Merch Shop is now live! cvbc.myspreadshop.com
The 29th annual CVBS will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Stockton, California from Thursday, November 20th to Sunday, November 23rd 2025.
Want to stay up to date on the latest news from the Central Valley Bird Club and the Symposium?
Sign Up for Email Notifications
Paul Bannick is an award-winning author and wildlife photographer specializing in the natural history of North America with a focus on birds and habitat. Coupling his love of the outdoors with his skill as a photographer, he creates images that foster the intimacy between viewer and subject, inspiring education and conservation.
Paul is both the author and photographer of two best-selling bird books, "Owl: A Year in the Lives of North American Owls" (Braided River 2016) and "The Owl and The Woodpecker, Encounters with North America’s Most Iconic Birds" (Mountaineers 2008).
In his new book, "Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers" (Mountaineers September 1, 2025), Paul delves into the natural and cultural history of woodpeckers from the boreal forest of northern Canada to oak woodlands and conifer forests in the United States to the wet tropical forests of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Erro Lehnert is a wildlife biologist from Michigan. She especially loves birds, but her passion for all wildlife has taken her all over the world. Erro got her master's degree in ornithology from the University of Central Oklahoma before she started with the California Condor Recovery Program in November of 2021. Erro has worked for various federal agencies as a biologist since 2009, and her travels have taken her to 13 states to work with birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles! But birds are her passion and working with Condors has been a dream job come true. Erro wants to protect the wild areas of the world and hopes that through research and science she can contribute to conservation practices for birds and all other wildlife. She hopes that by sharing enthusiasm for the natural world, those that she encounters will also find a love for nature and the world around them.
Jon Dunn has been a birder since age 7 after he noted an adult male Hooded Oriole in his family’s garden in a suburban canyon in Los Angles in April 1962. He was curious as to what species it was and it went on from there. At age 13 on a field trip to the Carrizo Plains he met Kimball L. Garrett who became his longtime friend and colleague. Together they have written numerous books and articles, notably Birds of Southern California, Status and Distribution (1981) and Warblers (1997). Jon was closely involved with the first seven editions of the National Geographic Guide, working closely with Jonathan Alderfer on the last five, as co-authors on the last two. The 7 th (2017) will be their last. Jon has spent over 30 years on the California Bird Records Committee and served as Chair of the ABA Checklist Committee. Jon has served since 2000 on the AOS’s Committee on Taxonomy and Nomenclature. Jon has led tours For Wings Birdwatching Tours since 1977. Beyond birds, Jon is interested in history, tries to maintain his interest in politics and is closely allied with the music and poetry of Leonard Cohen. He has been closely associated with the Symposium since near its inception.
An esteemed birder, photographer and presenter, Ed Harper was a long-time educator before taking up bird photography. He and his wife travel extensively, viewing and photographing the world’s wildlife and scenery. Ed also spends much of his time in his beloved home state of Montana. Ed traditionally kicks off the Symposium with one of his stunning photography presentations. He also creates and directs the challenging Bird ID workshops at the Symposium and at Western Field Ornithologists conferences.
Keith Hansen grew up in a family where nature and art were a pivotal part of his becoming a Bird Artist. Keith has illustrated birds since he was a teenager. His works have included over a dozen bird books and countless illustrations for various scientific organizations, publications, and logos. Keith and his wife Patricia enjoy leading tours to various countries from Mexico to Panama. His studio, "The Wildlife Gallery", is in Bolinas California.
Bob Steele is a retired engineer and professional bird photographer from Inyokern, CA. He has been involved in birding and bird photography for over 30 years. Inyokern is in the bird-rich Kern County, an area centrally located at the convergence of multiple bioregions, providing the opportunity to photograph many avian subjects. Bob has also traveled around the country, to Central and South America, Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, the Southern Ocean and more, photographing birds along the way. Bob's photos can be seen in many publications: Birding, Wild Bird, Birder's World, Ducks Unlimited, National Geographic Traveler, and National Wildlife magazines; books include: multiple National Geographic field guides, the Smithsonian Field Guide to Birds of North America, the American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America, and the Stokes Field Guide to Birds of North America.
Fernanda Araujo grew up in Brasilia, Brazil, but also lived in Florida where her father had an academic position. She got her PhD in Geophysics in Brazil and worked up until recently with oil groups in both Houston and San Antonio where she currently lives. Recently she was drawn to birds, both to photograph them and to look at them closely, to learn everything about them, a skill which she has honed expertly into her own science of discovery and learning. This requires time, patience, and curiosity, qualities which Fernanda excels in. Recently, she and Jon have become colleagues during this process, and this program is their first cooperative effort. Hopefully not the last! We still have part II to complete! She has also joined Jon (and Louis R. Bevier) as a co-author of a taxonomic motion to split the Loggerhead Kingbird (Tyrannus caufifasciatus), a West Indian endemic, into three or four species.
Dana Gardner is a well known illustrator living in Berkeley. He has lived and worked in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Locally, his illustrations appear on items in the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden gift shop, such as mugs, scarves, jigsaw puzzles and greeting cards.
Jon Dunn will host a full day exploring the waterfowl and wintering passerines at the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, paying particular attention to geese, with the goal of identifying the shy Tule Goose subspecies of Greater White-fronted Goose. Additional Fees: $125 donation that will benefit the Club’s Youth Scholarship and Publication funds
Stop by registration to pick up your badge, confirm your meal and field trip selections, and checkout this year's merchandise.
Please come and help us kick off this year’s Central Valley Birding Symposium! Come meet the CVBS board & staff members. Reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and enjoy light appetizers, such as cheese, fruit, and veggies, along with a No-Host Bar.
During this time, we will cover Friday’s field trips and make any special announcements and additions/or changes to the Symposium schedule.
High Arctic Birding: Svalbard, Jewel of the Far NorthThe evening program takes us away from the Central Valley but allows us to catch up to someof the northbound migrants that pass through our area. Dunlin, Red-necked Phalaropes, andRed-throated Loons in their finest plumage along with many other “dream” birds such as Dovekie, Purple Sandpiper, and Snow Bunting will keep the show moving. Helpful advice will be tendered to those wishing to make it to the 80 th parallel with hopes of seeing Polar Bear and Walrus fueling your appetite for mammals. En route to Longyearbyen, the most northern town in the world, we will first make a stopover in Oslo, Norway where Fieldfare, Great Tits, and Common Chaffinch await your visit at the famous Frogner Park. Join us for an evening of stunning photography and an informative narrative.
Choose from a variety of trips to experience birding in the Central Valley. Most are included with the cost of registration!
Jon Dunn Jon will host attendees in the foothills of Tuolumne County. This will be a new destination for the Symposium. He will focus in particular on the areas of Don Pedro Reservoir and Rock River Road. The reservoir and neighboring lakes/ponds attract many rare waterfowl and divers, and the unique habitat along Rock River Rd is a noted spot for wintering Vesper Sparrow, Lewis's Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird, and Ferruginous Hawk.Additional Fees: $125 donation that will benefit the Club’s Youth Scholarship and Publication funds.
Part one of a two-part class. Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore digital bird photography in the field. Topics discussed and explained will include camera setup, equipment, exposure techniques, composition, flash use, digital field evaluation of images, and approaching subjects. Workshop fee ($25) includes Introduction to Photo Editing on Saturday. Limit 10
This program has become an annual favorite. The panel will be presented with photos of difficult-to-identify bird groups, then each will mention what features they use to aid in clinching an ID.
Buffet including Tri-Tip Steak and Roasted Chicken; No-Host Bar
Heartbreak and Hope: A Biologist's Life with CondorsThe endangered California Condor population, once near the brink of extinction, has been on the recovery the past several decades due to innovative management techniques and the dedicated work by staff biologists and volunteers. Join Erro Lehnert for a glimpse into the life of a condor biologist: an overview of condor biology, the captive breeding and reintroduction program, radio and GPS tracking, wild nesting and fledgling success- and heartbreak.
Check individual trips for departure times.
Using photos taken in the field on Friday, we will continue Saturday morning with the editing workshop where Bob will provide further techniques to really allow your photos to pop.
Join bird artist Keith Hansen, for a clear and demystified look into bird illustration. With a step-by-step process, Keith will share his tips and techniques for capturing the bird on paper, how to rough out its form, and render basic patterns.
Join Master Carvers from the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association for a four-hour carving seminar. All the necessary materials, including a study guide and the best knives on the market, will be provided for this seminar. Short lectures with lots of hands-on carving will enable you to complete a Ruddy Turnstone. Topics include where to get your supplies, how to use reference material, wood selection, and how to use hand tools and power tools. There is a $30 fee for materials. The price includes a one-year membership in the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association and a club directory, so you will know who is carving in your area. Must be fifteen years old or older. Pre-registration is required.
Returning for a second year! Join us as we hear from some of the brightest young minds in ornithology. Undergraduates and graduate students from nearby universities are excited to present their research in the Central Valley Bird Symposium's student research session.
The CVBS serves as the annual meeting of the Central Valley Bird Club. Join us for lunch and a brief meeting to give an update on the club.
New this year, we will have additional time to learn about the incredible research going on right here in the Central Valley.
Join your fellow young birders to meet and share stories of your birding adventures! This will be a casual meet-up for pre-college age birders, with Central Valley Bird Club board members and other mentors hosting and answering questions. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
In this session we will examine the large and complicated genus of Myiarchus flycatchers, the ones with rufous in the wings and tail. We will also focus on Kingbirds, unraveling their identification and taxonomic mysteries, and drawing on the sleuthing skills of James Bond to help unravel a mystery from the 1970’s on Islamorada in the Florida Keys.Part 2 will be presented in 2026, and will mainly involve the notoriously complicated Contopus (Pewees) and Empidonax flycatchers.
This is a time to have fun and visit with one another. Closer to the event in an email update, we will include a list of authors available for signing at the reception.
Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American WoodpeckersIn this new presentation, Paul explores the often secret lives of woodpeckers in every season: their courtship and nest selection in spring; life in the nest during summer; fledging and gaining independence in autumn; and the challenges of surviving the winter. Paul also takes a closer look at the most important woodpecker habitats in North America and what we can do to protect them.
Please note Sunday trips, and the Symposium, end at the last birding location on the field trip, so plan to head home from there. Trips should be finished by noon or 1pm.
Click the link below to download a printable, PDF version of the 2025 field trip descriptions:
2025 Central Valley Birding Symposium Field Trips.pdf
All Registrations include a 1 year membership in the Central Valley Bird Club.
Registration Type
Price
Adult Multi Day
$185
General Registration for the entire event.
Adult Single Day
$100
Discounted registration for ONE day of the event only.
CVBC Life Member
$155
Full event. (No membership dues collected.)
Student (through college)
$15
Parent/ Chaperone
$5
If registering online.
Field Trip Leader
$35
Field Trip Leader who is also a CVBC Life Member
Refund Policy:
Cancellations made by telephone or email on or before November 1, 2025, will result in a refund of fees paid, less $20.00 administrative fee for each registrant. Refunds will be processed by the CVBS Registrar after the symposium.
No refunds will be made for cancellations after November 1, 2024, or for no-shows. The CVBC reserves the right to cancel any event for any reason, and you will receive a full refund for any paid event we cancel.
Registrar: Katie Steiner- [email protected]
Click the link below to download a Registration Worksheet to help plan your registration choices like field trips and meals.
CVBS Reg-worksheet-2025.pdf
You can now purchase your 2025 CVBS shirts (and more!) and have everything shipped directly to your home prior to the event. Browse our collection featuring artwork by Dana Gardner on the
Central Valley Bird Club Spreadshop!
Book Online Now with Special CVBS Group Rate﹥
📞 209-957-9090
Group Code: 92T
AltaCal Bird Alliance
California Rice Commission
Sierra Foothills Audubon Society
Stanislaus Audubon Society
Sacramento Audubon Society
North Delta Conservancy
Yolo Bird Alliance
Central Valley Joint Venture
San Joaquin Audubon
Tyler Uslan Foundation on Facebook
San Mateo County Bird Alliance
Out of This World Optics
© Copyright 2025 Central Valley Bird Club. All Rights Reserved.
