California Nature Events & Festivals

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BIRDING EVENTS

JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

JANUARY

Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
Morro Bay - CA
January 15-18, 2010
Every January on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Morro Bay  Winter Bird Festival. All-day and half-day tours take participants to a wide variety of habitats, including deep water pelagic, oak woodland and riparian, wetland and estuary, and the unique grassland habitat of the Carrizo Plain. Workshops cover a vast array of topics ranging from beginner birding classes to gull identification. Outstanding Evening Speakers make presentations on Saturday and Sunday. A variety of vendors will be present with nature related artwork, books, field equipment and attire, and local merchant wares.
Morro Bay California is one of the few remaining estuaries on the Pacific flyway. Christmas Bird Counts on the bay have numbered above the 200 species mark, and the festival bird lists have totaled over 220 species for the weekend, making this area on the central California coast a prime birding destination.

Annual Snow Goose Festival
Chico & Red Bluff - CA
January 28-31, 2010
Experience the sights and sounds of the Pacific Flyway migrating waterfowl at the SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL! A weekend full of fun, adventure and learning for all ages with field trips, presentations and workshops available to all. Contact: Snow Goose Festival, P.O. Box 1063, Chico, CA 95927 Phone: (530) 345-1865 or 1 (800) 852-8570 # 313 Email

GALT WINTER BIRD FESTIVAL
Galt, CA
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Many migratory and resident birds call Galt their winter home. Guided Tours offer an exciting opportunity to see the winter birds that call the Central Valley home! Hop on a bus and have your binoculars ready!
McCaffrey Middle School - 997 Park Terrace Drive - Galt, CA 95632


FEBRUARY

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
Vallejo - CA 
February 2010

Mare Island, Vallejo, CA. Visit the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge booth at the Festival Headquarters in Building 897 on Mare Island. Meet the National Wildlife Refuge System's famous Blue Goose! Enjoy Mucky Marsh Music. Trips and workshops. Contact Phone: (707) 649-WING (9464)

BirdSource Great Backyard Bird Count

Your backyard - any state

February 12-15, 2010 President’s Day Weekend

Winter Wings Festival
Klamath Falls, Oregon

February 12-14, 2010
Klamath Falls hosts this festival at the Oregon Institute of Technology, which celebrates the return of Bald Eagles and other raptors and wintering flocks of waterfowl to the Klamath Basin. The Basin is home to the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Participants can enjoy a variety of field trips, workshops, mini-sessions, free family activities, and special receptions. Scott Weidensaul will deliver the keynote address about bird migration based on his book "Living on the Wind". For information see their website or contact Todd Christian at singingbear@charter.net or 541-850-0084.


MARCH

SAN DIEGO BIRD FESTIVAL
San Diego - CA
March 4-7, 2010
Marina Village Conference Center in Mission Bay
The 13th annual 2009 San Diego Bird Festival will be held from March 5th to March 8th at Marina Village. We have added many new events and are repeating our most popular events from previous years. Many of our trips will net more than 100 observed species.


APRIL

Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival
Arcata - CA
April 15 - 21, 2010
Arcata, California welcomes you to the 13th Annual Godwit Days, the three-day Spring Migration Bird Festival where amid our ancient redwood forests, marshes and the Pacific Ocean, 450 species of bird have been recorded visiting here annually. One can watch Marbled Murrelets, have face to face encounters with spotted owls, and take small boat tours of Humboldt Bay to view migrant shorebirds at their peak. Nearly 100 birding field trips and workshops are offered in the heart of California's Redwood Coast.
Contact: Godwit Days non-profit Organization P.O. Box 894, Arcata, CA 95518 Tel: 800-908-9464 or 707-444-2938 Fax: 707-269-0632.

Point Reyes Birding Festival
Point Reyes, CA
April 23-25, 2010.
Point Reyes and the West Marin area are home to one of the most diverse bird populations in North America.
Top bird experts such as David Wimpfheimer, Keith Hansen, and Jules Evens will lead participants on trips to discover the best birding sites in the region. Displays and exhibits will expand your bird knowledge. The event will also feature other walks to see the West Marin natural world, including the famous wildflower displays, butterflies, and more! The event is sponsored by the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, the leading environmental advocacy organization in West Marin.

HERON FESTIVAL & WILDFLOWER BRUNCH
Kelseyville - CA
April 24-25, 2010
Heron Festival is a celebration of the Great Blue Heron return to their nesting sites around Clear Lake. Activities include pontoon boat rides to view the heronry and guided kayak trips to view birds on Kelsey Creek. Informative and interesting nature presentations are held at Clear Lake State Park along with informative booths, children's activities, and a Wildflower Brunch. Guided bird walks are available.
Contact: Redbud Audubon Society or call 1.800.525.3743


MAY

Kern VALLEY SPRING NATURE Festival formerly Bioregions Festival
Weldon - CA
May 1, 2010 - exhibits - workshops (keynote dinner - Saturday)
April 29 - May 4, 2010 - field trips
The Kern River Valley is one of the West's premier spring migration regions including the Giant Sequoia National Monument, South Fork Kern River Globally Important Bird Area, Butterbredt Spring Nationally Important Bird Area, and Sequoia National Forest Globally Important Bird Area. The Natural history of the region and a celebration of Earth Day are integrated during this spectacular festival.
Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283

Spring Wings Bird Festival
May 7-9, 2010
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Fallon, Nevada
(775) 428-6452

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS BIRD & NATURE FESTIVAL
Crescent City - CA
May 7-9, 2010
The Aleutian Goose Festival has fledged into the California Redwoods Bird and Nature Festival. During the second weekend in May in Crescent City, California come join the fun with 70 field trips/workshops, boat and kayak trips, for birding, botanizing, Native American cultures, and more. In the home of Redwood National & State Parks and the Wild and Scenic Smith River, with 425 recorded bird species, wild Del Norte county is a nature lover's dream. For complete information visit their website

Walk on the Wildside

Freeport, CA
May 8, 2010 - 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge - Beach Lake Preserve

NAS Spring BirdAThon (800) 647-BIRD, EMAIL

International Migratory Bird Day

May 8, 2010


JUNE

Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua 
Lee Vining - CA       

June 18-20, 2010
3 days of evening presentations, seminars, field trips, music, and great birding! All proceeds support continuing research in the Mono Basin. Contact: Mono Lake Committee, P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541 760-647-6595,  EMAIL


JULY


AUGUST

Kern Valley Hummingbird Celebration
Weldon - CA
August 7, 2010
The Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley is one of the premier migration routes for six species of hummingbirds, join us for a day of hummingbird appreciation at our feeders. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


SEPTEMBER

MOnterey Bay Birding Festival

Watsonville - CA

September 23-26, 2010
Featuring field trips, kayaking, workshops, optics expo, and speakers.
The Birding Festival has something for everyone, especially beginning birders. The Pajaro Valley and the Monterey Bay region are home to an incredible diversity of habitats – redwood forests, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches with Snowy Plovers, the world-class Elkhorn Slough National Estuary, oak forests and surrounding grasslands at Pinnacles National Monument, the stunning Big Sur coastline with California Condors, and, of course, pelagic trips on Monterey Bay – and bird species. Over 600 species of birds have been found.
Contact Info: Phone: (831) 724-3900 or Email: montereybaybirding@hotmail.com

National Wildlife Refuge Week Celebration

Kern National Wildlife Refuge, Delano - CA

Participants will be offered birding tours, refreshments, information on the NWR System, the history of Kern NWR and the Southern San Joaquin Valley, learn about wildlife resources and offered Centennial give-a-ways.  Phone: (661) 725-2767 EMAIL  

Kern River Valley Autumn Nature & Vulture Festival
Weldon - CA
September 25, 2010
Visit the Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley to experience one of the U.S. and Canada's largest known Turkey Vulture migrations and the height of fall landbird migration at desert oases. You will enjoy birds, vultures, geology, botany, natural history, native American studies, moths, reptiles, and children's activities. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, P.O. Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


OCTOBER

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WEEK CELEBRATION
Check your local wildlife refuge for activities - www.fws.gov


NOVEMBER

Sandhill Crane Festival

Lodi - CA,

November 5-7, 2010

Viewings of the state's largest concentration of greater Sandhill Cranes; workshops, exhibits, children stories, dancing, face painting, live wild animals and fine art. (916) 683-1700, EMAIL  

Central Valley Birding Symposium

Stockton - CA

November 18-21, 2010

The Central Valley Birding Symposium Speakers: Ornithologists of International Renown. Field trips, workshops, panel discussion, and birding camaraderie.  (209) 369-2010,   EMAIL


DECEMBER

see the Christmas Bird Count page for December 14 - January 5 scheduled CBC's in California

Nature Events (Non-birding)

JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE      JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER

JANUARY

Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival
San Diego, CA

Point Cabrillo National Monument,
 (619) 557-5450
 


FEBRUARY

Migration Festival - Natural Bridges State Beach, Seacliff, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks

Santa Cruz - CA

Contact Phone: (831) 423-4609


MARCH

MENDOCINO WHALE & WINE FESTIVAL
March 6 & 7, 2010

Whale watching boat tours, walks and more. Art Fair, Chowder tasting, plain-air painters exhibit, the Coast- KOZT FM concert. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse events for kids and for all, from games and puzzles to whale and tide pool exhibits. Call (800) 726-2780 or (707) 961-6300 for more information on individual events.

 

Fort Bragg Whale Festival
Fort Bragg, CA

March 20 & 21, 2010
The annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival includes a selection of local chef's recipes of Chowders for tasting, regional microbrew tasting, an arts and crafts fair, a classic car show, and  more. Take a charter boat out of Noyo Harbor to watch the whales, or watch from shore at a state park. For more information, call (707) 961-6300 or (800) 726-2780


APRIL

Redwood Coast Whale & Jazz Festival

April 2010

Point Arena Lighthouse

Contact: REDWOOD COAST
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 199 • Gualala, CA 95445
email: info@redwoodcoastchamber.com
707-884-1080 or 1 (800) 778-5252

EARTH DAY

April 22, 2010


MAY


JUNE

California Amphibian & Reptile Celebration
Weldon - CA
June 12, 2010
Visit the Southern Sierra's Kern River Valley to experience a sampling of the diversity of reptiles and amphibians along with the regions breeding bird populations. Contact: Kern Valley Nature Festivals, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283


JULY


AUGUST


SEPTEMBER


OCTOBER

Kokanee Salmon Festival

Lake Tahoe - CA

Taylor Creek Visitor Center. Contact Phone: (530) 573-2611

American River Salmon Festival

Rancho Cordova - CA

Nimbus Fish Hatchery and Lake Natoma


NOVEMBER

Tours of the Monarch Butterfly Grove - Natural Bridges State Beach
Santa Cruz - CA
Saturdays & Sundays.                      Join a docent naturalist & see thousands of monarch butterflies wintering in Santa Cruz. 11am & 2pm weekends, through Feb 12. Phone: (831) 423-4609


DECEMBER


for other California events see:

CALIFORNIA WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

Nature Alley • P.O. Box 153 • Weldon, CA 93283 • (760) 378-2029 • Email
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