 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. |
Note tabs below for each month!
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan 09
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- June
- July
- Aug
- Sep
Saturday, October 4, 8:00 a.m. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve & www.huntingtonbeachevents.com/conserv.html (O.C. 857-C3) Rating: 1 Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is the largest coastal salt marsh preserve in the Los Angeles/Orange County metropolitan region. Its 300 acres are a vital oasis for resident shorebirds and millions of migrating birds traveling between the Arctic and South America along the Pacific Flyway. At Huntington Central Park we will see locals and possibly vagrant migrants. We will bird at the Reserve first and then drive to Huntington Central Park. Directions: Take I-5 north past San Juan Capistrano and then take Hwy 73 (toll road), north to I-405. (Or continue on I-5 to I-405). Take I-405 north (towards Long Beach). Exit on Warner Ave. West. Continue west approximately 6 miles to Pacific Coast Hwy. Turn left (south) and drive about 1 mile to the Reserve parking lot on the left. It's about 70 miles from Oceanside and should take about 75 minutes. Meet at the boardwalk entrance. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the Park picnic tables. Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, October 11, 8:00 a.m. Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary (1066-F7) Rating: 2 From I-15 take Hwy 78 west and exit north on El Camino Real and continue 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: Penny Hernandez 760-746-8315 |
Saturday, October 18, 8:00 a.m. Lake Hodges (1149-E4) Rating: 2 From I-15 in Escondido exit at Via Rancho Parkway and drive west to Lake Drive. Turn left and drive about 1/2 mile. Meet at Del Dios Park across from the Country Store. We should see waterfowl, shorebirds and a whole host of local residents. Leader: Sally Sanderson 760-749-6995 |
Saturday, October 25, 8:00 a.m. La Jolla Coastline (1227-E6) Rating: 1 From Hwy 52 driving west exit at La Jolla Blvd. West (formerly Ardath Road). Continue on this road, which will merge with Torrey Pines Rd for about ¾ mile, then turn right on Prospect. Continue on Prospect to Coast Blvd. Meet in front of the Bridge Club and restrooms. Parking is all along Coast Blvd and adjacent residential streets. We will be looking for shorebirds, gulls and seabirds. Leader: Jack Friery 619-218-7342 |
Saturday, November 1, 8:30 a.m. Kit Carson Park (1150 – C1) Rating: 1 From I-15 in Escondido exit east on Via Rancho Parkway and drive about one mile to the 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 Christiansen 858-487-0731 |
Sunday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. (note Sunday) 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 on 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: Sally Sanderson 760-749-6995 |
Saturday, November 15, 8:30 a.m. Mission Bay Flood Control Channel & Famosa Slough San Diego (1268-C4) Rating: 1 Take I-15 south to I-8. Go west on I-8 and exit north on I-5. Take the first off-ramp, Sea World Drive west to South Shores Park Dr. (stop light). Turn left and proceed to our meeting place along the frontage road adjacent to the Flood Control Channel. We will be looking for migrating waterfowl and shore birds in the channel and bay areas and then drive to Famosa Slough. Leader: Penny Hernandez 760-746-8315 |
Saturday, November 22, 8:30 a.m. Lakeside (1232-B3) Rating: 2 From North County, take I-15 south to Hwy 52, east to Mission Gorge Rd. Continue east to Woodside Ave, go under the Hwy 67 overpass staying on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) to the end, with the parking lot on the left. From San Diego, take I8 east to Hwy 67 north, and take the Riverford Rd. exit. After exiting, turn left on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) and continue to the end to the parking area on the left. Leader: Jeff Ebright 858-484-3932 |
Saturday, November 29, 8:30 a.m. South Bay Coronado (1329-F4) Rating: 2 From North County, take I-15 south to I-5 and exit at Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach (Highway 75). Turn west and follow Highway 75 through Imperial Beach as it turns north towards Coronado and becomes Silver Strand Boulevard. Look for the parking area on the right where there is a Biological Study Area sign. We will be hiking out on the dike extending into South Bay to view waterfowl. Trip Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, December 6, 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. This is a good spot to view wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Trip Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, December 13, 8:30 a.m. Lake Hodges East/Bernardo Bay Rancho Bernardo (1150-A6) Rating: 2 From I-15, exit west at Rancho Bernardo Road and turn right onto West Bernardo Drive going north. Turn left on Rancho Bernardo Community Park Drive and proceed to the parking area just past the Joslyn Senior Center where we will meet. We should see a variety of birds, including waterfowl on the lake. Trip Leader: Jan Nordenberg 858-349-1295 |
Saturday, December 20, 8:30 a.m. Tijuana Estuary & 7th Street Imperial Beach (1349-F1) Rating: 2 Travel south on I-5 from San Diego and exit west on Coronado Avenue, which becomes Imperial Beach Boulevard. Turn left on 3rd Street to Caspian Way and then right to the Visitor Center parking lot. We’ll bird the Estuary and then check for additional species at 7th Street on South Bay. Leader: Jim Beckman 858-792-5526 |
Saturday, December 27, 8:30 a.m. Oak Hill Memorial Park (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. Leader: Penny Hernandez 760-746-8315 |
Saturday, January 3 No PAS Field Trip Scheduled Escondido Christmas Bird Count Palomar Audubon Society would like to extend an invitation to all birders to participate in the annual Escondido Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, January 3rd. The count circle incorporates mostly rural areas near Escondido, Valley Center, and Ramona. Fantastic birding skills are not a requirement – an extra pair of eyes is always helpful. The participation fee, as required by National Audubon, remains at $5.00. The after-birding compilation meeting will be held in the early afternoon at Kit Carson Park’s covered picnic shelter. A deli-style lunch will be provided, courtesy of Palomar Audubon Society. For more information and/or team assignments, contact Ken Weaver (760) 723-2448 or email gnatcatcher@sbcglobal.net. Sign-up now and join the fun! |
Saturday, January 10, 8:30 a.m. Dixon Lake (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 17, 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 13! 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 |
Saturday, January 24, 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: Jim Beckman |
Saturday, January 31, 8:30 a.m. Dos Picos County Park & Rangeland Rd. Ramona (1171-H5) Rating: 2 From I-15 in Rancho Bernardo 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 ½ mile to the park entrance on the left. There is a County Park parking fee. Leader: Doug Nail 760-451-9370 |
Saturday, February 7, 8:30 a.m. Lindo Lakes From North County, take I-15 south to Hwy 52, east to Mission Gorge Rd. Continue east to Woodside Ave, go under the Hwy 67 overpass staying on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) to the end, with the parking lot on the left. From San Diego, take I8 east to Hwy 67 north, and take the Riverford Rd. exit. After exiting, turn left on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) and continue to the end to the parking area on the left. Leader: Jeff Ebright |
Saturday, February 14, 8:30 a.m. Guajome Regional Park 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: Penny Hernandez |
Saturday, February 21, 8:30 a.m. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary 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, and then turn left on Riparian View and continue 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 that 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 the Sea & Sage Audubon House. Beyond Audubon House are the ponds of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary and 10 miles of trail for us to explore. Allow 50 min. from Oceanside. Leader: Jim Beckman |
Saturday, February 28, 8:30 a.m. Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary 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: Jeff Ebright |
Saturday, March 7 San Diego Bird Festival – No Field Trip |
Saturday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. San Elijo Lagoon 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 |
Saturday, March 21, 8:30 a.m. San Jacinto Wildlife Area 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: Sally Sanderson |
Saturday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. Santee Lakes 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: Jeff Ebright |
Saturday, April 4, 8:30 a.m. Lake Hodges From I-15 in Escondido exit at Via Rancho Parkway and drive west to Lake Drive. Turn left and drive about 1/2 mile. Meet at Del Dios Park across from the Country Store. We should see waterfowl, shorebirds and a whole host of local residents. Leader: Sunny Christiansen |
Saturday, April 11, 8:30 a.m. Tijuana Estuary & 7th Street Travel south on I-5 from San Diego and exit west on Coronado Avenue, which becomes Imperial Beach Boulevard. Turn left on 3rd Street to Caspian Way and then right to the Visitor Center parking lot. We’ll bird the Estuary and then check for additional species at 7th Street on South Bay. Leader: Doug Nail |
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 a.m. Lake Murray 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: Jim Beckman |
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. Old Mission Dam 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 |
Saturday, May 2, 8:00 a.m. Dairy Mart Pond/Tijuana River Valley From North County, 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 |
Saturday, May 9, 8:00 a.m. Back by popular demand! 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 at the bird feeders. Allow 2 hours travel time from Escondido. Leader: Sally Sanderson |
Saturday, May 16, 8:00 a.m. 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 |
Saturday, May 23, 8:00 a.m. From I-5, I-805 or I-15, take Hwy 94 east; stay on Hwy 94 as it becomes Campo Road, then turn right on Singer Lane, and then an immediate left into the dirt area near the old steel bridge. This is a rich stream habitat surrounded by native chaparral and sage scrub habitats. There are no restrooms or drinking water available so plan accordingly. Expect warm weather. Leader: Jim Kerr |
Saturday, May 30, 8:00 a.m. 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. Leader: Sunny Christiansen |
Saturday, June 6, 8:00 a.m. 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. There is a parking fee. We will also drive to Santa Ysabel Mission to look for orioles and other spring/summer migrants. Bring a lunch for an after birding picnic. Expect warm weather. Leader: Jeff Ebright |
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 a.m. We will meet at the old parking area for Agua Dulce Creek Group camp. Driving east on I-8, and after Pine Valley, look for signs indicating the 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 locally 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 |
Saturday, June 20, 8:00 a.m. 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 |
Saturday, June 27, 8:00 a.m. 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 |
Saturday, July 4 No Field Trip - Happy Independence Day! |
Saturday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. From North County, take I-15 south to Hwy 52, east to Mission Gorge Rd. Continue east on Mission Gorge Rd. to Woodside Ave. Go under the Hwy 67 overpass staying on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) to the end of the road, with the parking lot on the left. From San Diego, take I-8 east to Hwy 67 north, and take the Riverford Rd. exit. After exiting, turn left on Woodside Ave (into Lakeside) and continue to the end of the road, with the parking lot on the left. Leader: Jeff Ebright |
Saturday, July 18, 8:00 a.m. Travel south on I-5 from San Diego and exit west on Coronado Avenue, which becomes Imperial Beach Blvd. Turn left on 3rd Street to Caspian Way, turn left and then right to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center parking lot. Leader: Sally Sanderson |
Torrey Pines State Reserve Since there is an $8/vehicle parking fee, carpooling is suggested. We will meet at a nearby Park & Ride and carpool from there. From I-5, take the Carmel Valley Road exit and drive west to the first stoplight @ Pointe Del Mar Rd. Turn left into the parking lot. From there we will drive west to the Reserve entrance on South Camino Del Mar (Coast Hwy.). Torrey Pines State Reserve is located within the San Diego city limits and yet remains one of the wildest stretches of land on our Southern California coast. Its 2000 acres of land are as they were before San Diego was developed with the chaparral plant community, the rare and elegant Torrey Pine trees, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds. Leader: Jack Friery |
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. From highway 78 in Oceanside, exit north on College Boulevard curving left 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. We usually convene on this road beyond the park entrance since we gather well before the park opens. Leader: David Mathis |
Saturday, August 8, 8:00 a.m. We will visit two locations along the San Diego River Floodway to look for early migrant and returning shorebirds, often still in breading plumage, and post-breeding dispersal Elegant Terns. From North County, take Hwy. 163S to I-8W and drive toward Ocean Beach. Make a slight left at Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and then stay in the right lane. Turn right onto W. Point Loma Blvd. and then right at Bacon St. Drive straight ahead to the Robb Field parking area near the tennis courts at the east end. Bring a scope if you have one. We will also visit the San Diego River Flood Control Channel. Leader: Jim Kerr |
Saturday, August 15, 8:00 a.m. A good spot to find early fall migrants. Take I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Go west to North Rios Ave. Turn right (north) and go all the way to the end of North Rios Ave. Park and meet at the end of the street near the barricade. Bring a scope, if you have one, and water and plan for warm weather. Leader: Doug Nail |
Saturday, August 22, 8:00 a.m. From I -15 go east on Highway 52. Exit at Mast Blvd. Continue east on Mast Blvd. to Fanita Parkway. Turn right at 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: Sunny Christiansen |
Saturday, August 29, 8:00 a.m. From North County, take 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 Rd. We will also caravan a short distance to the TJRV Park Headquarters (public restroom and bird feeders) and then visit the nearby Bird & Butterfly Gardens where we might see the elusive Black-throated Magpie Jay. Leader: Jim Beckman |
Saturday, September 5, 8:00 a.m. From I-15 in Escondido, exit east on Via Rancho Parkway and drive about one mile northeast to the Park Road entrance at the stop light. Turn left, and proceed on Park Road about ¾ mile to the Amphitheater parking lot on the right. Woodland, riparian, and open-area habitats will usually get us a nice list of resident birds. Leader: Penny Hernandez |
