Birding Adventure: Eastern Sierra/Owens Valley

Eastern Sierra/Owens Valley: May 1-5, 2026

For this birding trip, we will travel along the slopes of the Eastern Sierra, stopping at various places to look for birds and enjoy the views of the mountains. The main event will be the Sage Grouse mating ritual at their Lek near Crowley Lake.

• May 1st is a travel day to Lone Pine. 
• May 2nd, we will travel north to Bishop, birding along the way. Important stops will be at Glacier Lodge for Sooty Grouse and Aspendell for gray-crowned rosy finch and other high altitude specialties. We will stay in Bishop for 2 nights.
• May 3rd will find us at the Lake Crowley grouse lek at 5:30 AM, which means leaving Bishop no later than 4:45 AM. We will spend ample time at the lek, then bird in a long loop for the rest of the day, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch, and finally arriving back at Bishop in the afternoon. 
• May 4th, we will bird our way back to Lone Pine with several stops planned. Spend the night of the 4th in Lone Pine or forge on home if you have the energy.
• May 5th, drive up to Whitney Portal, then drive home. 

Leaders: Steve Ellis and Hal Benham
The trip will be limited to 20 participants. The cost is $100 per person. 

Please email PalomarAudubon@gmail.com if you are interested.