San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

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San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

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SFVAS is dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats through conservation, education, and community engagement.

Join us for bird walks, advocacy efforts, and more! California's oldest Audubon Society chapter, dedicated to birds and the environment in the San Fernando Valley

11/09/2026

REMINDER: This month's Bird Sit with Nature Journaling is just 3 days away!

Instead of chasing lists or covering miles, find a comfortable spot to sit, observe, and truly notice the details and behavior patterns of the birds around you.

Bring your binoculars, a journal, something to write or draw with, and a beverage/snack and join us for a peaceful morning in nature.

📅 November 12 | 🕙 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 17300 Sesnon Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344. Meet at the picnic tables near the restrooms.

**Limited to 10 people.**

Contact one of our leaders to reserve your spot:
• Teri Carnesciali: [email protected]
• Mary Lou Sharp: [email protected]

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Photo Credit: David Barton
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11/08/2026

Join SFVAS for an evening of birding and brews at our Almost Turkey Day Birds & B**r! 🍂🦃🍺

Catch the sunset on a scenic walk around Lake Balboa and Bull Creek as we scout for Hooded Mergansers. Afterward, we will gather at the Best Ball Bar at Woodley Lakes Golf Course at 6:00 PM for appetizers, drinks, and socializing. 🦆🍻

We also have a collection of donated bird books to give away for free, first come, first served. Have books or bird gear to swap? Bring them along! 📚🌿

🗓 Wednesday, November 18
⏰ 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Meet at the Woodley Lakes Golf Course flagpole (6331 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406)
👟 Sturdy shoes, warm layers, water, binoculars, and a flashlight are recommended!

Event is free, though donations are appreciated. Please RSVP (link below) for headcount and weather updates. 🍂✨

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2004135386892?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Photo Credit: Pat Bates
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11/07/2026

Explore the diverse habitats of O'Melveny Park, from orange groves and sycamores to chaparral and riparian areas in Bee Canyon.

As the last rest stop for birds migrating north over the Santa Susana Mountains, this is an excellent migrant trap!

The outing is approximately two-thirds accessible on manicured lawns before transitioning to hillside trails. Those who prefer not to hike can relax on shaded benches or conclude their outing at the midway point.

📅 November 17
🕣 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
📍 O'Melveny Park (17300 Sesnon Blvd. Granada Hills, CA 91344) Meet in parking lot.

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Photo Credit: David Barton
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11/05/2026

Looking for a peaceful way to kick off your Sunday? Join us for a leisurely morning exploring the beautiful oak woodlands, chaparral slopes, and scenic landscapes of Malibu Creek State Park!

Whether you're an experienced birder or just love being out in nature, this walk is the perfect chance to spot some of the park’s 200+ bird species and local wildlife.

🗓️ When: November 15
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
🏷️ Cost: $12 per car
📍 Where: Malibu Creek State Park (1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas). Meet at the main parking lot (lower day-use parking).

Grab your binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes, and come enjoy a morning in the great outdoors! 🥾🦉

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Photo Credit: David Barton
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11/05/2026

This month's Beginner Bird Walk has been canceled. We hope to see you at next month's walk and/or one of our many other upcoming events!

11/04/2026

Get your hands dirty for a great cause!

Join SFVAS and our partners, Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), for our monthly Habitat Restoration efforts in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.

We gather to work, w**d, and help restore this vital habitat.
After the work is done, enjoy an Audubon guided bird walk!

📅 November 14 | 🕗 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
📍 Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, 6350 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91436

Volunteer walk leaders always needed!

11/02/2026

Slow down and connect with nature through mindful birding.

Instead of chasing lists or covering miles, find a comfortable spot to sit, observe, and truly notice the details and behavior patterns of the birds around you.

Bring your binoculars, a journal, something to write or draw with, and a beverage/snack and join us for a peaceful morning in nature.

📅 November 12 | 🕙 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 17300 Sesnon Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344. Meet at the picnic tables near the restrooms.

**Limited to 10 people.**

Contact one of our leaders to reserve your spot:
• Teri Carnesciali: [email protected]
• Mary Lou Sharp: [email protected]

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Photo Credit: David Barton
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11/01/2026

SFVAS's Bird of the Month for November is the California quail!

If you spend any time hiking around Los Angeles, you've probably seen California quail. These plump, ground-dwelling birds with their distinctive bobbing head plumes are common in local coastal sage scrub and chaparral, including Griffith Park, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the San Gabriel foothills.

For most of the year, they travel in groups called coveys, foraging for seeds, greens, and insects. They're strong runners and prefer sprinting into the brush in single file over flying.While the group feeds, a sentinel bird typically perches on a nearby fence post or branch, calling out a three-note whistle that sounds like "Chi-ca-go."

In spring, pairs separate to nest on the ground beneath low shrubs.
Clutches are large, often a dozen eggs or more, and the chicks are mobile within hours of hatching, following their parents immediately.

Fun Fact: California designated this species as the official state bird in 1931.

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Photos by David Barton
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11/01/2026

Join us for a morning of birding in the heart of the city! 🌿🦆

Discover Franklin Canyon with a relaxed stroll through chaparral and riparian habitats down to the waterside. These diverse environments attract a vibrant mix of woodland residents and migratory waterbirds, making it a great outing for birders of all experience levels.

📅 Date: Sunday, November 8

⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

📍 Location: Meet at the parking lot next to the Eugene and Michael Stern Visitor Center (2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210)

🎒 What to Bring: Binoculars, sturdy walking shoes, water, and sun protection

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Photo Credit: Susan White
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Address

Van Nuys, CA

Website

http://www.sfvaudubon.org/

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