The Winter 2021 issue of The Avocet newsletter is here!
Read the Latest Issue Now or explore our Avocet Archives going back to 1929!
The Avocet - Winter Issue
December Self-guided Field Trips
Need help finding great birding spots and figuring out what to look for? Check out our self-guided field trips for December.
Punch Magazine: Rewilding the Peninsula
Punch Magazine explores the Emily Renzel Wetlands with the help of our Executive Director, Matthew Dodder. Article starts on p. 100.
Read More → (or Download PDF )
Vivek Khanzodé Photography Interview
International Bird Rescue’s featured photographer is our own Vivek Khanzodé, a long-time member of the Board and presenter for Bay Area Bird Photographers.
Speaker Series: John Richardson
On Wednesday, November 18 John Richardson took us on an exploration of Tanzania’s National Parks!
All Around Town
Members have been telling us in their own words what they’re observing in their yards, and sharing their pictures too. See what your friends and neighbors have been seeing in their backyards and send your backyard bird sightings to backyardbirds@scvas.org.
November Self-guided Field Trips
Need help finding great birding spots and figuring out what to look for? Check out our self-guided field trips for November. The fall season is a great time to observe wintering ducks at the bay or any of Santa Clara County’s inland lakes and ponds. Or, now that the weather is cooling, head to the grassy hills at Coyote Lake County Park or try the redwoods along the John Nicholas Trail. You can even bird by bike at Ogier Ponds!
Speaker Series: Luis Villablanca
Local photographer Luis Villablanca gave a presentation on the Sierra Nevada’s spectacular bird life. Catch the presentation on our YouTube channel!
Bird Your Backyard This Fall
Backyard birding is a great way to learn about birds, connect with nature, and have fun! Check out our Backyard Bird of the Month, Notes and Tips from a Backyard Birder, and Common Backyard Birds.
SCVAS Silent Auction is Complete
The Silent Auction has officially ended. Winners of the auctioned items will be notified by Wednesday October 7.
Check out our Silent Auction! From now until Sunday, October 4 at 11:59pm, you have a chance to bid on dozens of awesome items and support SCVAS at the same time.
Speaker Series: Richard Tejeda
The Founder of Saved By Nature showed us how the lives of youth and adults of all backgrounds and abilities can be improved by experiences outdoors. Talk was Wednesday, September 23 at 7pm . The video is now available on our YouTube channel.
Introducing our Annual Report
We have published our first Annual Report — full of information about our programs, goals, history, volunteers and, of course, financial information.
SCVAS Annual Meeting
We had a lovely time at last night’s Annual Meeting. For those who missed it, you can watch the event on our YouTube Channel.
Nature Journaling for Birders
Artist and author John Muir Laws lead us in a lively discussion of using journaling to improve your birding skills. This Speaker Series talk, which happened on September 16 at 7pm, is now available on our YouTube channel.
Vayun Tiwari Wins Audubon Photography Award
SCVAS member Vayun Tiwari was recently chosen as winner of the National Audubon Society’s youth photography award.
What to Look for Now
Confused by fall warblers? Matthew Dodder will help you figure out which field marks will most help you narrow down your warbler choices this season.
Check out the Latest Conservation Corner
Bird Notes May 2020—July 2020
Pete Dunten reports on the latest rare bird sightings in the county. Also see the Archive.
The Avocet - Fall Issue
The Fall 2020 issue of The Avocet newsletter is here!
Read the Latest Issue Now or explore our new Avocet Archives going back to 1929!
Also check out the September update, sent as email on August 26th.
Environmental Action Campaign Begins
Our open spaces and local birds need your help! Your contributions to the SCVAS Environmental Action campaign enable us to remain deeply involved with the welfare of our wildlife and work with local city councils and volunteers to make our voices heard.