Every 2nd and 4th Friday (usually) SBAS hosts a casual and fun two hour walk at one of the south coast’s birding hot spots. For beginners, this is a great opportunity to see the birds and find out where to bird. For the more experienced birder, here is you chance to share your knowledge and skills. Everyone is welcome. Cost is FREE!
Weather conditions can necessitate changes to or cancelation of any trip.
Prior to attending any bird walk or field trip, please check the specific event page for directions and event updates.
Click on an event title below for full details on that event.
- Friday Bird Walk: Ennisbrook Preserve
Friday, November 20, 2026, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Ennisbrook Openspace/preserve/trail, known to the locals as the “100 acre wood” is located along the San Ysidro Creek between East Valley Road to the north and San Leandro Lane to the south. It is a riparian area rich in Oak woodland with many tall sycamore trees which provide habitat for many of our avian friends. eBird reports 118 species for this area.
- Friday Bird Walk: Lake Los Carneros
Friday, February 5, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Lake Los Carneros (LLC) is one of Goleta’s premier birding hot spots. Its 25 acre lake and varied wooded and grass land habitats make LLC a wonderful place to visit in the middle of Goleta. Once a part of Rancho La Patera it is now a Mecca for anyone wanting to get in touch with nature.
- Friday Bird Walk: North Campus Open Space
Friday, February 19, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
North Campus Open Space (formerly Ocean Meadows Golf Course) has been restored back to a natural environment more like what existed on this property prior to creation of the golf course in 1965. There are trails for public access and passive recreation. This open space is a great addition to Santa Barbara’s natural heritage which makes our community so special. It will be preserved for the enjoyment of the local community in perpetuity. Come with us to explore how this site is recovering back to it’s natural state.
- Friday Bird Walk: Carpinteria Salt Marsh
Friday, March 5, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
The Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park is located on the southern (eastern) end of the salt marsh. It provides views into some of the tidal wetlands in that area as well as the area where Franklin creek enters the marshland. A good area for a wide range of avian species.
- Friday Bird Walk: UCSB Campus Lagoon
Friday, March 26, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
The UCSB Lagoon area covers many habitats. Views of Goleta Bay, and ocean south of Campus Point provide many chances for observing shorebirds and seabirds. The fresh water lagoon provides habitat for additional water birds and the surrounding terrestrial areas have potential for many other species.
- Friday Bird Walk: Tucker’s Grove
Friday, April 9, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Nestled between Goleta and Santa Barbara just above Cathedral Oaks Road is Tuckers Grove. A popular park and oak woodland it is the main access to San Antonino Canyon Park whose main trail follows San Antonino Creek. The park attracts many birds as parks do but has the added bonus of having a long riparian corridor along the creek. One never knows what avian species will be found here.
- Friday Bird Walk: Goleta Beach/Atascadero Creek
Friday, April 30, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
The Goleta Beach / Goleta Slough / Atascadero Creek area is one of the go to hot spots in Goleta for birding. The eBird hotspot for the area boasts 232 species. Water fowl, shorebirds, waders, raptors, gulls and other species are not uncommon in their season. Goleta Slough is the main drainage for many of the Goleta valley / western Santa Barbara area creeks, providing waterways for birds to up to and down from the Santa Barbara mountains.
- Friday Bird Walk – Farren Road
Friday, May 7, 2027, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Farren Road is at the very western edge of Goleta. It is a road that provides access along a ridge that is between Tecolote Canyon and Eagle Canyon. The habitat is varied and thus provides a varied list of avian species from sparrows to raptors. The views of the mountains, ocean and Channel Islands is quite special as well.
