Friends of China Camp Local birders know that in fall, the quiet and patient hiker at China Camp will be rewarded with the distinctive call of our beautiful winter residents, the golden-crowned sparrows. During the Gold Rush, Yukon miners noticed its slow descending three or four-note whistle-like call, and likened it to the pessimistic... Read more »
FOCC volunteers lug fire hose to work site by Harriot Manley In October volunteers from FOCC and California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) groomed almost 1 mile of trail. And guess what, there is still more to do! Surprise! Come help! Get a great workout, enjoy nature, while supporting our park. No prior experience... Read more »
GREAT ADAPTATIONS BY KENNETH CATANIA Join this month’s online naturalist book club as we discuss Great Adaptations. In this book, author, biologist, and neuroscientist Kenneth Catania explores the peculiar morphology of some of the world's most extraordinary animals and insects. Excerpt from Amazon.com: ”From star-nosed moles that have super-sensing... Read more »
THE REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS IS FULL. Join scientist and educator Bella Mayorga from San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a walk near the edge of China Camp’s tidal salt marsh during a “king tide,” the name for one of the highest tides of the year. We... Read more »
THE REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS IS FULL. Join scientist and educator Bella Mayorga from San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a walk near the edge of China Camp’s tidal salt marsh during a “king tide,” the name for one of the highest tides of the year. We will... Read more »
White-faced ibis by Michael Brown/Macaulay Library December is a great time to spot winter migrants, particularly waterfowl. One species of interest at China Camp is the white-faced ibis. These crow-sized birds use their long curving bills to seek out crunchy invertebrates among China Camp’s vast wetlands. The adult ibis has... Read more »
Photo Credit: Steve Ziman This event has been canceled due to predicted stormy weather. When you think of winter, you might imagine the snowy Sierra, when most animal and plant life enters a time of dormancy. Not so in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, winter is a time... Read more »
December “Cold Moon” Bring your coat and mittens and join us for a special trek to view December’s “Cold Moon” as it rises into the night sky. December’s moon has a high trajectory across the sky, affording skygazers with a good view above the horizon line to have a longer... Read more »
Sunrise by Sheila Coll Want to celebrate the new year in a profound way? Then come with us to ring in 2022 under the open sky as we watch the sunrise over San Pablo Bay. Join naturalist Harold Hirsch for this 4-mile sunrise hike to a vista point to welcome... Read more »
Mother Nature has been kind to us over the last few weeks and has soaked our clay soil. That may not be exciting news, but it does mean that we can more easily pull up the Scotch Broom and French Broom that pepper our hillsides. Not only is broom a... Read more »
Geology: Rocks, Sand, and Mud What’s older than memory, as mighty as a mountain, but can fit in the palm of your hand? You guessed it…rocks! We might not notice them as much as we do China Camp’s wildlife and plants, but rocks–from big boulders to tiny grains of sand–make... Read more »
Winter: A time for renewal When you think of winter, you might imagine the snowy Sierra, when most animal and plant life enters a time of dormancy. Not so in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, winter is a time of awakening and renewal after the long and dry summer... Read more »
