SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY
About SBVAS
SBVAS strives to bring people to their natural environment. Focusing on birds and other wildlife, we hope to conserve natural resources in the Southern California's "Inland Empire," specifically San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.
Founded in 1948, San Bernardino Valley Audubon is southeastern California's leading non-profit engaging people in the conservation of birds and their habitats. We involve people through recreational birding, envelop them in our education programs, and engage them in conservation actions from counting birds to working with local, state, and national policy makers. San Bernardino Valley Audubon is a fully independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Contact us at:
eSBVAS@gmail.com
Meetings
Meetings are held at the San Bernardino County Museum once a month on Wednesday nights from September through May. The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Ln, Redlands, CA 92374.
Upcoming Events and Field Trips
Sunday, November 17, 2024 - 7:00 am
Northern San Jacinto Valley
Leader: Tony Metcalf (951) 242-7038
Ah, cooler weather. Wintering birds of prey and waterfowl, coastal sage scrub and wetlands, all close by. Please join us for our fall field trip to the northern San Jacinto Valley. We have two goals for this trip. First is to have fun. Second, is to see 100 species. We always accomplish the first goal and have come very close to the second. Maybe this is the year. The northern San Jacinto Valley is known for its high species diversity. We have ranked highest in number of bird species seen for inland areas in North America for Audubon's Christmas Bird Counts, and are usually in the top 1-2% for all counts. At the heart of the region is the public San Jacinto Wildlife Area.We will meet at the parking lot at the gates of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area. From Riverside go south on 215 then east on Ramona, then north on Davis road three miles to parking lot. From Hemet, go west on Ramona to Davis road. From Redlands, go east on 10, then south on 215, then east on 60 or go south on Redlands Blvd, east on 60, East on Gilman springs, south on Bridge Street, west on Ramona and north on Davis road. As Davis is a dirt road, it is not recommended if there have been recent rains. The dirt roads are too dangerous for normal travel when wet. You can call or e-mail Tony Metcalf or the San Jacinto Wildlife Area headquarters (951-654-0580) for updated road info to the Wildlife Area.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 7PM
General Meeting, San Bernardino County Museum
Bird Diversity at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area
Presented by Tony Metcalf
The SJWA contains managed wetlands and riparian corridors, valley grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and of course Mystic Lake. These features coupled with its proximity to the Badlands and to the San Jacinto Mountain watershed make it s birding hotspot with the largest number of species recorded in the Inland Empire. We will explore both the species diversity and the patterns of occurrences during this months SBVAS General meeting. Tony Metcalf will present the talk with photos generously contributed by Kathryn McGiffen, Chet McGaugh, Joshua Joun and others.
Please come out to what promises to be a terrific and interesting program. Everyone is always welcome and there will be cookies.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - 8:00-10:00 am
Beginning Bird Walk: Palm Springs, Demuth Park
Leader: David Rankin, david.rankin@ucr.edu
For those of you who are just beginning the wonderful pastime of bird watching, please join us for a fun, slow-paced morning of birding in one of our local parks. Our goal will be to teach you enough basic birding techniques and identification skills so that you will feel comfortable birding on your own or joining our longer birding trips throughout the year. We will introduce you to some of our local bird species. You may be surprised at what wonderful birds can be seen! Wear comfortable walking shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring water and binoculars. Everyone is welcome. Meet at 8 am at the parking lot near the tennis courts on E. Mesquite Blvd. near Vella Road.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 - 8:00 am
Barstow, Newberry Springs, Hinkley
Leader: Dori Myers (714) 336-1420 and Gene Cardiff
We will look for wintering birds in various areas in Barstow, Newberry Springs and Hinkley. We will search alfalfa fields, poles and ponds, with a particular interest in birds of pray. We will meet at the Denny’s on Lenwood Road in Barstow at 7:00am for breakfast or in their parking lot at 8:00am after breakfast. To get there, take the I-15 north to Barstow and exit right at the Lenwood Road offramp. Denny's will be on the right hand side. Bring a lunch, water, snacks, and warm cloths, because summer may be over by then. Please make certain you have enough gas. Plan to spend the day driving and searching for wintering hawks and any other flying feathered beastie. Call Dori ,at the number above, if you have questions.