Field Trips

About PVAS Field Trips: Pomona Valley Audubon field trips are offered at no cost (unless otherwise specified) and open to all individuals. ALWAYS contact the trip leader if you plan to attend and to verify start time, meeting location, and confirm trip status. In case of rain, call the trip leader the night before. Many of our trips originate at Memorial Park in Claremont but you have the option to meet on site. (Carpooling is optional based on your comfort level.) Driving mileage estimates are from Memorial Park in Claremont and are round-trip. For your comfort and enjoyment, participants should plan to bring the following items: Binoculars, spotting scope, camera, water, snacks (check description for lunch needs,) walking or hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, weather appropriate clothing and a full tank of gas if driving. Trips are rated by difficulty to help you prepare.

PVAS Field Trip Difficulty Levels – Trips rated Easy through Strenuous involve walking and standing for several hours.
Minimal – Little or no walking, option to exit car and walk short distances over relatively level terrain. Example: Drive-through wetlands.
Easy – Walking on relatively level terrain, paved or maintained dirt roads (many locations wheelchair accessible.) Example: Artificial wetlands and botanic gardens.
Moderate – Some elevation change, stairs, walking on sloped grass, rolling hills, open fields or groomed hiking trails with mild trip hazards (tree roots, rocks, etc.) Example: Regional Parks with lakes and hiking trails.
Strenuous – Irregular or rocky terrain, > 500ft. elevation change, some off-trail walking. Example: Natural areas and preserves (North Etiwanda Preserve.)

Family Friendly Walks at the California Botanic Garden First Sunday in the Month. (September through June)

California Botanic Garden, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, USA (map) Difficulty: Easy
This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks.
Please RSVP with the botanic garden’s reservation site by using the DATE SPECIFIC links for each month.

Fourth Sunday Bird Walks at Bonelli Park (September through May)

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773-(map) Difficulty: Moderate

We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Contact the trip leader listed for each month

Let’s Go Birding 2024 -2025

Sunday, January 5, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=c9ab6304-d860-40aa-9b89-0503f54d5d92

The field trip to Whittier Narrows, scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2025 has been cancelled due to concerns for poor air quality and the unstable fire situation with no major fires being contained at this time.

Saturday and Sunday, January 18-19, 2025

Birding Weekend Trip to the Salton Sea

This trip has been cancelled due to anticipated heavy traffic at birding venues due to competing events. Look forward to January 2026 when Pomona Valley Audubon Society will return to the Salton Sea.

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Birding the Newport Back Bay by Pontoon Boat

THIS TRIP HAS FILLED.

931 W Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663- Difficulty: Easy

This is our Pelagic Trip for Landlubbers with excellent opportunities to see and photograph shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, ospreys and more from a covered pontoon boat. Meet at Memorial Park in Claremont by 08:30 AM or be at the Newport Sea Base by 10:00 AM. Anticipate 2-2 ½ hour trip. Attendance limited to 17 participants with sign up no later than January 8, 2025. Cost $24.00 per participant (Nonrefundable) via check made out to Pomona Valley Audubon Society or via Paypal or Venmo. Mileage: 86 miles roundtrip. Contact trip leader Scott Marnoy gopherus2@gmail.com BEFORE sending payment to reserve a spot.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Enjoy one of the richest birding sites in Southern California on our fourth Sunday of the month Bonelli Bird Walk. We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Walk Leader:Dan Stoebel dstoebel@mac.com

Sunday, February 2, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Scott Marnoy (gopherus2@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=9ae32f34-cfcc-4110-8417-696372df1473

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area –15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA 9170- Difficulty: Moderate (walking up to 3 mi)

Patrick Gavit will lead us on this mid-week two hour trip for year-round as well as over-wintering species including a variety of sparrows and water birds. Carpool from Memorial Park in Claremont at 7:00 a.m. or meet at Parking Lot #6 at 7:30 AM. Bring snacks, water, and lunch if you’d like to stay in the park to eat after birding. No vehicle entry fee on weekdays this time of year. Est. driving 31 mi.

Contact Trip Leader: Patrick Gavit ebiner.gavit@gmail.com or 626.214.6905.

Friday, February 21, 2025

Field Trip to San Jacinto Wildlife Area

17050 Davis Road. Lakeview, California 92567 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (walking up to 3 mi.)

An excellent site for waterfowl, Golden Eagles, shorebirds and more. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife requires all visitors to purchase a Lands Pass for admission unless one is in possession of a fishing or hunting license. Day passes can be obtained for $5.66 (for 2024) on line at https://wildlife.ca.gov/licensing or by calling (800) 565-1458, or in-person wherever fishing and hunting licenses are sold. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Memorial Park in Claremont. Bring snacks, water, and lunch. Est. driving 110 mi.

Contact Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Field Trip to Lake Perris

Lake Perris 17801 Lake Perris Dr., Perris, CA 92571 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (walking up to 3 mi.)

We’ll take a walk at Lake Perris for wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, sparrows and raptors including Peregrine Falcon, osprey and Bald Eagle. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at Memorial Park in Claremont. Bring snacks, water, and lunch. There is a $10 vehicle entry fee ($9 if 62+) at Lake Perris State Recreation Area. Est. driving 110 mi.

Contact Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, March 2, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Field Trip to the Living Desert Zoo and Vicinity

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92660 Easy to Moderate. Option to hike some of the garden trails.

A great spot to bird during the spring migration for migrants and desert dwellers alike. Meet at Memorial Park, Claremont at 6:30 AM or at the Zoo at 7:45 AM. Anticipate a full day of birding so bring lunch, snacks, ample water and appropriate clothing for desert conditions. Admission $39.95. Est. driving 95 miles. Contact Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, April 6, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=e52df2a7-9df5-40fe-89e3-542d19c4183b

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, May 4, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, June 1, 2025

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

Pomona Valley Audubon Society

Family Friendly Walks at the California Botanic Garden First Sunday in the Month. (September through June)

Fourth Sunday Bird Walks at Bonelli Park (September through May)

Let’s Go Birding 2024 -2025

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