What walks, talks, and other nature-related events are coming up in Novato and North Marin in May? Read below for our upcoming events (free, but advanced registration required) as well as our monthly compilation of local guided walks and nature-related events sponsored by other groups.
Want advance notice of upcoming events?
Nature in Novato events are posted over the course of each month. Near the beginning of each month, they are listed in the Wild Birds Unlimited email newsletter, at which point most events fill up within a day or two. If you would like to beat the bird store crowd to the punch, you can subscribe to Nature in Novato and receive an email notice whenever a new post is published, including this new monthly event summary, which goes out out a few days before the bird store newsletter. Just type your email address below! (All contact information is completely private and will not be used for any commercial purposes; unsubscribing is easy.)Our Nature in Novato/Wild Birds Unlimited events are free of charge, but are limited to small groups for the best possible experience; please click through to each event to reserve your space.
Nature in Novato Events
Saturday, 5/4: Binocular Workshop at Stafford Lake
Join guest expert Mike Freiberg from Nikon Sports Optics and Jack from Wild Birds Unlimited for this seminar on choosing and using binoculars to watch birds and nature at Novato’s Stafford Lake. We’ll start with an interactive presentation from Mike on binocular basics, giving you the knowledge to use your optics most effectively or choose a new pair. Attendees will have the opportunity to try out a wide range of Nikon binoculars and get personalized advice from Mike and the team from Wild Birds Unlimited while enjoying a spring morning at idyllic Stafford Lake.
We’ll be enjoying the birds even during our stationary portion of the event, with both waterbirds on and around the lake and a number of interesting spring migrant songbirds easily viewed around our seminar area, notably Bullock’s orioles and western kingbirds. For the second hour of our session, we’ll enjoy a short bird walk in the park as we look for a wider variety of species, allowing participants more time to try out different binoculars in real life conditions and ask further questions as we go along.
For full details and to reserve your spot, visit the event page here.
Sunday, 5/19: Intro to Backyard Birds
Seminar at Wild Birds Unlimited
Join Jack for this 45-minute introduction to our most common and notable backyard birds. We’ll discuss about 20 different species that you can see in your yard right now, explaining the essential basics:
- How to identify them: what is that bird you’re always seeing?
- The best ways to attract them with feeders or nesting boxes. What foods should you offer?
- Their migration patterns – who’s here now? When will they leave?
Plus myriad other tips and insights to help you generally become more friendly and familiar with our backyard bird species.
For full details and to reserve your spot, visit the event page here.
Sunday, 5/26: Birds at Olompali State Historic Park
Join guest leader Rich Cimino of Yellowbilled Tours and Jack from Wild Birds Unlimited on this bird walk at Olompali State Historic Park on the north side of Novato. We’ll undertake an easy exploration of the historic garden areas and adjacent natural woodlands, looking for birds such as hooded orioles, Steller’s jays, bluebirds and other flycatchers, a variety of woodpeckers, and many other summer songbirds.
For full details and to reserve your spot, visit the event page here.
Other Upcoming Nature Events
The two most active other groups that regularly offer free public bird walks in our area are Marin Audubon Society and Marin County Parks. Check their calendars for additional scheduled events in other parts of the county; Novato and San Rafael-based activities are listed below.
April 28: Birdsong on Mount Burdell, Marin Open Space. Read our profile of Mount Burdell.
May 8: Birds on Mount Burdell, Marin Open Space.
May 11: Birds at Mount Burdell, Marin Audubon.
May 18: Birds at Mount Burdell and Stafford Lake or Rush Creek, Marin Audubon. Read our profile of Mount Burdell.
May 19: Birdsong at Mount Burdell, Marin Open Space.
May 21: Wetland Restoration Walk at McInnis Park, Marin Parks.
May 23: Birds at China Camp, Marin Audubon. Read our profile of China Camp.
May 23: Birds and Blossoms at Loma Alta Fire Road, Marin Open Space. Read our profile of Loma Alta.
June 5: Raptors of Marin, presentation at Novato Library by Jack from Nature in Novato/Wild Birds Unlimited.
Header photo: Burdell landscape from Monika’s blog.