• Madagascar Magic

     Embark on a two week Madagascar birds, lemurs and other wildlife extravaganza, with an optional Masoala Peninsula pre-trip, Sep. 26-Oct. 1, 2022!
     

    The best word to describe Madagascar’s wildlife is unique. The planet’s fourth largest island, Madagascar is often called the eighth continent because it’s nothing like Africa despite being so close to it. Much of Madagascar’s uniqueness stems from its high rate of endemism—not just on a species level but on a family level. Endemic bird families include grounds rollers (all of which you have a chance to see on this trip), mesites, couas, vangas, asities, and the Cuckoo Roller—it’s both a species and its own family! This endemism extends to mammals we’ll encounter, which include a wide variety of lemurs (Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur, Indri, Golden Bamboo Lemur) and possibly tenrecs (you might want to look this one up!) And let’s not overlook the numerous species of chameleons, too, and even unusual insects like the Giraffe Weevil.

    Madagascar is also a country of contrasts and these contrasts include its various ecosystems. On the main trip, we’ll visit two different highland rainforest locations, the grassy plains and mixed forest of the country’s central plateau, and the bizarre spiny forest of the southwest. Those who opt to join the  Masoala National Park extension will encounter a lowland rainforest with its own additional unique birds, mammals, and reptiles, and a beautiful beach where you’ll have the option to swim. 

    Price of main trip (14 days)

    5670 euros per person sharing, which includes a 300 euro donation to GGAS. Single supplement 730 euros. Plus cost of one internal flight. 

    Price of Masoala extension (5 additional nights)

    If you would like to convert the local currency to USD, please click here. 

    Click here for a full itinerary.

    Click here for description of travel in Madagascar. 

    Click here for general information on birding tours from Birding Ecotours.

    For questions or to sign up, contact Eric Schroeder at travelprogram@goldengateaudubon.org. Please do not contact the Trip Vendor first.

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  • Bay Birding Challenge – San Francisco Peninsula

    This team is now full. You may register to be on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

    Who’s got the best birds—San Francisco or the East Bay? Join Rachel Lawrence, top birder in San Francisco in 2020,  on the San Francisco peninsula in a quest to see over 100 species of birds in a single day, beginning at dawn and going until dusk. Your team will be competing against an East Bay team for the title of “Best Bay Birders.”  Come along for the competition, to impress your friends, or just have outdoor fun. Beginners welcome. May the best birds win!

    This trip will require carpooling. Participants will need to have a complete course of vaccination and booster shots and should bring a mask. 

    Registration will close at 11pm on March, 29 2022.

    Registrants: If you have any questions email rnakano@goldengatebirdalliance.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …

  • Bhutan – Birding, Mammals, & Monasteries 1

     

    Fire-tailed Myzornia by Chubzang Tangbi

    Bhutan, a country roughly the size of Maryland, has almost 600 species of birds. Over 70% of its land is forested with 25% protected by National Parks. We will visit a range of environments varying from sub-tropical at 150m to alpine at over 4,500m. On this 19-day trip, expect to see between 350 and 400 species of birds and 10-15 species of mammals. Our Bhutanese guide
    from Langur Eco Travels will not only introduce you to the fauna but also the flora of Bhutan (we’re visiting during the spring rhododendron bloom) and its culture (our trip includes visits to several famous sites, including the Tiger’s Nest Monastery). For questions and registration contact Eric Schroeder at travelprogram@goldengatebirdalliance.org.

    Cost of the trip is $6,820 (double) and $7,270 (single), which does not include the cost of internal or international flights (see the itinerary for information on these.)

    Complete description and itinerary can be viewed here. Please do not contact the vendor first. 
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  • Bay Birding Challenge – East Bay

    This team is now full. You may register to be on a waiting list in case of cancellations.

    Who’s got the best birds—San Francisco or the East Bay? Join Alex Henry, top Alameda County birder in 2020, on an East Bay quest to see over 100 species of birds in a single day, beginning at dawn and going until dusk. Your team will be competing against a San Francisco team for the title of  “Best Bay Birders.” Come along for the competition, to impress your friends, or just have outdoor fun. Beginners welcome. May the best birds win!

    This trip will require carpooling. Participants will need to have a complete course of vaccination and booster shots and should bring a mask.

    Registration will close at 11pm on March, 29 2022.

    Registrants: If you have any questions email rnakano@goldengatebirdalliance.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …

  • Elevation and Eminence in the Santa Cruz Mountains

    Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Sam McDonald Park features mixed redwood forest and elevated meadows of great scenic beauty. The park is named after one of the towering African-American figures of Bay Area history, Sam McDonald, son of newly emancipated people who became a head groundsman at Stanford University in the early twentieth century, and had the foresight to acquire land in the coastal range. He bequeathed it to the children and nature-lovers of San Mateo County, and thus we can enjoy this undeveloped, isolated gem of a park. 

    Hermit Warbler by Bob Lewis

    This time of year is ideal for bird song, butterflies, wild flowers, and more. This half-day trip takes place during the annual City Nature Challenge sponsored by iNaturalist and the California Academy of Sciences, so we will seek out all the diversity that this park offers. Special birds we’ll look for include Pileated Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, singing Hermit Thrush, Hermit Warbler, and Lazuli Bunting. This trip is an intermediate birder expedition, because much of our birding here will be by ear. But birders and naturalists of all levels can enjoy the haunting beauty of the redwoods and the glorious sun-bathed plateaus that follow. When we are done, it is a relatively easy drive to Pescadero, for those who seek an excellent lunch or more birding opportunities along the coast.

    Jennifer Rycenga is Board President of Sequoia Audubon Society, the San Mateo County chapter of National Audubon. She edits the San Mateo County online birding guide (http://birding.sequoia-audubon.org/ ) and loves having birders expand their knowledge to other taxa through iNaturalist and BioBlitzes.

    Registration will close at 11pm on April, 20 2022.

    Registrants: If you have any questions email rnakano@goldengatebirdalliance.org or call Ryan at (510) 227-6190. …