Welcome to the Flyway Festival January 2017 natural world. We gate on the Trail every Dear Flyway Festival Friends: are one, together. night. Because I promised myself I In nature it is not us would always do that. It’s stopping to Each fall for 21 years, it has and them. It is we. say a blessing and prayer of been my duty to take some time to We are with her. protection for our Preserve as I head reflect and write an invitation, and as Together, we live home each night. It’s purposefully the years have collected, an upon this sacred putting myself on the trail, on the inspiration, for you to join us at our land. We share the bench, timing my walk to alight on the annual migration celebration. I wrote forests, the hilltop overlooking San Pablo Bay to you in November with best Photo: Red-shouldered hawk on lightning rod, grasslands, the precisely at sunset, turning towards intentions to post them “early”, but as Preserve, waterways and that avian voice in the tree, watching usual, I’ve savored my words till now. Bill George bays, the skies and for those who come to the pond now, I awaken in the Preserve’s new door. Branches unmoving, glowing the quiet ravines and majestic vista and who arrives later, glancing up to yurt camp to the insistent call of a fog green in the muted light. points. We are connected, rooted, see the flock of geese above and horn coupled with a “flicker” hopping I intended to stay the night for tied, woven to the land and its waters. gazing the direction they fly until they and flying near and calling its own this purpose. To awaken to the subtly Yet like the fog that blankets the land disappear. Counting rainbows warning as a red-shouldered hawk of this mysterious and magic land. So and envelops me this fall morning, throughout the rainy, showery also insistently calls, maybe even that I might commune with it, cherish and the spider webs that appear October day. These are the ways in louder than the others combined. The its beauty and give it voice. For it is everywhere, it is our choosing to be which we remind ourselves that we tule fog hangs low on the land. On the once again that season immersed, baptized in the experience are in our own nature. trek to the of who we are, where we belong, that when like the fog horns and Through these small daily bathroom, I brings to us a reminder of our ancient trains and calls and tweets reminders we celebrate the wonder of notice that the ancestral being. I believe we come and twits of wild visitors, the our being wildly human. I pray for the world around me together during the Flyway Festival Flyway Festival calls to me grace and courage to in these is a sea of spider each season seeking our true more and more insistently. awkward times, continue to make the webs–wetted by humanness in our shared Our annual gathering at the time myself, to be that wild, soulful the fog, they experiences, on a morning walk on peak of migration when we human and I hope that you will find in glow. What was the wild side, transfixed as we view celebrate together the the Flyway Festival this season, your a coast live oak, thousands of ducks on a pond, in the Photo: Mare Island Preserve vibrance of our Bay teaming own momentary spirit-filled path and is now much Bill George company of a master guide, focused with migrants from the north and from flight, to the extraordinary, the more. It is a loom on which to weave and alerted to the potential to see a the south, reminds us of how we are majestic, the magical: nature’s way. ten thousand webs. The chain link inspired by the opportunities the hawk...we seek the divine in ourselves Will you join us this year as a fence separating Navy’s land from our Flyway Festival gives us to discover by passing through that veil of fog, Flyway Festival exhibitor? Will you wildlands park, is a perfect spider for ourselves a little of this mysterious stepping closer to the Bay’s edge, in support the Flyway Festival with your web framework. Even the picnic journeying. hopes of connecting we with tabletop is joined to its bench with the they...celestial visitors in the skies and donations of cash and auction/raffle invisible made visible this dampened I think of how much richer we are afloat on the waters. items? Will you tell your friends, co- morning. And, now just a few pacific for our ambassadors of the wild workers and family about the Flyway Like I purposely come to the yurt chorus frogs raise their voices in calls kingdom in so many hundreds of Festival? Will you volunteer? camp for the night, to find my own one to another from various forms, colors, and styles, who come Call/text or email either Sarah voice among the wild voices, I believe triangulations from the yurt. here to our estuary for a time on their 510-579-1008[sarahcainflywayfest@g the Flyway Festival serves in that life’s flight. We are better for their mail.com] or me 707-249-9633 Over it all, is the fog horn and same way; we come together to be annual migratory visits. We are made [[email protected]] with like the frogs, others call in the touched and awed by glimpses of more whole and reminded of our tie to questions and suggestions. Whatever distance, as a fast moving train calls who we are because of who we meet– the otherworldly, as humans in a way you can, please help us ensure too, as it passes through Crockett migrating. We are better people our 20th Flyway Festival is a great across the because we have mingled for a event. We are most grateful. . moment with the mystical. A cacophony of Warmly, Over these 21 seasons insistent sounds together, I have found myself of morning growing more spiritual. More Myrna Hayes wildness and Thanks to our Host Sponsor awed in my journey. Since Festival Director and Co-founder warning. Yet, I volunteer managing the Mare Mare Island Heritage Trust feel safe and 707-249-9633 Island Preserve, I have had to calm. Deeply, and SFBayFlywayFestival.com learn much more about and lean as dense as the more on faith. There are lessons fog lying low, safe Please make your donation to the one learns from time spent Flyway Festival payable to: and at peace. mindfully in the natural world. It’s That is the nature Mare Island Heritage Trust orienting to that frog voice, now, of nature. All is 816 Branciforte St. so quiet and tentative, other still. The coast Vallejo, CA 94590 times strident and way out there. live oaks sweep or to make a contribution by credit It’s taking one deep purposeful to touch the old card visit: sfbayflywayfestival.com breath through my nose to sense tennis court Click on the DONATE button or give the odor of the night as I lock the outside my open at the Flyway Festival Wildlife and Birding Expo and Mare Island Outings Friday, February 10, Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 Friday, February 10 2:30-3:30pm 8:00am-6:00pm Learn about the History of the Mare Island Naval Hospital San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by Complex in a PowerPoint Discussion at the Wildlife Expo Repeats Saturday 2:00pm and Sunday 10:00am Weston Solutions, Inc. Join Dr. Tom Snyder, retired Navy surgeon and founder/past Repeats Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-6:00pm executive director of the Society for the History of Navy Medicine for a Explore the wetland and bay habitats of Mare Island on a self-guided presentation featuring the fascinating history of the Navy’s first wildlife viewing trail. From Building 221, turn north on Walnut Ave., then hospital in the Pacific, closed in 1957 and now part of the campus of left on A St. if walking to the trailhead. If driving, park in the gravel Touro University. Join Dr. Snyder for a tour of the historic hospital parking lot at the end of A St. Entrance on Azuar Dr. at A St. campus immediately following his talk. 9:00am – 6:00pm See below for Hospital grounds outing directions Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk 3:45pm – 4:30pm Repeats Saturday and Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm Tour the Hallowed Grounds of the Historic Mare Island Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile Naval Hospital Complex paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop Repeats Saturday, 3:15pm and Sunday, 11:15am scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The Directions: park in Touro University Library parking lot,1545 Azuar Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash. Dr. near the corner of 15th St. and Azuar Dr. Meet at the entrance to the Library on Moises Way, on the west side of the Library in front of the Directions: From the Mare Island entrance at Tennessee and Hospital grounds. Dr. Snyder will be recognizable by his Panama hat! Mare Island Way, continue to Azuar Dr. Turn left 2.5 miles. Continue beyond gate to Visitor Center. From Marin or Napa take the Mare Prior to the guided walks Dr. Snyder will give a PowerPoint discussion about Island exit off of Hwy 37 and follow Walnut Ave. south to stop sign at the history of the hospital, Friday, February 10, 2:30pm, Saturday February 11, “G” St. Turn right one block to Azuar Dr. Follow directions above. 2:00pm and Sunday, February 12,10:00am at Building 221, the Wildlife Expo. From the Festival headquarters continue south on Walnut Ave. Turn 5:00pm – 8:00pm right on Kansas St one block to Azuar Dr. Turn left approx. 2 miles. Festival and Art Exhibit Opening Reception 10:00am - 2:00pm Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Art Exhibit Tour of the Mare Island Museum Building 221, 880 Walnut Ave., Mare Island, Vallejo Repeats Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm Preview fine art, sample wines of the region and beyond, and enjoy Directions: The Museum is located in Building 46. Entrance across good company and food thanks to generous wine and food from Alden Park at 8th St. and Railroad Ave. Donation: $4 per person. contributors at the opening of the Flyway Festival and its Fine Art Exhibit with our Opening Reception and Festival Host, Weston 10:30am-12:30pm Solutions, Inc. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the artists at Hike the Historic Southshore with Robin Leong, Napa-Solano Audubon Society and Mare Island Preserve field guide our opening reception. Much of the art in our show is for sale. As one of Repeats Saturday, 9:00am-11:15am and Sunday 9:30am-11:15am the finest all nature art shows in the region, our Friday evening opening is a good time to consider an art purchase and help keep the Festival Hike along the Historic Southshore of the 160 year old Mare free. Arrange your purchase with the artists directly this evening. Island Naval Ammunition Depot to Pier 35 for great views of the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait and a chance to see waterfowl, hawks Festival Host Lennar and osprey on and over the and great blue herons on their ($2,000 and up) Mare Island, nests, already. Visit the Mare Island Naval Cemetery dating from 1858. Weston Solutions, Inc. Level 4-mile walk on paved and gravel roads. Meet: Preserve visitor Festival Friends LLC center parking area. Info: Wally Lennar Mare Island In-kind ($50 to $249) NeVille, 707-315-3545. Barry Christian Major Sponsors Directions in the 9:00am Congressman Mike Thompson in-kind description above ($1,000 and up) Eagle Optics 1:45pm – 4:45pm Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District Robin Leong Mare Island Birding Hot Spots Marcia Grefsrud Tour meets at Wildlife Expo Vallejo Watershed Alliance Wally NeVille and Robin Marin Audubon Society Friends of San Pablo Bay Leong, Napa-Solano Audubon Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition Photo: red-tailed hawk on lightning rod, National Wildlife Refuge Society field trip leaders Mare Island Preserve, Bill George Out of this World Binoculars In-kind Get to know what's on Mare Island. Stroll amongst "Captain's Join Venture Row", Alden Park, and the grounds around St. Peter's Chapel. Learn Festival Supporters Sierra Club Solano Group ($500 to $999) about the people, it's historic buildings, the trees, avian fauna, and The Unconventional Garden, Vallejo possibly, monarch butterflies. Visit the San Pablo Bay Trail with Astro Botanicals In-Kind Thomas Snyder, M.D. pickleweed and saltmarshes, prime salt marsh harvest mouse and Small Business Outsource In- Vaca Valley Volks clapper rail habitat. Always lots of waterfowl in San Pablo kind Vallejo Heights Neighborhood Association Bay and in the pond near the trailhead. No facilities. Meet at the Suburban Kiwanis Vallejo Wildlife Expo, Building 221, 880 Walnut Ave. to form carpools. If you Moschetti Coffee Roasting Vallejo People’s Garden have a “walkie-talkie” tune to 11-22 the bird channel. Vino Godfather Mare Island in-kind Wildlife Expo and Mare Island Outings, Saturday, Feb 11 Saturday, February 11 9:30am – 3:30pm Come Aboard USS LCS 102 WWII Landing Craft Visit the Wildlife Expo Flyway Festival headquarters Support Gunboat Come in from the great outdoors to our WILDLIFE EXPO 9:00am to Location: Berth 6, A St @ Nimitz Ave. Mare Island 4:00pm Saturday and Sunday at Building 221, 880 Walnut Ave. on Mare Island is home to the last of its kind of the 130 boats built Mare Island with more than 60 exhibitors, presenters, and art, jewelry for this purpose during WWII. Tours are free, donations appreciated. and birding supply vendors. Your purchase of art and your bids in our Directions: From the Building 221 Wildlife Expo: Turn left(east) silent auction, and donations all help keep our Festival wild and free. from Walnut Ave. onto Connolly St. Follow Connolly St. eastbound to 8:00am-6:00pm Nimitz Ave. Turn left. Continue on Nimitz Ave. to A St. Turn right to Berth San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by 6. From G. St/Causeway: Turn onto Nimitz Ave. Turn left at A St. Weston Solutions, Inc. 9:45am-11:15am Repeats Friday and Sunday 8:00am-6:00pm Beginning Birding for All Ages in the Mare See Friday 8:00am description and directions Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve 9:00am–11:15am Leader: Wally NeVille, Napa-Solano Audubon Society Hike the Mare Island Historic Southshore and Mare Island Preserve Field Guide. No matter what Mare Island Preserve Field Guide Marcia Grefsrud is your birding skill level, take advantage of this special enthusiastic, knowledgeable and fun! Hike along the opportunity for a morning of learning how to look for birds Historic Southshore of the former Mare Island Naval in the sky and in forested areas and grasslands of the Ammunition Depot -160 years this year - for great views of Mare Island Preserve. the Carquinez Strait and a chance to see waterfowl, hawks See Friday 9:00am Mare Island Outing directions and great blue herons making nests, already. Meet: Preserve visitor center parking area. Bring water and 9:45am-11:15am snacks. No facilities, group must stay together, entering San Pablo Bay Walking Trail locked gates; prompt departure. Call Myrna 707-249-9633 Beginning Birding Outing or Sarah 510-579-1008. Leader: Michele Troughton field guide Views of San Pablo Bay, Mt. Tamalpais and Sonoma See Friday 9:00am for directions to the Mare Island Mountain. Seasonal wetlands with ducks, egrets and shorebirds. A Preserve good chance of spotting raptors in the sky and trees. Spend an hour 9:00am - 4:00pm with Michele, then continue on along the levee-top trail, if desired. American Volkssport Association 5k and 10k Volkswalk Directions: Meet at the trailhead at the west end of A Street off Repeats Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm Azuar Dr. From Flyway Festival Wildlife Expo, turn north onto Walnut Hosted by the Vaca Valley Volks chapter, a walking club, one of Ave, then turn left at A St. Continue across Azuar Dr. 3/4 mile on many in the United States and worldwide. Participate individually or gravel road to parking lot and trailhead. with friends. Anyone can walk the route at no charge, but all walkers 10:00am-2:00pm must register at the Wildlife Expo. Start 9am-12noon Saturday Open Tour at the Vallejo People’s Garden on Mare Island and/or Sunday. Start by 12noon. Finish by 4pm. Club members will Repeats Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm explain the activities available and provide information about Vaca Are you a seasoned, new or ‘wanna be’ gardener? Need ideas or Valley Volks club and volkssport activities. Visit VacaVolks.org. Call inspiration for your garden? Come and visit the Vallejo People's Howard McGill at 707-447-9431 or email: [email protected] Self- Garden! See what you can grow this season, learn ways to attract guided walks in the central portion of Mare Island, historic housing, St. beneficial insects to help grow your garden, or just come check us out! Peter’s Chapel and on the San Pablo Bay Trail, with options to trek to Directions: Corner of East Poplar Ave. at Oscar St. one block off the military cemetery and the highest point on Mare Island. Distances Azuar Dr. just south of the stoplight at Kansas St./Flagship Dr. on Mare vary from 5 kilometers to 11 kilometers [3 to 6 miles]. Takes place in all Island. Electronic directions: https://youtu.be/gALiu_6lAg0 weather. Note: Volkswalks are not sponsored by the Flyway Festival. 10:00am - 4:00pm 9:00am – 4:00pm Tour of the Mare Island Museum Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Fine Art Exhibit Repeats Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm Art Exhibition, Building 221, Wildlife Expo Directions: The Museum is located in Building 46. Entrance across Repeats Friday 5:00-8:00pm and Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm from Alden Park at 8th St. and Railroad Ave. Donation: $4 per person. See Friday 5:00pm description 10:30am - 11:30am Beginning Birding Basics–Bird ID and Books, Wildlife Expo 9:00am – 6:00pm Repeats Sunday, 1:00pm Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Self-guided Walk [Note: Saturday, 1:30pm and Sunday, 2:30pm How to choose and Repeats Friday and Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm use optics followed by a brief field visit to practice skills, all Walk or bike at your own pace as far as you like on the 1.3 mile presentations given at the Wildlife Expo] paved road with 14 points of interest along the route to the hilltop Presenter: Michelle Eliker, Owner, The Unconventional Garden in scenic vista an beyond. Stop at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The downtown Vallejo Visitor Center is open. Dogs are allowed on leash. Stay late Sat. night A gracious and knowledgeable birding and nature enthusiast, Michelle 6:30pm-8:30pm “Almost Full Moon viewing party” with Erik will discuss how to select and use bird ID books, give tips for easier Halberstadt. See description in schedule, Saturday 6:30pm. bird identification and suggest what supplies to include in a birding kit. See Friday 9:00am for directions to the Mare Island Preserve Wildlife Expo and Mare Island Outings, Saturday, Feb. 11 cont’d. Saturday, February 11, cont’d. 1:30pm-2:30pm How to choose and use bird viewing optics 11:00am – 12:00noon followed by a brief field visit to practice skills, Wildlife Expo Dinosaurs All Around Us: Exploring Evolution, Wildlife Expo Repeats Sunday, 2:30pm Repeats Sunday 11:00am-12:00noon [Note: Saturday, 10:30am and Sunday, 1:00pm, Beginning Birding Critters of all ages are invited to travel through time, be Basics–Bird ID and Books, Wildlife Expo also with Michelle Eliker] scientists, and shake their tail feathers with Meriel Melendrez Mees Presenter: Michelle Eliker, Owner, The Unconventional Garden, Vallejo of Little Bird Gardening. Let's find out how birds evolved, and how A gracious and knowledgeable birding and nature enthusiast, we know that. Bring your biggest questions and your favorite bird Michelle will demonstrate how to choose and use binoculars and song. Fact finding and checking on smartphones is encouraged. scopes, followed immediately by a brief field visit from 2:45-3:30pm [#vallejo #flywayfestival #littlebirdgardening] at the pond on the San Pablo Bay Trail to practice your skills. 11:00am – 3:00pm See Saturday 1:00pm Mare Island Outing directions Tour St. Peter’s Chapel 2:00pm-3:00pm Repeats Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm Osprey in San Francisco Bay– the first St. Peter’s Chapel, the oldest Navy chapel built in 1900, is five years of nesting data, Wildlife Expo home to the most Tiffany glass under one roof in the West. Tony Brake, Raptor Observatory Directions: Park across from Chapel Park located at the volunteer Bay Osprey Project Coordinator, south end of Walnut Ave beyond Captain’s Row mansions reports on ospreys in the Bay focusing on the (right turn at end of Captain’s Row onto alley, then left turn and explosion of nest sites in Richmond to 15 in left turn again, onto Walnut Ave northbound to parking lot). 2016, up from 3 in 2014. He discusses both $4.00 per person Photo: Hank Miller, osprey Napa River nesting osprey site expansion and challenges 11:30am - 12:30pm on San Francisco and San Pablo Bay. Native Bird Connections Raptor Show “Amazing Raptors” 2:00pm-3:00pm Wildbird Show Stage, Wildlife Expo Learn about the History of the Mare Island Naval Hospital Presenter: Jenny Papka, Co-Director and Curator Complex in a PowerPoint Discussion, Wildlife Expo Repeats Sunday 11:30am Repeats Friday 2:30pm and Sunday 10:00am Join Native Bird Connections for a journey into the world of See Friday 2:30pm description raptors or birds of prey. The fun, informative and spontaneous Join Dr. Snyder for a tour of the historic hospital campus presentation, strives to provide an experience of “seeing through immediately following his talks. See Friday 3:45pm Mare Island Outings for directions the eyes of the birds”. It will feature several live, non releasable wild raptors and a raffle of re-purposed bird feeders and other items. 2:30pm-3:30pm Bring your camera and questions! Jenny has been a wildlife Mare Island San Pablo Bay Trail Birdwalk educator and in the field of captive raptor management for 25 years with Wally NeVille, Napa-Solano Audubon Society field guide and has experience with 35 species of raptors in captivity. Views of San Pablo Bay, Mt. Tamalpais and Sonoma Mountain. Seasonal wetlands with ducks, egrets and shorebirds. A good 12noon-2:00pm chance of spotting raptors in the sky and trees. Mare Island Naval Cemetery Docent-led History Tour See Saturday, 9:45am directions Trail entrance Azuar Dr. & A St. Join Cemetery Docent Kyle Green at the US Navy’s oldest 2:30pm–3:30pm cemetery in the Pacific. Learn about this military cemetery founded Backyard Birdwatching and Feeding, Wildlife Expo in 1858, where sailors, marines, nurses and doctors, entire families, Repeats Sunday, 10:30am naval personnel from foreign countries and Medal of Honor Presenter: Michael Eliot, Wildbirds Unlimited, Pleasant Hill, will recipients have found their final resting place. describe birds that will come to feeders and those that don't; give See Friday Mare Island Outings 9:00am directions examples of typical bird feeders, bird food, and accessories; and 1:00pm – 2:00pm provide tips on where to place feeders and how to protect them Alaska’s Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge: Feeding the from weather and pests. Hands-on demo: bird feeder cleaning and Flyways, Sustaining the Residents, Wildlife Expo maintenance. Handouts: birds you will see and products you can Repeats Sunday 1:00pm use to create bird feeding stations. Presenters: Nathan Hawkaluk, Deputy 3:00pm-3:30pm Refuge Manager, Heather Bartlett, History of the Ladybug/The Best Lady Bug House, Wildlife Refuge Specialist and Julie Wildlife Expo Mahler, Rural resident of the Yukon Flats Learn from JP Pavon about the methodical, logical, organized, and Each autumn, millions of migratory systematic evolutional growth of the "Ladybug" from the first birds that nest and raise their young on Paleontologists-Entomologists, newfound “Archaeladybug” to the Flats disperse, spreading across latest man-made species. JP’s narrative is based on his sister’s much of the globe to be shared and death from “Cancer”. His quest to find the cause, led him to return enjoyed by countless others who Photo: Canvasback duck, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Staff to his childhood love of “Ladybugs”. Natural predators, ladybugs appreciate wildlife and wild places. Come feast on pests. Their use instead of toxic chemicals could both learn from Refuge staff about how these migratory birds connect protect wildlife and our sources of water – for migrating birds, other Alaska with California and the San Pablo Bay. wildlife and humans and reduce the threat of “Cancer”. Wildlife Expo and Mare Island Outings Saturday, Feb 11, cont’d. and Sunday Feb. 12 Saturday, February 11, cont’d. Sunday, February 12, cont’d. 3:30pm–7:00pm 9:30am-11:15am Re:Sound migration Hike the Historic Southshore with volunteer Mare Island Join Jen Boyd and guest sound artists at an unique venue, Building Preserve Outing Guide Gordon McMahon Repeats Friday 10:30am-12:30pm and Saturday 9:00am-11:15am A-168 Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve for an afternoon of Hike along the Historic Southshore of Mare Island to Pier 35 for sound and video featuring artists form the . great views of the San Pablo Bay and Carquinez Strait. Good chance Ashley Bellouin (Oakland) http://ashleybellouin.com to see waterfowl, hawks and nesting great blue herons. Level, 4-mile Michele Seippel (San Francisco) http://micheleseippel.com roundtrip on gravel road. Info: Gordon McMahon, 707-758-0393. Joshua Churchill + Paul Clipson (San Francisco) See Friday 9:00am directions and 10:30am description http://www.joshuachurchill.com/0.html and http:// www.withinmirrors.org/installations/index.html 10:00am–11:00am Re:sound is an experimental music series launched at the 2015 Learn about the History of the Mare Island Naval Hospital Flyway Festival that focuses on exploring the relationship between Complex in a PowerPoint Discussion, Wildlife Expo forgotten spaces and the natural environment. The concrete munitions Repeats Friday 2:30pm and Saturday 2:00pm See Friday 2:30pm description storage magazine is 55'x100' with ceilings over 15', trapping sound, Tour the historic hospital campus immediately following Dr. Snyder’s resulting in a prolonged reverberation. Doors open at 3:00pm. $10 per talk, at 11:15am. Repeats Friday 3:45pm and Saturday, 3:15pm person donation. A percentage of the sales benefit the Mare Island See Friday 3:45pm Mare Island Outings for outing directions Shoreline Heritage Preserve. Advanced tickets at re-sound.net All ages welcome. Bring a blanket or chair. Contact: [email protected] 10:30am–11:30am See Friday Mare Island Outings 9:00am directions Backyard Birdwatching and Feeding, Wildlife Expo Repeats Saturday, 2:30-3:30pm 6:30pm - 8:30pm or later Presenter: Michael Eliot, Wildbirds Unlimited, Pleasant Hill “Very Informal” Moon Party: come for the birds, stay for the See Saturday 2:30pm description moon at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Preserve volunteer Erik Halberstadt, will host a nearly full moon 11:00am – 12:00noon viewing party–weather permitting. Calling all beginning astronomers. If Dinosaurs All Around Us: Exploring Evolution, Wildlife Expo you know something about the night sky plan to help out. Bring your Repeats Saturday 11:00am-12:00noon telescope or view through ours. If you’re into digiscoping, come out See Saturday 11:00am description earlier, as great blue herons are setting up housekeeping, and the 11:00am-3:00pm moon will be almost full. If it’s overcast, we’ll see what we can locate Open Tour at the Vallejo People’s Garden on Mare Island live online and display in the visitor center. Repeats Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm See Friday 9:00am directions to the Mare Island Preserve See Saturday 10:00am description and driving directions 11:00am – 3:00pm Sunday, February 12 Tour St. Peter’s Chapel, oldest Navy chapel and Tiffany glass 8:00am-6:00pm Repeats Saturday 11:00am-3:00pm San Pablo Bay Walking Trail Self-Guided Walk Hosted by See Saturday 11:00am directions and description Weston Solutions, Inc. 11:30am - 12:30pm Repeats Friday and Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm Native Bird Connections Raptor Show “Amazing Raptors” See Friday 8:00am description and directions Wildbird Show at the Wildlife Expo Repeats Saturday 11:30am 9:00am – 4:00pm See Saturday 11:30am description Bay Area Wetlands to Ridgetops Fine Art Exhibit, Wildlife Expo 12noon-2:00pm Repeats Friday 5:00-8:00pm and Saturday Mare Island Naval Cemetery Docent-led History Tour Repeats Saturday 12noon-2:00pm 9:00am-4:00pm See Friday 9:00am directions and Saturday, 12noon description See Friday 5:00pm description 1:00pm-2:00pm 9:00am - 4:00pm American Volkssport Association Alaska’s Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge: Feeding the 5k and 10k Volkswalk Flyways, Sustaining the Residents, Wildlife Expo Repeats Saturday 1:00pm Repeats Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm See Saturday 1:00pm description See Saturday 9:00am description and directions 1:00pm - 2:00pm Wildlife Expo 9:00am–6:00pm Beginning Birding Basics–Bird ID and Books, Repeats Saturday, 10:30am Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Photo: Bill George, [Note: Saturday, 1:30pm and Sunday, 2:30pm How to choose and Preserve Self-guided Walk Mare Island Preserve use optics followed by a brief field visit to practice skills Presenter: Repeats Friday and Sunday Michelle Eliker, Owner, The Unconventional Garden in downtown Vallejo See Friday 9:00am for description and directions See Saturday 10:30am description Wildlife Expo and Mare Island Outings Sunday Feb. 12 cont’d. and Regional Outings, Friday, Feb. 10 Sunday, February 12, cont’d. Wildlife Expo and Friday, February 10 Regional Outings Mare Island Outings 7:00am-6:00pm 1:00pm – 2:30pm Self-guided walk on Lower Tubbs Island and Walkin’ and Talkin’ ‘Bout the Bees at the Mare Island Preserve Trail Loop to San Pablo Bay – San Pablo Bay National Beekeeper and an owner of Bay Area Bee Company in Vallejo, Wildlife Refuge Repeats Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm Rokas Armonas, has been beekeeping since his teens. With a natural, The trail offers hiking, fishing, photography, wildlife viewing and biking hands-on and holistic approach, he cares for his hives with an eye opportunities. Parking lot is located at the trailhead. The Lower Tubbs toward organic, bee-friendly, human friendly and environmentally Island Trail loop is 8.15 miles. The trail may be quite muddy if it has rained. friendly methods. Join Rokas for a conversation about honeybees and Directions: Entrance to Trail is located off of east bound Highway 37, just related issues as you walk together to view actual hives on the east of the Highway 121/37 intersection in Sonoma County. Preserve. Things to be aware of: half-mile hike one way on paved and dirt surfaces with short climb up a grassy hillside; wear comfortable 7:00am – 6:00pm Self-guided walk on Sonoma Baylands Tidal Wetland Levee and appropriate footwear, sunscreen, insect protection; please remain Trail – San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge outside fenced-off hive area; Rokas will explain as he goes and carry Repeats Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm examples to the fence for viewing and discussion; your participation is Walk the levee trail along this wetland transition zone restoration of voluntary and you assume full responsibility for yourself; keep this in a 348 acre tidal marsh habitat constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of mind, if you are sensitive to honeybee stings (should one occur). Engineers in 1995. Directions: Turn south off Hwy 37 at Port Sonoma 2:00pm-3:00pm Marina, follow directional signs. Learn All About Osprey Nesting in San Francisco Bay and 7:00am – 6:00pm So Much More, Wildlife Expo – Diane Rooney, self-described Self-guided walk, bike or paddle on Cullinan Ranch Tidal Wetland Levee Trail – San Pablo Bay NWR “total ospreyholic!” returns to give a fascinating overview about “our Repeats Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm very own” osprey nesting on Mare Island and in San Francisco and San The Cullinan Ranch Restoration Project has restored over 1200 Pablo Bays. Diane presents an overview of her own comprehensive acres of tidal wetlands in the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. knowledge of osprey life from Maine to California and beyond. Following The site is now open to the public to explore on foot, bicycle or kayak. Diane’s presentation, take a 2-block guided outing to a nest site on a Thousands of ducks and geese raft-up on the tidal wetlands. nearby crane. Learn what you can do to help out with providing citizen Directions: From Vallejo, Solano and Contra Costa Counties science information for the team monitoring nest sites in the Bay. take Hwy 37 West 3.4 miles past the Mare Island exit ramp to the Cullinan Ranch Unit parking lot and trailhead. From Marin and Attend San Francisco Bay Osprey Days, June 9-11, 2017 Sonoma Counties take Hwy 37 east approximately 9 miles past the Learn about and see more ospreys on Mare Island and the Napa River Hwy 121 junction to the Mare Island exit. Veer left on the exit to the during the peak of nesting season. Headquartered at the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve visitor center with guided outings, boat trips, presentations, stopsign. Then turn left onto the overpass towards Hwy 37 West. The slide shows, a photography show, music and fish food – fish tacos, of course. parking lot and trailhead is 3.4 miles from the Mare Island overpass. 7:00am – 6:00pm 2:30pm-3:30pm Self-guided walk on Guadalcanal Village Wetland How to choose and use bird viewing optics, Wildlife Expo Restoration Trail – San Pablo Bay NWR followed by a brief field visit to practice skills Repeats Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm Repeats Saturday, 1:30pm View the Caltrans Guadalcanal Village wetland restoration on a [Note: Saturday, 10:30am and Sunday, 1:00pm, Beginning Birding short, flat, out and back trail. Basics–Bird ID and Books, Wildlife Expo also with Michelle Eliker] Driving Directions from Festival Wildlife Expo: Travel north on Presenter: Michelle Eliker, Owner, The Unconventional Garden Railroad Ave. to flashing stoplight at G St. Continue through the North 5:15pm-10:00pm Gate. Turn left onto overpass, then left into parking lot. Free Introductory Night Photography Workshop in the “Historic From Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano and Contra Costa Counties: Core” of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard With Tim Baskerville, take the Mare Island exit from Highway 37 to the parking lot on the Founder/Director of The Nocturnes north side of Highway 37. Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 7:00am-6:00pm established in 1854, was the first naval Self-guided walk at Green Island Unit, CA Dept Fish and facility on the Pacific Coast. At one point Wildlife Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area in its history, more than 40,000 men and Repeats Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-6:00pm women worked at the island’s drydocks, Walk the trails in the recently restored 1,400 acre Napa salt ponds. shops and warehouses, all making for Directions: From northbound Highway 29 in American Canyon, turn onto Paoli Loop Road/Green Island Road. (From south turn onto interesting night photography. Tuition Photo: Tim Baskerville, TheNocturnes.com and Registration: This is a FREE Mare Island Preserve Paoli Loop Road .08 miles north of Walmart and follow Paoli Loop under Hwy 29). At stop sign turn left onto Green Island Rd. Proceed introductory Night Photography workshop - offered by The Nocturnes and straight for 0.9 miles. At 2nd stop sign turn right continuing on Green the San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival on Sunday, February 12, 2017. To Island Rd. straight for one long block; continue as it turns left, then register - fill out our Registration form and EMAIL or FAX it to Pacific Media approximately 1.4 miles to end. Turn left into the park driveway at Arts (form must be received no later than February 8, 2017). To speak to a Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, Green Island Unit sign. Follow live person, call Susan Nichols at Pacific Media Arts - (707) 645-9860. the driveway around to the parking lot. Regional Outings Friday Feb. 10, cont’d. and Saturday, Feb. 11 Friday, February 10 Regional Outings, cont’d. Saturday, February 11, Regional Outings

9:00am-12:30pm 8:30am – 11:00am Skaggs Island Raptor Tours Birding American Canyon from Wetlands to the Quarry Field Guide: Murray Berner Robin Leong, Napa Solano Audubon Society field guide leads a Repeats Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-12:30pm with Murray morning of birding at American Canyon Berner and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-3:000pm Wetlands to look for waterfowl and shorebirds, with Tim Behr then to American Canyon Quarry to look for Join our guided bird tours at Skaggs Island – part of the raptors. San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in an area normally Directions: Meet at the parking lot at the closed to the public. Skaggs Island, a former Naval corner of Eucalyptus Drive and Wetlands Edge Communication Station, is located near Hwy 37 between Rd. From Highway 29 coming from Vallejo: Novato and Vallejo. The 4,400-acre Skaggs Island supports turn left on West American Canyon Rd. Drive to deer, birds of prey, coyote, egrets, herons, and assorted other end and turn right on Wetlands Edge Rd. Drive wildlife that use the various grasslands, shrub stands, to the end and turn left on Eucalyptus Dr. From ephemeral pools, old drainage channels, and nonnative Napa: turn right on Rio Del Mar, make a sharp eucalyptus trees as habitat. Photo: American kestrel right on Eucalyptus Dr.; drive to the end. The Flyway Festival tours focus on the many raptors that winter Lee Ann Baker on Skaggs Island. Possible sightings could include: white-tailed 9:00am-11:00am Cullinan Ranch Walk with Wetland kites, Northern harriers, rough-legged hawks, merlins, American Biologist Francesca Demgen kestrels, golden eagle, peregrine falcons, ferruginous hawks, and Repeats Saturday, 2:30pm-4:30pm and Sunday, 9:00am-11:00am several species of owls. with Don Brubaker, Refuge Manager, San Pablo Bay National Primarily car tours with little walking. Upon arrival of all field trip Wildlife Refuge participants, before gate entry, auto caravans with as few vehicles Wetland Restoration in Progress! See birds enjoying the as possible will be made. No early departures. Wear layers and wetland restoration at Cullinan Ranch a 1,500 acre former oat hay sturdy shoes. Bring binoculars, scopes, sunscreen, water and ranch on Highway 37, now part of the National Wildlife Refuge. snacks. No restrooms. Meet at white gate on Skaggs Island Road Learn how pickleweed and ducks can both “drink” salt water and off of Hwy 37 (arrive ontime; gate closed once the tour begins). about the thousands of acres of wetland restoration between the NOTE: Only heavy rain cancels. Fog or drizzle may cancel, to be Napa and Petaluma rivers. On our eco-walk we talk about ducks determined on site. All ages and levels of birding experience. +shorebirds+history+geography+ecology+politics. Bring binoculars Directions: From Marin and Sonoma Counties: travel and curiosity. eastbound on Highway 37 five miles beyond the light at Sears Directions: Meet at Cullinan Ranch/ Pond 1 parking lot. Only Point/Sonoma Raceway. Turn left onto Skaggs Island Rd. From accessible from west bound Hwy 37. From the Flyway Festival: Vallejo, Napa and the East Bay: travel westbound on Hwy 37 five travel north on Railroad Ave. to Hwy 37. Turn left over the overpass miles beyond the Napa River Bridge. Turn right onto Skaggs Island towards San Rafael Hwy 37 West and follow directions from Vallejo. Rd. Electronic Directions: http://www.fws.gov/uploadedfiles/ From Vallejo, Solano and Contra Costa Counties: take Hwy 37 skaggsdirections.pdf West 3.4 miles past the Mare Island exit ramp to the Cullinan Ranch Unit parking lot and trailhead. From Marin and Sonoma Counties: 12noon-3:00pm take Hwy 37 east approximately 9 miles past the Hwy 121 junction Skaggs Island Bird Tour to the Mare Island exit. Veer left on the exit beyond the overpass Field Guide: Tim Behr, Raptor Researcher, Golden Gate Raptor and then turn left onto the overpass. Turn right to get onto Hwy 37 Observatory West. The parking lot and trailhead is approximately 3.4 miles from Repeats Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:00am-12:30pm with Murray the Mare Island onramp. Berner and Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-3:00pm with Tim Behr 9:00am-12:30pm See Friday 9:00am carpool meeting and driving directions Skaggs Island Raptor Tours 2:00pm – 3:00pm Field Guide: Murray Berner Suisun Wildlife Center Tour Repeats Friday and Sunday 9:00am-12:30pm with Murray Berner; The Natural History Association presents a tour and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-3:00pm with Tim Behr of its Suisun Wildlife Center, which rescues and releases back to the See Friday 9:00am description and directions wild Solano County wildlife. Go behind the scenes to learn how injured wildlife is helped. See non-releasable education birds and 9:00am-1:00pm animals – a Golden Eagle, Raccon, Coyote, Great-horned Owl and Valentine’s Hike at Rockville Trails Preserve more. To preregister call 707-429-4295. Learn about historical relationships and nature’s valentines at Rockville Trails Preserve. Bring your own valentine along! See Directions to Suisun Wildlife Center: From I-80: exit at Hwy 12 in Fairfield-near the Budweiser Brewery. Travel East on Hwy 12 toward sweeping views of Solano County and beyond. Take advantage of Suisun for 3 miles to the first exit AFTER the Pennsylvania St. exit. this opportunity if you can because Rockville Trails Preserve is Exit at the Civic Center Blvd/Suisun City Business District exit. Turn otherwise closed. Up to five miles. Space is limited. Pre-registration left onto Main St. Proceed to stop sign past downtown. Turn left recommended. Free! Hosted by Solano Land Trust with little onsite onto Cordelia Rd. Take next right to 1171 Kellogg St. parking. Best to contact the Land Trust directly for details. Regional Outings Saturday, Feb. 11, cont’d. and Sunday, Feb. 12 Saturday, February 11, Regional Sunday, February 12, Regional Outings, Outings, cont’d. cont’d. 10:00am – 11:00am 10:00am-2:00pm Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Lynch Canyon Eagles, Hawks and Other Birds of Prey Raptor Guided Hike Docent Tour Join Larry Broderick, West County Hawkwatch and team for Here’s your chance to explore this refuge usually closed to the public. The 1-1.5 mile guided a hiking tour featuring resident, migrating and over-wintering tour by docent Michael Krieg, will focus on the birds of prey. Natural History elements and update on local wonders of Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge hawks and places to see them. Larry brings over 25 years of established to protect three endangered species experience researching, rescuing and rehabilitating raptors. that occur no where else in the world – Lange’s Learn more about where they go, what they do, and how to metalmark butterfly, Contra Costa wallflower and Photo: Jimmy Sarmiento distinguish different species based on their looks, behaviors, white-tailed kite Antioch Dunes evening primrose. Wear sturdy shoes for the sandy and ways they fly. Golden and Bald Eagles, Rough-legged, Cooper's, hike along the dunes. All ages welcome. Arrive early to enter Refuge Sharp-shinned and Ferruginous Hawks, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons, as escorted group. No late arrivals or early departures. and other more common raptor species have been seen. Directions: Take Hwy 4 east to Lone Tree Way/A Street exit in [Note: Can’t make this outing? Want more raptor watching with Antioch. Travel north on A Street, turn right on Wilbur Ave., left on Fulton Shipyard Rd. 1/4 mile to a dirt pullout and chainlink gate with a Larry?! He will guide two tours for the Sonoma Land Trust in the San Refuge sign, at 501 Fulton Rd. Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, February 11, 10:00am and 12noon. See Saturday 10:00am directions and description] 10am–11:45am and Noon–1:45pm While the hike is free and donations help Solano Land Trust Raptor Walks with Sonoma Land Trust at Sears Point protect land – Parking is $6 cash or check per day. Stay on trails. No (Dickson Unit, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge) dogs allowed. A working ranch—keep a safe distance away from free- Repeats Saturday, 12noon-1:45pm range cattle. Bring water, snacks, sunglasses, camera, hiking sticks, Join Larry Broderick, West County Hawkwatch and Sonoma Land bug repellant and binoculars. Wear sturdy shoes. Dress for all types of Trust for a walk along the Dickson Trail to spot raptors and other birds weather. Trail is steep: 4 miles. The route includes rugged, steep, and in this newly evolving tidal marsh. Be sure to bring your binoculars! slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds and thorny plants. Expect Pre-registration encouraged but not required at sonomalandtrust.org. Directions: Address–7715 Reclamation Road, Sonoma. From rough, rocky, uneven ground. Expect to hike off-trail for extended Napa/Sonoma: travel from Hwy 12/121 through light at Sears Point to periods of time. Only restroom at parking lot. Rain may cancel. Call light at Lakeville Hwy. Look for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Larry at 707-791-0335 if the weather is uncertain. Pre-registration is Refuge sign and turn south onto Reclamation Road at the stoplight. appreciated, but not required at http://conta.cc/2iFe0MM. From Vallejo: travel west on Hwy 37 to Lakeville Hwy light. Follow Directions: 3100 Lynch Road, just west of the intersection of directions above. From Marin: travel eastbound on Hwy 37 to the light Lynch Road & McGary Road, Vallejo, CA at Lakeville. Follow directions above. From San Francisco / I-80 East between Vallejo and Fairfield: Take the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke exit. Go south toward 12noon – 1:45am Hiddenbrooke Parkway. Just before entering the Hiddenbrooke Raptor Walks with Sonoma Land Trust at Sears Point development, turn east (left) on McGary Road (frontage road that runs (Dickson Unit, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge) parallel to I-80). Follow McGary Road for 1.6 miles to where it Repeats Saturday, 10:00am-11:45am intersects with Lynch Road. Turn left on Lynch Road, go under the See Saturday, 10:00am description and directions I-80 underpass, then through the gate at the end of the cul-de-sac to the gravel parking lot. From Sacramento / I-80 West between 2:30pm – 4:30pm Fairfield and Vallejo: Take the Red Top Road exit. Go south (left) Cullinan Ranch Walk with San Pablo Bay National Wildlife under the underpass. In less than 0.1 mile, turn right on McGary Road Refuge Manager Don Brubaker (frontage road that runs parallel to I-80). Follow McGary Road for 1.8 Repeats Saturday, 9:00am-11:00am with Francesca Demgen miles. Turn right on Lynch Road. go under the I-80 underpass, and See Saturday, 9:00am description and directions through the gate at the end of the cul-de-sac. 12noon-3:00pm Sunday, February 12, Regional Outings Skaggs Island Raptor Tours 9:00am-11:00am Cullinan Ranch Walk with San Pablo Bay Field Guide: Tim Behr, Raptor Researcher, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory National Wildlife Refuge Manager Don Brubaker Repeats Friday and Saturday, 9:00am-12:30pm with Murray Berner; Repeats Saturday, 9:00am-11:00am and 2:30pm-4:30pm and Friday and Saturday 12noon-3:00pm with Tim Behr See Saturday, 9:00am directions and description See Friday 9:00am description and directions 9:30am-11:30pm 12noon-3:00pm Explore Tubbs/Tolay Tidal Restoration by Bike Flyway Festival Kayak Paddle at Cullinan Ranch, San Pablo See first hand the wildlife and wetland restoration in the North Bay Bay National Wildlife Refuge with wetland biologist Francesca Demgen, President of the Friends of Meet at Sunshine Smoothies at 821 Wilson Ave at the intersection San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, on an approximately 8-mile bike of Lighthouse Dr. Vallejo at 11:00 am for coffee and smoothies. (We ride/tour of the Tubbs Island/Tolay Creek restoration on a marsh levee will talk about the details of the paddle and carpool to the site) trail from Highway 37 to San Pablo Bay and back. Bring a snack to share, a change of clothes just in case, and a Directions: Meet at Tubbs/Tolay parking lot on East bound Hwy 37, just east of the Hwy 12/121 intersection. High winds or rain cancels. donation of $2-$10 to keep the group afloat) Thank you! Info: Steve Souza call/text 707-301-8701. Email: [email protected]