By the first two weeks of February, we can expect to see many species of swallows returning to the Bay Area from their winter home in Mexico. On this month's birding hike, we will look for barn swallows swooping and diving above Miwok Meadows in pursuit of flying insects. Barn swallows have a deeply forked tail and are known for their conical mud nests often attached to buildings and other structures. We’ll also look for other songbirds and waterfowl that we’re likely to see in late winter.

Naturalist Jerry Coe will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. In addition, he’ll offer tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides. Jerry has over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world.