14th Annual Central Valley Birding Symposium

Please join us for yet another wonderful set of programs and field trips at this year's Central Valley Birding Symposium. The newly refurbished Stockton Hilton was a definite hit last year, and we look forward to returning. There will be the usual wide array of vendors present including the top optical manufacturers in the world, and some of the best art displays you'll ever see. Most of all come enjoy the company and camaraderie of birding friends, both old and new, with everything under one roof.

7:00 PM—9:00 PM Birder’s Welcoming Party — David Yee, Ed Harper & other CVBC members

5:30 AM—2:30 PM Field Trips: American River Parkway, Bufferlands & Stone Lakes NWR, Colusa NWR, Cosumnes River Preserve, Eastern Stanislaus Co, Merced Refuge, O’Neill Forebay/San Luis Reservoir, Pardee Reservoir Eagle Boat trip, Salt Springs Valley, San Joaquin NWR, Southeastern Solano, Staten Island & Delta Meadows SP, Sutter Buttes, & Yolo Co.

9:30 AM—11:00 AM "Winter Raptors of the Central Valley"— Ed Pandolfino & Zach Smith

11:30 AM—3:00 PM Local Field Trips: Bufferlands & Stone Lakes NWR, Cosumnes River Preserve, Fish Hatchery, Flood/Waverly Rd, Lodi Lake, Lodi Sewage Ponds, Stockton Sewage Ponds,

7:00 AM—11:30 PM Digiscoping Field Trip: Nature/Wildlife Photography in the Field

10:30 AM—12:00 PM Waterbird ID Workshop: “Loons and Grebes”— Joe Morlan

It is highly recommended that you bring your binoculars to all programs and workshops.

David, Ed, and others will allow us to continue in the enjoyment and excitement of reconnecting with old friends and perhaps the making of a few new ones. We will take advantage of the scrumptious buffet, great beverages, and our home for the weekend by using a variety of photos, audios, and birding personalities to enhance the evening while allowing you to be at your social best. We will also make any special announcements and additions/ changes to the Symposium at this time, and will cover Friday’s fieldtrips.

This program has become an annual favorite. What better way to learn about the finer points of bird identification than by listening to the experts go through the process? Our illustrious panel will include Oscar Johnson, Joe Morlan, and Jon Dunn. They will be presented with slides of difficult-to-identify bird groups (such as Golden-Plovers, winter plumage loons, female goldeneyes, etc.), and then each will mention what features they use to aid in clinching an ID.

7:45 PM—9:00 PM Keynote Program: Paul Bannick —"Owls and Woodpeckers of the West"

Owls and Woodpeckers are two of the most distinctive bird families in the world. Both families have intriguing life histories that have made them favorites among birders and non-birders alike. But did you know that owls and woodpeckers often share habitats, and when they do, they often have a most fascinating relationship? Paul has spent years studying and photographing this species inter-relationship and will focus his program on those species that occur in the West, in particular those in northern California.

Paul Bannick is an award-winning photographer, specializing in natural history imagery. He possesses the rare skill of being able to tell great stories, fill in the details of bird behavior and, through it all, urge the listener to care about what happens in habitats upon which birds depend. An experienced naturalist and outdoor educator, Paul creates many of his images while kayaking, hiking, or snowshoeing in the Pacific Northwest. His work has appeared in numerous books and magazines, including The Seattle Times’ Pacific Northwest Magazine, Sunset and PhotoMedia, as well as on interpretive signs in both state and national parks throughout the West. Paul is the official photographer for “Birdnote,” a popular radio show on KPLU and several other NPR stations. He is the Director of Development for Conservation Northwest, and lives in Seattle, Washington. Paul is author of the newly-published "The Owl and the Woodpecker".

9:30 AM—11:00 AM "Winter Raptors of the Central Valley"— Ed Pandolfino & Zach Smith

If you are looking for the ideal location to experience North American raptors in stunning numbers and variety, you are already there. California’s Central Valley is, arguably, the most important site for wintering raptors on the continent. The abundance and diversity of hawks in our area in winter is simply extraordinary. Despite this, relatively little research has been done on the Valley's wintering raptors and we know little about the way these birds use various Central Valley habitats. Given the rapid conversion of the Central Valley's open spaces to urban and intense agricultural uses, it is crucial that we understand how these birds are using this landscape in order to create effective conservation plans. In 2006, we began work on a project to survey the Valley's wintering raptors and determine the key habitat associations of each species. Under the auspices of the Central Valley Bird Club and with help from volunteers throughout the region, we created 19 survey routes from Shasta County in the north to Kings County in the south and collected data on raptors for three consecutive winters. Data were collected from nearly 21,000 raptor observations covering 19 raptor species (plus Turkey Vultures and Loggerhead Shrikes). We will present some of the key findings on important habitat associations for several of these species and discuss the conservation implications.

Zach Smith received a BS in Zoology from UC Davis in 1994. While there, he was involved in research projects on White-tailed Kites, American Kestrels, as well as surveys of the local raptor populations around Davis. Since then, he has worked as an avian biologist throughout California as well as Utah, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, Mexico and Chile. He is currently working at the Shiloh Wind Energy project near Rio Vista and lives in Davis.

Ed Pandolfino - After a checkered and inconsistent college experience that included dropping out and touring Europe as a drummer for a Rock & Roll band, Ed finally settled down and earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and spent over twenty years working in various management positions in the medical device industry until his growing obsession with birds helped inspire him to retire early. Ed is on the boards of Sierra Foothills Audubon Society and Western Field Ornithologists. He serves as a Regional Editor for Northern California for North American Birds and is on the editorial committee of for the Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin.

This workshop will cover the “basics”: How to choose and use optics and field guides, when and where to bird, and the first steps toward identifying a bird. Jim is a high school teacher from Modesto who has a contagious love for birds and education. He is one of the top birders in Stanislaus County.

This workshop will cover Digiscoping, the marriage of a spotting scope and digital camera to document wildlife sightings– one of the hottest topics in the birding world. We will discuss choosing the best camera mounting options, shooting tips, and techniques in the field. Tips on using a Digital SLR behind the scope eyepiece will be included. Participants are encouraged to bring their spotting scopes, digital still cameras, and camcorders.

This is a time to visit and have fun with one another. Many of our speakers have authored books that may be in your library, so remember to bring yours if you want it signed. Artists likely to be present include, Tim Manolis, Peter Knapp, Rene Reyes, & others. Many books will be available for purchase.

California's biodiversity in the 1850s was staggering to the imagination. When you look at what is left to us to this day to enjoy, there is a lifetime to be explored. In between there are a number of critters that have become or are nearly extinct/extirpated. Come travel with me as we explore through my lens that rich diversity of birds here in California, and look at the story behind some of those who are in need the public's help to be here for future generations.

Moose’s true passion is wildlife photography and he considers himself incredibly fortunate to be amongst North Americas critters and bring back their story with his camera. Along the way in Moose’s thirty year career he has been very fortunate to be recognized for his passion: a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens, Lexar Elite Photographer, recipient of the John Muir Conservation Award, Research Associate with the Endangered Species Recovery Program, just a few to name. He shares his knowledge through his writing, being published in over 131 magazines worldwide, author of 24 books and lecturing across the country to thousands of photographers. One of the original Nikon shooters to receive the D1 camera in 1999, Moose embraced this new technology becoming the only wildlife photographer in the world to shoot strictly digital in the early years. While a beta tester for all the major hardware and software manufacturers, Moose continues, his main goal of photographing the life history of North America’s endangered wildlife and wild places. Being a creative innovator of new techniques both behind the camera and behind the computer is the driving force behind his photography and goals.

Join master carvers from the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association for a three and a half hour carving seminar. All of the necessary materials, including a study guide and the best knives on the market, will be provided for this seminar. Short lectures with lots of hands-on carving will enable you to complete a life size Dunlin shorebird decoy. Topics include where to get your supplies, how to use reference material, wood selection, and how to use hand tools and power tools. There is a $25 fee for materials. The price includes a one-year membership in the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association, and a club directory, so you will know who is carving in your area. Must be fifteen years old or older. Pre-registration necessary.

Have you ever observed a bird and just wished you could sit down and begin to draw it on paper, but did not know where to start? Well, here is a chance to learn how.

10:30 AM—12:00 PM Waterbird ID Workshop: “Loons and Grebes”— Joe Morlan

These divers are regular visitors to the Central Valley especially during winter when in basic plumage. Identifying to species can be challenging, especially under less than optimal viewing conditions, which is often the case when these birds are rather far off in the middle of a large body of water. There is no better person to go over these challenges than Joe. Joe has been a fixture at this event for many years. He is one of the nation’s leading birders and has long served on the CA Bird Records Committee. He teaches very popular birding classes at the College of San Francisco.

The Central Valley Birding Symposium serves as the annual meeting of the Central Valley Bird Club. We will conduct a brief meeting to give members (if you attend the Symposium, you are an automatic member) an update on the club, and to take care of any business that requires the approval by the membership. This is also when we will conduct the ever-popular raffle where many of the vendors and artists donate wonderful items and works to support the Club.

Jon will cover the bird group of sparrows. He will pay particular attention to those species encountered in the Central Valley and surrounding areas. Jon is one of the world’s leading field ornithologists and has few peers when it comes to explaining the finer identification points within challenging bird groups. Jon has authored many books/articles on bird ID, status and distribution and his most recent book is the “Gulls of the Americas: Photo Guide” with Steve Howell. He also leads birding tours for Wings.

Please note the codes in parentheses after the descriptions are ratings provided as a service to our participants with limited mobility. Explanations located after the Specialized Field Trips section.

Directions and maps for all Friday trips available Friday morning prior to departure time. Please be considerate of the leaders and fellow birders by arriving in plenty of time, prior to the departure, to receive any last minute instructions and to arrange the carpools. Due to the rising cost of fuel, please remember to offer the driver gas money. Contact Kurt Mize (k1mize@aol.com), field trip coordinator, if other arrangements are necessary. A boxed lunch will be available from the Stockton Hilton. Please designate on the registration form if you desire to purchase one.

American River Parkway: Approximately 5,000 acres of open space and wildlife habitat have been preserved along 23 miles of the American River from its confluence with the Sacramento River to Lake Natoma. Setting aside valuable land in the middle of a heavily urbanized area was model civic planning on a national scale--it is five times larger than New York's Central Park! Habitat gradations over its length, from giant cottonwoods festooned with grape vines on the valley floor to live oaks and steep bluffs at its upper end, make for a diverse birding experience. Expect a mix of riparian and oak woodland birds, good numbers of Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes, with a good chance for Barrow's, and a good selection of gulls (the latter somewhat dependant on conditions and the extent of the salmon run). Multiple access points will be visited, with short to moderate walks at each. (SS/2) Limited to 20 participants.

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, Sutter Buttes, & District 10: The focus will be Colusa NWR, one of the best places in the Central Valley to view large waterfowl concentrations. There will be myriad ducks on the tour and skeins of Snow, Ross's and White-fronted geese, and many raptors overhead—possibly including Bald Eagle and/or Peregrine Falcon. Eurasian Wigeon is almost a cinch. There will be some easy walking on a level trail through a riparian forest next to the main viewing pond. If time allows on the return trip, we will drive around the Sutter Buttes to look for Rough-legged Hawk, Sandhill Cranes, and diving ducks. Then we will proceed to District 10, northeast of Marysville, a winter haven for thousands of easily viewed geese and swans, including occasional Trumpeter & Bewick's swans, and White-faced Ibis. Driving time from Stockton to Colusa NWR is about 2 hours. (2)

Cosumnes River Preserve: Cosumnes River Preserve has the finest valley oak riparian forest in California. The preserve also has extensive wetlands, fallow fields, oak savannas, and fresh water tidal marshes and swamps. There are two possible routes: 1) River Walk trail, Lost Slough Boardwalk, along Desmond Road, and wetlands around “The Barn,” (~ 4-5 miles), or 2) Tall Forest, Accidental Forest, along Desmond Road and wetlands around “the Barn” (~ 4-5 miles). The River Walk and Lost Slough Boardwalk trails are flatter, unobstructed, and a better sampler of all the habitats of the lower preserve. Birding the Tall Forest requires following animal trails through thick shrubs and over and under fallen trees. Ten years of accumulated deadfall, without a cleansing flood, has made transit of the Tall Forest very difficult. Rubber boots are encouraged due to standing water and low spots. Participants on both tours can expect to see many cranes and waterfowl, a diverse variety of raptors and many songbirds. Most specialty birds are found on the River Walk, but Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush, Hutton’s Vireo, and Wrentit are a possibility in the Tall Forest. Driving time is about 30 minutes. (3/C)

Digiscoping: Combining camera and scope is an expanding possibility–find out for yourself with this in-the-field workshop led by led by Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optik. Equipment, settings, field techniques will all be discussed and put into practice with hands-on, on-site learning. Destination will be chosen according to best photography conditions, so grab your equipment (or use the available loaner scopes) and be ready to capture those close-ups. This is a fundraiser for the Youth Scholarship Fund, so donations are $25. (3/R) Limited to 15 participants.

Eastern Stanislaus Co.: The focus of this field trip is the rolling grasslands, Oak Savannah and foothill reservoirs of Eastern Stanislaus Co. We will travel first to Turlock Lake State Park to look for early Mountain Plovers and then work our way east to Joe Domecq/Basso Bridge (sneak peeks at the salmon) and north along Cooperstown Rd., Willms Rd., Knight's Ferry, and Sonora Rd. In the event that roads are wet, we will travel north on Crabtree Rd. instead of Willms Rd. Expect to see Lewis' Woodpeckers, many raptors (including both eagles and 3 falcon species), Vesper Sparrows, Mountain Bluebirds, wintering songbirds and more. Restrooms available at three stops, but no food or gas services available after the meeting spot. Meet at the Fruit Yard Restaurant (the corner of Hwy 132 & Albers Rd). East of Modesto at 7AM or at the symposium at 5:30 AM. (2)

Merced Refuges: East of the O’Neill Forebay in central Merced County, the wildlife refuges attract an abundance of cranes, waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds. Ibis, pelicans, and eagles are also a possibility. In the past, we have seen rare species such as Swamp Sparrow, Eastern Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Stilt Sandpiper, and Ruff, so although we cannot predict seeing a rare bird, this area provides a great opportunity to discover an unexpected species. We will visit the Merced NWR and the San Luis NWR and if time permits, the Los Banos Wildlife Area & Gun Club Road marshes. Driving time is about 100 minutes each way. (2/SS)

O’Neill Forebay & San Luis Reservoir: This area lies 90 miles south of Stockton, on the west side of Hwy 33 & I-5, and north of Hwy 152, off Hwy 5 and 152. This area attracts large numbers of divers, including loons, grebes, scaups, Redhead, Canvasback, and an occasional scoter or Long-tailed Duck. Also regularly attracts rare inland gulls such as Western, Glaucous-winged, and Thayer’s. Campground and boat launch areas also attract a variety of land birds in the pine & eucalyptus trees. If time permits, we will check the Gustine sewage ponds for gulls, waterfowl, and the rare Pacific Golden-Plover. Driving time is about 90 minutes each way. (1)

Pardee Reservoir Eagle Tour: This scenic foothill reservoir is normally closed to the public during the winter months. This field trip features a four-hour boat tour led by East Bay MUD Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist James Jones. Eagles, Ospreys, and winter waterfowl are expected. (C) Limited to 20 participants.

Sacramento Co. Bufferlands & Stone Lakes NWR: This tour provides an opportunity to visit sites with limited public access and to see fruits of local conservation and restoration efforts. The 2500-acre Bufferlands surrounding the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant provide an open space buffer between the treatment plant and the community. Large-scale habitat restoration has been underway since 1992. We will visit restored and remnant habitats, including wetlands, riparian forest, and grasslands to find a high diversity of bird species. This is an excellent chance to look for rails, raptors, winter songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Adjacent to the Bufferlands, the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a fairly new refuge, having been established in 1994. There we can expect to see numerous waterfowl as well as Sandhill Cranes and grassland species. We will visit several sites, with short to moderate walks at each. (2/R) Limited to 20 participants.

San Joaquin River NWR: The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge is located west of Modesto, California, within the historic floodplain of the confluences of the San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Rivers. Refuge lands consist of oak-cottonwood-willow riparian forest, pastures, agricultural fields, and wetlands. The refuge has an approved refuge boundary of 12,877 acres with over 1,900 acres of pristine riparian woodlands and 800 acres of newly restored riparian woodland. It is the primary wintering site of 98 percent of the Aleutian Canada Geese that winter in the Valley (October - April), plus it is a major wintering/migration area for Lesser & Greater Sandhill Cranes, Cackling Geese, and White-fronted Geese. The refuge's riparian forest provides important migration and breeding habitat for Neotropical migratory land birds with the most recent celebrity, Least Bell's Vireo. We should expect to get close to 100 species on this trip. (3/C)

Salt Springs Valley & Vicinity: East of Stockton, in the low foothills of Calaveras County lies the Salt Springs Valley. Due to the variety of habitats visited, a nice selection of birds will be viewed. Expected birds will include good numbers and variety of raptors and waterfowl. These usually include Bald & Golden eagles, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, & Prairie Falcon. Waterfowl will include a mix of geese, dabbling and bay ducks, mergansers, grebes, shorebirds, herons, moorhens, and coots. The ranch is also good for Lewis’s Woodpecker & Phainopepla. Driving time is 60-90 min. over a narrow country road. Restroom opportunities are limited. (3/R) Limited to 20 participants.

Southeastern Solano County: The grasslands and farmlands between Dixon and Rio Vista provide some of the best open country birding in the Central Valley. Target species include Mountain Plover and numerous raptors: Ferruginous & Rough-legged Hawks, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, and both eagles are possible. This is one of the best areas for the regionally declining Long-billed Curlew and Loggerhead Shrike. Scattered wetlands harbor waterfowl and forested patches shelter songbirds. Much of the birding will be along lightly traveled roads (1).

SPARROWS: Jon Dunn will lead this special field trip dedicated to the study and identification of sparrows found in the Central Valley. Jon will pay special attention to those species, which have very distinct races such as Fox Sparrow and Dark-eyed junco. Areas to be visited will be local in nature to keep driving time to a minimum. Fundraisers for the Youth Scholarship Fund, donations are $25. (3/R) Limited to 15 participants.

Staten Island & Delta Meadows State Park: From Stockton we will drive about 25 miles north on Interstate 5 and west on Walnut Grove Road to Delta Meadows State Park. This will be our first and longest stop as we walk the trails of this undeveloped, seldom-visited, and relatively unknown state park. The park consists of a remnant of valley oak riparian woodland, with sloughs, ponds, seasonal wetlands, and meadows at the confluence of the Cosumnes and Sacramento Rivers. Rubber boots are recommended, as some low-lying areas may be flooded in winter. Afterward, we will head to the nearby 9,200-acre Staten Ranch on Staten Island, a Nature Conservancy property that is still actively farmed, but also managed for wildlife. The farm’s corn and wheat fields are flooded in winter to provide critical habitat for Sandhill Cranes and other waterfowl.

Sutter Buttes: The trip will be an opportunity for birders to get a close up look at the only mountains in the Central Valley. The time of year will limit the diversity of birds but it will be a good opportunity for those working on their Sutter County bird lists. (3/R) (Cost is $30, Donation to the Middle Mountain Foundation) Limited to 18 participants; Carpooling mandatory.

Western Amador County: East of Sacramento in the foothills of Amador County, numerous ponds, a large reservoir, fields, riparian woodlands, and oak savanna harbor a high diversity of birds. We will visit all of the hotspots to see waterfowl, grebes, pelicans, and eagles. In the past, rare wintering species have included Red-naped Sapsucker, Pacific Loon, Thayer’s Gull, Tundra Swan, Burrowing Owl, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Green-winged Teal, and Black-and-white Warbler. This area provides a great opportunity to see many birds for your Amador County list. We will visit Comanche Reservoir, the Ione area and numerous ponds in between. Driving time is about 60 minutes each way. (1)

Yolo County: Some of Yolo’s premier birders will guide participants to sites offering the county’s largest variety of wintering birds. This trip goes to wetlands, sewage ponds, lake, and riparian habitats. Some possible stops are: Putah Creek riparian for passerines (Rufous-crowned Sparrow), and waterfowl along the creek (Hooded Mergansers, Barrow’s Goldeneye); Lake Solano (Osprey); Davis landfill and waste water treatment plant for gulls (Glaucous-winged, Thayer’s) and shorebirds; Yolo Bypass marshes for waterfowl (Blue-winged Teal, mixed geese) and shorebirds (Ruff). This outing consistently produces the highest species total among symposium field trips. Easy to moderate walking, mostly driving. Plan to meet leaders in Davis by 7am Park & Ride on the Northeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 80 and Mace Blvd. (2)

SATURDAY FIELD TRIPS ARE OFFERED LATER IN THE MORNING BETWEEN 11:30 AM—3:00 PM. Fish Hatchery, Flood/Waverly Rd, Lodi Lake, Lodi Sewage
Ponds, Stockton Sewage Ponds, Turner Rd Vintners, Woodbridge Rd. {Box Lunch Available}.

SUNDAY’S FIELD TRIP DEPARTURE TIMES VARY. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL TRIP FOR DEPARTURE TIMES.

Camanche Lake Fish Hatchery: This is small, delightful riparian oak woodland along the banks of the Mokelumne River northeast of Lodi. Expect mergansers, sparrows, warblers, and an occasional Osprey or eagle. There are maintained trails in this area leading from the parking lot to the river and riparian forest. 6:30 am departure time/Sun. (3/WS/SS)

Cosumnes River Preserve: We will visit the River Walk Trail. 6:30 am departure time/Sun. (3/C)

Flood/Waverly Roads: The Flood/Waverly rangelands in eastern San Joaquin County are a “Raptor Wonderland” in winter. Birds likely to be seen include Ferruginous and Rough-legged hawks, perhaps a Prairie Falcon or Merlin. Eagles, owls, and numerous other raptors are possible. Non-raptors to be looked for include Mountain Bluebirds and perhaps rare gulls at the landfill. 6:30 am departure time/Sun. (1)

Lodi Lake: A 40-acre oak riparian jewel along the Mokelumne River is near downtown Lodi. Maintained trails make for very easy walking. It is a great spot for wintering passerines such as Varied Thrush, Winter Wren, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. A good vagrant trap, with some of the rarest birds in the county found here. 7 am departure time/Sun. (3/WM, SM)

Lodi Sewage Ponds: These small settling ponds are near the intersection of I-5 and Hwy 12. Highly productive over the years, they are the spot to see Pacific Golden-Plover locally. If the conditions are right, they can attract good numbers of other shorebirds as well as gulls, terns and ducks. 7 am departure time/Sun (1)

Sacramento Co. Bufferlands & Stone Lakes NWR: An abbreviated version of Friday’s trip. 6:30 am departure time/Sun. (2/R)

Stockton Sewage Ponds: Some of the largest ponds in the world, this complex attracts large numbers of gulls, waterfowl, and shorebirds all year round. In previous years, these ponds produced a Franklin’s Gull and Peregrine Falcon for the Symposium. 7 am departure time/Sun. (1)

Turner Rd. Vintners: This wildlife-friendly winery features sewage ponds and 40-acre wetlands created with wastewater from winery operations. Winter visitors in 2003 included Common Loon, Ross's Goose, and a second county record of Vermilion Flycatcher! 7 am departure time/Sun. (1)

Woodbridge Rd: This road is just north of Hwy 12 off I-5. This is one of the most accessible areas in the state to see Greater Sandhill Cranes. Raptors, waterfowl, and shorebirds are also present, especially at the special crane preserve. 7 am departure time/Sun. (1)

Jim will help put into action many of the topics he covered earlier. He will visit Oak Grove Regional Park in north Stockton where wintering birds abound. Bring binoculars, field guides and note book.

Grab your digital camera and join us in a nearby location to practice some basic techniques for creating great nature and wildlife images! We will find a variety of subject matter to photograph, including very cooperative critters, and we will discuss different ways of shooting tips and techniques in the field.

Registration fee ($95) includes Programs and Field trips for Thursday-Sunday and membership/renewal fees for the Central Valley Bird Club. If you are unable to attend the full Symposium, but wish to attend a single day there is a $45 Single day fee available. College age students (ID required) will only pay $50 for the entire event, or $25 Single day. All other students through high school age are free! Spaces at the CVBS are limited. Please send in your registration by November 10^th to ensure a space. Make checks payable to: Central Valley Birding Symposium.

Upon receiving your registration, a confirmation notice will be e-mailed. Registration packets, which contain your name badge & meal tickets, may be picked up beginning at 3:00 PM on Thursday November 18at the Stockton Hilton Hotel. Registration packets will also be available on Friday morning (prior to field trip departures), Friday afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday morning. Email Frances Oliver at CVBSreg@gmail.com if other arrangements need to be made.

If you cancel your registration, either by telephone or in writing, you will receive a full refund, minus a processing fee. Notification must be received by November 15^th. Beginning November 16^th, no cancellations, or “no shows” will be refunded.

Lodging is not included in the registration fee. Our headquarters, the Stockton Hilton Hotel, is providing a limited number of rooms at the discounted rate of $99 night, so register early! Make reservations directly with the hotel by calling (209)957-9090 and tell them you are attending the CVBS.

A “Hot Breakfast” will be available Friday through Sunday morning from the Stockton Hilton Hotel. Box lunches, with a vegetarian option, are available for both Friday’s & Saturday’s field trip. Sunday buffet lunch will include soup, salad, sandwiches and drinks. Friday & Saturday dinners are available at the Stockton Hilton Hotel prior to the keynote speaker. They will be served buffet style, and will include meat, chicken and vegetarian entrees. We try our best to accommodate special needs, but bringing your own is the only way to be certain that your dietary requirements are not compromised. Please indicate on the registration form which meal you are interested in attending/purchasing. Meal prices are indicated on the registration form.

For those of you not choosing to participate in the meals, there are a few fast food places surrounding the Stockton Hilton Hotel. Unfortunately, there are very few early breakfast places available.

T-shirts and sweatshirts have been a big hit for the last 13 years. This year’s artist will be Rene Reyes. In order to accommodate as many people as possible we are asking you to indicate your preference and size on the registration form.

In November, in the Central Valley, rain and fog are to be expected. In fact, anything except snow and high temperatures are possible. Participants should plan accordingly. Since conditions commonly change during the course of a day, it is usually best to be dressed in layers that can be shed or added as necessary.

Car-pooling is encouraged, so be sure to start the day with a full tank of gas. Friday will be a long field day, so bring plenty of water, snacks and pack a lunch for the day. Due to the variation in weather condition participants should be well prepared. Dress in layers; bring an outer rainproof/windproof shell, wool gloves and caps, and perhaps a hat to shade the eyes. Good sturdy shoes are necessary, and perhaps rubber knee boots will be useful for some areas.

Binoculars are essential, with spotting scopes useful to help optimize looks at distant waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, or gulls. Please do not forget your optic cleaning equipment. If you are inclined, familiarize yourself with tape recordings of different birdcalls for the area. Bring your own field guides for birds, mammals, butterflies, insects, animal tracks, etc. Unfortunately, the local amphibians and reptiles will have withdrawn into winter quarters by mid-November. A daypack is desirable to carry your personal gear. Do not forget a thermos of your favorite hot beverage! If you are planning to take part in the photographic field trip, you will need your camera & lenses.

Please judge your own limits for walking. For those birders that have limited mobility, the field trips are rated. For further information, please contact Cheri Pillsbury raptorcheri@att.net or Kurt Mize k1mize@aol.com.

No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find it at the Birding Nature Fair and Art Show located in the Stockton Hilton Hotel. We will have many vendors and artists from across the nation selling their goods. The items will range from books & software, clothing, optics to fine arts and collectibles. Vendors are available to help you find that perfect birding gear, gift, or equipment.