sponsored by Swarovski Optik Sunday, March 4, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm

The rugged yet scenic Islas Coronados are situated in Mexican waters within sight of much of San Diego. Their steep-sided slopes are an important sanctuary for birds, marine mammals, and other sealife. Trip participants can expect to see many pelagic bird species on this 9-hour boat trip aboard Grande to the islands via the “birdy” Nine Mile Bank. We’ll see auklets, murrelets, shearwaters, phalaropes, fulmars, three

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species of loons, three species of cormorants, and five to six species of gulls. Rock-loving coastal birds should include Black and American oystercatchers, Wandering Tattler, Black Turnstone, and Surfbird. We’ll observe breeding colonies of boobies, pelicans, and cormorants, and try to find the elusive Blue-footed and Masked boobies that have been seen off and on for the past four years. We will make a special effort to find dolphins and whales including migrating Gray Whales, pods of dolphins, Harbor Seals, Elephant Seals, and California Sea Lions. Our sponsor, Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik, will bring along a case of Swarovski binoculars for you to try and test at sea. Cost: $95 (Food and drinks can be purchased aboard the boat) Leaders: Clay Taylor, Terry Hunefeld and crew

Coastal National Wildlife Refuges Trip #4 Sponsored by FWS Sunday, March 4, 7 am – 2 pm San Diego’s coastal wildlife refuges are located at the south end of San Diego Bay. During the winter season a diverse variety of land and water birds can be observed at such places as South San Diego Bay NWR and the Tijuana Slough NWR. Expected species are Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Black Skimmer, Caspian and Forster’s terns, Willet, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and maybe even a Peregrine Falcon. We will finish up at the Chula Vista Nature Center, located on the Sweetwater Marsh NWR, to see raptors including Bald and Golden eagles as well as a presentation on the Light-footed Clapper Rail captive-breeding program. Cost: Free Leaders: Fish and Wildlife Service

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Birding by Kayak Trip #2 Sponsored by Family Kayak Adventure Center Sunday, March 4, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Our popular birdwatching kayak trip returns to south San Diego Bay. Join San Diego Audubon conservation chair Jim Peugh, a frequent kayaker and birder on our bays, as he takes this small group to visit the edges of salt marshes and open water areas to get up-close views. Shorebirds, herons, and other species await as we enter their habitat in a truly special manner. If you have ever wanted to try kayaking, this is the trip for you. Participants will receive training. Tandem kayaks will be provided. As with any boating activity, you may get wet; for your comfort, bring along a dry change of clothes. Cost: $50 Leaders: Jim Peugh and Ron Forster

No pre-registration is necessary for the following Family Free Day events, but please check in at the festival registration desk for handouts and directions prior to the event.

Beginning Bird Artwork Workshop Sunday, March 4, 11:30 am – 1 pm Normandie Wilson, an artist and part-time Art Educator with San Diego Audubon, will teach a drawing workshop for beginning, young, and not-so-young aspiring bird artists. Using photographs and models, Normandie will show you some tips and tricks to getting started in avian art. This class is designed for those who are new to drawing birds and will provide you with knowledge to make your first sketches fun and enjoyable. Bring your own favorite art supplies or use ours.Cost: Free Presenter: Normandie Wilson

Raptor Rap Workshop Sunday, March 4, 1:30 pm – 3 pm Southern California is home to more than 20 species of raptors. Hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls are awe-inspiring birds with enhanced powers of sight, flight, and hunting. Nancy Conney, founder of Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education, presents a special program emphasizing the importance of these magnificent birds. Her program features rehabilitated live birds, offering unique opportunities for close and detailed examination.Cost: Free Presenter: Nancy Conney

Community Bird Painting Project Sunday, March 4, 1:30 pm – 3 pm Artist and Art Educator Normandie Wilson will help kids and their families create a large-format interactive bird painting that will be painted by everyone present. The mixed-media painting will feature Normandie’s signature medium, glitter!

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The completed painting will be donated to the San Diego Audubon Society, to be exhibited and auctioned as a fund-raiser. No painting experience is necessary. Bring your own favorite art supplies or use ours. Just come join in the fun, and learn more about the birds in your area, and how you can help them.Cost: Free Presenter: Normandie Wilson

Bird Calling Workshop for Kids Sunday, March 4, 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm Have you ever wanted to screech like an eagle, hoot like and owl, or coo like a dove? Nicole Perretta can imitate 160 bird calls and she will demonstrate some of the familiar birds during this class, and tell some bird calling secrets so you can sound like a bird too! You will be stretching your vocal chords beyond their normal limits, so bring drinking water and laughter. Nicole Perretta has performed on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno twice, “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” and teaches bird calling workshops throughout the western United States.Cost: Free Presenter: Nicole Perretta

SDAS Big Sit Sunday, March 4, 3:30 pm – 5 pm

Join us for one of the fastest-growing and fun events in birding, sitting down! Here’s how the SDAS Big Sit works. Draw a 17-foot chalk circle around a lawn chair

and sit down. That’s it! Participants and passersby step into the circle to help see and hear as many birds as they can, all the while learning about local

birds and their habitats. The rules are that birds must be seen and heard from inside the circle and you must have fun! Participants are welcome to bring a small cooler for water or snacks, lawn chairs, and binoculars. Loaner binoculars are available. This is sedentary birding at its very best and birding guide

Bob Miller will be “up” from his home below sea level near the Salton Sea to enjoy a full day of

hard leisure in the circle. So stop by anytime to sit for a bit or all day and join the fun!

Cost: Free Leader: Bob Miller

Family Estuary Walk Sunday, March 4, 4 pm – 5:15 pm

Join Festival and San Diego Audubon leaders for a birding walk along the San Diego River Estuary, just across from the Marina Village Conference Center. Expect to see wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. Rich and Susan Breisch have been active with the Christmas Bird Counts in San Diego and in leading field trips for San Diego Audubon. Cost: Free Leader: Susan and Rich Breisch and friends

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BIRDING IN COSTA RICAMARCH 5-11, 2012

SPONSORED BY THE SAN DIEGO AUDUBON SOCIETY

HOLBROOKTRAV E L

Join the San Diego Audubon Society and Holbrook Travel

for a specially priced week in lush and birdy Costa Rica.

Add to your life list with experts at Selva Verde Lodge and

Rainforest Reserve, Bosque de Paz cloud forest, and more!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Debbie Sturdivant at Holbrook Travel

(866) 748-6146debbie@holbrooktravel.com

www.holbrooktravel.com/sdas

PHOTO BY JOHN EARL KNEISLER

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: All photography is by Karen Straus unless otherwise credited. Booklet design and graphics are by David Stump.

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About the Organizers…

San Diego Audubon believes we can make a positive difference for the future of our wild places and the creatures that live there. That’s why we appreciate the opportunity to share our local birds at the San Diego Bird Festival. It’s a time to celebrate the rich avian diversity we enjoy here in the San Diego region. We hope you’ll join us in March. San Diego Audubon is passionate about protecting what we cherish. We express this passion through programs that protect our natural heritage through education, advocacy, and direct stewardship of wildlife habitat. We hope you’ll be inspired to join us in this effort – whether it be in San Diego, or in your own local environment.

Contact us at sandiegoaudubon.org or call 858-273-7800. We’d love to have you stop by our office at 4010 Morena Blvd., Suite 100, less than five miles from the Bird Festival Conference Center (call for hours).

ANZA-BORREGO DESERT

STATE PARK

BAJA CALIFORNIA

CAMP PENDELTON

SAN DIEGO

MT. PALOMAR

JULIAN

SILVERWOOD

PACIFIC OCEAN

CHULA VISTA

LA JOLLA

OCEANSIDE

TIJUANA ISLAS

CORONADOS

TECATE

RAMONA

PELAGIC TRIPS

Trip Locations for the 2012 San Diego Bird Festival

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This map of San Diego County and environs indicates the range and diversity of our various birding trips. The four major habitat areas of the county, including coastal wetlands, coastal sage and chaparral, oak/pine woodlands and the Anza-Borrego desert, are all visited in a variety of excursions – plus northern Baja and the coastal islands.

American White Pelican

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2012 Festival Sponsors

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Festival Organizers

Lois Betts, Susan Breisch, Lisa Heinz, Terry Hunefeld, David Kimball, Ellen Mosely,

Carol Parker, Chris Redfern, Betsy Rudee, Jill Schmidt, Karen Straus, and Gerald Tietje

Special thanks to all of the many other volunteers who contributed their time to the 2012 Festival and Assembly.

Our Festival Sponsors are an invaluable part of the team effort that goes into making the San Diego

Bird Festival such a great success.

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