Event Descriptions
*Subject to change*
Lee Vining Community Center
The role of people of caring for the land looms large across the Mono Basin and nearly every wild, healthy habitat across California. Fighting for Mono Lake, maintaining wetlands, sustaining healthy forests and keeping kingfishers safe from fishing line are jobs that never end. Join Paul McFarland of the DeChambeau Creek Foundation for a morning of giving back to the Mono Basin. Hands on stewardship projects will be appropriate for all ages and abilities. Gloves and tools provided.
Thursday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center
Mono County is notable for spectacular scenery, great birding, and a growing collection of high-elevation breweries. Combine your love for birds and brews on this relaxed afternoon trip, which will introduce you to some great birding at a few local hotspots as well as great beer at some hotspots of another kind. Bring your binoculars, proof of age, and a thirst for birds (beginners and experts welcome). We will provide a 14-passenger van and a sober birding guide. One beverage per person per brewery is included in the program cost; participants may purchase additional beverages and food. Please drink responsibly. (hiking difficulty: easy) $95 per person
Thursday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
The main theme of this program is to observe a wide variety of birds by visiting several habitats. 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, 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 Jeffrey pine burn area near Mono Mills. Please bring hand-held radios for communication between vehicles if you have them. We will be out all day so be sure to bring lunch, sunscreen, and plenty of water. (est. driving miles: 110; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Friday 6:00 AM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
McGee is a spectacular, colorful, metamorphic canyon with a strong creek running through it. The hike begins at about 8,000 feet in sagebrush where Brewer's Sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee are common. Lazuli Buntings are common in the streamside aspens. After a short climb, the trail passes water birch and aspen with side streams where birds (e.g., MacGillivray's, Orange-crowned, Wilson's and Yellow Warblers) and butterflies gather. The trail gradually climbs up into junipers and limber pines with Clark's Nutcracker, Hermit Thrush and Townsend's Solitaire. Dippers are frequently seen on the creek. After a tricky creek crossing, the trail winds through hemlock and lodgepole to a shallow beaver pond. The hike is moderate with some stream crossings and a great variety of birds and plants. Bring a lunch. (est. driving miles: 80; hiking difficulty: strenuous)
Friday 6:00 AM-1:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Wildrose Canyon is an isolated riparian corridor and aspen grove in the Glass Mountain Range that hosts a variety of awesome species along its mile-long stretch--Calliope Hummingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Cooper's Hawk, MacGillivray's Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, and Lazuli Buntings are some species you may see. There is a chance to see (or hear) the elusive Virginia's Warbler. Join Ryan on a walk up this gem of a canyon--it's worth the drive! Bring water and sun protection, as well as snacks or lunch. (est. driving miles: 100; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Friday 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Jays, magpies, nutcrackers, and ravens are the Eastside's intellectual avian troublemakers and problem solvers. These Corvids are known for their spatial memory, complex social interactions, and their elusiveness in the Mono Basin (well, some of them). On this field trip we will explore the habitats and natural history of as many of the local Corvids as possible, with a focus on finding Pinyon Jay and Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay in the Rancheria Gulch area. (est. driving miles: 40; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 6:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
A rare wetland between the Benton Range and Black Mountain, Adobe Valley's Black Lake is home to a vast variety of unusual flora and fauna. Designated as an Important Bird Area, Black Lake is critical to supporting avian populations: it serves as a breeding outpost for dozens of migrating bird species and also provides a vital water source for pronghorn, mule deer, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and Wong's springsnail. Thanks to a generous property donation in 2014, Black Lake Preserve is now owned by Eastern Sierra Land Trust. Join Land Trust staff as they lead an early-morning walking tour of this protected alkali lake and wetland. Likely sights include rare alkali meadow plants, waterfowl, shorebirds, and, if we are lucky, Loggerhead Shrike. (est. driving miles: 130; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore digital bird photography in the field. Along the shore of Mono Lake at Old Marina, we'll look for easy-to-photograph subjects to allow 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 (or mirrorless); 300mm lens; teleconverters (optional), tripod (optional), and flash (if available). For more information about Bob, and to see more of his photography, check out his website: bobsteelephoto.com. (est. driving miles: 5; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 6:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Fresh water sources are few and far between in the Mono Basin. Small ponds, springs, and even roadside puddles can act as localized oases in the vast sea of sagebrush. Join Ellie, ESIA's Lead Naturalist, to scour some of these productive hot spots along Mono Lake's north shore, including DeChambeau Ranch, DeChambeau Ponds, and time allowing, the County Ponds. We'll keep our eyes peeled for waterbirds, breeding songbirds, and sagebrush specialists alike. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 6:30 AM-10:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
This trip takes a leisurely one-mile hike through open sagebrush to the mouth of Rush Creek where participants will enjoy a unique perspective of the Mono Basin. Along the way we will pause to study birds typical of the Great Basin Desert habitat, including Brewer's Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and possibly Sagebrush Sparrow. Once at the delta we will experience an awesome setting while watching birds come in to bathe in the fresh water of the largest tributary stream that feeds Mono Lake. (est. driving miles: 10; hiking difficulty: moderate, little shade)
Friday 6:30 AM-10:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Plants with Great Basin and Sierran affinities come together in the Bodie Hills, whose ancient volcanic landscapes are covered with sagebrush and pinyon. This all-day driving tour of the Bodie Hills will visit as many different sites for wildflowers as possible in this very snowy year. Selected stops may include: sagebrush slopes, old-growth pinyon stands, aspen groves, streamlets, meadows, and ponds. We will see many common wildflowers, and hopefully some unusual and even rare ones. There will be many opportunities for photography of landscapes and flowers. Please keep in mind that some roads may be inaccessible this year and stops will be planned with this possible limitation. On the other hand, unusual snow years often bring unusually interesting results in the plant world. Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water. High clearance vehicles required. Plants of the Bodie Hills, Tim Messick's flora that contains a map and plant keys, is available free for download at: bodiehillsplants.com and may be helpful to have on a phone or tablet during the trip. (est. driving miles: 80+; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate).
Friday 7:00 AM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
East of Mono Lake's well-traveled tributaries, a mysterious creek sometimes flows north out from the world's largest Jeffrey pine forest down (literally) into bitterbrush and sand flats. This trip will explore the unique and rarely traveled canyon formed by Dry Creek--an ephemeral stream rolling gently down the northwest slope of the Glass Mountains. With a couple of short strolls (less than one mile each) on and off forest dirt roads, we'll take a holistic journey through the natural and cultural history of old-growth Jeffrey pines, young lodgepole forests, and shimmering aspen groves accompanied by the incidental music of this hidden stream. We'll probably see a diverse passel of birdies, too. Please bring water and a snack; expect 45 miles of stunningly scenic round trip driving. (est. driving miles: 45; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate).
Friday 7:00 AM-1:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Mile-long Convict Lake, located at 7,600 feet above sea level about 40 miles south of Lee Vining, lies in a glacial basin under Laurel Mountain and Mount Morrison, two towering metamorphic peaks. The trail encircling the lake goes through a range of habitats with a high diversity of shrubs, trees, and flowers, including many uncommon and interesting species of plants. Expect to see many characteristic Eastern Sierra birds including Yellow Warbler, House Wren, Green-tailed Towhee, Dusky Flycatcher, and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Other species ranging from Calliope Hummingbird to Bald Eagle may also be found. Convict Creek, which can be viewed safely from a boardwalk, roars into the west end of the lake. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring your binoculars and a snack. A walking stick is helpful for short sections of the trail. (est. driving miles: 80; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 7:00 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
In the shadow of Bald Mountain lies the little-known Clark Canyon. A tiny spring at the head of the canyon nourishes a series of small aspen groves and provides water for a broad diversity of bird life. The steep canyon walls are covered in Jeffrey pine, many of which burned in the 2016 Clark Fire, and the rocky rim offers an impressive backdrop to this hidden gem. We will hike down into the canyon and all over this small basin while we search for a fun array of bird species. Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak will be singing among the aspens, while Western Tanager and Cassin's Finch course through the pines. The grassland habitat invites Western Kingbird and Vesper Sparrow, and woodpecker species may include Lewis's and Black-backed woodpeckers, along with the anticipated Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker. Expect a moderately difficult two-mile hike as we zig-zag across uneven, untracked terrain. Note that there is no restroom in the canyon and little protection from the sun, so please be prepared. (est. driving miles: 50; hiking difficulty: strenuous)
Friday 7:00 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
On this trip we'll explore recently burned forests through both a scientific and an artistic lens. We'll discuss exciting, new scientific findings based on searches for nests and Maya will share some of her new poetry along the way. We will look for snag-dependent birds like White-headed, Hairy, Lewis's, Black-backed woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsucker, and secondary cavity nesters like Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow. We'll discuss the many ways that mixed-intensity fire supports biodiversity and ecological health in our conifer forests, and a habitat created by high-intensity fire called complex early seral forest, which is the rarest, most biodiverse, and yet the most threatened of all forest habitat types in the Sierra Nevada. (est. total driving miles: 55; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 7:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Calling all young birders! This trip will be an opportunity to meet other youth, while we cover a variety of places in search of birds. We will learn about the natural history of the birds we see and the habitats we visit. Asher will share his experiences as a young birder himself and give tips on how to use eBird and dive deeper into the world of birds in your own community. There will be an adult chaperone on this trip, but parents are also welcome. (est. driving miles: 30; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Friday 7:30 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Join this trip for an easily accessible and gentle stroll next to a beautiful riparian corridor to photograph birds. With our own cameras we will look for Osprey, orioles, finches, wrens, swallows, and eagles. We will investigate basic wildlife photography technique and take advantage of the morning light. (est. driving miles: 22; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
This is a field trip and workshop for those who want to begin to identify birds by sound. We will develop listening skills while exploring Lee Vining Canyon. Lee Vining Creek drains from the high alpine mountains of Yosemite and Tioga Pass down through the canyon and out into the arid sagebrush scrub surrounding Mono Lake, offering breathtaking views as well as a wide variety of habitats and a diversity of bird sounds. The goal of this trip is to begin to identify common bird sounds, distinguish between some basic bird song patterns, introduce various ways to "see" a bird song, and link what you are hearing with what you see. Bring your notebook, pencil, binoculars, and ears. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
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 into the arid sagebrush scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dipper, Townsend's Solitaire, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
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 up Tioga Pass toward Yosemite. We'll stroll through a rich variety of habitats including sagebrush, meadow, willow thickets, aspen groves, conifers, and rock outcroppings. Green-tailed Towhee, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers, and many others may make an appearance. (est. driving miles: 6; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 7:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
We will head up Lundy Canyon with open minds regarding what we may see, enjoying the wonderful assemblage of breeding birds in this Eastern Sierra drainage. The mixture of open water, 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 it will be the heart of nesting season, we will likely spend some time observing birds at various stages of their breeding cycles. Expect sapsuckers, woodpeckers, pewees, vireos, jays, nuthatches, creepers, wrens, chickadees, grosbeaks, swallows, warblers, tanagers, juncos, towhees, sparrows, and finches. We will be walking mostly on dirt roads and trails with some light off-trail walking possible. (est. driving miles: 25, hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 8:00 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
This beautiful driving loop has a variety of habitats--open water (lakes) with shorelines, aspen riparian, marsh (emergent vegetation), mountain sagebrush-scrub, and coniferous forest. The birds will vary with each habitat from waterbirds to woodpeckers. This is a drive with multiple stops and short strolls. (est. driving miles: 30; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Are you new to watching birds? Or are you perhaps the partner of an avid birder, willing to go along but not ready to call yourself a birder? And what's with bird books: why aren't the birds alphabetized? If some of the Chautauqua offerings seem over your head or beyond your patience, this is the program for you! We'll go over some basic binocular information, practice using this equipment, and check out some different bird guides. We will be outdoors for this workshop. As we wander, we'll look at some of the more common birds in and around Mono Lake, practice identifying them, and learn about their fascinating natural history. Mono Lake County Park and the DeChambeau Ponds are our territory, and we should see several varieties of woodpeckers, songbirds, swallows, and blackbirds. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are a separate subspecies of bighorn sheep that have state and federal endangered species status. They were restored to the Mono Basin in 1986. In mid-June these sheep often use Lundy Canyon and it may be possible to spot them from the trail. John will lead the group there and discuss the history and challenges of restoration efforts for these sheep. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: strenuous)
Friday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
Many mammals call the Sierra Nevada home. When you can't migrate like a bird, figuring out how to make the most of the brief warm months is imperative to surviving the cold mountain winters. Join Kwasi on a hike to observe these animals going about their busy summer days, putting on weight, collecting stores, and preparing for their next snowy season! (est. driving miles: 15; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Friday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
On this leisurely bird walk on level terrain through lower Parker Canyon we will explore riparian and meadow habitats in this quiet region of the Mono Basin. We may encounter a good variety of birds from Red-breasted Sapsucker to Mountain Bluebird and warblers to Long-eared Owl (no promises). Be prepared to walk a couple of flat, mostly shaded miles and to enjoy spectacular views of the Sierra crest and Mono Lake. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
The expansive forest of red fir, lodgepole, and Jeffrey pine surrounding Deadman Creek and Summit is the destination for this field trip. We will learn about how these conifers, and more importantly, their cones and seeds, provide critical feeding habitat for many finches, woodpeckers, warblers, and other birds. Uncommon species like Williamson's Sapsucker, plus White-headed and Black-backed woodpeckers may be found here. Depending on the seed crop, Red Crossbill can be moderately common in the pines. Cassin's Finch and Pine Siskin are the common breeding finches here, but uncommon conifer species are occasionally seen. The diversity in the area is augmented by aspen groves and streamside willow stands. The field trip will consist of several short walks in which we focus on identification and behavior of a wide variety of birds and the ecology of the trees that surround us. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Conference Room
Bird vocalization is nature's language and bird songs are nature's music. We can plug into this magic no matter how good we are at finding birds with our eyes—these sounds are already coming at us from 360 degrees. The focus of this workshop is to increase our birding enjoyment by improving our skills as auditory birders. Some prior experience trying to identify birds by ear will surely be useful, but motivation to learn is more important than experience; all experience levels are welcome. We will explore the principles of cognizing and describing bird vocalizations in general as well as become familiar with specific vocalizations of common birds in the Mono Basin. This workshop is a prerequisite for the Saturday and Sunday Bird sounds field trips (313 and 403).
Friday 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Learn about the Mono Basin's diverse and engaging chipmunks and their ground squirrel relatives. Chipmunks are familiar campground inhabitants, but distinguishing the six species that inhabit the Mono Basin can be difficult. We'll visit Mono Mills, where the open Jeffrey Pine forest and Sagebrush scrub habitats provide opportunities to observe chipmunks in the field. We should be able to see Sagebrush, Yellow Pine, and Lodgepole Chipmunks as well as Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels and we'll discuss other good locations in the Mono Basin to look for chipmunks and other mammals that may be out during the day. Open to kids of all ages. (est. driving miles: 26; hiking difficulty: moderate, flat but some sandy soil)
Friday 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center
Join Gena for a session of illustrating birds using watercolor paint. Learn the basics of drawing birds and capturing their features using watercolor. This class will focus on understanding birds' distinct features, colors, and habits while also teaching watercolor techniques. From beginner to expert, this class is for anyone who wants to attempt to capture the beauty of birds through watercolor. Materials to bring: watercolor paper (any size or type), 2 or 3 pencils with various hardness from medium to soft, round watercolor brushes (sizes ranging between 2-12 helpful), an eraser (either an “Art Gum” or “Magic Rub”), fine tip black pen (Sakura Pigma Micron Pens or similar).
Friday 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
National Parks are one of the strongest conservation tools to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. The process of creating them, however, is challenging as it requires the joint work of many diverse stakeholders. Almost a year after Ansenuza National Park was created, Hernán reflects on this process, the lessons learned, and the opportunities now created to develop the region's ecotourism.
Friday 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Join Mono Lake Committee Executive Director Geoff McQuilkin for a tour of the Mono Basin with discussions focusing on hot policy and management topics as well as current water conditions and what they mean for Mono Lake and the tributary streams. Stops will include Mono Lake's tributary streams to discuss restoration streamflows, Los Angeles Aqueduct infrastructure, and Mono Lake to discuss lake level rise. Geoff will describe the Committee's role in forecasting and advocating for the changes we're seeing and will explain the work ahead to continue to safeguard the Mono Basin. (est. driving miles: 40; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
Cool off in the afternoon heat as you investigate and compare the waters of Mono Lake and Lee Vining Creek. Observe brine shrimp, alkali flies, and birds along the lakeshore. Discover aquatic insects and songbirds along the creek. Bring towels and appropriate clothes and footwear for wading or even swimming. No charge and open to all. (est. driving miles: 10; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
This talk explores the diverse mating systems found in the avian world and around the Mono Basin. If you’re curious about the colors and behaviors you see in the spring, the whys and hows surrounding sexual selection, or just bird sex in general, then this is the talk for you! From lekking grouse to incubating male phalaropes, committed lovebirds to unfaithful sparrows, join me in exploring the crazy sex lives of our feathered friends.
Friday 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Join Chris Spiller, tour guide with the non-profit Friends of Mono Lake Reserve, for a two-hour tour of state lands north of Lee Vining. You will discover how Indigenous people and early residents made a home next to this unique lake. We’ll hear about farms and ranches that sprang up in the Mono Basin to feed surrounding communities and mining camps in the mid to late 1800s. As we learn about those who made Mono Lake their home, we will enjoy views of the lake and may see marsh and migratory birds. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water, sunscreen, a jacket, a hat, and water. (est. driving miles: 4; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 2:30 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
In the northwestern corner of the Great Basin, the 140,000-acre Malheur National Wildlife Refuge provides an oasis for wildlife in southeastern Oregon's high desert. For eons, Malheur's expansive wetlands drained into the alkali sink known as Harney Lake. The refuge supports an abundance of wildlife, but the hypersaline Harney Lake only hosts the well-adapted brine shrimp. Despite it's seemingly bleak existence, Harney Lake has a story to tell.
Friday 3:00 PM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Hess Park
Join Chautauqua organizers and presenters for an early evening informal gathering at Hess Park to kick off this year's festival, catch up with festival friends, and revel in the beauty of the Mono Basin together. Light appetizers will be served. Free and open to the public.
Friday 4:30 PM-6:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Late June brings some of the longest and most active birding days of the year in the Mono Basin. Get ready 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 shorebirds, waterfowl, nighthawks, poorwills, and winnowing snipe. We will also search for owls once night falls. Bring layered clothing for cooler weather after the sun sets. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
This program will wind its way up Lundy Canyon as the twilight sets in. Get ready for an early evening adventure of birding into the dusk. We will ply some active birding spots for early evening activity that may include poorwills, bats, and, if you're lucky, a beaver. We will also search for owls once night falls. Bring layers for cooler weather after the sun sets and please bring a headlamp or flashlight. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Friday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Late June brings some of the longest and most active birding days of the year in the Mono Basin. Get ready 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 owls. Bring layered clothing for cooler weather after the sun sets. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Friday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
Laguna Mar Chiquita is the biggest saline lake in Latin America and was recently established as Ansenuza National Park, the highest level of protection for natural areas in Argentina. It has also been declared a sister lake to Mono Lake and the Great Salt Lake, as they are key sites for the conservation of Neotropical Migratory birds. In this talk we will see the birds of Laguna Mar Chiquita such as flamingos and migratory birds in their non reproductive season. We will also have an approach to the results of a study carried out by Aves Argentinas and the WHSRN that analyzed the different disturbances caused by tourism at Laguna Mar Chiquita and their impact on the birds.
Friday 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Leader(s):
Mono Lake Committee
Western North America is home to an amazing diversity of big, showing salmonids (e.g., salmon and steelhead), but also hosts wonderful diversity of the mostly much smaller and less attention-grabbing Cutthroat Trout (Onchorhynchus clarkii). The numerous subspecies occupy a wide range of habitats, from coastal rainforest streams to Great Basin desert-drainages. Cutthroats range in size from the tiny, almost spotless Paiute Cutthroat to the gargantuan Lahontan Cutthroat. In this presentation, we will discuss natural history and life history variation of salmonids in general, diversity of Cutthroats specifically, and focus in most closely on the three subspecies native to California. Cutthroats are at the center of fascinating and hopeful conservation and management stories, have cultural significance to native people, and are worthy of our admiration and enduring attention, whether we are fish aficionados or not.
Friday 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Join this field trip for an evening bat walk in Lee Vining Canyon. While waiting for darkness to fall, Burleigh will beguile us with a captivating introduction into the biologic and behavioral world of bats. We will then head out to Lee Vining Canyon to "see" the bats using Sonobat Live acoustical monitoring equipment. This will allow us to identify each bat by species through an almost instantaneous analysis of their ultrasonic echolocation calls as they fly over. (est. driving miles: 10; hiking difficulty: easy)
Friday 7:30 PM-10:00 PM
Leader(s):
South Tufa
In the days before internet, television, 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. Master storyteller Ane Carla Rovetta will usher in the creatures of the night with her vivid and illuminating natural history stories and legends. Lisa Murphy, night sky enthusiast, will lead us across the night sky for an evening of astronomical wonder. Bring a blanket or low chair and dress warmly. This program is open to humans of all ages! (est. driving miles: 22)
Friday 8:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
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, 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 Jeffrey pine burn area near Mono Mills. Please bring your hand-held radios for communication between vehicles if you have them. We will be out all day so be sure to bring lunch, sunscreen, and plenty of water. (est. driving miles: 110; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 6:00 AM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Wildrose Canyon is an isolated riparian corridor and aspen grove in the Glass Mountain Range that hosts a variety of awesome species along it's mile-long stretch--Calliope Hummingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Cooper's Hawk, MacGillivray's Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, and Lazuli Buntings are some species you may see. There is a chance to see (or hear) the elusive Virginia's Warbler. Join Mary and Krista on a walk up this gem of a canyon--it's worth the drive! Bring water and sun protection, as well as snacks or lunch. (est. driving miles: 100; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Join Forrest for a walk along the Forest Service dirt roads crisscrossing the Owens River Road burn area. We'll combine traditional field trip experiences of sight and sound identification of the east side's birds with a practical discussion of breeding behaviors, breeding codes, and adding value for researchers to your eBird checklists. (est. driving miles: 42; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 6:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Some of the most ubiquitous habitats in the Mono Basin are the brushy shrub-steppe and dry chaparral. These habitats are home to some of the signature land birds of the Great Basin, and the Mono Basin is one of the best places in the world to observe and get to know these fascinating species. On this field trip we will focus our attention on exploring brushy habitats of the Basin and adjoining Eastern Sierra slope and spend our time observing and discussing the habits of Brewer's Sparrows, Sagebrush Sparrows, Green-tailed Towhees, Spotted Towhees, Fox Sparrows, Sage Thrashers, Gray Flycatchers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Vesper Sparrows. A surprising number of other species also make extensive use of the shrub-steppe and chaparral. We will of course take what comes, but the main objective of this trip is to spend time observing and getting to know the behavior, sounds, and natural history of the common brush-land species, rather than maximizing our species list for the day. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 6:00 AM-10:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
The Bodie Hills form the northern boundary of the Mono Basin and provide excellent habitat for the Bi-State Sage Grouse, a genetically distinct population of the Greater Sage Grouse, and many other birds and wildlife species. We will spend the morning exploring two historic mine sites and birding in aspen, sagebrush and meadow habitats. Then we'll go over the Geiger Grade to explore high elevation shrub habitats looking out for sagebrush species, and if we are lucky, view pronghorn antelope. Targets of the trip include Sage Grouse, Mountain Quail, Western Tanager, Common Nighthawk, and several species of warbler, wren, flycatcher and vireo. The route includes exceptional views of the Sierra Nevada and surrounding mountain ranges. Bring sunscreen, water, lunch, and good walking shoes. This trip involves extensive driving on dirt roads, and it is necessary to carpool due to limited parking along the route. (est. driving miles: 80, high clearance required; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 6:30 AM-3:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Crowley Lake Reservoir, cradled in the Long Valley Caldera and formed by the damming of the Owens River, offers spectacular views of the High Sierra to the west and the Glass Mountain and White Mountain ranges to the east. Crowley is nestled amid a mix of sagebrush, wet meadows, and small alkali lakes, attracting a variety of breeding and migrant waterbirds. June is the peak of the breeding season, so we should see several species of nesting ducks, shorebirds, and grebes, plus some over-summering non-breeders and late migrants. We will also view the largest Bank Swallow colony in the Eastern Sierra, enjoy the beautiful song of the Sage Thrasher, the subtle beauty of the Brewer's Sparrow, and if we are really lucky, run into some Bi-State Greater Sage-Grouse. (est. driving miles: 80; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 6:30 AM-3:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
This field trip is the "hands-on" companion to the workshop on Friday afternoon (251). The goal is to solidify the general techniques explored on Friday and provide practical experience with field identification of specific Mono Basin bird sounds. We will primarily spend our time standing at different locations while silently noting on paper what bird sounds we are individually hearing, and next, as a group, discussing, analyzing, and identifying these sounds. Though useful, binoculars are not necessary. Please bring a small notebook. The Friday afternoon bird sounds workshop (251) is a prerequisite for this event. Total walking distance will be about 1.2 miles at an elevation of up to 9,000 feet above sea level. (est. driving miles: 28; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Join Ted and Keith for an exploration of wetlands and lake habitats of Bridgeport Reservoir. Bridgeport Reservoir sits within beautiful Bridgeport Valley between the Sierra Nevada and the Sweetwaters. Waterfowl, grebes in courtship, terns, pelicans, and shorebirds grace the surface and shores of this popular fishing reservoir that also attracts a diversity of raptors such as Bald Eagle and Osprey. A pair of Sandhill Cranes has been nesting at Bridgeport Reservoir and there is a chance of seeing or hearing these rare Mono County birds. Participants typically see more than 60 species of birds on this field trip. (est. driving miles: 65; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore the finer points of digital bird photography to improve our skills. If you know your camera well and don't need a lot of introduction on how to use it, this outing is for you. Topics discussed will include birds in flight, dealing with tricky light, getting close to difficult birds, and more. If you've just switched to mirrorless, or are seriously considering it, Bob will discuss the latest in mirrorless technology and the advantages in the field. Minimum equipment requirements for the workshop are a digital SLR body (or mirrorless) and a 300mm lens, but teleconverters, a tripod, and flash are also recommended if available. This trip will go to a different area than Bob's Friday morning photo walk. For more information about Bob, and to see more of his photography, check out his website: bobsteelephoto.com. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 6:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
McGee is a spectacular, colorful, metamorphic canyon with a strong creek running through it. The hike begins at about 8,000 feet in sagebrush where Brewer's Sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee are common. After a short climb, the trail passes water birch and aspen with side streams where birds and butterflies gather. The trail gradually climbs up into junipers and limber pines with Clark's Nutcracker and Townsend's Solitaire. Dippers are frequently seen on the creek. After a tricky creek crossing, the trail winds through hemlock and lodgepole to a shallow beaver pond. The hike is moderate with some stream crossings and a great variety of birds and plants. Bring a lunch. (est. driving miles: 80; hiking difficulty: moderate to strenuous)
Saturday 7:00 AM-2:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Join this field trip for an interpretive journey through one of the Eastern Sierra's most under-appreciated ecosystems and an introduction to local forest ecology, including the critical role of fire and the keystone roles of forest-dwelling woodpeckers. Wandering through blackened columns left by lightning-caused fires, we'll discover a new world of wildflowers, sprouting shrubs, and once-proud pines fast becoming homes for Black-backed and Hairy woodpeckers and a whole suite of other cavity-dwellers. Expect several moderate meanders for a total of approximately three miles. (est. driving miles: 50; hiking difficulty: moderate to strenuous)
Saturday 7:00 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
On this trip we'll explore recently burned forests through both a scientific and an artistic lens. We'll discuss exciting, new scientific findings based on searches for nests and Maya will share some of her new poetry along the way. We will look for snag-dependent birds like White-headed, Hairy, Lewis's, Black-backed woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsucker and secondary cavity nesters like Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow. We'll discuss the many ways that mixed-intensity fire supports biodiversity and ecological health in our conifer forests, and a habitat created by high-intensity fire called complex early seral forest, which is the rarest, most biodiverse, and yet the most threatened of all forest habitat types in the Sierra Nevada. (est. total driving miles: 55; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 7:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Horse Meadow is perched up among moraines south of Lee Vining Canyon, situated between stunning views of Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs, and a gorgeous, bird's-eye view of Mono Lake. In this less-traveled area of the Mono Basin our walk will explore Upper Horse Meadow and environs, including the mix of meadow, sagebrush, aspen, and conifer forest habitats, which often provides a wide range of bird sightings. (est. driving miles: 15; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
Located above the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Valentine Camp is a 156-acre property managed by the University of California at 8000-8500 feet. It has been protected from entry and grazing since the early 1900's and features remarkably pristine sub-alpine habitat including montane forest, chaparral, sagebrush, riparian, wet montane meadow, and seep and spring vegetation. Birdlife is plentiful and varied here, particularly those birds who enjoy mature coniferous forests (Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet), mixed montane woodland (Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee), and sagebrush expanses (Green-tailed Towhee, Fox Sparrow). We'll keep our ears open for Mountain Quail, more often heard than seen. We have been granted special permission to access the property and will hike the private trails through this wonderland. Participants are required to sign a waiver of liability before entering the property. This trip involves walking on a narrow steep trail with some stairs with an elevation gain of approximately 400ft. Not appropriate for persons with breathing or mobility concerns (est. driving miles: 60 round-trip from Lee Vining; hiking difficulty: moderately strenuous).
Saturday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
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 rocks. Green-tailed Towhee, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers, and many others may make an appearance. (est. driving miles: 6; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
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 into the arid sagebrush scrub surrounding Mono Lake. American Dipper, Townsend's Solitaire, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, and nuthatches are among the many species that we may see. (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Join Utah conservation biologist Janice Gardner and Mono Lake Committee Eastern Sierra Policy Director Bartshé Miller along the shore of Mono Lake to learn about the fascinating natural history and importance of unique ecosystems like Mono Lake and Great Salt Lake in the context of the Great Basin, the Western Hemisphere, and saline lakes worldwide. Watch Eared Grebes chase alkali flies on the rising waters of Mono Lake, learn about the colonies of California Gulls at Mono Lake and Great Salt Lake, and, if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of a late spring or early fall migrant Wilson's Phalarope. There is also the possibility of catching a glimpse of a Sage Thrasher or Sagebrush Sparrow. (est. driving miles: 22; hiking difficulty: easy but little shade)
Saturday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Spend a morning enjoying birds and other 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 to two miles of walking we will make a special effort to locate species of breeding birds, as well as to locate birds by song. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
This trip will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
En esta caminata suave de observación de aves en terreno plano de la parte baja del Cañón Parker, exploraremos los hábitats ribereños y de pradera en esta tranquila región del Mono Basin. Es posible que nos encontremos con una buena variedad de aves, desde el carpintero chupasavia de pecho rojo hasta el azulejo de las montañas y desde palomas hasta búho chico (sin promesas). Prepárese para caminar un par de millas planas, en su mayoría sombreadas con bastantes arboles, y para disfrutar de vistas espectaculares de la cresta de la Sierra y del lago Mono. (millas de conducción est.: 20; dificultad de caminata: fácil)
Saturday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
This birding and natural history trip will explore the various habitats tucked between Mono Lake and the Bodie Hills. Granite boulders, willow thickets, aspen corridors, and expansive sagebrush are perfect perches for breeding bird species like Calliope Hummingbird, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Green-tailed Towhee. With ample water this year, flowers and butterflies could be abundant. This trip will enjoy all aspects of nature and wonder. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Get up close and personal with the Mono Basin wildflowers! Sue will lead you to and through several wildflower locations, starting in County Park. You'll learn about wildflower habitats and bioregions, and, using field journaling methods and a magnifying glass, you'll be drawn into following your curiosity, gaining new perspective and deepening your connection to nature. The wildflower season is very short in the Mono Basin, but spectacularly intense. Field journaling techniques include using watercolors, pen or pencil, camera, even written or recorded words - the keyword is portability. Please be sure to bring a journal of some kind, a magnifying glass or hand lens, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Beginners welcome! (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are a separate subspecies of bighorn sheep that have state and federal endangered species status. They were restored to the Mono Basin in 1986. In mid-June these sheep often use Lundy Canyon and it may be possible to spot them from the trail. John Wehausen will lead the group there and discuss the history and challenges of restoration efforts for these sheep. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: strenuous)
Saturday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Many mammals call the Sierra Nevada home. When you can't migrate like a bird, figuring out how to make the most of the brief warm months is imperative to surviving the cold mountain winters. Join Kwasi on a hike to observe these animals going about their busy summer days, putting on weight, collecting stores, and preparing for their next snowy season! (est. driving miles: 15; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Fresh water sources are few and far between in the Mono Basin. Small ponds, springs, and even roadside puddles can act as localized oases in the vast sea of sagebrush. Join Paul, Eric, Nora, and Robbie to learn about ongoing community-driven efforts to restore and enhance the unique DeChambeau Ponds while naturalizing this biodiversity hot spot along Mono Lake’s north shore. We’ll see breeding songbirds, waterbirds, and sagebrush specialists, as well as various interesting insects and plants. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Bodie, one of California’s most famous state parks, was known as one of the most lawless, wildest, and toughest mining camps in the West, and boasted a population of about 8,500 in the late 1870s. Join Chris, a Bodie Foundation tour guide, for a fascinating walk through town and hear stories about the characters who lived in this legendary settlement. After a 20-minute break, we’ll join Chris again for a special tour through the 124-year-old stamp mill that processed much of the gold and silver, and still houses some of the original equipment. The weather at this 8,400-foot elevation can be unpredictable so wear sunscreen and dress in layers. (est. driving miles: 62; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
Leader(s):
Mono Lake Committee
Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore digital photo editing. Much has changed in computer and software capabilities in just the past couple of years. Topics discussed and demonstrated will include: image storage and backup strategies, converting RAW images, noise removal, basic image editing, sizing and sharpening images for different outputs such as email, internet, and printing. We will even discuss briefly what AI can do for your images. There will be group discussion with questions and answers throughout. For more information about Bob Steele, and to see more of his photography, check out his website: bobsteelephoto.com.
Saturday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
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 will provide additional flavor to the outing. During one to two miles of walking we will make a special effort to locate nesting birds, as well as to locate birds by song. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Get up close and personal with the Mono Basin wildflowers! Sue will lead you to and through several wildflower locations, starting in County Park. You'll learn about wildflower habitats and bioregions, and, using field journaling methods and a magnifying glass, you'll be drawn into following your curiosity, gaining new perspective and deepening your connection to nature. The wildflower season is very short in the Mono Basin, but spectacularly intense. Field journaling techniques include using watercolors, pen or pencil, camera, even written or recorded words - the keyword is portability. Please be sure to bring a journal of some kind, a magnifying glass or hand lens, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Beginners welcome! (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 1:00 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
Join Burleigh Lockwood to learn which owl says what. We will discuss raptors in general and compare owls with hawks. Many "biofacts" will be shared along with mounted specimens for a real hands-on experience. We'll also learn how to hoot! This has consistently been one of the Chautauqua's most popular events. Open to kids of all ages.
Saturday 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Join Mono Lake Committee Executive Director Geoff McQuilkin for a tour of the Mono Basin with discussions focusing on hot policy and management topics as well as current water conditions and what they mean for Mono Lake and the tributary streams. Stops will include Mono Lake's tributary streams to discuss restoration streamflows, Los Angeles Aqueduct infrastructure, and Mono Lake to discuss lake level rise. Geoff will describe the Committee's role in forecasting and advocating for the changes we're seeing and will explain the work ahead to continue to safeguard the Mono Basin. (est. driving miles: 40; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Saturday 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Conference Room
This workshop focuses on how to be a better observer, which will in turn help quicken your identification skills and enrich your birding experience. The workshop will start indoors with exercises to work on specific observation skills and tricks. The group will then put the new skills to the test on real birds at feeders. This workshop is for those who are keen on becoming better birders at all levels. Please bring something to write or draw on, and you may want to bring a camp chair or stool, otherwise we will be sitting on the ground at times. (driving miles: 0; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 1:30 PM-4:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
We will drive to South Tufa where we will walk to Mono Lake to view active Osprey nests, discuss why a fish-eating bird is living at a fishless lake, and talk about Osprey natural history. South Tufa is the best area to view active nests and if we are lucky the chicks will be large enough to offer us a glimpse. Updates to the current research will also be discussed, which includes some dispersal, migration, and local foraging data thanks in part to Chautauqua grants for banding and telemetry study. We may adjust our route (and possibly our location) based upon current Osprey activity. We will be in exposed areas without shade so please bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. (est. driving miles: 22; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 2:00 PM-5:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
As birds know, the world is full of tasty bugs and a few yucky ones. With "bird eyes" we'll search in Lee Vining Canyon for bugs on the ground, leaves, bark, soil, and in the air, and maybe even take a taste test. Open to kids of all ages and parents. No charge and open to all. (est. driving miles: 5)
Saturday 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center
Earth pigments, flowers, and insect carapaces have been used world-wide since the dawn of culture. Ane Carla has been researching and experimenting with non-toxic art making since 1990. Her unique experience will guide us as we make a portable set of six watercolors that can travel with you on your hikes and nature journaling adventures. Materials will be provided.
Saturday 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
In this panel discussion, scientists and educators from Mono Lake, Great Salt Lake, and Laguna Mar Chiquita in Argentina will present about current research and education programs at their respective saline lakes and discuss the issues that face saline lakes across the globe.
Saturday 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
Test your bird sound identification skills in this fun challenge that focuses on birds of the Eastern Sierra. Join a team and compete in four rounds of sound ID challenges, or follow along in the audience and see how you do when the answers are revealed. The team with the most points after 4 rounds will win a fun birdy prize!
Saturday 5:30 PM-6:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Late June brings some of the longest and most active birding days of the year in the Mono Basin. Get ready 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 shorebirds, waterfowl, nighthawks, poorwills, and winnowing snipe. We will also search for owls once night falls. Bring layered clothing for cooler weather after the sun sets. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
This program will take a similar path in a different direction to its sister field trip. Get ready 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 shorebirds, waterfowl, nighthawks, poorwills, and winnowing snipe. We will use our ears as well as our eyes in this nearby bird outing. Bring layered clothing for cooler weather, headlamps, and mosquito repellent to fend off the survivors of the swallow and bat brigade. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
Late June brings some of the longest and most active birding days of the year in the Mono Basin. Get ready 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 owls. Bring layered clothing for cooler weather after the sun sets. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Saturday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Leader(s):
Scenic Area Visitor Center Auditorium
Great Salt Lake and her salty sister lakes are critical rest stops for birds along our hemispheric highway. Bugs and plants fuel their travels while their waters and wetlands provide habitat at all times of year as they travel and rest. The inventory contained in these rest stops changes throughout the year and both birds and humans rely on these hemispheric rest stops. Let's have a conversation about our shared connections and why it is OK to be salty (just not too salty!).
Saturday 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Join this field trip for an evening bat walk in Lee Vining Canyon. While waiting for darkness to fall, Burleigh and Lisa will beguile us with a captivating introduction into the biologic and behavioral world of bats. We will then head out to Lee Vining Canyon to "see the bats using Sonobat Live acoustical monitoring equipment. This will allow us to identify each bat by species through an almost instantaneous analysis of their ultrasonic echolocation calls as they fly over. (est. driving miles: 10; hiking difficulty: easy)
Saturday 7:30 PM-10:00 PM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Haven't had enough yet? Jump on board with other hardcore birders to try and re-find any rare birds detected by other field trips throughout the weekend. Route and locations entirely dictated by any vagrants, so fingers crossed for some exciting and unexpected birds! (est. driving miles: ?!?, hiking difficulty: ?!?)
Sunday 6:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
This field trip is the "hands-on" companion to the workshop on Friday afternoon (251). The goal is to solidify the general techniques explored on Friday and provide practical experience with field identification of specific Mono Basin bird sounds. We will primarily spend our time standing at different locations while silently noting on paper what bird sounds we are individually hearing, and next, as a group, discussing, analyzing, and identifying these sounds. Though useful, binoculars are not necessary. Please bring a small notebook. The Friday afternoon bird sounds workshop (251) is a prerequisite for this event. Total walking distance will be about 1.2 miles at an elevation of up to 9,000 feet above sea level. (est. driving miles: 28, hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Join Ted and Al for an exploration of wetlands and lake habitats of Bridgeport Reservoir. Bridgeport Reservoir sits within beautiful Bridgeport Valley between the Sierra Nevada and the Sweetwater range. Waterfowl, grebes in courtship, terns, pelicans, and shorebirds grace the surface and shores of this popular fishing reservoir that also attracts a diversity of raptors such as Bald Eagle and Osprey. A pair of Sandhill Cranes has been nesting at Bridgeport Reservoir and there is a chance of seeing or hearing these rare Mono County birds. Participants typically see more than 60 species of birds on this field trip. (est. driving miles: 65; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
This beautiful driving loop has a variety of habitats--open water (lakes) with shorelines, aspen riparian, marsh (emergent vegetation), mountain sagebrush-scrub, and coniferous forest. Our birds will vary with each habitat from waterbirds to woodpeckers. This is a drive with multiple stops and short strolls. (est. driving miles: 30; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
We will caravan to the southern tip of Antelope Valley and investigate cottonwood riparian, agriculture, and sage-juniper-pinyon pine woodlands. Pinyon Jay and Willow Flycatcher are likely, as well as raptors, sparrows, and neotropical migrants. We will search for elusive Juniper Titmouse. After a couple of hours in the valley, we'll travel north to the southern part of Topaz Lake where we will use spotting scopes to scan the lake. We will end our trip at Topaz Lake. (est. driving miles: 130; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 6:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
This trip will make a couple of stops in Lee Vining Canyon on the way up into the Tioga Pass vicinity and will provide a great opportunity to observe many of the birds of the eastern slope and Sierra crest. We'll use the species we find as jumping-off points to talk about the various research on physiology and behavior of high-elevation birds that has been done over the past 40 years around Tioga Pass, with particular emphasis on how the steep eastern escarpment provides opportunities for small birds to escape life-threatening weather, and how residents and migrants orchestrate their annual schedules of breeding, plumage molt, and migration in this capricious environment. We'll make a particular effort to find, observe, and discuss the natural history of Mountain White-crowned Sparrow, Dusky Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush, Cassin's Finch, and Rock Wren, and we'll keep our eyes and ears peeled for Gray-crowned Rosy-finch, Pine Siskin, and Red Crossbill--all of which have been studied in the area (some since 1968). (est. driving miles: 20; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 6:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
On this trip we'll explore recently burned forests through both a scientific and an artistic lens. We'll discuss exciting, new scientific findings based on searches for nests and Maya will share some of her new poetry along the way. We will look for snag-dependent birds like White-headed, Hairy, Lewis's, Black-backed woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsucker, and secondary cavity nesters like Mountain Bluebird and Tree Swallow. We'll discuss the many ways that mixed-intensity fire supports biodiversity and ecological health in our conifer forests, and a habitat created by high-intensity fire called complex early seral forest, which is the rarest, most biodiverse, and yet the most threatened of all forest habitat types in the Sierra Nevada. (est. total driving miles: 55; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Located above the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Valentine Camp is a 156-acre property managed by the University of California at 8000-8500 feet. It has been protected from entry and grazing since the early 1900's and features remarkably pristine sub-alpine habitat including montane forest, chaparral, sagebrush, riparian, wet montane meadow, and seep and spring vegetation. Birdlife is plentiful and varied here, particularly those birds who enjoy mature coniferous forests (Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet), mixed montane woodland (Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee), and sagebrush expanses (Green-tailed Towhee, Fox Sparrow). We'll keep our ears open for Mountain Quail, more often heard than seen. We have been granted special permission to access the property and will hike the private trails through this wonderland. Participants are required to sign a waiver of liability before entering the property. This trip involves walking on a narrow steep trail with some stairs with an elevation gain of approximately 400ft. Not appropriate for persons with breathing or mobility concerns (est. driving miles: 60 round-trip from Lee Vining; hiking difficulty: moderately strenuous).
Sunday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
What better way is there to spend a morning birding in the Sierra than with the person who wrote the field guide? Join Keith Hansen, bird artist extraordinaire, author of the new "Hansen's Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada", and local birder Ryan Garrett, to immerse yourself in the birds of Lee Vining canyon and the lyrical prose of Keith's species descriptions of the birds you see. Expect to see and learn about montane birds from Mountain Chickadees to Clark's Nutcrackers and many in between. (est. driving miles: 16; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Sunday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
The aspen groves and coniferous uplands in Lee Vining Canyon support an abundance of cavity-nesting birds. In some stands, it seems that every available cavity is occupied by a chickadee, nuthatch, swallow, or wren, not to mention the carpenters who create the cavities: the amazing woodpeckers. On this field trip, we will explore the riparian richness along Lee Vining Creek. We will make a few key stops in the canyon, wandering through aspen galleries and pine stands as Steve interprets the natural history of these local avian habitats. In addition to studying the cavity nesters, we will also enjoy a host of other nesting songbirds, including MacGillivray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Bullock's Oriole, Black-headed Grosbeak, and many more. Expect leisurely walks along well-used roads and trails. (est. driving miles: 35; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 7:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
Spend the morning 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 many of the small mammals that characterize the Great Basin, including the dark kangaroo mouse, Ord's and Panamint kangaroo rats, Great Basin pocket mouse, pinyon mouse, and sagebrush chipmunk. During this ever-popular trip, we'll also keep our eyes and ears open for some of the Eastside bird specialties of the area including Sage Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, Juniper Titmouse, and Gray Flycatcher. Open to kids of all ages. (est. driving miles: 40; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 7:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Join Yosemite National Park geologist Greg Stock for a combination driving and hiking tour of the stunning geology of the Mono Basin. From volcanic craters to glacial moraines, massive mountains to tufa towers, the Mono Basin 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. (est. driving miles: 35; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
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 sagebrush and bitterbrush habitat offers 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 interest not only birders, but photographers as well. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center C
We will take a leisurely one-mile hike through open sagebrush to the mouth of Rush Creek where we will enjoy a unique perspective of the Mono Basin. Along the way we will pause to study birds typical of the Great Basin Desert habitat, including Brewer's Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and possibly Sagebrush Sparrow. Once at the delta we will experience an awesome setting while watching birds come in to bathe in the fresh water of the largest tributary stream that feeds Mono Lake. (est. driving miles: 10; hiking difficulty: moderate, little shade)
Sunday 7:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
We'll drive up and over a steep moraine out of Lee Vining Canyon, with spectacular views of Mount Dana and beyond, on our way to a privately-owned secluded nature reserve only a short distance from Tioga Pass towards Yosemite. We'll stroll through a rich variety of habitats including sagebrush, meadow, willow thickets, aspen groves, conifers, and rock outcroppings. Green-tailed Towhee, woodpeckers, warblers, and many others may make an appearance. (est. driving miles: 6; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 7:30 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center E
This is your opportunity to see songbirds, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and maybe even bear tracks on a private ranch in the Bridgeport Valley. Green Creek is a tributary to the East Walker River, and its headwaters are the crest of the Sierra and the boundary of Yosemite National Park. This steep, bounding stream runs through Bi-State Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, including this private cattle ranch where the owners have placed a conservation easement, protecting it in perpetuity. You'll walk beside Green Creek through a light-dappled riparian forest, cross the creek (please bring shoes you don't mind wading through knee-high water in--there is no bridge), and enter an aspen grove and buffalo berry shrubland on the edge of the valley's expansive wet meadows. You'll also learn about the rich cultural history of Green Creek and the private land conservation history of Bridgeport Valley. (est. driving miles: 46; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Sunday 7:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
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 will provide additional flavor to the outing. During one to two miles of walking we will make a special effort to locate species of breeding birds, as well as to locate birds by song. (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: moderate)
Sunday 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center B
Join this trip for an easily accessible and gentle stroll next to a beautiful riparian corridor to photograph birds. With our own cameras we will look for Osprey, orioles, finches, wrens, swallows, and eagles. We will investigate basic wildlife photography technique and take advantage of morning light. (est. driving miles: 22; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center D
Head out early with your binoculars and a camp chair and let the birds come to you! Your leaders will pick a spot with a variety of habitats and views and the group will spend this leisurely trip sitting in one spot and identifying all the birds that come through. You may learn which individuals have built a nest nearby, or who is fighting for territory, while you pay careful attention to the birds within your field of view. Bring snacks, water, and a portable chair or stool. (est. driving miles: 15; hiking difficulty: very easy)
Sunday 8:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
Get up close and personal with the Mono Basin wildflowers! Sue will lead you to and through several wildflower locations, starting in County Park. You'll learn about wildflower habitats and bioregions, and, using field journaling methods and a magnifying glass, you'll be drawn into following your curiosity, gaining new perspective and deepening your connection to nature. The wildflower season is very short in the Mono Basin, but spectacularly intense. Field journaling techniques include using watercolors, pen or pencil, camera, even written or recorded words - the keyword is portability. Please be sure to bring a journal of some kind, a magnifying glass or hand lens, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Beginners welcome! (est. driving miles: 25; hiking difficulty: easy to moderate)
Sunday 8:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center A
We will drive to South Tufa where we will walk down to the lake to view active Osprey nests, discuss why a fish-eating bird is living on a fishless lake, and answer questions about Osprey natural history. South Tufa is the best area to view active nests and if we are lucky the chicks will be large enough to offer us a glimpse. Updates to the current research will also be discussed, which includes some dispersal, migration, and local foraging data thanks in part to Chautauqua grants for the banding and telemetry study. We may adjust our route (and possibly our location) based on current Osprey activity. We will be in sunny areas without shade so please bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. Open to kids of all ages. (driving miles: 22; hiking difficulty: easy)
Sunday 8:30 AM-11:30 AM
Leader(s):
Lee Vining Community Center
Earth pigments, flowers, and insect carapaces have been used world-wide since the dawn of culture. Ane Carla has been researching and experimenting with non-toxic art making since 1990. Her unique experience will guide us as we make a portable set of six watercolors that can travel with you on your hikes and nature journaling adventures. Materials will be provided.
Sunday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Leader(s):
Hess Park
Join us at 11:30 at Hess Park for a quick walk to the location of a new mural in Lee Vining that celebrates the connection between our saline sister lakes--Mono Lake, Great Salt Lake, and Laguna Mar Chiquita. After the mural unveiling, return to Hess Park for a picnic lunch provided by the Lee Vining High School booster club alongside live music. The traditional Chautauqua bird calling contest and raffle drawing will happen around 1pm. The event will continue with the first ever Phalarope Festival which will have more music, short presentations from representatives of the sister lakes, and a fun phalarope-themed costume contest.
Sunday 11:30 AM-4:00 PM
Leader(s):