Mount Diablo Bird Alliance

11/05/2026

Migration is in full swing! A recent Mount Diablo Bird Alliance field trip to San Joaquin County yielded 61 species of birds observed, including the beauties seen here. Check out our upcoming field trips and join the fun!

Photos (all by Ron Halsne): Sandhill Crane, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Red-shouldered Hawk, Wood Ducks

11/04/2026

‘Birding Mt. Wanda’: Field Trip Report, Sept. 19: A beautiful morning brought 10 birders to Mt. Wanda in Martinez, including 1 new MDBA member. We had good looks at multiple Acorn Woodpeckers carrying their namesake nuts to the many granary trees. We watched 2 Brown Creepers maneuvering up tree trunks. A Red-shouldered Hawk was found very close to the main fire road trail. We did see the Great-horned Owl who habitually roosts in one spot on the Nature Trail. The highlight of the day was the excellent view of a beautiful Townsend's Warbler in the oak branches hanging over the trail. 26 species were recorded for the outing.
-Trip Leader Cheryl Abel
Photos: Acorn Woodpeckers, Great-horned Owl, Brown Creeper: Isaac Aronow. Townsend Warbler: Jerry Britten

10/31/2026

Happy Owl-oween!

Have an owl itch that needs scratching? We're here to help.

10/29/2026

Because you love ALL pollinators!

https://portal.caclimateactioncorps.org/opportunities/plfGKQV17Y?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1644347768137772891&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXr9BLz0nJ08vM10%2FVj0wNKgkN87esNE%2ByrytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsnXOKMrPTQUACwHpeDkAAAA%3D

10/27/2026

Benny Jacobs-Schwartz is a world-renowned bird guide, a highly entertaining speaker, and an amazing photographer! Join us Thurs Nov 5 as he presents “Amazonia Untamed: Tails from the Jungle” at our free monthly program. The Amazon Basin is the largest and most biodiverse rainforest on Earth - a living mosaic of flooded forests, shifting islands, and towering canopy — home to jaguars, harpy eagles, river dolphins, and 600 bird species.
Doors open 6:30, program at 7 pm. Camellia Room, Gardens at Heather Farm, 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek. Bring your own mug for coffee or tea, and refreshments to share if you like. Free; free parking.
Info: https://mtdiablobirds.org/event/monthly-program-nov2026/
Photos: Hoatzin, Benny: copyright © Benny Jacobs-Schwartz

10/26/2026

Do less work - grow more butterflies! "Leave the leaves!"
The fallen leaf layer isn't dead, it’s full of life! Butterflies, bumble bees and salamanders depend on the leaf layer, which nurtures beneficial insects that birds feed to their young in the spring.
When you rake up and toss your leaves, you are throwing away up to half of your springtime butterflies! Just clear 'em off your walks and lawn, and spread them on your beds.

Celebrate National Leave the Leaves Month! Learn how strategic placement of leaves and debris can benefit wildlife, save money, and reduce landfill waste.

10/23/2026

Members’ Favorite Field Trip - McNabney & Moorhen Marshes in Martinez + Intro to the CBC, Nov 18, 8 am. Just across 680 from each other, Waterbird Regional Preserve’s McNabney Marsh and Mt. View Sanitary’s marvelous natural-habitat water reclamation facility provide dependable views of resident and winter ducks, waders, herons, yellowthroats, raptors, pelicans, passerines, and the conflicting non-native Mute Swan. We’ll also provide an intro to the Christmas Bird Counts in Dec, in case you’d like to help us spot birds in this Audubon Society 100-year-old annual survey. Easy, flat hike under a mile total. Leader: Matthew Tarlach. For more info and to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birding-mvsd-and-mcnabney-marsh-tickets-2003550052140

10/23/2026

With their cheeky mohawks.

Many of the thousands of birds that showed up this summer were probably born here. That’s new.

10/22/2026

California BOTY!

After weeks of fierce competition between eight remarkable birds and plenty of heated campaigning, Audubon California has crowned its Bird of the Year!

10/21/2026

And a real concern about poisoned rats.

Residents and tourists have been reveling in the company of its latest celebrities: A family of barn owls nested in a water tower atop a building near Central Park.