Ducks, Shorebirds, and Raptors of American Canyon Wetlands
David Takeuchi, Field Trip Chairman, Napa Solano Audubon Society
If you are new to birding, learn about ducks, shorebirds, hawks and falcons. These birds are wintering in our wonderful wetlands, and we are very fortunate to have this area in our back yard, right in the Pacific Flyway. If you are a birder, experience another season of bird migration at an expanding wetlands. Depending on ground conditions, we may visit the American Canyon Waste Water Treatment Plant catchment ponds at the end of Eucalyptus Drive. An easy walk. No restrooms.

Directions: From Hwy 29, turn west onto American Canyon Rd. Turn right onto Wetlands Edge Rd. Meet in the parking lot to the left on Eucalyptus Dr.

Mid-morning Boat Marsh Tour of Napa’s New Marsh – from Kennedy Park, Napa
Repeats Friday 7am, Saturday 8am and 10am.

Heading into a low tide on this tour we can expect to see more shorebirds as well as some raptors. Many species of migrating birds are seen in the water, on land and in the air. This boat trip proceeds into the newly created marshland with an experienced guide. The electric boat is covered and enclosed, and the windows conveniently open for panoramic views from every seat. This is a very comfortable and slow boat ride. Bring binoculars. Meet at the Kennedy Park Dock for this two hour, guided cruise. Ample parking. Hot chocolate on board. Space is limited. No children under 12 please. Reservations are required $40, and can be made at 707-224-9080. Use code [FLY2] when making reservations. (www.napariveradventures.com)

Photograph by John Klycinski

Mare Island Historic Southshore Walk
With Kenn Browne
Repeats Sunday 9:30am

Walk along the Historic Southshore of Mare Island out to Pier 35 for great views of the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. We’ll see the original Mare Island where 150 years ago the U.S. Navy sited its first West Coast Ammunition Depot and Shipyard. We’ll pass under heron and osprey nests not active till spring and summer, but expect to see feeding and resting 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 in an area not yet open to public access.

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. at Touro Univ. Go left on Railroad Ave. and go 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.

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 897 where carpools will form. If you have a “talkabout” 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 rehabilitates and releases back to the wild Solano County wildlife. Go behind the scenes to learn how injured wildlife is helped. See the center’s non-releasable education birds and animals–a 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. He’ll 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 “Vallejo Watershed Alliance Outing Tent”, Building 897.