Ornithology
Field Trips, Spring 2009 (tentative schedule)
9 AM to 12 Noon

Feb. 21 - LAKE MERRITT. Take the Bay Bridge to I-580 east. Take the Grand Ave exit; go right on Grand Ave for .6 mi. and make a hard left on Bellevue (one-way). There is a $ 2 fee at the toll gate to Lakeside Park. Continue until you see a large sign pointing to a public parking area next to the Sail Boat Club House on the right where we meet. Travel time about 35 minutes.

Mar. 8 - CHAIN OF LAKES, GOLDEN GATE PARK. Take Lincoln Way to 41st Ave. Go north on Chain of Lakes Drive past Martin Luther King Dr. 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.

Mar. 21 - 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 (may be unmarked) and park in the paved area overlooking the old Sutro Baths. Travel time 20 minutes.

Mar. 29 - 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).

Due to construction work it is currently not possible to get to Coyote Point from the Poplar exit. It should not be a problem since the detour is very well signed. The detour signs say "Coyote Park". From the north on 101, take the Burlingame Broadway exit (exit 419B). Stay left at the exit, then turn immediately right and pass over the freeway. Keep in the right lane on the overpass, turn right onto Bayshore Hwy, then left onto Airport Boulevard. Follow Airport Boulevard until it ends on Coyote Point Drive, turn left to reach the entrance.

See detailed map. Admission to the park is $5 but if you tell the attendant you are going to the yacht harbor you may not have to pay. Please don't tell the attendant I said that! Meet in the parking lot next to the museum. Travel time 30 minutes.

Apr. 19 - 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.

Apr. 26 - RHODODENDRON DELL AND STRYBING ARBORETUM. Meet along Middle Drive East across from the back entrance to the California Academy of Sciences (staff entrance) in Golden Gate Park. Parking is along Middle Drive East. Travel time about 20 minutes.

May 9 - BRIONES REGIONAL PARK. Take the Bay Bridge to Hwy 24 east through the Caldecott Tunnel. Take the Orinda exit and proceed north along Camino Pablo. In 2.2 miles turn right on Bear Creek Rd. In 4.5 miles turn right into the park entrance & meet in the first parking area on the left after paying the $4 entry fee. Travel time about 45 minutes. Lunch optional.

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 will be provided in class. 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. No high-heels please! 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 $55 for all seven trips or $10 per trip. All fees must be paid in ADVANCE of the start of the trip.