San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk
Hosted by Weston Solutions, Inc. and Swarovski OptikRepeats 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.

Birding American Canyon from Wetlands to the Quarry

Robin Leong, Napa Solano Audubon Society field guide leads a morning of birding beginning at American Canyon Wetlands to look for waterfowl and shorebirds, moving to American Canyon Quarry to look for raptors. The wetlands at American Canyon are easily accessible and abundant with a variety of species now.

Directions: From Vallejo/East Bay/Sonoma/Napa: 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. From Marin/Sonoma County: Take Hwy 37 eastbound toward Vallejo. Exit Hwy 29. Go north on Hwy 29 towards Napa. Turn left at American Canyon Road. Follow directions above.

Bird Photography Safari
Alviso Ponds, Mountain View
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Photograph shorebirds and waterfowl on the former Alviso salt ponds with docent Alex Baranda. Program provides a "backstage pass" to birding spots not usually accessible to the public. Program will require travel both by van and by foot. Please be prepared to hike up to 3 miles in muddy conditions. Reservations Required. Call 408-262-5513 x106.

Birds at Bahia
Marin Audubon Society Field Trip Leader, Lowell Sykes

Rare blue oak woodlands bordering salt marsh habitat. Shallow, newly restored fresh water ponds & tidal marshes provide excellent habitat for diverse assemblage of birds. Expect to see migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, diving birds and raptors, as well as land birds on the adjacent oak woodlands and grasslands. All levels welcome.

Directions: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take Atherton Ave exit, go east, and turn left onto Bugeia Drive, which becomes Bahia Drive. Park at the end of Bahia Drive.
From Hwy 37, take Atherton Ave. exit, travel north on Atherton Avenue & follow directions above. For information, call 415-388-2821. Heavy rain cancels.

Volunteer at Lynch Canyon

Solano Land Trust and the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council lead a 25th Anniversary Volunteer Day from 9 a.m. to noon.
RSVP by contacting (707) 432-0150 x 200 or volunteer@solanolandtrust.org. No dogs are allowed at Lynch Canyon. $5 parking fee (parking fee waivers are available for volunteers).

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).

Self-guided bird walk American Canyon Wetlands
Repeats Sunday 9:00am-3:00pm

Expert volunteer members of the Napa Solano Audubon Society with viewing scopes will offer self-guided bird walks with four viewing stations. Visit the welcome table with interpretive brochures, educational handouts, and a trail guide. No preregistration. No fee. No limit on number of attendees.

Directions: Welcome table will be near 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.

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.

Explore Lynch Canyon Open Space
Repeats Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

After being closed due to budget cuts, Lynch Canyon reopens today for weekends through June, so now is the time to get out and experience this Solano County Park. A 3-hour guided birds of prey tour will be given at 10:00am by raptor experts Larry Broderick and Jim Walsh and Bay Ridge Trail and the Solano Land Trust host a Volunteer Day 9:00am-12noon. Details in the Regional Outings Saturday schedule at 9:00am and 10:00am. No dogs are allowed at Lynch Canyon. $5 parking fee (parking fee waivers are available for volunteers)

Directions: From I-80 westbound, exit American Canyon Rd. Cross the overpass and turn left onto McGary Road. Continue to Lynch Canyon Rd. and drive under the freeway to the entrance gate and parking lot.
From I-80 eastbound, exit at American Canyon Rd./Hiddenbrooke. Turn right then immediately left onto McGary Rd. and follow directions above.

Photograph by Bob Dyer

Ellis Creek Wetlands Tour
Repeats Friday, 9:30am

Led by Park docents with viewing scopes, Petaluma Wetlands Alliance

First ever Flyway Festival tour along a new 2-mile trail around
30 acres of polishing wetlands opened to the public just last summer. See migratory duck and possibly unusual species that have been spotted: the Swamp Sparrow, Tundra Swan and Greater White-fronted Goose. Sora and Virginia Rail have been observed around the pond edges. www.petalumawetlandspark.org 

Directions: From Hwy 37, turn north on Lakeville Hwy and left at 2nd signal, South McDowell Blvd. Drive one-half mile to Cypress Drive and follow to the entrance of the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility where the tour starts. Sign-ups not required. Call Bob Dyer with questions, (707) 763-2934.

Photograph by John Klycinski

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.

Sonoma Baylands Tidal Wetland Walk

Meet Leia Giambastiani native plant restoration manager for San Pablo Bay NWR to view and learn about wetland transition zone restoration in this developing marsh habitat. Learn about the Refuge and its plans for these 348 acre tidal wetlands constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1995, after they are added to the Refuge.

Directions: Turn south off Hwy 37 at Port Sonoma Marina, follow the directional signs.

Community Service at the Visitor Center, FremontDon Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

If you are interested in improving the refuge for visitors and for wildlife alike, join us in Fremont for a community service project. We will do either a trash pickup or a planting/weeding project. Dress appropriately for the task and for the weather. Gloves and tools will be provided. Bring your own water bottle. Meet in the parking lot at the Visitor Center. Driving an additional 2.5 miles may be required if project takes place at a different location. For more information, or to make reservations, call 510-792-0222 ext. 363.

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.

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.

Bike to the Weep!
Alviso Marina County Park, Alviso

Join microbial ecologist Wayne Lanier, PhD in the Alviso Marina County Park parking lot on a short bike ride to study microbial communities. The weep is a shallow persistent pond fed by seepage. Over the year it undergoes very wide swings in salinity and the result is a uniquely rich microbial community of Cyanobacteria, Archeabacteria, Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, and protozoa. Boots are recommended! Ages 10 and up. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Debra at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

Lynch Canyon Birds of Prey Tour

Raptor experts Larry Broderick and Jim Walsh will lead a tour to see eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and other birds of prey in the skies above Lynch Canyon. Learn about identification, behavior and ecology of the birds. Bring water, snacks and binoculars. Be prepared for variable weather. Wear layered clothes and protection from sun, wind, fog and rain. All ages are welcome and must be able to hike four miles at a moderate pace, up and down steep hills. No dogs are allowed. A donation is suggested, but not required. $5 parking fee. Heavy rain cancels the walk. Call Larry at 707-975-7047 if the weather is uncertain.

Directions: From I-80 westbound, exit American Canyon Rd. Cross the overpass and turn left onto McGary Road. Continue to Lynch Canyon Rd. and drive under the freeway to the entrance gate and parking lot.
From I-80 eastbound, exit at American Canyon Rd./Hiddenbrooke. Turn right then immediately left onto McGary Rd. and follow directions above.

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.

Beginning Birding for Families at American Canyon Wetlands
Repeats Saturday 1:00pm and Sunday 11:00am and 1:00pm

Napa Solano Audubon Society Field Guides offer a one hour guided Beginning Bird Walk for children and families in which they will explain the value of wetland habitats and advise and assist with how to locate & identify birds.
(Binoculars provided); No fee or preregistration.

Directions: Welcome table will be near 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.

Pond 1/Cullinan Ranch Ecology of the North Bay Walk

Join wetland biologist Francesca Demgen, President, Friends of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for a walk on the levee between two important north bay habitats: shallow, managed pond and seasonal wetland. Potential to see hundreds of shorebirds and ducks foraging and resting in Pond 1 and song birds and raptors over the seasonal wetland. Learn how pickleweed and ducks can both "drink" salt water and about the about the thousands of acres of wetland restoration between the Napa and Petaluma Rivers. Meet at the "Outing Tent", Building 223, Mare Island to carpool approximately 10 minutes to the site.

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.

Raptors at Hudeman Slough
Repeats Friday 9:00am

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.

Beginning Birding for Families at American Canyon Wetlands
Repeats Saturday 11:00am and Sunday 11:00am and 1:00pm

Napa Solano Audubon Society Field Guides offer a one hour guided Beginning Bird Walk for children and families in which they will explain the value of wetland habitats and advise and assist with how to locate & identify birds.
(Binoculars provided); No fee or preregistration.

Directions: Welcome table will be near 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.

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

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.

Good-bye Salt Ponds, Hello Hotel California
Ravenswood Unit (SF2), Menlo Park

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge_Docent Jane Moss will lead you on a 1-mile hike through the fascinating changes taking place at a former salt pond. Learn about the exciting ways this area is being reshaped as wildlife habitat. Trail is easy and level. All ages and abilities welcome. Please call 408-262-5513 x106 for information and directions.

Twilight Marsh Walk
Visitor Center, Fremont
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easy stroll along Tidelands (1 1/3 mile) Trail. At the setting of the sun we will observe the beginning of natures night shift. Come discover the sights, sounds, and smells of the refuge as night descends. Not suitable for young children. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Call 510-792-0222 ext. 363. Led by Mary and Gene Bobik.

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.