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.)

 


POMONA VALLEY BIRD ALLIANCE
Formerly Pomona Valley Audubon Society

                               

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

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Field Trip to the Living Desert Zoo and Vicinity

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92660 Easy to Moderate.  Option to hike some of the garden trails.

A great spot to bird during the spring migration for migrants and desert dwellers alike.  Meet at Memorial Park, Claremont at 6:00 AM or at the Zoo at 7:45 AM.  Anticipate a full day of birding so bring lunch, snacks, ample water and appropriate clothing for desert conditions.  Admission $39.95. Est. driving 95 miles.  Contact Trip Leader: Dan Gregory (909) 456-4994 or DanRCRenee@verizon.net

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Introduction to eBird and Birding the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park:  Johnson’s Pasture

Difficulty:  Strenuous- One to two hour walk, 1-2 miles on gravel roads with some elevation gain. 

This is the second of two walks intended for beginners to familiarize themselves with use of eBird in the field and to learn about the natural history of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The eBird mobile app and/or iNaturalist should be downloaded to your phone prior to arriving.  Bring binoculars, water, a hat, sturdy shoes, long sleeves, sunscreen, insect repellant.  Meet at 7:00 AM at the Alexander Hughes Center, 1700 Danbury Road, Claremont, CA 91711  Park on the south side of the building.  From there we will carpool to Johnson’s Pasture due to limited parking at the site.  Attendance limited to 12 people.  Leaders Nancy Hamlett and Scott Marnoy.  Contact Scott Marnoy gopherus2@gmail.com to sign up.  

Sunday, March 22, 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, April 5, 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=985c2206-f0c0-46bb-894f-85a2a59603c3 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.

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