Christmas Bird Count on Volcan Mountain, Monday, December 16, 2019
Monday, December 16 join VMF staff for Audubon's 120th Christmas Bird Count. Results will be part of the Lake Henshaw Circle. This is a great opportunity to hone your bird ID skills with experts, learn about our local mountain bird species, and contribute valuable data to the Volcan Mountain Foundation and National Audubon Society. We'll be focusing our attention on the areas near VMF's Watershed and Sky Island trails and hope to hear owls in the earlier part of the morning. There is a combined two miles of walking during this survey. Hiking is easy to moderate.
When: Monday, December 16
Time: 5:30 am - 10:00 am (Afterward, there will be an optional bird count at a pond on Farmer Road close to VMF’s Volcan Mountain Nature Center which will end by 11:30 am).
Meeting Location: The Main Gate of VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center-22850 Volcan Road, Julian, CA 92036 (Drive until Farmer Road ends).
Bring: Bag lunch or snacks, drinking water, comfortable shoes, a warm jacket if it's cold,....and, of course, your binoculars.
Directions:
Via Ramona & Santa Ysabel (from all coastal and north inland communities)
From the intersection of Highways 78 &79 in Santa Ysabel, head east (SE) on Highway 78 approximately three miles to the junction with Wynola Road. Turn left onto Wynola Road and continue another 3 miles just past Julian Orchards Drive to the 'scissor-intersection' of Wynola and Farmer Roads. IMPORTANT: This 'scissor-intersection' can be tricky if you're not following the directions. Do NOT turn right onto Farmer Road across from Julian Orchards Drive. Just after you pass Julian Orchards Drive, turn left onto Farmer Road, and then follow directions below from Wynola and Farmer Roads.
Via Julian (from south coastal and south/central inland communities)
From the 4-way stop sign intersection of Washington and Main Streets in Julian, head north on Main Street. Main Street becomes Farmer Road as you head past the fire station. Continue north on Farmer Road approximately two miles to the 'scissor-intersection' of Wynola and Farmer Roads. Briefly turn right onto Wynola Road, then quickly turn left onto the continuation of Farmer Road, then follow directions below from Wynola and Farmer Roads.
Via Banner/Banner Grade (from desert communities)
From Banner, head west (NW) on Highway 78 up Banner Grade for approximately four miles to the intersection with Wynola Road. Turn right onto Wynola Road and continue another .8 mile to the 'scissor-intersection' of Wynola and Farmer Roads. Turn right onto Farmer Road, then follow directions below from Wynola and Farmer Roads.
Continuing from the 'scissor-intersection' of Wynola and Farmer Roads
Head north on Farmer Road approximately 2 miles to meet a VMF ambassador at the gated entry to Volcan Road and the parking area just beyond the gate. This is the main entrance to VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center (22850 Volcan Road, Julian, CA 92036), but also a shared access for other Volcan Mountain property owners. You will pass the trailhead for the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, Camp Cedar Glen and the Farmer Road staging area for Santa Ysabel Preserve East
Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and around the Volcan Mountain Range.