Mount Diablo Bird Alliance

08/26/2026

Speak up against a "special exemption" from CEQA environmental rules, for ertain "advanced technologies" (like microchip factories)...the most likely industries to commit harm on our lands, wildlife, waters and open space!

A harmful loophole in California’s environmental law could expose communities, birds, and sensitive habitats to toxic industrial activities without adequate safeguards. Tell your legislators to support SB 954 and restore commonsense protections for communities and the environment.

08/20/2026

And we’re back from summer vacation! Mount Diablo Bird Alliance will meet Thursday, September 3 in the Camellia Room at the Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.

Ron Graydon’s program on Lime Ridge Open Space will focus on the Northern Concord section of the Lime Ridge Open Space. It will include the geologic formation of the Diablo Range, and specifically Lime Ridge. The program will also include the human history of the Diablo Valley, including Lime Ridge, human impact, natural history and ecology. Finally, Ron will discuss the Friends of Lime Ridge, and their efforts toward ecological restoration.

Photos: Ron Graydon

08/15/2026

We're back in session Thurs Sept 3rd! Ron Graydon presents a program on Lime Ridge Open Space. Ron, who has who has over 50 years experience in environmental education and activism, will cover the geology, human impact, natural history and ecology, plus restoration work by the Friends of Lime Ridge, who plant Oaks and Buckeyes, develop native plant gardens, install Bluebird nesting boxes, and conduct nature walks and invasive plant removals.
Doors open 6:30 Thurs, Sept 3, Camellia Room, Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Dr, WC. Free and open to all; no registration required. Free Parking. BYO mug for coffee or tea. Photos: Ron Graydon

08/12/2026

Fall birding gets underway with an easy flat Field Trip to Jewel Lake in Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park, Thurs. Sept. 3! We'll walk along Wildcat Creek hoping for fall warblers, Red-Breasted and Pygmy Nuthatch, maybe a Pacific Wren. Open to all; great for beginning birders. Leader: Matt Tarlach. Limit: 15 participants. Register below, then meet at parking lot at the end of Central Park Drive in Tilden Regional Park at 7:30 am. Bring snacks and water.
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tilden-nature-area-berkeley-tickets-1989744347907

08/04/2026

This little Burrowing Owl is here to wish you a happy Owl Awareness Day! One of the ways Mount Diablo Bird Alliance helps owls is by sponsoring nest boxes for Northern Saw-whet Owls and Barn Owls. 🦉

Also, we’ll be returning from our summer vacation soon, so stay tuned for more info on upcoming events!

Photo: J Layton

07/17/2026

Join us in Bodega Bay! Free Field Trip Sat. Aug. 22, 9 AM to 3 PM. Enjoying the fresh sea air, we'll stop at several points to look for shorebirds, including Black Oystercatcher and Surfbird, as well as terns, gulls, cormorants, near-shore pelagics and more. Bring liquids, a picnic lunch, and sunscreen. A flat, moderate walk at several car stops. Leader: Matt Tarlach. Meet at the back deck at The Tides Restaurant. GPS: 38.3284021500329, -123.04468508653804.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants. Non-MDBA members are welcome, with pre-registration.
Register HERE: Join us in Bodega Bay – free Field Trip Sat. Aug. 22, 9 AM to 3 PM. Enjoying the fresh sea air, we'll stop at several points around Bodega Bay to look for shorebirds, including Black Oystercatcher and Surfbird, as well as terns, gulls, cormorants, near-shore pelagics and more. Bring liquids, a picnic lunch, and sunscreen. A flat, moderate walk at several car stops. Leader: Matt Tarlach. Meet at the back deck at The Tides Restaurant. GPS: 38.3284021500329, -123.04468508653804.
This field trip is limited to 20 participants. Non-MDBA members are welcome, with pre-registration.
Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-bodega-bay-registration-1989743730059

07/02/2026

We are on summer vacation! There won’t be any monthly meetings in July or August, but we do have a few field trips on the calendar. We’ll be back to our usual monthly meetings the first Thursday of September.

Photo:
Red-shouldered Hawk at Heather Farm Park (J Layton)

06/16/2026

Field Trip Report: Bridgeway Island, West Sacramento, Winter 2026. Despite the fog, we spotted a total of 56 species. Highlights included 2 Osprey, well over 100 Cedar Waxwings feeding in a tree, and 3 Blue-winged Teal. Black-crowned Night Herons were spotted in the reeds, and we heard 2 Sora call from different locations. Many Marsh Wrens and Song Sparrows were seen or heard. And 2 brilliant male Common Yellowthroats---always a fine bird to see. About 1/2 mile away at Bridgeway Lakes Community Park, we enjoyed watching several dozen Double-crested Cormorants swimming and diving. 2 Common Mergansers joined them in cooperative feeding. We searched for the Tropical Kingbirds reported at a nearby pond, but without luck. We did have nice views of a Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, and Western Bluebirds. One "mystery bird" was only ID'd after we returned home and viewed images: a young Horned Lark. When the skies finally cleared we saw several skeins of Greater White-fronted Geese high above us, flying in V-formations and vocalizing. It was a great day! Report by trip leader Mona Lange. Thanks to Isaac Aronow for sharing his images of a Cedar Waxwing and the Horned Lark.
Ebird trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/470437?welcome=true
Come along on one of our free Field Trips soon! See “Upcoming” at

06/16/2026

It looked very much like a bird itself.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/04/science/microraptor-fossil-northwestern-china?utm_source=cnn_Evening+Newsletter+-+Monday%2C+June+15%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=yI3ln%2BwQrIiKGF0%2BvO%2BqD0fEm54n%2FC8yNP2Y3mgXs5pLxhDfpFbQlNhd2VciOZ36&bt_ts=1781558162545