Ten miles from Sunnylands is Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oak, a gem of our valley. Participants will hike through a beautiful oasis of California Fan Palms, exit into the open desert, and end up at another gorgeous oasis. The hike will be just over a mile each way on packed sand with a few spots of loose sand. Depending on the temperature we may add a quarter mile additional hike and go up a gentle slope for the views from Vista Point. The hike will end at the Palm House, a visitors’ center with fascinating information. You may bring lunch if you choose to picnic on your own after the walk. Those not wanting to picnic will caravan back to Sunnylands for departure.

Birds we hope to encounter: Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Verdin, Great Horned Owl, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Say’s Phoebe, Northern Flicker, Common Raven, American Kestrel, and House Finch.  Common reptiles include Side-blotched Lizard, Zebra-tailed Lizard, Desert Iguana, and Western Whip-tail. Who knows what else will show up?

Into the Field is a two-part event with a pre-trip orientation on April 4.

This is a self-driven caravan trip. At the orientation you may make arrangements to carpool.

Safety
A waiver required for all off-site trips found here: offsite birding waiver. They will be collected at the meetup.
This is an easy hike with some spots of loose sand.
Close-toed shoes, hat, sunscreen, and water are essential.
Binoculars, camera, snacks and lunch are optional.

Note: This is a two day event
Itinerary April 4 & 5

This trip includes an orientation meetup, one day prior to off-site trip to explore the current bird exhibition and get details for trip.
April 4–ORIENTATION DAY

• 2 pm meet at Sunnylands for pre-trip orientation. Includes curator-guided walk through the exhibition, and copy of Flight Plan: The Birds of Sunnylands.

April 5—BIRD TRIP DAY

• 7:30 am meet in the overflow parking lot at Sunnylands.
• 12:00 pm return to Sunnylands.

Registration is required. Space is limited.
Fee: $50 per person. Purchase tickets HERE.

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