San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by Weston Solutions, Inc. and Swarovski Optik
Repeats Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

Explore the wetland habitats of Mare Island on a self-guided bird and wildlife viewing trail beginning at the Wildlife Expo from Building 223 if walking to the trailhead, or if driving, at the parking lot at 750 Dump Rd. the end of A St at Azuar Dr.

Bruce Webb, Swarovski Field Technician will be set up on the trail with scopes and binoculars and give digiscoping demonstrations throughout all 3 days. Check at the Swarovski booth for times and locations. All ages. Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them.

Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk
Repeats Saturday and Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

Preserve volunteers will greet you at the Palmer hut. Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Directions: From the Mare Island entrance take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. Continue beyond gate to Palmers Hut. Park on left. From Marin or Napa take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to stop sign at G St. Turn left. Turn right at the 2nd right at Nimitz Ave. Follow directions above. From the Festival headquarters travel east on Connolly St. to Nimitz Ave. Turn right and follow direction signs.

Mare Island Hike on the Westside of the Shoreline Heritage Preserve
with Kenn Browne, Sierra Club Solano Group hike leader

This annual hike during the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival through the Western Magazine Area of the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve is a level 5.5 mile hike on gravel and dirt roads through pickleweed and saltmarsh habitat out to Pier 35 on the southern tip of Mare Island. This is prime salt marsh harvest mouse and clapper rail habitat. At Pier 35 ospreys nest in the light towers, and there are always lots of waterfowl in San Pablo Bay. Bring drinking water, snack and raingear. No facilities, group must stay together, entering locked gates; plan to arrive early for prompt departure. Meet at the corner of Nereus and Flagship Dr. Leader Kenn Browne 707-319-1846.

Directions: From I-80 in Vallejo take the Tennessee St. exit west towards Mare Island. Once on Mare Island turn left on Azuar Dr. (at the end of G St.). Follow Azuar to the light at Flagship Dr. and turn right. Go to Nereus and turn left, park along Nereus. From Napa take Hwy 29 south to Tennessee St., turn right towards Mare Island and follow above directions. From Marin or Sonoma Counties take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. to G. St. and turn right. Then left on Azuar Dr. Follow Azuar to the light at Flagship Dr. and turn right. Go to Nereus, turn left and park.

Mare Island Birding Hot Spots Tour
Robin Leong and Wally NeVille, Napa-Solano Audubon Society field trip leaders

Get to know what's on Mare Island. Stroll amongst "Captain's Row", Alden Park, and the grounds around St. Peter's Chapel. Learn about the people, it's historic buildings, the trees, avian fauna, and possibly, monarch butterflies. Meet at "Outing Tent", Building 223 where carpools will form. If you have a "talkabout" or "walkie-talkie" bring it and if you can tune to 11-22 the bird channel, do.

Photographing Panoramas with Julio Mestres
Repeats Saturday 10:00am

Local Vallejo resident Julio Mestres has generously offered to show you what he knows about creating panoramic photos. In his presentations, he will give a quick orientation of the technique used for stitching photographs and editing the resulting image by using readily available software from the internet. Hell offer an explanation of what preparation necessary to obtain the image using a panohead on a tripod or a simple homemade plumb on any camera and how to obtain the required collection of sequential shots in creating the composition. Also, he will explain the use of photo editing software to highlight the resulting image, sizing the image and setting up the final composition for printing. He will also demonstrate the techniques he uses in the field. His photography is exceptional and his enthusiasm inspirational. Meet at the "Outing Tent", Building 223.

Photograph by James A. Martin

Festival and Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Wildlife Expo Building 223, Mare Island

Preview fine art, sample wines
of the Napa Valley, the Carneros region and beyond, and enjoy good company and food featuring Whole FoodsNapa and other contributors at the opening of the Flyway Festival and its Fine Art Exhibit with our Opening Reception and Festival Host, Weston Solutions, Inc. We welcome back local pianist Guy Arrostuto whose fine tunes ought to make our old industrial building sing like it never has in its more than 100 years!

Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops and North Bay Regional Wetlands Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Plein Air Paintout Shows
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet the artists at our opening reception. Much of the art in our show is for sale. As one of the finest all nature art shows in the region, our Friday evening opening is a good time to consider an art purchase - it will help keep the Festival free and you may arrange your purchase with the artists directly this evening. Art Exhibition, Building 897.

Start your bidding at the Festival Silent Auction and shop early with art and birding supply vendors in the Wildlife Expo, Building 223 .

Those Whimsical Underground Owls: Saving the Western Burrowing Owl
Flyway Festival Featured Speaker Scott Artis, Founding Director of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network
Repeats Saturday 2:30pm

In his talk on behalf of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network and the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, Scott will explore the world of burrowing owls and discuss exciting efforts to conserve this California Species of Special Concern and restore breeding populations throughout the Bay Area, California and North America and share the history of North Americas only raptor to live and nest underground, explain why their population is on the decline, and how you can contribute to their preservation.

San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by Weston Solutions, Inc. and Swarovski Optik
Repeats Friday and Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

Explore the wetland habitats of Mare Island on a self-guided bird and wildlife viewing trail beginning at the Wildlife Expo from Building 223 if walking to the trailhead, or if driving, at the parking lot at 750 Dump Rd. the end of A St at Azuar Dr.

Bruce Webb, Swarovski Field Technician will be set up on the trail with scopes and binoculars and give digiscoping demonstrations throughout all 3 days. Check at the Swarovski booth for times and locations. All ages. Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them.

Volunteer at the Vallejo People's Garden

The People's Garden is a volunteer collaboration of individuals and partner organizations who promote health and wellness in the Vallejo community, grow fresh fruits and vegetables for those in need, improve the human environment by taking care of water, soil, and wildlife, and create educational opportunities for children and adults. Volunteer every Saturday 9:00am-12noon. No need to RSVP. Bring work gloves if you have them, and wear sturdy shoes. Check out www.vallejopeoplesgarden.org. Contact: Amanda (707) 562-9007.

Directions: From the Wildlife Expo drive south on Walnut Ave. to Kansas St. Turn right, then left on Azuar Dr. Turn right on E. Poplar St. (behind 1055 Azuar Ave).

Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Fine Art Exhibit, North Bay Regional Wetlands and Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Plein Air Paintout Show
Art Exhibition Hall, Building 223.

Nature Art, Learning and Crafts for Kids
Repeats Sunday 9am-4pm.

Kids learn about birds and nature through hands-on activities about bird species and habitat, and art. Grown-ups help their own kids at self-learning stations. Kids Nature Crafts area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk
Repeats Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

Preserve volunteers will greet you at the "Palmer hut". Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Directions: From the Mare Island entrance take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. and follow to gate. From Marin or Napa take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to stop sign at G St. Turn left. Turn right at the 2nd right at Nimitz Ave. Follow directions above.

Hike the Mare Island Historic Southshore

Hike along the Historic Southshore of Mare Island to Pier 35 for great views of San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. Visit the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Cemetery dating from 1858, and see Great Blue Heron and Osprey nests. This is a level 4 mile r/t walk on paved and gravel roads. Meet at the end of Railroad Ave. at the kiosk in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. Leader Brian Collett 530-220-3121..

Discover Mare Island’s Historic Naval Ammunition Depot by Van Tour
Trip leader– Susan Young, Weston Solutions, Inc. and former Mare Island Shipyard worker
Repeats Saturday, 11:45am & 1:45pm
and Sunday, 9:45am & 11:45am

Join this unforgettable driving tour to the scenic highest point on the “original“ Mare Island in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. From this spectacular 360 degree vista point (barring fog), view the Carquinez Strait, the Al Zampa and the San Pablo Bay Refuge and the Art Tribute dedicated to Mare Island workers. Discover the history, learn about the environmental cleanup at this unique national historical site. Pre-sign in at the Weston Solutions Exhibit. Meet at the “Outing Tent” in front of Building 223.

Photograph by Caroline Kopp

Walking Tour of Historic Mare Island Naval Shipyard
with Chris Panton

Join Mare Island Historic Park docent Chris Panton for a guided walk through the heart
of the former shipbuilding operations at the oldest U.S. Naval facility in the Pacific, founded in 1854 and closed in 1996. See many of the 500 buildings and structures that led the National Park Service to designate Mare Island as a National Historic Landmark, including Alden Park, the Captains Row Mansions, the Drydocks and Building Ways where many of the ships were built. Meet at the "Outing Tent" at the Wildlife Expo, Building 223 to carpool or meet at Alden Park 8th St. & Railroad Ave.

Photographing Panoramas with Julio Mestres
Repeats Friday 3:30pm

Local Vallejo resident Julio Mestres has generously offered to show you what he knows about creating panoramic photos. In his presentations, he will give a quick orientation of the technique used for stitching photographs and editing the resulting image by using readily available software from the internet. Hell offer an explanation of what preparation necessary to obtain the image using a panohead on a tripod or a simple homemade plumb on any camera and how to obtain the required collection of sequential shots in creating the composition. Also, he will explain the use of photo editing software to highlight the resulting image, sizing the image and setting up the final composition for printing. He will also demonstrate the techniques he uses in the field. His photography is exceptional and his enthusiasm inspirational. Meet at the "Outing Tent", Building 223.

Photographing Wildlife Workshop at the Wildlife Expo followed by a Field Trip (location TBA)

Wildlife photographer David Rosen will offer an hour and half workshop on photographing wildlife before heading out for some “on-site” photography with Bruce Webb, Swarovski Optik Field Technician who will provide scopes and camera housing for a demonstration of digiscoping. Wildlife Expo exhibitor California Watchable Wildlife is launching a photography contest in cooperation with Outdoor California magazine. Submissions must be taken at a Watchable Wildlife viewing site or be of a California species. Take David’s workshop and get some tips for your contest entries.

Come Aboard the former USS LCS(L) 102 Mighty Midget Restored WWII Landing Craft Support Gunboat

Mare Island is home to the last remaining of its kinds of the 130 boats built for this purpose during WWII. While not built at Mare Island, it certainly is a fitting berth for the LCS 102. Tours are free.

Directions: From Vallejo: cross the Wichels Causeway from Tennessee St. and Mare Island Way. Turn left on Nimitz Ave. Turn left on A St. to Berth 6.
From Napa and Sonoma Counties: Travel on Hwy 29 southbound to Tennessee St. Turn right. Continue to the corner of Mare Island Way and cross the Wichels Causeway. Follow directions above.
From Contra Costa County: Cross Benicia Martinez Bridge onto I-780. Exit I-80 eastbound towards Sacramento. Exit Tennessee St./Mare Island. Continue westbound on Tennessee St. to the corner of Mare Island Way. Cross the Wichels Causeway and follow directions above.
From the Building 223 Wildlife Expo: Follow Connolly St. eastbound to Nimitz Ave. Turn left. Follow Nimitz Ave. to A St. Turn right to Berth 6.
From Marin and Sonoma Counties: Travel on Hwy 37 eastbound towards Vallejo. Take the Mare Island exit. Turn right and continue on Walnut Ave. past the old Flyway Festival building to G St. Follow directions above.

Louis Comfort Tiffany stained-glass windows in St. Peter’s Chapel. Photography by John Klycinski

Tour of St. Peter’s Chapel and the Mare Island Museum
Repeats Sunday 10am-4pm

St. Peters Chapel, the oldest Navy chapel
built in 1900, is home to the most Tiffany glass on a single site in the West. Park across from the Chapel Park located at the south end of Walnut Ave beyond Captains Row mansions (requires right turn at end of Captains Row onto alley, then left turn and left turn again, onto Walnut Ave northbound to parking lot). The Museum is located in Building 46. Entrance across from Alden Park at 8th St. and Railroad Ave.
Donation: $3 per person for each site.

Birding with an iPhone or iPad
Repeats Saturday, 2:00pm, Sunday, 11:00am and Sunday 1:00pm

Presenter: Nigel Hall, President Appweavers, Inc.
Peterson Birds of North America for iPhone and iPad

Photograph by Caroline Kopp

Native Bird Connections Raptor Show
" In the Company of Raptors" Wildbird Show
Sponsored by Swarovski Optik
Repeats Sunday 11:30am

Presenter: Jenny Papka, Co-Director and Curator, Native Bird Connections
Once again Native Bird Connections will be back
with a variety of live, non-releasable wild raptors. Join Jenny and the NBC crew for a fun, informative and spontaneous presentation highlighting bird information, stories, personal experiences and audience participation. Jenny has been a wildlife educator and manager for 20 years and experience with 35 species of raptors in captivity.

Discover Mare Island’s Historic Naval Ammunition Depot by Van Tour
Trip leader– Susan Young, Weston Solutions, Inc. and former Mare Island Shipyard worker
Repeats Saturday, 9:45am & 1:45pm
and Sunday, 9:45am & 11:45am

Join this unforgettable driving tour to the scenic highest point on the “original“ Mare Island in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. From this spectacular 360 degree vista point (barring fog), view the Carquinez Strait, the Al Zampa and the San Pablo Bay Refuge and the Art Tribute dedicated to Mare Island workers. Discover the history, learn about the environmental cleanup at this unique national historical site. Pre-sign in at the Weston Solutions Exhibit. Meet at the “Outing Tent” in front of Building 223.

Guadalcanal Village Wetland Restoration Marsh Shorebird Observation

Join Refuge volunteer Sheila Byrne Ph.D to view the Caltrans Guadalcanal Village wetland restoration site. Information about the restoration and telescopes for shorebird viewing will be provided. A Refuge van shuttle will leave from the "Outing Tent" in front of Building 223 every 30 minutes for transport to and from the site, or drive and park.

Driving Directions from Festival Expo: Travel north on Railroad Ave. to the flashing stoplight at G St. Continue north through the North Gate. Make immediate left onto Hwy 37 overpass. Turn left into parking lot at end of overpass.
No facilities. Due to higher tides on Sunday, there will be no scheduled viewing, but get a great perspective on the restoration site from a viewing platform reached by climbing the spiral staircase onto the Mare Island Overpass from the parking lot.

“Sing Thing” Family Singing with Sandi Morey

Have fun singing traditional songs together about birds, animals and marshes. Sing Thing is an ongoing, family-oriented group singing program Sandi has been doing in the East Bay and other places for everyone who likes to sing for more than 30 years. It's a fun way to enjoy music together. Sandi and her husband are regulars at the Flyway Festival as birder watchers and butterfly chasers. We are delighted to welcome her back this year to share music and a fun time with you. She'll have her CD's for sale. Learn more about Sandi and the "Sing Thing" at www.sandimorey.com

Hawk Identification
Jay Sheets – Hawk Talk, Presenter

Sixteen of your local favorite hawks, kites, harriers, and eagles will be talked about with an emphasis being on their key field marks to make them more easily recognizable for you on field trips. Jay’s power point presentation will help you find them and the habitat they live in.

Mare Island San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Hike
Leader Brian Collett, Sierra Club hike leader

This trail was just completed in December and its grand opening is this weekend as part of the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival. Explore the western edge of Mare Island adjacent to the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There are more than 2 miles of new trails that border endangered salt marsh harvest mouse habitat with views of San Pablo Bay, Mt. Tamalpais and Sonoma Mountain. There are also seasonal wetlands with lots of ducks, egrets and other birds. Walk from the Festival Expo Building 223 north through the parking lots west of Walnut Ave. then make a left turn onto A. St. Follow extension of A St. on the gravel road to the trailhead. Or, drive to the lot at the west end of A Street (750 Dump Rd.) off Azuar Dr. Leader Brian Collett 530-220-3121

Suisun Wildlife Center Slide Show and Live Wildlife Visit Wildbird Show Stage Sponsored by Swarovski Optik

Monique Liguori, Executive and Education Director assisted by Wildlife Center Manager Margie Furco, focuses on the 34-year effort of the Suisun Wildlife Center to care for and return to the wild injured and orphaned wildlife in Solano County. Non-releasable wildlife will be shown and the general principles of wildlife rehabilitation will be discussed. Monique has been with the Association since 1980 and has served as Executive Director since 1986, supervising construction of the Suisun Wildlife Center, managing wildlife care, and serving as Education Director for the Associations programs on wildlife and the Suisun Marsh which reach 8-15,000 children and adults annually.

Mare Island Native Plant and Mushroom Walk
Repeats Sunday 10:00am with Brian Collett

Join Jake Rugyt, California Native Plant Society-Napa Chapter field trip leader for a combination native plant and mushroom scouting outing on Mare Island and the Shoreline Heritage Preserve. Expect to see some of the greatest variety of mushrooms in the region and remarkable native plant communities, both of which are still being "discovered" on the unique "island habitat" of the former military base. Meet at the "Outing Tent" at the front of Building 223 to form a carpool.

Discover Mare Island’s Historic Naval Ammunition Depot by Van Tour
Trip leader– Susan Young, Weston Solutions, Inc. and former Mare Island Shipyard worker
Repeats Saturday, 9:45am & 11:45am
and Sunday, 9:45am & 11:45am

Join this unforgettable driving tour to the scenic highest point on the “original“ Mare Island in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. From this spectacular 360 degree vista point (barring fog), view the Carquinez Strait, the Al Zampa and the San Pablo Bay Refuge and the Art Tribute dedicated to Mare Island workers. Discover the history, learn about the environmental cleanup at this unique national historical site. Pre-sign in at the Weston Solutions Exhibit. Meet at the “Outing Tent” in front of Building 223.

Birding with an iPhone or iPad
Repeats Saturday, 11:00am, Sunday, 11:00am and Sunday 1:00pm

Presenter: Nigel Hall, President Appweavers, Inc.
Peterson Birds of North America for iPhone and iPad

Those Whimsical Underground Owls: Saving the Western Burrowing OwlFlyway Festival Featured Speaker Scott Artis, Founding Director of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network
Repeats Friday 7:15pm

In his talk on behalf of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network and the Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, Scott will explore the world of burrowing owls and discuss exciting efforts to conserve this California Species of Special Concern and restore breeding populations throughout the Bay Area, California and North America and share the history of North Americas only raptor to live and nest underground, explain why their population is on the decline, and how you can contribute to their preservation.

Mare Island Nocturne

Photograph by Tim Baskerville

Introductory
Night Photography Workshop
On
Mare Island
With
Tim Baskerville,
Founder/Director of
The Nocturnes
http://www.thenocturnes.com/workshops/flyway.html

Location: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, established in 1854, was the first naval facility on the Pacific Coast. At one point in its history, more than 40,000 men and women worked at the islands drydocks, shops and warehouses. The Navy closed its doors in 1996, surrendering it, in various parcels, to the City of Vallejo in the subsequent years. The U.S. Navys flag was lowered at the former shipyard for the last time on April 19, 2002.
Tuition and Registration: In the spirit of our commitment to keeping the Festival free, The Nocturnes and the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival offer a FREE introductory Night Photography workshop again this year. To register for this workshop - fill out our Registration Form and send or FAX it in to Pacific Media Arts (form must be received no later than February 3rd). To speak to a live person, call Susan Nichols at Pacific Media Arts - (707) 645-9860.
(NOTE: the moonlight will NOT be a factor photographically this year – only available light!).
Pre-Registration by February 3rd Required.

San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by Weston Solutions, Inc. and Swarovski Optik
Repeats Friday and Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm

Explore the wetland habitats of Mare Island on a self-guided bird and wildlife viewing trail beginning at the Wildlife Expo from Building 223 if walking to the trailhead, or if driving, at the parking lot at 750 Dump Rd. the end of A St at Azuar Dr.

Bruce Webb, Swarovski Field Technician will be set up on the trail with scopes and binoculars and give digiscoping demonstrations throughout all 3 days. Check at the Swarovski booth for times and locations. All ages. Bring binoculars and cameras if you have them.

Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Fine Art Exhibit, North Bay Regional Wetlands and Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Plein Air Paintout Show

Art Exhibition Hall, Building 223 .

Nature Art, Learning and Crafts for Kids
Repeats Saturday 9am-4pm.

Kids learn about birds and nature through hands-on activities about bird species and habitat, and art. Grown-ups help their own kids at self-learning stations. Kids Nature Crafts area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

American Volkssport Association Sanctioned 5k and 10k Volkswalk
Repeats Saturday 9am-4pm

Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk
Repeats Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

Preserve volunteers will greet you at the "Palmer Hut". Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Directions: From the Mare Island entrance take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. and follow to gate.
From Marin or Napa take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to stop sign at "G" St. Turn left. Turn right at the 2nd right at Nimitz Ave. Follow directions above.

Mare Island Historic Southshore Hike
With Kenn Browne, Sierra Club Solano Group hike leader
Repeats Friday 12:45pm

Hike along the Historic Southshore of Mare Island to Pier 35 for great views of San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. Visit the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Cemetery dating from 1858, and see Great Blue Heron and Osprey nests not active until spring and summer, but expect resting and feeding waterbirds in the protected waters off the Mare Island Southshore Heritage Preserve. This is a level 4 mile roundtrip walk on paved and gravel roads. Meet at the end of Railroad Ave. at the "Palmer Hut" in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. No facilities along route and group must stay together with no early exits. Leader Kenn Browne 707-319-1846.

Directions: From I-80 in Vallejo take the Tennessee St. exit west towards Mare Island. Once on Mare Island take the first left on Nimitz and go to 15th St. Turn right and follow to Railroad Ave. Go left on Railroad Ave. through the gate to the parking area. From Napa take Hwy 29 south to Tennessee St., turn right towards Mare Island and follow above directions.
From Marin or Sonoma Counties take the Mare Island exit off of Hwy. 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to "G" St. (1st stop sign) and turn left. Take the 2nd right at Nimitz and follow above directions. Leader Kenn 707-319-1846.

Discover Mare Island’s Historic Naval Ammunition Depot by Van Tour
Trip leader– Susan Young, Weston Solutions, Inc. and former Mare Island Shipyard worker
Repeats Saturday, 9:45am, 11:45am & 1:45pm
and Sunday, 11:45am

Join this unforgettable driving tour to the scenic highest point on the “original“ Mare Island in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. From this spectacular 360 degree vista point (barring fog), view the Carquinez Strait, the Al Zampa and the San Pablo Bay Refuge and the Art Tribute dedicated to Mare Island workers. Discover the history, learn about the environmental cleanup at this unique national historical site. Pre-sign in at the Weston Solutions Exhibit. Meet at the “Outing Tent” in front of Building 223.

Mare Island Native Plant and Mushroom Walk
Repeats Saturday 1:30pm with Jake Rugyt

Join Brian Collett, Preserve Naturalist and Mare Island Heritage Trust founding board member for a combination native plant and mushroom scouting outing at the Shoreline Heritage Preserve. Expect to see some of the greatest variety of mushrooms in the region and remarkable native plant communities, both of which are still being "discovered" on the unique "island habitat" of the former military base. Meet at the "Outing Tent" at the front of Building 223 to form a carpool.

History of the Mare Island Naval Cemetery Docent-led Tour
with Peggy O’Drain

Join Cemetery Docent Peggy O'Drain at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, the Navys oldest cemetery in the Pacific founded in 1858. Peggy is researching for a book about its history and those buried there, including the first recorded burial, Quartermaster George David of Massachusetts, on February 12, 1856, 155 years ago this very Saturday. She will focus her detailed docent tour on "Section A" of the cemetery where Anna Key Turner, a daughter of Francis Scott Key, author of our national anthem, is buried with her husband, some of their children and other early residents of Mare Island, many of whom were not Navy officers. Learn more about the cemetery and the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve where it is located by visiting www.mareislandpreserve.org.

Directions: From the Festival headquarters travel east on Connolly St. to Nimitz Ave. Turn right and follow direction signs. From the north gate continue on Walnut Ave. to stop sign at G St. Turn left. Continue past flashing stoplight one block to Nimitz Ave. From main entrance to Island turn at first left onto Nimitz Ave. Continue on Nimitz to 15th St. Turn right. Continue one block to Railroad Ave. Turn left. Continue beyond gate at end of Railroad Ave. Park on left and walk to cemetery on right.

Louis Comfort Tiffany stained-glass windows in St. Peter’s Chapel. Photograph by John Klycinski

Tour St. Peter’s Chapel and Mare Island Museum
Repeats Saturday 10am-4pm

St. Peters Chapel, the oldest Navy chapel built in 1900, is home to the most Tiffany glass on a single site in the West. Park across from the Chapel Park located at the south end of Walnut Ave beyond Captains Row mansions (requires right turn at end of Captains Row onto alley, then left turn and left turn again, onto Walnut Ave northbound to parking lot). The Museum is located in Building 46. Entrance across from Alden Park at 8th St. and Railroad Ave.
Donation: $3 per person for each site.

Birding with an iPhone or iPad
Repeats Saturday, 11:00am, and 2:00pm and Sunday, 1:00pm

Presenter: Nigel Hall, President Appweavers, Inc.
Peterson Birds of North America for iPhone and iPad

Presenter: Jenny Papka, Co-Director and Curator, Native Bird Connections
Once again Native Bird Connections will be back with a variety of live, non-releasable wild raptors. Join Jenny and the NBC crew for a fun, informative and spontaneous presentation highlighting bird information, stories, personal experiences and audience participation. Jenny has been a wildlife educator and manager for 20 years and experience with 35 species of raptors in captivity.

Discover Mare Island’s Historic Naval Ammunition Depot by Van Tour
Trip leader– Susan Young, Weston Solutions, Inc. and former Mare Island Shipyard worker
Repeats Saturday, 9:45am, 11:45am & 1:45pm
and Sunday, 9:45am

Join this unforgettable driving tour to the scenic highest point on the “original“ Mare Island in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve. From this spectacular 360 degree vista point (barring fog), view the Carquinez Strait, the Al Zampa and the San Pablo Bay Refuge and the Art Tribute dedicated to Mare Island workers. Discover the history, learn about the environmental cleanup at this unique national historical site. Pre-sign in at the Weston Solutions Exhibit. Meet at the “Outing Tent” in front of Building 223.

Birding with an iPhone or iPad
Repeats Saturday, 11:00am and 2:00pm and Sunday, 11:00am

Presenter: Nigel Hall, President Appweavers, Inc.
Peterson Birds of North America for iPhone and iPad

5 Great Reasons to Use "eBird"!

Do you keep records of your bird-watching?
Come learn about the "eBird" web site, where you can organize all your bird watching records and your life list. Dave McMullen of the Napa-Solano Audubon Society will introduce you to eBird and give a demonstration, touching on the many advantages of this popular and beneficial "citizen science" resource. Learn about an exciting and useful new "eBird Explorer" tool on Napa-Solano Audubon website, available for all birders in the San Francisco Bay area (even those who do not put their own records in eBird). By the end of this session you might be motivated to become an "eBirder!"

International Bird Rescue Research Center:
Bird Rescue response at the Gulf Oil Spill slide show

Starting in late April, a team of bird rescue specialists from International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) worked along the Gulf Coast to help with an all-hands-on-deck effort to rescue seabirds caught in the BP Deepwater Horizon well blow out. IBRRC teamed with Tri-State Bird Rescue, the lead oiled wildlife organization on the ground, to staff rehabilitation centers in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Michelle Bellizzi has been the Rehabilitation Manager at IBRRCs Cordelia center since 2000. She spent 4 1/2 months managing the Alabama oiled bird center that was set up to care for birds in that spill. This illustrated talk will provide an overview of the oiled bird rehabilitation program set up to care for oiled birds in the DWH spill and highlight the challenges and obstacles presented during this spill. An emphasis will be put on the unique bird species such as frigate birds, roseate spoonbills and northern gannets that were presented for care and required special feeding, housing and other considerations.