California Fall Challenge
Sept. 11-Oct. 3, 2010

Attend a Guided Trip

Our Guided Trips are now closed! Trip reports will soon be available. Thank you!

Our leaders are ready to take you birding! No matter what your birding level, these trips are all designed to get you outside to see some fantastic birds while supporting the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. Trips are filling up quickly! Register now!

Photo-a-thon: Waterbirds - Led by Pati Rouzer - Sept. 12
Casa Dos Rios – Led by Jean Myers - . Sept. 13
Photo-a-thon: Woodland Birds - Led by Pati Rouzer - Sept. 19
The Gallinago Go Go’s - Led by Lisa Myers - Sept. 19
Kayacking Kingfishers - Led by Jill Demers - Sept. 20
The Varied Twitchers - Led by Mike Rogers - Sept. 26
Intrepid A to Zers - Karen DeMello & Kay Partelow - Sept.30
Team Deducktions - Led by Matthew Dodder - Oct. 3
Bats at CCFS – Led by Dave Johnston - Oct 3 (Sept. 30 lecture)
The Regal Eagles - Led by Ryan Phillips - Oct. 4
Avosets - Led by Bob Power - Oct. 4
Warbling Winos - Led by Troy Rahmig - Oct. 4
Big Sit - Pati Rouzer & Jill Demers - Oct. 10
Pelagic Pirates - Led by Alvaro Jaramillo & Scott Terrill - Oct. 11

How to Sign Up for a Guided Trip:
There is a donation required to join a team. Please see the individual trip for the minimum donation. In order to reserve a space we request payment.

Please carefully follow these steps to make your reservation:

1. Make your payment (see below for payment instructions)

2. Once you have made your payment email outreach@sfbbo.org with the following:

Your name,
Names of the people in your party,
Your email,
Phone number,
Address,
The name of the trip,
T-shirt size (for each person)
Payment date and method (whether you sent a check, paid online, or by phone)

Once you have followed these steps we will confirm your reservation via email. Please follow the instructions above or the process may be delayed.

Ways to make your payment:
Please be sure to note what trip you are paying for otherwise this may delay the process.

-Write a check to the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, 524 Valley Way Milpitas, CA 95035
(Please write the name of trip/s that your are paying for)

-Pay via the web at http://www.sfbbo.org/support/join.php
(Under the “Program” tab please highlight which trip you are registering for)

-Call uswith your credit card number at 408-946-6548.

The Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization (501c3). Our federal identification number is 94-2788588. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

T-shirt:
All participants who attend a guided trip worth $50 or more will receive a complimentary California Fall Challenge T-shirt designed by John Muir Laws just for this year’s fundraiser. Please let us know whether you would like a Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large. We will give you your shirt on the day of the trip.

Once we get closer to the date we will send you more details, i.e. where to meet, what to bring etc.


Guided Trips:


Sat. September 12/ 7:30am-12:00pm
PHOTO-A-THON WATERBIRDS Led by Pati Rouzer
Half Day: $50 per person - Limit 10 people
County - Santa Clara

The focus of this guided trip will be on bird photography and capturing beautiful images of the many avian species at the Baylands. We will visit waterbird hot spots, take time to set up shots, and discuss field techniques. More time will be spent on bird photography than seeking a large number of species. All levels welcome from beginners to advanced photographers who want to know where to go to get great shots. Bring your digital SLR with telephoto lens and tripod or field scope with a point-and-shoot camera for digiscoping. This trip is planned early in the California Fall Challenge so that some shots may be entered into the Click Off photo contest.

Pati Rouzer - Pati currently serves as Board President for the Bird Observatory. When not working in her chiropractic clinic she can be seen hiking, biking, or otherwise chasing birds around the Bay Area and beyond. Her current interests are avian conservation and photography.


Sun. September 13/ 8:00am-11:30am
CASA DOS RIOS Led by Jean Myers
Half Day: $50 per person- Limit 20 People
County: Santa Clara

Enjoy a rare chance to bird and explore the Casa Dos Rios property. Casa Dos Rios has been undergoing restoration efforts to improve native bird habitat, and this is a wonderful opportunity to tour the property for its cultural and natural resources. Casa Dos Rios is located on the site of a former Ohlone Indian village and grinding mortars are still in evidence in the creekbeds. Roughly half of the property is composed of creeks and their associated riparian habitat, including the rare sycamores alluvial habitats. The upper half of the property hosts several native plant gardens.

Jean Myers - Jean and her husband have been restoring the Casa Dos Rios property since 2007, with the goal to provide native bird and wildlife habitat. Jean has been birding since 2000 and also provides educational tours on the Casa Dos Rios property for restoration and native garden groups and enthusiasts. Visit her website at www.casadosrios.org.


Sat. September 19/ 7:30am-12:00pm
PHOTO-A-THON: WOODLAND BIRDS Led by Pati Rouzer
Half Day- $50 per person- Limit 10 people
County: Santa Clara

Woodland species and raptors are the targets for birding photography at the diverse habitats of the Arastradero Open Space Preserve. This trip will focus on getting as many photo opportunities as possible. We will take time to set up shots and discuss field techniques. All levels welcome from beginners to advanced photographers who want to know where to go to get great shots. Bring your digital SLR with telephoto lens, tripod or field scope with point and shoot for digiscoping. This trip is planned early in the California Fall Challenge so that some shots may be entered into the Click Off photo contest.

Pati Rouzer - Pati currently serves at Board President for the Bird Observatory. When not working in her chiropractic clinic she can be seen hiking, biking, or otherwise chasing birds around the Bay Area and beyond. Her current interests are avian conservation and photography.


Sat. September 19/ 8:00am-6:00pm -100 species
THE GALLINAGO GO GO’S Led by Lisa Myers
Full Day: $100 per person- Limit 20 people
County: Alameda

This year the Gallinago Go Go's will bird the hot spots of Alameda County. Birding this county will be a California Fall Challenge first for the Go Go’s. Located just above Santa Clara County, we’ll bird the habitats along the east edge of the Bay, including the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, along with inland habitats found around Mines Road. As time permits we’ll hit Oakland’s Lake Merritt and Arrowhead Marsh plus other active areas. Please plan to join in the adventure; I guarantee a day filled with good people, fun times, outdoor beauty, outstanding birds, AND you'll be doing something great for yourself and the bird world!

Lisa Myers - Lisa has birded since her teens. Today she teaches and leads trips throughout Central California and Costa Rica. Through her own business, Let’s Go Birding, Lisa’s goal is to get more people into birding. She focuses on the beginning to intermediate birder, although all levels are welcome. She is also a member of the Nikon Birding ProStaff. Lisa is on the Board of Directors at the Bird Observatory and is a very active part of this year’s California Fall Challenge.


Sun. September 20/ 9:00am-1:00pm
KAYACKING KINGFISHERS Led by Jill Demers and Kathi Kendrick
Half Day: $90 per person - Limit 15 people
County: Monterey

Join us for a sea kayaking birding adventure in Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Reserve. Fall migration is an excellent time to bird this expansive tidal wetland, and we expect to see an abundance of shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Birding by kayak is remarkably fun and easy, and you can usually get exceptionally close to the birds for terrific views. No kayaking experience needed, and all kayaking supplies will be provided through Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com).

Jill Demers - Jill is the Executive Director of the Bird Observatory. Jill is a mediocre kayaker, but an expert on waterbird ecology. Her extensive research has taken her from Mexico to Alaska to study migratory, wintering, and breeding ecology of shorebirds, waterfowl, and terns.

Kathi Kendrick - Kathi is the Bird Observatory’s Administrative Assistant and has recently become hooked on birdwatching. Kathi’s enthusiasm for birds and nature is contagious – you will share her excitement over every Least Sandpiper we see during this fun-filled kayak trip!


Sat. Sept. 26/ 7:30am - 100 species
THE VARIED TWITCHERS Led by Mike Rogers
Half Day $50 - Limit 15 people
County: Santa Clara

Mike has been generous with his time for many years in support of the California Fall Challenge. He is an expert birder and knows all of the great birding spots found in Santa Clara County. This team will hit Alviso followed by Shoreline Lake area (e.g. Alviso Marina area, New Chicago Marsh, Environmental Education Center (EEC), Salt Pond A16, Arzino Ranch, Coyote Creek Field Station, followed by Mountain View Forebay, Shoreline Lake, and Charleston Slough). Birders will gain new insight into birding Santa Clara County with the help of a master.

Mike Rogers – Mike started birding when he was 10 years old and has spent the intervening years birding all over the U.S. and abroad. He is a former member of the California Bird Records Committee and is currently a Northern California regional editor for the journal North American Birds. When not birding, he works at NASA and spends time raising five teenage boys.


Wed. September 30/ 5:45-7:26pm
THE INTREPID A TO ZERS Led by Karen DeMello and Kay Partelow
Less than Half Day: $26 per person- Limit 20 People
County: Santa Clara

Experience the birds after work as the sun goes down. From Avocets to Zonotrichia (crowned sparrows), our goal will be 26 species (from A to Z) during a moderately paced 2 mile walk by Shoreline Lake and the Bay. This is the perfect opportunity for beginning birders, or birders with limited time to support the California Fall Challenge. Karen and Kay make a fantastic birding team and are excited to show you one of their favorite birding spots found right here in the Bay Area.

Kay Partelow - Kay has been birding ever since she was a youngster and is skilled at identifying birds by ear. She has co-led Sierra Club birding trips to Alaska, participates in local bird counts, and is a docent and Nature Center host for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Karen DeMello - Karen is a docent at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. She enjoys the outdoors and has an enthusiastic approach to birding.


Sat. October 3/ 7:00am-11:00pm
TEAM DEDUCKTIONS Led by Matthew Dodder
Half Day: $50 per person - Limit 15 people
County: Santa Clara

Join Matthew on a visit to the famous Alviso salt ponds. Beginning at the Environmental Education Center, we will scan Pond A16 with scopes and circle New Chicago Marsh. If time allows we will visit the neighboring Alviso Marina County Park for additional birds. Special attention will be given to gull and shorebird identification with a constant eye out for possible rarities.

Matthew Dodder -Matthew began birding in the mid-70s and still hasn't gotten bored. After converting all his friends to birdwatchers, he sought a larger audience and began teaching bird classes at the Palo Alto Adult School in 1999. He continues to challenge students year after year with various bird ID mysteries. He sits on the board of directors at Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and is especially fond of Spizellas. Visit his website: www.birdguy.net.


Lecture: Wed. September 30/ 7:00pm-8:30pm; Trip: Sat.. October 3/ 5pm-Midnight
BATS at CCFS with Dave Johnston
Half Day: $75 per person - Limit 20 people
County: Santa Clara

A very special trip led by bat biologist Dr. Dave Johnston. This guided team will go out after dark to mist net bats at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory's Coyote Creek Field Station. Expect to see Yuma Myotis and possibly Hoary Bats, as well as learn a lot about bat ecology in the South Bay and beyond!

Dr. Dave Johnston - Dave is a vertebrate ecologist who specializes in the study of bats. A well- known authority on bats of the west coast, Dave also has a vast knowledge of the natural history of vertebrates in California. He currently works as Senior Wildlife Ecologist at H. T. Harvey & Associates.


Sun. October 4/ 8:00am-5:00pm
THE REGAL EAGLES Led by Ryan Phillips
Full Day: $100 per person - Limit 15 people
County: Yolo

Yolo County is the heart of the Pacific Flyway, making it one of the best counties for fall migration. We will begin the day by birding the Putah Creek riparian corridor in search of fall passerine migrants and vagrant warblers. We will then proceed to shorebird and waterfowl hot spots, where we will spend the majority of the day. Vagrants are possible at any location. If you have not birded Yolo County in the fall, this is a great opportunity to experience this special area.

Ryan Phillips - Ryan has been birding since the age of twelve. After living in Belize for three years studying the majestic Harpy Eagle, Ryan now teaches at De Anza College in the Environmental Studies Department. Ryan resides in Belize part of the year, where he has started a non-profit organization, the Belize Raptor Research Institute.


Sun. October 4/ 8:00am-12:00pm
AVOSETS Led by Bob Power
Half Day: $50 per person
County: Santa Clara

Join Bob Power and the newly formed SCVAS AvoSets on a fast-paced, fun-filled Alviso-blitz to top the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory’s Datasets spring total of 78 species. Ideal for those with a competitive spirit but limited time.

Bob Power - Bob is currently the Executive Director at Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. Bob is a day leader for the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory's hawkwatch program, and has been a field trip leader for Golden Gate Audubon, SFBBO, The Wild Bird Center, and trip co-leader for Paradise Birding and Elder Hostel, International.


Sun. October 4/ 7:00am-4:00pm
WARBLING WINOS Led by Troy Rahmig
Full Day: $100 per person-RSVP Deadline Sept. 25th
County: Santa Clara

This trip is geared toward the wine taster who wants to dabble in a little birdwatching or vice versa. The trip will feature birding at some of the best wineries in the Santa Clara Valley as well as some local hotspots in between. The trip will consist of a few hours of birding in the morning as we make our way south out of San Jose into the Valley of Hearts Delight. The trip will be very relaxed and will likely shift focus from birdwatching towards wine tasting as the day progresses (just a guess). We will visit at least one winery before lunch and probably two after lunch, depending on the group’s preference. The wineries will be determined prior to trip departure, though suggestions are welcome. Lunch will be coordinated among group members during the week prior.

Troy Rahmig - Troy is a conservation biologist for ICF Jones & Stokes. Troy’s interest in nesting behavior and nest success among songbirds has taken him around the country and beyond, including research stints in Alaska and the Bahamas. For the last several years Troy has worked on regional conservation plans throughout California, including efforts in Santa Clara, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties. Troy has been a member of the Bird Observatory’s Board of Directors since Fall 2008.


Sat. October 10/ 8:00am-12:00pm
BIG SIT AT CHARLESTON SLOUGH Led by Pati Rouzer and Jill Demers
Half Day: $50 per person
County: Santa Clara

Charleston Slough is an excellent place to bird, especially during fall migration. The proximity of several different habitats and expansive mudflats will make this an enjoyable and casual Big Sit. Expect to see South Bay shorebirds, waterfowl, passerines, and raptors during this relaxing event. This is one of the last opportunities to participate in the Fall Challenge Bird-a-thon. Come out and support the Bird Observatory!

Pati Rouzer - Pati currently serves as Board President for the Bird Observatory. When not working in her chiropractic clinic she can be seen hiking, biking, or otherwise chasing birds around the Bay Area and beyond. Her current interests are avian conservation and photography. JILL BLUSO

Jill Demers - Jill is the Executive Director of the Bird Observatory. Jill is a waterbird ecologist by training. Her extensive research has taken her from Mexico to Alaska to study migratory, wintering, and breeding ecology of shorebirds, waterfowl, and terns.


Social: Thurs. October 8/ 6:30pm-9pm; Trip: Sun. October 11/ 7am-4pm
PELAGIC PIRATES Led by Alvaro Jaramillo and Scott Terrill
Full Day: $175 per person - Limit 38 people
County: San Mateo

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to join us on a special, expert-led Pelagic trip leaving out of Pillar Point Harbor, near Half Moon Bay. We plan to head out to deep water for the best seabird and whale viewing opportunities, with the exact location to be determined according to recent sightings. Expect to not only see the local seabirds, but learn about the behaviors and lifestyles of these species from expert birder, naturalist, and educator Alvaro Jaramillo and distinguished avian ecologist Dr. Scott Terrill. This learning experience will be complemented by the Pelagic Pirates Social Event, to be held the Thursday prior, at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, in Milpitas. Apart from getting to know each other, Alvaro will give a presentation on the seabirds and whales in our backyard ocean with refreshments and appetizers.

Alvaro (Al) Jaramillo - Al is a biologist and teacher at the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. He also travels widely as a birding guide for Field Guides Inc. He has published two books, The Birds of Chile, and New World Blackbirds. He is very interested in bird behavior and ecology, as well as identification, and excels at sharing information and ID tips in the field.

Dr. Scott Terrill - Scott is a specialist in avian ecology, having written over 30 scientific papers primarily on bird migration. Scott has served as a member of the California Bird Records Committee (12 years), Regional Editor for North American Birds and Board Member and Science Advisor for SFBBO. Scott is Vice President of H. T. Harvey and Associates and the primary author of the Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding.

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