Friends of the Inyo’s 11th Annual Owens Lake Bird Festival

Patsiata’s (Owens Lake) Importance to Migrating and Nesting Birds with Mike Prather

Explore the roads in Pasiata’s habitat/dust control locations and learn to access the lake on your own. We will drive, stop, observe, and discuss the massive return of inspirational feathered friends who have rediscovered Patsiata. Once again, they use her as a place to rest and forage, putting on more fat for their marathon journey. The lakebed is mostly owned by the State of California and, therefore, is open to the public. 

Mike Prather has been a teacher, naturalist, and conservationist in Inyo County since 1972. He has advocated for the protection and management of birds at Patsiata since the early 1980’s. Mike lives in the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine and looks down on the lake from his home.

Birding on Owens Lake with Ali Sheehey

Join Master Naturalist Ali Sheehey on a tour of high-concentration bird areas on Owens Lake. This trip is for people with all levels of birding experience. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one.

Ali Sheehey, aka Nature Ali, is a Certified Master Naturalist with a love of all things nature. She is an avid birder and photographer. She has explored every natural area in Kern County and much of Southern Inyo County.

Non-Technical Bird Photography on Owens Lake with Martin Powell

Martin will lead attendees on a trip out to Owens Lake to look for birds and photograph them in a relaxed manner. Attendees are encouraged to bring a camera with at least a 400mm lens.

Martin Powell has been a photographer for much of his life, including a year spent photographing as many bird as possible during his “Big Year” competition, which resulted in 200 shots of different bird species.

Geology and Natural History of the Alabama Hills with Dave Kirk

We’ll take a walk through this unique landscape and talk about the forces which shaped it. There will also be an opportunity to view the diversity of native desert plants that survive and thrive in this landscape, including several species of wildflowers in bloom. Dave will also talk about the effects that decades of irresponsible recreation had on the hills and the restoration efforts that have been putting the ‘scenic’ back into our National Scenic Area.

Dave Kirk is based in Independence, California, and worked as a BLM Ranger primarily in the Alabama Hills. For the past two decades, he’s been involved with restoration, interpretation, and raising awareness of the need to further protect this special place. Upon designation as a National Scenic Area, Dave’s knowledge contributed to composing and implementing the NSA Management Plan for the hills. He now works as an artist specializing in Eastern Sierra Landscapes and is an Alabama Hills Stewardship Group board member.

Introduction to Birding for Kids in Spainhower Park and Edwards Field with Maggie Riley

This tour is open to kids aged 6-12. No experience needed. Parents are welcome if you want to bird with your child. First, we’ll learn how to use binoculars safely and effectively to observe birds. Then, we will learn how to identify common birds using field marks and behavior, using bird books (provided), along with take-home Common Birds posters and printed checklists to keep track of what you find. After introductions and learning how to use binoculars and our other tools, we will spend time finding and identifying birds in the park and nearby wild areas. Binoculars, Bird Books, Common Birds posters, checklists, and pencils provided.

Maggie is retired from being the Outdoor Education and Science Specialist for Inyo County Office of Education, and has over 20 years of experience leading kids’ outdoor science education field programs. She taught birding to local 3rd-grade students for 6 years through her position and loved every minute of it. Maggie is a Bird Nerd and loves spending time with kids – she refuses to grow up!

Birding at the Cartago Wildlife Area with Environmental Scientist and Eastern Sierra Bird Alliance President, Dannique Aalbu

The Cartago Wildlife Area is a freshwater wetland area adjacent to Owens Lake managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It consists of 232 acres of freshwater wetland and springs, which provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds, including western snowy plover, white-faced ibis, sora, and Virginia rail. 144 documented species of birds have been recorded here. We’ll look for riparian songbird species as well as waterbirds on a less than 1 mile walk around the wetland.

Dannique is an Environmental Scientist whose excitement for birding was first sparked by a laughing kookaburra during a trip to New South Wales, Australia. She is a lover of all the wild places and unique habitats that the Eastern Sierra has to offer, from alpine peaks to desert oases. A resident of the area for over 14 years now, she has spent countless hours performing point-count, nesting, mist-nesting, and protocol surveys for a variety of bird species. She is currently serving as President of the Eastern Sierra Bird Alliance, a local chapter of the National Audubon Society, and is happy to chat with anyone about the amazing lineup of local bird programs planned for the year.

Desert Ecology Walk in the Alabama Hills with Sierra Forever’s Michelle Kelly

With the Eastern Sierra as a backdrop and the whimsical rock formations of the Alabama Hills as a stage, learn about the area’s ecology and the plant and animal species that call it home.

Michelle is a naturalist and educator with a background in history and ecology, specializing in the interconnected stories of landscape, plants, and people in the Eastern Sierra. As Education Manager for Sierra Forever, she develops and leads educational programs that help visitors and residents better understand the region’s natural history. She can usually be found wandering around the Eastern Sierra with binoculars and journal in hand, looking for unusual plants and elusive desert animals.

Beyond the Binoculars, Birding on Owens Lake with Gena Wood from Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Phoebe Prather

Take a closer look at the lives of the birds around us on this guided drive around Owens Lake, with a focus on their natural history. From courtship and nesting to migration and survival strategies, we’ll explore the remarkable behaviors and adaptations that make each species unique. This trip invites participants to slow down, observe closely, and connect with the stories behind the birds we encounter, gaining a deeper appreciation for their roles in the natural world.

Gena Wood is an avid birder and naturalist with a deep passion for sharing the incredible stories that birds hold. Based in Bishop, California, she serves as the Community Connections Program Director at Eastern Sierra Land Trust and sits on the board of the Eastern Sierra Bird Alliance. Gena loves inspiring others to appreciate birds, natural history, and the importance of protecting our shared planet. She has previously led trips at the Owens Lake Bird Festival (2025) and the Mono Lake Bird Chautauqua (2023–2025). Though she hates to pick favorites, she admits a soft spot for Loggerhead Shrikes.

Revealing Payahuunadu: Understanding the Impacts of Water Extraction with Emily Ontiveros & Charlene Buff from Friends of the Inyo

Visit sites in the Owens valley where groundwater pumping has had an effect on the landscape. Understand how the LA-Inyo Long Term Water Agreement relates to current groundwater management.

Charlene’s interest in land and water protection is deeply rooted in culture and a love for the environment. As a Water Empowerment Organizer, she enjoys connecting with the community and engaging in meaningful conversations around water extraction. Emily is a Water Empowerment Organizer who has worked and studied at the intersection of water issues, community engagement, and landscape design.

Historic Mining Town of Cerro Gordo with Tim Katthagen

A fascinating look at early western mining history, with stunning views of Owens Lake, Saline Valley, the Panamint Mountains, and Death Valley along the way. High-clearance vehicles strongly recommended. Bring binoculars for this all-day tour. Yes, there are birds up there, away from Owens Lake. You never know what you may find up there. Also, in this old mining town, there is a stunning opportunity to glance down into Saline Valley, really just a few minutes walk from the town.

Tim Katthagen has spent a great deal of time over the years at Cerro Gordo exploring its history and learning its landscape. He’s visited the mines below the town and crossed the ridgelines on a motorcycle. Tim is excited to share Cerro Gordo’s rich history and the future of the ghost town. Tim is the owner and operator of Owens Valley Vehicle Recovery.

Conglomerate Mesa Hike with Friends of the Inyo’s Jordan Marbury

Visit the beautiful Conglomerate Mesa before K2 Gold and its subsidiary Mojave Precious Metals’ proposed gold mining exploration begins. While we wait for the Record of Decision on the proposal to be released, we will hike to see the area in its current condition. Caravan in your high-clearance vehicle (required but carpooling is an option) past extensive Joshua Tree groves leading to Conglomerate Mesa for a hike with stunning desert views, a look at mining threats to the area.

Jordan is Communications Manager at Friends of the Inyo. Originally from Georgia, his love for High Sierra climbing has deepened into a devotion to the entire Eastern Sierra ecosystem. In his role, Jordan informs the public about issues facing Eastern Sierra public lands and empowers people to take action in their defense.

Lower Owens River Project with Friends of the Inyo’s Lauren Kelly and Sierra Club’s Lynn Boulton

94 years after water was diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the Owens River began flowing again as part of a settlement between stakeholders in the Owens Valley and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Lauren and Lynn will be taking participants on stops along the Owens River, discussing the history of the River and the LADWP project known as the LORP (the Lower Owens River Project).

Lauren Rose has loved history and nature for as longas she can remember and is FOI’s Water Justice Organizer. Motivated by her experience growing up and living in Los Angeles, she dedicated herself to learning everything she could about L.A.’s environmental and social impacts in Payahuunadü. Lynn Boulton is the Conservation Chair with the Range of Light Group of the Sierra Club and has been working on LADWP land and water issues since 2018. She has been commenting on the LADWP annual LORP reports and pushing for a second summit on the riverine system to improve the health of the river. She has been involved in adaptive management plans for the two other projects under the LORP, the Blackrock Waterfowl Management Area, which will be part of the tour, and the Delta Habitat Area.

Plein Air Session Overlooking the Owens River with Edie Trimmer

This Sunday-morning plein air event is on a bluff overlooking the meandering Owens River, with great views of the Alabama Hills and the Sierra Nevada. There will be a brief introduction to setting up for a plein air session (more challenging than painting in a studio), followed by a couple of hours of painting. Participants may bring their own supplies (any medium is welcome) or purchase a basic watercolor kit for $15. This kit includes a small palette of colors, an 11” by 15” sheet of Arches cold press paper, and a couple of ok watercolor brushes. Participants will need to provide a camp chair, a water container, a ceramic or plastic plate for mixing colors, and a sturdy board for the watercolor paper. There are no restrooms or shade, so plan accordingly.

Edie Trimmer coordinates the Eastern Sierra Plein Air Artists, a group that paints every Tuesday at sites throughout the Eastern Sierra. We welcome artists from beginners to accomplished artists. If interested in joining the group, you may contact her at edieann@xmission.com.

Native Wildflower Walk on Centennial Flat With Friends of the Inyo’s Pete Johnson

Brand new species to science are being discovered and described all the time, not just in distant rainforests but right here in Inyo County! Join an easy walk at the Mojave Desert/Great Basin ecotone to meet special local native desert wildflowers and learn about new plant species and exciting rediscoveries from the past few years. Accessible to beginners, learn how to identify flowers and how YOU can be the one to make the next big scientific discovery with community science. If we’re very lucky, we’ll get to meet some of the new species!

Pete Johnson is a Certified California Naturalist and Friends of the Inyo’s Membership and Operations Director. They live in the Eastern Sierra. They enjoy taking macro photos of wildflowers on long distance runs and bike rides and surveying for rare plants for conservation.