Field Trips
Ohlone Audubon Field Trips:
Because of the unprecedented surge in new COVID-19 cases and the return of almost all California counties to the most restrictive purple tier, Ohlone Audubon is canceling all field trips until such a time that we deem it to be safe to start again. This is extremely disappointing, and not a decision we make lightly, but the safety of our members must come first. Ohlone Audubon hopes you can still get outdoors to safely observe birds on your own, or with other members of your households. Watch this page for further updates.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Ohlone Audubon Society has canceled all field trips out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our members, and to comply with the shelter-in-place rules in Alameda County and California. As those rules have changed and the science around how the coronavirus is generally transmitted has become better understood, we now feel that with certain rules and suggestions, OAS can once again start holding field trips.
These are the rules that must be followed on all Ohlone Audubon field trips for the foreseeable future, as well as some suggestions to participants:
1) Masks must be worn by all field trip participants, including leaders, at all times during the field trip
2) Carpooling is not permitted, except between members of shared households or "social bubbles" (as defined by the Alameda County order)
3) A minimum distance of six feet must be maintained at all times between participants who are not in the same social bubble
4) No sharing of optics or any other gear is permitted
5) No one who has a fever or any symptoms of illness, or who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days should not attend
6) All participants must pre-register for the trip by contacing our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by clicking on the link or emailing fieldtrips AT ohloneaudubon.org.
7) Maximum field trip size will be restricted to 10 participants and will be strictly enforced through the reservation system
8) Many East Bay parks, even though they are open for hiking, have closed bathrooms, so it is recommended that participants plan ahead
9) All participants are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer in case of accidental contact
All field trips are open to participants of any skill level--beginners are always welcome. Dress appropriately to the weather conditions. Heavy rain cancels. Call the trip leader or field trip chair if you have questions about the schedule or descriptions. $ indicates there may be a parking fee. If you have any ideas for field trips or have questions about an upcoming field trip please contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by clicking on the link or emailing fieldtrips AT ohloneaudubon.org.
Want to plan for months ahead for the many amazing OAS field trips? Download our annual field trip teaser which allows you to schedule far in advance for field trips. Keep your eye on the Kite Call or check on the calendar for more information on the field trips as they come closer!
OAS Annual Field Trip Teaser July 2020 to June 2021
Have an idea for a great field trip? Interested in leading a field trip? Ohlone Audubon’s field trip leaders will gather on annually to plan every year of exciting field trips. Where would you like to go birding with us? Contact us with your ideas and suggestions at fieldtripsATohloneaudubon.org
Introducing Pop-Up Field Trips!
Once a year, our wonderful field trip leaders get together and create an annual field trip schedule. But sometimes the birding at a certain location gets really good or a rare bird shows up when and where we don't have a field trip scheduled. Introducing "pop-up field trips"! A pop-up is a field trip that's not on the annual schedule, and it may be planned for just a few days from now. Due to print deadlines, the announcement may not make it into the current Kite Call, but we'll post it on the OAS web site (ohloneaudubon.org), on our OAS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Ohlone-Audubon-Society-278448208868107/), and on Yahoo Birding Events (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/birding-events/info). If you're up for some great last-minute birding, be sure to keep an eye on these sites. We look forward to seeing you in the field.