Bob N, Betsy, Elaine, Kathy, Steve, Judy B, Larry, Karen, Don (the shadow), Bob S, Jane at Imperial Beach Pier, January 14, 1996

Pasadena Audubon Society

About Our Field Trips

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Current Trips

Birdathon

Saturday, May 3, 2008
All Day
Or
Sunday, May 4, 2008
All Day
Each year, Pasadena Audubon has one big fund raiser to support our programs. This fundraiser is called "Birdathon." We collect sponsors who pledge to give us an amount of money per species of bird. Then, we spend the entire day birding, and count how many species we can find in a 24 hour period. This year, we will bird the weekend of May 3-4.

If you'd like to help, you can sponsor us now and pay after May 3rd. Or, you can make a flat donation, and pay now or after May 3rd. Make checks payable to "Pasadena Audubon Society."

The money we collect supports conservation and education projects. This year, we will support the Owens Valley Committee, a non-profit that oversees the restoration of the Owens River and surrounding habitats. We will also support the programs at the Audubon Center at Debs Park and at Eaton Canyon Nature Center.

The Pasadena Audubon Society is a 501 (C) (3) organization, so every penny you donate is tax-deductible. Thanks for your support!

Download sponsor form

Mountain Birding Monthly Walk
Sunday, May 11, 2008
8:00 am - 10:00am

This monthly walk ordinarily begins in the parking lot of Chilao Visitor Center, but occasionally the group will carpool to other nearby areas. Smell the pines and see higher-altitude species not common in Pasadena.

Dangerous driving conditions (chains required, storms, etc.) will cancel the outing. Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest High-way), 27 miles north of La Canada. For local conditions and information, call the Center at (626) 796-5541.

Hill Penfold

Big Morongo Field Trip
Saturday, May 17, 2008
7:30am--??

The desert oasis at Big Morongo Canyon is one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian (stream) habitats in California. The upstream end of the canyon lies in the Mojave Desert, while its downstream portion opens into the Colorado Desert.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is an internationally-recognized birding site. Several rare or unusual species are known to nest here, and many other species are abundant during the spring and fall migration seasons.

Meet with Pasadena Audubon on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7:30am to walk the easy paced trail in the preserve led by Kathi Ellsworth and Lance Benner. Bring lunch and lots of water. See you there!

Directions: East on Interstate 10, then north on Hwy 62 to Morongo Valley. Turn east on East Drive for 1 block to turn left at Preserve Sign (11055 East Drive). Park in the lot at the end of the lane. It usually takes about 2 hours to get to the preserve from Pasadena. Click to download map

Kathi Ellsworth and Lance Benner

Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
Sunday, May 18, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 am

Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The walks are led by Hill Penfold who has been leading them at ECNC for many years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best locations to learn the birds of the Pasadena area.

The walks are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs .

Hill Penfold

Magpie Bird Study Group
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Lower Arroyo

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, eat sack lunches and have a short business meeting.
All PAS members welcome.

Meet at the casting pond

Sid Heyman
Madeline West

Huntington Library Birdwalks
(PAS Members only)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 am

A special benefit for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to bird the Huntington Library grounds. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 participants. We thank our member and Huntington curator, Dan Lewis, for making these trips possible.

Contact Elaine by email (preferred) or phone, putting "Huntington" in the subject line to avoid inadvertent deletion.

Elaine MacPherson & Dan Lewis

Magpie Bird Study Group
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Descanso Gardens

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, eat sack lunches and have a short business meeting.
All PAS members welcome.

Meet at the entrance

Sid Heyman
Madeline West

Upcoming Trips

Owling in the San Gabriel Mountains
Saturday, June 7, 2008
6:00 pm - midnight

Six species of owls breed in the San Gabriel Mountains and spring is usually the best time to find them. This trip is scheduled when all the local montane species are present and actively vocalizing. We will start in the early evening before sunset when we'll look for Northern Pygmy Owl and diurnal montane species, and then after dark we'll look for Flammulated, Northern Saw-whet, Western Screech, and Great Horned Owls. If we're extremely lucky, we might find Spotted Owl. We will also look for Common Poorwill. Limited to 12 people.

Please email or call Lance to reserve a splot and for directions on where to meet.

Lance Benner

Mountain Birding Monthly Walk
Sunday, June 8, 2008
8:00 am - 10:00am

This monthly walk ordinarily begins in the parking lot of Chilao Visitor Center, but occasionally the group will carpool to other nearby areas. Smell the pines and see higher-altitude species not common in Pasadena.

Dangerous driving conditions (chains required, storms, etc.) will cancel the outing. Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest High-way), 27 miles north of La Canada. For local conditions and information, call the Center at (626) 796-5541.

Hill Penfold

Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
Sunday, June 15, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 am

Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The walks are led by Hill Penfold who has been leading them at ECNC for many years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best locations to learn the birds of the Pasadena area.

The walks are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs .

Hill Penfold

Magpie Bird Study Group
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Descanso Gardens

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, eat sack lunches and have a short business meeting.
All PAS members welcome.

Meet at the entrance

Sid Heyman
Madeline West

Buckhorn Campground,
San Gabriel Mountains
Saturday, June 21, 2008
8:00 am - ??

At an elevation of 6,300 feet, Buckhorn Campground is a beautiful and comfortable retreat from the hot, smoggy valleys below. There is a small shaded stream, tall evergreens of several varieties, and some open dry slopes. This is an excellent mixture for montane species, including several species of woodpeckers, nuthatches, and flycatchers, Cassin's and Purple Finches, Green-tailed Towhees, Fox Sparrows, and MacGillivray's Warblers. Occasionally other mountain birds, such as Brown Creepers and Pine Siskins, may be found.

From Interstate 210, go north (right) on Angeles Crest Highway, State Route 2, about 34 miles. The campground entrance is about one mile past Cloudburst Summit, at mile marker 58.3. Proceed through the campground, following signs for the Burkhart Trail. A Forest Adventure Pass is required to park in the trailhead lot, where we'll meet. Allow a least 1 hour and 15 minutes for the drive from Pasadena.

Ed Stonick

Huntington Library Birdwalks
(PAS Members only)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
7:00 am - 11:00 am

A special benefit for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to bird the Huntington Library grounds. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 participants. We thank our member and Huntington curator, Dan Lewis, for making these trips possible.

Contact Elaine by email (preferred) or phone, putting "Huntington" in the subject line to avoid inadvertent deletion.

Elaine MacPherson & Dan Lewis

Mt. Pinos and Environs
Saturday, June 28, 2008
7:30 am - early afternoon

Mt. Pinos is one of the best places in Southern California to enjoy a wide variety of montane birds. Several species of warblers, thrushes, raptors, woodpeckers, flycatchers and finches are usually abundant and easy to find. Williamson's Sapsucker, Calliope Hummingbirds and Hermit Warblers are target species. We will visit Irish Meadows and several other areas where the birding is usually reliable.

Take the Golden State Freeway (I-5) north to the Frasier Park turnoff and continue west for about 5 miles to the small city park in Frazier Park on your left. We will meet at the park. Don't forget lunch, water and sunblock.

Larry Johnson and Ron Cyger

Big Santa Anita Canyon
Saturday, July 5, 2008
6:00pm - 10:00 pm

Join us for a pleasant evening hike into Big Santa Anita Canyon on the edge of the San Gabriel Mountains above Arcadia. We will hike up to Sturtevant Falls to look for diurnal species while itâ' still light and to look for Black Swifts arriving to roost at dusk. On the way back weâll look for owls, poorwills, and glow worms. Other possible species: American Dipper, Purple Finch, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, and Canyon Wren.

Take 210 to Santa Anita Avenue, exit, go to the top of Santa Anita, past the gate, and up to the parking lot at Chantry Flats (about 3.5 miles above the edge of Arcadia). An "Adventure Pass" is required to park. We will meet in the lower parking lot at the gate.

Bring water, food, lights, bug repellent, a jacket, and sturdy shoes. It's a four-mile hike to the waterfall and back with a steep 1/2 mile climb at the end, so our pace will be leisurely.

Lance Benner

Mountain Birding Monthly Walk
Sunday, July 13, 2008
8:00 am - 10:00am

This monthly walk ordinarily begins in the parking lot of Chilao Visitor Center, but occasionally the group will carpool to other nearby areas. Smell the pines and see higher-altitude species not common in Pasadena.

Dangerous driving conditions (chains required, storms, etc.) will cancel the outing. Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest High-way), 27 miles north of La Canada. For local conditions and information, call the Center at (626) 796-5541.

Hill Penfold

Throop Peak
Saturday, July 19, 2008
8:00am - ??

Details TBA

Ed Stonick

Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
Sunday, July 20, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 a

Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The walks are led by Hill Penfold who has been leading them at ECNC for many years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best locations to learn the birds of the Pasadena area.

The walks are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs .

Hill Penfold

Huntington Library Birdwalks
(PAS Members only)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
7:00 am - 11:00 am

A special benefit for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to bird the Huntington Library grounds. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 participants. We thank our member and Huntington curator, Dan Lewis, for making these trips possible.

Contact Elaine by email (preferred) or phone, putting "Huntington" in the subject line to avoid inadvertent deletion.

Elaine MacPherson & Dan Lewis

Piute Ponds
Saturday, August 2, 2008
7:00 am - 2:00pm

Join us for a day at Piute Ponds and other hot spots in the Antelope Valley. Fall shorebird migration is underway, and the Ponds host an impressive assortment of shorebirds, waterfowl, and marsh dwellers, as well as desert species. It will be hot; bring plenty of water, food, and a scope if you have it. Note: The Piute Ponds are located on Edwards Air Force Base, which has restricted entry. Participants limited to 12; email trip leader to sign up.

Jon Feenstra

Southeast Arizona
Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10, 2008
All Day

Details TBA

Ton Ryan

Mountain Birding Monthly Walk
Sunday, August 10, 2008
8:00 am - 10:00am

This monthly walk ordinarily begins in the parking lot of Chilao Visitor Center, but occasionally the group will carpool to other nearby areas. Smell the pines and see higher-altitude species not common in Pasadena.

Dangerous driving conditions (chains required, storms, etc.) will cancel the outing. Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest High-way), 27 miles north of La Canada. For local conditions and information, call the Center at (626) 796-5541.

Hill Penfold

Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
Sunday, August 17, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 a

Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The walks are led by Hill Penfold who has been leading them at ECNC for many years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best locations to learn the birds of the Pasadena area.

The walks are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs .

Hill Penfold

Huntington Library Birdwalks
(PAS Members only)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
7:00 am - 11:00 am

A special benefit for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to bird the Huntington Library grounds. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 participants. We thank our member and Huntington curator, Dan Lewis, for making these trips possible.

Contact Elaine by email (preferred) or phone, putting "Huntington" in the subject line to avoid inadvertent deletion.

Elaine MacPherson & Dan Lewis

Hahamonga Monthly Walk
Saturday, September 6, 2008
8:00 am - noon

This monthly bird walk is for birders of all ages and experience. A good variety of birds should be in residence. Bring binoculars, birding guide, water and wear walking shoes. No dogs.

Exit the north 210 at Berkshire and make a right, then a left at Oak Grove. The Hahamongna Watershed Park entrance is on the right at the next stop light. Take the first left after entering Hahagmongna, and park by the ballfield.

Ron Cyger

Point Vincente Sea Watch
Saturday, September 13, 2008
7:30am - ??

Details TBA

Mike San Miguel

Mountain Birding Monthly Walk
Sunday, September 14, 2008
8:00 am - 10:00am

This monthly walk ordinarily begins in the parking lot of Chilao Visitor Center, but occasionally the group will carpool to other nearby areas. Smell the pines and see higher-altitude species not common in Pasadena.

Dangerous driving conditions (chains required, storms, etc.) will cancel the outing. Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2 (Angeles Crest High-way), 27 miles north of La Canada. For local conditions and information, call the Center at (626) 796-5541.

Hill Penfold

Magpie Bird Study Group
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
9:00 am - 11:30 am
To be Determined

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month. We bird 9:00 am to about 11:30 am, eat sack lunches and have a short business meeting.
All PAS members welcome.

Sid Heyman
Madeline West

Eaton Canyon Monthly Walk
Sunday, September 21, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 a

Pasadena Audubon and Eaton Canyon Nature Center are cosponsoring monthly walks at Eaton Canyon. The walks are led by Hill Penfold who has been leading them at ECNC for many years. Hill is wonderful with birders of all levels and Eaton Canyon is one of the best locations to learn the birds of the Pasadena area.

The walks are held on the third Sunday of each month. Meet at the flagpole: bring water, binoculars, hats, but no dogs .

Hill Penfold

Huntington Library Birdwalks
(PAS Members only)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
8:00 am - 11:00 am

A special benefit for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to bird the Huntington Library grounds. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 participants. We thank our member and Huntington curator, Dan Lewis, for making these trips possible.

Contact Elaine by email (preferred) or phone, putting "Huntington" in the subject line to avoid inadvertent deletion.

Elaine MacPherson & Dan Lewis

Field Trip Leader Information

Mark Scheel (chair) (818) 366-7343 SCHEEL@TAPIR.CALTECH.EDU

Larry Allen (626) 288-2701 LARRYALLEN@EARLYMUSICLA.ORG

Lance Benner (626) 791-1187 LBENNER@CHARTER.NET

Ron Cyger (626) 449-3625 (before 9 pm) RON@CYGER.ORG (preferred)

Kathi Ellsworth (626) 524-0652 PANDIONSKY@YAHOO.COM

Nick & Mary Freeman (818) 247-6172 MNFREEMAN@EARTHLINK.NET

Sid Heyman (626) 571-5991

Dan Lewis (626) 398-4805 DANOLEWIS@EARTHLINK.NET

Elaine MacPherson (626) 355-9412 BIRDERGRRL@AOL.COM

Hill Penfold (626) 352-4954 HPENFOLD@BIGFOOT.COM

Mike San Miguel (625) 355-5058 SANMIGBIRD@AOL.COM

Ed Stonick (626) 796-0595 EDSTONICK@EARTHLINK.NET

Madeline West (626) 574-0429 WEST226@ADELPHIA.NET

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Local Bird Walks that occur weekly or monthly

  • First Saturday of each month September through April--Hahamongna Watershed (formerly Oak Grove County) Park accessible from the Berkshire Drive exit of the 210 Fwy. The walks begin at 8:00 am. [Check Calendar for alternative walks at Peck Pit.] Leaders vary. Contact: Ron Cyger at ron@cyger.org

    Hahamongna Watershed (formerly Oak Grove) Park Bird List

  • First Saturday of each month beginning February 4, 2006, Los Angeles County employee, Ray Jillson, an avid birder and naturalist, will lead a bird walk at the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia. This will be a monthly walk, held on the first Saturday of each month at 8:00 am. Meet at the main entrance rotunda and enter as a group.

    The bird walks are offered free of charge, but entrance to the park is not. Participants in the bird walk are asked to be on the honor system. If you are not already a member of the Arboretum Foundation, which gives you free entry into the park for one year, you are asked to pay the normal entrance fees on your way out after the conclusion of the walks each month. Again, this will be on the honor system and there is really no way of checking to make sure that anyone paid.

  • First Sunday of every month except April--Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (RSABG), 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, Beginner's Bird Walk, starting at 8:00 a.m., for more information contact Suzanne Chappell at (909)981-1996 or schappell@juno.com.

  • Second Sunday of every month-- Monthly Mountain Birding, in association with the Forest Service volunteer program and Pasadena Audubon. The hike starts in the Chilao Visitor Center parking area and lasts about 2 hours. Occasionally we may carpool to Buckhorn, Charlton Flat, or some other place within 15-30 minutes of Chilao. The Chilao Visitor Center is located on State Highway 2, about 27 miles north of the city of La Canada, CA (off Interstate 210). Dangerous mountain driving conditions (bad storms, chains a necessity, etc.) cancels. For more information about the Center, conditions and activities call (626) 796-5541, Saturday or Sunday, 9 to 3. Contact Hill Penfold at (818)352-4954 or hpenfold@bigfoot.com.

  • Second Sunday of each month--Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, meet inside entrance at 8:00am, contact Karen Johnson at (818)790-1687 or lv2bird@aol.com.

  • Third Saturday of each month--Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, 15501 E. Arrow Hwy., Irwindale, meet 8:00am at Nature Center parking lot. Entrance fee will be waived if birders state they are attending the bird walk. Contact Ray Jillson at rayjillsono@juno.com

  • Third Sunday of every month--Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena, meet at the flagpole at 8:00 am, bring water, binoculars, sun hats, but no dogs, contact Hill Penfold at (818)352-4954 or hpenfold@bigfoot.com. [Starts at 7 am from June, July and August to take advantage of the earlier light and avoid the heat.]

  • Third Sunday of each month--"Down by the River", hour long walks, sponsored by Friends of the Los Angeles River and the Sierra Club, sometimes featuring brief talks highlighting various aspects of the Los Angeles River. Meeting place changes monthly.
    Updates.

  • Fourth Saturday of each month--Whittier Narrows Nature Center, 1000 Durfee Road, South El Monte, at 8:00am, contact Ray Jillson at (323)874-1318 or odri@juno.com, $2 donation accepted.

  • Fourth Sunday of each month-- Huntington Library Birdwalks, PAS Members only, 8:00 am – 11:00 am

    A new bonus for Pasadena Audubon Society members is the chance to sign up for birdwalks on the beautiful Huntington Library grounds. Your membership is current, isn’t it? If not see the Application Form on our website. Thanks to the persistent efforts of several members and especially Huntington curator Dan Lewis, we are scheduling walks for the fourth Sunday of the month. Attendance is by reservation only and limited to 15 people. There will be chances to see some of the “back country” areas.

    Contact Elaine MacPherson by email (preferred) or phone. Please put Huntington in your subject line so you don’t get deleted! We know that many of you will want to come, so don’t delay and be understanding as we start this new project. Note: Reservations will be taken only for the month you call or write. No advance reservations. Elaine and Dan will co-lead and other leaders may also participate. Elaine MacPherson BIRDERGRRL@AOL.COM (626) 355-9412

  • Fourth Sunday of each month--Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada, meet inside entrance at 8:00 am, contact Karen Johnson at (818)790-1687 or lv2bird@aol.com.

    Thanks to Audrey Foran for contributing much of this information.

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