Family-friendly Birding, Picnic and Art with Bird Curious @ Dracena Quarry Park (Piedmont)

Leaders: Brandi Russell (brandirussell276@gmail.com), Cheryl Foster (cherylafoster@gmail.com), Jeff Manker (fireweed8@gmail.com), Kenneth Hillan, David Gibson

Date: Sunday March 22 --8 to 11 a.m.

Description: Join us for a picnic at the little known birding treasure, Dracena Quarry Park! This eight-acre park is home to an array of songbirds and birds of prey. This includes warblers, sparrows, nuthatches, jays, hawks, and even a pair of owls! The natural acoustics of the park make this spot perfect for learning how to bird by ear. This outing is part of the Bird Curious series – Bird Curious is for new birders and those that enjoy helping and sharing knowledge with new birders. This particular trip is aimed to be child-friendly, as we will be both stationary birding at our picnic spot, and going in small separate groups through the shady Redwood Canyon. Bird Curious walks will always be free, but please register so we know you’re coming!

No binoculars? No problem! Fill out this form to check out a pair from Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s lending library. We will also have a few loaner pairs on hand, available on a first come, first served basis. If you have an extra pair of binoculars and you’re willing to bring them along to share, please do! We will also provide birding guidebooks and special coloring pages for children featuring identification guides for familiar species.

Please consider bringing the following for the picnic:
Heartier dishes for yourself and your family - we plan to provide a small array of snacks, such as fruit and drinks.
A picnic blanket to sit on, and small lap desks if desired. Please do not bring larger portable furniture as it is against the park’s rules (with an exception for senior citizens or those with disabilities).

Reusable silverware, drinkware, and containers to eat with to reduce waste.

Every child should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Additionally, while there is a dog run, off-leashing requires a permit from the city. We would prefer furry friends to be kept at home, but if you do need to bring your dog, please keep your dog on leash while attending the picnic and walk. Even if you do have a permit already, we want to keep the focus on the birds and allow the trip to be as child-friendly as possible. 

We plan to be out at Dracena for three hours, and will station within a flat grassy area of the park, shown at this link to Google Maps. We will take a small group for an hour through the other areas of the park, which are partially unpaved. There is a bathroom next to the playground. All parking is on residential streets. We encourage carpooling and will send out a carpool sign up, and the closest bus routes to the park are the 12 and the 88. 

Limit: 20

Directions: Use 198 Ricardo Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611 for directions to the park. We will position ourselves within the grassy area surrounded by the quarry walls beyond the playground. 

Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4PrKf9h71uMbFdK48

Registration opens Tuesday February 17 at 1 pm and closes on Thursday March 20 at 11 pm.