Events Calendar
Leaders: Bob Toleno & Juli Chamberlin
(fieldtrips AT ohloneaudubon.org)
Join us to see the spectacle of thousands of migrating Vaux’s Swifts entering a single chimney at Rio Lindo Academy in Healdsburg at sunset! Form carpools at the Castro Valley Park ‘n Ride to leave promptly at 1:00 PM. Our first stop will be Shollenberger Park in Petaluma where we’ll stretch our legs on an easy 2-mile walk while enjoying excellent wetlands birding. Then we’ll continue north to Healdsburg, make a stop at the local McDonald's, and then head up the hill to the academy by 6:00 PM. Sunset is at 7:15 PM. The sky will be swirling with birds and then poof! Into the chimney they’ll go.
Healdsburg is about 90 miles from Castro Valley. You are welcome to join us at any stop along our route. The field trip ends after the swifts have entered the chimney. Lodging is available in Healdsburg if you prefer to spend the night.
To reach Castro Valley Park ‘n Ride, exit I-580 East at Grove Way. Turn right on Grove, then take the first right onto Center St. The lot will be on your right. To reach Shollenberger Park (about 60 miles from Castro Valley), take I-580 west and cross the Richmond Bridge to connect to US-101 north. Exit at CA-116E (Lakeville Highway) and go east. Turn right on South McDowell Blvd, then right on Cader Lane to reach the parking lot. To reach McDonald’s in Healdsburg, return to US-101 north for about 30 miles and take exit 503 towards central Healdsburg. Continue on Healdsburg Avenue, and the McDonald's will be on the right. This is the last restroom stop; no restrooms are available at the academy. To reach Rio Lindo Academy (about 4 1/2 miles), head south on Healdsburg Avenue towards Exchange Avenue; keep left to stay on Healdsburg Avenue. Turn left onto Bailhache Avenue and continue when it becomes Rio Lindo Avenue. In about 3 miles you'll reach the Academy's main entrance. Turn left at the first stop sign, then left again just before the dormitory. In half a block turn right towards the rear of the campus. Park on the right past the chimney. Bring a folding chair and enjoy the show.