sign in sign up
<<
Home , Rodeo Lagoon, Tomales Bay State Park

shore and water birds to the eye of the naturalist. Maps, information, excellent bird checklists ($0.10) and identification materials The Site Guide are available at the headquarters of National Seashore, Point Reyes Sta- tion, 94956. In addition to birds (over 350 species recorded) there are about Site: Coastal Marin County, California 72 species of mammals, 18 reptiles, 12 amphibians and numerous smaller ammals, Location: Coastal mid-Northern California both terrestrial and aquatic. Insects should in three loosely timed trips, one of one-to- be no problem and rattlesnake, the only four hours, one of one-half to one full day poisonousvertebrate here, is quite rare. Do and one of one full day, all in Marin County not approach foxes, skunks or other and all between five and sixty miles north and mammals that act abnormally, as rabies has northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, San occasionally been detected in the area The Francisco and Marin Counties, Alta California. temperature is seldom below 35ø F. or above General Access:All of the following locali- 75ø F., but it is often foggy and sometimes ties are easily reached by driving west from windy. After about 10 a.m. on weekendsand U S. 101 (The Redwood Highway) on any of in summer there may be moderately heavy several main roads from the north end of the car traffic. Wildflowers are abundant in Golden Gate Bridge north to Novato. spring and summer. Hiking and bicyclingare General Description:It is amazing that an encouragedin areas where auto traffic is pro- area such as coastal Marin County, directly hibited. Stay on roads and designatedtrads adjacent to the populousSan FranciscoBay and report violations against the land to the Area, has been so well retained in a semi- police or to rangers. natural state. Thanks to State Park, Muir Woods National Monu- Accommodations:Many motels and hotels ment, Point Reyes National Seashore,Point are available all along Highway 101from San Reyes Bird Observatory, Mt. Tamalpais Francisco to Novato and a few are located in State Park, State Park, Audu- Inverness and the other small towns along bon Canyon ranch and conscientiouscitizens Highway 1, but for guaranteedspace, espec- of several small townships, notably Bolinas, ially in the summer and on weekends, a reser- Stlnson Beach, Point Reyes Station, Inver- vation is recommended. Campgrounds are ness and Dillon Beach, much of the forest, located at Samuel P. Taylor State Park brushland, grassland, riparian stream edge (reservations necessary) on Sir Francis and many of the marshes, ponds, , Drake Boulevard between San Anselmo estuaries and beaches have been virtually and Olema and "back-country" camping saved from the developmentof the machines is allowed in some areas of Mt. Tamal- of humans. Muir Woods on Mount Tamalpais pais State Park and Point Reyes National and Bolinas and Inverness ridges are still Seashore. There are grocery stores, restau- richly forested with coast redwoods,Douglas rants and gas stationsin all of the small towns fir, Bishop pine, madrone and bay trees along.Highway1, and towardsInverness, but which give way at lower elevationsto dense do not count on anything being open before 9 chaparral. Headland bluffs and cliffs are a.m. or after 4 p.m. as these merchantskeep thickly carpetedwith bushlupine brokenby shortdaytime hours. Picnic areas are abundant. grazed and regrown grasslandof several exotic species. A number of streamsand a SpecialPlaces: Point Reyes Bird Observa- few marshesedged generouslywith willows tory is a full time, non-profit ornithological and alders maintain remnant habitat for research station located on Highway 101 riparian- and bog-loving animals. Several outside of Bolinas. There is a small dis- freshwaterponds and lagoons,tidal estuaries play room with excellent literature and a and bays as well as offshorerocks, reefs and small staff of trained ornithologists who open ocean offer an unequalledarray of will be helpful and friendly, but this is

Volume 32, Number 3 303 CoastalMarimCounty, California. Maps/Doug Rod. primarily a researchstation and not a public but many land birds are resident and a few of attraction. It is open to visitorsdaily except each species of shore and waterbirds can Monday and is located near several good usuallybe foundsummering or as earlyfall birding spots. For information send a self- or late springmigrants. The followingland- addressed, stamped envelope to P.R.B.O., birds are someof many that mightbe con- 4990 Star Route, Stinson Beach, California sidered year-'round residents. Band-tailed 94970. Pigeon, Spotted Owl, Pygmy Owl, White- , owned and main- throatedSwift, Anna'sHummingbird, Acorn tained jointly by National and local Audubon Woodpecker, Black and Say's Phoebes, Societies is centered on the east shore of Violet-green Swallow, Steller's and Scrub Bolinas . A heronry of Great and Steller's and Scrub Jays, Chestnut-backed Snowy Egrets and Great Blue Herons at the Chickadee, Plain Titmouse, Bushtit, Red- headquarterspresents a fine opportunity for breastedand Pygmy Nuthatches,Wrentit, observation and photographyof the treetop Winter Wren, HuttoWs Vireo, Lesser and nests from trails which rise above. In addi- Am. Goldfinches, Brown Towhee and White- tion, A.C.R. has been responsiblefor the crowned Sparrow. purchase and protection of much wild During migrationperiods the numbersand acreage in the coastal Marin area. For infor- varietiesof birdspresent are astonishing and, mation, write to Audubon Canyon Ranch, virtually any migratoryNorth Americanbird 4990 State Rte. # 1, Stinson Beach, California might appear. 94970. Trips here in winter are almostas produc- tive as in springand fall andthe PointReyes General Birding: Migration periods and ChristmasBird Count averages 195- + species winter (late July to early June) are best for and 200 has been reached. In addition to the the greatest variety of birds in all the habitats legions of waterbirds present, Short-eared

304 AmericanBirds, May 1978 and Saw-whet Owls, Varied Thrush, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Townsend's Warbler, Tricolored Blackbird, Golden- crowned and Lincoln's Sparrow are rela- tively common as are many other landbird species. Raptors are quite common especially dur- ing the fall and many overwinter. At least 16 speciesare found here annuallyand there is almost adequate protection for them against gunnersand falconers. Trips: Three different locality trips are suggested and outlined. The Tamalpais- Bolinas one-half to one-day route is most highly recommendedfor variety of species, number of typically western species,special places and variety of habitat. The short trip to and Marin Headlands is Rodeo Lagoon showing brackish lagoon (fore- good if there is not enoughtime for either of ground} and freshwater pond (rear) and surround- the other two trips and the Olema to Point ing grassy hills. Photos/Rich Staiicup. Reyes whole day trip is designedfor hikingas well as a good variety of birds. beach. Some of the area is military-owned and some is state park so respectthe speed 1. Rodeo Lagoon-Marin Headlands -- two limit or expectto receivea coupon.The road hours to one-half day. Approachingfrom the parallelsa long row of thick willows alonga southtake the AlexanderExit from Highway stream, then passesa freshwater pond sur- 101just north of the GoldenGate Bridge,or roundedby cattail marshand finally a larger, approaching from the north take the last brackish lagoon, backed up by the beach. Sausalito Exit just before the G.G.B. (These Check all of these areas as well as exposed exits are the same.) Go northeast, downhill perches and the dry, brushy hillsides. Visit about 100 yards and turn left (west) to a the Marin Headlands State Park office across tunnel operatedby trafficsignals. Go through the street from the beach parking lot for the tunnel and follow the main road to the literature, lists and detailed access to

Chaparral (foreground)and RedwoodX Douglas Rodeo Lagoon -- Marin Headlands Fir woods (rear) on Mr. Tamaipais.

Volume32, Number3 305 secondary roads and trails. Walk south on the beach, checking the ocean for scoters, loons and grebes and check the beach and lagoon edge for shorebirds. South of the beach you will see a large, guano-covered rock where Brant, Pelagic Cormorant, and in the fall, Brown Pelicansperch. Groupsof trees up towards the Point Bonita Light- house (access uphill from the fleshwater pond) are often goodfor landbirds,especially during migrations and the headlands above the Golden Gate channel are great for obser- vation of diurnal migrants, especially hawks. An average trip during migrations or in winter here may include from 50-70 species of birds. Summer is not as good but is still well worth a visit. Make the beachwalk early in the morning to avoid crowds. from estuary channel and Tamal- pals ridge in background. 2. Tamalpais-Bolinas-- one-half to one full day. This is the best of several avian-rich localities within minutes' drive of San Fran- most active. Next, lind your way down to cisco. On any day during either migration Stinson Beach, checking the chaparral for period or during the winter, a singleparty Wrentits, Rufous-crowned Sparrows and shouldhave little troublein seeing100+ bird Brown Towhees.Continue along Highway 1 speciesor gettingto know a few specieswell, on the east shore of Bolinas Lagoon. There many of which have a quite limited United are numerousplaces to stop and scanthe water States range. and exposedflats. Spend much time here as Begin before dawn, listening and "hoot- this lagoon (estuary) is shallow, rich in food ing" for owls in wooded places on Mount a•d is a majorstopover for migrantgrebes, Tamalpais (Muir Woods Road Panoramic cormorants, pelicans, herons, (Black) Brant, Highway) and in summer,listening for Poor- ducks and shorebirds, many of which also wills on brushy slopesor, at least, be up winter. At the north end of the lagoon,check a there early in the morningwhen landbirdsare small pond on the east side of the road. It is

Tamalpais -- Bolinas

306 American Birds, May 1978 often dry but if not is usually very good for Beach State Park (beach) and the tule-sali- shorebirds including Pectoral and Baird's cornia marsh at the southeast corner of the Sandpipers in fall and snipe that hide in the lagoon (diked off from tides). tall grass, summer, spring and fall. Turn left here, roundingthe end of the lagoon,heading towards Bolinas and bird along this west 3. O!ema-PointReyes-- one full day. Begin shore towards the town. There are fewer by owling on Balboa Road, InvernessPark or spots to stop on this side but do so where around P.R.N.S. headquarters one mile possible.At Pine Gulch Creek the road turns northwest of Olema. In the early morning right, leaving the shore and soon jogs left search around Olema Marsh, which is past the schooland crossessome wet fields. crossed by Bear Valley Road and bordered Check these fields for geese, ducks, egrets, by Sir Boulevard on the north shorebirds and blackbirds. At the first stop and Highway I between Olema and Point sign, turn right into Mesa Road, cross the Reyes Station on the east. Look and listen bluff, again checking ponds and damp fields for rails, Red-shouldered Hawks, bitterns, to Overlook Road. Turn left. Go one block to marsh wrens, yellowthroats and sparrows, Elm, turn right (west) and continue to the then continue to Inverness along the west parking lot of Agate Beach. Here, climb the edge of Tomales Bay on Sir Francis Drake bluff overlooking the ocean and carefully Boulevard. There are numerous turnouts check any exposed rocks for Black Oyster- from which one can scanthe bay and look for catcher, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Wander- forest birds acrossthe road. Continue past ing Tattler and Rock Sandpiper, and 'scope Inverness 2.5 miles west across Inverness the ocean horizonfor loons,grebes, cormor- Ridge to the first fork. Take the right fork, ants, sea ducks, shearwaters and alcids. Pierce Point Road, towards McClure Beach. Return to Olema-BolinasRoad, turn right and You may wish to bird the woods of Tomales go throughthe smalltown of Bolinaskeeping to Bay State Park 1.3 miles past the fork, as the left until the roadends at the estuarychan- they are very good for seedeaters, insecti- nel. This is anothergood vantage point, espe- votes and birds of prey alike, but there is a cially for gulls, loons and (Black) Brant. Go fee per car and as much can be found by back aroundthe lagoononce againas the tide walking into the area from selectedpoints will be differentand the birdspresent will have along the main road. Chestnut-backed moved, giving an entirely different impres- Chickadees,Pygmy Nuthatchesand Steller's sion of the area. Check the alders and wil- Jays are commonand Red Crossbillis possi- lows, especially near the entrance to Stinson ble here. Continue towards McClure Beach and at 3.6 miles from the fork there is a small parking area on the west sideof the road with a walk-through gate which leads to Abbott's Lagoon, a good freshwater lake with some marshy edges. This walk can be as short or long as you desire as the lagoon continues south,east and west to the oceanbeach past the first smaller lake seenfrom the entrance, or skippedcompletely to savetime. Abbott's is excellentfor divingand dabbling ducks and dependingupon the water level on the west side, shorebirds.In the car again continue 2. l miles to another turnout on the left with a walk-through that is in a gully between grassy hills, comprisedof a dry-looking marsh. This is Kehoe Marsh. Passthe gate and follow the dirt road to the oceanbeach, Olema Marsh with wooded InvernessRidge (right poking into the adjacent marsh at various teat'). points. Watch especiallyfor snipe, Long-

Volume 32, Number 3 307 Oiema -- Point Reyes billed Marsh Wrens, sparrows and rails including the elusive Black. Take your car again to the parking area at the end of the road and another westward walk will put you on McClure Beach. Harlequin Ducks, three speciesof scoters,grebes and loonsare often seen in and beyond the surf and Rock Wrens are occasional along the cliffs. There are beautiful tidal pools exposed here at low water. If there is still time, go back to the fork and take Sir Francis Drake Highway again, west towards Point Reyes. This road drops and winds by a stream in a shallow Point ReyesBeach from Pt. Reyes,looking toward canyon, fine for landbirds such as Hutton's Pierce Pt. (white water IO mi distance). Bush Vireo, Scrub Jay, hummingbirdsetc. and, at Lupine in foreground. the bottom, crosses Drake's Estero which is etc., and visit the Drake's Beach area where easily checked for shorebirds.From here the there is a National Seashoreoffice complete road passesmostly throughpastureland and with snacks and toilets. Watch for raptors, bush lupine with occasional standsof Mon- plovers, Horned Larks and longspursin open terey Cypress at farmhouses. Point Reyes areas. There is nothing particularly inter- Lighthouse is closed to vistors but birding esting at Point Reyes beach (two entrances) anywhere along the road may be very good. but it is very beautiful. During migration, landbirdsoften pile up on Rating: Spring ****, Summer **, Fall the point and may be seen in trees or often ****, Winter ****. flocking through the brush. Scan the fish docks area on South Point (left at the last --Rich Stallcup-- 4409 44th Ave. fork) for Oldsquaw,cormorants, loons, gulls Sacramento, California 95824.

308 American Birds, May 1978