Exploring Breeding Bird Behaviors

Registration opens on Wednesday, February 4 at 1pm and closes at 11 pm on Wednesday, April 1. 

Instructors: Liz Lewis (elewis227@gmail.com) and Kenneth Hillan (khillan@goldengatebirds.org), with Dom Mosur on field trips

Delve into the breeding behaviors of our local breeding birds. Explore the diverse strategies birds use to attract mates, shelter, and raise their young. Learn about how the distribution of bay area breeding birds is changing, both locally and regionally. The course covers ethical birding practices, conservation needs, and highlights efforts to protect breeding bird habitat. Learn about how you can contribute your observations of breeding bird activity through eBird and the California Breeding Bird Atlas which launched in 2026. Through a combination of classes and hands-on field trips, you’ll deepen your understanding of breeding bird behaviors with a new found appreciation of the challenges these birds face as well as opportunities for us to support them. This class is tailored for intermediate birders. Recordings of the lecture presentations will be available to class participants for a limited amount of time.
 
Field trips:
 
Saturday, April 4, San Francisco

El Polin Springs and Inspiration Point, The Presidio of San Francisco; starting and ending at Inspiration Point.  Public transportation and carpooling are encouraged. If you’re driving, there is parking available at the site. The walk starts downhill and returns uphill. There are some stairs, including one without railings. Restrooms are available at El Polin Spring.

Sunday, May 17, Marin County
 
Mount Burdell Preserve, San Andreas Trailhead (38.13009, -122.60398).
 
Participants are encouraged to carpool. Parking at the trailhead is available along San Andreas Drive. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Restrooms are available at the Harvest Market and/or Trailhead Café in the shopping center at the corner of San Marin Drive and San Andreas Road. Bring water, hat, sunscreen, and snacks. We likely will cover about two miles. There is a gradual climb up a wide fire road for about 400 meters but we will make frequent stops to take in the breeding bird activity. We recommend hiking boots or trail shoes with traction for hiking downhill because there are some areas with loose rocks. Hiking sticks or poles are useful if you have them. Four Thursday evening lectures by Zoom, April 2, 9; April 30, May 7: 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

           (Zoom link will be provided when you register.)

Two field trips, Saturday April 4 in San Francisco and May 17 in Marin County: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
 
Limited to 20 participants.
 
Price: $260 ($208 for GGBA and Marin Audubon Society members, a 20% discount).

MAS members should contact Doug Waterman (dglswtrmn@gmail.com) to obtain a discount code to register at the GGBA website.