This month’s birding hike will be a hoot. Pun intended. We will discuss the owl species that live at China Camp, and their remarkable binocular eyesight and asymmetric ears. Both of these special adaptations contribute to an owl’s ability to rapidly triangulate the location of prey in low light and absolute darkness. Though we are unlikely to see any of these nocturnal creatures on our morning walk through Miwok Meadows, by the end of the hike participants will be given helpful tips to increase the likelihood of viewing and identifying these fascinating nocturnal birds on their own time.

 We will review the four keys to identifying birds in the field learn about tools such as checklists, atlases, binoculars, and telescopes. Participants will also learn how to identify birds by observing flight patterns, noting body shapes and sizes, hearing songs, and watching behaviors.