Ducks, Shorebirds, and Raptors of American Canyon Wetlands
David Takeuchi, Field Trip Chairman, Napa Solano Audubon Society
We will bird Eucalyptus Drive and part of the newly opened American Canyon Wetlands trail which goes to the Napa River as time permits. This area is part of the Pacific Flyway for migrating waterfowl. We expect to see winter ducks and woodland birds in the Eucalyptus trees. If the tide is accommodating, we will see shore birds.

Directions: Meet at 8:00 AM at the parking lot at the corner of Eucalyptus Drive and Wetlands Edge Road. From Highway 29 coming from Vallejo, turn left on West American Canyon Road.. Drive to the end and turn right on Wetlands Edge Road. Drive to the end and turn left on Eucalyptus Drive. Coming from Napa, turn right on Rio Del Mar, make a sharp right on Eucalyptus Drive, and drive to the end.

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.

Raptors at Hudeman Slough
Repeats Saturday 12:30pm

In the place of our Skaggs Island hawk outings this year [we expect to return to the former Navy property in 2012 after it becomes part of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge], join field trip leader Murray Berner for a birding walk on an easy jaunt along the 2.5 miles of walking trails at the Hudeman Slough wetland restoration in the Carneros region of Southern Sonoma County. The enhanced wetlands, managed by the Sonoma County Water Agency & Sonoma County Sanitation with California Department of Fish & Game are former hayfields restored to a mix of tidal wetlands, grasslands, pickleweed marsh, seasonal wetlands & ponds, permanent ponds and tied to nearby Hudeman Slough. You will see waterbirds and search for a variety of buteos, including red-tailed, ferruginous, and rough-legged Hawks. Previous festival outings at nearby Skaggs Island have observed 4 species of falcons. Golden eagle is a distinct possibility. Short-eared Owl was seen here in late January. All ages and levels of birding experience welcomed!
Note: This is a rain or shine outing. Only heavy rain cancels!

Directions: From Napa, Vallejo & East Bay, turn west at the stoplight from Highway 29 onto Highway 12/121. Continue to Duhig Rd. Turn left and proceed on Duhig until it becomes Ramal Rd. at a sharp turn over Huichica Creek. Continue on Ramal Rd. past Skaggs Island Rd. The gravel parking lot is on the left approx. 1 mile past Skaggs Island Rd. A large barn is located near the parking area. Meet at the green and blue interpretive sign adjacent to the parking lot.
From Petaluma, Sonoma & Marin, turn right from Highway 12/121 onto Ramal Rd. Continue on Ramal Rd. approx. 2 miles to the gravel lot described above.

Photograph by John Klycinski

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.

Suisun Wildlife Center Tour
The Suisun Marsh Natural History Association presents a tour of its Suisun Wildlife Center, which rescues and releases back to the wild Solano County wildlife. Go behind the scenes to learn how injured wildlife is helped. See the centers non-releasable education birds and animalsa Golden Eagle, a recently acquired Coyote, Red-tailed Hawk and more.

Limit: 30 participants. To preregister call 707-429-4295.
Directions: From I-80 exit at Hwy 12 in Fairfield-near the Budweiser Brewery. Travel East on Hwy 12 toward Suisun for 3 miles to the first exit AFTER the Pennsylvania St. exit. Exit at the Civic Center Blvd/Suisun City Business District exit. Turn left onto Main St. Proceed to stop sign past downtown. Turn left onto Cordelia Rd. Take next right to 1171 Kellogg St.

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.