 New! Google Maps plots the starting point of each fieldtrip! |
Seasoned birders or beginners are welcome to join us on our field trips. For more information call the trip leader. Locations in Thomas Guide coordinates are shown in parenthesis after the trip titles. Directions to Park & Ride (1150-A1) The Park & Ride location for Palomar Audubon trips is just off the I-15 and Rancho Valley Parkway. It is west of I-15 and north of Rancho Valley Parkway on Del Lago Boulevard. Turn right past McDonalds. |
| Terrain Difficulty Rating Scale 1 = Easy 2 = Moderate 3 = Challenging |
Car pooling: The North County Park & Ride location is offered only as a suggested meeting point. PAS does not organize or oversee car pool activities. If you want to car pool it is up to you to make prior arrangements with others. |
New! Note tabs below for each month!
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
Saturday, January 5, 8:30 a.m. Oak Hill Memorial Park Escondido (1130-F1) Rating: 1 From I-15, exit east on Via Rancho Parkway, which becomes Bear Valley Parkway, and drive 5 miles to Glen Ridge Road at Orange Glen High School. Turn right on Glen Ridge Road and proceed approximately 1 mile to the cemetery gate. We might get a look at the Zone-tailed Hawk that many times frequents the cemetery in search of gophers. Leader: Penny Hernandez 760-746-8315 |
Saturday, January 12, 8:30 a.m. Dixon Lake Escondido
(1110-C3) Rating: 2 From I-15 in Escondido, exit at El Norte Parkway and drive east approximately 3 miles. Turn left (north) on La Honda Drive and drive toward Dixon Lake to the Daley Ranch parking area. Meet at the trailhead kiosk. Leader: Sally Sanderson 760-749-6995 |
Saturday, January 19, 8:30 a.m. Lake Norconian, Naval Surface Warfare Center Norco, Riverside County (R.C. 713-C5 and 6) Rating: 1 Take I-15 north to Norco. Exit at 2nd Street ramp in Norco. Turn left (west) and proceed to Hamner. Turn right and go three long blocks to 5th Street. Turn left and continue up the hill to the Naval Center gate on your left. We will gather there at the gate and go in at 8:15 a.m. WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A LIST OF ATTENDEES IN ADVANCE. SIGN UP AT A FIELD TRIP OR CONTACT JIM BECKMAN AT 858-792-5526 (email: jbeckman@pwtinc.com) BY JANUARY 14! We will walk around a wonderful lake filled with lots of waterfowl and other species. We will likely see the elusive Wilson’s Snipe. Allow 75 min. driving time from Escondido. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, January 26, 8:30 a.m. Sweetwater River National City (1310-C4) Rating: 2 Take I-15 south to I-805 south and take the Sweetwater Road exit in National City. Turn right at Sweetwater Road and then right at Plaza Bonita Road. You will see the Plaza Bonita Shopping Center parking area on the left. Meet at the far northwest corner of the parking lot near the Outback Steak House. Our walk will be along the Sweetwater River where we should see a good variety of waterfowl and other birds. Leader: Jan Nordenberg 858-349-1295 |
Saturday, February 2, 8:30 a.m. Dos Picos County Park Ramona (1171-H5) Rating: 2 From Escondido, drive south on I-15 to Rancho Bernardo Road. Go east on Rancho Bernardo Road, which turns into Espola Road (S5), and continue to Poway Road (S4). Turn left and drive east to Highway 67. Head north on Highway 67 and just before you reach Ramona, make a hard right on Mussey Grade Road (heading southwest). Continue on Dos Picos Park Road to the park entrance which is about a half mile. Leader: Mickey Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, February 9 San Diego Bird Festival – No Field Trip
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Saturday, February 16, 8:30 a.m. Guajome Regional Park Oceanside (1067-D7) Rating: 2 From highway 78 in Oceanside, exit north on College Boulevard, staying left at the bottom of the ramp, and drive 4.4 miles to Highway 76. Make a right turn and continue east about ½ mile to Lake Guajome Rd. Turn right (south) and drive up the hill past the park entrance, which does not open until later, and park on the street. Leader: Sunny Christiansen 858-487-0731 |
Saturday, February 23, 8:30 a.m. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary Irvine, CA (Thomas Guide to Orange County, page 859 J-7) Rating: 1 Take I-5 north to the San Diego Freeway, #405, exit on Culver and turn left. At the first signal, which is Michelson, turn right. Continue on Michelson to the third signal which is Riparian View and turn left toward the Irvine Ranch Water District water treatment plant. Follow Riparian View and the signs directing you to Audubon, the Duck Club, and the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. You will be on a paved 2-way road for a quarter of a mile. Before you encounter a gate which closes off the rest of the road, signs will direct you to turn right down a short hill and into a parking lot. The first building you see will be Audubon House. Beyond Audubon House are the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and 10 miles of trail for us to explore. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, March 1, 7:30 a.m. Anza-Borrego Desert – New Location! Borrego Springs (1098-D4) Rating: 2 Take Hwy 78 east (or Hwy 67 north) to Ramona and on to Julian on Hwy 78. Continue east on Hwy 78 down Banner Grade. Continue approximately 8 miles past “Scissors Crossing” (Hwy S2 junction), to the Hwy S3 junction. Turn left here and the Tamarisk Grove Campground (our meeting place) is on your right. Park on the side of the road outside the campground. From Ramona, allow 50 minutes travel time. After checking out the campground for Long-eared Owls, locals and possible early migrants, we will consolidate into fewer cars and caravan to the Swainson’s Hawkwatch to view migrating hawks and to other Anza Borrego Desert birding hotspots which might include the Visitor Center area, the sewage treatment ponds and other locations depending on what is being seen in the area. Bring a lunch for a picnic stop around noon. After lunch we will either try additional locations or call it a day depending on birding conditions. This is a great opportunity to see some desert birds not usually found elsewhere in San Diego County. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, March 8, 8:30 a.m. Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary Oceanside http://www.bvaudubon.org/whelan.htm (1066-F7) Rating: 2 From I-15 take Hwy 78 west and exit north on El Camino Real to Douglas Drive. From I-5 exit east on Hwy 76 and continue to the Douglas Drive exit. Take Douglas Drive north approximately 1 mile and turn left on North River Road to the entrance gate at the end. Continue west on the dirt road to the caretaker’s house and the parking lot. Leader: Sunny Christiansen 858-487-0731 |
Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m. San Elijo Lagoon Solana Beach (1167-E6) Rating: 2 Take I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Go west to North Rios Avenue. Turn right (north) and go all the way to the end of North Rios Avenue. Park and meet at the end of the street near the barricade. Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, March 22, 8:30 a.m. San Jacinto Wildlife Area Riverside County (RC 749-B4) Rating: 2 From San Diego County take I-15 north to I-215. Exit at the Ramona Expressway right (east). At Lakeview, turn left (north) on Davis Road. Proceed over the asphalt and gravel road for three miles to the SJWA headquarters parking lot on the right. From Escondido allow 1 hour and 15 minutes. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. Santee Lakes Santee http://www.santeelakes.com/index.htm (1231-A6) Rating: 2 Take Highway 52 east from I-15. Exit at Mast Blvd and continue on Mast Blvd to Fanita Parkway. Turn right onto Fanita Parkway and the entrance to Santee Lakes is on the right. Car entry fee is $4. Meet in the parking lot between lakes 4 and 5. Leader: Jan Nordenberg 858-349-1295 |
Saturday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. Lake Hodges Dam Area – New Location! Del Dios (1149-E4) Rating: 2 From I-15 exit at Via Rancho Parkway and go west to Lake Drive. Turn left on Lake Drive and drive to the dirt lot across from Hernandez Hideaway Restaurant on Rancho Drive and park. We should see waterfowl, shorebirds and possible early spring migrants. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, April 12, 8:30 a.m. Lake Murray La Mesa www.sandiego.gov/water/recreation/murray.shtml (1250-E6) Rating: 1 Take I-8 east to the Lake Murray Boulevard exit and proceed one mile north (right) to Baltimore Drive. Turn left and drive about one mile to Jackson Drive. Turn left, proceed ¼ mile and make a left turn onto Golfcrest Drive. Continue about one mile on Golfcrest Dr. to the Mission Trails Regional Park entrance on the left. Meet in the parking area near the softball field bleachers. This is at the north end of Lake Murray. Leader: Sara Mayers 619-225-1217 |
Saturday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. Old Mission Dam San Diego (1230-F6) Rating: 2 Take Highway 52 east to the Mast Blvd. exit in Santee. Turn north onto Mast Blvd. and then right at the 1st traffic signal (West Hills Parkway). Take West Hills Parkway to Mission Gorge Road and turn right. Take Mission Gorge Road 0.2 miles and merge right onto Father Junipero Serra Trail. Proceed 0.7 miles down Father Juniper Serra Trail to the Old Mission Dam parking lot, located on the right. This should be prime time for spring migrants. Leader: Penny Hernandez 760-746-8315 |
Saturday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. Dairy Mart Ponds & Tijuana River Valley San Diego (1350–D5) Rating: 2 From Escondido take the I-15 south and merge with the I-5 south to the Dairy Mart Road Exit. Turn right on Dairy Mart Rd. (south). Meet just past the concrete bridge next to the large pond on the west side of Dairy Mart Road. We will also caravan a short distance to the TJRV Park Headquarters (public restroom and bird feeders) and then visit the nearby Bird & Butterfly Garden where there is a chance of seeing the elusive Magpie Jay. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, May 3, 8:00 a.m. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Morongo Valley, San Bernardino County (SB 616-J5) Rating: 1 From Escondido, proceed north on I-15 for approximately 36 miles to the I-15/I-215 split in Murietta. Change to I-215 north for about 30 miles to Hwy 60 east. Take Hwy 60 east, continuing east on I-10 to Hwy 62, approximately 40 miles. Go north on Hwy 60 to Morongo Valley (small town), about 12 miles. About a mile or two into town look for signs for Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Turn right (south) on East Drive, a dirt road, to the Preserve. The parking lot is just beyond. Picnic tables and restrooms are available. In the caretaker’s (Dee Zeller’s) yard, several hummingbird and seed feeders will attract many birds for your enjoyment. This location is always a spring hot spot. Bring a lunch for an after birding picnic. Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. Camp Pendleton (1085-J5) Rating: 2 This trip is limited to 20 participants and advance reservations are required. Please note that this fieldtrip is full! Contact Jan Nordenberg by email (jnordenb@san.rr.com) or call her at 858-349-1295 to get onto the waiting list.. Directions: Take I-5 north to the Camp Pendleton exit and proceed to the main gate. At the gate, identify yourself as a Palomar Audubon member attending the bird walk. You will be required to show a photo ID (all passengers), proof of car registration and proof of car insurance or you will NOT be allowed to enter the base. You will then be directed to a parking lot on the right where we will gather and consolidate into as few cars as possible. Eric Kershner, Ph.D., Wildlife Management Branch Head for Camp Pendleton, will be guiding us to birding hot spots on the base including a site overlooking the LETE colony at Santa Margarita River estuary, a nice riparian spot along Santa Margarita River (for Least Bell's Vireo, possibly SW willow flycatcher, yellow-breasted chat, etc), a stop to look for coastal cactus wren, and Lake O'Neill for migrants and water birds. Leader: Jan Nordenberg 858-349-1295 |
Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. Wilderness Gardens Preserve
Pala (409-E6) Rating: 2 This small wilderness area represents a fine example of oak woodland habitat. Meet in the Wilderness Gardens parking lot, which is about 10 miles east of I-15 on Route 76, on the south side of the highway. Parking fee required. Bring a lunch for an after birding picnic. Leader: Mickey Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, May 24, 8:00 a.m. Daley Ranch
Escondido (1110-C3) Rating: 2 From I-15 in Escondido exit at El Norte Parkway and drive east approximately 3 miles. Turn left (north) on La Honda Drive toward Dixon Lake to the Daley Ranch parking area. Meet at the trailhead kiosk. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, May 31, 8:00 a.m. William Heise County Park Julian, CA (1156-C5) Rating: 2-3 From Escondido take Hwy 78 east (from San Diego take Hwy 67 east) to Ramona, then Hwy 78 toward Julian, past Santa Ysabel. At Wynola start looking for the sign for William Heise Park (1 mile west of Julian). Turn right on Pine Hill Road and drive south for 2 miles to Frisius Road. Turn left (east) onto Frisius Road and drive for another 2 miles to the park entrance. We will meet in the parking lot. Bring a lunch for an after birding picnic. Expect warm weather. Leader: Jan Nordenberg |
Saturday, June 7, 8:00 a.m. Kit Carson Park
Escondido (1150–C1) Rating: 1 From I-15 in Escondido exit east on Via Rancho Parkway and drive about one mile to Park Road entrance on the left. Proceed on Park Road about ¾ of a mile to the Amphitheater parking lot on the right. Woodland, riparian and open-area habitats usually get us a nice list of resident birds with a few surprises. Leader: Sunny Christianson 858-487-0731 |
Saturday, June 14, 8:00 a.m. Agua Dulce Creek
San Diego County Mountains (430-B5) Rating: 3 We will meet at the old parking area for Agua Dulce Creek Group camp. After Pine Valley, look for signs on I-8 east indicating Sunrise Highway Exit and Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Go north on Sunrise Hwy. (S-1) to Wooded Hill Road, the first road on the left and directly across the road from Morris Ranch Road. Restrooms, picnic tables and water are available in the Lagunas at Burnt Rancheria Picnic area. A Forest Service Adventure Pass is required and is available at major sporting goods stores and at other areas in the Lagunas. Bring a lunch for an after walk picnic. Expect warm weather. Leader: Sally Sanderson 760-749-6995 |
Saturday, June 21, 8:00 a.m. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Julian, CA (429- L3) Rating: 2-3 From San Diego, take I-8 east and exit north on Hwy 79. Continue approximately 12 miles to the campground on the left. From the North County, take Hwy 78 (or Hwy 67) to Ramona, and then continue on Hwy 78 just past Julian, to Hwy 79. Take Hwy 79 south approximately 10 miles to the campground on the right where we will meet. There is a day use fee. Bring a lunch for an after walk picnic. Expect warm weather. Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, June 28, 8:00 a.m. Palomar Mountain
San Diego County (409-G7) Rating: 2 This field trip will start from the parking lot at Doane Pond. Leave the Escondido area at about 7 a.m. From I-15, take Highway 76 east to Highway S6, north to Palomar Mountain. Or from Escondido, take Highway S6 to Palomar Mountain. At the mountaintop, at the S7 intersection stop sign, turn left and continue for 3 miles on State Park Rd. to the Palomar Mountain State Park entrance. There is a day use fee. Proceed 1.5 miles to the Doane Pond/School Camp area. Bring a lunch for an after walk picnic. Expect warm weather. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, July 5 No Field Trip - Happy Independence Day! |
