What walks, talks, and other nature-related events are coming up in Novato and North Marin in September? 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 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
Sunday, 9/8: Shorebirds of Northeast Marin
Late summer is when the shorebirds arrive from their arctic breeding grounds, fill up our mudflats and wetlands, and amaze us with their swirling flocks, graceful necks and legs, and ridiculously long bills. Join us on Sunday, September 8th from 10-10:45 AM for a free in-store seminar on how to find, identify, and appreciate all those wonderful names: sandpiper, plover, willet, godwit, curlew, and more. We’ll cover 23 species regularly seen in Novato and San Rafael, discussing identification, migration patterns, life history, and sharing inside tips on the best local sites for shorebird watching.
For more details and to reserve your spot, visit the event page here.
Saturday, 9/28: Hamilton Bird Walk
Join guest leader Daniel Edelstein and Jack from Nature in Novato for a fall walk on the Bay Trail at the Hamilton Wetlands. The expansive restored wetlands attract thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other birds in the fall and winter months. Mudflats attract sandpipers, plovers, curlews and more; shallow water fills with stilts, avocets, yellowlegs, and willets – nowhere else in Novato attracts a wider variety of shorebirds. We’ll also look for songbirds, raptors, and arriving ducks.
For more details, 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.
September 4: Naturalist hike at Indian Tree, Marin Open Space. See our profile of Indian Tree.
September 5: Birds at Pacheco Pond, Marin Audubon. See our profile of Pacheco Pond.
September 11: Ranger stroll at Deer Island, Marin Open Space. See our profile of Deer Island.
September 15: Naturalist walk at Rush Creek, Bahia end, Marin Open Space. See our profile of Rush Creek.
September 19: Vaux’s Swifts at the McNear Brickyard, San Rafael, Marin Audubon members only. See our profile of fall swift migration at McNear’s.
September 21: Coastal Cleanup Day. The biggest volunteer event in California has numerous Marin locations, including Stafford Lake, Pacheco Pond, the Hamilton Wetlands, China Camp, and San Rafael Creek. See the Coastal Commission map for all locations and registration details if required.
October 2: Big Rock Ridge to the Summit, naturalist hike, Marin Open Space. See our profile of Big Rock Ridge.
Header photo: Swirling clouds of small sandpipers are an autumn highlight. Photo by Don McCullough.
LOVE IT’s photo of gotwits & willets! As always, thanks, Jack!