Search Results

Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest wetlands and part of a National Estuarine Reserve located in central Monterey Bay, California, just a short trip from the Santa Cruz area and the Monterey Peninsula. The wildlife rich reserve winds inland seven miles and provides an important feeding and resting place for a fantastic variety of wildlife such as playful sea otters, curious harbor seals, and hundreds of species of waterfowl and migratory shorebirds. Each season is unique and you may be greeted in nature's dynamic playground by nesting birds, feeding sharks, giant slugs and endangered animals. Elkhorn Slough Safari is an exciting way to visit this natural, calm water habitat and will provide excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife close at hand. These two hour boat cruises include an in-depth look at various aspects of slough ecology, fascinating history, and birding in the company of a naturalist guide. You can relax and enjoy a roomy, stable ride and refreshments on our coast guard certified 27 foot pontoon boat, the Safari, departing from Moss Landing, California. The boat tour is ideal for couples, families, groups, business retreats, private photography shoots, weddings, and singles. There are special activities provided for children. Moss Landing is a short day trip from the San Jose/San Francisco Bay region. We also offer specialty cruises. Birding There is excellent year round birding while on Safari, and the bird checklist for Elkhorn Slough contains over 200 species of birds recorded. Shorebirding is particularly good from the vantage provided by the tour boat. Our tours are scheduled to take advantage of their feeding times. The general tour is appropriate for beginner and serious birders. Be sure to tell our birder Captain that you are interested in birds. Each season has something different to offer: Fall migration, winter visitors, spring migration, spring/summer nesting, and summer residents. There are a number of rare bird sightings during the Elkhorn Slough Safari tours which include golden eagle, red knot, black skimmer, least terns, phalaropes, tundra swans, Clark's grebe and many others. Otters Elkhorn Slough Safari offers unique and relatively close sea otter viewing. We observe sea otters playing, feeding, resting, caring for young and socializing. While you watch and enjoy these delightful creatures in their natural environment, the naturalist will share background information with you. This tour has been recommended to sea otter enthusiasts by "Friends of the Sea Otter." In addition to otters, a number of marine mammals frequent the slough. Harbor Seals have an active birthing rookery and resting haul outs here. Sea lions are sighted regularly. On at least two rare occasions gray whales have strayed into the slough channel. Captain & Crew Elkhorn Slough Safari is owned and operated by Captain Yohn Gideon, a Coast Guard licensed captain. The Captain is a local Elkhorn Slough naturalist, an avid birder, and amateur photographer. On taking the tours the Captain comments, "I'm always amazed at how each day and season holds a new surprise. There is such diversity, I look forward to each tour. I strive to show my guests as much wildlife as possible in a fun and relaxing atmosphere." Elkhorn Slough Safari is not only fun but informative as well. The on board naturalist will provide local stories, wildlife interpretation, answer your questions and share identification guides. Binoculars can be rented.  

 Monterey Birding Adventures offers year yound birding activities in a beautiful natural setting. Shaped by various landscapes, there are a variety of distinct different habitat zones and microclimates conducive to wintering and breeding birds alike. As a result, Central California has excellent diversity year round with over 450 species possible providing an outstanding birding exeperience. Come explore this extraordinary landscape. Monterey County, bordered to the east by the Gabilan and Mustang Ranges and the west by the thundering Pacific Ocean, is in the heart of it providing a heaven for many resident and neo-tropical breeding birds

Birding is for all ages. Whether a beginner, intermediate or an advanced birder, Monterey Birding Adventures offers something for everyone. Add to or begin your Life List, learn to recognize birds by their calls and songs, gain valuable skills that can lead to an enjoyable, affordable lifetime activity.

Bird California's second largest wetland, Elkhorn Slough or visit Big Sur, Monterey, Carmel Valley, Point Lobos, Garrapata State Park, Santa Cruz and more. Few destinations match the quality of environment and eco-tourist's opportunities of the Central Coast. Extended or over night tours are available to Point Reyes, Yosemite, and the East Slope, Yuba Pass and the Sacramento Wildlife Refuges.

For over 7 years now, Monterey Birding Adventures has been operating personalized individual and small group tours. Birding is my passion that I gladly impart to visitors. With an attention to detail, my goal is to see that each person has a positive and memorable experience. Group Tours
In addition to individual bird tours, birdwatching group tours may be added upon request. If interested in creating your own customized birder tour, please contact me and I will respond with details. Transportation>
The type of vehicle used will depend on the number of participants. A Jeep Cherokee for up to 2-3 people, minivan for up to 4-6, and a 10-15 passenger van for 7-12 people.

Conserving Native Wildlife and Their Habitats

Ventana Wildlife Society is a private non profit, 501C-3 organization whose mission is dedicated to conserving native wildlife and their habitats through four areas of focus:

Education and Outreach: Our educational projects include Natural Science Discovery Summer Camp (ages 8-12), Condor Wilderness Camp (ages 13-18), Natural Science Discovery School Year Program (ages 10-18), and bird banding field trips. Our programs encourage self discovery while focusing on nature awareness.

Conservation Ecology: Visitors are welcome at our bird banding lab as we study migrant and resident song birds throughout the year. Other projects include: Monarch Butterfly Winter Surveying and Micro Climate Research, Carmel River and Grassland Restoration Monitoring, Powerline Assessment and Mitigation at Camp Roberts and San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, Spotted Owl Surveys, and Barn Owl Monitoring.

Species Recovery: We continue to restore the California Condor through releases, public awareness, research and intensive monitoring at two Central California sites; Big Sur and Pinnacles National Monument. We also continue to monitor the self-sustaining population of Bald Eagles that we established.

Habitat Restoration: At Andrew Molera State Park, we are working on riparian habitat restoration along the Big Sur River and are currently supporting restoration projects throughout the California Coastal Region.

Contact our office for more information on programs, volunteer opportunities, or to become a member - or visit us online.