Learn about the basics of bird migration in this introductory webinar with Matthew Dodder, hosted by Stanford Continuing Studies. Thursday, May 26, 12-1 PM
Video Available Soon!
Speaker Series: Alvaro Jaramillo
We had a great time with the expert on California’s pelagic birding, on Thursday, May 19. In preparation for our pelagic birding season, Alvaro shared his experiences in Northern California waters and the Farallon Islands. SCVAS is joining Alvaro on an upcoming pelagic birding trip on July 16, register here!
eBird Global Big Day Saturday
eBird is turning 20 this year! Celebrate by joining the Global Big Day this Saturday, May 14. All you need to do is submit at least one eBird checklist on that date. Last year Santa Clara County birders observed 168 species in the county. Let’s see if we can do even better!
Backyard Birding in May
Enjoy our latest backyard bird report, full of nesting news and spring comings and goings, and meet our backyard bird of the month. Photo: Jennifer Oliver
SCVAS Volunteers Speaking Out
A big part of advocacy work is speaking out, whether to the public at events, online, or in the case of high school student Rashi Sharma, making public comments at a city council meeting in Palo Alto.
May Avocet Update
The May Avocet update is available for download. And if you missed the April Avocet Update, you can download that too!
In-Person Field Trips
May through June 1 trips have been posted. To help more people have a chance at getting a spot on our very popular field trips, please limit your sign-ups to 2 trips per month.
May 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 May. Western Kingbird by Teresa Cheng
Speaker Series: Holly Merker - Ornitherapy
Holly used mindful birdwatching - Ornitherapy - as a powerful tool in in fighting cancer. She believes that anyone can benefit from Ornitherapy, and she’s made it her life mission to bring this wellness regimen to you. Join us for the presentation on April 20 at 7pm via Zoom.
BACKYARD BIRDING IN APRIL
Birds are nesting now! Find out what birds our members and friends have seen lately, and meet our backyard bird of the month. Photo: Steven Rice
Accessible Birding easier than you might think
Freya McGregor (our March Speaker Series speaker) writes about the joys of birding, no matter what your abilities are.
Problem Geese
The San Jose Mercury News covers ways that local cities are attempting to limit the overabundance of Canada Geese (and their messy droppings) in our city parks.
Bay Area Bird Photographers: Kathy Raffel
On Wednesday April 6 at 7:30pm photographer Kathy Raffel presented “Privileged Encounters,” a discussion of endangered birds, at our Bay Area Bird Photographers meeting.
Get enlightened about light pollution
Environmental Advocacy Assistant Giulianna Pendleton breaks down light pollution for us in this informative video.
In memory of Doug Cheeseman
On Tuesday March 22 we lost Doug Cheeseman, a long-time supporter of SCVAS and loving husband to Gail Cheeseman who died four months ago. We send our love and condolences to Doug & Gail’s family!
Read the tribute to Doug on the Cheeseman’s Ecology Safaris home page →
Speaker Series: Edwin Scholes *Rescheduled*
Rescheduled to March 30
Take a dive into the weird and wonderful world of birds of paradise with Edwin Scholes, the leading authority on these magnificent birds. Join us March 30 at 7PM for the rescheduled presentation.
Backyard Birding in March
Speaker Series: Freya MacGregor
Freya McGregor, staff person at Birdability talks about how we can make the outdoors welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody. We’ll also be kicking off our Spring Birdathon! Join us March 16 at 7PM.
Protecting the Newts of Alma Bridge Road
Environmental Advocacy Assistant Giulianna Pendleton raises awareness about the newts of Alma Bridge Road.
Memories of Gail Cheeseman
Members, volunteers and staff share their memories of Gail Cheeseman, a long-time pillar of our chapter, who passed last November.