What’s New
Starr Ranch Field Trips
Starr Ranch Field Trips
We have two field trips coming up in May at Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary. These trips require reservations since the sanctuary is not open to the public except by appointment or special events. Both nature walks are free of charge but advance reservations through Eventbrite are necessary since the trips have size limits; walk-ons will not be permitted. These trips are not suitable for children, only for adults and teenagers with a parent. Because of the small group size, please sign up for only one field trip. We hope to have more trips there next year. The trips will be led by seasonal ornithologist, Zach Vickers.
Wed, May 15 (9am – 12 noon) NATURE WALK ON THE LOOP TRAIL. This trip will offer good views of beautiful scenery, surrounding foothills, grasslands, trees, and coastal sage scrub. It should be a good birding area; be sure to bring your binoculars! Wear sturdy shoes with good traction for one steep uphill and one downhill stretch.
Trip size limited to 10 people.
Sat, May 18 (9am – 12 noon) NATURE WALK ALONG BELL CANYON. This will be riparian habitat, again with no views of the development of Coto de Caza on the hills above it. There should be good birding and possibly some water critters to watch for since Bell Creek will still have plenty of water in it. Be sure to bring your binoculars! Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. Trip size limited to 15 people.
DIRECTIONS to Starr Ranch and to the meeting location will be provided by Eventbrite after you make your reservation.
General Meeting, May 2024
General Meeting – Online Presentation
May 17, 2024 – 7:00 PM
“Keep Looking Up: The Powerful Healing of Birding”
Presented by Tammah Watts
Tammah Watts is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide, birder, and advocate for the equitable accessibility of nature, health, and mental health for all. She serves on the Audubon CA Advisory Board of Directors as the Southern California Audubon Chapter Council Representative, the Advisory Board for DISES + Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Project FeederWatch, and her local chapter, San Diego Audubon Board.
KEEP LOOKING UP: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching is a narrative memoir and guidebook with contemplative exercises that chronicles her journey towards healing by meaningfully connecting with birds. Join Tammah Watts as she weaves together her personal story and avian life to reveal the marvelous phenomenon shared among us.
Learn about and explore:
- the many benefits of spending time in nature, and in particular with birds, for one’s physical and mental health, and overall well-being
- how spending time with birds in a mindful way can deepen one’s appreciation for our feathered friends as well as enhance our connection to the natural world, and to ourselves
- ways to develop heightened awareness and acceptance for birding in various settings and capacities from at home to far distant lands and,
- how one’s story about life and birds can foster a sense of community that honors what we have in common as well as celebrates our differences.
To learn more about Tammah Watts, please visit her website at https://www.tammahwatts.com
Please join us for this fun-filled program. The meeting room opens at 6:30 PM; join us to socialize prior to the 7:00 PM meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88481549143
Meeting ID: 884 8154 9143
Need help? Email Christine Kim at chrislalakim@gmail.com.