POMONA VALLEY BIRD ALLIANCE
Formerly Pomona Valley Audubon Society

About PVBA Field Trips: Pomona Valley Bird Alliance field trips are offered at no cost (unless otherwise specified) and open to all individuals.  ALWAYS contact the trip leader if you plan to attend and to verify start time, meeting location, and confirm trip status. In case of rain, call the trip leader the night before. Many of our trips originate at Memorial Park in Claremont but you have the option to meet on site. (Carpooling is optional based on your comfort level.) Driving mileage estimates are from Memorial Park in Claremont and are round-trip. For your comfort and enjoyment, participants should plan to bring the following items: Binoculars, spotting scope, camera, water, snacks (check description for lunch needs,) walking or hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, weather appropriate clothing and a full tank of gas if driving. Trips are rated by difficulty to help you prepare.

PVBA Field Trip Difficulty Levels – Trips rated Easy through Strenuous involve walking and standing for several hours.
Minimal – Little or no walking, option to exit car and walk short distances over relatively level terrain.  Example: Drive-through wetlands.
Easy – Walking on relatively level terrain, paved or maintained dirt roads (many locations wheelchair accessible.) Example: Artificial wetlands and botanic gardens.
Moderate – Some elevation change, stairs, walking on sloped grass, rolling hills, open fields or groomed hiking trails with mild trip hazards (tree roots, rocks, etc.)  Example: Regional Parks with lakes and hiking trails.
Strenuous – Irregular or rocky terrain, > 500ft. elevation change, some off-trail walking.  Example: Natural areas and preserves (North Etiwanda Preserve.)

                               

Family Friendly Walks at the California Botanic Garden First Sunday in the Month. (September through June)

California Botanic Garden, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, USA (map) Difficulty: Easy
This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVBA volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks.
Please RSVP with the botanic garden’s reservation site by using the DATE SPECIFIC links for each month.

Fourth Sunday Bird Walks at Bonelli Park (September through May)

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park.  San Dimas, CA 91773-(map) Difficulty: Moderate

 We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Contact the trip leader listed for each month

                             

Let’s Go Birding
2025 -2026

 

Friday, April 17, 2026

Field Trip and Survey of the North Etiwanda Preserve

4890 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 Difficulty: Strenuous (rocky, uneven terrain, 3.5 miles 800+ ft elevation gain) with a moderate option to survey the southern edge of the park.

Twice a year we gather bird population data for the County of San Bernardino by doing what we love – birding! Join us for all or part of the day. Specialties include Bell’s Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, and other open country species.  We will be taking our usual counterclockwise route on the main trail making us easy to find, so feel free to join us at any time. Meet at Beryl Park at the West Parking Lot, 6501 Carnelian St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 for a 7 AM departure to the preserve. This is a hike and not a walk, please bring sturdy footwear, a portable lunch, water, snacks, and layered clothing for about 6 hours in the field. Please RSVP with Trip Leader: Mike Brossart mjbrossart@gmail.com

 

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Field Trip to Huntington Central Park

18002 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Difficulty: Easy to moderate. 

This 343 acre urban park features extensive lawns, urban forest and wetlands that has attracted over 300 species of waterfowl, raptors, migrants and vagrant species.  Meet at Memorial Park, Claremont at 7:00 AM.  Anticipate a full day of birding so bring lunch, snacks, ample water and appropriate clothing.  Driving distance 80 miles round trip.  Contact Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

 

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Birding Hike to Glendora Ridge

840 N Indian Hill Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711

Difficulty: Strenuous

Good news! Dan Stoebel’s bird hike has been rescheduled. Glendora Ridge Road provides easy local access to mid-elevation habitats of the San Gabriels. We will hike along a well-maintained dirt road through habitat in the initial stages of fire regeneration. Target species include Lazuli Bunting, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Black-chinned Sparrow, and Mountain Quail as well as spring migrants.

Meet at Memorial Park in Claremont at 7am to carpool. Expect 4 to 6 miles of walking along a dirt road with several hundred feet of elevation gain, much of it in full sun. There are no restrooms at this location.

Anticipate a half-day of birding, so bring water, snacks/lunch, and sun and insect protection. Contact Dan Stoebel dstoebel@mac.com to sign up.

 

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park.  San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Enjoy one of the richest birding sites in Southern California on our fourth Sunday of the month Bonelli Bird Walk.  We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Walk Leader: Keith Condon catbird117@yahoo.com

 

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Field Trip to Prado Wetlands with David McMichael

14980 River RD. Corona, CA 92880.   Moderate (up to 4 mi.). Orange County Water District biologist, David McMichael will once again conduct a private tour for PVBA. Shallow ponds provide ideal habitat for wading shore birds, waterfowl, raptors, and a large population of endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. Meet 7:00 AM at Prado Wetlands for a morning walk.  Trip limited to 15 people. Reservation deadline April 27,2026. Contact trip leader to reserve your spot and to discuss the need for carpooling. Leader: Tina Stoner: 909-292-3900. tinastoner@earthlink.net 

 

Sunday, May 3, 2026

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=7f6292c7-fcf9-4639-835c-2b22dd7ea4c3   If you have difficulty getting around and would like to bird from the tram, please contact the garden at registrar@calbg.org to reserve a spot.

 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Field trip to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

11055 East Dr, Morongo Valley, CA 92256 – Difficulty: Moderate (up to 4 mi. but optional feeder watching only.) A famous desert oasis at the height of western migration with lots of local nesting activity too. Great photo ops during our lunch stop at the bird feeders. Meet at 6:00 a.m. at Memorial Park in Claremont (Note earlier start time!) We’ll also visit Covington Park next door. Bring snacks, water and lunch for a full day trip. (Est. driving 167 mi.)

Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

 

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Fourth Sunday of the Month Bonelli Bird Walk

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park.  San Dimas, CA 91773 – Difficulty: Moderate

Enjoy one of the richest birding sites in Southern California on our fourth Sunday of the month Bonelli Bird Walk.  We meet in the parking lot of Brackett Field (airport) at 1615 McKinley Ave., La Verne, CA 91773 (better known as the Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop parking lot.) To reach the parking lot, take McKinley Ave. west from Fairplex Drive to the parking area at the end of the road on the right. Meet at 7:45 AM to caravan into the park for free entrance and an 8:00 AM walk. 2-3 hours. Don’t forget your binoculars and comfortable shoes. Walk Leader: Patty Thorne pattythorne99@gmail.com

 

Sunday, June 7, 2026

First Sunday of the Month Family Friendly Bird Walks at the California Botanic Garden

1500 N. College Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
Meet at the entrance at 8:00 AM for free admission. This family-friendly bird walk is approximately 2 hours long and is perfect for beginners and experienced birders alike. No binoculars? No worries! Loaner binoculars are available (limited number so first come first served.) You will receive instructions on their use as well. PVAS volunteer Ken Burgdorff (gwrencaps@gmail.com) and others will lead the walks. Please RSVP using this link to the Botanic Garden’s reservation site: http://11213.blackbaudhosting.com/11213/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=63676b27-809c-4298-9ada-083bf1af76d9  If you have difficulty getting around and would like to bird from the tram, please contact the garden at registrar@calbg.org to reserve a spot.

 

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Field Trip to the Big Bear Lake Area 

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (up to 4 mi.) Beat the summer heat and head up to the mountains with us. Enjoy birding the Big Bear Lake area and Bluff Lake during the breeding season of montane species. Meet at 6:00 a.m. (Note earlier start time!) at Memorial Park in Claremont. Bring snacks, water and lunch for a full day of birding. (Est. driving 150 mi.)

Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

Remember this tip – If the trip name is “Big” (Big Morongo and Big Bear) we start at 6:00 a.m.

 

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Looking for Black Swifts at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park

4031 N. Mills Ave. #1406, Claremont, CA 91711 Difficulty: Strenuous (one mile hike on fire road with steep grade, possible high heat)

Park at the south (TCT) lot: $9 for 4 hours non-residents, free for Claremont residents.  Proceed north from the south lot on Mills Ave to meet at the park entrance gate at 5:00 PM. Claremont is one of the only places to reliably see Black Swifts as they return from their aerial hunts to their roosts high in the remote San Gabriel Mountains. Tom Miko will lead us on the hike to the bluff overlooking Cobal Canyon to see the swifts as well as swallows and typical chaparral birds and wildlife.  Be prepared with ample water, insect repellant, sunscreen and sturdy shoes.  RSVP Tom Miko at   tgmiko@gmail.com.