The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a fun way for participants of all ages to learn about birds, engage in an easy activity, and make friends in the community.

Join our Great Backyard Bird Count at San Marcos Foothills West Mesa.

The Audubon Society encourages citizen science by supporting bird counts throughout the year. In past years, CIR, in order to expand our parallel effort, uses this opportune time to provide a guided bird walk that starts at the main gate, past Coyote Creek, up to the highest part of the preserve, and then back down to the main gate, tallying bird species as we go.

This year's spring bird walk is on the President's Day weekend. Although it is typically done on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we will be hosting the CIR GBBC on Saturday only from 9:00 until Noon. Bring your binoculars, water, and snacks, along with any bird ID materials. We often spy over 20 species in a short amount of time. You don't have to be an expert to have some fun.

Where: San Marcos Foothills, West Mesa (1099 Via Gaitero, Santa Barbara, CA 93110)
When: Saturday, February 14th, 2026, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Why The Bird Count?: Not only is the bird count a fun way to spend a few hours, but it will help serve the greater good for community research. Bird populations are constantly changing, so to better understand how to protect birds and their habitats, we continuously collect data.

When You Volunteer With Us Please Remember:

• Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety

• Wear a long sleeve shirt for protection

• Bring sunscreen and a sunhat

• Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety. No flip-flops or sandals allowed

• Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day

• Make sure to sign all required waivers before arrival

Have Photos From Your Volunteer Day?

• Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram.

• Or send your photos to volunteer@cirweb.org for a feature.

Bird Photographs Captured at The San Marcos Foothills Preserve

Where is the San Marcos Foothills Preserve located?