2010 Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua
Program Information
Friday, June 18
Saturday, June 19
Sunday, June 20
Leader and presenter biographies
Other things to do during Chautauqua week
Group size limits, kids, and things to know
Imagine flying 3,000 miles north dead-set on nesting on Lee Vining Creek only to smack right into a fishing line left behind in your favorite summer willow. For those arriving a bit early to this year's Chautauqua, Friends of the Inyo will host our 4th annual Bird Habitat Clean up. This year, help lend a hand to clean up discarded fishing line and other bird-hazardous debris along the banks of Lee Vining Creek. Drop by the diversion dam just up Lee Vining Canyon. We'll provide trash bags and gloves anytime from 10:00pm to 2:00pm on Thursday June 18th. Check at the Mono Lake Committee for directions. Help us celebrate the coming summer solstice in style by giving back a few hours to improve the habitat for our feathered friends. No charge and opent to all!
Thursday 10:00 am—2:00 pm
Lee Vining diversion dam, Lee Vining Creek
Lundy Canyon ramble (field trip) ONE SPOT!
Zach Smith
We will head up Lundy Canyon with no real preconceptions of what we will see, basically just enjoying the wonderful assemblage of breeding birds of this Eastern Sierra drainage. The mixture of open water (reservoir), riparian, coniferous and sagebrush habitats found in this canyon attracts a nice diversity of birds, and these habitats are quite accessible via the main road and short trails along the creek. Since we will be in the heart of nesting season, we will likely spend some time observing birds at various stages of their breeding cycles. Among the birds to be expected include mergansers, quail, sapsuckers, woodpeckers, pewees, vireos, jays, dippers, nuthatches, creepers, kinglets, wrens, chickadees, thrushes, grosbeaks, swallows, warblers, juncos, towhees, sparrows and finches. We will keep our ears and eyes open for owls and raptors as well. We will be walking mostly on dirt roads/trails with some light off-trail walking possible.
Friday 6:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Sagebrush and tufa: Black Point to the shoals (field trip) JUST ADDED MAY 29!!
Justin Hite
We will start the morning prowling the pinyon forests of Rancheria Gulch just north of Highway 167 in search of Plumbeous Vireos, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Juniper Titmice, Gray Flycatchers and Pinyon Jays, and we'll hopefully catch these guys singing their cute little lungs out. From there we will drive a short distance to edge of Black Point, a volcano along the north shore that formed underneath Ice Age Mono Lake's waters, where we should be able to find Sage Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and other great sagebrush birds. And underneath a few high-flying Horned Larks in the middle of their aerial song displays we'll wander down to one of the little-visited yet very spectacular stretches of Mono's shores: the tufa shoals. In terms of shear numbers of waterbirds this is one of the most productive stretches of shoreline. We'll see avocets, phalaropes, peeps, dabblers, and perhaps even Snowy Plovers scurrying around on the shore of Gaines Island.
Friday 6:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Pines, peaks, and passes (field trip) FULL
Kristie Nelson
The Mammoth Pass region is a unique area containing six distinct coniferous forest types. This trip will explore these forests and the surrounding area. We will progress from sagebrush steppe to stands of Jeffrey and then lodgepole pine forests. Next are the majestic red firs, followed by mountain hemlock, western white pine and finally to the whitebark pine and tree line at 9,100 ft. elevation. Species we hope to see and hear include Williamson's sapsucker, western tanager, mountain bluebird, Clark's nutcracker, evening grosbeak and others. After lunch atop the Minaret Vista soaking in the unforgettable views of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, we will descend down to Crowley Lake. The Owens River delta at Crowley Lake is one of the most productive birding sites in Mono County, hosting an array of shorebirds, ducks, and migrants.
Friday 7:00 am —3:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Burger's Retreat Friday (field trip) FULL
Dave Shuford
We'll drive up and over a steep moraine out of Lee Vining Canyon on our way to a privately owned secluded nature reserve only a short distance from the masses of visitors passing through Yosemite. We'll stroll through a rich variety of habitats including sagebrush, meadow, willow thickets, aspen groves, conifers and even outcroppings of rocks. Green-tailed Towhees, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers and many others may make an appearance.
Friday 7:00 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Crowley Lake: Marshes, migrants, mountains, and mud (field trip) FULL
Debbie House
Crowley Lake Reservoir, formed by the damming of the Owens River and cradled in the Long Valley caldera, offers spectacular views of the High Sierra to the west and the Glass Mountain and White Mountain ranges to the east. Besides its wetland habitats hosting a variety of breeding and migrant waterbirds, Crowley is nestled amid a mix of sagebrush, wet meadows, and small alkali lakes, with riparian and pinyon woodlands nearby. June is the peak of the breeding season, so we should see several species of nesting ducks, shorebirds, and grebes, plus perhaps some oversummering non-breeders or late or early migrants. We also will view the largest Bank Swallow colony in the eastern Sierra, Common Nighthawks harvesting the insect-rich air space over the lake, and typical sagebrush denizens, such as Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow, Sage Sparrow, and, with luck, Loggerhead Shrike and Greater Sage-Grouse. And that's not all!
Friday 7:00 am —1:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Lee Vining Canyon (field trip) FULL
Will Richardson and Kirk Hardie
Lee Vining Canyon is one of the Eastern Sierra's premier birding locations. It offers a variety of habitats and breathtaking views. Of particular interest is the habitat progression as Lee Vining Creek drains from the high alpine mountains of Yosemite and Tioga Pass down through the canyon and out into the arid, sage-scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dippers, Townsend's Solitaires, Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see on this trip.
Friday 7:30 am —11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding the aspens (field trip) FULL
Steve Shunk
The aspen-lined canyons of the Mono Basin offer some of the most exciting and productive summer birding in California. Join Steve Shunk as he explores the riparian richness of the region. Expect a thorough primer on the natural history of aspen woodlands and especially their nesting woodpeckers. In addition to studying woodpecker behavior, we will also search for a host of nesting songbirds, including Mountain Bluebird, MacGillivray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Bullock's Oriole, and Black-headed Grosbeak, as well as many birds of the adjacent mixed-conifer forest.
Friday 7:30 am —11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Magical mystery tour (field trip) FULL
Leader—a mystery TBA
Are you in the mood for some unpredictable birding to some unknown local destination? This new field trip will head to an unknown location in the area for a few hours of "pot-luck" birding. This trip may combine a few secret spots and the latest sightings. We can only guarantee that your leader will know birds and be familiar with the area they are going. This is a surprise trip for someone.
7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Nature Awareness: Introduction to integrated tracking and awareness (workshop/field trip)
Peter Bergen
Participants will experience the basics of tracking: clear print identification, track measurement, aging, sign tracking, and scat identification along active animal runs and trails. Mindfulness of the entire surroundings is key to any tracking adventure. After considering the hazards in the landscape, we will experiment with and stretch our sensory awareness in relationship to the environs that we share with the animals we are investigating. Some say tracking is serious business, but I always find it to be fun. So come prepared for some serious fun as we focus attention on track and trail and open our hearts to the mysteries they reveal. kids of all ages
Friday 8:00 am—12:00 noon
Lee Vining Community Center
Kayaking the South Shore FULL ($85 additional program cost)
Stuart Wilkinson and guide
Late spring reveals snow-capped mountains towering over a glassy Mono Lake, a great time to kayak! Join Stuart Wilkinson of Caldera Kayaks and a Mono Basin naturalist for a guided expedition along Mono's south shore. This natural history kayak tour will cover a wide variety of topics relating to this unusual Great Basin lake, such as birds, geology, ecology, history, and politics. Expect to see underwater tufa towers, brine shrimp, lake-bottom springs, and a variety of birds. Some kayak experience is helpful, but not necessary; kayaks and safety equipment are provided. (minimum age is 14 yrs, and must be accompanied by a parent).
Friday 8:30 am —1:30 pm Maximum number: 12
Meet at Navy Beach
Bird vocalizations (indoor workshop) FULL
Tom Hahn
This workshop focuses on improving our skills as auditory birders. In the first half, we'll practice recognizing different kinds of sounds that birds make (e.g., pure tones vs harmonic sounds), as well as how birds assemble sounds into sequences (vocalization syntax). To do this, we'll use a combination of computer-generated visual representations of songs (sound spectrograms), and playback of sounds at both normal and reduced speed. These general acoustic recognition skills form the basis for recognizing vocalization features most useful in field identification. In the second half of the workshop, we'll apply what we learned to some specific bird vocalizations that we're likely to hear during the Bird Chautauqua. We'll use the fundamentals we learned to better understand what makes some vocalizations sound spectacularly different from one another, and to discriminate between notoriously challenging sound-alikes. You should come away with general skills useful in learning to identify bird sounds, and also build specific familiarity with some of the June bird songs of the Mono Basin and Eastern Sierra. You may get the most out of this workshop if you already have some auditory birding experience, but beginners can also benefit and are welcome.
Friday 9:00 am —12:00 noon
Visitor Center coference room
Skimmers, darners, and saddlebags: An afternoon with Mono Basin dragonflies (field trip) ONE SPOT!
Zach Smith
Pray for sunny skies on this afternoon, Odonate(dragonflies and damselflies)-seeking trip. The fresh-water Dechambeau Ponds are a bit of a wildlife oasis on the north side of Mono Lake that attracts several dragonfly species. We can hope to see bluets, dancers, darners, skimmers, meadowhawks, saddlebags, dashers and pondhawks. We will focus on observing these bugs through binoculars, but will likely net some of the more common species for up-close inspection. There will also likely be opportunities to photograph these predatory insects. We may be doing some bushwhacking so wear appropriate pants and shoes. Bring a net and a field guide if you have one. Leader will have a net. All bugs will be released.
Friday 12:30 pm—4:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Bird vocalizations (field trip) FULL
Tom Hahn
This field trip is the hands-on companion to the Bird Vocalizations workshop. The goal is to take what we learned in the morning workshop out into the field to attempt to apply it in practice. We'll specifically search for some of the species with extremely different vocalizations that live side-by-side so we can listen to and compare them as they sing at the same time (we hope!), such as Sage Sparrow/Sage Thrasher/Brewer's Sparrow and Vesper Sparrow/Savannah Sparrow. Likewise we'll seek out singing individuals of some species that sing challengingly similar songs such as Green-tailed Towhee/Fox Sparrow, American Robin/Western Tanager/Black-headed Grosbeak, and Cassin's Finch/House Finch. This trip should help solidify the general principles discussed in the morning workshop, and provide practical experience with field identification of Mono Basin and Eastern Sierra bird songs.
Friday 1:00 pm —5:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Exploring June Lake, an afternoon amble (field trip) FULL
Bob Power
Join Bob Power on this birding tour of the scenic June Lake Loop. The route covers a variety of habitats and with some luck, a variety of birds, from Yellow-headed Blackbirds to Bald Eagles (no promises). We'll sample the June Lake burn area for woodpeckers, the west and east ends of the Loop for a variety of habitats, as well as June Lake and Grant Lake. We will be birding among wildflowers, volcanoes, and spectacular granite peaks.
Friday 12:45 pm—5:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Lower Parker Canyon (field trip) FULL
Santiago Escruceria
Join Santiago Escruceria on this leisurely, level birdwalk through Lower Parker Canyon. We will explore riparian and meadow habitats in a quiet region of the Mono Basin. We may encounter a good variety of birds from Red-breasted Sapsuckers to Mountain Bluebirds and warblers to Long-eared Owls (no promises). Be prepared to walk a couple of flat, mosly shaded miles and enjoy spectacular views of the Sierra Crest and Mono Lake.
Friday 1:00 pm—4:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Meet the chipmunks (workshop/field trip) FULL
John Harris
Learn about Mono Basin's diverse and engaging chipmunks in a workshop and field trip. Chipmunks are familiar campground inhabitants, but distinguishing the six species that are possible in Mono Basin can be difficult. After a brief presentation on chipmunk biology and identification using photos, field guides and museum specimens, we'll check a set of traps near Lee Vining. We should be able to see Sagebrush, Yellow Pine and Lodgepole chipmunks near town and we'll discuss other good locations in Mono Basin to look for chipmunks and other mammals who may be out during the day. kids of all ages
Friday 1:00 pm—4:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
The secrets of trees (field trip) FULL
Rich Silver
This is not just your everyday nature walk. Blending his skills as a naturalist, “edutainer” and ecotherapist, Rich Silver introduces you to the amazing world of Sierra trees and their forest community. Weaving stories and facts with experiential activities the participant will leave with a deeper relationship to the “more-than-human” world.
Friday 1:30 pm—4:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Shorebird viewing station
Volunteer staff
Take a walk down the State Reserve boardwalk below the Mono Lake County Park and check out resident or migrating shore birds and lake birds. Spotting scopes will be available as will local birders to help with bird identification. Come and go as you please during this 3-hour time period. kids of all ages
This is a free event--no registration necessary.
Friday 3:00 pm—6:00 pm
State Reserve Boardwalk below the Mono Lake County Park, north shore
Ninth annual gala dinner and gathering FULL
Chef Linda Dore
Join us early Friday evening at the Lee Vining Community Center as we continue our eighth annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua! Meet old friends, chat with field trip leaders and presenters, socialize, eat, and make merry. Dinner will once again be prepared by one of Lee Vining's finest chefs, Linda Dore.
MENU: chopped green salad with vegetables (fresh corn, sugar snap peas, sweet red peppers) with Creamy cilantro dressing; parsley new potatoes or fresh vegetables (broccoli and carrots), top sirloin with Creamy green peppercorn horseradish sauce or spring roll chicken (chicken breast filled with spinach, carrot and red pepper, then rolled, baked and sliced) with a plum-ginger-hoisin sauce, or polenta torta with roasted squash, onion, spinach and feta cheese with pesto sauce; dinner rolls, butter. Dessert selections include: mini double chocolate cupcakes, peach bread pudding with caramel, and peanut butter cookies. Iced tea/lemonade/water are provided. Guests can also bring a favorite beverage.
The Gala Dinner is a separate a la carte event where you can register friends and family.
Friday 5:30 pm—7:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Twilight birding (field trip) FULL
Join Ted Beedy for an early evening adventure of birding into the dusk. We will ply some active birding spots in the Mono Basin for early evening activity that may include nighthawks, poorwills, and winnowing snipes. We may even search for an owl or two once daylight is extinguished. We will use our ears as well as our eyes in this nearby bird outing.
Friday 7:00 pm —9:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Twilight birding 2 (field trip) FULL
This will be a parallel early evening adventure of birding into the dusk. We will ply some active birding spots in the Mono Basin for early evening activity that may include nighthawks, poorwills, and winnowing snipes. We may even search for an owl or two once daylight is extinguished. We will use our ears as well as our eyes in this nearby bird outing.
Friday 7:00 pm —9:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Who gives a hoot (workshop) FULL
Join Burleigh Lockwood and learn which owl says what. There will be a discussion on raptors in general and then Burleigh will compare owls with hawks. Many “biofacts” will be shared along with mounted specimens for a real hands-on experience. She'll also teach us how to hoot! This has consistently been one of the Chautauqua's most popular events. kids of all ages
Friday 7:00 pm—8:30 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center conference room
Tongues, toes, and tails of the Eastern Sierra (evening presentation) FULL
Stephen Shunk
Imagine for a moment slamming your face into a brick wall at 16 miles per hour. This self-destructive (and foolish) act would require about 1,200 g of force, almost certainly resulting in your death. Yet, a woodpecker exerts the same force up to 20 times per second, and as many as 12,000 times per day, pounding its head into trees! The woodpecker anatomy is perfectly suited for its climbing and excavating lifestyle. Some woodpecker species also possess adaptations for aerial acrobatics, for drilling sap wells, or for extracting ants from underground burrows. And, woodpecker adaptation goes well beyond the anatomy. Cavity excavation, drumming, and food storage are just a few examples of their amazing specialization.
Friday 7:30 pm—9:00 pm
Mono Lake Committee slide show room
The Southern Ocean (evening presentation)
Bob Steele
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele for a blockbuster program of new, extremely high-quality photos and Bob's always entertaining stories about touring and cruising the southern reaches of the Southern Hemisphere. The theme will be birds, wildlife and scenery of the Southern Ocean. The Steeles' 24-day expedition cruise included visits to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula. Seven species of penguin, four species of seal, many species of pelagic (seagoing) birds and incredible mountains, glaciers and sea ice are among the sights that will be shown. Of special interest will be 100-mile-long isolated South Georgia Island, a land of extremes, with towering mountains, huge glaciers and a large percent of the world's breeding King Penguins—mostly contained in two huge colonies. For more information about Bob Steele, and to preview some of his technically stunning work, check out www.bobsteelephoto.com.
Friday 7:30 pm—9:00 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
Playing it by ear: The acoustic lives of birds (optional field trip)
Tom Hahn
Are you an early, early riser? This brief, one-hour field trip will focus on listening to birds. Many kinds of birds live as much in an auditory world as they do in a visual one. Meet in front of the Lee Vining Community Center for an optional early hour-long walk listening to the dawn chorus.
This is a free, optional, prelude to the 6:00 am Playing it By Ear field trip, no registration necessary.
Saturday 5:00 am—6:00 am (before 6am field trip)
Lee Vining Community Center
Playing it by ear: The acoustic lives of birds (field trip) FULL
Tom Hahn
This field trip will focus on listening to birds while we watch them. Many kinds of birds live as much in an auditory world as they do in a visual one. The repertoires of songs, calls, and other acoustic signals contain a wealth of fascinating information that is readily available to us every time we go out to observe birds. Identifying the bird by its song is of course useful, but this is only one aspect of observing by ear. Listening carefully to birds' calls further enhances our field identification skills and opens up a whole different window into the lives of birds. On this trip we will take advantage of the fact that June in the Eastern Sierra is at the seasonal peak of reproductive singing behavior, but also pay close attention to listening to and learning from the array of calls the birds will also be producing. In addition to listening to lots of birds, we'll use some of the birds we're listening to as an excuse to talk about a variety of aspects of avian acoustic biology, including how birds make sounds, what aspects of birds' songs are most important to their reproductive success, and how young birds develop their songs. Meet at 6 AM at the Community Center; for early-risers, join me in front of the Lee Vining Community Center at 5 AM to listen to the dawn chorus.
Saturday 6:00 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Cottonwoods to Bristlecones (field trip) FULL
Rich Stallcup
After an early departure, an 80 minute drive will get us to the lowlands of Westgard Pass near the north end of Big Pine on Highway 395. We will bird the remnant riparian habitat of the Owen's River floodplain, Tollhouse Spring, pinyon-juniper woodland and have lunch at the Schulman Grove of bristlecone pines. In the afternoon we will explore elsewhere in the southern White Mountains, always watching for birds and other life forms.
Saturday 6:00 am—5:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Bridgeport Reservoir (field trip)
Ted Beedy
Join Ted Beedy for an exploration of wetlands and lake habitat of Bridgeport Reservoir. This is an under-appreciated birding resource just up the road from Mono Lake in the beautiful Bridgeport Valley. Waterfowl, grebes, terns, pelicans, and shorebirds grace the surface and shores of this popular fishing reservoir. In 2008 a pair of Sandhill Cranes nested at Bridgeport Reservoir—a new record for Mono County! This trip may include some birding by boat to get improved access to the abundant bird life on this reservoir.
Saturday 6:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Big day and more! Southern Basin transect (field trip) FULL
David Wimpfheimer and Bob Power
The main theme of this program is to observe a wide variety of birds by visiting several habitats. However, there is also a secondary focus on taking the time to appreciate plants and other aspects of the area's rich natural history. The pace will be less frantic than other Big Day birding tours so there will be more time to focus on bird identification, by sight and sound, and behavior. The group will concentrate on the southern part of the Mono Basin; from conifer forest above the June Lake Loop to riparian woodland, to sagebrush steppe and the Highway 120 Jeffrey pine burn area near Mono Mills. We will be out all day so be sure to bring lunch, sunscreen, and plenty of water!
Saturday 7:00 am—4:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Birds and burns (field trip)
Steve Shunk
More than 100 years of fire suppression in western forests have left tinderboxes of unburned fuel and upset the forest's ecological balance. On this trip we will explore both recently burned and unburned patches of the world's largest Jeffrey pine forest on the southern edge of the Mono Basin. Wandering through the blackened columns left by a lightning-caused fire, we'll discover a rarely enjoyed new world of wildflowers, resprouting shrubs, and once-proud pines fast becoming homes for Black-backed and Hairy Woodpeckers. Join North American woodpecker specialist Steve Shunk for an interpretation of western forest ecology and the keystone roles of the forests' woodpeckers. Expect a moderate meander of approximately four miles through one of the Eastern Sierra's most under-appreciated ecosystems.
Saturday 7:00 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Burger's Retreat bird walk (field trip) FULL
Susan Steele
We'll drive up and over a steep moraine out of Lee Vining Canyon on our way to a privately owned secluded nature reserve only a short distance from the masses of visitors passing through Yosemite. We'll stroll through a rich variety of habitats including sagebrush, meadow, willow thickets, aspen groves, conifers and even outcroppings of rocks. Green-tailed Towhees, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers and many others may make an appearance.
Saturday 7:00 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Lundy Canyon bird walk (field trip) FULL
Peter Metropulos
Spend a morning enjoying birds and other forms of wildlife in one of the Mono Basin's most spectacular locations-Lundy Canyon. The mixture of aspen-cottonwood-willow riparian habitat with mature conifers provides prime habitat for a variety of Eastern Sierra birds. The awesome scenery, including displays of wildflowers, picturesque historical sites, beaver lodges, butterflies, and breathtaking rocky peaks should provide additional flavor to the outing. During one or two miles of walking we will make a special effort to locate nesting birds, as well as locating birds by song. This bird walk will be offered on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Saturday 7:00 am—10:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding with Jack (field trip) FULL
Jack Laws
Join Jack for a wander through a variety of habitats and breathtaking views. Of particular interest is the habitat progression as creeks drain from the high alpine mountains of Yosemite and Tioga Pass down through the canyons and out into the arid, sage-scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dippers, Townsend’s Solitaires, Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, woodpeckers, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see on this trip.
Saturday 7:30 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding mixed habitats (field trip)
Dave Shuford
Join Dave Shuford for an exploration of wetlands, meadows, cottonwoods, aspen groves, conifers and sagebrush habitat. We'll see wrens, warblers, water birds, woodpeckers, warbling vireos and many more in a progression of habitats ranging from the Mono Lake shoreline to Lundy Lake. The last portion of this trip may involve a short but moderately uphill hike at nearly 8,000 ft. in elevation.
Saturday 7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Horse Meadow (field trip)
Karyn O'Hearn
Horse Meadow is perched up among moraines south of Lee Vining Canyon and is less traveled than other areas in the Mono Basin. This walk will explore Upper Horse Meadow and environs, including the mix of meadow, sagebrush, aspen, and conifer forest habitats, which usually provides a wide range of bird sightings. The area also provides a gorgeous, bird's-eye view of Mono Lake.
Saturday 7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Lee Vining Canyon bird walk (field trip) FULL
Sarah Stock
Lee Vining Canyon is one of the Eastern Sierra's premier birding locations. It offers a variety of habitats and breathtaking views. Of particular interest is the habitat progression as Lee Vining Creek drains from the high alpine mountains of Yosemite and Tioga Pass down through the canyon and out into the arid, sage-scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dippers, Townsend's Solitaires, Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see on this trip.
Saturday 7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Parker Lake trail: A botanical walk with birds and vistas (field trip) FULL
Cathy Rose
The trail to Parker Lake takes off from just north of the June Lake Loop. After a short initial climb through mountain mahogany and bitterbrush, the trail levels out and crosses sagebrush flats and aspen groves to join Parker Creek and emerge at Parker Lake. On the way back there are spectacular views of Mono Lake and the ranges to the east of the Sierra. The round-trip distance is four miles, reaching an elevation of 8,318 feet at Parker Lake. The area is rich in botany and birds. Bring a snack.
Saturday 7:30 am—12:00 noon
Lee Vining Community Center
Nature awareness: Fire by friction and primitive shelters (workshop/field trip)
Peter Bergen
We will gather at an appropriate location to observe and experience what that special piece of earth has to offer us in terms of shelter, fire making elements, and more. Then, working individually and in groups we will gather materials from the landscape to create a shelter(s) and fire kits. This will be a hands on experience, so come prepared for what we like to call "Dirt Time." By the end of our time together we will have a friction fire in our pit, a shelter that a person can sleep in without an external heat source or sleeping bag, and the confidence this knowledge and experience can bring. kids of all ages
Saturday 8:00 am—12:00 noon
Lee Vining Community Center
Bohler Canyon potpourri (field trip) FULL
Alison Sheehey
Join Alison on a moderate ramble through the aspen-lined Bohler Creek area – a less traveled canyon of the Mono Basin. While Allison will talk about anything (and everything) she sees along the way, birds are likely to be a part of the equation. The rest will depend on the spring thaw and current weather. Regardless, Alison’s natural history expertise will inform and entertain you!
Saturday 7:30 am—12:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Tarns and kettles (field trip)
Karen Amstutz
Come spend the morning at the crest of the Sierra. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, we will find ourselves immersed in the beauty of the alpine edge and the edge of Yosemite National Park. Among glacial tarns and kettles, lodgepole and whitebark pines, peaks and meadows we will meander in search of nesting Mountain bluebirds, Spotted sandpipers, Cassins finches and many more. Tioga Pass is a thoroughfare for birds and we could easily be surprised by a rare sighting as we explore seeking birds and other wildlife in this rich variety of habitats. Bring hat, sunscreen, warm layers, water and snacks.
Saturday 8:00 am—12:00 noon
Lee Vining Community Center
Introduction to OUTdoor photography (workshop)
Claude Fiddler
This one-day seminar/workshop provides an introduction to the photographic craft needed to produce high quality landscape photographs. The day starts with an INdoor seminar. In this seminar Claude presents an overview of the techniques and process of landscape photography, with an eye toward gaining an explicit understanding of the key aspects, from initial consideration of composition through exposure and ultimately to final print. Afterwards we'll head to the OUTdoor section of the workshop. This is the hands on part. Claude sets up photographic assignments where individually and as a group we'll explore composition and camera use. This will also be the time for one-on-one interaction with Claude. We'll use private cars and car pool (if necessary) to field locations. An important note for large format photographers. Claude has used a 4x5 for 30 years. His explanation and demonstration of view camera use is clear and concise. Ask Claude to show you his never fail view camera set-up and focus in fifteen minutes!
This is a free, optional workshop, registration is necessary, but there is no charge and this does not count toward your Chautauqua program limit.
Saturday 8:00 am—12:00 noon
Mono Lake Committee Information Center slide show room
Birding with friends: Remembering Jeff (field trip)
Sarah Stock and Sacha Heath
This is an open field trip for friends get together to go birding and remember Jeff Maurer. Jeff liked nothing more than a day in the field, visiting with friends and watching birds. Jeff was a trip leader and presenter at the Chautauqua for the last eight years. In August 2009 a climbing accident claimed his life. Jeff's easy smile, cheerful enthusiasm, extensive field experience, and his sincere interest in the lives of people created an enduring impression. During this trip we will do what Jeff would have loved to do--connect with friends in a beautiful setting while keeping a watchful eye on the birds. This special field trip has no participation limit.
This is a free, optional field trip, registration is not necessary, and this does not count toward your Chautauqua program limit.
Saturday 1:00 pm—5:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Introduction to drawing birds (workshop)
Jack Laws
Learn how to quickly and accurately draw birds in the field and from photo reference. In this class, we will learn the basics of bird anatomy and tricks to help quickly draw birds in the field either for field notes or the pleasure of sketching. Master the one-minute gesture sketch and learn tricks for drawing heads, wings, and feet. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring a sketch pad and pencil if you have them or use ours. kids of all ages
Saturday 1:00 pm—3:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Attracting birds to your backyard and helping the bird population (presentation)
Stella Moss
Attracting birds to your backyard can be a nurturing, delightful, and educational experience. To some people, bird feeding is life's greatest joy. To others it is their only close contact to and connection with nature, perhaps leading them to support habitat conservation. For many kids, backyard birds form the basis of a lifetime devotion to wildlife and wilderness. Feeding birds, though, must be done with utmost consideration and responsibility. Have you ever wondered what the most effective and safe way is to attract birds to your garden? During this hour we will explore the many possibilities of how to attract birds to your back yard responsibly. We will talk about how to ensure that feeders, nest structures and other artificial bird environments are safe and contribute to the well being of our feathered friends instead of harming them and how this can help the bird population in your area.
Saturday 1:00 pm—2:00 pm
Mono Basin Visitor Center auditorium
Field notes for natural history learning (workshop)
Sarah Rabkin & Chuck Atkinson
Hiking without a field guide? Science background slim? No worries. If you pay attention, the bug, the plant, or the bird can teach you a great deal. We will practice the time-honored art of making informal field notes and sketches to learn about natural phenomena. Discoveries made this way are not easily forgotten, and they complement knowledge from books and classes. Relevant experience is welcome but not assumed. Please bring a pen, pencil, eraser, and blank or lined notebook at least 5 X 7 inches, preferably with stiff covers (Chautauqua staff can provide materials if you need them). Binoculars, hand lens, and/or a small ruler may also come in handy.
Saturday 1:30 pm—5:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Introduction to Image Editing (workshop)
Bob Steele
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore digital photo editing in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Topics discussed and demonstrated will include: image storage and backup strategies, converting RAW images using Adobe Camera RAW (PS and PSE plug-in), basic image editing for JPEG and TIFF images, sizing and sharpening images for different outputs—email, internet, printing; and a group discussion with questions and answers. For more information about Bob Steele, and to preview some of his photography, check out www.bobsteelephoto.com.
Saturday 1:30 pm—5:00 pm
Mono Lake Committee slide show room
Birding Lower Parker Canyon (field trip) FULL
Santiago Escruceria
Join Santiago Escruceria on this leisurely, level birdwalk through Lower Parker Canyon. We will explore riparian and meadow habitats in a quiet region of the Mono Basin. We may encounter a good variety of birds from Red-breasted Sapsuckers to Mountain Bluebirds and warblers to Long-eared Owls (no promises). Be prepared to walk a couple of flat, mosly shaded miles and enjoy spectacular views of the Sierra Crest and Mono Lake.
Saturday 2:00 pm—5:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
The world of small (workshop)
Michael Ross
Travel with a magnifying lens on this exploration of the little things in life. Dive into flowers to meet their residents and visitors. Survey the soil beneath your feet, Examine found treasures, whether they are feathers, fur, egg shells, or scat. Discover incredible crystals and the beauty of a water drop. Tune into the minutiae. This is ideal for little ones (ages 4-12) and their adult traveling companions. great for kids!
Saturday 2:30 pm—4:30 pm
Bird vocalizations through the eyes of Niko Tinbergen (presentation)
Tom Hahn
This lecture will provide a broad survey of avian vocal behavior from a research biologists' perspective. I'll organize the talk around a conceptual framework proposed by the famous ethologist Niko Tinbergen—his "four questions" about behavior. When applied specifically to bird vocalizations, these questions are:(1) How does bird song develop? (2) What neuromuscular mechanisms cause bird song? (3) How did (and does) bird song evolve? (4) What is the fitness value of bird song? Over the last 50 years studies addressing all four of these questions about bird song have made seminal contributions in animal behavior, and in biology generally. I will touch on research into all of these areas, including: (1) The combined roles of innate and learned components in the development of bird song, (2) How the nervous system both generates (motor) and interprets (sensory) bird song, (3) How evolutionary history helps to explain the patterns of singing behavior, including learning, that exist in modern birds, and (4) How song contributes to birds' fitness through its role in communication.
Saturday 2:30 pm—3:30 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center auditorium
Furry and footed: Deciphering signs of mammals in the Eastern Sierra (workshop)
Burleigh Lockwood
What can you tell from fur, feet and teeth? What "sign" will tell you what animal was there before you? Native mammals will be discussed, using skulls, fur, natural history and the signs those animals leave. Interpretation of what you see, and what you might not see, is important for understanding the animals that live in our own back yards. kids of all ages
Saturday 2:30 pm—4:00 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center conference room
Fields' guide to ospreys (field trip)
Lisa Fields
We will begin with a talk about Osprey life history and what makes the Mono Lake population so unique. This will be followed by viewing active Osprey nests in the South Tufa area. If we are lucky the chicks will be large enough to offer us a glimpse. Although we won't be doing much walking we will be in exposed areas so please bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. kids of all ages
Saturday 3:30 pm—5:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Finding connection in nature (presentation)
Jack Laws
Finding Connection in Nature: John Muir said "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." Join us for an exciting afternoon of some of the most astounding and unappreciated species in the Sierra Nevada. In this illustrated lecture, John (Jack) Muir Laws (no relation to the other John Muir) will help us follow a series of astounding relationships between plants and animals in the Sierra Nevada. You will be delighted and amazed by the subtle and essential threads that connect species. You can find many of these species on a mountain hike with your friends or family and share the stories with them. Jack will also discuss some of the conservation challenges in the Sierra Nevada and what stewards of nature are doing to confront them. Whether you're a botanist, birder, or backpacker, don't miss this great opportunity to enrich your next exploration of the Range of Light! Though it's different each year Laws' presentation is one of the most talked about events of the Bird Chautauqua.
Saturday 4:30 pm—6:00 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center auditorium
Hop, slither, & stride (workshop)
Burleigh Lockwood
No species of animal, including us, lives in isolation. We humans forget sometimes to look down and see the little things that connect us all together. Frogs, salamanders, lizards, and snakes are some of the oft-neglected members of our world. Pest controllers and parts of the food chain, they play important roles in whatever environment they occur. Skins, skulls, and whole skeletons show some of the adaptations and help to bring better understanding about those little guys that quietly go about their business. kids of all ages
Saturday 4:30 pm—6:00 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center conference room
Critter caper trap setting (field trip)
John Harris
This is an optional field trip that does not count toward your registration fee/limit, but registration is required. We will go out trap setting in preparation for the next day's field trip and look for signs of mammals and places to set live traps. We will investigate the lives of a number of small mammals, including Panamint kangaroo rats, Great Basin pocket mouse, and sagebrush chipmunk. We'll also keep our eyes and ears out for some of the east side bird specialties including Sage Sparrows, Sage Thrashers, and Juniper Titmouse, and Gray Flycatcher. kids of all ages
Saturday 5:00 pm—6:30 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
They call him Flicker (evening presentation)
Steve Shunk
The Northern Flicker is more widespread, more conspicuous, and more abundant than any other North American woodpecker. Ironically it is the least woodpecker-like of them all. Flickers feed almost entirely on the ground, and they eat more ants than any other North American bird. The flicker's decurved bill is excellent for probing into underground ant tunnels but inferior for excavating. Northern Flickers raise the largest broods among all our woodpeckers, and they are the only woodpecker species to readily nest in typical bird boxes. Native Americans adorned their baskets and ceremonial garb with its bright wing and tail feathers; Alexander Wilson wrote more about the "Golden-winged Woodpecker" than any other woodpecker species; it is the only woodpecker to boast state bird status (in Alabama); and more than 150 folk names have been assigned to this ubiquitous ant-eater. Celebrate the life and times of the Northern Flicker.
Saturday 7:30 pm—9:00 pm
Scenic Area Visitor Center auditorium
A Birding Tour through Time in Yosemite (evening presentation) FULL
Sarah Stock
All bird lovers invited! Sarah Stock, Wildlife Biologist at Yosemite National Park, will describe the history of birds in the park through the last century by weaving together observations from the park's best naturalists and by consulting the birds themselves. Birds have been captivating residents of Yosemite for a long time. This story will unfold with the Native Americans who used feathers in their dance regalia and with John Muir whose most endearing essay on the water ouzel endures today. From Yosemite's best early naturalists we'll learn about tantalizing tidbits, such as the discovery of the Great Gray Owl in 1915, the abundance of Willow Flycatchers through the 1920s, the first park sighting of a Common Raven in 1950, and the reappearance of the Harlequin Duck after an almost 50-year hiatus. This tour through time will highlight the growing breadth of our knowledge of birds, including current findings from some of our recent and on-going research and monitoring efforts. Current projects include Great Gray Owl population census and genetics research, Willow Flycatcher park-wide census, and the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program. We'll be reminded of why birds captivate us, take hold of our imaginations, and dissolve our worries.
Saturday 7:30 pm—9:00 pm
Lee Vining Community Center
Enchanted evening:
Stories and stars on the lakeshore (evening presentation)
Karen Amstutz and Lisa Murphy
In the days before internet, TV, and radio, there were more Chautauquas, campfires, and storytelling. We bring them all together under the splendor of a dark Mono Basin sky where stories and stars come alive. Yosemite National Park Service ranger Karen Amstutz will share amazing facts, strange fiction, and personal observations about the bird of her heart. And Yosemite National Park Service ranger Lisa Murphy will lead us across the night for an evening of astronomical wonder. This program is for kids of all ages!
Saturday 8:00 pm—9:30 pm
Meet at the South Tufa site.
From Lee Vining, drive approximately 5 miles south on Hwy 395. Turn left on Hwy 120 East and travel another 5 miles to the South Tufa/Navy Beach turn-off. Turn left following the signs to the left toward the South Tufa parking lot.
Night moves: Nature after dark (field trip)
Burleigh Lockwood
After a short drive to an old ranch, we will make our way to the barn area, checking the trees for resident birds settling in and waking up for the coming night. In the barn area, we will settle down to watch a spectacular aerial show as the bats begin to emerge. We will listen to their echolocation calls by using a "Bat Detector" and maybe get some good pictures (flash will not bother them). Dress warmly, bring a flashlight and a low chair or blanket. Not recommended for very small children.
Saturday 8:00 pm—10:00 pm
Meet in front of the Scenic Area Visitor Center
Photo walk with Bob Steele (workshop/field trip)
Bob Steele
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore digital bird photography in the field. We'll look for easy to photograph subjects to allow for the primary focus to be on technique and fundamentals. Topics discussed and explained will include camera setup, equipment, exposure techniques, composition, flash use, digital field evaluation of images, and approaching subjects. Minimum equipment requirements for the workshop are: Digital SLR body; 300mm lens; teleconverters, tripod, and flash (if available). For more information about Bob Steele, and to preview some of his photography, check out www.bobsteelephoto.com.
Sunday 6:30 am—11:00 am Maximum number: 8
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding Bridgeport Reservoir on Sunday (field trip) FULL
Ted Beedy
Join Ted Beedy for an exploration of wetlands and lake habitat of Bridgeport Reservoir. This is an under-appreciated birding resource just up the road from Mono Lake in the beautiful Bridgeport Valley. Waterfowl, grebes, terns, pelicans, and shorebirds grace the surface and shores of this popular fishing reservoir. In 2008 a pair of Sandhill Cranes nested at Bridgeport Reservoir—a new record for Mono County! This trip may include some birding by boat to get improved access to the abundant bird life on this reservoir.
Sunday 6:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding the Parker Lake trail (field trip) FULL
Rich Stallcup
Beginning just north of the June Lake Loop we'll bird the trail to Parker Lake, winding uphill through sagebrush, bitterbrush, and mountain mahogany until we meet Parker Creek amongst the aspens and conifers. We'll explore all of these zones always looking for birds and other life forms, eventually reaching Parker Lake at an elevation of 8,318 ft.
Sunday 6:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding South Tufa and the Jeffrey pine forest (field trip) FULL
Kristie Nelson
In a small area around the southwest shore of Mono Lake we'll find birds that nest in sagebrush scrub and in dry, mature coniferous forest. These may include Lewis' Woodpecker, Gray Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Pinyon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Rock Wren, Sage Thrasher, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee and Brewer's and Sage Sparrows. We'll also identify and talk about shoreline waterbirds.
Sunday 7:00 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Lundy Canyon bird walk Sunday (field trip) FULL
Peter Metropulos
Spend a morning enjoying birds and other forms of wildlife in one of the Mono Basin's most spectacular locations—Lundy Canyon. The mixture of aspen-cottonwood-willow riparian habitat with mature conifers provides prime habitat for a variety of Eastern Sierra birds. The awesome scenery, including displays of wildflowers, picturesque historical sites, beaver lodges, butterflies, and breathtaking rocky peaks should provide additional flavor to the outing. During one or two miles of walking we will make a special effort to locate nesting birds, as well as locating birds by song.
Sunday 7:00 am—10:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birds, bugs, and cottonwoods at Mill Creek (field trip) FULL
Sacha Heath
Join Sacha Heath as she takes you on an early morning walk along the Mill Creek bottomlands to explore its birds, bugs and trees. Look forward to re-focusing your eyes on the insects and larvae feasting on the delectable leaves of young black cottonwoods, and focusing your binos on the birds that in turn feast on these tiny critters. Sacha will share how her research is trying to tease apart the complex interactions of Mill Creek's bugs birds and trees in the context of more regular stream flows, but you can mostly look forward to enjoying Mill Creek's intricate web of life.
Sunday 7:00 am—10:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Mono dunes critter caper (field trip) FULL
John Harris
Join John for a morning of checking live-traps and track plots to discover Mono's desert mammal fauna. We will be trapping in the dunes on the northeast side of the lake; an environment that also supports Utah Juniper woodlands. We should see a number of the small mammals that characterize the Great Basin, including the Dark kangaroo mouse, Ord's and Panamint kangaroo rats, Great Basin pocket mouse, and sagebrush chipmunk. We'll also keep our eyes and ears open for some of the east-side bird specialties of the area including Sage Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Juniper Titmouse and Gray Flycatcher. John's field trip received rave reviews last year! kids of all ages
Sunday 7:00 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Exploring the Mono Basin (field trip) FULL
Greg Stock
Join Yosemite Park Geologist Greg Stock for a combination driving/hiking tour of the stunning geology of the Mono Basin. From volcanic craters to glacial moraines, massive mountains to tufa towers, the Eastern Sierra holds some of the most spectacular and accessible geology anywhere in the world. This field trip will present, in understandable fashion, the geologic stories behind such scenic wonders as Mono Lake, the Mono Craters, Lee Vining Canyon, and Tioga Pass. If you've ever wanted to know more about what formed the diverse landscapes of the Mono Basin, this trip is for you.
Sunday 7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Lee Vining Canyon bird walk (field trip) FULL
Susan Steele
Lee Vining Canyon is one of the Eastern Sierra's premier birding locations. It offers a variety of habitats and breathtaking views. Of particular interest is the habitat progression as Lee Vining Creek drains from the high alpine mountains of Yosemite and Tioga Pass down through the canyon and out into the arid, sage-scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dippers, Townsend's Solitaires, Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, woodpeckers, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see on this trip.
Sunday 7:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Exploring Rattlesnake Gulch (field trip) FULL
David Wimpfheimer and Bob Power
This unique area, the oldest known gold mining site in the Eastern Sierra, is a quiet, dramatic place unlike any other location in the Mono Basin. A riparian habitat of willow and aspen holds typical breeding species such as Calliope Hummingbird, MacGillivray's Warbler and Green-tailed Towhee. Adjacent sage and bitterbrush habitat offer a different group of birds. Rocky expanses and unlimited vistas provide good raptor watching. This is a fun and scenic area with lots of great boulders and old cabins that will not only interest birders, but photographers as well.
Sunday 7:30 am—11:00 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Field sketching birds (workshop)
Jack Laws
How can field sketching help us become more observant birders? Jack Laws will lead us on a bird walk while also demonstrating how scientific illustration and quick field sketches can help develop the eye's ability to see nature. Jack will also give us tips for quickly catching the shape and color of birds in the wild. The goal is not to create a pretty picture, but to help make us more observant while documenting our birding experience. No previous drawing experience is necessary. Bring a sketch pad and pencil if you have them or use ours. kids of all ages
Sunday 7:30 am—10:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Nature as the primary healer and teacher: The essentials of ecotherapy (workshop/field trip)
Rich Silver
Weaving the insights of ecopsychology with discoveries in science, the human potential movement and the core truths of the world’s wisdom traditions this workshop offers an illuminating and inspiring experience of the power of Nature as the primary healer and teacher. Participants will take home practical applications and suggestions for personal and planetary healing from the emerging field of Ecotherapy.
Sunday 8:00 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Butterfly Ramble (field trip)
Alison Sheehey
Sleep in like the butterflies do before taking off on this leisurely journey into butterflying around the Mono Basin. This walk will focus on viewing, identifying, and photographing—but not capturing—these beautiful creatures. Join Alison in exploring flight patterns and flower, plant, and tree relationships while enjoying the magic of the butterfly. Bring your binoculars and a butterfly book if you have one. kids of all ages
Sunday 8:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Fields' guide to Ospreys Sunday (field trip)
Lisa Fields
We will begin with a talk about Osprey life history and what makes the Mono Lake population so unique. This will be followed by viewing active Osprey nests in the South Tufa area. If we are lucky the chicks will be large enough to offer us a glimpse. Although we won't be doing much walking we will be in exposed areas so please bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. kids of all ages
Sunday 9:00 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Birding for little fledglings (field trip)
Michael Ross
What do birds eat? What are feathers for? Do birds talk? Explore the world of birds with all the senses. Using kid's books for inspiration we'll leap and crawl into investigations of the lives of avian inhabitants of meadows and forests. This is ideal for little ones (ages 4-8) and their adult traveling companions.
Sunday 9:30 am—11:30 am
Lee Vining Community Center
Picnic and music at Mono Lake County Park
(and the bird calling contest)
Join us Sunday afternoon for a picnic in the park complete with live music. This is a perfect way to kick-off your summer by enjoying lunch, relaxing in the green shady glow of County Park, and immersing yourself in music.
2010's musical guest: Kris Delmhorst with Jeffrey Foucault
Feel free to bring your own lunch or consider purchasing lunch at the County Park. This is a great way to end the Chautauqua! We'll even continue our traditional bird calling contest. So come enjoy good food, live music, with new and old friends as we recap the weekend's bird sightings or steal away down the boardwalk for a last-minute glimpse at the birds before ending our birding weekend. kids of all ages
Sunday beginning at 12:00 noon
Other things to do during Chautauqua Week
Birding at Mono Lake County Park & Tufa State Reserve Boardwalk
Wrens, warblers, woodpeckers and water birds can be seen in this rich
variety of habitats. We'll make our way from the sagebrush through the old
cottonwoods, around the willow thickets, and down the boardwalk to the shoreline
of Mono Lake. Led by a Mono Lake Committee naturalist. kids of all ages
a note about programs, limits, kids, etc.
Presentations range between 25 and 100 people depending on the venue. Workshop attendance can vary between 15-25 people. Field trips are typically limited to fifteen registered participants, but there are some trips that allow more. We reserve the right to adjust trip size in order to not split up couples, or to allow volunteers and trip leaders a chance to attend trips. We consult with field trip leaders, and we are strict about reigisrtaion limits.
Special events, the dinner, and the picnic do not count toward your Chautauqua registration limit, but you may still have to register for them. Check the program information carefully. Special events are not listed on the .pdf schedule, and you don't have to register for them, so make a separate note of them if you're interested.
Many programs are great for kids because of the dynamic subject, location, or leader. When we say kids, we mean kids of all ages, so you will find a lot of adults in these programs as well. Kid-appropriate programs are noted with "kids of all ages" text.
For more information about Chautauqua etiquette, transportation, what to bring, etc, see Chautauqua Skinny.