ABA Community Weekends are focused on urban centers in the US and Canada and aim to connect with local organizations, businesses, and guides to offer a variety of birding-related activities that can appeal to both novice and experienced birders. 

We aim to connect in person with ABA members who may have never had direct contact with the organization in the field, while also presenting birding and the American Birding Association to a wider swath of the general public, to learn about the wants and needs of birders, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts; exchange ideas and share experiences; and create a network of like-minded people, organizations, and businesses throughout the ABA area.

ABA Community Weekends include guided bird walks on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and workshops on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, plus a social event such as a birds-and-beers or bird trivia at a dining establishment on Saturday evening. 

On June 17 and 18, 2023, ABA Community Weekends are coming to San Francisco, California. Thanks to the expertise of American Birding Podcast host Nate Swick, Leica field rep Whitney Lanfranco and Golden Gates Audubon’s Youth Program Manager Clay Anderson and Deputy Director Whitney Grover, the walks and workshops this weekend promise to be top-notch!

Thanks to our partners:

Saturday 06/17, 7:00-9:00 am: Guided Bird Walk at Lake Merritt, Oakland

Meet at the Rotary Nature Center, 600 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610.

Lake Merritt in Oakland, California is one of the most unique urban spaces in the United States. Its three-mile Necklace of Lights shoreline in the center of an exceptionally diverse city is a special place where nature and nurture migrate and mingle daily. This tidal lagoon is home to the United States’ oldest designated wildlife refuge dating from 1870. The trails at Lake Merritt are mostly paved and flat.

Leica will provide binoculars for those who don’t have their own — or for those who are curious to try out a new pair!

Hosts and guides:

Nate Swick, ABA’s American Birding Podcast host

Clay Anderson, Golden Gate Audubon’s Youth Program Manager

Whitney Lanfranco, Nature Sales Manager of Leica Sport Optics

Saturday 06/17, 10:00 – 11:30 am: Digiscoping Workshop at Lake Merritt, Oakland

Meet at the Rotary Nature Center, 600 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, CA 94610.

Digiscoping is a fun and exciting new technique that combines digital photography with spotting scopes or telescopes. It allows you to capture amazing close-up images of distant subjects, including birds! By attaching your camera or smartphone to the scope’s eyepiece, you can achieve higher magnification than with the camera alone, which is one of the reasons why digiscoping has become a popular choice for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers who want to capture detailed photos without disturbing the subjects.

In this hands-on workshop, Nate Swick and Whitney Lanfranco will share their digiscoping experience, talk about optimal settings and setups, and practice with you on a variety of subjects against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Merritt. Just grab your camera and scope (and a mounting adapter), and you’ll be ready to explore the world of digiscoping!

Instructors and hosts:

Nate Swick, ABA’s American Birding Podcast host

Whitney Lanfranco, Nature Sales Manager of Leica Sport Optics

Saturday 06/17, 7:00pm: Birds and Beers (location tbd)

Are you looking to connect with others who share your passion? Join us for our ‘Birds and Beers’ social! This is the perfect opportunity to meet other birdwatchers, share stories and experiences, and maybe even plan future birdwatching trips together – all while enjoying a refreshing brew.

Our events are welcoming to all birders, and whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, you’re sure to feel at home with this friendly and enthusiastic community.

Please sign up to let us know you’ll be joining us, and feel free to invite any friends who might be interested. Let’s make some new birding buddies!

Sunday 06/18, 8:00-10:00 am: Guided Bird Walk at Land’s End, San Francisco

Meet at the Land’s End Main Parking lot on Point Lobos Avenue.

At the northwestern corner of San Francisco, there is a wild and windy place with stunning views at every turn. Lands End’s trails wind their way around rocky cliffs above the ocean, moving through shady stands of cypress and eucalyptus and emerging onto spectacular views of the shore, headlands, and Golden Gate.

Lands End, with its spectacular vistas and diverse habitat, provides wonderful experiences for both amateur and avid birdwatchers. Due to its location at the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, Lands End is an important stopover for migratory birds. More than 200 species of migrant and resident birds have been sighted from its trails and overlooks.

We will walk about 1.5 miles along wide, well-packed granite trails. The terrain is mostly flat, with some short hills including one long and wide set of stairs without railings. Restrooms are available in the parking lot, opening at 9:00 am.

Leica will provide binoculars for those who don’t have their own — or for those who are curious to try out a new pair!

Hosts and guides:

Nate Swick, ABA’s American Birding Podcast host

Whitney Grover, Golden Gate Audubon’s Deputy Director

Whitney Lanfranco, Nature Sales Manager of Leica Sport Optics