Are your Halloween decorations safe for birds? Fake spiderwebs, netting, and decorations that hang or form loops can trap and harm animals. Here are some tips from WildCare for a wildlife-friendly holiday.
A Bird-Friendly Halloween
BACKYARD BIRDING IN OCTOBER
Crowned sparrows are back for the winter! Enjoy All Around Town, our monthly report of backyard bird sightings, and meet our backyard bird of the month.
New County Checklist
We are pleased to announce the availability of an all-new Checklist of Birds of Santa Clara County! Come by the Nature Shop for a printed copy, or print your own at home.
eBird Big Day Saturday
Celebrate birding with us and the rest of the world this Saturday, October 9! To take part in the October Big Day all you have to do is submit your birding lists to eBird. No sign ups, no organized walks or big sits, just go birding!
New Online Store
Have you wanted to attend the SCVAS Learn birding courses but they haven’t fit into your schedule? Now you can gain access to these popular classes to watch at your leisure. Stay tuned for more offerings coming to our new Online Store.
Beer and Birdsong
The latest issue of Metro Silicon Valley features an article about the bird whistlers of Oktoberfest; with some insightful quotes from our very own Matthew Dodder!
In-Person Field Trips
October 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 October. These guides include trail maps, driving directions, and everything else you need to know.
Avocets & Updates Online
The October Avocet Update, the latest Avocet Quarterly and all our releases for the year are available for your reading pleasure.
What to Look for Now - Fall 2021 Edition
Learn about common fall arrivals as well as hawks and gulls. Check out the older fall posts for more great information on this season’s birds.
Workshop: eBird Mobile App
Interested in using eBird, but don’t know where to start? Matthew Dodder presents a new online workshop, free for SCVAS members, along with an in-person hands-on demonstration starting October 4.
Bloom! California—Plant Natives
Native plants increase diversity in your yard from butterflies to birds. The California Native Plant Society has partnered with nurseries to help encourage native gardening.
BACKYARD BIRDING IN SEPTEMBER
Enjoy our monthly round-up of backyard bird sightings, meet our backyard bird of the month, and reflect on the vulnerability and hope of birds’ lives with our Backyard Birder.
Support our friends at SFBBO!
Support SFBBO and the great work they do by taking part in the Bird Photo Big Day Fall Challenge this September 18!
In-Person Field Trips
September 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 September. These guides include trail maps, driving directions, and everything else you need to know.
SCVAS Learn: Warblers
Get ready to search out the confusingly cryptic, the unexpected vagrants, and the stubbornly uncooperative warblers that are landing in our trees this fall in this three session online class taught by Matthew Dodder at 7PM, Monday, September 6, 13, and 20.
The Fall Avocet is Here
The Fall Avocet (portrait format or 2-page spreads) is available now for your reading pleasure.
Speaker Series: Lauryn Benedict
On Wednesday, August 18 we tuned into female bird song with Professor Lauryn Benedict of the University of Northern Colorado. Video now available!
EA Campaign Begins
Our 2021 Environmental Action Campaign has started, and we welcome Giulianna Pendleton as our EA Assistant.