Field Trips

Listing of Madrone field trips in Sonoma County and the North Bay, plus other upcoming events.

General Information for All Events

The field trips are free, open to the public and suitable for all levels of interest. No sign-up is required. Bring your binoculars, field guide, liquids, plus lunch for full-day trips; wear layered clothing, hats, and sun protection. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots recommended. Heavy rain cancels the walks unless otherwise indicated. Prior notification of attendance is not required. Participants of all experience levels are welcome and may join or leave the group at any time during the day.

Field trips are listed by date, starting with the soonest first.

Sonoma County Regional Parks and RROS both have field trips for birders too. For their field trip information, as well as other Bay Area calendars, click here

October/November 2021 Walks

COVID-19 Precautions will be followed.

We will follow the latest protocols. Come in good health with no exposure to someone with the COVID virus. Outdoors, if you have been double vaccinated, masks will be optional for Thursday walks and required for Saturday walks (bring your own mask). Distancing will be maintained as you are comfortable for Thursday walks and 6’ distance recommended for Saturday walks. We request that optics or field guides not be shared and walkers bring hand sanitizer to use when needed.

We appreciate our walkers’ understanding of our interest in your well being and the health of others.

Thursday and Saturday Birds walks

Bird walk leaders for October-November are Janet Bosshard, Larry Broderick, Ruthie Rudesill, Linda Fraley, and Carolyn Greene.

Attendance is limited to 10 birders. Reservations will be accepted on a first call basis. There will be a waiting list. If you must cancel, please, call the leader asap to make space for someone waiting to join. See the leader’s contact information for each walk.

Saturday, October 2nd
Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma, 5869 Cannon Lane. Birds of Prey Walk/Tour. Meet at 9:45; the walk begins at 10 a.m. There’s a $7/day use parking fee if you do not have a Sonoma County Regional Parks Pass (highly recommended resource to have). We’ll walk until 1 p.m. If there’s a lot of raptor action, we may stay until 2 p.m.; walkers, feel free to leave at 1 p.m. Our walk will be in the Tolay Lake Region in search of Birds of Prey, learning how to identify them, as well the natural history that surrounds them. To sign up: Call, text or email for a reservation and waitlist information. Event is limited to 10 people per Madrone Audubon Guidelines. Larry Broderick: (707) 791-0335, northcoastraptor@gmail.com.

Thursday, October 14th
Helen Putnam Regional Park, Petaluma, 411 Chileno Valley Rd. Parking permit is required. We will walk up to the pond. Then, take one of the downhill trails, back to the parking lot. To reserve a space, please call Janet Bosshard (707) 526-5883. Starting time will be given when you sign up. Please arrive on time. We will wait 10 minutes to begin the walk. Use this number only on the day of the walk, if you are lost or cannot attend: (707) 480-3432.

Saturday, October 16th
Ellis Creek Ponds, 3890 Cypress Drive, Petaluma – Come check on early ducks or late migrants. From Hwy 101 heading south, take exit 472B for CA-116 Sonoma/Napa, then turn left onto Lakeville Highway. Go to S. McDowell Boulevard and turn right. Then, turn right onto Cypress Drive and continue through gates of the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Center. Go to the end of the lane and park in the lot near restrooms. To reserve a space and receive the meetup time, call Linda Fraley, 559-779-5211.

Thursday, October 28th
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa, Channel Drive entrance. meet in the large parking lot on the right across from the swimming lagoon. Parking permit is required. To reserve a space, please call Janet Bosshard (707) 526-5883. Starting time will be given when you sign up. Please arrive on time. We will wait 10 minutes to begin the walk. Use this number only on the day of the walk if you are lost or cannot attend: (707) 480-3432.

Saturday, November 6th
A Place to Play Park, Santa Rosa, 2315 W. 3rd St. Parking is free. Meet at 8:15 a.m. in the parking area next to the playground, west side of park. Bring water, etc. We will hike around the pond and perimeter and end our walk about Noon’ish. Lunch optional (stay and enjoy after walk). Heavy rain cancels. To sign up: Contact Ruth Rudesill, (707) 833-6026 or cell (707) 481-0768, or email ruthier@sonic.net.

Thursday, November 11th (Veteran’s Day)
Cloverdale River Walk, Cloverdale, 31820 McCray Rd. Parking permit is required. We will walk the 1-mile asphalt path and back. Watch the weather forecast for inclement conditions. To reserve a space, please call Janet Bosshard (707) 526-5883. Starting time will be given when you sign up. Please arrive on time. We will wait 10 minutes to begin the walk. Use this number only on the day of the walk if you are lost or cannot attend: (707) 480-3432.

Saturday, November 13th
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood, 2605 Adobe Canyon. There is a $10 regular or $8 senior day parking fee without a Sugarloaf or Jack London pass (State Park “Poppy” pass is accepted). If the charge for parking is a concern, please contact the leader who’ll help arrange to cover the parking expense. Meet in white barn parking lot, one-half mile beyond/east of entrance kiosk. Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude 10:30 a.m. We’ll enjoy this lovely setting and bird by ear. We’ll also cover the general ecology of the area. Rain cancels. To sign up: Contact Carolyn Greene. Call or text (805 443-7289, or email cgnpark@icloud.com.

Thursday, November 25th (Thanksgiving Day)
There will be no walk scheduled for this day.