Join the premier celebration of the wild birds, habitats, and bird-friendly people at the San Diego Bird Festival.
Schedule of Events
February 28, 2025
Birding the Border I Sponsored by Redhill Birding
Event Hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Rick Grove | Adam Sell
Fee: $160.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Bus
Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines.
Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.
This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip.
100 or More I Sponsored by Sabrewing Nature Tours
Event Hours: 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Nathan French | Sabrewing Guide 1
Fee: $160.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Bus
Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge!
This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever! The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center, with breakfast served before our early morning departure. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip.
Bird Photography at Santee Lakes with Alexander Eisengart
Event Hours: 6:15 AM to 9:45 AM
Event Type: Photography
Guide/Speaker: Alexander Eisengart
Fee: $50.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Santee Lakes
Meet@: Santee Lakes
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Santee Lakes is always birdy, with waterfowl and canopy birds to choose from. Alex Eisengart will help you navigate the challenges of changing light in this afternoon workshop.
The park is the border of the city of Santee and Mission Trails Regional Park which gives it a great diversity of birds, but they are all habituated to humans. It’s the perfect spot for bird photography. Expect to walk away with lots of duck, coot, and grebe images. We will also focus on perching birds. The light is going to be great, and our photos will be too.
This is a photography workshop! Be prepared to get down and dirty when photographing birds (if you want). A lot of our subjects are on the ground, so you are encouraged to put your camera as close to eye level as possible. Alex will be there to help you get the best shot and work with your camera settings, so don’t worry about that!
This field trip is a "meet-you-there" trip. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meeting location.
Photographing Birds in Flight Part II
Event Hours: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
Event Type: Photography
Guide/Speaker: Krisztina Scheeff
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Del Dios Community Park
Meet@: Del Dios Community Park
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
It can be incredibly rewarding to photograph birds in flight. Equally, however, there can be nothing more frustrating than the very same thing. In this classroom & field workshop professional photographer Krisztina Scheeff with KS Nature Photography will teach you lots of tips and tricks, camera settings and more to help you get those fantastic in flight bird shots.
This is part two of a two part workshop. You must sign up for both parts separately.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
Birding the Border II Sponsored by Redhill Birding
Event Hours: 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Andrea Gibbons | Steve Huggins
Fee: $160.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Bus
Discover the birds of the Tijuana River Valley! Join us as we explore some of the most renowned birding hotspots in the southern part of the county, guided by expert birders. We’ll visit key areas known for their rich variety of species, offering a mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and passerines.
Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Brant, Heermann's Gull, Tri-colored Blackbird and Black-throated Magpie Jay.
This field trip is a bus tour, starting and ending at Marina Village Conference Center. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip.
North County Birding Hotspots
Event Hours: 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Patti Langen
Fee: $160.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Bus
Join us for an exciting Hiking & Birding Adventure with the Buena Vista Audubon Society, exploring the stunning San Elijo Lagoon and the Nature Center in San Diego. This guided event will take us through diverse habitats, offering the chance to spot a wide variety of bird species along the way.
We'll begin our hike at the La Orilla Trail in the eastern part of the San Elijo Lagoon, a prime spot for birdwatching. As we walk along the trail, keep an eye out for Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-necked Stilts wading in the marshes. The lagoon is also home to White-faced Ibis, Marbled Godwits, and Red-shouldered Hawks. As we move through the area, be on the lookout for Song Sparrows and California Towhees in the shrubs and brush, and the occasional Belted Kingfisher zipping along the water's edge.
After our hike, the bus will pick us up at the Santa Carina Trailhead and take us to the Nature Center for a relaxing lunch. Once we've refueled, we’ll spend the afternoon birding at the Nature Center and its west end, an excellent location for spotting a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. You may see Western Bluebirds, Anna's Hummingbirds, and Bushtits flitting through the trees, while Ospreys and Bald Eagles may be seen soaring overhead.
The Nature Center is also home to many migratory species, so depending on the season, we might catch sight of Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, or Phainopeplas. The surrounding areas offer great views of the lagoon and provide a wonderful opportunity to observe and identify a wide range of birds.
This event is perfect for birding enthusiasts of all levels, with expert guidance from the Buena Vista Audubon Society. Come enjoy a beautiful day of hiking, birdwatching, and connecting with nature in one of San Diego’s most biodiverse areas.
If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us.
Lunch is included with this trip.
100 or More II Sponsored by Sabrewing Nature Tours
Event Hours: 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Kat Wendel | Sabrewing Guide 2
Fee: $160.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Bus
Join us for an action-packed birding adventure across one of the nation's birdiest places—San Diego County! With the goal to spot 100 species (or more) in a single day, this fast-paced field trip is designed to give you the thrill of high-volume birding. From shorebirds to raptors, you’ll be immersed in the excitement of spotting some of the region's most common species, while keeping an eye out for rare surprises. Don’t miss this ultimate birding challenge!
This trip is all about volume, pushing you to have your biggest birding day ever! The adventure begins and ends at Marina Village Conference Center, with breakfast served before our early morning departure. If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us. Lunch is included with this trip.
Rocky Shores
Event Hours: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Stan Walens | Joao Jara
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: "Stan's Bench"
Meet@: "Stan's Bench"
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Experience the breathtaking La Jolla Cove coastline, where birds and sea mammals thrive along the rugged shores. This outing offers views of birds that prefer rocky outcropings, such as Surfbirds and Wandering Tattlers. It is also an exellent opportunity to see pelagic birds from land. Some exciting sightings from previous trips include Black Oystercatcher, Black-vented Shearwater, and Pelagic Cormorant.
Participants are encouraged to bring a spotting scope or borrow one to fully take in the spectacular coastal wildlife.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip. Lunch is not provided.
Pelagic Trip
Event Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Paul Lehman | Dan King | Alex Abela | Jimmy McMorran | Paul Mulholland | Bruce Rideout
Fee: $165.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Transportation Provided
Venue: MVCC- Starboard Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Boat
San Diego is famous for its pelagic birding, where you can see species not usually visible from land with some of the most knowledgeable pelagic birders around! This trip is great for folks who want to add to their life list, learn more about identifying birds
The group will meet in the Starboard room for some important information sharing prior to the trip. The group will then walk approximately 0.25 mile to the Marina to board the boat.
If you are staying at the Dana, a free shuttle will be available to take you from the hotel to Marina Village from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. Breakfast is available in the Marine Room from 5:30 to 7:30. Please drop by and enjoy some breakfast with us.
Lunch is not provided on this trip, but there is a galley on the boat.
Eagle Peak Ranch and Ramona Grasslands Sponsored by Fieldguides Birding and Nature Tours and San Diego River Park Foundation
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Natalie Borchardt | Doug Gochfeld | Dan Jehl
Fee: $70.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Eagle Peak Ranch
Meet@: Eagle Peak Ranch
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
A behind-the-gates experience at a conservation property in the mountains East of San Diego, followed by a visit to the Ramona Grasslands, a hot spot for raptors. Here, you can sometimes see Ferruginous Hawks and Prairie Falcons, birds that are not commonly seen in urban San Diego.
This is the meet-you-there version of this field trip.
Lunch is not included with this trip, but we will take time to eat lunch. Please pack a lunch to enjoy!
At Eagle Peak Ranch, there is a fairly short trail with some uneven footing that travels around the main pond (0.34 loop) and along the tree lined creek corridor. This trail has very little elevation gain or loss. Visitors are also welcome to just relax and sit to enjoy birding at the main pond or walk along the flatter gravel road. One of our most frequent visitors, the red-winged black bird, will entertain you. There are other slightly longer trails in the same vicinity that visitors can enjoy and there are benches and picnic areas to sit and enjoy a snack, lunch or a sip of water. Long pants and closed toed shoes are recommended as well as plenty of drinking water and sun protection. There is one portable restroom on site. No potable water available. This field trip requires an approximately 1.5 hour drive from main San Diego. Please plan accordingly.
Canyon Walk
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Anitra Kaye
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Marian Bear Open Space
Meet@: Marian Bear Open Space
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Marian Bear Open Space is part of Tecolote Canyon system and one of several protected urban canyons in the San Diego area that support native plant communities and associated bird life. Birds that are here for the entire year include hawks, Anna’s Hummingbird, California Thrasher, House Wren, Wrentit, and both California and Spotted Towhees. You can never tell what you may see. It is a moderate walk with some uneven ground, as well as slight uphills. Restrooms at the trailhead.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.A walk in one of San Diego's beautiful canyons, most likely Tecolote Canyon. Due to construction work taking place near the nature center, this trip may move to a nearby canyon.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
Dancing with Grebes
Event Hours: 8:45 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Krisztina Scheeff | Jill Hays
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Del Dios Community Park
Meet@: Del Dios Community Park
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Professional Photographer Krisztina Scheeff / KS Nature Photography for a look at the amazing courtship behaviors of Western and Clark's Grebes...and other species that live around Lake Hodges.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
Meeting location: Del Dios Community Park Escondido 92029
Address: 20175 Lake Dr, Escondido, CA 92029
MAP of meeting location : http://tinyurl.com/yc2huej4
Park on Lake Dr between Date and Beach Lanes. Parking is limited, but usually plenty of space for about 20 cars.
What to bring: binoculars, water, snack if you like, camera if you like, and your happy self.
Other gear: hat, sunscreen, bug spray (some days there are little tiny flies like to visit the water’s edge). Please wear comfortable shoes, hiking boots are ideal. Walk is on flat paved road with a short walk on sand to the shore, about 2 mile round trip. We will walk slow, birding and taking photos as we go.
Optional extension to the boat docks to those who would like to stay longer and walk a bit more.
Birding by Bike
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Fee: $50.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join us for an exciting Birding & Biking Field Trip at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations. This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels.
Starting at one of the park's scenic spots, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Wester Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows.
As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Eelegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars.
The cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for Double-Crested Cormorants drying their wings in the sun or Brown Pelicans diving for fish. Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.
This field trip includes use of a bicycle and a helmet. If you have your own bike, please sign up for the Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join us for an exciting Birding & Biking Field Trip at Mission Bay, one of San Diego’s most popular and scenic birding locations. This unique event combines the joy of birdwatching with the fun of cycling, as we explore the lush coastal habitat of Mission Bay on two wheels.
Starting at one of the park's scenic spots, we’ll bike along the network of paths that wind through the bay's diverse ecosystems, from saltwater marshes to mudflats, and open water. Mission Bay is home to a wide variety of bird species, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. Along the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to spot Black-Necked Stilts wading along the shoreline, Wester Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers foraging in the mudflats, and the graceful Snowy Egret and Great Egret hunting for fish in the shallows.
As we cycle through the area, look out for large flocks of Californa Gulls and Ring-Billed Gulls that often gather in the open spaces. During migratory seasons, you may also spot Eelegant Terns and Forester's Terns skimming across the water or resting on the sandbars.
The cormorants and pelicans are frequent visitors to the bay, so keep your eyes peeled for Double-Crested Cormorants drying their wings in the sun or Brown Pelicans diving for fish. Additionally, Osprey are often seen soaring above, scouting the waters for prey, while Red Tailed Hawks may be spotted perched high on nearby trees or gliding over the bay.
Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a beginner, this event offers a perfect blend of birdwatching and outdoor adventure. So, bring your bike, your binoculars, and your enthusiasm for nature as we enjoy the beauty of Mission Bay and the incredible variety of birdlife it supports.
Bring your own bike for birding around Mission Bay!
Art in the Marine Room
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Art
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Marine Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: None
Join us for an inspiring Art Presentation at the Marina Village Conference Center in San Diego, where creativity meets community. This event offers a unique opportunity to drop in and experience a wide range of artistic expressions, with local artists showcasing their talents and guiding you through various art forms.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, you can explore and create art in many forms—from painting and drawing to sculpture and mixed media. Local artists will be on hand to demonstrate techniques, share their creative processes, and provide tips to help you enhance your skills. It’s a fantastic chance to interact with the San Diego art community, learn from the best, and experiment with different materials.
Feel free to wander through the different stations and immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere. You can try your hand at watercolor painting, experiment with clay sculpture, or create your own mixed-media masterpiece. The event encourages creativity, collaboration, and fun, making it the perfect environment for both personal artistic exploration and group projects.
Whether you're interested in honing your craft, finding inspiration, or simply enjoying the vibrant art scene, this event at the Marina Village Conference Center promises to be a memorable experience. Drop in anytime during the event to create, connect, and discover the artistic spirit of San Diego.
Kayak Trip South Bay
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Ocean Connectors | Leader TBA
Fee: $80.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Bayside Park
Meet@: Bayside Park
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Experience birds from a completely different point of view, and learn about the restoration efforts in South Bay. Join us for a peaceful and immersive birding kayak trip in San Diego Bay, one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in Southern California. As we paddle through the calm waters of the bay, we'll have the chance to observe a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. All while enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding wetlands, tidal flats and nearby wildlife refuges. In late February, the bay is teeming with resident and migratory birds preparing for spring breeding. Keep your eyes peeled for Brant geese and Northern Pintails swimming in the shallows while American Wigeons and Northern Shovelers often forage along the edges. Shorebirds like Black-bellied Plovers and Western Sandpipers can be spotted probing the mudflats for food. The majestic Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans glide over the water. You might also catch a glimpse of Great Blue Herons hunting along the shoreline. This kayak trip provides a unique vantage point for observing these birds up close in a serene environment. Kayak experience not necessary!
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
Famosa Slough
Event Hours: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Ian Swirka | Chip Clouse
Fee: $25.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Famosa Slough
Meet@: Famosa Slough
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
A walk with Opticron's Chip Clouse and Jim Peugh and Ian Swirka of Friends of Famosa Slough for birding and to learn about the extraordinary continuing effort of the local community to save this urban oasis for birds.
If You Love Birds, You've Got To Love Bugs!
Event Hours: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Gary Lillian
Fee: $10.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Terrace Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: None
The decline in global insect populations is not just an isolated issue but a critical concern with cascading effects on ecosystems, particularly for birds. This presentation explores the intricate relationship between insects and birds, emphasizing how declining insect numbers threaten bird species that rely on them for food, especially during breeding and migration seasons. Drawing on recent studies, we will examine the impact of habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change on both insect and bird populations. We will also discuss successful conservation initiatives and actionable steps that individuals, communities, and policymakers can take to mitigate these declines. Whether you're an avid birder or a concerned citizen, this presentation will provide valuable insights into the intertwined fates of insects and birds and what it means for the broader environment.
Art in the Marine Room
Event Hours: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Event Type: Art
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Marine Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: None
Join us for an inspiring Art Presentation at the Marina Village Conference Center in San Diego, where creativity meets community. This event offers a unique opportunity to drop in and experience a wide range of artistic expressions, with local artists showcasing their talents and guiding you through various art forms.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, you can explore and create art in many forms—from painting and drawing to sculpture and mixed media. Local artists will be on hand to demonstrate techniques, share their creative processes, and provide tips to help you enhance your skills. It’s a fantastic chance to interact with the San Diego art community, learn from the best, and experiment with different materials.
Feel free to wander through the different stations and immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere. You can try your hand at watercolor painting, experiment with clay sculpture, or create your own mixed-media masterpiece. The event encourages creativity, collaboration, and fun, making it the perfect environment for both personal artistic exploration and group projects.
Whether you're interested in honing your craft, finding inspiration, or simply enjoying the vibrant art scene, this event at the Marina Village Conference Center promises to be a memorable experience. Drop in anytime during the event to create, connect, and discover the artistic spirit of San Diego.
Lightroom 101
Event Hours: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Krisztina Scheeff
Fee: $10.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Starboard Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: None
It can be incredibly rewarding to photograph birds in flight. Equally, however, there can be nothing more frustrating than the very same thing. In this classroom & field workshop professional photographer Krisztina Scheeff with KS Nature Photography will teach you lots of tips and tricks, camera settings and more to help you get those fantastic in flight bird shots.
Part one of two. The second part of this program will be presented on Saturday 3/1 at 6:30 am to 8:30 am at Lake Hodges. Please sign up for part two separately.
The Amazing World of Shorebirds
Event Hours: 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Alexander Eisengart
Fee: $10.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: MVCC- Starboard Room
Transportation Type: None
The Art and Science of Bird Photography
Event Hours: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Event Type: Photography
Guide/Speaker: Sandeep Dhar
Fee: $10.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Starboard Room
Meet@: Marina Village Conference Center
Transportation Type: None
Learn how to create stunning bird photographs with whatever camera system you own in this inclusive, technique-focused workshop led by an experienced bird photographer. You will learn how your camera settings work for different scenarios, how to read the direction and quality of light to create mood and dimension in your image and combine technical expertise with your creative vision.
Low Tide Estuary Walk
Event Hours: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Christopher Gilbert
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: Marina Village Conference Center
Meet@: MVCC- Courtyard
Transportation Type: Walking
An easy walk to the San Diego River Mouth at low tide. This walk follows sidewalks to the street, crosses Quivira Way and proceeds on dirt paths along the river, stopping for views of shorebirds on the sand bars.
Embark on a scenic birding walk from the Marina Village Conference Center to the San Diego River Mouth, a prime spot for observing coastal and migratory birds, especially during low tide. The walk, approximately 1 mile round trip, takes you along the water’s edge, offering a close-up view of diverse bird species, particularly on the sandbars exposed by the receding tide. If you have mobility challenges you can meet us at the San Diego River Mouth. Just pick a group that matches your interests! We'll have reps from some of our optics companies with gear to showcase. Join the Fujifilm Tech Rep to try out Fujinon Techno-stabi, Hyper-clarity and Mariner Binoculars.
Starting at the Marina Village Conference Center, you’ll follow the shoreline path toward the river mouth. At the river mouth itself, the sandbars provide excellent habitat for a variety of shorebirds.
In the Footsteps of a Forgotten Female Ornithologist: Inspiring an All-Female Expedition and Rethinking Inclusion in Ornithology with Juliana Soto Patiño
Event Hours: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Juliana Soto Patiño
Fee: $35.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: San Diego Natural History Museum
Meet@: San Diego Natural History Museum
Transportation Type: None
From Colombia’s vibrant landscapes and rich avifauna to initiatives for more diverse and inclusive bird-related communities, this talk explores the journeys of women in ornithology and their invaluable contributions to bird research and conservation. Through the stories of pioneering and contemporary women, as well as efforts to create more accessible spaces for bird-related activities, this talk highlight the transformative power of exploration—both in nature and in the pursuit of equity and representation in the ornithology field.
Presented at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Photo Stroll at La Jolla Cove with the SDBA Photo Club
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Mike Kalichman | Braden Artzer | Annie Gorbonosov Artzer
Fee: $30.00
Trip Type: Field Trip- Meet-You-There
Venue: "Stan's Bench"
Meet@: "Stan's Bench"
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Stroll with the San Diego Bird Alliance Photo Club to watch birds and photograph them. This activity recognizes that everyone in the group has knowledge and something to share. The group will break into smaller groups and explore the area, sharing knoweldge and experiences as they go.
You must provide your own transportation to and from the meeting place for this trip.
Drawing Birds as Living Animals with David Stump- a two part workshop
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Art
Guide/Speaker: David Stump
Fee: $20.00
Trip Type: Presentation
Venue: MVCC- Terrace Room
This is a workshop in two parts taking place on Thursday, Feb 27 and Friday, Feb 28. Please sign up for both parts if you would like to do this workshop.
Learn to see and draw birds from the inside out, from the skeleton and musculature to their complex feather patterns. Strengthen your skills in using a simple pencil to reveal the structural design and organic beauty of living birds. Both sessions will be held in the Terrace room in Marina Village. A 16-page, amply illustrated workbook will be provided for each registrant, with seven lessons being covered over the two days. The workbook is supplemented by a powerpoint presentation with over 60 pages of drawings and photos. Open to adults and teens. Limit 15 participants. Bring a drawing pad and pencils, including a blue non-repro pencil if you have one. Come early to enjoy breakfast with us!
Date: February 26 - March 2, 2025
