Ornithology
Field Trips, Fall 2008 (Tentative)
9 AM to 12 Noon

Sep. 21 (Sunday) - RODEO LAGOON. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take the second exit to Alexander Avenue. Get in the left lane following signs that read "101 San Francisco". Turn left at the stop sign and cross under the freeway. Turn right onto Conzelman Road and drive about a mile. Turn right on McCullough Rd. over the hill until you come to a "T" at Bunker Road. Turn left on Bunker until you come to Field Road. Turn left up the hill and park in the large lot adjacent to the the old church, which is now the Marin Headlands Visitor Center. If you cross the lagoon you've gone too far. Travel time about 25 minutes.

Oct. 5 (Sunday) - POINT REYES. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head north on Hwy 101 to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Go west through the towns of Kentfield, Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax to Olema. Turn right on Hwy 1 and then left, still on Sir Francis Drake through Inverness. Continue west out toward Point Reyes and turn left at the sign for Drake's Beach Visitors' Center. Meet in the parking area at the center. Travel time about 1½ hour.

Oct. 25 - CHAIN OF LAKES, GOLDEN GATE PARK. Take Lincoln Way to 41st Ave. Go north on Chain of Lakes Drive, cross Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and South Lake, and meet at the parking lot for Middle Lake on the right (east), across from the Bercut Equitation Center. Travel time 20 minutes.

Nov. 1 - RHODODENDRON DELL AND STRYBING ARBORETUM. Meet across from the back of the California Academy of Sciences (Steinhart Aquarium) on Middle Drive East in Golden Gate Park. Parking is along Middle Drive East, near the handball courts. Travel time about 20 minutes.

Update: We canceled this walk after an hour because of weather. Golden Gate Audubon has a free trip at 8:00am in the Arboretum tomorrow, Nov. 2nd, recommended for beginners.

Nov. 15 - COYOTE POINT. Take Hwy 101 south to San Mateo. Take the Poplar Ave. Exit. Turn right on Humboldt until Peninsula Ave. Turn right on Peninsula. Go over the freeway, then immediately circle left onto North Bayshore Blvd (frontage road) and left again onto Coyote Point Drive in the park (sign may be missing). See detailed map. Admission to the park is $5 but if you tell the attendant you are going to the yacht club you should not have to pay. Meet in the parking lot next to the museum. Travel time 30 minutes.

Dec. 6 - SEAL ROCKS AND SUTRO PARK. Take Geary Blvd west; stay right on Point Lobos Ave. Just before you get to the Cliff House, turn right on Merrie Way and park in the unpaved area overlooking the old Sutro Baths. Travel time 20 minutes.

We expect all trips to be held as scheduled regardless of weather, but please check this web page before leaving for possible last minute changes. . Estimated times are roughly from the Marina Middle School. Public transportation is available to some sites. Check with MUNI to be sure you will be on time. Each site has been chosen to provide high species diversity in areas in, or close to, San Francisco. Lists of birds seen on past trips to these areas are available online. Please bring binoculars and scopes if you have them. I have a few pairs of binoculars to lend for the trips if you let me know in advance that you will need them. Please keep valuables secure or leave them home. Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. Avoid sunglasses if possible. Participation is at your own risk.

Trips are open only to registered class members. Guests may attend by permission of the instructor. Cost is $45 for all six trips, or $10 per trip. All fees must be paid in ADVANCE of the start of the trip.